text:
Plausibly, de Rugy's animating complaint (given Reason's market-oriented focus) is in the subsidies for new nuclear (specifically, when I followed up with de Rugy on Twitter, she pointed out the issue of loan guarantees, although nowhere does this specifically appear in her piece). The piece itself is nothing new, however - the bulk of it is in fact a retread of a suspiciously-timed nuclear hit piece which appeared literally two weeks after the Fukushima disaster. (One gets the distinct impression that, despite her protestations to the contrary, de Rugy is more than happy to dance on what she perceives to be nuclear's grave, particularly given her timing and choice of targets.) In reality, the piece seems to follow on to a frustrating trend of pro-fossil contrarianism as of late, particularly in libertarian circles (contrarian in the sense of singling out the most economical, carbon-free competitor to fossil fuels for special scorn on economic grounds); although perhaps this contrarian turn owes to the fact that conservative heavyweight think tank Heritage has cornered the market in advocating nuclear energy as a free-market energy source. (Who said hipsterism is limited to fashion and terrible beer?)
de Rugy's piece begins with an overly long introduction detailing to the reader why nuclear power was destined to fail to live up to its promises, including citing public opinion which she describes as having " remained steadfast against the technology ever since [Three Mile Island]" (although someone may want to refer de Rugy to the latest polling data on the subject), along with other issues, such as "[d]isputes over waste disposal [which] have never been resolved" (once again however, these are political rather than technical matters).
Finally we get to the meat of the matter - it would appear that a restart of the nuclear industry is, "[...]not just bad politics. It's awful economics." Well.
an act of desperation by a president who has realized he is running out of other options." Fortunately, contrary to the opinions of a economists with a particular axe to grind, the decision to award Southern Company is not in fact in the hands of the president, nor are operating licenses granted upon individual opinions about economic viability of the project - they are voted on by the commissioners of the NRC on the basis of safety alone. This fundamental misunderstanding of the process is pervasive throughout the rest of the piece.
Much of the piece is particularly scarce on actual sources and utterly devoid of hyperlinks (however, given the fact that the piece is a re-tread of her prior post-Fukushima piece, most of her sources appear to be taken from there). de Rugy cites a 2009 MIT study by Ernest J. Moniz and Mujid S. Kazim as evidence of nuclear's uncompetitive costs; one assumes she is referring to MIT's "Future of Nuclear Power" project which includes cost projects of nuclear compared to other conventional fossil sources under a variety of circumstances. In the 2009 update, it reports the following cost comparison: assuming current cost of capital, coal clocks in at 8.4 ¢/kWh, natural gas at 6.5 ¢/kWh, and nuclear at 8.4 $/kWh. The authors specifically note however that this includes a current "risk premium" to capital costs for nuclear - recalculating capital costs at comparative market rates (absent the "risk premium"), they come up with a number far closer to gas and coal: 6.6 ¢/kWh. Even assuming the risk premium stays, with a carbon capture and storage the cost for coal and gas quickly reaches near-parity with nuclear once more. Such an analysis is also borne out in applying levelized cost of electricity estimates to EIA data, resulting in similar conclusions.
Taking up the example of the French (with their nuclear-heavy energy portfolio), de Rugy asserts that because of the France's (state-subsidized) industry, French consumers pay more for electricity. Specifically, she writes:
But producing nuclear energy in France is not magically cheaper than elsewhere. French citizens are forced to pay inflated costs to support grand government schemes, such as the decision made 30 years ago to go nuclear at any cost after the first oil shock in 1974.Going to the data, the opposite is in fact true: France has one of the lowest retail electricity prices (the 7th lowest in the E.U.); compare this to Germany, which has recently phased out nuclear entirely, which pays the second-highest rate. (Again, these are not hard things to find, but something de Rugy asserts with no evidence and in clear contradiction of the data.) She might try to argue that consumers pay indirectly, but nowhere has evidence been presented to support this, nor is it supported by retail electricity price data.
de Rugy's main thrust here of course is that capital costs for nuclear in the U.S. are little different than those than in nuclear-friendly France, relying on the analysis of the Vermont Law School's Mark Cooper, an individual who isn't exactly private about his own agenda when it comes to nuclear. (Hint: he's not a fan.) Again, one gets the impression the data is being cherry-picked to fit the desired conclusion. de Rugy makes an incomplete comparison here, citing the high "overnight cost" estimates for nuclear capital costs compared to coal and natural gas, while neglecting to inform her readers that this alone is a highly misleading comparison. (To see how this process is properly unpacked, even with natural gas still coming out favorably compared to nuclear, I invite you to see how Dr. James Conca unfolds the data).
To wit: "overnight" cost is a rough estimate of total capital cost (i.e., total money which must be invested to build the plant), assuming the plant "overnight" - i.e., without the borrowing costs (in other words, interest on loans which continues to pile up while plants are being built and not generating revenue), something which particularly dominates nuclear costs. However, a more accurate comparison is the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE)- something which calculates both the capital cost and operations & maintenance costs (which include fuel - a cost which dominates natural gas economics). The LCOE calculates the "break-even" cost of electricity from a plant given the projected costs over the plant's lifetime, with a reasonable discount rate (for example, the expected return of ~3% on treasury bonds) over the life of the facility. Given that the expected lifetimes of different facilities can vary widely by type (i.e., the current fleet of nuclear plants will almost all be relicensed to operate for a total of 60 years, with some potentially operating up to 80 with facility improvements and upgrades), this makes for a more useful comparison of the actual cost of electricity. Once again, something absent from de Rugy's analysis.
Indeed, taking this out to the logical extension - if nuclear plants were wholly unprofitable to build and operate, why in the world then would operators of the existing fleet of 104 reactors not simply turn each one off tomorrow, much less put a dime into maintenance outages which run up into the millions of dollars? The answer of course is because this is not true; nuclear plants are indeed expensive to build (due to capital costs, including the borrowing costs associated with construction times), but the marginal cost of power from a nuclear unit is tiny - namely because most of the cost is in the cost of capital itself. Nuclear in this sense represents the opposite economics of natural gas, which has a low front-end cost but whose costs are generally dominated by fuel price. (Thus, the levelized cost - something de Rugy does not look at - is extremely dependent upon assumptions of future fuel prices - hence why nuclear is often seen as a hedge against future fossil fuel price increases.)
However, de Rugy comes back with the follow-up that such estimates of nuclear cost come "after taking into account a baked-in taxpayer subsidy that artificially lowers nuclear plants' operating costs." Looking at the broader picture of historical energy subsidies however, this point doesn't seem to carry the impact de Rugy seems to think it does - from the period of 1950-2010, nuclear has been the recipient of about 9% of total federal energy subsidies, compared to a shocking 44% for oil. (For those following at home, the rest include: Natural gas - 14%, Coal - 12%, Hydro - 11%, Renewables - 9%, Geothermal - 1%). Most of nuclear's subsidy has, contra de Rugy, not been focused on the regulatory side (although the study does point to an approximate regulatory subsidy of $16 billion over the total time period) but R&D, which should surprise few who are conversant with the history of nuclear. (Oil, by contrast, receives the whopping share of its calculated subsidies from tax policy and regulation, while natural gas has almost exclusively benefited from tax policy).
|Image: Wikipedia
No doubt though de Rugy is invoking the issue of nuclear liability insurance of course (known under the moniker of the "Price-Anderson Act", passed in 1957). What is not noted is the exact taxpayer liability to date under Price-Anderson - which is exactly $0. Again, contrary to the claims of nuclear opponents like de Rugy who dress up their objections in economist's language, nuclear is not "uninsurable" on the private market - in fact, each nuclear unit is required to carry an individual liability of $375 million; following the exhaustion of the individual commercial policy, each operator-licensee is required to kick in up to another $111.9 million (pro-rated), producing what amounts to a collective cross-insurance arrangement of $11.975 billion. One can dispute whether such a sum is "sufficient," but the idea that the industry is utterly absolved of tort liability is clearly at odds with the the current reality.
When I pressed de Rugy over what particular subsidies she was complaining about and why her complaint so specifically singled out nuclear (looking at her publication history, there is nary an article devoted to the issue of energy subsidies for other sectors), she responded by pointing me to an analysis she did on the market-distorting effects of loan guarantees. (This after I pointed out that I was in favor of removing all subsidies - but it would seem, like many in the punditry business, the conclusion comes first).
Frankly, I won't get into all of the analysis - because once again, I am not out to defend loan guarantees or any other form of energy subsidy. However, one thing that did jump out at me once more was the use of extremely cherry-picked data in her report - the few items that do mention nuclear (most of the piece pertained to loan guarantees for solar - which incidentally, was not required to pay the credit subsidy fee which nuclear was) are, shall we say, "factually challenged." de Rugy rolls out the several-times-over debunked trope of the 50 percent default rate with nuclear loan guarantees - based on poorly-documented projections over a program which was never passed. While de Rugy immediately pointing out that the CBO revised this number (without specifying how much), the supporting evidence she gives to this revision doesn't even pertain to civilian nuclear power - rather, the study she points to is a comparative economic analysis of nuclear power for naval propulsion.
The only other nuclear-specific studies de Rugy cites in this study come from Peter Bradford - a well-known anti-nuclear activist with the Nonproliferation Policy Education Center (simply google "Bradford" and "nuclear" if you don't believe me) - along with Henry Sokolski (also affiliated with the same). The extremely selective use of sources known to have a hostile agenda to nuclear (that is, when the sources even accurately refer to de Rugy's claims) again strongly implies a rushed, cherry-picking approach that implies a "conclusion-first, evidence later" approach that is all too familiar with established punditry. Indeed, it might make for impressive-looking studies (and good sound bites), but it hardly suffices for serious scholarly work. Indeed, if the evidence is as strong as she claims it to be, it would behoove her case greatly to find such evidence from more objective and less clearly agenda-driven sources.
Of course, all of this is the problem: even rather sloppy studies like this, particularly when attached to someone with a Ph.D. in economics, sound plausible and require the time and energy to deconstructing their myriad of errors and misplaced assumptions - something which amounts to a non-trivial task for one when most of their day is typically occupied by honest employment, alas.


