text:
Bills Digest no. 17 2012–13
PDF version [710KB]
WARNING: This Digest was prepared for debate. It reflects the legislation as introduced and does not canvass subsequent amendments. This Digest does not have any official legal status. Other sources should be consulted to determine the subsequent official status of the Bill.
Paula Pyburne
Law and Bills Digest Section
11 September 2012
Do Not Call Register
Financial implications
Main issues
Key features of the Bill
Concluding comments
Date introduced: 21 May 2012
House: House of Representatives
Portfolio: Private Member's Bill: Steve Georganas, MP
Commencement: On the day after Royal Assent
Links: The links to the Bill, its Explanatory Memorandum and second reading speech can be found on the Bill's home page, or through http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation. When Bills have been passed and have received Royal Assent, they become Acts, which can be found at the ComLaw website at http://www.comlaw.gov.au/.
The purpose of the Do Not Knock Register Bill 2012 (the Bill) is to establish a scheme to minimise and regulate unsolicited marketing calls to residential and government addresses.
On 30 October 2005, the then Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Helen Coonan, released a discussion paper canvassing options for a national, legislated Do Not Call Register.[1]
The accompanying media release stated:
Australian consumers are increasingly frustrated by interruptions from telemarketers, particularly unsolicited calls that come from call centres overseas.
But in formulating a way to cut down on unsolicited calls there are a number of important issues to consider including how bodies such as charities and legitimate market researchers can continue to operate.
The discussion paper I am releasing today is a vital step in formulating how a national, legislated Do Not Call register would work in Australia. A Do Not Call register would give consumers the right to 'opt-out' of telemarketing approaches at any time.
For instance, people could put their number on a register, and telemarketers, including telemarketers from overseas, would face penalties if they phoned a number on the register.[2]
After considering the submissions received in response to the discussion paper, the Government enacted the Do Not Call Register Act 2006 (Do Not Call Register Act).[3] The Do Not Call Register Act established a national, legislated Do Not Call Register which operates to protect consumers from nuisance telemarketing phone calls.[4]
This Bill is modelled on the Do Not Call Register Act in that it seeks to establish a national Do Not Knock Register which will operate so that unsolicited marketing visits may not be made to an address on the proposed register.
Two Victorian reports deal with consumer experiences relating to energy direct marketers.[5] The first of the reports found that:
… retailers are regularly in breach of existing guidelines and laws, and increasingly, consumers are entering new contracts without a full understanding of the terms and conditions. High pressure selling practices are making many consumers more vulnerable to being transferred without full consent.[6]
The report concluded that:
… direct sales channels, particularly door-to-door selling, are in and of themselves problematic, not only for individual consumers but also for the competitive market. Direct sales practices involve approaching consumers to pique their interest in a particular product that they are otherwise not interested in. More often than not, this requires placing significant pressure to coerce consumers into agreeing to a particular course of conduct.[7]
The second report related specifically to the experiences of the African community in west Melbourne, stating that 'African community members are vulnerable to the tactics of door-to-door sales people, with little or no understanding of the complex contractual obligations involved or the right to or meaning of the cooling off period'.[8]
On 17 August 2012 the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) launched a comprehensive research report on the door-to-door sales industry in Australia, which it had commissioned from independent researchers Frost and Sullivan Australia Pty Ltd.[9] The report, entitled Research into the door to door sales industry in Australia (the ACCC report)[10] was prepared from information provided by key traders using door to door service providers, and both former, and current, door-to-door sales people.[11]
The ACCC report identifies the products and services which are most commonly sold door-to-door in Australia. They are:
Based on estimates of annual door-to-door sales by industries derived from interviews, sales per industry are summarised in the table below.
Number of door-to-door sales 2011
Energy—that is, electricity and gas
1 000 000
Pay TV
34 000
138 000
Solar Panels
52 000
Media subscriptions
24 000
Other (for example, home insulation, appliances, educational software)
60 000
1 308 000
Source: Frost and Sullivan estimates[13]
It should be noted that the ACCC report provides a correlation between the number of sales as outlined in the table above and the number of calls that a door-to-door sales agent makes per day. The report states:
The key measure used in the industry is sales per agent per day. This differs significantly by product category, with energy sales typically highest at 2.5 – 3.0 per day and products such as pay TV and telecoms at 0.7 – 1.1. To achieve this number of sales, an agent will typically call upon 50-80 households per selling day, with between 42 per cent and 50 per cent likely to be at home, and around 25 per cent – 30 per cent of these prepared to listen to a sales presentation.[14]
This provides a valuable perspective—for each of the 1 308 000 sales in the table above,
door-to-door sales agents may have knocked on 50–80 doors.[15]
The ACCC report identifies two factors which are likely to impact on the use of door-to-door sales over the medium-term.
The first is the development of the National Broadband Network (NBN). The ACCC report states:
More than 4000 homes and businesses were connected to the NBN at the end of 2011 and work is already underway on extending the network to towns and suburbs covering a further half a million premises in 2012. At the peak of construction it is estimated that 6000 homes per day will be connected. As a wholesale network, service providers will be able to provide retail services to customers over the NBN. This provides a strong opportunity for door-to-door sales activity, which can be timed to coincide with the roll-out of the NBN to a particular locality, and multiple service providers may use the door-to-door channel.[16]
The second is the enhanced competition in energy markets:
Increased competition in retail energy markets typically stimulates door-to-door sales as this is the major channel used particularly by new entrant retailers... Following the sale of state-owned retailers in NSW in 2011, competitive activity increased significantly in that state, and consequently stimulated door-to-door sales. Future changes in markets like Tasmania, WA and the Northern Territory, where there is currently limited or no retail competition for small customers, may similarly stimulate door-to-door sales activities in those states.[17]
In addition, the ACCC report notes that some traders consider that the introduction of compliance schemes such as Energy Assured are likely to reduce the incidence of consumer issues arising from door-to-door sales and increase the professionalism of service providers and agents.[18] The ACCC report concludes that the perceived advantages of this method of sales and its effectiveness will continue to drive usage.[19]
The Bill has been referred to the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs (the Committee) for inquiry and report.[20] Public hearings were held on 22-23 August 2012.[21] At the time of writing this Bills Digest no reporting date had been set. The views of submitters to the inquiry are canvassed below.
The Bill was also considered by the Senate Standing Committee for the Scrutiny of Bills (Scrutiny of Bills Committee) which noted that the:
… bill was not accompanied by a satisfactory Explanatory Memorandum. Although the Explanatory Memorandum contains a Statement of Compatibility with Human Rights (SOC), the Explanatory Memorandum does no more than set out briefly the overall purpose of the Bill.[22]
In the relation to the proposed prohibition on the making of unsolicited marketing visits to residential and government addresses, the Scrutiny of Bills Committee stated that:
… it may be thought to infringe on a number of practices that rely on the freedom to communicate views and beliefs about politics and religion. The Bill contains a number of exemptions in Schedule 1 which allow 'designated' marketing calls to ensure political parties, independent members of parliament, political candidates and their delegates can make door to door visits. Also included are exemptions ensuring political, religious and not for profit organisations are not prevented from making door to door visits.
The SOC asserts that these exemptions ensure that the rights in issue are not impinged. However, the Committee's view is that neither the Explanatory Memorandum nor SOC engage with the relevant issues in an appropriate level of detail. The precise nature of the exemptions is not elucidated and neither is the question of whether the exemptions are over or under‑inclusive adequately addressed.[23]
Other comments by the Scrutiny of Bills Committee are incorporated in the discussion below.
At the time of writing this Bills Digest, the Committee had received 11 written submissions. Opinions about the Bill are polarised.
Submitters such as the Direct Selling Association of Australia and Salmat, whose business models include door-to-door sales, oppose the Bill on the grounds that the Australian Consumer Law (ACL[24]) already regulates the practice.[25] Energy Assured, which manages the voluntary Code of Practice for the retail energy industry, agreed with that view and noted that 'a Do Not Knock register will have administrative costs to set up and manage; costs which could ultimately be passed on to families'.[26]
