text:
Return to Transcripts main page
Encore Presentation - Narco State: The Poppy Jihad
Aired October 13, 2007 - 15:00 ET
ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR (voice-over): Heroin, smack, or junk as it's known in the streets of New York sells for as much as $90,000 a kilo. The highly-addictive drug is smuggled in from Mexico and Colombia. But in increasing amounts, it's coming from Afghanistan, where American DEA agents are on the front line of the drug war. Here, the war on drugs and America's war on terror collide. In Afghanistan, the poppy trade is illegal. But opium production is soaring. The country is flooding the market with 92 percent of the world's elicit opium. These brightly-colored flowers fuel a $3 billion a year industry here. It's the machine that drives Afghanistan's economy. But it's also destabilizing the government, filling the Taliban, the very people who gave safe haven to al Qaeda. When government eradication forces step in, the Taliban often attacks. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The Taliban? UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We're taking fire. We are taking fire. COOPER: The United States is spending billions of dollars here. DEA agents are training Afghan police to bust drug dealers. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Execute, execute, execute. COOPER: And the State Department is backing the eradication of poppy fields. But the problem keeps growing. Poppy production was up by 50 percent in 2006 alone. NORINE MACDONALD, COUNTER-NARCOTICS EXPERT: It hasn't worked in three years. And in this last year, we've seen Taliban control spread so rapidly. That's a failed policy. COOPER: For 2.5 months, our team traveled throughout Afghanistan looking for answers. How did the drug problem slip beyond our control? And what are we doing to stop it? As far as the eye can see, lush, green fields of crops in bloom. These are poppy fields. And this is Helmand Province in southern Afghanistan. More opium comes from Helmand than anywhere else in the world. The drug production running rampant, Afghanistan is a country still very much on the brink. The central government is struggling to flex its muscle throughout the 34 provinces and especially here in the south, where America's enemy, the Taliban, is returning. PETER BERGEN, CNN TERORRISM ANALYST: The Taliban basically was pretty much ancient history four years ago. And now they're back because they're deriving money from the drug trade. DOUG WANKEL, COUNTER-NARCOTICS TASK FORCE: If we lose this government, we could have another 9/11 here. We have to succeed. Not only for Afghanistan, but for the region and for the world. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We've got one person in the trees. COOPER: And Americans are on the ground as part of the effort. NICK BROOKE, DEA AGENT: I need him to check for narcotics. COOPER: Nick Brooke is a former marine, a native New Yorker who is now with the DEA. He works with Afghan drug agents. His job, get them ready to bust drug lords. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I found a gun here inside the tent. BROOKE: Let's find out who the owner is. What we're here to do is dismantle large-scale drug organizes that are operating with impunity here. They're allied with war lords and sometimes the Taliban. COOPER: A DEA agent is ready to take down the dealers. The State Department is working to wipe out the poppies themselves. Doug Wankel is in charge of the U.S.'s fight against drugs in Afghanistan. He's America's man on the ground. Wankel knows the culture and the people respect him. He was hand-picked for the job because of his 28 years with the DEA. He spent much of that time crushing drug cartels in Southeast Asia and Latin America. Wankel travels the country with his Afghan counterpart, Lieutenant General Mohammad Daud Daud. WANKEL: As the poppy becomes larger and the stem expands, they can peal it with sticks and things like this. So we have to be prepared maybe to send in police. I don't know. COOPER: Wankel oversees poppy eradication in the country for the U.S. The goal, wipe out just enough poppy fields so farmers will think twice before they plant poppies again. Lets than 10 percent were wiped out last year. The U.N. estimates that 25 percent eradication would start to turn the tide. Today we travel with them to Uruzgan Province. Uruzgan is one of the five provinces in the south of Afghanistan where poppies thrive, second only to Helmand Province. WANKEL: Uruzgan is so remote and has so many problems, that it's sort of what we refer to sometimes as a forgotten province. COOPER: The country's central government has little power here, making this a fertile ground for drug traffickers, insurgents and the Taliban. Men in their black headdresses are everywhere. And these billboards are the only signs of eradication to be seen. In fact, the governor lives here in this walled compound, which is surrounded by thriving poppy fields. The problem is literally in his own backyard. Though he knows Wankel and high-ranking officials are here, the governor is conveniently out of town. In this part of the world, it's a grave insult. WANKEL: What we heard is that he had a death in the family. He had to leave town. We're not sure, but that's the story. And that's the -- it just happened to, you know, coincide with the time that we were coming in for doing eradication. COOPER: Wankel and Daud bring a message from the United States and from President Hamid Karzai. Stop growing poppies. WANKEL: There was very little eradication last year. COOPER: It's an unusually frank discussion. WANKEL: Some people would question who he eradicated, nonetheless. COOPER: Deciding whose fields to eradicate is always controversial. Local officials try to influence the decision-making based on loyalties to them and sometimes bribes. Wankel is having none of it. WANKEL: I don't trust the people here anyway. Obviously they haven't done anything anyway. COOPER: He shuts down the debate. WANKEL: If you guys want to argue later, we can argue, but that's not now. An eradication will start usually around 8:30, 9:00. And it will be finished by 2:00 or 3:00. COOPER: Two days later with eradication under way, there's trouble. Gunfire breaks out, they're under attack. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We are taking fire. We are taking fire. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The Taliban? COOPER: The gun battle rages for four hours and leaves four Afghan policemen wounded. Eradication efforts here are called off for the season. The farmers, the Taliban, and the drug dealers win this round. Up next, getting Afghans to fight the drug lords and eradicate poppies. (COMMERCIAL BREAK) COOPER: Kabul, Afghanistan. Vince Balbu is the DEA's top man in Afghanistan. Balbu and two teams of special trained DEA agents teach Afghans to investigate and arrest drug traffickers. VINCE BALBU, DEA: They train constantly. When they're not out in the field supporting forces out in the provinces, then they're back here at the main base and they're again honing up on their skills. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Quickly, quickly, quickly. COOPER: It's no small task teaching modern law enforcement in a country where only one in three people can read. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Good. BALBU: Crawl, walk, run. You know, they're learning how to do these simple cases. By simple, I just mean a standard drug buy. COOPER: The faces of these trainees have been blurred to protect them. Being exposed as a member of an anti-drug force is the equivalent of a death sentence. UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (through translator): We joined the fight because drugs are bad and are also against Islam. That's why we are fighting. COOPER: Chasing drug lords is only part of the fight against opium poppies. On the other side of Kabul, officials from the Ministry from Counter Narcotics use satellite technology to find poppy fields for eradication. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We can see the poppies here, here, and in here. COOPER: The northern provinces are relatively poppy-free. The south is largely under Taliban control, and produces the majority of the opium that leaves the country. In the east, Nangarhar is teetering on the brink. ABBIE ARYAN, AFGHAN MINISTRY OF INTERIOR: We target the area where we think there are rich farmers or farmers with large land. So, for example in Nangahar, we know the target is here. We pass that information to the governors and we ask them to go to that specific area and do their eradication. COOPER: Nangarhar is a strategic province in the war on poppy cultivation, and the war on terror. Norine MacDonald is a security and counter narcotics expert for an international policy think tank called the Senlis Council. MACDONALD: The first thing to know is that Nangarhar is extremely politically significant because it's on the border with Pakistan nearest the area where the al Qaeda and Taliban training camps are. COOPER: On the way to that border is Tora Bora, the last spot where there was hope to capture Osama bin Laden in 2001. Since the fall of the Taliban, life in Nangarhar has been improving. Poppies flourish. Production here dramatically fell off in 2005, but rebounded the next year. The U.N. is predicting yet another bumper crop. Crops that end up as heroin on the streets of Europe and America. We accompanied the province's governor, Gul Agha Sherzai and the State Department's Doug Wankel to an eradication project. The governor is a supporter of the Karzai government and of eradication. For the benefit of our cameras, he takes part in today's operation. GUL AGHA SHERZAI, NANGARHAR GOVERNOR (through translator): I am trying to arrest the traffickers and turn them over to the police. There is a lot of cultivation here. Al Qaeda, the terrorists, and others benefit when people grow poppies. WANKEL: Once the poppy's stem has extended, it is very easy for them to go with a labor force to go through and just break this. Before it gets to this height, it's much more effective to use tractors and things of this nature. They can line up 100 people and just go through this and wipe this area out in a matter of an hour and a half or so. COOPER: This may look ineffective, but in a rumor-based society, it sends a message to other farmers. Your field might be next. WANKEL: This is what's called the hook (ph) here. You'll see, it's been over this. This is the predecessor to when this will eventually stand up and flower, as you see right here. Later on, the flowers fall off, as you see this plant. After some days, weeks of maturation, this bulb will generally get bigger, about this big. At the when they then come with the lancing tools and collect the opium gum. It's like a savings account for them. Poppy is a cash crop. It's always worth money. COOPER: Afghan farmers say they have no other choice. Nothing else makes enough money. Poppies are hearty and drought-resistant. They bring eight times the price of wheat, even though the soaring rate of cultivation means that traffickers will pay less money for the crop this year than last. WANKEL: Look, we know you need development and that is coming. But the lack of development is not an excuse to go against the constitution to break the law, to support the enemy. That's part of the message that goes out to the people. COOPER: But in Afghanistan where there's almost no financial support for farmers, poppy comes with a bonus. Drug lords will loan farmers money against their future poppy crops. Money farmers need now to survive. This farmer has already taken money for these poppies. To pay the debt, the drug lords may demand that he give them one of his daughters. Up next, is America's war on drugs compromising the war on terror? (COMMERCIAL BREAK) COOPER: Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan. In April, the governor's forces descend on the district to destroy poppy fields. This is what greets them. Angry farmers block the road and begin throwing stones. Suddenly soldiers open fire, chaos. The governor's assistant for eradication Massoud Isizi (ph) shows up and gathers the farmers to hear their grievances. Fairly soon, Massoud (ph) resumes eradication efforts throughout the province. He understands their grievances and makes an impassioned speech to the farmers. The farmers seem to understand and together with Massoud (ph), they clear the road of stones. A few days later, our crew is traveling with Massoud (ph) when we find this field. Burlap sacks are hanging around in it a vain attempt to shield it from view. The crop is being farmed by a woman and her family, sharecroppers on the land. When she realizes Massoud (ph) is from the government, she begs him to spare her poppy field. Tribal elders tell us to turn off our cameras. It's against Islam, they say, to photograph a women. Off camera, she continues to plead with Massoud (ph). Land owners who are dealing in drugs often pressure their sharecroppers to grow poppy, leaving the farmers no other choice. HABIBULLAH QADERI, MINISTER OF COUNTER-NARCOTICS: There are two kinds of farms in this country. Some are growing for greed and some are growing for meat. Some really need to be assisted and they really are needy. ABDUL MANAN FARAHI, HEAD OF COUNTER-TERRORISM POLICE (through translator): The main point is this. The farmers are almost the victims of the dealings between al Qaeda, Taliban, and the drug mafia. The farmers in Afghanistan do not gain much from poppies and drugs except suffering because the poppies and harvest is being bought very cheap. COOPER: The international community promised that farmers here would be given alternative livelihoods, ways to earn enough money to live. Farmers were giving seeds and supplies to grow other crops and found that no one was interested in buying them. There is always, however, a market for poppies. MACDONALD: So not only are they back to cultivating poppy because they did not receive any alternative livelihood, but they're angry at the broken promises and they don't trust us anymore. COOPER: Facing the anger of those farmers, the forces of NATO or ISAF as they're known here. Things are especially bad in Helmand Province in the south. Recently ISAF, the International Security Assistance Force broadcast an announcement on radio in Helmand, which has the highest poppy production in all of Afghanistan. That's right, NATO, an American ally, saying they will not eradicate poppy fields. The U.S. and Afghan governments were furious, and the commercial was pulled from the airwaves. So why would NATO put out such a message? Because they're the ones who have to deal with the fall-out of eradication. Usually that means unrest and violence. BERGEN: There are obviously differences between NATIO and the United States about what to do with the drug problem because NATO is sort of trying to distance itself from drug eradication efforts and saying this is not our fight. COOPER: NATO is reasoning it's simple. Take about people's means of earning a living, and they'll turn against you. Even worse, they'll turn to the Taliban. MACDONALD: The insurgency will say, see? The foreigners don't care about you. The foreigners are not here to help you. The foreigners are just foreign invaders like we've seen before. COOPER: Peter Jouvenal has been reporting from Afghanistan for 28 years. PETER JOUVENAL, BRITISH JOURNALIST: Drug eradication is a fantastic opportunity for the Taliban. You know, it gives them the opportunity to recruit farmers that are fed up with these foreigners coming in and destroying their land. COOPER: The Taliban resurgence is greatest where poppy cultivation is greatest, in the south. Here, attacks on NATO forces are increasing. Fuelled by drug money and left unchecked, the insurgency is destabilizing President Karzai's government. GEN. MOHAMMAD DAUD DAUD, HEAD OF COUNTER-NARCOTICS (through translator): There are two challenges to the government of Afghanistan. The first is terrorism. And the second is narcotics. They are not separate. We have to defeat them both together. COOPER: Drug money is the prime source of funding for the Taliban. The Taliban charged drug lords for protecting smuggling routes. They also run a protection racket, taking payment to keep government forces away from farmers' fields. Mirwais Yasini is a member of the Afghan parliament and the former minister of counter narcotics. MIRWAIS YASINI, MEMBER OF AFGHAN PARLIAMENT: The drugs are directly funding terrorism. The drug is directly funding the Taliban. And I wouldn't differentiate between the al Qaeda and the Taliban. COOPER: The drug lords and the Taliban are the only support system that many farmers have. Drug lords provide up-front money and credit for crops. They pay farmers cash and after the harvest, pick up the opium themselves. For farmers who may not even own trucks, get crops to market, the service is invaluable. This relationship between farmer and terrorists is propping up the Taliban. It's also undermining America's war on terror as well as the security of Afghanistan. BERGEN: Given the fact that this will be another record year for poppy production, given the fact that the Taliban are benefiting from the drug economy, given the fact that we're spending 3/4 of a billion dollars for very little effect, it seems to me that we need to be more creative about what we're trying to do in terms of the drug problem here. COOPER: The failure in the war against poppy has opened the country, once again, to terrorists who are increasingly killing U.S. and NATO forces. When we come back, DEA agents on the hunt for drug traffickers. (END VIDEOTAPE) (COMMERCIAL BREAK) TONY HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: Hello, everyone. I'm Tony Harris. More of CNN SIU's "Narco State, the Poppy Jihad" in a moment, but first, let's bring you up to date on what's happening right now in the news. Tropical Storm Gabrielle taking aim at the North Carolina coastline. The storm could hit the area sometime tomorrow afternoon. But Gabrielle's soggy outer bands could strike in the next few hours. Tropical storm warnings and watches are in effect in North Carolina and Virginia. Friends and relatives of Gerry and Kate McCann are outraged that Portuguese police have been named suspects in their daughter's disappearance. Four year old Madeleine was last seen May 3rd at the family's holiday apartment. The McCanns say they'll stay in Portugal to help police and to prove their innocence. The Algerian press service reports at least 30 people are dead and another 47 wounded in a car bombing targeting a coast guard barracks. It's Algeria's second bombing since Thursday when 19 people died and more than 100 were hurt. Al-Jazeera reports a North African al Qaeda cell is claiming responsibility for both attacks. Still no sign of missing aviator Steve Fossett. He disappeared Monday after he took off from a Nevada airstrip. Teams have expanded the area of their searching from 600 square miles to a 17,000-square-mile grid. An official with Nevada's Civil Air Patrol says she expects the search to go on for two weeks or even more. Laura Bush back at the White House, resting tonight after some out-patient surgery earlier today. Doctors worked to relieve pinched nerves in the first lady's neck. The surgery reportedly to be minimally invasive. It lasted two and a half hours. The White House says it was a success. I'm Tony Harris in Atlanta. Now back to CNN's SIU's "Narco State: the Poppy Jihad." (BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There will be a buy/bust operation. COOPER: ... for DEA agents agreed to take our crew on a buy/bust operation in Kabul. Agent Nick Brook is in charge. NICK BROOKE, DEA AGENT: OK. Operation Trojan Horse is ... COOPER: Operation Trojan Horse will be a drug sting carried out by Afghan undercover officers under the direction of American DEA agents. Their target is a former mujahideen fighter. BROOKE: Obviously involving narcotics trafficking and possible weapons distribution. So be very careful of this guy. Go see your commander. Get these weapons issued and get into your equipment within the next few minutes. And be ready to go. COOPER: For the Afghan undercover agents, this is a critical opportunity. Not just to arrest the suspect, but to hone their investigative skills. For the DEA, the stakes are higher. These busts helps to connect the dots between local traffickers and the drug mafia that's profiting from Afghanistan's insurgency and chaos. As soon as they learn the undercover buy has gone through, they get the signal to move in. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Execute, execute, execute. COOPER: With these two men in custody, the next order of business, search for the drugs in the two target houses. The drugs turn up in one of the backyards. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You, we found it back here. That's the bag where it was brought out from the other compound up the hill and then those are the four additional kilos plus the ones we purchased. We have six right now, I believe. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Is that the target? UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We believe he is. We're going to have to have the informant make a visual identification in order to arrest him. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Heroin. COOPER: When they began working with the DEA, some of these men had no law enforcement experience whatsoever. Today they're carrying out field testing of confiscated drugs. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: At this point it appears to be morphine- based. COOPER: The presence of morphine indicates heroin. But as the testing is going on, the agents discover they don't have their man after all. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's not him? UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You're sure? UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is not the target. We need to figure out who that is. Who is the individual that lives next door? COOPER: Then they get a tip from one of the men in custody. He said their target has fled to one of the compounds up the hill. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Let's go. COOPER: No luck. He's not there. BROOKE: The story is we followed two leads. They were negative. Now we believe the guy who brought the heroin to us, the main guy, the brown manjam (ph) wearing guy hopped over the fence to the west. But we had the perimeter secured. So we're doing a house-to-house search in the hopes that we find him hidden in one of the compounds. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Here. BROOKE: Down here? UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yeah. COOPER: Do you think he's still in the area? BROOKE: Yeah, I think he's hiding in one of the compounds here. There's just too many compounds. We need to focus us on the investigation to lead us to where he is. Let's load them up. Let's get out of here. COOPER: Back at the station, testing of the drugs continues. On the streets of new york, these drugs would be worth half a million dollars. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Here they call it beast. Beast heroin. That's what we actually negotiated for 10 kilos of beast. They'll further do the chemical process at another location to make it either the next level of heroin which is tahn (ph) or white heroin which is called spin or crystal. COOPER: The suspects have been blindfolded so they can't identify the location or the Afghan undercover agents. Even though the primary target hasn't been caught yet, agents say this is a significant bust. Not just because of the drugs they seized, but because arrests were made. Arrests send a message. The government is holding people accountable for dealing drugs. Coming up next, connecting the dots from smugglers to drug lords. (END VIDEOTAPE) (COMMERCIAL BREAK) (BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) COOPER: Twenty-year-old Ismap (ph) was arrested at Kabul International Airport. Border police said he looked suspicious. He was nervous, sweating, and had booked a tickle from Kabul via Dubai to China, a common smuggling route out of Afghanistan. He was detained while the officers searched his luggage. Ismap was detained while the officers searched his luggage. Concealed in his bag, 1.9 kilos of heroin carefully hidden in the lining. He has a street value of $100,000 in new york. GENERAL ABEEL, COMMANDER OF BORDER POLICE (through translator): The X-ray machine couldn't detect drugs in the bags, but our police became suspicious of them and luckily, their suspicions were correct. COOPER: Ismap was taken to central narcotics police headquarters where he was booked and charged. If convicted he'll serve anywhere from five to 15 years in prison. We spoke to him after his arrest. He told us that he was out to make quick money and that he had successfully avoided detection before. UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): The same person who gave me the drugs this time gave me the drugs the last time. I never would have done this if my life was good. I was in debt. And people were asking for their money. So finally I decided to do this. COOPER: In Afghanistan, connecting dots from the small traffickers like Ismap to the drug lords controlling the trade is a massive undertaking. Once arrested, there's still many ways to escape justice. He can bribe a prosecutor or a judge or pay off a prison guard. The country's outspoken attorney general Abdul Jabar Sabed (ph) has declared war on this kind of corruption. Sabed returned after years in America to help his country get back on its feet. When we arrived to interview him in his office in Kabul, there were more than 100 people gathered to see him. In addition to running the country's legal system, he also arbitrates land and family disputes. (on camera): What is the biggest problem Afghanistan faces right now? UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The biggest is corruption. If we do not have corrupt police, if we do not have corrupt prosecutors, if we do not have corrupt judges, then the drug dealers and all of the terrorists who are arrested would be brought to justice. COOPER: Does the drug trade contribute to corruption? UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Drug trafficking? COOPER: Yeah. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Corruption and terrorism are linked. They're linked to each other. COOPER: Is Afghanistan in danger of becoming a narco state? UNIDENTIFIED MALE: If we overcome the terrorist problem, I am sure we will -- we will be able to deal effectively with the narcotics dealing. COOPER (voice-over): There are some signs of progress. In June 2007, DEA and Afghan agents arrested Abdul Kalik (ph) a provincial police chief. The bust netted 30 kilos of heroin. On some streets America, about $1.5 million worth. But the big news was the arrest of such a prominent official. This was an exception. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hello. COOPER: And to corrupt government officials, war lords, and drug dealers, Attorney General Sabed is a target. (on camera): Do you fear for your own security, for your own safety? UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No. The Americans have given me two anti- bullet cars. I'm safe. I'm safe. COOPER: I hope so. (voice-over): In Afghanistan, safe is a relative term. Two months after our interview, Sabed's convoy was ambushed on the way to Parwan Province where he planned to issue an arrest warrant for a general. Sabed was taken from the car, beaten, and nearly kidnapped. A gun battle ensued. He and his team barely escaped with their lives. Up next, is Afghanistan once again becoming a safe haven for terrorists? (END VIDEOTAPE) (COMMERCIAL BREAK) (BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) COOPER: It's spring in the eastern Afghan province of Nangarhar. Harvest season has begun. We secured access to a poppy field inside a sprawling walled compound in the Rodat (ph) District of Nangarhar. Opium harvesting is a labor-intensive process requiring the work of many farmers over the course of several weeks. The plants are ready when the flower drops its petals, leaving behind a capsule pregnant with opium. The only tool used is a piece of wood embedded with sharp blades. UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): When it's harvest time, we slice the capsule, then leave until the next day. Then we collect the opium the next morning. I have six acres. It takes 16 days to collect the opium. COOPER: After the opium has oozed out, the farmers roll it up into balls. UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): Then it's put in the leaf and it becomes opium. COOPER: This farmer says his family has been growing poppy for 100 years. He grows it, he says, to pay for the weddings of his six sons. He says this is their only choice. UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): We do believe that this haram, that this forbidden in Islam. There is no dispute about that. But what shall I do? There is no alternative crop that we can survive on. Look, there are poppy growing here as far as the eye can see. COOPER: After the harvest, farmers can store the opium. Or it can be refined into heroin in primitive labs like this one. Our crew wasn't able to go into these labs on our own. It was simply too dangerous. Even the Afghan locals who shot this exclusive footage was unwilling to visit at lab when it was in use. Some of the bins still contained raw opium. The process of refining heroin involves repeated cooking and drying. It increases the potency and the value. This particular lab is located in the Spingar Mountains. Spingar means white. It's also the name of the best Afghan heroin money can buy. From here, it's only a 30-mile drive to the border with Pakistan. High in the mountains along barely marked trails, there's a steady stream of traffic. Camels and mules are laden with bundles. We're only about 50 miles from Tora Bora where Osama bin Laden escaped allied forces in 2001. The mountainous terrain and remoteness of the area make it nearly impossible to control this border or stop the flow of opium and heroin. The men we talked to were reluctant to discuss drug smuggling. UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): No, I'm not transporting opium. UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): I don't know what opium is. Is it like sugar? COOPER: In Afghanistan, border guards are notoriously corrupt. These guards assured us that no illegal substances were getting through their make-shift checkpoint. UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): These things don't come this way because our checkpoints are here. COOPER: But the inspections we saw were perfunctory at best. UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): If there are six or 10 camels or donkeys, they will not search all of them. Only one or two. Of course, it's easy for them to get in and out whenever there aren't government checkpoints. Everybody knows that. It's a long border. COOPER: Drugs leaving the country here go to Pakistan and then are transported to Iran where they're sent to Turkey and then to Europe. From there in small but increasing numbers, heroin makes its way to America. In the U.S., a kilo of high-grade heroin going for $100,000. To grow the opium that this heroin with came from, a harmer probably earned about $300. In the mountains of Nangarhar, local officials have come to burn confiscated heroin and hashish. Representatives from the national government are on hand to make sure the destruction is carried out. In Afghanistan, this represents a major haul. But compared to the 6,100 metric tons of opium produced last year, it's barely a drop in the bucket. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The campaign of their education is not finished. We start our jihad or fight against the drug. Every kind of drug which we have where there is hashish or narcotics, we are trying our best to reach them and teach them that what they are deal is illegal of the constitution of Islam and the constitution of our government. That for their personal interests, they are destroying their country. COOPER: As the security situation in Afghanistan deteriorates, it becomes more and more critical to stop the flow of drug money to the Taliban. But in the country that produces 92 percent of the world's illicit opium, this terrorist war chest is only getting bigger. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Afghanistan is sort of at a tipping point. The Taliban want to show that they can come back and still be a big problem. The international community has to show it's getting a grip on things. This place has shown itself to be very, very usable for the fundamentalists to operate from, to do whatever is necessary to continue their war of terrorism. UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Anyone who wants to remember 9/11 should be very concerned about what's happening in Afghanistan right now. (END VIDEOTAPE) TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.voxant.com