text:
This article presents our first well-documented example of a self-conscious transitional justice policy - the classical Athenians' response to atrocities committed during the reign of the Thirty Tyrants - as a case study that can offer insight into the design of modern transitional justice institutions. The Athenians carefully balanced retribution and forgiveness: an amnesty protected collaborators from direct prosecution, but in practice private citizens could indirectly sanction even low-level oligarchic sympathizers by raising their collaboration as character evidence in unrelated lawsuits. They also balanced remembering and forgetting: discussion of the civil war in the courts memorialized the atrocities committed during the tyranny, but also whitewashed the widespread collaboration by ordinary citizens, depicting the majority of the populace as members of the democratic resistance. This case study of Athens' successful reconciliation offers new insight into contemporary transitional justice debates. The Athenian experience suggests that the current focus on uncovering the truth may be misguided. The Athenian case also counsels that providing an avenue for individual victims to pursue local grievances can help minimize the impunity gap created by the inevitably selective nature of transitional justice.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Lanni on Transitional Justice in Ancient Athens
Transitional Justice in Ancient Athens: A Case Study has just been posted by Adriaan Lanni, Harvard Law School. It appeared in the University of Pennsylvania Journal of International Law, Vol. 32, No. 2, p. 551, 2010. Here's the abstract:
Posted by Mary L. Dudziak at 11:13 AM
1 comment:
- Patrick S. O'Donnell said...
This is a very interesting article although I wonder about the wisdom of attempting to generalize its conclusion so as to have implications for contemporary issues surrounding transitional justice, to wit: "The Athenian experience suggests that the current focus on uncovering the truth may be misguided." The conditions of Athenian democracy were very different from contemporary democratic societies and many of the problems of transitional justice occur in polities nominally, weakly, or episodically democratic, not in (I hesitate to use the word) robust or exemplary democracies (i.e., democracies with histories, constititutions or institutions worthy of emulation in one way or another).
- January 19, 2011 at 5:35:00 PM EST
Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)

subset: commoncrawl


text:
GEMINI School Observing Competition
10 May 2010
In the UK Gemini School Observing Competition you will discover how you can enter this competition and stand a chance to win 1 hour of observing time on the Gemini South telescope, one of the worlds largest telescopes!
Entering the Competition
To enter the competition is simple, pick a target in the southern sky that you find interesting and tell us in less than 500 words why you think we should pick your target over others, and what you would like to see from the observations. Submit your entry to email@example.com before the deadline of 21st May 2010 and you will stand a chance.
What you will receive
One hour of time on Gemini South to image your object of choice. The option to select numerous filters in order to reveal the most interesting aspects of the object (the choice of which we will be happy to help you with). A visit by a member of the UK Gemini Support Group to take you through the preparation of the observations, and after the data has been taken, a second visit to help you through turning the data that comes from the telescopes into full colour images along with explanation of all that is revealed.
We will also be happy to give talks and carry out question and answer sessions with the pupils at the school as part of the competition.
Important Info
- 500 words maximum
- E-mail to:firstname.lastname@example.com
Search IYA2009 Updates
National Nodes: 148
Organisational Nodes: 40
Organisational Associates:33
National Websites: 111
Cornerstone Projects: 12
Special Task Groups: 11
Special Projects:16
Official Products:8
Media Partners:22


text:
Five Traps to Avoid When Modifying Your Mortgage Loan
When your mortgage lender presents an offer in response to your request for a loan modification, step carefully through the minefield to avoid these common traps:
Take-it-or-leave-it traps, such as "pay the past-due penalties now or roll them over into the balance," when the lender has a third option of dropping the penalties.
Additional legal protections for the lender, such as requiring that in the event the lender loses the original loan documents, you must assist the lender in reproducing them.
Time bombs, like step-rate increases that are too steep or too frequent to adjust to or balloon payments that come due before you have time to prepare for them.
A loan modification that results in a payment you can't really afford or that makes your budget so tight you're one major car repair or medical expense away from default.
An interest rate that can automatically adjust based on an index over which you have no control.


text:
The Fire will again be without center midfielder John Thorrington for this weekend's game at D.C. United. Thorrington, who said he hopes to return to training at some point in the next week, has been kept out of every game this season due to a quad injury that he picked up in preseason.
"It's terribly frustrating," said Thorrington after training on Tuesday. "It's been a very trying process for me to have to watch the first three games. It's the worst part of our job."
Thorrington will likely be joined on the injury list this weekend by fellow central midfielder Logan Pause. Pause missed last Saturday's game against San Jose with a left knee injury and hasn't been able to return to training.
"I'm at a point where it's just kind of day by day," Pause said. "I'm trying to get it better and do all of the appropriate things that I need to do."
In other Fire injury news, forward Collins John and midfielder Patrick Nyarko didn't participate in full training with the rest of their teammates on Tuesday. Both picked up minor injuries in the San Jose game (Nyarko injured his ankle, John hurt his back) and had an abbreviated practice session yesterday morning.
"It's nothing to be concerned about," Fire technical director Frank Klopas said of Nyarko and John's injuries. "They were out here today and they did a little bit. I think probably tomorrow they'll be ready to go."


text:
April 7, 2008
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - The profound and celebrated athletic tradition of Santa Clara University will come alive on Thursday, May 15 with the induction of seven deserving members into the institution's Athletic Hall of Fame.
The seven newest members of the Hall include: Terry Ennis '66 (Football); Mike Frank '97 (baseball); Steve Kenilvort '86 (basketball); Mike Macfarlane '85 (baseball); Jennifer (Lalor) Nielsen '97 (soccer); Bob Peters '52 (basketball); and Christine Silvernail '94 (basketball). Both Ennis and Silvernail are being honored posthumously.
The induction ceremony is scheduled to take place on May 15 in the Leavey Center on the Santa Clara campus. Tickets to attend the event are available through the University's Alumni Association by calling (408) 554-6800 or by visiting the Alumni Association Website. A pre-event reception will begin at 6 p.m., while the dinner and induction ceremony will start at 7 p.m.
This year's class of inductees brings the total number of members in Santa Clara's Athletic Hall of Fame, established in 1962, to 237 individuals and one team which represent the best in the University's athletic heritage.
Ennis (Everett, Wash./Everett HS) was a four-year letterwinner for the Broncos playing on the Mission Campus from 1963-66. He helped Santa Clara to three straight winning seasons, including an 8-1 mark in his senior year. Originally designated as a quarterback, Ennis did most of his damage on the defensive end. In his three years on the team, Ennis led the Broncos in interceptions and yards after the interception. His defense was part of the 21-6 record the Broncos amassed over those three seasons. Ennis went on to be a legendary high school coach in the Seattle area. He compiled a 287-87 record over a 36-year coaching career that included three state titles. Ennis, who was named the Coach of the Century in 2000 by The Seattle Times, is the second winningest prep football coach in the history of the state of Washington.
Frank (Escondido, Calif./Escondido HS) was a two-time All-American for the Broncos playing from 1994-97 for coach John Oldham. He played an integral role of the last Santa Clara squads to reach the NCAA Tournament. A four-time All-West Coast Conference first team selection and two-time All-American ('94 and '97), Frank helped lead the Broncos to NCAA Tournament appearances in 1994, '95 and '97. He followed up his WCC Freshman of the Year honors in 1997 as he was named WCC Player of the Year after putting together one of the most outstanding offensive seasons in league history, batting .405 with an SCU single-season record 98 hits, 64 runs scored, 12 home runs, 25 doubles, 80 RBIs and an SCU single-season record 169 total bases. Frank is currently SCU's all-time career leader in at-bats (902), runs (202), hits (301), doubles (60), total bases (455) and extra-base hits (96).
Kenilvort (San Anselmo, Calif./Sir Francis Drake HS) was the Broncos' main point guard, starting 71 of 88 games during his four seasons at Santa Clara. A West Coast Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year, Kenilvort truly made his impact on SCU Basketball in his senior season. After moving to small forward during the year, the 6-5, 195 lb Kenilvort went on to become the first player in Santa Clara history to led the team three categories in a single season - scoring (16.5 ppg), rebounding (6.1 rpg) and assists (3.9 apg). Kenilvort went on to be drafted by the Golden State Warriors in the seventh round of the NBA draft in 1986.
Macfarlane (Stockton, Calif./Lincoln HS) was an offensive and defensive threat for the Broncos during his three seasons on the Mission Campus. A member of the 1983-85 squads, he helped Santa Clara to finishes in the upper halves of the Northern California Baseball Association and the WCC. An All-NCBA honorable mention as a freshman and a second team All-WCC selection as a junior, MacFarlane helped the Broncos set a record for most homers in a single season (62) in 1984 as he led the Broncos in home runs (13). He also led the team in doubles (20) that season. He followed up in his junior campaign with a team-best .361 batting average and 16 doubles. In 1986, MacFarlane was drafted by the Kansas City Royals and went on to play for the Boston Red Sox and Oakland Athletics organizations. MacFarlane ranks in four career categories and has six single season records. He finished his career ranked ninth all-time hitting .337, seventh overall in doubles (47), fifth in home runs (28) and eighth in total bases (323).
Lalor Nielsen (Chula Vista, Calif./Bonita Vista HS) was a three-time All-American Bronco playing from 1992-96 for head coach Jerry Smith. Dubbed the "quarterback" of Santa Clara offense, she helped SCU compiled a 59-15-5 record for those four seasons, a WCC Championship in 1993 and two NCAA Semifinal appearances in 1992 and '96. A four-time All-West Region and All-WCC first team honoree, Lalor Nielsen was the Broncos yearly leader in assists for the 1993, '94 and '96 seasons. She currently ranks second all-time in assist (57) and ninth all-time in points (97). She also appears in the single season assists list three times - No. 2 in 1994 (20 assists); No. 4 in 1994 (17); and No. 8 in 1993 (15). A National Team pool player from 1987-95, Lalor Nielsen was a member of the 1995 World Cup team and participated in the inaugural Women's United Soccer Association's (WUSA) draft where she was picked by the N.Y. Power in 2001.
Peters (San Francisco, Calif./Lincoln HS) played three years for Santa Clara (1949-52) after coming over from a junior college his sophomore season. He was one of the better scorers for the Broncos during his time on the Mission Campus, averaging 7.9 points per game for his career. During his senior season, Peters captained the only Santa Clara basketball team to ever reach the Final Four, averaging 9.6 points per game.
Silvernail (Yakima, Wash./West Valley HS) was one of the greatest players in the history of Santa Clara women's basketball. A two time All-WCC first team selection and the league's Player of the Year in 1994, Silvernail led the Broncos to four straight WCC regular season titles, one WCC Tournament championship, a WNIT crown in her freshman season and two NCAA Tournament appearances. She helped the Broncos to four consecutive winning seasons, three of which had over 20 victories. As a junior, Silvernail teamed with Melissa King to become the No. 2 all-time scoring tandem (985 pts) at Santa Clara. She had 421 of those points. Silvernail had a tremendous senior year for SCU, as she led the team in scoring (19.6 ppg), field goal percentage (.488), free throw percentage (.834), rebounding (7.4 rpg) and blocks (15).
|Last Name (Team)
|First Name
|Class Year
|Nielsen (Lalor)