In comparison, submitters such as Consumer Action Law Centre argued that 'there is significant, widespread and proven consumer detriment arising from door-to-door selling practices' and that 'there are a number of weaknesses with the Australian Consumer Law's regulation of unsolicited sales, which mean that consumers are vulnerable to door-to-door marketing'.[27]
The level of vulnerability felt by some members of the community is described in the submission from National Seniors Australia, which states:
Given that some older Australian households experience limited budgets along with rising financial concerns, it is imperative to provide protection to prevent further vulnerability. With regard to door to door sales, a recent Australian Competition and Consumer Commission report reveals that the vulnerable and disadvantaged are deliberately targeted to complete a sale. Agents have specifically stated that approaches to conclude the sale of a product are aimed at the elderly.
Difficulties arise from these methods of sale due to the provision of misleading information, contracts that do not reflect what was verbally agreed upon and the pressure from returning sales representatives which can generate feelings of powerlessness and intimidation.[28]
These polar opposite views—that is, the perceived need for a Do Not Knock register by groups representing the disadvantaged in the community and the strong resistance to the register by representatives of traders selling door-to-door—were also reflected in oral evidence to the Committee.[29]
According to the Explanatory Memorandum to the Bill it will have no financial impact.[30] However, it is not clear that this is correct. The absence of adequate funding for the Bill is outlined below.
There are three main issues arising from the Bill:
According to the Explanatory Memorandum to the Do Not Call Register Bill 2006, the need for a Do Not Call register arose because:
The Government is concerned that the rate of unsolicited telemarketing calls has grown significantly in recent years. There have been rising community concerns about the inconvenience and intrusiveness of telemarketing on Australians, as well as concerns about the impact of telemarketing on an individual's privacy.[31]
The creation of the Do Not Call register was a policy response to what was ascertained, after extensive consultation, to be a community-wide problem.
The ACCC report acknowledges:
instances in which targeting occurred based on age (both older and younger consumers), marital status (such as single parents), housing status (such as housing commission or first home) and benefit status (such as Centrelink benefits).[32]
The Bill proposed to address the difficulties which some sectors of the community are reported as experiencing as a result of the 'aggressive door-to-door sales tactics' of some industries.[33] However, it is not clear that the Bill is needed to protect these vulnerable members of the community at this time, given the consumer protections which are contained in ACL as outlined below. It may be that further education by the ACCC about consumers' rights would be sufficient.
The ACL already contains significant protections for consumers which would seem to be sufficient to address the problem of door-to-door sales persons.
The protections include, but are not limited to, that salespersons:
– on Sundays or public holidays at all
– before 9am on Monday to Saturday
– after 6pm on weekdays and
– after 5pm on Saturdays (subsection 73(1) of the ACL).
– on Sundays or public holidays at all
– before 9am on Monday to Saturday
– after 6pm on weekdays and
– after 5pm on Saturdays (subsection 73(1) of the ACL).
In addition, there are requirements which must be satisfied in relation to the sales agreement including that it is written in plain, clear language setting out the full terms and conditions and that the person has the right to 'cool off'. The sales agreement must be accompanied by a form that the person can use to cancel the agreement during the cooling off period.[35]
As the regulator, the ACCC has commenced a number of enforcement actions and is investigating several more, with a view to taking court action against companies or their door-to-door sales agents who breach the ACL. In particular, the ACCC instituted proceedings in the Federal Court of Australia alleging that:
… the respondents breached the Australian Consumer Law by failing to immediately leave the premises at the request of an occupier. The ACCC contends that consumers requested the salespeople to leave by placing a 'do not knock' sign on their door.[36]
At the time of writing this Bills Digest those matters were yet to be finalised. However, it should be noted that if the ACCC is successful in those proceedings there would not appear to be any necessity for a legislative scheme such as the one proposed by this Bill.
Liberal Party MP, Bruce Billson, had this to say about the Bill:
… Mr Georganas is actually proposing that we now create a 'do not knock' register … The belief was that more red tape was the solution, when all we needed to do was to get the message out that if people do not want door-to-door salespeople coming to their house they simply have to ask them to leave, and they are obliged to leave under the law … That is already embedded in the current law and we should really be looking to make sure the law behaves as it was conceived.[37]
The Bill has been drafted to closely reflect the terms of the Do Not Call Register Act. However, the drafting does not appear to be sufficiently tailored for its purpose. For example:
First, there is no lead agency nominated—instead the proposed Register is to be established by a Registrar who is appointed by the Minister for this purpose.[38] In contrast, the Do Not Call Register Act provides for the Do Not Call register to be kept by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), or by a third party on ACMA's behalf. The absence of a designated agency has implications for the funding to support the Bill, as outlined below.
Second, the Do Not Call Register Act, of itself, does not contain a complaint making mechanism. However, Part 26 of the Telecommunications Act 1997 (Telecommunications Act) allows ACMA to investigate certain matters relating to telecommunications, including contraventions of the Do Not Call Register Act, or regulations made under that Act. Anyone may make a complaint to ACMA about such contraventions.[39]
Clause 2 of Schedule 4 to the Bill seems to reflect, in part, the relevant provision of the Telecommunications Act to provide a complaints process for persons who are aggrieved by
door-to-door sales persons. Clause 3 of Schedule 4 to the Bill provides the Registrar with powers to obtain information and documents. It appears that this is based on the provisions of section 522 of the Telecommunications Act. Similarly clause 4 of Schedule 4 to the Bill provides the Registrar with powers to inspect and copy documents—a provision which appears to be based on sections 527–528 of the Telecommunications Act. However, despite being modelled on the relevant provisions of the Telecommunications Act, the Bill contains some inconsistencies. For example, the Bill provides that a person is not excused from giving information or evidence or producing a document once requested. However, there is no power in the Bill, as drafted, to compel a person to give evidence as there is in section 522 of the Telecommunications Act.
Third, the terms contained in the Do Not Call Register Act have been inadequately adapted for the purpose of this Bill. For example, the Bill prohibits the making of designated marketing calls
(clause 4 of the Bill). The term directly reflects the term 'designated telemarketing calls' under the Do Not Call Register Act. However, as the Bill is seeking to prohibit 'visits' as opposed to 'calls' the drafting and interpretation of the Bill would be improved through the use of terms better suited to the problem it is seeking to remedy.
Other issues related to drafting are referred to below.
The absence of adequate funding to support the Bill would appear to be a significant problem.
First it could reasonably be expected that there would be start up costs. As already stated, this Bill is modelled on the Do Not Call Register Act which creates the Do Not Call register. Budget funding of $33.1 million was provided over four years to cover the costs of establishing and operating the Do Not Call Register.[40]
Second it could reasonably be expected that there would be ongoing monitoring and compliance costs. Once the proposed Do Not Knock register is established, the responsible agency would be required to exercise its powers in relation to breaches of the register in a responsible manner. According to the ACMA Annual Report 2010–11:
The telemarketing and fax marketing industry contributes to the cost of operating and maintaining the Do Not Call Register through the payment of subscription fees determined by the ACMA on a cost recovery basis … The cost recovery arrangements for the register are based on 'fee for service' and do not include the costs to establish the register or the ACMA's regulatory costs associated with monitoring and enforcing compliance with the register.[41]
As noted above, the Bill does not indicate which Commonwealth agency will be responsible for the proposed Do Not Knock register. It would appear, however, that Mr Georganas did intend for ACMA to take on responsibility for the proposed Do Not Knock register, telling the Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs:
… there is a register that already exists, so there is a program that exists. You could quite easily add it on to that particular program, where the infrastructure and the structure is already up and running.[42]
However, even if the ACMA were to take on the responsibility for the proposed register as an adjunct to its existing duties under the Do Not Call Register Act with similar cost recovery arrangements put in place, it cannot be assumed that the establishment and maintenance of a Do Not Knock register would be a cost-neutral exercise.
At present there are some 7.5 million numbers on the Do Not Call Register and these numbers have increased annually as shown by the table below. There have been no projections of the expected numbers of addresses to be placed on the proposed register and therefore, no significant analysis of the costs associated with it. However, if the registrations were to increase at a similar rate to the registrations on the Do Not Call Register, it is likely that the costs of monitoring compliance would be significant.