text:
This regards Version 4.0 - RC 2 - March 2013 Public Review Release Candidate 2.
This example is a bit puzzling. I have looked for an explanation on forums but I could not find anything. This is the example illustrating pitfalls with flush.
As far as I can tell, flag at any given time can only be equal to 0 or 1. Because of the while condition on line 29, flag must be 1 on line 34. How can it be undefined?
Similarly, if flag must be 1 on line 34, data=42 must have been written to memory by thread 0 (line 18). The flush by thread 1 (line 28 or 31) must occur after line 20 has executed. Therefore thread 1 must be able to see the updated value of data.
This reasoning is contradictory with the statement in the specification:
"The following example demonstrates why synchronization is difficult to perform correctly through variables. The value of flag is undefined in both prints on thread 1 and the value of data is only well-defined in the second print."
Could anyone explain this?
Thank you.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
It's almost impossible for one home to meet your needs completely as you age, grow and change. Eventually, you'll need to either buy a new home or improve on what you have to better suit your lifestyle, especially if you're not happy in your place. But how do you know if you should relocate or […]
The post Selling Your Home: Should You Move or Improve appeared first on Freshome.com.
If you live in one of the parts of the country that's been struggling with drought (or you just don't want to spend a fortune on your water bill), youve probably felt that you face a choice with your outdoor areas. You can either be water conscious or have a beautiful, lush yard, right When […]
The post 5 Benefits of Drip Irrigation Systems appeared first on Freshome.com.
The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) released its 2019 Bathroom Design Trends, which coincided with its annual Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS), celebrating the best in kitchen and bathroom design trends. Freshome has already covered the latest trends in bathroom technology and bathroom faucets. But we asked Elle H-Millard, Certified Kitchen Designer and Industry […]
The post National Kitchen & Bath Association 2019 Bathroom Design Trends appeared first on Freshome....
Whether you need a full set of outdoor furniture or just want to add fun touches around your yard to refresh it for summer, World Markets latest outdoor offerings can deliver. Blending quality materials and fun colors with products designed for the way you live, their weather-resistant furniture, break-resistant glassware and more are sure to delight both you and your guests.
The post The 10 World Market Outdoor Products You Need to Get Summer-Ready appeared first on Freshome.com.
Chrissy Teigen is back at Target with her second collection for Cravings by Chrissy Teigen. Mrs. John Legends first line was so popular, her Santoku Knife became a cult favorite that would sell out as quickly as Target could produce it. What does the beauty have in store this time around to satisfy our cravings
The post Check Out the New Cravings by Chrissy Teigen Line at Target appeared first on Freshome.com.
Item description: This Furniture Home Office Furniture product is by BOSS Office Products - Beautifully upholstered with ultra soft and durable Caressoft upholstery Executive High Back styling with extra lumbar support Padded armrests covered with Caressoft upholstered Large 27 nylon base for greater stability Upright locking position Pneumatic gas lift seat height adjustment Adjustable tilt tension control Hooded double wheel castersArm Height: 27 - 30 Country of Orgin: CN Cushion Color: Black Depth: 32-1 2 Fabric Type: Caressoft Finish: Black Height: 43-1 2 - 47 Material: Leather Seat Height: 20 - 23-1 2 Seat Size: 20-1 2 W x 20 D Type: Executive Weight: 41 Width: 27... Learn More
Manufacturer: BOSS Office Products
Store: Homeclick.com is a leading online retail site catering to consumers looking to take their home to the next level, surrounding themselves with comfortable luxuries. The site carries products for renovating and decorating your bath and kitchen, as well as grills and other outdoor products.
Category: Home Office Furniture
You may also consider:
Copyright © 2019 - http://www.urbanblissdesign.com/ All Rights Reserved.
Website design by Business Edge