text:
share:Remind Me
powered by AFI
Brief Synopsis
An unscrupulous movie producer uses everyone around him in his climb to the top.
Actress Georgia Lorrison, writer James Lee Bartlow and director Fred Amiel each receive a trans-Atlantic phone call from producer Jonathan Shields. While Georgia and Fred refuse to speak to him, Jim snarls "Drop dead" before hanging up. Later, the three drive together to Shields Pictures to see their old friend, studio manager Harry Pebbel. When they scoff at Harry's suggestion that Jonathan, whom they have not seen in some time, wants them to make a picture for him, Harry ponders their responses and asks Fred, who has known Jonathan for eighteen years, how they met: At the funeral of Jonathan's hated studio mogul father, aspiring director Fred is a hired mourner. When Fred makes snide comments about the deceased, however, Jonathan refuses to pay him. Remorseful over his behavior, Fred later apologizes and learns from Jonathan that he wants to make movies but his father died broke, and he has no assets. Fred admires Jonathan for the drive he himself lacks, and Jonathan sees talent in Fred. The men become friends, and for the next two years work at every movie job they can find. One night, when Fred, Jonathan, Fred's girl friend Kay and their friend Syd Murphy crash a Hollywood party, Jonathan gets an idea when he sees Harry and several producers playing poker. Pawning everything they can, the friends finance Jonathan's entry in a high stakes poker game. After the game, a bemused Jonathan reveals that he won $6,000 but eventually lost that and $6,351 more to Harry. The next day, Jonathan goes to Harry to say he cannot cover his bet but proposes that Harry, who was started in the movie business by the elder Shields, hire him so that he can work off the loss. Harry says he needs good pictures, not money, and is happy to give the arrogant Jonathan a chance to fail. Jonathan then hires Fred as his director and for several years they make low-budget films together. One day, frustrated over their meager budgets, Jonathan comes up with an idea to turn a routine horror film into something unique. Although audiences are enthusiastic about the picture, Harry only offers a sequel as their next assignment. Fred later tells Jonathan it is time for them to make a "real" picture and shows him the script for The Far Away Mountain . Harry approves the project, but Jonathan takes credit for the idea, disappointing Fred. Wanting to have a big star for the lead, Fred suggests Victor "Gaucho" Ribera, and, with Syd's help, they meet Gaucho at a club. To their surprise, Gaucho agrees to do the film because he likes the script, and Harry allocates $1,000,000 for the picture. Although Jonathan will produce, he tells Fred that studio bosses have insisted on hiring veteran Von Ellstein to direct. Hurt and angry over Jonathan's betrayal, Fred severs their friendship. When he ends his story, Fred looks contemptuously at the Oscar Jonathon won for The Far Away Mountain , but Harry reminds him that Jonathan forced Fred to become independent and thus win two of his own Oscars. He now is one of Hollywood's most sought-after directors and has a happy family with Kay. Harry then asks Georgia about Jonathan: The daughter of alcoholic screen legend George Lorrison, a teenaged Georgia is left penniless and shattered when he dies. She tries to get small acting jobs, but as her career founders, she turns to alcohol and men. One day, Georgia gets a small part in one of Jonathan's pictures. Intrigued by her, Jonathan goes to her one-room apartment that night, then lambastes her for being a drunk and building a shrine to her father rather than emulating his class and talent. She then hits him and sobs hysterically until he gently puts her to bed. The next day, she shows up for the screentest, which impresses no one but Jonathan, who sees inherent star quality in her. Georgia agrees to give up alcohol and men and works hard for Jonathan, with whom she falls in love. The night before her film is to begin, Georgia disappears and Jonathan finds her drunk in her old room. Jonathan takes her to his mansion and, realizing what she needs, passionately kisses her. After weeks of shooting, the film is completed and Georgia is happy, sure that Jonathan loves her. The film is a great success but on the night of the premiere, Jonathan does not attend the party. Thinking he does not want to take the spotlight away from her, Georgia goes to his house to celebrate but finds that he is with a starlet named Lila. The stunned Georgia drives away after Jonathan lashes out at her, screaming that he feels empty at the end of a picture. At the conclusion of Georgia's story, she says she will never work with him again, though Harry reminds her that Jonathan turned her from a drunk and a tramp into a star, one of the most popular in the world. Now Jim recalls his relationship with Jonathan: As a well-respected professor at a Virginia college, Jim gains moderate success with his first novel, The Proud Land , a racy story of old Virginia. When Jonathan, who has bought the screen rights, calls Jim to come to Hollywood for two weeks to discuss the script, Jim turns him down, but his flighty, ambitious wife Rosemary convinces him to accept. Rosemary quickly becomes dazzled by life in Hollywood. Jim is less than enthusiastic but at her urging agrees to stay and work on the script. Jonathan soon realizes that Rosemary is too much of a distraction to Jim and suggests to Gaucho that he romance Rosemary while he and Jim go to Lake Arrowhead for two weeks of uninterrupted work. Despite Jim's initial hatred of Jonathan, they work well together and become friends by the end of the two weeks. As the men drive back from Arrowhead, Jim confesses that he missed Rosemary's distractions, and when they stop for gas, he is stunned by a newspaper headline stating that Gaucho and Rosemary are believed dead in a mountain plane crash. Later, Jonathan and Syd keep the press, who know that the plane was headed for Acapulco, from revealing the truth in the newspapers. Jonathan comforts Jim, who blames himself because he left Rosemary alone, and feigns ignorance of Gaucho and Rosemary's affair. Four days after production begins on The Proud Land , Jonathan's constant second guessing of Von Ellstein causes him to quit, and Jonathan takes over the picture's direction. Although he works hard and is very patient with the crew, when the picture is finished Jonathan realizes that it is terrible and it is his fault. Jim cheers Jonathan up by suggesting that they go to Lake Tahoe, but while Jonathan is getting ready he lets it slip that he knew about Gaucho and Rosemary before the plane crash. Jonathan tells the stunned Jim that he is better off without Rosemary, who was a fool, after which Jim punches him and leaves. When Jim finishes talking, Harry points out that he won a Pulitzer Prize for his book based on Rosemary and is one of the most successful screenwriters in Hollywood. Harry then says that he is proud to have worked with Jonathan, even if Jonathan considered him little more than a penny-pinching bookkeeper. When a call comes through from Jonathan, Georgia, Fred and Jim leave Harry's office, but have a change of heart. Georgia picks up an extension phone in the outer office, and as the three huddle over the receiver, they hear Jonathan describe his idea for the new picture and are intrigued.
Cast & Crew
Additional Details
|MPAA Ratings:
|Premiere Info:
|Los Angeles opening: 25 Dec 1952; New York opening: 15 Jan 1953
|Release Date:
|Production Date:
AFI; AFI Library; EB;
|Black and White
|Distributions Co:
|Loew's Inc.
|Mono (Western Electric Sound System)
|Production Co:
|Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Corp.
|United States
Leonard Maltin Ratings & Review
User Ratings & Review
This title has not been reviewed. Be the FIRST to write a review by CLICKING HERE >
User Ratings & Review
User Reviews:
Cinema History:
Lead Performers:
Supporting Cast:
Screen Play:
Music Score:
Title Sequence:
User Ratings:
January 4, 2014
Jeff Boston 2018-10-12
The date that quite possibly the best User Review in TCM website history was posted, and it was posted under this esteemed behind-the-scenes Hollyweird... MORE>
Inside Stuff...
Richard 2018-02-19
About the Hollywood known well to gossip queens, Hedda and Louella.For starters, Minelli directs best efforts by Kirk and Lana backing them up with a first... MORE>
the force of nature is still strong in him.
a.morris 2017-12-20
not even the weather channel could keep track of the storm of emotion kirk douglas displayed in this. the version of holly wood business was interesting.... MORE>