Source: Do Not Call Register website[43]
As the focus of this Bills Digest is on the underlying policy rationale for creating a Do Not Knock register, a detailed analysis on each and every provision of this Private Member's Bill has not been included. Rather, in relation to the provisions, this Bills Digest contains a broad brush description of the operation of the Bill and then briefly identifies some of the most obvious problems arising from its drafting. These are in addition to the concerns raised under the heading 'Main issues'.
As previously mentioned above, the Bill is drafted in almost identical terms to the Do Not Call Register Act. The key features of this Bill are:
In addition to the Main issues outlined above, there are other matters concerning the establishment and operation of the Do Not Knock Register which arise out of the drafting of the Bill. These include:
The submission to the Committee by George Williams of the University of New South Wales addresses the question of whether the Bill is likely to be constitutionally valid. He concluded that if passed, the Bill would be a valid enactment under the Australian Constitution.[58] He based his view, principally, on the definition of 'marketing call' in clause 5 of the Bill, which forges a link with a number of powers within the Constitution which allow for the Commonwealth to make laws about:
Clause 36 of the Bill contains a broad regulation making power. Subclause 14(2) provides for access to the proposed register on payment of 'the fee (if any) prescribed by the regulations'. This will, presumably, allow for a cost recovery mechanism to operate where door-to-door sales agencies which submit a list of addresses to the Registrar and pay the required fee are able to have the addresses on the list checked against the register. Of concern is that legislation that provides for the rate of a fee or levy to be set by regulation carries a risk that the fee may, in fact, become a tax. Where a fee is to be set by subordinate legislation, it is important to determine whether the power to impose fees has been limited in some way.[59] For example, the Do Not Call Register Act, on which this Bill is modelled, contains a provision which makes clear that the fee is not to be such as to amount to taxation.[60] However this Bill does not provide for any fetters to the power.
The whole of the Act (when enacted) is proposed to commence on the day after the Act receives the Royal Assent. This would not seem to provide time for the establishment of appropriate infrastructure for the register itself, for the appointment of the Registrar or for the development of relevant policies and procedures associated with the operation of the register. It compares with the staged commencement of the Do Not Call Register Act. That Act established the register and the regulation making power, as well as conferring responsibilities for the Do Not Call Register Act upon ACMA on 30 June 2006. The remaining provisions of the Do Not Call Register Act did not commence until 31 May 2007.
The Bill relies heavily on the use of the regulation making power in clause 36 of the Bill. This means that much needed detail about the operation of Bill is absent. Examples of the regulation making provisions include:
The report by the Scrutiny of Bills Committee also draws attention to the use of the regulation making power and notes that the Explanatory Memorandum is silent about the rationale for the use of the power. As a result, the Scrutiny of Bills Committee has sought the Member's advice as to whether an amended Explanatory Memorandum addressing the issues can be provided.[66]
The significant difference between this Bill and the Do Not Call Register Act is that clause 3 of Schedule 4 to the Bill contains powers for the Registrar to obtain information and documents where the Registrar has reason to believe that the information or document are relevant to an investigation of a contravention of the Do Not Knock Act (when enacted). However, as set out above, ACMA has these powers in relation to the Do Not Call Register Act under Part 26 of the Telecommunications Act.
Clause 6 of Schedule 4 to the Bill contains a significant inconsistency. It provides that a person is not excused from giving information or evidence or producing a document once requested, on the ground that the information, or the document, might incriminate the person. However, there is no power in the Bill as drafted to compel a person to give evidence.
Nor do the provisions of clause 3 of Schedule 4 to the Bill contain specifics about the manner and form of the giving of notice to produce documents, or give information. By comparison, section 522 of the Telecommunications Act provides that where ACMA has reason to believe that a person has information, or a document, or is capable of giving evidence that is relevant to the performance of its functions, ACMA may give the person a written notice requiring the person to give the information, produce the documents, or appear before the ACMA at a time and place specified in the notice. In addition, subsection 522(4) creates an offence in circumstances where a person who has been given such a notice, does not comply with it.
While the use of the power in clause 6 of schedule 4 to the Bill may be necessary to ensure effective administration of Commonwealth law, the exercise of these powers infringes upon fundamental rights—that is, the freedom from self incrimination.[67] Clause 6 of schedule 4 to the Bill does, however, provide that any information, evidence or document that is provided by an individual is not admissible in evidence against that person in criminal proceedings. This is consistent with the terms of section 524 of the Telecommunications Act on which this clause would seem to have been modelled.
This was also noted in the report by the Scrutiny of Bills Committee.[68]
Sections 73–77 of the Australian Consumer Law already regulate door-to-door sales. The ACCC is the regulator and has already taken action in relation to complaints that have been made about
door-to-door sales methods.
This Bill seeks to establish an overlapping protection—without specifying which agency would be responsible for regulating that protection and how it would be financed. Without further quantitative data about how many members of the community require this additional protection, and the cost of providing it, there would not appear to be a sufficient policy reason for such regulation to be imposed.
Members, Senators and Parliamentary staff can obtain further information from the Parliamentary Library on (02) 6277 2434.
[1]. Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Introduction of a Do Not Call Register: possible Australian model, discussion paper, October 2005, viewed 23 August 2012, http://www.apcontactcenters.com/artigos/Do%20Not%20Call%20Discussion%20Paper.pdf
[2]. H Coonan (Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts), A solution for nuisance calls: options for an Australian Do Not Call Register, media release, 30 October 2005, viewed 23 August 2012, http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22media%2Fpressrel%2FULRH6%22
[3]. Do Not Call Register Act 2006, viewed 23 August 2012, http://www.comlaw.gov.au/Details/C2012C00159/Download
[4]. M A Neilsen, Do Not Call Register Bill 2006, Bills Digest, no. 160, 2005–06, Parliamentary Library, Canberra, 2006, viewed 23 August 2012, http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22legislation%2Fbillsdgs%2FIK0K6%22
[5]. Consumer Action Law Centre and the Financial and Consumer Rights Council, Coercion and harassment at the door: consumer experiences with energy direct marketers, Melbourne, November 2007, viewed 23 August 2012, http://www.consumeraction.org.au/downloads/EnergyMarketinginVictoria-Finalv.3.pdf and Footscray Community Legal Centre and Financial Counselling Service Inc., The African consumer experience of the contestable energy market in the west of Melbourne, Melbourne, March 2009, viewed 23 August 2012, http://www.esc.vic.gov.au/getattachment/94c82335-8fc7-4d6d-ac11-5d213bca2dbd/African-experience-of-Melbourne-Energy-Market-Marc.pdf
[6]. Consumer Action Law Centre and the Financial and Consumer Rights Council, Coercion and harassment at the door, op. cit., p. 36.
[7]. Ibid., p. 37.
[8]. Footscray Community Legal Centre and Financial Counselling Service Inc., The African consumer experience of the contestable energy market, op. cit., p. 8.
[9]. Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, ACCC cracks down on door to door sales practices, media release, 17 August 2012, viewed 23 August 2012, http://www.accc.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/1070537/fromItemId/2332
[10]. Frost and Sullivan Pty Ltd, Research into the door to door sales industry in Australia, August 2012, viewed 23 August 2012, http://www.accc.gov.au/content/item.phtml?itemId=1070526&nodeId=9244ae9eca6a60727f3c75ff507124cc&fn=Research%20into%20the%20door%20to%20door%20sales%20industry%20in%20Australia%20%E2%80%93%20August%202012.pdf
[11]. Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, Knock! Knock! Who's there: door to door sales industry report and consumer guidance launched, ACCC website, 17 August 2012, viewed 23 August 2012, http://www.accc.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/1070506/fromItemId/815215/fromACCC
[12]. Frost and Sullivan Pty Ltd, Research into the door to door sales industry in Australia, op. cit., pp. 7–8.
[13]. Ibid., p. 8.
[14]. Ibid., p. 47.
[15]. Ibid., p. 48.
[16]. Ibid., p. 45.
[17]. Ibid.
[18]. Energy Assured is an industry initiative to ensure the best practice of door-to-door sales of energy contracts. Further information about the voluntary Code of Practice adopted by energy retailers and marketers is on the Energy Assured website, viewed 23 August 2012, http://energyassured.com.au/
[19]. Frost and Sullivan Pty Ltd, Research into the door to door sales industry in Australia, op. cit., p. 11.
[20]. House of Representatives Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs Committee, Inquiry into the Do Not Knock Register Bill 2012, August 2012, viewed 23 August2012, http://www.aph.gov.au/parliamentary_business/committees/house_of_representatives_committees?url=spla/bill%20do%20not%20knock/index.htm
[21]. The transcripts from the public hearings can be viewed at: http://www.aph.gov.au/parliamentary_business/committees/house_of_representatives_committees?url=spla/bill do not knock/hearings.htm