text:
News & Events
For the Media
Clarkson University Engineering Professor Receives Board Certification
The American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists (AAEES) has elected Clarkson University Civil and Environmental Engineering Professor Thomas M. Holsen as a Board Certified Environmental Engineering Member (BCEEM).
The AAEES certifies qualified environmental engineers recommended by peers through rigorous certification procedures. The BCEEM title is internationally recognized as the premium credential that is awarded to experienced professionals who have demonstrated expertise in environmental engineering.
Holsen, the associate director of Clarkson's Center for Air Resources Engineering and Science (CARES) has been investigating the sources and fate of pollutants emitted to the atmosphere for more than 20 years.
Many of his projects -- funded by Federal and State Agencies -- investigate where pollutants in the atmosphere originate and, once emitted into the atmosphere, how they enter large water bodies, like the Chesapeake Bay, Great Lakes or terrestrial ecosystems. He has investigated heavy metals including mercury, semivolatile organic compounds (like PAHs and PCBs) and nitrogen- and sulfur-containing compounds. His research has shown that many pollutants originate in urban areas and can travel great distances.
In June 2013, Holsen completed a four-day trip on Lake Ontario along with a team of student and faculty researchers to analyze its health. The team was looking for pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and "emerging contaminants" that could be affecting the lake's food chain, such as fragrances used in shampoo, flame retardants, pharmaceuticals and industrial chemicals.
The project is part of a $6.5 million five-year grant the Environmental Protection Agency awarded Clarkson, in partnership with SUNY Fredonia and SUNY Oswego, to conduct the Great Lakes Fish Monitoring and Surveillance Program (GLFMSP), part of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.
Clarkson University launches leaders into the global economy. One in five alumni already leads as a CEO, VP or equivalent senior executive of a company. Located just outside the Adirondack Park in Potsdam, N.Y., Clarkson is a nationally recognized research university for undergraduates with select graduate programs in signature areas of academic excellence directed toward the world's pressing issues. Through 50 rigorous programs of study in engineering, business, arts, sciences and health sciences, the entire learning-living community spans boundaries across disciplines, nations and cultures to build powers of observation, challenge the status quo, and connect discovery and engineering innovation with enterprise.
[A photograph for media use is available at http://clarkson.edu/news/photos/holsen.jpg.]