text:
Detroit's ballooning deficits and large pension shortfall in December made it the largest U.S. city so far to become legally eligible for Chapter 9 bankruptcy.
It was emblematic of the growing crisis facing state and municipal pensions systems across the country. States have posted funding shortfalls of more than $1 trillion.
A new analysis by The Geneva Association, an international insurance economics think tank, suggests that nonpayment of annual required contributions and excessive reliance on single sources of funding in pension planning are among the biggest challenges to overcome.
The report references a 2010 report by the Pew Center on the States, which found that the huge shortfall facing state and local retirement systems was due to policy choices and a lack of fiscal discipline, namely, failure to make annual payments for pensions systems at actuarially recommended levels and expanding benefits without considering their long-term costs.
Thirty-four states had a funding level below 80%, Pew reported.
Financing retirement is an ever-growing challenge because of higher life expectancy and low fertility rates. The Geneva Association noted it had long advocated a four-pillar approach to sound pension planning:
- A universal public system such as Social Security
- An occupational pensions system supported by employers under government financial supervision
- Private savings using financial intermediaries
- Continued employment through the removal of barriers to partial employment of retirees.
The analysis found that excessive reliance on one of the four pillars — particularly a public system or private savings only — strained public finances or an individual's ability to finance retirement adequately.
It also highlighted the unnecessary losses of human capital resulting from restrictions on the employment of retirees. Human capital, the ability to earn income, should be valued, particularly in societies with aging populations, the think tank said.
In contrast, the report said, a four-pillar structure offers a balance between socially desirable, yet socially costly, income protection benefits (first and second pillars) and realistically priced benefits that are potentially unaffordable to poorer workers (third and fourth pillars).
The report said the solution the U.S. public pensions crisis would not come from financial operations, but must come from real reform.
"[A solution] must come from real reform that at least lowers or eliminates bankruptcy costs and establishes better governance," the study's author Krzysztof Ostaszewski, actuarial program director at Illinois State University, said in a statement.
"The ultimate fate of public pension plans in the U.S. depends on the willingness of plan sponsors to pay for them."


text:
Quick search
Find tariffs
Find non-tariff measures
Find trade remedies
Trade agreements and Rules of Origin
Compare tariffs
Advanced analysis
Tariff analysis
Tariff reduction simulation
GTAP tariffs
TPP tariffs
Raw data download
Tariff data download
Non-tariff measures download
Trade data download
FTA Download
Country analysis
Market access graphs
Tariff averages
Tariff regimes by year
Publications and indicators
Non-tariff measures links
Manage country groups
Manage product groups
Manage default settings (Quick search)
User account
Support materials
User guide
Data availability
Products nomenclature
Useful links
Data providers
Promote our sites
Market Access Map has been developed by ITC to support the needs of exporters, trade support institutions, trade policy makers and academic institutions in developing countries. It provides information about customs tariffs (including tariff preferences) applied by more than 200 countries and faced by 239 countries and territories. It also covers tariff rate quotas, trade remedies, rules and certificates of origin, bound tariffs of WTO members, non-tariff measures and trade flows to help users prioritize and analyse export markets as well as prepare for market access negotiations. Users can also find ad-valorem equivalents for all non ad-valorem duties and perform aggregations of products and countries as well as simulate tariff reduction scenarios.
Market Access Map is
free to users in developing countries
and their representations abroad thanks to generous support from the European Commission, DFID, the World Bank, the Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation and donors to ITC's trust fund.
Access New MacMap website
Not registered yet?
Create your account here
Take a free tour
Tweets by @ITC_MktAnalysis
ITC's Market Access Map partners:
Usage conditions
In cooperation with:
Trade and Market Intelligence, International Trade Centre UNCTAD/WTO; Palais des Nations; CH-1211 Geneva 10; Switzerland
Tel.: +41 (0)22 730 05 40; Fax: +41 (0)22 730 05 77;
Copyright © 1999-2015 International Trade Centre. All rights reserved.
Follow us on


text:
Hey, my name pretty much says it all and I want my face to be blue for a while. I have VERY few limitations, and if ur interested in choking me, hit me up here or on yahoo (Nirvanafan201) I'm really easy going and LOVE to be choked as much as possible!
Let's do it.


text:
by Mark Jagord, sports information assistant
MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. – The Georgia College women's basketball team (15-5, 8-5 PBC) overcame a seven-point first-half deficit to beat Georgia Southwestern State University (8-13, 3-11 PBC), 76-62 Saturday afternoon at the Centennial Center. It was only the second time this season the team won a game when trailing at the half.
"It was one of those games where we found a way to win," said head coach Maurice Smith. "I thought that GSW did a great job of pressuring us into a lot of mistakes early on. We played good defense and settled down in the second half offensively, by playing smart and taking care of the ball much better."
Senior Brandi McKinney (Cincinnati) registered a double-double scoring 18 points and a career-high dozen boards. She also led the team in steals and matched a career-high with six, as the team now has back-to-back double-digit steals with 13 in each of the last two games.
Senior Abby Slocumb (Suwanee, Ga.) also matched a career-high in steals with three and had her fourth-consecutive three-block game this season as she passed the century mark with 101 career blocks.
Junior Shanteona Keys (Roswell, Ga.) led the team with 20 points and just missed a double-double of her own with nine rebounds. Keys moved up in three categories on the Georgia College all-time lists. She is currently No. 5 in free throws with 247, No. 7 in points at 1,168, and tied at No. 9 in threes at 127 with Beth Heyer (97-01).
The Bobcats also got solid performances from junior Belinda Schaafsma (Momence, Ill.) and freshman LaRice Walker (Franklin, Ga.). Schaafsma missed a career-high in points by one with 10 and added six boards. Walker scored 13 points, while adding four assists and rebounds.
The Bobcats held the edge early on, but an 11-point run by the Hurricanes midway through the first half allowed Georgia Southwestern to take a seven-point lead into the intermission.
It took the Bobcats almost seven minutes into the second half to take the lead at 45-44. From that point on Georgia College never trailed again. After another seven minutes of play, the Bobcats had their first double-digit lead and kept it until the final buzzer.
The Hurricanes were led by Shanedra Lockett with 17 points, while Jasmine McSwain and Shantoria Hudson each added 10.
Georgia College improves to 8-5 in conference play, remaining in fifth in a tough Peach Belt Conference West Division, where five of the seven teams have winning conference records. The top four in the division advance to the PBC Tournament in March.
The Bobcats' next matchup is at Clayton State University (15-5, 10-3 PBC) Wednesday, Feb. 12 for a PBC tilt starting at 5:30 p.m.
The Georgia College Department of Athletics, two-time winners of the PBC Commissioner's Cup, sponsors 11 varsity athletic programs at the NCAA Division II level. As a Division II program, Bobcat Athletics prides itself on balancing the life of the student-athlete, evidenced by the teams' multiple appearances in post-season competition as well as documented academic success and community-service involvement. Sign up at @GCBobcats on Twitter and Facebook for up-to-the-minute reports, and visit GCBobcats.PhotoReflect.com to purchase photo prints from home athletic contests.


text:
Alfursan Program
Welcome to the membership program that is globally rewarding. Alfursan members are entitled to a world of benefits and rewards that include free tickets and upgrades, global lounge access, additional luggage allowance, priority wait-listing and many more. That's not all, with Saudia's membership into the prestigious SkyTeam airline alliance you have wealth of opportunities to earn and redeem miles on a global network of airlines.
Alfursan members are also entitled to a range of offers and promotions through our exclusive partners – which include SkyTeam partner airlines, banks, hotels, car rentals and telecommunication – which add to your miles and makes Alfursan experience even more rewarding.