[22]. Senate Standing Committee for the Scrutiny of Bills, Alert Digest no. 6 of 2012, Senate, Canberra, 20 June 2012, p. 21, viewed 6 September 2012, http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate_Committees?url=scrutiny/alerts/2012/index.htm
[23]. Ibid., pp. 21–22.
[24]. The Australian Consumer Law is located in Schedule 2 of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010, viewed 6 September 2012, http://www.comlaw.gov.au/Details/C2012C00514/Download
[25]. Direct Selling Association of Australia, Submission to the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs, Inquiry into the Do Not Knock Register Bill 2012, 27 July 2012 and Salmat, Submission to the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs, Inquiry into the Do Not Knock Register Bill 2012, July 2012, viewed 23 August 2012, http://www.aph.gov.au/parliamentary_business/committees/house_of_representatives_committees?url=spla/bill do not knock/subs.htm
[26]. Energy Assured Limited, Submission to the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs, Inquiry into the Do Not Knock Register Bill 2012, 27 July 2012, viewed 23 August 2012, http://www.aph.gov.au/parliamentary_business/committees/house_of_representatives_committees?url=spla/bill do not knock/subs.htm
[27]. Consumer Action Law Centre, Submission to the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs, Inquiry into the Do Not Knock Register Bill 2012, 6 August 2012, viewed 23 August 2012, http://www.aph.gov.au/parliamentary_business/committees/house_of_representatives_committees?url=spla/bill do not knock/subs.htm
[28]. National Seniors Australia, Submission to the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs, Inquiry into the Do Not Knock Register Bill 2012, 22 August 2012, viewed 23 August 2012, http://www.aph.gov.au/parliamentary_business/committees/house_of_representatives_committees?url=spla/bill do not knock/subs.htm
[29]. Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs, 'Do Not Knock Register Bill 2012', House of Representatives, Hansard, 22 August 2012, pp. 1–19, viewed 24 August 2012, http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22committees%2Fcommrep%2Fe9abbc72-1805-42b8-9b11-e58e1d970c40%2F0000%22
[30]. Explanatory Memorandum, Do Not Knock Register Bill 2012, p. 2, viewed 3 September 2012, http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22legislation%2Fbillhome%2Fr4792%22
[31]. Explanatory Memorandum, Do Not Call Register Bill 2006, viewed 3 September 2012, http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22legislation%2Fems%2Fr2564_ems_d058b42c-2248-4c00-bb11-b0d51a60f274%22
[32]. Frost and Sullivan Pty Ltd, Research into the door to door sales industry in Australia, op. cit., p. 40.
[33]. Australian Broadcasting Corporation, 'MP campaigns for do not knock register', ABC online, 21 March 2012, viewed 23 August 2012, http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-03-21/do-not-knock-register-georganas/3903358 and G Downie, 'Door-to-door deceit', The Canberra Times, 17 August 2012, p. 8, viewed 23 August 2012, http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22media%2Fpressclp%2F1852622%22
[34]. Competition and Consumer Regulations 2010, viewed 7 September 2012, http://www.comlaw.gov.au/Details/F2012C00410/Html/Text#_Toc328748872
[35]. Section 79 of the ACL. Further information about the protections of consumers from door-to-door salespersons are available on the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission website, viewed 23 August 2012, http://www.accc.gov.au/content/index.phtml/tag/doortodoor/
[36]. Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, ACCC takes court action against energy retailers for door-to-door sales tactics, media release, 27 March 2012, viewed 23 August 2012, http://www.accc.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/1041805/fromItemId/2332
[37]. B Billson, 'Second reading speech: Legislative Instruments Amendment (Sunsetting Measures) Bill 2012, House of Representatives, Debates, 25 June 2012, p. 7824, viewed 23 August 2012, http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22chamber%2Fhansardr%2F7503935a-ef9f-47a5-9ab8-7a228d52f809%2F0316%22
[38]. Clause 4 of the Bill.
[39]. Section 509, Telecommunications Act 1997.
[40]. M A Neilsen, Do Not Call Register Bill 2006, Bills Digest, no. 160, op. cit., p.8.
[41]. Australian Communications and Media Authority, Annual Report 2010–11, p. 75, viewed 24 August 2012, http://www.acma.gov.au/WEB/STANDARD/pc=PC_410185
[42]. S Georganas, Evidence to the Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs, Inquiry into the Do Not Knock Register Bill 2012, 23 August 2012, viewed 6 September 2012, http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22committees%2Fcommrep%2F9b13d129-21da-4fc7-94a1-d5a2b7e1412c%2F0001%22
[43]. Do Not Call Register website, viewed 23 August 2012, https://www.donotcall.gov.au/index.cfm
[44]. The term 'marketing call' reflects the terms used in the Do Not Call Act and relates comfortably with the common understanding of a telephone call. It sits less comfortably in this Bill which refers, in clause 5 of the Bill, to a 'marketing call' as a 'visit'. A 'visit' is then further defined under subclauses 5(2) and (3) of the Bill. In particular, subclause 5(3) lists numerous purposes which would bring a 'visit' within the scope of the Bill.
[45]. Clause 8, Part 2 of the Bill and Schedule 1 to the Bill.
[46]. The term 'government body' is defined in clause 4 of the Bill as (a) a department of the Commonwealth, a state or a territory; (b) an agency, authority or instrumentality of the Commonwealth, a state or a territory; (c) a department of the government of a foreign country; (d) an agency, authority or instrumentality of the government of a foreign country; (e) a department of the government of a part of a foreign country; or (f) an agency, authority or instrumentality of the government of a part of a foreign country.
[47]. Clause 2, Schedule 1 to the Bill.
[48]. Clause 3, Schedule 1 to the Bill.
[49]. Clause 4, Schedule 1 to the Bill.
[50]. Clause 5, Schedule 1 to the Bill.
[51]. Clause 9, Part 2 of the Bill.
[52]. Clause 10, Part 3 of the Bill.
[53]. Clause 11, Part 3 of the Bill.
[54]. Part 4 of the Bill.
[55]. Part 5 of the Bill.
[56]. Schedule 4 to the Bill.
[57]. Section 55 of the Constitution provides that laws imposing taxation must deal only with the imposition of taxation and any provision dealing with any other matter is of no effect.
[58]. G Williams (University of New South Wales), Submission to the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs, Inquiry into the Do Not Knock Register Bill 2012, 19 July 2012, viewed 23 August 2012, http://www.aph.gov.au/parliamentary_business/committees/house_of_representatives_committees?url=spla/bill do not knock/subs.htm
[59]. Subordinate (also known as delegated) legislation is legislation made not directly by an Act of the Parliament, but under the authority of an Act of the Parliament. Forms of subordinate legislation include regulations, ordinances, determinations, orders, rules, standards, principles, guidelines and declarations.
[60]. Subsection 21(5), Do Not Call Register Act.
[61]. This has a bearing on the provisions contained in Schedule 1 which seeks to define 'designated marketing calls'.
[62]. Under paragraphs 15(c)–(d) of the Do Not Call Register Act, the manner and form of applications may be specified in a determination. Section 18 of the Do Not Call Register Act makes clear that such determinations are legislative instruments.
[63]. This is consistent with the terms of section 17 of the Do Not Call Register Act.
[64]. This reflects clause 5 of Schedule 2 to the Do Not Call Act.
[65]. This reflects clause 3 of Schedule 3 to the Do Not Call Act.
[66]. Senate Standing Committee on the Scrutiny of Bills, op. cit., p. 21.
[67]. 'The common law privilege against self-incrimination will protect a natural person complying with a notice to disclose information or documents under a notice to produce or attend, unless the privilege is expressly or impliedly overridden' by legislation. 'The privilege is relevant for regulatory schemes because it entitles a person to refuse to answer a question put to him or her by an authorised officer under a regulatory scheme on the basis that he or she may incriminate him or herself: Pyneboard Pty Ltd v Trade Practices Commission [1983] 152 CLR 328', viewed 11 September 2012, http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/cases/cth/HCA/1983/9.html. Legislation should clearly specify if the privilege is to be overridden and if it is removed then at a minimum a 'use' immunity provision should be included as some form of protection. If a person claims a 'use' immunity, no information or evidence given by them can be directly used against them. Source: Commonwealth of Australia, 'A guide to framing Commonwealth offences, Infringement Notices and Enforcement Powers', September 2011 edition, pp. 93–97, viewed 6 September 2012, http://www.ag.gov.au/Publications/Documents/AGuidetoFramingCthOffencesInfringementNoticesandEnforcementPowersCLLEB.pdf
[68]. Senate Standing Committee on the Scrutiny of Bills, op. cit., p. 22.
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Thanks for coming and thinking to read my bio!!!
Truthfully, I love Severus Snape. He is my favorite character in the entire Harry Potter series, followed by Remus Lupin. Which is why you will find references to Severus Snape in my Fan Fics a lot.
Something about myself. I am a "nessaholic". What is a "nessaholic" you may ask? Well, a nessaholic is a person who is obsessed with Vanessa Carlton, the pop-pianist/singer. I am obsessed with Vanessa Carlton. Lol.
~Madame Moony~
It's been almost a year to the day. That's how long it's been since I've posted on this website. Whatever happened to that crazed Harry Potter fanatic that dwelled within me? Well, after seeing the midnight screening of 'Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix,' my enthusiasm was rekindled once more.
An old fic, 'To Be A Black,' has been restored and revamped and is now a wonderful little fic, which I hope will be posted here soon, and I hope will be updated regularly. You can find a banner for it below, which is viewed best with the 'Simplicity' layout.
I hope to be around here much more often! Adieu!