text:
Daewoo K1 carbine outfitted with a foregrip and scope attached via Rail Integration System.
Daewoo K1A carbine
The K1 assault rifle was developed in 1977-1982 by the South Korean company Daewoo Precision Industries Ltd (a division of the large industrial corporation DAEWOO International Corp.) as a replacement for the license-built M16A1 rifles, used by the South Korean Army during the 1970s. The improved version, Daewoo K2, appeared circa 1984 and replaced the K1 rifle in production and service. At the present time the K2 assault rifle and K1A1 carbine are the general issue shoulder arms with the South Korean Army. Semi-automatic only, export versions of the K2 rifle, known as a Daewoo DR-100 (pre-1994), DR-200 (post-1994, both chambered for .223 Remington cartridge) and DR-300(post-1994, chambered for Russian7.62x39mm cartridge), are intended for the civilian and police markets. The earlier K1 semi-automatic versions were exported from Korea as Daewoo MAX-1 and MAX-2 rifles (both in .223 caliber).
The K1 rifles were designed as improved variations of the M16 rifle. While retaining most of the M16 design features, Daewoo designers replaced the direct gas system of the AR-15/M16 rifle with the more common and reliable gas piston system, and made several other improvements, resulting in very good combat weapon.
The Daewoo K1 is a gas operated, selective fire, magazine fed weapon. The K1 rifle and K1A1carbine differs from the K2 rifle by different gas system, shorter barrel with different muzzle compensator / flash hider (K1A1 carbine only), and different type of buttstock.
The K1 rifle had the gas system similar to the one found in AR-15/M16 rifles, with no separate gas piston and gases being directed straight into the bolt carrier. The return spring with its guide rod is located behind and partially inside the gas piston rod, and, unlike the M16, does not take space in the buttstock, allowing for folding or completely retractable butt to be used.
The receiver is generally similar in design to the M16 rifle, and is made from two halves, upper and lower, machined from the aluminum alloy forgings, and linked by two cross-pins. It must be noted, however, that Daewoo receivers are NOT interchangeable with any AR-15/M16 type receivers.
The trigger unit is fitted with the 4 position safety / fire selector switch, located at the left side of the receiver, above the pistol grip. The switch has positions for Safe, Single shots, 3 rounds bursts and Full auto fire. It must be noted that the 3 rounds burst counter does not reset itself if trigger is released before all 3 rounds are fired.
The feeding is achieved by using M16-type magazines. The K1 rifle incorporate a bolt stop device, which holds the bolt open after the last shot from the magazine is fired.
The sighting system consists of the hooded front sight, mounted on the gas block, and the L-shaped dual aperture rear sight, with one small aperture for daylight conditions and another larger aperture for low light conditions. The range adjustments are made by the rotating knob at the right side of the rear sight block. Maximum range setting is 600 meters.
K1A carbine has the retractable steel wire buttstock.


text:
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Pretty flowers all in a row...
This is the first pin that I put together. It's too bad about the leaves because it did add a nice contrast to the flower. I wish I had discovered the problem before I made almost 400 leaves. Ugh!
The completed flowers, although quite plain, are still very pretty.
Another view...
A warm welcome to all the new visitors to my blog. My stat counts have gone through the roof. Thank you Libby for the mention on your blog. Libby's blog is new to me and one that I plan to explore much further. She has some beautiful quilts, craft projects, recipes, and pet photo's to share. She recently made an Americana fabric pinwheel which she included in a primitive tableau. Gorgeous!
I am desperately trying to juggle my time on the computer with the time that I need to spend on sewing and crafting. In an effort to do so, starting tomorrow, I will be posting during evening hours. The plan is to keep the computer turned off until evening. This does mean that most of you will get my posts a day late and for that I apologize. I haven't been as productive as necessary so I have to reduce all temptation of staying on the computer all day. Desperate times call for desperate measures. Hope this works!
Have a fabulous day, everyone.
8 comments:
- sweetiepie said...
Lettie - I love your colorful display of flower pins. They look great even without leaves.
I look forward to your next post no matter when it is. Joyce in Iowa
- Wed May 14, 01:48:00 PM 2008
- annemarie said...
Computers can really be addicting - if you can keep it off all day long you are doing great. I wonder how we ever grew up without them!! Love your flowers.
- Wed May 14, 04:14:00 PM 2008
- periwinkle vintage said...
Lettie, your flowers are absolutely exquisite! Your work is such high quality, and for you to be able to produce so much, you must be keeping pretty busy crafting, as well as computer-surfing!
- Wed May 14, 04:28:00 PM 2008
great work!
Puyallup flowers
- Wed May 14, 05:37:00 PM 2008
- MouseChirpy said...
Joyce, Anne, Cheryl, iwantimeandspace,
Thank you for your wonderful comments. I hope to be able to post a handbag tutorial tomorrow along with a new giveaway.
Please stay tuned!
- Wed May 14, 11:01:00 PM 2008
Lettie,I do love the flowers. Could you use them as embellishments...something like done with yo yos? But that IS a lot of embellishments:-) You produce so much. I understand about the computer...I spend more time going through my blogs than quilty things on most days. I understand you need to balance and this is the way that should work for you. I do enjoy your blog.
- Thu May 15, 01:11:00 AM 2008
- sbonetsue said...
I understand about shutting off the computer, it is so addicting sometimes. I have been home recuperating so I have lots of time to play and explore but when I go back to work I'll have a blog withdrawl.
The flowers are wonderful, you amaze me with your productivity.
- Thu May 15, 05:03:00 AM 2008
- rowena said...
If those fabric flowers were real ones, you'd have more than enough to make several leis! Lettie, you are a crafting machine!
- Thu May 15, 05:59:00 AM 2008


text:
- Inside Athletics
- Tickets
- Fan Zone
- Media Zone
- Social
- Shop
- Donate Now
WOLCOTT, Colo. (Sept. 24, 2013) – Having received a great deal of national attention via an article on Golfweek.com earlier in the day, the ETSU women's golf team proved worthy of the hype Tuesday afternoon at the Golfweek Conference Challenge.
Catching the eye of the national media following Monday's opening round, the Buccaneers refused to buckle under the pressure and again attacked the Red Sky Golf Club during second round action. Ultimately carding a team score of 304, the Bucs moved from fifth place to eventually overcome teams such as No. 35 Denver and No. 44 TCU, and will begin Wednesday's third and final round action in third place behind only No. 29 Pepperdine and No. 25 UC Davis.
Individually, the Bucs were led by junior Gabriella Wahl (Heidenheim, Germany), who carded an impressive round of 1-under-par 71 to move up to fourth place after beginning the day tied for 14th. Wahl, who stands at 147 for the tournament, currently trails Pepperdine's Marissa Chow by six strokes for the event's top individual spot.
"We are in the final pairing tomorrow and have given ourselves a chance for a great finish," said ETSU head coach Stefanie Shelton. "This team is strong-minded and fights to the final putt. We continue to expect great things, and we were happy to see Gabi have a break through round."
According to the current Golfweek.com national rankings, the Bucs are currently ahead of programs such as No. 35 Denver, No. 36 SMU, No. 44 TCU, No. 50 San Jose State, No. 54 Florida International and No. 58 Indiana. ETSU is currently ranked 59th in the Golfweek rankings.
Other ETSU results included a tie for 14th by senior Sian Evans (Gillingham, England), a tie for 18th by senior Lourdes Lopez (Cadiz, Spain), and a tie for 24th by sophomore Vivienne Chin (Kota Kinabalu, Sabah Malaysia).
Fans can watch live scoring from Wednesday's final round by visiting Golfstat.com and clicking on the Golfweek Challenge link, while ETSUBucs.com will provide a full wrap up following the day's action. For more on ETSU women's golf throughout the 2013-14 season, visit ETSUBucs.com and click on the women's golf link.


text:
IROS 2011 Montage
We had a busy and fun time at this year's IROS 2011. Thanks to all of you who stopped by our booth and talks. A lot of great robotics research was on display and we had a great time at the PR2 Workshop, talks, and interactive presentations. The exhibition was very exciting and we put together a montage video to celebrate all of the robots in action. Enjoy!