text:
Up Tunket Road: The Education of a Modern Homesteader (Paperback)Philip Ackerman-Leist (author)
- Not available
Ever since Thoreau's Walden, the image of the American homesteader has been of someone getting away from civilization, of forging an independent life in the country. Yet if this were ever true, what is the nature and reality of homesteading in the media-saturated, hyper-connected 21st century?
For seven years Philip Ackerman-Leist and his wife, Erin, lived without electricity or running water in an old cabin in the beautiful but remote hills of western New England. Slowly forging their own farm and homestead, they took inspiration from their experiences among the mountain farmers of the Tirolean Alps and were guided by their Vermont neighbors, who taught them about what it truly means to live sustainably in the postmodern homestead--not only to survive, but to thrive in a fragmented landscape and a fractured economy.
Up Tunket Road is the inspiring true story of a young couple who embraced the joys of simple living while also acknowledging its frustrations and complexities. Ackerman-Leist writes with humor about the inevitable foibles of setting up life off the grid--from hauling frozen laundry uphill to getting locked in the henhouse by their ox. But he also weaves an instructive narrative that contemplates the future of simple living. His is not a how-to guide, but something much richer and more important--a tale of discovery that will resonate with readers who yearn for a better, more meaningful life, whether they live in the city, country, or somewhere in between.
Publisher: Chelsea Green Publishing Co
Number of pages: 312
Weight: 476 g
Dimensions: 229 x 152 x 25 mm
Kirkus Reviews-
Ackerman-Leist (Up Tunket Road: The Education of a Modern Homesteader, 2010) explores how to take food production and distribution away from the mega-corporations and place it in the hands of local communities and small farms. He analyzes energy consumption from the field to the refrigerator; the environment, with 'the idea that a sustainable food system is one that begins and ends with the careful management of the foundation of it all: the soil'; and food security--i.e., how to ensure that everyone in the country has enough food to ward off hunger and malnutrition. The author also thoroughly investigates biodiversity of crops and conducts a study of 'food systems that embrace a diversity of cultural and economic perspectives.' Ackerman-Leist culminates his studies by exploring the latest techniques used to improve food production, such as high tunnels and greenhouses that extend growing seasons or the numerous microbreweries and cider houses that provide delicious products without high energy costs. The author's image of 'local food' has morphed over time, just as the whole industry has changed: 'The image that comes to mind these days is of dynamic, interlocking systems--a vast network of differently sized pulsing centerpoints connected to one other by means of surging flows that create exchanges of resources, ideas, and of course foods.' Dense with information and studded with numerous graphs and charts, this book provides a deeper understanding of what principles need to change in order to create local food environments.
"There's something to learn on every page of this fertile and powerful book. One will find not simply good information, but also a fine and well-honed wisdom. In a voice that manages to be both teacher and student, Ackerman-Leist joins the literary tradition of Thoreau, the Nearings, and Harlan Hubbard. This is an honest and uplifting look at modern homesteading. What a delight to read this hopeful and iconic account of a sensible, accountable, and richly lived life. Now more than ever, we desperately need what this book offers."--Janisse Ray, author of Ecology of a Cracker Childhood
"Philip Ackerman-Leist's book, Up Tunket Road, combines highly literary writing with hard-nosed, down-home practicality about his homesteading ventures, all delivered with gentle good humor and an unerring eye for important details often left out of books like this. In the process, the author lays the groundwork for a definitive new approach to the classic back-to-the-land philosophy. A great book for thinkers and doers alike."--Gene Logsdon, author of Small-Scale Grain Raising and Living at Nature's Pace
"Having walked up the real Tunket Road many times over the past ten years to visit Philip and Erin, I have seen firsthand how they have transformed not only the landscape, but themselves and their lives. It is a model for us all to follow, rural or urban."--Shepherd Ogden, editor of GreenRFD.com
"Up Tunket Road makes a delightful addition to the literature of homesteading. As persuasive and current as this book is about such subjects as grass-farming, composting toilets, and on-site generation of power, its strongest appeal to me is as the story of one intrepid family putting down roots in Vermont with the help of a generous, if highly eccentric, cast of mentors. Ackerman-Leist's deft use of dialogue, and his inclination to view even disasters humorously, also let him escape completely from the self-righteous tone that has sometimes marred America's literature of self-sufficiency. As a memoir, a piece of social history, and a reflection on farming and food at the cusp of the twenty-first century, this is a timely and valuable work."--John Elder, author of Reading the Mountains of Home and The Frog Run
"Up Tunket Road captures the heart of homesteading by exploring its many tensions: romanticism versus pragmatism, humility versus bold determination, interdependence versus self-reliance, and vulnerability versus fortitude. Any thoughtful homesteader will find their perspective challenged and broadened by the anecdotes and reflections in these pages."--Abigail R. Gehring, editor of Back to Basics and Homesteading
"Anyone seeking a life characterized by noble intent will find this elegantly portrayed journey up Tunket Road both challenging and heartwarming. Philip Ackerman-Leist masterfully wrestles with homesteading tensions like independence versus community and ecological economy versus efficiency. I couldn't put it down." --Joel Salatin, founder of Polyface Farm and author of Everything I Want to Do Is Illegal
"Anyone who has heard Philip speak, seen his garden and home, or watched him teach about heritage breeds and heirloom seeds, knows that there is magic in this man. Now we are blessed with a story of his homestead that not only honors the past, but builds toward a healthier, richer future. Join in the magic!" --Gary Paul Nabhan, author of Where Our Food Comes From and Coming Home to Eat, and editor of Renewing America's Food Traditions
"Philip Ackerman-Leist passionately describes homesteading not so much as a back-to-the-land form of self-reliance, but rather as a Zen-like practice of conscious decision making and being in right relationship. With this new understanding, creating a homestead is something any reflective practitioner can accomplish."--Tom Wessels, author of The Myth of Progress and Reading the Forested Landscape
Is living a simple life a solution for coping with chaotic times? Is it even possible today? In 1997, conservation biologist Ackerman-Leist and and his wife, Erin, moved into an old 12-x-28-foot New England cabin lacking electricity and running water, and found, over seven years, that homesteading is as much about values as about skills, as much about "why to" as "how to." As readers learn about shedding old notions and making new choices, they'll enjoy Ackerman-Leist's relaxed style and self-deprecating humor: "My feathers are getting a little bit ruffled," the chagrined homesteader admits when he asks Erin to free him from the hen house: their ox locked him in. He describes the ferocity of New England winters, including what it's like to visit the outhouse at 10 below, and the increasingly dangerous impact of frost on the cabin footings. With "crafting common cause" at its core, Ackerman-Leist's chronicle of the not-so-simple simple life will intrigue readers curious about what it means to go back to nature.
The Boston Globe-
Homesteader Philip Ackerman-Leist has a sense of humor - apparent when he gets locked in the henhouse by an ox - and an open mind, two qualities not always associated with back-to-the-land types. For seven years he and his wife, Erin, lived without electricity or running water in an old cabin in Pawlet, Vt., before they built a bigger home with more amenities for their growing family.
Ackerman-Leist's new book, "Up Tunket Road: The Education of a Modern Homesteader," is a chronicle of the couple's adventures in sustainability and a meditation on the future of homesteading.
Director of the Farm & Food Project at Green Mountain College, Ackerman-Leist doesn't pretend to have all the answers. He acknowledges that there may not be enough land to go around for every potential homesteader. From one of his students he learns about a young man living on a boat in Manhattan, burning driftwood and scrap lumber in his woodstove and generating electricity with a wind turbine. Is this the future? Ackerman-Leist wonders.
Meanwhile, he and his wife are consumed with a big question concerning the present: Is Internet access at home a pleasure or a plague?
LA Times-
Perhaps my favorite book in this crop is "Up Tunket Road: The Education of a Modern Homesteader," in which Philip Ackerman-Leist writes about homesteading, using his experience in Vermont as an example. Ackerman-Leist challenges conventional notions of homesteading (owning one's own land, self-reliance, independence). Those days are gone, he writes. Today, you can homestead anywhere (a student of his has founded the "back to the yard" movement), not only in rural settings, and the key to successful homesteading is interdependence, not independence. It is no longer possible to fully retreat from society. "Homesteading is an act of defiance and of reliance: defiance of cultural norms and habits and reliance on self and local community." It is, he writes, "much less about location than it is about intent." "Up Tunket Road" raises the issue of mentors, literary and practical. Ackerman-Leist cites Thoreau, Helen and Scott Nearing and others who have written about the experience. (Thoreauvians try not to disturb the land; followers of the Nearings bring "shelter, order, and a whir of activity to a place.") He writes with great reverence about a local farmer-gardener who gave Ackerman-Leist time, tips and help. "Up Tunket Road" takes us through the choices the author and his wife made about their lifestyle: how to create light, how to bathe, how to eat. Homesteading brings you "face to face with ecological choices," forcing the homesteader to confront, to realize the effect we have on our environment. The book also contains an excellent reading list for people dreaming of a different American Dream.
You may also be interested in...
ReviewsSign In To Write A Review
Please sign in to write a review
Sign In / Register
Sign In
Download the Waterstones App
Would you like to proceed to the App store to download the Waterstones App?


text:
If you have been a member at any time in the past, you may already be in the system. If you receive a duplicate registration warning, please check with us before registering again.If in doubt, please click Sign In > Forgotten Password to request your login details.
The registration process is to register your interest in club membership and ask any questions about membership options.You will not be required to pay for your membership during this process and there will be no obligation to join the club.
Click here if you are having problems registering.
If you are registering for your child, you must enter your child's details, but you may enter your own email and phone number. There will be an opportunity to enter your other details on the Parental Consent Form in Step 4.
ALL users require a username and password, even if they are children being added to a family group. ( Once registered as a family the lead member can manage all family from the lead member account )
Note A member with the same forename and surname has been found in the database. If you have registered before and it's possible that this might be you, please do not register again as this will create duplicate records. If you have forgotten your login and password, you can reset your password here. Otherwise, please contact the membership secretary through the Contact Us page.
Form is not yet complete, please correct the following fields:-
At Peterborough Town Sports Club we take your privacy seriously. Before giving your consents, click here to read our Privacy Policy which explains what personal data we collect and how we will use it.