subset: commoncrawl


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(Added link to Category:Images of Dunlendings)
m (iw de fi)
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Revision as of 18:36, 26 January 2008
Dunlendings were the ferocious, stunted and vicious men that lived in Dunland, close to Rohan. Also called the Wild Men of Dunland, they have long been enemies of the Rohirrim, although this hate is relatively baseless—it was the Númenóreans who had ruled them harshly in the past.
The Dunlendings were employed by the wizard Saruman to attack and raid the cities and settlements of Rohan. Since Gríma Wormtongue had corrupted the mind of King Theoden, the Rohirrim were absent for the most part, and the farm boys and old men who picked up rusty swords proved to be little contest to the ferocious Dunlendings.
Wild Men were also present at the Battle of the Hornburg (Battle of Helm's Deep), as well as an odd breed of Half-orcs, derived from Orcs and the Men of Dunland. They fought viciously against their old enemy, but when Gandalf stormed down the hill with a thousand Rohirrim at his back and his staff shining piercing light into the eyes of the Dunlendings, they dropped their weapons and surrendured. This proved to be a wise decision, as the Orcs who fled were killed by a massive forest of Huorns that blocked the entrance to the valley.
After Saruman's downfall, the Dunlendings retreated back into their homeland and did not trouble the people of Rohan. When the wizard Saruman attempted to take over the Shire, there were a number of Dunlendings with him. However, they were slain or driven away by Hobbits, and when Saruman died at the hands of his own servant, Sauron, the basis of all evil, had fallen, and King Elessar took the throne of Gondor, the Dunlendings agreed never to trouble the free peoples of Middle-earth again, and their old and evil power was finally broken.


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Why do i have a quest to do a dungeon and im on the regular leveling guide?
Is this part of a chain quest we must complete for the area cuz if not it seems counter productive in doing dungeon quests for leveling.
In que for 20minutes and still counting....and i can't skip it cuz the others won't unlock


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After spending the weekend falling in love with our greek key trims, we decided to put our DIY skills to use! Modern day womenswear is receiving a lot of its inspiration from menswear so it was about time that we created a unisex DIY! These suspenders look great on anyone!
3 yards of Greek Key jacquard trim
2 packs of Suspender clips
1. Measure the amount of trim it will take to take the go from the top left corner of your pants, over your left shoulder, and across your back to the top right corner of your pants. Cut a strip of your trim measuring this amount.
2. Push both ends of the trim through 2 suspender clips and sew the ends, as shown.
3. Repeat steps 1 & 2 with another strip of trim.
4. Clip the strips onto your pants so that they criss-cross on your back. Pin where they cross at your back and take it off.
5. Sew the two strips together at the pinned point and you now have a pair of cool greek key suspenders. Wear them with a chic suit, some baggy boyfriend jeans, or with whatever your heart desires!


text:
Hi, I would like to know the appx. launching date of santro diesel. Pls. confirm soon i really waiting for that...
What is a periodic maintanence charge for Santro and what are the things covered under PMS
Hi, please refer - Hyundai Santro Service Cost Page
Hi, I was looking to buy a santro xing car, but I know the production for santro had been stopped so my question is - How easily will the spare parts be available? Thank You
what is the coast of snatro xing rear windshild
Sir now am working saudi within 2 months I will be there so now can i book a santro from here on my name pls send me more details my native place is palghat otherwise pls send any number of any salesman to this email email@example.com
I have a Sentro Xing Model 2007. Last 3 month am suffering problems in my car during the running position about 60 km speed suddenly down sometime left side
It will help us serve you better content and best deals


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I'm also having a problem with ZA at Amazon, but specifically with their mp3 downloads.
When initiating the download of the mp3's to the Amazon download utility, I get a message that says ZA has encountered a stability problem and that I have already sent the info to ZA (which I did the first time this happened). The IE shutsdown and auto restarts.
I have done the ZA reset (which fixed the auto updates which were not happening), but didn't fix this problem. The problem did not occur with ZA 8.x, but started with the upgrade to 9.
Using IE 6.0 on XP, and following is my ZA info (latest version):
ZoneAlarm Security Suite version:9.1.008.000
TrueVector version:9.1.008.000
Driver version:9.1.008.000
Anti-virus engine version:22.214.171.124
Anti-virus signature DAT file version:998065024
AntiSpam version:188.8.131.523


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Man dies from gunshot wound to chest
By Jessica Priest
May 20, 2013 at 12:20 a.m.
May 20, 2013 at 12:20 a.m.
Updated May 21, 2013 at 12:21 a.m.
A 31-year-old man died Monday night after he was shot in the chest.
Victoria police were called by family members to a home in the 100 block of Guinevere Street about 6:45 p.m., Lt. Michael Beyer said.
The man was dead by the time EMS arrived, he added.
Justice of the Peace Precinct 2 Stuart Posey performed an inquest.
The man's name was not released late Monday night because police were not sure if his family had been notified.
It was unclear whether the man shot himself by accident.
"Right now, it is still under investigation, but there is no obvious signs of foul play," Beyer said.