text:
Moose Lake school makes budget cuts
After urging by elementary teachers Joanne Unzen and Trish Rodysill, the Moose Lake School Board agreed not to eliminate a fifth grade elementary teaching position at the meeting of the board on Monday, February 25.
"Part of the public relations that we do is that we maintain the quality of education with small class sizes," said Board Member Julie Peterson. "We're proud of it."
Her comments were echoed by Board Chair Kris Lyons.
"What we have to offer is superior," she said. "I hope everyone helps us when we go out for a bond referendum in May. We know what we have here."
However, despite the pleas from one parent, the board left a special education teacher on the list of cuts.
"We hope that we can still provide help to the kids that need it," said Board Member Jamie Jungers.
Other cuts included: the YES program, athletic director, Family School Support Worker, sell an hour of time of a science teacher to the Barnum School District, special ed paraprofessional, reduce the administrative secretary's time by two hours, drop college trig, increase the student activity fees for Knowledge Bowl and Math League, and publish the school newsletter, The Informer, quarterly instead of monthly.
Superintendent Robert Indihar said that the district was expecting that the budget would be $90,000 in the black but, instead, it has an $84,000 deficit.
With adding back the elementary teacher, the deficit would grow to $87,700, it was said.
The board passed the motion to approve the list of cuts, except the elementary position, and adopted the revised 2012-2013 budget.
The board also approved providing child care in the elementary for the 2013-2014 school year.
Child care will be provided before and after school from 6 a.m. to 8:15 a.m. and from 3:15 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Child care will be provided for 3-, 4-, and 5-year-old children from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
A coordinator, a director/teacher and an assistant will be hired. Aides would be hired as needed.
Presentations were given by Jillian McGee and Marlee Mollet, school counselors. They explained the requirements of their positions and stated their goals of better meeting those requirements.
They explained that they are both trained in mental health issues, and counsel students with mental health needs. If the problem is beyond their capabilities, the student is sent for counseling elsewhere.
Heidi Anderson and Paul Olson presented information about the reading curriculum.
Anderson, who teaches second grade, spoke about a new program that is being used in the elementary.
"The copyright is 2014," Anderson explained. "We can't purchase it so we are on a pilot program. Any kind of lesson can be displayed on Smart Boards. Even though part of the program uses technology, I'm hoping that books will always be important to the kids."
Olson, who teaches sixth grade, showed how Study Island is used on an iPad, and listed the advantages of the program. He said that the program is based on the Minnesota standards.
"There have been a few bumps along the way but I like the program," he added.
Supt. Indihar announced that he and Board Chair Lyons will testify to both the state House of Representatives and the Senate on Tuesday, February 26, about the need to replace the school because of the flood. The school district has asked for $20 million from the Legislature for replacing the school.
The board passed two resolutions. One is relating to the issuance of school building bonds in the amount of $33 million and calling for an election on May 20, and other resolution is to appoint the administration of absentee balloting process and health care facility voting for the special referendum election.
In other business, the board approved the 2013-2014 school calendar, approved converting from the Powerschool to the Infinite Campus student system, and approved setting up a Baseball Student Activity Account.
The board will hold a special meeting on Thursday, February 28, to interview and choose an architect. The interviews begin at 6 p.m. A working board meeting was set for Monday, March 4, at 6 p.m. and the regular meeting of the board was set for Monday, March 18, at 6:30 p.m


text:
Alexandria is spread over each of the four historical townships of Kenyon, Lochiel, Charlottenburgh and Lancaster. It is now home to the North Glengarry Municipal Hall as of 1998. You will not find any history at their website. You will not find individual city identities. There is other useful information however like a list of churches in the area. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Glengarry,_Ontario Somehow I feel I have not really found the essence of Alexandria!
Maybe some Christmas lights will help: http://www.alexandriafestivaloflights.com/index.html
I left the Glengarry Pioneer Museum and headed east on Hwy #24 – Dunvegan Road. The road was straight as an arrow meeting up with Hwy #34. I turned south. It was a good highway, my kind of highway. The traffic was light and it gave me time to enjoy the scenery. It is very beautiful, green and lovely. I wanted to stop and take photographs but that might have been dangerous because of the trucks. Trucks are good they mean commerce.
According to Yahoo Answers there are 40 cities in the world with the name Alexandria and others think that there were 70 at various times throughout history. I usually think of the one in Eygpt. Alexandria once named Priest Mills was given that title after the Right Reverend Alexander Macdonell according to John G. Harkness in "Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry, A History, pg. 285."
I drove past the Sacre Coeur Catholic Church which is right on the main avenue through the town. Someone was doing some maintenance on one of the bright red doors. There is suppose to be a cemetery associated with this church but I did not search for it because of limited time concerns. The church is lovely and amazing. The spires in Ontario just make me pause with wonder. This is very nice:
Across from it is the St. Finnan's Catholic School but no sign of the church of the same name. This confused me but then I did find the St. Finnan's Catholic Church and cemetery at 70 St. Paul St.
This church is impressive.
A plaque of tribute to Harriet (Kennedy) MacMillan 1756-1839 in St. Finnan's cemetery. (Click and it will open larger, then click your back button to return to this blog.)
Broken stones by the side of the church, yet the grounds are so well kept.
The cemetery is very large so you need to have help in finding a tombstone like a transcription publication.
I will upload more photographs of this cemetery when I have completed my posts for this trip. I will let you know when. I was touched when I visited this cemetery.
UPDATE 7/9/2012: The link below is to additional photographs for this cemetery. Some are overview others are individual tombstones.
|St. Finnan's RC Church & Cemetery
The entrance to the branch library that is in Alexandria. It is part of the S.D.&G. County Libraries and is in the western part of the city over in an industrial complex.
It is very nice inside. The website for the S.D.&G. Libraries for the United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry: http://www.sdglibrary.ca/ When you use their online catalogue you cannot ask for a specific location when you search, so you have to click on the Availability button under the title. Once you do it will open and tell you where that particular book is housed and in what branch of this library system. Some genealogical books are circulating books other are not. I would start at the Cornwall Public Library in Cornwall and try the Cornwall History Room first where some of these titles are consolidated. Otherwise, plan a lovely drive in the country to the branch library of your choice.
These photos are just for fun. We all need storage and of course I would be interested in anything with Glengarry in the title.
And security:


text:
All applications using the Measurement Protocol, SDKs, or User ID must adhere to the following policies:
- You must make sure you have the full rights to use this service, to upload data, and to use it with your Google Analytics account.
- You will give your end users proper notice about the implementations and features of Google Analytics you use (e.g. notice about what data you will collect via Google Analytics, and whether this data can be connected to other data you have about the end user). You will either get consent from your end users, or provide them with the opportunity to opt-out from the implementations and features you use.
- If you use an SDK to implement any Google Analytics Advertising Features, such as Audience Reporting or Remarketing, you will abide by the Policy for Google Analytics Advertising Features, in addition to the Google Play Developer Program Policies, or any other applicable policy.
- You will not upload any data that allows Google to personally identify an individual (such as certain names, Social Security Numbers, email addresses, or any similar data), or data that permanently identifies a particular device (such as a unique device identifier if such an identifier cannot be reset).
- If you upload any data that allows Google to personally identify an individual, your Google Analytics account can be terminated, and you may lose your Google Analytics data.


text:
Jumpstart Your Day: 5 Charming Small Kitchens
Take a peek inside these tiny yet efficient spaces
by Real Living Team Jul 5, 2015
Photography: At Maculangan (Main Photo)
A small kitchen shouldn't stop you from working efficiently and whipping up many delicious meals for friends and family! While a limited space can always be challenging, it encourages you to be more creative when it comes to making use of every nook and cranny as well as how to be more organized.
If you're looking for ideas on how to spruce up your tiny kitchen, here are five spaces to inspire you.
More on Realliving.com.ph
Latest Stories
This 28sqm Studio Unit in Bacolod is Perfect for Staycations
The design team created a compact yet inviting small home with a warmth that matches the vibe of the City of Smiles
by Cielo Anne Calzado
7 Plants That Can Help You Keep Dengue Away
You need to do more than just plant them outside your home
by Cielo Anne Calzado for SmartParenting.com.ph
Make Your Home Smell Like a Fancy Hotel for Less Than P700!
Shop for scented candles, room sprays, and more essentials while maintaining your budget
by Cielo Anne Calzado for SmartParenting.com.ph
10 Things You Need to Clean to Avoid a Stinky Home
We tend to overlook how scent contributes to the first impression our house makes on guests â?" or on us!
by Cielo Anne Calzado for SmartParenting.com.ph
5 Organizing Ideas We Can Learn from this Family Home in San Juan
This home doesn't just have picture-perfect rooms. Let it inspire you to get organized.
by Cielo Anne Calzado for SmartParenting.com.ph
Amoy Kulob at Mabaho? Here Are Ways to Keep Your Home Smelling Fresh
Because a beautiful house needs to smell good, too
by Cielo Anne Calzado for SmartParenting.com.ph
Those School Buildings We Grew Up With Are Called Gabaldons
The President recently signed a law that mandates their conservation
by Esquire Philippines
These Are The Reasons Why You Have a Messy Home
Manage the clutter in your house with these tips from an interior designer
by Cielo Anne Calzado for SmartParenting.com.ph
Which One is Best for Your Home: A Diffuser or A Humidifier?
Here is a quick guide between a diffuser and humidifier to help you decide which one is better for your space
by Kate Borbon for SmartParenting.com.ph
6 Convincing Reasons Why It's Better to Rent Than Buy a Home
Paying monthly dues is less stressful compared to managing real estate taxes
by Cielo Anne Calzado for SmartParenting.com.ph
9 Affordable Ways to Give Your Kitchen Cabinets a Makeover
Updating the look of your cabinets can greatly improve the overall ambiance of your kitchen
by Cielo Anne Calzado for SmartParenting.com.ph
Is Your House Making You Sick?
Household pollutants may cause respiratory diseases and other health problems
by Cielo Anne Calzado for SmartParenting.com.ph
Newsletter Signup
Get inspiring design ideas and handy hints.
Subscribe to our newsletter now!