text:
Jacoby Brissett, a former Dwyer High School star, is headed to North Carolina State, a source said.
Brissett played the past two seasons at Florida and fell behind fellow true sophomore Jeff Driskel last season. After sitting out this year, he will be eligible to play for the Wolfpack as a red-shirt junior in 2014.
Continue reading "Source: Former Gators QB Jacoby Brissett transferring to North Carolina State"


text:
Lex Frieden helped craft the Americans with Disabilities Act, signed into law by President George H.W. Bush on July 26, 1990. The act was born partly out of Frieden's 1984-88 service as director of the National Council on the Handicapped (now the National Council on Disability), as well as his own experience of being denied admission to one university because, after becoming a quadriplegic in a 1967 auto accident, he used a wheelchair. He is currently a professor at the University of Texas Health Science Center. Frieden recently spoke with freelance writer Susan Hauser.
Workforce Management: Did the ADA come out of your frustrations as a person who confronted barriers?
Lex Frieden: Many other people with disabilities probably shared similar experiences throughout the 1970s and early '80s. After I was turned down by one university, the dean at the University of Tulsa proposed putting all my classes in a building without steps. It was much easier for them to move the class from the building with the steps than it was to move me into the building with the steps. It seemed so obvious after the fact.
WM: Is that how the ADA term "reasonable accommodation" came into being?
Frieden: Exactly. The concept came from my experience at the university and from other people's experience of being able to solve problems without necessarily having to create a flat earth. The idea that reasonable accommodations can be made for virtually anyone with any type of impairment, it's a fairly logical concept and it's an idea that seems to be generally understood.
WM: What problems still remain for disabled workers after 21 years of the ADA?
Frieden: Unemployment. Even when the employment rate was better than it is now, people with disabilities were still unemployed at the same rate they are now. I'm fearful that employers don't look simply at the job they have to offer, but consider the things a person can't do, even though those things are not related to the primary functions of the job.
WM: What should employers know about people with disabilities?
Frieden: That they are better educated now than ever. Their preparation is at least as good, in some cases better, than the preparation of kids without disabilities. Also, that many people who did have challenges in the workplace years ago are now able to compensate for their disabilities by using the new technologies.
WM: What's the solution for their underemployment?
Frieden: I think we need more employer education. I believe that people with disabilities are very often more motivated than nondisabled people, simply because they've already been challenged. I think employers may be missing an opportunity by not recognizing that.
WM: What were the main objections to passage of the ADA?
Frieden: Objections came from several fronts. The transit industry was afraid the provisions would be too strict. There were other objections from people who felt that the definition of disability was too broad. Small employers were afraid that the expenses associated with providing accommodation, not necessarily to employees, but to patrons, would be overwhelming for them.
WM: How did you address those concerns?
Frieden: When we talked to small-business people about their specific issues, we could help them understand that the law wasn't universal in the sense that not everybody who had steps had to put in an elevator. They simply had to provide some kind of reasonable accommodation, which might be to take a carry-out menu down to the bottom of the steps, take somebody's order and bring them the carry-out food.
WM: What about big businesses?
Frieden: Many larger employers had already established a commitment to employ people with disabilities. They really had no objections to the ADA and felt like it didn't change the way they did business. As a matter of fact, the Sears corporation had done studies of their workforce and found that their employees with disabilities were more dependable and had less sick time than the nondisabled employees. That was significant.
WM: For the ADA's 20th anniversary, you conducted a nationwide survey on the impact of the act on the disabled community. Were there any surprises in the results?
Frieden: I was surprised at the impact that the ADA has had on people's lives. Two-thirds of the population we serve felt that the ADA was the most significant thing that had happened in their lives in the past 20 years. Anybody can see the impact of the ADA. You see it when you see parking spaces reserved for people with disabilities; you see it when you see ramps that are integrated into the entrances of public and private facilities; you see it when you go into a hotel room and the doorway is actually wide enough to get through; you see it when you're in a bar and there's captioning for a sporting event on television. Those are all things that have occurred as a result of the ADA.
WM: Is there anything in the law that you would tweak?
Frieden: Not now. The tweaking has been done. The law has been recently amended and the amendments have made some very constructive changes in terms of how disability is defined. Now it's easier for employers to understand their obligations and easier for people with disabilities to see that they must be reasonable in terms of their own requests. I think the amendments will reduce litigation.
WM: How does hiring people with disabilities affect the economy?
Frieden: If they're supported in the workforce, not only are they no longer depending on taxpayer paid benefits, they're actually paying taxes. What can be better than that?
WM: What's the real value of hiring people with disabilities?
Frieden: People with disabilities share that vision for America that most Americans have, and they share that vision for their families, their communities and themselves. And the only way they can reach those goals is through work. If they're systematically kept out of the workforce, that changes their own initiative and it also changes the economy radically.
Susan Hauser is a freelance writer based in Portland, Oregon. To comment email email@example.com.


text:
For 40 years the Native Friendship Centre of Montreal Inc. (NFCM) has provided continuous quality services to the urban Aboriginal population of Montreal and their families and is the only comprehensive service and referral point in the Greater Montreal Area (GMA) in relation to health, social services, legal, orientation/information, education, training, and employment referral for those migrating to or through the city including those from across Quebec, Canada, and the Americas.
The Native Friendship Centre of Montreal is a non-profit, non-sectarian, autonomous community development agency whose principal mission is to promote, develop, and enhance the quality of life in the urban Aboriginal community of Montreal. The NFCM, being a part of a national initiative that bridges the gap between 2 cultures, serves the Aboriginal population consisting of the ten First Nations of Quebec, as well as the Inuit and Métis of Montreal. The ten First Nations of Quebec include the Cree, Mi'qmaq, Naskapi, Algonquin, Montagnais, Abenaki, Mohawk, Attikamekw, Huron and Malecite. NFCM provides the services of an urban Aboriginal Centre, where people from across Quebec, Canada, and the Americas seek support and referral services in Montreal.
The Centre mandated to assist Native people who are making a transition to or through the urban community and to improve the quality of life of the urban Aboriginal population of Montreal by providing access to services and referral through central, suitable, and appropriate facilities where cultural, educational, recreational, and social activities can be held. Through its programs, activities, and services the NFCM aims to uplift the quality of life of the urban Aboriginal population of Montreal, as well as those migrating to or in transition through the city by safeguarding their health, social, and legal conditions and by assisting these individuals in the achievement of their dignity and their quality of life.


text:
How to Take Charge as a Wedding Photographer
As the wedding photographer, your job is to help the formal portraits flow as smoothly as possible. You can lay much of the groundwork in the months before the actual wedding date as you communicate with the couple. If you do your homework, you can focus on keeping the portrait sessions organized and maintaining control over the many people coming and going.
Minimize confusion with a schedule and a list of names
When you talk with the couple before the wedding day, discuss the portraits and come up with a photography schedule and a list of the people they want to include.
Ask questions that help both you and the couple establish the order of the schedule. For example, will they see each other before the wedding (a situation known as the First Look)? If so, can all the formal portraits of the wedding party and family be taken before the ceremony?
If they choose not to do a First Look, what portraits can you do before the ceremony to alleviate the postceremony time crunch? Is the reception at the same location as the ceremony, or is it off-site? These questions help you get a good feel of how the wedding day will run.
Let the couple know approximately how long each group of pictures takes so that they can set realistic goals. For example, here's a general schedule of the time needed for the following portraits:
Bride: 30 to 40 minutes.
Groom: 15 minutes.
Bride and bridesmaids: 20 to 30 minutes.
Groom and groomsmen: 20 to 30 minutes.
Bride and groom together: 45 to 60 minutes.
Full bridal party: 20 to 30 minutes.
Family: 6 minutes per grouping. Depending on how many groups the couple wants, this portion may take 30 minutes to 2 hours.
This general schedule doesn't include time to travel between different locations, should the couple choose to have the pictures somewhere other than the ceremony location. Let the couple know that if they choose to take pictures at an off-site location, they need to adjust the schedule accordingly.
Ask to have the schedule, the list of names, and the location addresses a month before the wedding. This time frame gives you time to look over the schedule and make any suggestions. If changes are necessary, ask for a finalized schedule two weeks before the wedding date to ensure that you and the couple are on the same page.
Make sure to bring the lists and schedule with you on the wedding day, and stick to the schedule to the best of your ability.
After you have the finalized schedule from the couple, you should ask that they send that schedule along to all the people who will be involved in the portraits. That way everyone knows exactly when and where they are supposed to be throughout the event.
Appoint a wrangler
Because you spend the portrait session in flurried picture-taking mode, having a wrangler who knows all the important people on the bride and groom's list is extremely helpful. The wrangler should manage the list and stage the groups while you're shooting. This setup keeps the process flowing and well organized.
Ask the couple to recommend someone who isn't in the wedding party to act as the wrangler. If they don't have a recommendation, asking the wedding coordinator or your second shooter (if you have one) to assist you is another option.
Stay flexible
On the wedding day, some things are beyond your control. The father of the bride may show up 20 minutes late, or all the groomsmen may forget to go to the second location where the wedding party shots are being taken. Even if you have a detailed list, an established schedule, and a helpful wrangler, you run a 99.99-percent chance that the formal portraits won't go exactly as planned.
To help de-stress the situation and stay in charge, keep that smile on your face, tell the couple "It's okay!", and use your problem-solving skills to get the job done. Move forward and don't let unexpected events induce a blowing-into-a-paper-bag type of panic!
Use your outside voice
For most of the wedding day, you're the quiet observer who blends into the background, but the formal portraits are the exception. Don't shy away from getting people's attention and giving them directions. Assume a commanding presence and truly take charge of the situation.
To get the attention of a large group of people, use a loud voice (but don't scream) and say things like "Can I get everyone's attention please?" or "I need the Smith family front and center!" To give people a direction to look toward when they hear your voice, you can raise one hand in the air so they know to look at you.
If you have a particularly chatty group of people who aren't paying attention to your voice, you can whistle loudly (if you're one of those lucky people who can do that) or clap your hands to get their attention first.
After you have the group's attention and begin giving them directions, continue speaking loudly enough that they can all hear you clearly and use some visual aids, like pointing your fingers or waving someone forward, as you position them.