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Hi, sorry for just dropping in... Does anyone know how to calculate a 'Fit To Page' thing when printing.
I don't need no source. Just the basic equation would be great.
Hi, sorry for just dropping in... Does anyone know how to calculate a 'Fit To Page' thing when printing.
I don't need no source. Just the basic equation would be great.
Take a look at Petzold's Book Programming Windows. It has several ways of printing using Windows API.
- Sean
If cities were built like software is built, the first woodpecker to come along would level civilization.
Black Frog Studios
I know how to print.. and I read Petzold a long time ago. My problem is mathematics
I do have the the widths and heights (let's call them
bmp.x *** width of the bitmap
bmp.y *** height of the bitmap
pd.x *** width of the printer DC
pd.y *** height of the printer DC
I just need to figure out that if I take the longest side of the bitmap (ex: width) and set this side the same value as the printers width. how to calculate the propper porpotion of it's lenght for the printer. Considering that sometimes the bitmap needs to be shrinked and sometimes enlarged.
Like saying the width of the bitmap (20000 pixels) == width of the printer (7000 pixels) So shrink it by 13000 pixels) Which is ??% of it. Considering this I need to shrink the height by the same amount of % to keep the propper porpotions.
How do I do % calculations like this manually ? Using Divide, Substraction and Multiplication.
Wish I had paid more attention in school that day
Forget it
I just posted my answer myself... ( LOL )
IF bmp.x > pd.x
percentage.to.shrink = (bmp.x/100)*(bmp.x-pd.x)
percentage.to.enlarge = (bmp.x/100)*(pd.x-bmp.x)
Here I post my 'pseudo code' in case someone ever needs 'Fit-To-Page' calculations... Of course this is mostly assumptions, but it looks pretty correct atm.
If someone sees an error feel free to correct :-PCode:/// bmp.x == width of bitmap bmp.y == height of bitmap pd.x == pd.original.width == printerDC.width pd.y == pd.original.height == printerDC.height /// .IF bmp.x > bmp.y .IF bmp.x >= pd.x percentage.to.enlarge == (bmp.x/100) * (bmp.x - pd.x) pixels == (bmp.y/100)*percentage.to.enlarge) pd.y == bmp.y + pixels .ELSE percentage.to.shrink == (bmp.x/100) * (pd.x - bmp.x) pixels == (bmp.y/100)*percentage.to.shrink) pd.y == bmp.y - pixels .ENDIF ////at this point we can be sure that the width is fitting ! .IF pd.y > pd.original.height percentage.to.shrink == (pd.original.height/100)*(pd.y-pd.original.height) pixels == (pd.y/100)*percentage.to.shrink pd.y == pd.y - pixels pixels == (pd.x/100)*percentage.to.shrink pd.x == pd.x - pixels .ENDIF .ELSE .IF bmp.y >= pd.y percentage.to.enlarge == (bmp.y/100) * (bmp.y - pd.y) pixels == (bmp.x/100)*percentage.to.enlarge) pd.x == bmp.x + pixels .ELSE percentage.to.shrink == (bmp.y/100) * (pd.y - bmp.y) pixels == (bmp.x/100)*percentage.to.shrink) pd.x == bmp.x - pixels .ENDIF ////at this point we can be sure that the height is fitting ! .IF pd.x > pd.original.width percentage.to.shrink == (pd.original.width/100)*(pd.x - pd.originalwidth) pixels == (pd.x/100)*percentage.to.shrink pd.x == pd.x - pixels pixels == (pd.y/100)*percentage.to.shrink pd.y == pd.y - pixels .ENDIF .ENDIF
Using StretchBlt() is slow and unlikely to give required results unless an integer multiplier is used.
A better solution is to use Coordinate Space Transformations.
Experiment with this code (will fail if iImageWidth or iImageHeight is greater than the client area)
Code:SetGraphicsMode(hdc, GM_ADVANCED);//only works with WIN2000 (not for WIN98) SetMapMode(hdc,MM_ISOTROPIC);//preserve image ratio SetWindowExtEx (hdc, iWidth, iHeight, NULL) ;//the arbitrary scale to use SetViewportExtEx (hdc, iActualWidth, iActualHeight, NULL) ;//the actual client area xForm.eM11 = (FLOAT) iRatio; //set the ratio to change image size xForm.eM12 = (FLOAT) 0.0; xForm.eM21 = (FLOAT) 0.0; xForm.eM22 = (FLOAT) iRatio; xForm.eDx = (FLOAT) 0.0; xForm.eDy = (FLOAT) 0.0; SetWorldTransform(hdc, &xForm); //calc the margins (could fail here) Rect.left=((ClientRect.right-ClientRect.left)- iImageWidth)/2; Rect.top=((ClientRect.bottom-ClientRect.top)- iImageHeight)/2; Rect.right= Rect.left +iImageWidth; Rect.bottom= Rect.top+iImageHeight; //convert to DC scale DPtoLP (hdc, &Rect, 2) ; //draw the rect to show image size hBrush=CreateSolidBrush(RGB(0,0,0));//black brush hSysBrush=SelectObject(hdc,hBrush); FrameRect(hdc,&Rect,hBrush); SelectObject(hdc,hSysBrush); DeleteObject(hBrush);
"Man alone suffers so excruciatingly in the world that he was compelled to invent laughter."
Friedrich Nietzsche
"I spent a lot of my money on booze, birds and fast cars......the rest I squandered."
George Best
"If you are going through hell....keep going."
Winston Churchill
Thanks for the reply. But even tho that I developp this app for XP I try to keep it downwards compatible. (Also because I refuse to put anything else then 98SE on my developpment box :grin: )
Actually I don't use StretchBlt but iPicture::Render for the job as I blend a JPG onto the PrintersDC but it's basically the same as StretchBlt.
Anyway, I play around with your code for awhile and see how far I get


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Atheist Ireland is collecting accounts from parents about religious discrimination and indoctrination in schools.
The second story in that post is terrifying.
Both my boys have autism, one of them being an Aspie. They both attended Catholic schools, as state schools did not have places for them, and it has been interesting to see how religion affects their reasoning.
The worst case scenario was when our eldest boy was told the story of the Resurrection at Easter in his first year at school. He's rather more compliant than his Asperger's brother, which is always a worry on so many levels. This is the gist of the conversation that we were faced with that evening with an overly-trusting 5 year old.
Him: (Bright with excitement) I am going to kill myself.
Us: What! Why?
Him: So I can see my granddad again. (Reference to my father who died when our son was a week shy of his 3rd birthday.) But don't worry, I will come back in three days.
Us: But where did you hear this?
Him: In school today. Jesus died and came back to life after three days.
Us: Well, yes, but according to that story, Jesus came back because he was God's son.
Him: But the priest said we are all God's children.
Jeeeeeeeeeezus. People with autism don't tell lies because they don't get the concept. That means they don't get fiction or fantasy or myth. It means that child couldn't grasp that what the priest said was not true. Not that he didn't believe it when his parents told him but that he couldn't understand it. They spent three horrible hours trying to get it across to him.
As I said: terrifying.


text:
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text:
U2 Tops Forbes' Top-Earning Musicians List
U2 Tops Forbes' Top-Earning Musicians List
U2 topped Forbes magazine's top-earning musicians of 2010 list with estimated earnings of $130 million. Placing second was AC/DC at $114 million, and rounding out the top five were Beyoncé ($87 million), Bruce Springsteen ($70 million), and Britney Spears ($64 million). The list was based on album sales, concert revenue and endorsement deals, among other items. (7/19)
AC/DC No. 1 On Billboard's Midyear Tour Chart
AC/DC placed first on Billboard's midyear Top 25 tour chart with gross revenue of more than $118 million and more than 1 million concert attendees, according to figures compiled from Billboard Boxscore data from Nov. 28, 2009, through June 19. Bon Jovi was second with gross revenue of $51.9 million, followed by Trans-Siberian Orchestra ($47.39 million), Metallica ($39.9 million), and Taylor Swift ($39.2 million). Other acts on the list include the Black Eyed Peas (No. 7, $34 million), Lady Gaga (No. 15, $23.2 million), John Mayer (No. 16, $23.2 million), Elton John & Billy Joel (No. 20, $20.3 million), and Carrie Underwood (No. 25, $15.1 million). (7/19)
Bieber Claims YouTube's Most-Viewed Video
Justin Bieber's music video for "Baby" was named the most-viewed video in history on YouTube Friday with more than 246 million views, placing GRAMMY winner Lady Gaga's "Bad Romance" into second place with 245.6 million. (7/19)
Latin GRAMMY Artists Honored At Premios Juventud
Latin GRAMMY-nominated artists Aventura and Chayanne were the top winners at the 7th Annual Premios Juventud (Youth Awards) July 15, taking home three awards each. Aventura received honors for Catchiest Tune, CD To Die For and Favorite Tropical Artist, and Chayanne took home awards for Best Moves, Favorite Pop Star and My Idol Is. GRAMMY- and Latin GRAMMY-winning artists Juan Luis Guerra and Shakira were honored with the Idolo de Generaciones and Supernova awards, respectively. GRAMMY- and Latin GRAMMY-winning artist Wisin y Yandel were also honored with awards for My Favorite Concert and Favorite Urban Artist, and Latin GRAMMY nominee Espinoza Paz received Favorite Regional Mexican Artist and Red Hot Artist honors. The awards were broadcast live on the Univision Network from the BankUnited Center in Coral Gables, Fla. (7/19)