text:
Hardware, Embedded Systems, and Legal Dimensions of 3D Printing
Hardware, Embedded Systems, and Legal Dimensions of 3D PrintingRead More
Urban Farmer Courses at CoLab
Urban Farmer Courses at CoLabRead More
Catch us at the Vancouver Mini Maker Faire
Catch us at the Vancouver Mini Maker FaireRead More
Breaker Faire
Like to BREAK things? Visit the Vancouver Community Laboratory for your chance to smash a car! For just a few dollars, you can take part in a scrumptious pancake BREAK-fast, WRECK a car, have your mind BLOWN by local art / creations, and PLAY a giant claw game! Wreckage form the car will be used by local artists for materials, and all proceeds benefit the Vancouver CoLab and Vancouver Mini Maker Faire. All ages. Entrance by donation. Saturday, May 25, 10 am – 5 pm 1907 Triumph St. Click here for information & updates via Facebook Submissions to show your work will be open until one week...Read More


text:
The Conservative Party will rectify the consistent failures and corruption of the current two-party system. The Conservative Party will impose fiscal discipline, restrain the reach of the federal government as outlined in the Constitution and defend America's traditional family values.
|All Our News
Declare a National Election Day- Declare a National Election Day Holiday to Restore and Preserve Election Integrity The very cornerstone on which our Republic's foundation was established is the belief the best government is one in which we the people choose those we believe represent our ideals, values and principles to govern in our stead. In order to preserve a …
|On The Campaign Trail
The Conservative Party will rectify the consistent failures and corruption of the current two-party system. CP-USA will impose fiscal discipline, restrain the reach of the federal government as outlined in the Constitution and defend America's traditional family values.
How many times have you heard the stale argument "Let's not go third-party. Instead let's reform the current Republican Party". Those who make those statements are Republicans and typically hold some kind of position within that Party. Why do they say that? Because if a third-party gained significant membership it would pose a threat to those elected officials or party members.
So, how is reforming the current GOP working? Not too well! The political status quo has continued for many years and you are still rightfully fed up!
It's time for New Jersey Conservatives to find an alternative and to have a true Conservative Party represent us. Who are the Conservatives of NJ? Anyone who believes in: fiscally responsible monetary policy; 2nd Amendment rights; 10th Amendment rights; enforcing existing immigration laws; promoting American Exceptionalism; preserving history by promoting the traditional values upon which this country was founded; promoting family values; limited government that stays out of the way of businesses that create jobs; and promoting competition and market driven healthcare. You may discover that you are a Conservative regardless of your party affiliation. Republican, Democrat, Libertarian, Constitution, Reform, Natural Law, etc. are welcome.
Of course the Conservative Party is the next evolutionary step for the Tea Party because it combines fiscal restraint with traditional American values that are outlined in a clear Platform and managed by a strong leadership team that has a unified, long-term vision for America.
One may wonder if there are really Conservatives in NJ. The answer is YES. There are plenty of us! The problem is that we are expected to accept that NJ is a Blue state and to roll over and vote for any RINO who is better than a Democrat alternative. Because of that too many Conservatives don't even bother to vote. Either by voting for lesser of the evil RINO's or by not voting, we don't do anything to advance our Conservative values. Instead we play nice in a sandbox or don't play at all.
If you are reading this you are probably a NJ Conservative. You will be pleased to know that true Conservatives are fed up and will no longer accept Progressive RINO's and are uniting against the current status quo. If you are a Conservative, stop being fed up and put your energy, passion and hope in doing something productive. Become a member of the Conservative Party. Unite with other NJ Conservatives to stand up for the values on which this great country was founded.
Welcome to the Conservative Party (New Jersey). We look forward to working with you.
Also, be patriot. Browse our CP-USA Patriot Clothing Store


text:
Accessibility tools
Service tools
Language selector
Navigation path
Left navigation
Additional tools
Other available languages: none
European Commission
Brussels, 24 July 2012
Customs action to tackle fakes – Frequently Asked Questions
1. General information about Intellectual Property Rights (IPR)
Why is it important to protect Intellectual Property Rights (IPR)?
As the EU's 2020 Strategy underlines, the protection of IPR is key to the EU economy. By giving people the incentive to be creative and innovative, IPR foster economic growth, creating and protecting millions of jobs.
What measures are in place at EU level to protect IPR?
Customs enforcement: in May 2011 the Commission proposed a new regulation that strengthens the provisions concerning the customs enforcement of IPR. This proposal was part of a comprehensive package of IPR measures aimed at modernising the legal framework in which IPR operate today (see IP 11/630, MEMO 11/327).
Patent protection: the Commission already launched proposals in April for a unitary patent protection under enhanced cooperation (see IP/11/470), so that innovators can protect their inventions at an affordable cost with a single patent covering the entire EU territory with minimum translation costs and without needing to validate that patent at a national level as they currently have to do. Today, obtaining a patent in Europe costs ten times more than one in the US. This situation discourages research, development and innovation, and undermines Europe's competitiveness. Meanwhile, work continues on the creation of a unified and specialised patent court for the classical European patents and the future European patents with unitary effect. This would considerably reduce litigation costs and the time it takes to resolve patent disputes. It would also increase legal certainty for business. At the European Council, the issue of the seat of the central division of the patent court was finally agreed, but the terms of the informal trialogue agreement with the EP were unfortunately altered. The Commission hopes that a deal can finally be reached early in the autumn.
Trade marks: trade mark registration in the EU has been harmonised in Member States for almost 20 years and the Community trade mark was established 15 years ago. However, there is an increasing demand for more streamlined, effective and consistent registration systems. The Commission intends to present proposals in 2012 to modernise the trade mark system both at EU and national levels and adapt it to the internet era.
IPR violations: the Commission is set to intensify its efforts in this area. Firstly, the Commission has reinforced the European Observatory on Counterfeiting and Piracy, which it launched in 2009, by entrusting its tasks to the Office for Harmonisation in the Internal Market (OHIM). This allows the Observatory to benefit from OHIM's intellectual property expertise and strong record of delivery in trademarks and designs. Secondly, there is an on-going assessment of the IPR Enforcement Directive (see IP/04/540), to help improve the current enforcement system in the EU. The Directive provides for civil law measures allowing right holders to enforce their intellectual property rights.
In addition to these measures, the Commission supports businesses in the protection and enforcement of their IPR: With projects like the Transatlantic IPR Portal or support offered directly to EU SMEs so they know about IPR challenges before they expand their business (China IPR SME Helpdesk, EU IPR Helpdesk).
What role do Customs play in the protection of IPR?
IPR infringing products could also be deceiving consumers, and could in some cases endanger their health and safety. Such goods should be kept off the market and customs is ideally placed at the border to enforce IPR effectively.
Is the detention of IPR infringing goods only a matter for customs authorities?
Customs administrations are the key controlling bodies at the external frontiers of the EU. However, co-operation with other enforcement authorities, and third actors, such as the right holders, also needs to be improved to keep the problem of IPR infringements under control.
In most Member States, law enforcement authorities other than Customs are also responsible for controlling IPR infringing goods within their territories, for example at open markets or production sites.
How important is industry's role in protecting IPR?
As the quality of IPR infringing goods has substantially improved and more and more highly technical goods are involved, customs have found it increasingly difficult to distinguish genuine products from the infringing products. Input from industry is therefore indispensable.
The identification and grounds for suspicion of an infringement relies on the information provided by industry (such as the type of IPR infringing goods, information on production and means of transport, physical characteristics of original goods, etc.). The European Commission, in collaboration with Member States has established a manual for right holders for lodging and processing applications for action. When right holders suspect that their rights might be infringed, they may lodge an application, requesting customs to take action.
Evidence of the close cooperation between customs and the private sector is shown in the evolution of the numbers of applications for action submitted to customs. Since 2004 the number of applications for action made in the Member States has increased from 2.888 to 20.566 in 2011.
Source: Report on EU customs enforcement of intellectual property rights at EU border, 2011
What happens to goods once they are detained by customs?
In over 90 % of the detentions, the goods were either destroyed or a court case was initiated to determine the infringement. In 7,5 % of the cases, the goods were released because they appeared to be non-infringing original goods or no action was undertaken by the right-holder after receiving the notification by the customs authorities.
Source: Report on EU customs enforcement of intellectual property rights at EU border, 2011
What is done to ensure customs cooperation on IPR with third countries?
In addition to EU controls at import, it is necessary to act at the source of the problem by stopping the export of IPR infringing goods and, where possible, by shutting down the production. This requires international cooperation.
For example, an agreement was reached with China in 2009, to develop a customs action plan on IPR enforcement (IP/09/193). The plan concentrates on 4 key areas, namely the exchange of statistical information, the creation of a network of customs experts in key-ports, the enhancement of cooperation with other enforcement administrations and development of partnerships with business communities. The plan was extended in December 2009 until the end of 2012 (IP/10/1079).
What is done to improve the current regulation on IPR enforcement in the EU?
The current EU rules on IPR enforcement date from 2003. After an extensive review, on 24 May 2011 the Commission proposed a new regulation that strengthens the provisions concerning the customs enforcement of IPR, whilst ensuring that the rights of the parties concerned are respected. This proposal was part of a comprehensive package of IPR measures (see IP 11/630, MEMO 11/327). The updated rules aim to widen the list of possible IPR infringements that can be controlled by customs at the border (e.g. illegal parallel trade and lookalike trade mark). In addition, customs would extend the categories of goods to which protected rights apply (e.g. trade names) and make it mandatory to destroy counterfeited goods in all EU Member States.
The new regulation has been adopted by the European Parliament in July 2012 and now discussions are expected to take off in Council for adoption.
2. Statistics on IPR
How many suspected IPR infringing goods were detained in 2011 compared to previous years?
In comparison to 2010, the number of goods detained has increased from 103 million in 2010 to 115 million in 2011, which represents a domestic retail value of nearly 1.3 billion euros.
What is the difference between cases and articles?
A case represents an interception by customs. Each case covers a certain amount of individual articles that can vary from 1 to several million and relate to different categories.
The total number of cases in 2011 reached 91.254, which represents an increase of 15% compared to 2010, and more than 1000% over the past decade.
Source: Report on EU customs enforcement of intellectual property rights at EU border, 2011
Which are the most frequently detained articles?
In terms of numbers of detained articles, the top 3 categories are medicines (23.93%), packaging materials (21.21%) and cigarettes (17.63%). These last two are products often shipped in large quantities.
Source: Report on EU customs enforcement of intellectual property rights at EU border, 2011
In terms of cases, the top 3 categories are shoes, clothing and bags, wallets and purses.
Source: Report on EU customs enforcement of intellectual property rights at EU border, 2011
What types of medicines have been detained?
The most popular counterfeited medicines are life-style medicines (such as diet pills or Viagra type). However, medicines such as pain killers, anti-anxieties, against insomnia, antidepressants or antibiotics were also found as counterfeited medicines.
Where did the suspected IPR infringing goods come from?
China remains the primary country where the suspected IPR infringing goods were coming from at the moment of the detention. In 2011, almost 73% of the total amount of articles infringing IPR came from China. Other countries were the main source of provenance for different product categories, notably Turkey, Thailand, Hong Kong and India.
Source: Report on EU customs enforcement of intellectual property rights at EU border, 2011
Which means of transport were most used to import suspected IPR infringing goods into the EU?
The largest number of cases were detained through postal transport (49%), followed by air transport (19%) and express courier transport (7%). The number of cases in sea and road transport decreased by 4% and 20% respectively.
Source: Report on EU customs enforcement of intellectual property rights at EU border, 2011
Source: Report on EU customs enforcement of intellectual property rights at EU border, 2011
In which Member States did Customs detain the most infringing goods?
Belgium, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain and UK account for 76.94% of the overall amount of cases and for 45% of the overall amount of articles. UK leads the list in total amount of cases with 36% whilst Bulgaria accounts for the highest percentage of total amount of articles with 28%.
Source: Report on EU customs enforcement of intellectual property rights at EU border, 2011
See also IP/12/823
Side Bar