text:
Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth Restrictions Statement
All files on this site are the property of the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth. They are intended for personal use only. Any commercial use or publication of the images or text without written permission is prohibited. All content is copyrighted by the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth.
Reproduction, including downloading of ARS protected works, is prohibited by copyright laws and international conventions without the express written permission of Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York.
Instructions for Ordering Photographic Reproduction Materials
Your letter, fax, or e-mail should clearly identify the work of art requested. When possible, attach a photocopy of the item(s) made from an illustration in a book or other publication. Please note the credit lines in the publication and give the publication's title, author, and date of publication. No request will be considered if material is needed less than two weeks from receipt of your written request. Thank you.
Upon receipt of your request, the Modern's photo request form will be mailed to you, which serves as both a contract as well as an invoice. The form also states the museum's list of conditions for the reproduction of imagery. Sign the form in the appropriate spaces and return one copy to the attention of the Rights and Reproductions Department with any rental payment. Allow at least two weeks for your request to be processed. Prepayment is required.
The Modern Art Museum cannot provide reproductions of work controlled by the artist's copyright. In these instances, we will provide you with the appropriate address, if known, so you may contact the artist, artist's estate, or the appropriate foundation. The museum will provide black-and-white prints and color transparencies, and/or high resolution digital files for reproduction in a publication, film, or other project. In addition to identifying the image(s) clearly, please note as much information about your publication as possible, including:
• title
• author or editor
• publisher or producer
• projected date of publication or broadcast
• whether the piece will be part of a cover project
• language rights requested
• distribution requested
• edition/production
If new photography is required, there will additional photographic fees. Slides or black-and-white photos requested for study purposes will be charged fees listed on the photo request contract. Items are not returnable for credit. Study materials may not be reproduced without further permission.
Rights and Reproductions Image Request Form
Please submit request(s) for reproductions to:
Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth
Rights and Reproductions
3200 Darnell Street
Fort Worth Texas 76107
tel: 817.738.9215
fax: 817.840.2105


text:
Continuing on the current course will make it difficult – if not impossible – to prevent the widespread and catastrophic impacts of climate change. The costs will be substantial: billions spent to deal with the destruction of extreme weather events, untold human suffering, and the deaths of tens of millions from the impacts by as soon as 2030.
Burning the coal, oil and gas from the 14 massive projects discussed in this report would significantly push emissions over what climate scientists have identified as the "carbon budget", the amount of additional CO2 that must not be exceeded in order to keep climate change from spiralling out of control.
The global renewal energy scenario developed by Greenpeace – the Energy [R]evolution – shows how to deliver the power and mobility these dirty projects are promising without the emissions and the destruction ... not only faster, but also at a lower cost. The clean energy future made possible by the development of renewable energy will only become a reality if governments rein in investments in dirty fossil fuels and support renewable energy.
The world is clearly at a Point of No Return. Either replace coal, oil and gas with renewable energy, or face a future turned upside down by climate change.
Download the Point of No Return report.


text:
Welcome to The FWA!
The FWA
FWA stands for Favourite Website Awards, an industry recognised internet award program and inspirational portal, established in May 2000.
FWA was the first online award programme to receive over 200,000,000 site visitors.
More information
For more detailed information regarding FWA please follow the menu links in the right column.
You may particularly like to read the following:
Submission Information - The FWA judging process
Work We Award - See examples of the type of work we award
General Info - A more detailed overview of The FWA, its history, vision and process.
FWA is dedicated to recognising amazing digital work. One of our focuses is to give as much exposure as we can to the most amazing creative projects.
FWA's most recognised collaborations are with:
Adobe... with The Cutting Edge award. More info here.
Google's Creative Sandbox. More info here.


text: We greet each child with affection and joy. Every baby comes to us full of promise and potential. As parents, we are privileged to welcome them into our families, our communities, and the embrace of the Jewish people. Raising children to adulthood, we encounter many milestones along the way. Children are weaned, lose their teeth, and start school. Some get their driver's licenses and eventually leave home for good. Here are rituals for welcoming children and for celebrating the milestones on their paths to adulthood.


text:
Register to view the full article
Register to view the full article. By registering for Microwaves & RF now, you'll not only gain access to premium content, you'll also become part of an exclusive, robust global engineering community!
Participate in Expert and Reader driven Q&A's
Start your own conversation by commenting on any article or blog
Download high-quality content including the highly anticipated Salary & Career Report


text:
State Codes and StatutesStatutes > West-virginia > 16 > 16-5d-3
§16-5D-3. Powers, duties and rights of secretary.
In the administration of this article, the secretary has the following powers, duties and rights:
(a) To enforce rules and standards for assisted living residences which are adopted, promulgated, amended or modified by the secretary;
(b) To exercise as sole authority all powers relating to the issuance, suspension and revocation of licenses of assisted living residences;
(c) To enforce rules adopted, promulgated, amended or modified by the secretary governing the qualification of applicants for assisted living residences, including, but not limited to, educational requirements, financial requirements, personal and ethical requirements;
(d) To receive and disburse federal funds and to take whatever action not contrary to law as may be proper and necessary to comply with the requirements and conditions for the receipt of federal funds;
(e) To receive and disburse for authorized purposes any moneys appropriated for the division by the Legislature;
(f) To receive and disburse for purposes authorized by this article, any funds that may come to the division by gift, grant, donation, bequest or devise, according to the terms thereof, as well as funds derived from the division's operation or otherwise;
(g) To make contracts and to execute all instruments necessary or convenient in carrying out the secretary's functions and duties; and all such contracts, agreements and instruments shall be executed by the secretary;
(h) To appoint officers, agents, employees and other personnel and fix their compensation;
(i) To offer and sponsor educational and training programs for assisted living residences' administrative, management and operational personnel;
(j) To undertake survey, research and planning projects and programs relating to administration and operation of assisted living residences and to the health, care, treatment and service in general of residents of assisted living residences;
(k) To assess civil penalties for violations of assisted living residence standards in accordance with section ten of this article;
(l) To inspect any assisted living residence and any records maintained therein subject to the provisions of section ten of this article;
(m) To establish and implement procedures, including informal conferences, investigations and hearings, subject to applicable provisions of article three, chapter twenty-nine-a of this code, and to enforce compliance with the provisions of this article and with rules issued hereunder by the secretary;
(n) To subpoena witnesses and documents, administer oaths and affirmations and to examine witnesses under oath for the conduct of any investigation or hearing. Upon failure of a person without lawful excuse to obey a subpoena to give testimony and upon reasonable notice to all persons affected thereby, the secretary may apply to the circuit court of the county in which the hearing is to be held or to the circuit court of Kanawha County for an order compelling compliance;
(o) To make complaint or cause proceedings to be instituted against any person for the violation of the provisions of this article or of rules issued hereunder by the secretary. Such action may be taken by the secretary without the sanction of the prosecuting attorney of the county in which proceedings are instituted if the prosecuting attorney fails or refuses to discharge his or her duty. The circuit court of Kanawha County or the circuit court of the county in which the conduct has occurred shall have jurisdiction in all civil enforcement actions brought under this article and may order equitable relief without bond. In no such case may the secretary or any person acting under the secretary's direction be required to give security for costs;
(p) To delegate authority to the secretary's employees and agents to perform all functions of the secretary except the making of final decisions in adjudications; and
(q) To submit an annual report to the governor, the Legislature and the public. The report shall describe the assisted living residence licensing and investigatory activities of the division during the year and the nature and status of other activities of the division and may include comment on the acts, policies, practices or procedures of any public or private agency that affect the rights, health or welfare of residents of assisted living residences. The annual report shall include a list of all assisted living residences in the state and such of the following information as the secretary determines to apply: Whether the assisted living residences are proprietary or nonproprietary; the classification of each assisted living residence; the name of the owner or owners; the total number of beds; the number of private and semiprivate rooms; the costs per diem for private residents; the number of full-time employees and their professions; recreational programs; services and programs available as well as the costs thereof; and whether or not those assisted living residences listed accept medicare and medicaid residents. The report shall also contain the division's recommendations as to changes in law or policy which it deems necessary or appropriate for the protection of the rights, health or welfare of residents of assisted living residences in the state.


text:
Music is vital to creativity. It is a universal language capable of uniting and inspiring. Just ask the Pangean world orchestra based in Gilbert, Arizona. They will be premiering at Phoenix Symphony Hall Sunday April 11th at 2pm.
The first five people to tweet about this event using the #PangeanOrchPhx hash tag will receive a pair of tickets to see the premier event on Sunday April 11th at 2pm.
Winners so far… Tyler Hurst (@tdhurst), Deraven (@deraven), Christopher (@acydlord), Celeste Summer (@celestesummer) and Mandy Fish (@mandyfish)


text:
|Assorted candy cookie cups with snickers, musketeer's, Hershey, sprinkles, and rocky road
|Butter Cookie Dough
Butter Sugar Cookie Dough
|Brownie Dough
Double Chocolate Cookie Dough
* Note: You can choose to buy your dough premade. Use refrigerated sugar cookie dough, macadamia cookie dough, brownie dough or chocolate chip dough from your local dairy case supermarket.
These four homemade doughs can be used to make assorted cookies for a large crowd for a party they take very little time and sure to please everyone. You only need one batch of white cookie dough and one batch of chocolate cookie dough. There are so many variations you can make the skies the limit!
You will need :
|Assorted miniatures candy bars
|Red and Green Sprinkles
Optional: Nuts, jams, fruits ( you can use butter cookie dough ad fresh fruits and brush melted jam on top the *shortbread cookie dough goes well with these highlighted above for the recipe.
Sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar.Use a confectionery sugar and water frosting over the top.
Mix chopped hazelnuts with Nutella and spread over plain baked cookie cups
Top with chopped maraschino cherries( red and green)
Use mint flavored chips
Mini muffin tins I use four tins in separate batches
Mini muffin liners this makes around 100 mini cookies with two batches of dough.
Roll a scant teaspoon ball of dough and place into paper liners in your muffin tins. Press down slightly with your index finger. Top with chopped assorted candy, marshmallows and chocolate chips, filled with jams, make them plain and decorate after cooling or use some sprinkles and colors of your choice . Bake on 350 till set around 6 to 8 minutes. Remove from oven cool.