text:
Secondary Sources: Uncertainty, Capitalism, Fiscal Cliff
A roundup of economic news from around the Web.
–Uncertainty: Mike Bryan, Laurel Graefe and Nicholas Parker of the Atlanta Fed aim to quantify uncertainty. "What the November BIE survey seems to be saying is that it isn't just that an uncertain business outlook is reining in our growth prospects, but that the outlook is especially uncertain for the firms that think they have the best opportunity for expansion. Apparently, those wearing rose-colored glasses are having trouble seeing through them."
–Capitalism: Daron Acemoglu, James A Robinson, Thierry Verdier examine the different forms of capitalism. "Amid the current economic slowdown there is renewed interest in what type of capitalism fosters growth and best improves welfare. This column argues Nordic-style capitalism may provide higher welfare but in an interconnected world, it may be the cutthroat US capitalism, with its extant inequalities, that makes possible the existence of more cuddly Nordic societies."
–Fiscal Cliff: Justin Fox looks at why fiscal cliffs get built. "At some level this self-imposed restraint seems admirable, even wise. We're not waiting around for outsiders to force us to put our fiscal house in order. We're forcing ourselves to put our fiscal house in order. In October, The New Yorker's James Surowiecki likened this approach to the pre-commitment mechanisms increasingly popular with those who wish to rid themselves of extra pounds or bad habits. Surowiecki ultimately didn't think this approach made sense for crafting national fiscal policy. But it has worked in the past. Congress had a moderately successful run with budget pre-commitment mechanisms in the 1980s and 1990s, in the form of the Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 and the successor known as "paygo." Gramm-Rudman, as the 1985 law is generally known, set deficit-reduction targets, and threatened automatic across-the-board cuts — "sequestration" — if they weren't met. As Jonathan Rauch described it in The Atlantic several years ago, Congress found ways to evade the letter of the law, but Gramm-Rudman nonetheless changed the tone in Washington, leading to a landmark budget deal in 1990 that included the rule known as "paygo" — which basically meant that if you wanted to cut taxes or increase spending, you needed to find the money somewhere else to make up for it. The subsequent decade of fiscal restraint started with a recession, but good economic times followed, and near decade's end, to everyone's surprise, budget deficits turned to surpluses."


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2008 Toyota Tundra 4WD - Bolt-On Bruiser
Built To Drive-Built To Have Fun
Romping through the mud, snow, and any other obstacle in his path, Brian Walker, of Springfield, Illinois, doesn't worry about nature getting in his path. Reason being, he and his brother Dave own 2 Brother's Custom Trucks, also in Springfield, and purposely built this 2008 Toyota Tundra to be the ultimate have fun and go-anywhere 4WD. The two brothers know custom trucks inside and out, as they've built several of them featured in these pages before, and when it came time to create a show-and-go Tundra, both brothers worked diligently to up the ante. As mentioned on page TKTK, while Dave was taking more of a show-style approach to his Tundra, Brian wanted a rig that was tough and aggressive, like a Rottweiler. Once word got out that a top-quality Tundra was being crafted, several sponsors got on board and requested the truck be brought to Vegas for the SEMA show. Built in an amazingly-quick four weeks, the race to meet the SEMA deadline was on and as Brian found out, you can teach an old dog new tricks.
As a long-time Chevy truck enthusiast, Brian took one ride in Dave's Tundra and decided a new truck was in his future. Picking up a new Tundra, 2 Brother's Custom Trucks was just the place to get Brian's Toyota up off the ground and after ordering a 6-inch Stage II lift kit from Pro Comp, the mayhem ensued. On went the laser-cut drop-down crossmember, along with Pro Comp lift spindles, Pro Comp skidplate, and MX2.75C coilovers. Out back, lift blocks and Pro Comp traction bars were bolted in place and the Tundra suddenly had a whole new attitude. Forever changing the 'tude of the Tundra, BMF SOTA wheels, sized 20x9 inches, were mounted on the Tundra and serve notice to the public that this truck isn't your cookie-cutter lifted truck. Adding to the lifted profile and aggressive nature of the Toyota are 37x13.50R20 Toyo Open Country M/T tires. Helping slow the Crew Max, EBC Brakes rotors and pads replaced the stock hardware. If towing is required of Brian's bruiser, Ride Rite airbags were installed in the rear and keep the fullsize truck level in any situation. Now that his truck had extra capability, Brian focused on getting more power to the ground and keeping the fun at an all-time high.
Popping the hood, the 5.7L is no slouch from the factory producing 381 hp, but stock is never an option for 2 Brother's Custom Trucks and after some wrenching, the Tundra was brought to life. Providing the rumble, a JBA stainless exhaust was bolted on and connects to the JBA shorty headers. More air exiting the truck required extra air entering, and an AEM Brute Force intake keeps fresh air in the intake manifold. Loving the throaty exhaust note and neck-snapping torque of the i-Force V-8, 2 Brothers looked to make the 'Yota stand out in a crowd of lifted trucks at SEMA.
Dropping off the truck at Bill Matthew's Autobody in Springfield, Bill's crew got busy masking off a two-tone and spraying the black, green, and silver BASF paints. With the two-tone in place, Nick Edwards Custom Paint stepped in with his airbrush and applied the BASF green real-fire flames. Pinstriped in blue, the paint and graphics look stunning and adds to the bruiser mentality. Paint dry, 2 Brothers got busy bolting on the Fab Four pre-runner-style front bumper that was powdercoated silver by Bill Matthews and then equipped with a Ramsey 9.5 winch and off-road foglights. N-Fab wheel-to-wheel steps were added to help hop into the lifted 4WD, painted Bushwacker fender flares installed, and out back, a matching Fab Four bumper was bolted on. To really set off the sinister nature of the bruiser, blacked-out projector headlights from ANZO USA went on the front end, along with a black mesh RBP grille. Inside, Brian and Dave kept things simple and functional.
Two-tone grey and black leather seat covers from Katzkin add class and color to the passenger confines. A Rockford Fosgate 3Sixty equalizer was used to make the factory JBL head unit aftermarket amp friendly and that powerful sound amplifier is a 600.4, also from Rockford Fosgate. It powers a set of Rockford components and a 10-inch shallow-mount sub in a custom enclosure built by Dave. With not a second to spare, the Tundra was officially wrapped up and looking intense. Shipped off to Vegas, the fun began when the Tundra was back in Springfield where all of that hard work paid off by having some real 4x4 fun. Brian was quick to thank his wife Lori for her understanding Brian's custom truck addiction, his kids Hannah and Jacob, and of course, his brother Dave for all of his help during the build. Proof that family can work well together, the 2 Brother's team built a pair of Tundras that soar above the competition.


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Three lightning bolts
February 28th, 2012 3 comments
Have you ever seen multiple lightnings strike an area of few hindered feet simultaneously? And have you ever captured a lightning with your camera? Someone has done both of those things and in managed to photograph three massive lightning bolts hitting ground at once. I can imagine the sound that those massive thunderbolts made and it could be terrifying.