text:
On Hill Events LLC the producer of Southern Utah Triathlon has a great volunteer program. Those that volunteer for this race prior to the race date will get a $75 credit towards a future On Hill Events Race up to 13 months from the date you volunteered. Volunteering is very rewarding and registering early will guarantee you a custom race shirt for your support. Volunteers hand out water, aid, direct runners, and or help out at the finish line with timing or medals. Though we love all volunteers only those during the race times will qualify for a future $75 credit. Also you can volunteer during a race that you received credit for, meaning it has to be a future race. If you are interested in helping by volunteering please use this link below to register. Volunteers for credit must be 14 or older but those under 14 are welcome with a parent or guardian for no credit.
To redeem your volunteer credit click the Google Drive link below it.
Redeem Volunteer Credits with this link:
© 2017 All Rights Reserved. On Hill Events LLC


text:
Sam McKnight
Sam McKnight's work has regularly appeared in British Vogue and other international publications since 1980. That date marked the beginning of a remarkable career that would form the blueprint of what we now understand as the 'session stylist'.
McKnight forged groundbreaking collaborations with Mary Greenwell, Linda Cantello, Laura Mercier and Kevin Aucoin throughout the 1980s and 90s, while working with photographers Richard Avedon, Patrick Demarchelier, Steven Meisel, Irving Penn, Bruce Weber and Nick Knight.
McKnight was also central to the creation of the images of Linda Evangelista, Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell, Gisele Bundchen, Uma Thurman, Liz Hurley and Princess Diana among many others, all of whom are now part of the iconography of fashion history.
McKnight's ability to create a sexy modern glamour has brought invitations to work on catwalk shows by most international designers including Gucci, Prada, Chloë, Vivienne Westwood, Paul Smith and Ralph Lauren. Recently, he has worked on a number of projects with Nick Knight for Vogue, John Galliano, Christian Dior, W magazine and SHOWstudio.
Whilst continuing to work at this level, McKnight has also embraced a new generation of photographers, stylists and celebrities, continuing to make the images he works on fresh, sexy and immediate.
- Sam McKnight features in a project.
- Sam McKnight features in a project.
- Sam McKnight features in a project.
- Sam McKnight features in a project.


text:
Remote Desktop Support
Manage Mac computers on your network with Remote Desktop. Learn more with these resources.
Featured Topics
Search for more topics
Have a question? Ask everyone.
The members of our Apple Support Community can help answer your question. Or, if someone's already asked, you can search for the best answer.Ask now
Want to talk with someone?
Get help with Remote Desktop. Answer a few questions and we'll recommend a solution for you.Contact Apple Support


text:
I can now manually run a backup to a network share. Works GREAT!
What I want ultimately is to run one cron job every month to backup everything, and a second cron job to backup what's changed once a week.
A cron job to backup monthly works fine. When I run the second cron job it says it can't find the script in the script directory. Dag gummit it's there, though!


text:
Rowan m necesitaba un nuevo diseño de logotipo y lanzó un concurso de diseño en 99designs.
Un ganador ha sido elegido entre 65 diseños de 19 diseñadores freelance.
I'm a 37yr old Male, I love the outdoors especially boating and fishing. I am setting up my own business and will be working by myself. I will be competing for business agaist well established long running Electrical businesses, I want to stand out as a up-to-date, professional company. I love working with people and providing a service to the highest standard, I have been working towards being self employed for many years. The look I want as well as being fresh and new is that of a well established business or even give the impression of a larger organisation, to give the customer confidence at a glance and also create interest to draw them in.
Targeting the domestic market/servincing consumer market as well as the commercial sector/contracting to other businesses, breaking into an existing market.
This logo will be used as an identity for business cards, invoicing, work shirts, vehicle and advertising.
The market has little faith in trades people and I want to be able to attract new customers with my professional look then change their mind about tradespeople with my professional service.
- I want my brand to look, professional, unique, simplistic may or may not have an icon
- the vehicle it will be displayed on is Charcol colour
- no cartoons or animals
Descubre cómo funciona un concurso de diseño u obtén más información sobre nuestros servicios de diseño de logo.


text:
Jun 9
An athlete favorite in the heart of America's most triathlon-centric town.
OpenRegister ▻
Reasons to Race IRONMAN Boulder
The 2019 IRONMAN Boulder will offer 40 qualifying slots to the 2019 IRONMAN World Championship in Kona, Hawaii.
IRONMAN and The Council for Responsible Sport, in collaboration with Waste Management, recently announced that IRONMAN has earned the highest possible level of certification—Evergreen—recognizing the successful implementation of socially and environmentally responsible practices at the 2016 IRONMAN Boulder triathlon. The event earned credits across all five categories of standards including planning and communications, procurement, resource management, access, and equity as well as community legacy. Learn more here.


text:
Rapper Jay-Z raised eyebrows last week when he announced the formation of Roc Nation Sports and signed Yankees star Robinson Cano as his first client.
But Jay-Z's foray into the agency business is no whim: in fact, he wants to add NBA players too, so he has started the process to relinquish his share of the Brooklyn Nets.
Roc Nation Sports and its partner Creative Artists Agency plan to complete the process in time for the NBA draft in June, sources told Yahoo Sports News, but Jay isn't "chasing the clock on this."
"This isn't about one draft, but taking the long view of the business," the source added.
Sources told Yahoo that CAA and Jay-Z are moving forward carefully so as to end his partnership with the Nets on good terms.
Jay-Z owns just a tiny fraction of the basketball franchise -- less than 1 percent -- but has been the face of its move from New Jersey to Brooklyn and much of the marketing around the team's new home at the Barclays Center.
He was the first to show off the Nets' new uniform during the inaugural concert at the Barclays Center in September, and he and his wife, Beyonce, can often be spotted watching the games court-side.
While Jay-Z will leave contract negotiations and day-to-day player business to CAA's basketball and baseball agents, his personal brand and business empire will likely be more than enough to draw players looking to cash in on marketing, entertainment and endorsements.
The National Basketball Players Association requirements to become a certified agent are more formalities than real hurdles, and Jay-Z's bid to become one is expected to go smoothly. He will not be required to sell his share in the Barclay Center.


text:
Survivors of Buchenwald
A group of survivors in Buchenwald at liberation. The man in the middle has lifted his trousers to show the effects of malnutrition to the photographer.
Photo credit: National Archives, courtesy of USHMM Photo Archives
A Teacher's Guide to the Holocaust
Produced by the Florida Center for Instructional Technology,
College of Education, University of South Florida © 1997-2013.


text:
David Beckham has announced his retirement from football after a career spanning more than two decades.
The 38-year-old scored many vital, as well as spectacular goals - here is a look at some of his most memorable contributions.
June 2006, England v Ecuador: Beckham became the first England player to score at three World Cups when he fired the national team into the quarter-finals in 2006. It had been a less than convincing World Cup by England and they were again thankful to Beckham, who stepped up for a free-kick on the left wing and somehow curled it over the wall and squeezed it inches inside the post despite the goalkeeper getting a hand on it.
April 2003, Man United v Real Madrid: The titans of Europe came together at Old Trafford again in what proved to be a truly memorable encounter. Beckham was left on the bench for 63 minutes but with Real leading 3-2 thanks to a Ronaldo hat-trick. However, Beckham was introduced and within eight minutes hit a superb free-kick to drag United back into a game. He added a second inside the box but Real went through 6-5 on aggregate.
October 2001, England v Greece: England were trailing 2-1 going into injury-time of their World Cup qualifier at Old Trafford and Germany were heading for automatic qualification. The hosts won a free-kick 30 yards out and up stepped Beckham, blew his cheeks out and curled an unstoppable shot over the wall and into the net, leaving the goalkeeper flat-footed, to send England to the 2002 World Cup.
April 2000, Manchester United v Real Madrid: The European heavyweights met in the Champions League at Old Trafford. The first leg had ended 0-0 but Real were cruising after taking a 3-0 lead. However, Beckham gave the hosts some hope with 26 minutes left when he collected the ball outside the area, surged between two defenders and into the area where he past another Real player before unleashing an unstoppable shot into the net.
June 1998, England v Colombia: Beckham's first goal for England, a trademark free-kick left the Colombia goalkeeper scrambling helplessly across the line as Glenn Hoddle's team won 2-0. However, it was a bitter-sweet World Cup for Beckham as he was later sent off against Argentina and returned to the sight of hanging effigies.
August 1996, Wimbledon v Manchester United: An iconic moment in Beckham's career. The midfielder served notice of what was ahead on the opening day of the 1996/97 season when he looked up and spotted Dons goalkeeper Neil Sullivan off his line. Audaciously, he executed a perfect lob which gave the back-pedalling keeper no chance as it dipped into the net.