text:
「よくある質問」でお探しの答えが見つからない場合は、フリーダイヤル 0120-673-152 もしくはinfo_jp@newellco.comまでお問い合わせ下さい。
Important: Cookie policy
Cookies are small text files that help us make your experience on our website better. More information about how we use cookies can be found on our Privacy Policy and via this link. Although cookies are nothing new, we now need your consent to use cookies. If you don't want us to use cookies, some parts of the site will not work. By using any part of the site you consent to the use of cookies. More information about our cookies, please click here
This cookie is placed if you click the Close button in this message. It tells us you have dismissed this message. Cookies used: d016c4f59c9c5afccdfacac7a5eaeabb
These cookies allow us to count page visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our site, using a service provided by Google Analytics. Cookies used:_utma, _utmb, _utmc, _utmz


text:
Nutrition Facts
Percent Daily Values (DV) are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
Servings and Times
Cups of Fruits and Vegetables Per Person: 0.5
Ingredients and Preparation
- Mix cottage cheese and egg substitute together; set aside.
- In large non-stick frying pan over medium heat, sauté onions in oil for 5 minutes, or until soft.
- Add broccoli and dill; sauté for 5 minutes, or until broccoli mixture softens. Set vegetables aside.
- Wipe out frying pan. Add 1 teaspoon margarine and swirl the pan to distribute it.
- Add half of the vegetable mixture, and then add half of the egg mixture; lift and rotate pan so that eggs are evenly distributed.
- As eggs set around the edges, lift them to allow uncooked portions to flow underneath.
- Turn heat to low, cover the pan, and cook until top is set.
- Invert onto a serving plate and cut into wedges.
- Repeat with remaining 1 teaspoon margarine, vegetable mixture, and egg mixture.


text:
Honeysuckle Perfume Oil
Fresh and flowery honeysuckle with just a titch of jasmine petals.
Not sure which scent is right for you? Try a sample pack!
Formula: A silky combination of moisturizing fractionated coconut oil and hand-blended fragrance unique to the Blushie Bath & Body collection. Packed in a slim glass bottle with a laminated label, this perfume oil is the perfect size for your purse and durable enough to be taken anywhere.
Ways to Use: Experience this lovely fragrance by dabbing a little onto your wrists or neck. You can even dab some into the palms of your hands and then brush through your hair to refresh and pamper your tresses while fighting frizz.
Size & Packaging: Each bottle contains 8mls of perfume. These beautiful bottles are made of sturdy recycled glass, and feature a lovely soft-shouldered design with art deco styled labeling. They are capped with PET plastic tops which have small plastic cones inside of them for easy application. They are not roller bottles or sprayers, these bottles require you to dab the perfume onto your fingertips for use.
Ingredients: Fractionated Coconut Oil, Hand-blended Fragrance


text:
I heartily love all four.
Unknowingly I incorporated all 4 of those things in to our dinner...
Oopsie daisies!
I'm unsure as to whether these are burgers or patties or cakes or thing o's... But they're pretty tasty!
And you know what?
He ate it all.
I think I'm a magician, guys!
Sweet Potato & Quinoa Cakes.
1 sweet potato, roasted
1.5 cups quinoa, cooked
2 T ground flax (or 1 egg)
1/2 C breadcrumbs (plus extra for coating)
1 handful herbs, roughly chopped (thyme, sage, rosemary)
1/2 bulb roasted garlic
1 T sriracha
1 t peanut butter
1/2 t maggi seasoning (or soy)
1 t paprika
2 T toasted sesame seeds (or 2 t tahini)
In a large bowl mash sweet potato and add rest of ingredients.
Taste and season to your liking.
With wet hands, separate mix in to 5 and shape in to patties.
Coat in extra breadcrumbs and bake in oven at 400C for about an hour or until a little dry and holding together well. Flip halfway.
Pan fry to create a crispy exterior (optional) and serve.
Makes 5 burger patty thing o's.
Beetroot Hummus
1 tin chick peas
1/2 bulb roasted garlic
1/4 cup oil
3 T lemon juice
1 or 2 roasted beets
1 t salt (or more)
2 t tahini
Blend all ingredients until smooth.
No editing... ACTUAL COLOUR!


text:
* Soybean farmer accused of infringing Monsanto patents
* Supreme Court accepts seven new cases for review
Oct 5 (Reuters) - The U.S. Supreme Court agreed on Friday to consider an Indiana soybean farmer's appeal of a decision finding that he infringed Monsanto Co patents over seeds containing the company's genetically altered Roundup Ready technology.
The case is one of seven that the highest U.S. court agreed to hear on Friday, with oral arguments likely to be scheduled for January or February of 2013.
In the Monsanto case, Vernon Bowman, who is in his mid-70s, was appealing a September 2011 decision by the U.S. Federal Circuit Court of Appeals upholding an $84,456 damages award for Monsanto.
The company had claimed that Bowman was growing more soybeans than his seed purchases could generate.
Bowman countered that he had bought the seeds as part of an undifferentiated mix of "commodity" seeds, and that farmers have used such seeds for planting, and created so-called "second generation" seeds, for decades.
In his appeal, Bowman said the Federal Circuit erred in finding that his use of the seeds for a natural and foreseeable purpose - planting - created new seeds that infringed Monsanto's rights. He said earlier court decisions suggested that Monsanto had no rights after it made an initial sale.
(Reporting By Terry Baynes and Jonathan Stempel in New York; editing by Christopher Wilson)
euters.com)(646)(223-8022)(Reuters Messaging: email@example.com))
Keywords: USA COURT/


text:
|West Vancouver, BC
|High School:
|Sentinel Secondary
#12 Nicole Sidor - Career Stats
Career Game-by-Game Stats: 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010
2011: Named to All-Northeast Conference first-team at the utility position...Selected as the NEC "Most Improved Player" by a vote of the league's coaches...Earned NFCA Academic All-America accolades...One-time Akadema/NEC Pitcher of the Week award winner...Finished the season with a .325 batting average and 22 RBI...Compiled a 9-5 record inside the pitching circle and rounded out the season with a 2.55 ERA...Tossed a complete game shutout in a 1-0 victory over Manhattan...Allowed one earned run in 2.1 innings of work against #16 Texas A&M in the NCAA Tournament.
2010: Finished her freshman season with an 8-6 record along with a 2.55 ERA from the pitching rubber...Picked up her first career victory on February 27 after five shutout innings at UNC-Greensboro...Ripped her first career hit March 7 at the Rebel Games as a pinch-hitter against Indiana State...Earned Akadema/Northeast Conference Rookie of the Week honors...Registered complete game shutouts against Yale and Monmouth.
Before SHU: Played four seasons of softball and basketball as well as three years of volleyball at Sentinel Secondary...Three-time gold medalist at Canadian Nationals...Named national play-off MVP in 2007...Earned distinction as the top pitcher at Nationals in 2008...Named national all-star in 2009.
Personal: Nicole Elizabeth Sidor Born: 6/28/91. Major: Accounting. Parents: Lowell Sidor and Linda Wu. Siblings: Danielle and Andrea. Hobbies: Writing, art, and reading. Favorite Book: Remember Me. Favorite TV Show: Vampire Diaries. Favorite Band: Hedley. Favorite Food: Sushi.


text:
This is an interesting topic, with several questions addressed.
I totally love kiteboarding, have for more than 5 years. I personally don't pay much attention to the top pros, I just love to ride.
In my past sport (racquetball) I was one of the top players in the country. I don't think people got into rb in the 80s cuz of anything I was doing. They did it cuz it was fun. I believe this about our sport too, it is THE most fun I have ever had (in sport). I don't need a pro boosting to get me into "the mood" or interested in the sport as a newbie, I just need 12 knots or more, and some time off. This is an interesting point of the conversation. (BTW racquetball died due to space/profit issues of health clubs... so please don't make a comparison, it also SUCKED as a spectator sport)
Who out there gets motivated to ride cuz a pro looks cool?, as opposed to its just fun as S$#$?
I am curious about that one.
Who honestly believes that without pros, new riders wouldn't be interested in getting into this sport?
I mean I am jo average for sure, and people (non-riders) that see us ride here in St. Pete are just captivated by a 15 foot backroll and you can hear the "AHHHH COOOLLL" coming from their mouths on the beach, with questions following when you hit the beach.
This sport rocks, at all levels, is my take. The pros are UNREAL, but the sport itself is so kicka##, that just boosting your first HUGE (6 footer ) is an adrenaline rush like no other.
I guess I am saying ANY rider influences our perceived reputation and could attract new riders, IMO. I personally don't think you have to be world class to turn people on or off to kiting. It has inherent appeal, as well as some possible unappealling traits if portrayed as a sport of reckless abandon.
I am just an average rider here in St. Pete. We don't even get pros here (guess we're not worthy?) so they sure don't influence me. My buds, having a great time, and loving the sport is what motivates me, 100%