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Every physical exam should include a nutritional assessment. Currently, over 58 million Americans are clinically obese. A sedentary lifestyle and a poor diet contribute to obesity. I often wish I had a dollar for every time I heard someone tell me that the reason they are fat is because they have a thyroid or "glandular" problem. For the majority of people this is a falsity. Eating poorly and not exercising makes you fat. True, there is some validity that obesity has a genetic component, but there are things you can do to achieve a healthier body.
A nutritional assessment consists of the patient's height, weight, and blood chemistries. For most people, stepping on a scale is torture. However, for those who struggle with weight, it is important to know that monitoring trends is more valuable than any one particular measure.
Ideal body weight for a man is estimated as 106 pounds for the first five feet and then six pounds for every inch over that. For example, a 5- foot, 7- inch man should weigh approximately 148 pounds. However, there is a range of roughly 20 percent above and below this number, depending on bone structure and muscularity, that would still be considered normal. A very muscular male will weigh more because muscles carry more mass then fat. In order to assess if an individual is obese or underweight, it is better to use the body mass index, or BMI, which measures weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared: BMI=kg/m2. These measurements may be reserved for extreme cases, especially HIV- positive men who also need input from a nutritionist. In HIV-positive patients BMIs have become a very useful tool because in advanced cases, patients lose lean muscle mass, and as a result standard weights are not completely accurate to assess for wasting.
Furthermore, bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) is another simple technique used to determine body composition. Four electrodes are attached to the patient's wrist and ankle on the same side of the body while a painless alternating current is passed through him. From the BIA, it is possible to estimate body cell mass, fat-free mass, and other useful parameters.
In assessing nutritional status, a conversation about a patient's diet and exercise regimen should be established. A major concern for most men over forty is getting their bodies back into shape. Relevant lifestyle modifications can be discussed, but it is essential that in order to achieve a better body that you understand the basics.
No discussion about your physical well-being can begin without asking a patient what it is about their body they are not happy with. For the majority it means either losing weight or gaining muscle mass. In order to do this, you need to establish realistic goals. Losing ten pounds in one week is neither realistic nor healthy. Most become frustrated at the thought of changing their bodies. Many people are scarred by memories of extreme diets and torturous exercise plans. The important thing to remember before you begin any program is that this is not supposed to be a painful journey. Changing your body requires learning healthier habits. Lifestyle modification has to be your mantra. You are embarking on a new way of life, not a crash course in body shaping.
Gaining muscle mass in a specific area requires training with weights to apply tension to that muscle. The muscle fibers will respond by growing, or going into "hypertrophy." Over the course of time, increasing weights will increase muscle size. Once you have achieved the desired effects, maintaining muscle size requires regular weight training in that muscle group. Most trainers recommend exercising one or two muscle groups in a workout session, for example biceps and triceps on the first day, followed by back, chest, shoulders, and legs. It may be advisable, for instance, to alternate workouts with abdominal crunches and aerobic exercise three times a week.Most body- builders do very little, if any, aerobic exercise because this has a tendency to diminish muscle size.
Aerobic exercise is very important, especially as you age, because it improves your overall cardio pulmonary performance. Once you have established your goal weight and you are content with the amount of lean body mass you have achieved, it is appropriate to add aerobic exercise to your program. It is recommended that you introduce about twenty to thirty minutes of aerobic exercise a week using a treadmill, the elliptical machine, or the stationary bicycle, preferably on an empty stomach to increase fat loss. You can alternate machines with aerobics classes, jogging, or riding a bicycle when the weather permits. Ultimately, the most efficient way to improve muscle tone, increase cardiopulmonary performance, and increase metabolism is through physical activity like sports, such as volleyball, tennis, and swimming.
Protein-rich foods include chicken and turkey; fish, such as salmon, tuna, and snapper, are also high in protein, except when deep- fried. The number one source for protein is egg whites, which are very popular for weight trainers; however, avoid the yolk, which is high in cholesterol. Red meats are also a good source of protein. Contrary to popular belief, lean cuts of sirloin, round, and chuck have less then 7 percent fat.
Since most people argue that their diet is adequate, try keeping a food journal for twenty- four hours. Write down everything you eat and the time at which it was consumed. Afterward, review the journal with your doctor to see exactly what your diet consists of.
Maintaining a routine diet and exercise regimen is a great way to keep in shape. Do not get obsessed with weight itself. It's better to rely on how well your clothes fit then an actual number.
Finally, no gay health assessment would be complete without a thorough review of how you envision yourself. Gay men are particularly prone to issues concerning body image. Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) is an unhealthy preoccupation with one's appearance that can interfere with daily life, creating anxiety and depression. The result is a compulsive concern over the slightest defect in one's own appearance. This can lead to eating disorders, anabolic steroids use, and plastic surgery.


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I'm guessing it's because of the higher hydration? And then there's the crust.Gene
Jeff (jeff v) was kind enough to send me some Weyauwega brick cheeses to try on some Buddys clone pizzas. I received the Weyauwega mild brick cheese and the Weyauwega aged brick cheese today when I returned from market. Jeff had the Weyauwega brick cheese packaged very well and the brick cheeses arrived in very good shape.Thanks so much Jeff for sending me the Weyauwega brick cheeses to try on my Buddys clone attempts. I appreciate it very much what you did. I am looking forward to trying the Weyauwega brick cheeses on some Buddys clone attempts next Tuesday. The Nutrition Facts for the Weyauwega brick cheese are posted in the second picture.Norma
I wonder how long they age the one that costs twice as much.....
I would have thought you have tried aged brick already in your experiments Norma...learn something new everyday. I'm sure it will be quite different from what you've been doing and I hope it tastes/melts good for you.Good luck... Bob
Norma,It is really hard to kill a dough with a lot of yeast, especially one that is fermented for a relatively short period of time. If the fermentation period were several days, and assuming no added sugar in the dough, a point might be reached where the conversion of damaged starch to sugars by enzymatic performance could result in a dough that starts to collapse and produce a final dough with reduced height. Given your relatively short fermentation time, I was not particularly worried about the elevated room temperature, the extended warmup time and the elevated finished dough temperature that you experienced. But I wanted you to see for yourself how those factors would affect your dough, and to react to those factors. Eventually, you will want to develop a fixed protocol for making your Buddy's clone doughs for market, while adjusting as necessary to the many variables at market that can affect dough performance. But so long as you stay between the lines asw much as possible, I think you should be OK overall. BTW, did you use a 9-ounce dough ball or a 9.5-ounce dough ball? Either way, I do not think that the one percent increase in hydration was responsible for the elevated height in the final crust. I would credit the high-yeast, high-temperature environment. The brick cheese that jeff v sent you has a similar profile to the other brick cheese candidates that we have considered but with a bit more salt (as reflected by the increased sodium content). But the increase in salt should be imperceptible to the palate.Peter


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Even though the Green Bay Packers trimmed their roster down to 53 players on Saturday, the maneuvering may not be over.
NFL teams can put claims on players that were placed on waivers yesterday until 11:00 a.m. CT today. If the Packers were to do so, they'd have to make room by subsequently releasing players currently on their roster.
Bob McGinn of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel explains the process, saying, "If the Packers put in claims for two players, they could prioritize the claims and inform the NFL that they want just one."
Quarterback stands as one position the Packers may address after parting ways with Vince Young on Saturday.
Waivers is not the only way to add players, however. As usual, the Packers could make a trade or sign a free agent at any time.
There's been no word if the Packers plan on signing running back Joe McKnight, who they had in for a workout on Saturday. Like any other player, the Packers would have clear room on their roster if they were to sign McKnight.
The Packers can also begin putting together their eight-man practice squad at 11:00 a.m.
Among the players team beat writers have said are likely to be signed include quarterback Scott Tolzien, tight end Jake Stoneburner and wide receivers Charles Johnson and Myles White.
General manager Ted Thompson is expected to address the media on Sunday. Typically his press conferences are streamed live on the team's official website at Packers.com, although the team has not updated their online live webcast schedule.
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"German reunification: I view this in much the same way I view a possible Dean Martin - Jerry Lewis reconciliation: I never really enjoyed their work, and I'm not sure I need to see any of their new stuff"
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"to solve the issue of Taiwan and realize complete reunification of the motherland is one of the three major tasks for the Party and the nation in the new century."
"This is more about reunification and repairing. But it's extremely urgent. If you're separated from your child in a supermarket or department store for 10 minutes, it's something you never forget. Here are parents who are separated from their children for three weeks and don't know where they are."
"It is as well correct to state that 'against the background ofthe policy of
peaceful reunification PRC has not renounced the use of force.' It is as well
correct to state that 'China's ability toproject conventional military power
beyond its periphery remains limited,'"
"With military implementation you can achieve a partition. With civilian and political organization you can achieve reunification and a real peace."
"If the Taiwanese authorities refuse peaceful negotiation to solve the reunification issue, China will have no choice but to take all measures, including the use of force, to defend its territorial integrity."