text:
Military records and specifics about soldiers and armed forces turn out to be vital clues for the genealogists. Finding military records is now a simple process if you know exactly what you need to find. Military data contains historical records within public archival system that might interest you for multiple reasons. Try out the database and procure untraced data and specifics about World War I & II alongside American Civil War.
Now vital information about the forefathers can be easily accessed through Pepin County Military Search Index of the state of Wisconsin. Explore the database and procure a huge collection of information pertaining to information about the veterans, their service period, name of the war in which they took place, service number, discharge details, if wounded or not, marital details, race, gender, children details, maiden name of the veteran's wife, and many more.
The huge database also consists of wide array of public and vital records identified with birth and death certificate records, county marriage & divorce records, will and estate data, census and enumeration data, immigration and naturalization specifics, land assessment and allocation records, ancestral Social Security Number (SSN), obituary and cemetery details and many more like these other than military and service specifics and information.
To obtain the Wisconsin Pepin County Records, please provide the information below. When you fill-up the form, make a note : The more fields you fill in, the more detailed result you will get.
Please Provide
I wish to receive updates and additional information from this website.
Our Database is loaded with over 400 million county records which include United States Nationwide Vital Records, Public Record and Information. We offer 24x7x365 Search Expert Support. We are working day and night to collect, authenticate and deliver up-to-date County Records in an easiest way.
Our 24x7 Dedicated
Search Expert Team
Will Search The
Record For you From The
Different Sources in The Web.
- 24x7x365 Dedicate Support Team
- Free Search Expert Support
- Cross verification of individual record.
- 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed.
1. Comprehensive, detailed & updated database of USA Nationwide vital records & public information
2. Multiple vital & public records Search Facility
3. Offers variety of people's records - Anytime, Anywhere
4. Instant access to over millions of public records since 18th century
County Records API | Public Records API | Background Check API
Copyright © 2019 county-record.net . All rights reserved.
By using the website (county-record.net), you are complying with the privacy policies & terms of services. Further using of the website (county-record.net), or database or data please refer to our privacy & terms of service pages..


text:
This weekend's "Saturday Night Live" mocked how "Fox and Friends" covered this week's Obamacare and climate change news.
Meet the show's "hosts" Steve Doocy, Elisabeth Hasselbeck, and Brian Kilmeade.
"President Obama did his best to make us all sign up for Obamacare," Doocy started off the show by saying.
"And wow, it wasn't easy," noted Hasselbeck.
To which Kilmeade responded, "It's tough to sign up for things, I've tried for years to sign up for the NAACP."
Getting things back on track, Doocy explained, "Now that the deadline has passed, the White House is claiming that they've met their goal. But look at our Fox News chart. As you can see, Obama needed to get 7 million new subscribers and he only got 7.1 million. Not anywhere close."
"I made a pie chart," added Kilmeade. "This area represents the part where I was hungry."
After talking to a "victim of Obamacare" played by "SNL" host Anna Kendrick, the show switched gears to address the study that came out this week about climate change.
"It's so confusing, so we thought we would bring in a scientist to help us out," said Doocy. "From Fox's 'Cosmos,' please welcome Neil deGrasse Tyson."
"This report actually represents the consensus of the vast majority of scientists," explained deGrasse Tyson, expertly played by Kenan Thompson. "It is an indisputable fact that the earth is getting warmer."
To which Kilmeade added, "I saw a documentary about a town that was always cold because of a princess."
"That was 'Frozen,'" Hasselbeck corrects.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, Dr. Tyson, the polar bears are just fine," exclaims Doocy. "In fact, just the other day I saw one wearing sunglasses and drinking Coca-Cola."
"I think you're referring to a commercial," deGrasse Tyson points out, continuing, "I would advise each of you to study the science, for science is truth indeterminate and science allows us to detect when people's philosophies are interfering with the dissemination of those essential truths."
These were the hosts' stunned responses:
Before the show was over, they issued a list of corrections from the first hour.
Watch the full sketch below:


text:
by Daniella Kuzmanovic
After the Turkish parliament approved a comprehensive package of amendments to the Turkish constitution late Thursday, all things now point to a referendum on the amendments. What are we then to think of the prospect of a referendum on these changes to the Turkish constitution? No doubt the amendments in themselves are significant steps towards political democratization, and so is asking the voters for their opinion. Nevertheless, I have trouble making up my mind when it comes to whether the referendum is a good or a bad thing under the current circumstances. Let me share some of my considerations on the issue with you.
A referendum on amendments to the constitution where voters actually have something to vote about, will in itself be a significant step in relation to political democratization and liberalization in Turkey. Any step that can potentially increase the Turkish voters' notion of having-a-say on the future political culture of the country is welcome, not least given that the past couple of years have made more and more Turks ask themselves, whether they actually have any influence on what is going on in their country. There is a real danger of a couple of generations of Turks becoming completely alienated and disengaged from national politics. The last time there was a referendum on the constitution was back in 1982. After the 12th of September 1980 military coup the military junta had a new constitution prepared, which despite a number of revisions is still in function. The constitution was among other designed to control not least civil politics by creating a range of institutional checks and balances that secured the influence of state organs and thus of the kemalist-statist military-bureaucratic-judiciary elite. When the voters were subsequently asked to vote on the constitution in 1982, the vote was de facto a choice between continued military rule or a return to some sort of civil politics, since a return to the latter required acceptance of the new constitution. Hence, the Turks accepted yet another (the third) constitution prepared not through a democratic political process but by an authoritarian elite's desire to restructure Turkish politics (even the more liberal constitution after the 1960 coup was created in this manner, even though it created an at that time unprecedented political liberalization in Turkey).
Almost needless to say, a likely 'yes' to the amendments in a referendum will create a legitimacy around the political democratization process in Turkey, and send a clear signal to the statist military-bureaucratic elite and their supporters. The high-profiled amendments in the package are after all particularly aimed at undermining the ability of the Kemalist statist elite to control civil politics – such as including more members in the Constitutional Court and restructuring the HSYK (Supreme Board of Judges and Prosecutors) – as well as aimed at continuing the process of bringing military personnel within a framework of the rule of law – such as making it possible to prosecute those involved in the 1980 military coup, or consolidating the civic prosecution of military personnel. A clear 'yes' with a good margin of the voters will furthermore signal that the amendments to the constitution are truly the wish of the Turkish nation rather than just the ambition of the ruling party, the AKP. It would be a significant signal of the desire of the Turkish people to move towards more political democratization and liberalization.
In other words, for those of us who hope the future for Turkey holds a development of a more democratic political culture, the amendments in themselves as well as the prospect of a referendum seem like significant steps on the way. On the other hand, I hold certain reservations as to just how beneficial a referendum will be given the circumstances, context and political climate in Turkey today. Moreover, a referendum pushes the prospect of getting a whole new constitution into a distant future.
During this week's debates on the critical amendments in the Turkish parliament – not least the amendment making it more difficult to close political parties which was rejected and withdrawn from the package – there were at least two kinds of opposition. One (CHP and MHP), reflects a deep-seated skepticism towards the motives of the AKP with regard to carrying through political reforms. Such opponents fear that the constitutional amendments will make it impossible for the state to control the AKP, hence consolidating the power of the party and possibly paving the way for a complete pro-Islamist take-over and an undermining of the founding principles of the Turkish state. The other (BDP), points out that even though the amendments are a step in the right direction more democracy and a consistency with regard to removing anti-democratic passages is needed. Among other BDP suggested that the very problematic ten percent threshold in national elections should be lifted, in return they would have voted in favour of the amendment regarding party closures. (I will not speculate on the motives of the 12 members of the ruling party who also abstained or voted against the party closure amendment).
Even though the above mentioned reservations express different kinds of opposition they both put a question mark behind the motives of the AKP. Are they in fact pursuing national interests or only their own interests? Needless to say that this question will also be the main theme of a referendum on the amendments, just as the so-called true nature of the ruling party has been the main theme in the on-going struggle between various statist and political parties in Turkey. In that sense the referendum will only contribute to further polarization of the Turkish population in a situation where democratic dialogue is already handicapped. I fear that a referendum, which prime minister Erdoğan and AKP will do their outmost to win and where the stakes are high, will not provide a context for improving the possibility for democratic dialogue in Turkey. Fresh in mind is also the attempt of the AKP to draft a new constitution a couple of years back. Even though the people AKP put to design this constitution were highly skilled and aimed to create a democratic constitution, the process around the draft was marked by secrecy and closed-door policy rather than dialogue and inclusion in the draft process. An obvious mistake, if the aim of the AKP was to create a democratic culture and signal the wish for increased plurality and inclusion of the plural in national politics.
An additional issue is that a referendum on the amendments will most likely mean that any notion of getting a whole new constitution will be pushed into an indefinite future. For one you don't hold referendums on such issues every other day. On top of that next year is election year in Turkey. The need for a new constitution has, though, been pointed to again and again, just as it has been pointed out that amendments, no matter how many, are not sufficient to create the institutional framework necessary to underpin a full-blown democratic political system in Turkey. Keeping in mind that the draft for a new constitution could not make any headways in Turkey due to the way it came into being and the general political climate of suspicion, we have to recognize that a referendum on the amendments are, alas, the second-best option. But at present it is the only option, and when all comes to all better than nothing.