text:
LeTourneau University won a globally competitive and prestigious grant from the International Society for Science and Religion, receiving a wide-ranging set of books on a variety of issues on science and spirituality for the Margaret Estes Library.
LETU was selected as one of 150 institutions in 47 countries and six continents to receive this bound set of books. These volumes were written by top experts from many academic disciplines, faith traditions and regions that expand into the sciences, social sciences, history, philosophy, religion and the environment. The books have been rebound in sturdy, long-lasting bindings to enable them to be circulated widely for students, professors and the public to enjoy.
The ISSR Library is an essential reference collection for scholars, students and interested lay readers spanning books directly focusing on science and religion and also important foundational works in related and underlying subjects.
Selected from over two thousand candidate volumes by a rigorous process of nomination and peer review, the ISSR library of books consists of 225 titles. An introductory essay on each title along with full listings of all selections and categorized sub-listings is available on the website www.issrlibrary.org. Supported by the John Templeton Foundation, the ISSR Library Project is based at St. Edmund's College, Cambridge University.
"We are excited and honored to be the recipient of the library award," said Dr. Steven D. Mason, Associate Provost and Dean of Faculty. "We don't believe there to be a dichotomy between excellent science and the excellent pursuit of faith and religion."
Chemistry/physics professor Dr. Gary DeBoer said receiving this grant confirms LETU's efforts
to integrate faith and learning in the area of science and faith.
"It opens up new opportunities for us to continue on this process of integrating science and religion, both for our faculty, our students and the larger community," DeBoer said. "The faculty members are eager to make use of the library for both teaching and research."
The grant was written collaboratively among the sciences, theology department and the library, with coordination from the Office of Sponsored Programs Director Paul Boggs.
LeTourneau University is an interdenominational Christ-centered university located in Longview, Texas, offering academic majors in aviation, business, communication, criminal justice, education, engineering, health science-nursing, human services, kinesiology, the liberal arts, the sciences and psychology.


text: Yvette Christiansë was born in South Africa under apartheid and emigrated with her family via Swaziland to Australia at the age of eighteen. She is the author of the 1999 poetry collection Castaway. She teaches English and postcolonial studies at Fordham University and lives in New York City. Unconfessed, her first novel, was honored as a 2006 PEN/Hemingway Award finalist.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Lexus took the wraps off its new hybrid flagship for the North American audience today, showing the new LS600h and its new, long-wheelbase LS 460 L, which will get a new 4.6-liter V8 (380 hp / 370 lb.-ft) and eight-speed tranny. Lexus says the eight-banger will get in the neighborhood of 20 mpg. It'll also get Maybach-like features like reclining rear seating with fold-out tables, four-zone AC, rear-seat DVD, 19-speaker Marc Levinson stereo and parallel-park assist. What a bargain.
New Lexus Flagship Hybrid Unveiled


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'DWTS' Recap: Katherine Jenkins Falls During Semi-Finals
Will Katherine Jenkins's fall during the semi finals get her eliminated? Vote!
Katherine Jenkins is an absolutely stunning dancer. In addition to being gorgeous, the cheerful opera singer is graceful as well. However, things took a turn for the worst during her salsa on the semi-finals May 14. She fell really hard on her butt!
The fall happened at the very end, right as her dance pro partner, Mark Ballas, flipped her around for a turn. At first Katherine appeared genuinely hurt, as she refused to take her head out of her hands. After Mark encouraged her for a bit, she composed herself and received the judges' comments.
"Katherine the Great — the world's wonder woman," Len Goodman said. "You gave that 100%!"
Even though it looked like it hurt her physically, Katherine's spill didn't affect her scores for the negative too much — she got three 9s! All four of the remaining contestants had an incredible night. We honestly have no idea who's going to get sent home tomorrow.
What did you think of the Dancing with the Stars semi finals tonight? Who danced the best — and who deserves to go home?
More News


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I'm going to get a little reminiscent here; this cake means a lot to me. When I was first leaping off the gluten train, I felt lost and overwhelmed. First I had to mourn the loss of conventional baked goods, then I had to figure out how to make GF baked goods. This led to much kitchen trauma. Gluten-free living wasn't as well publicized 5 years ago (forget about those poor people who had to go GF 20+ years ago! They had to search high and low for info.) Even in the last 2 years, I have seen leaps and bounds in availability in products and awareness in lifestyle.
So after much confusion regarding mixing flours and figuring out substitutions, I started baked away and failing. Not just failing- failing wildly! Unbaked cakes. Burned on the outside cakes, undone in the middle. Brick heavy baked goods. Tasteless. Odorless. Odor-full.
Frustrated, I reached out on message boards to experienced GF bakers for help and consolation. One genius baker suggested a fix to my unbaked cake debacle: She used bundt pans for cakes because there was no center, so everything baked fully and well. Looking back, I'm sure there was a scientific fix to this disaster, but I thought that was a brilliant idea! I bought a bundt pan and tried again. Success! Happiness flooded my tired, frustrated GF body, and I nearly cried. It was the moment I realized I could do this. I could bake GF, and it would be okay. Everything would be okay.
This Pumpkin-Applesauce Bundt Cake is the very first cake recipe I made-up (based on a basic regular cake recipe) and it not only baked beautifully, it tasted fantastic. In fact, it's my highest rated public posted recipe on Food.com. It was the first time I felt truly proud of making something from scratch. This cake defines the beginning of my GF journey.
As an added bonus, I recently had the opportunity of sharing this cake recipe on the brilliant site Eating Rules which marked another one of my firsts: a guest post.
So get ready to bake up and enjoy this moist, delicious superstar. Feel free to add some festive chocolate glazing for a fantastic Halloween treat!
NOTE: Do NOT try and make this cake in any regular pan. Because of its moisture level, it will only cook normally in a bundt pan.
Pumpkin Applesauce Bundt Cake
2 cups sugar (I've been using Coconut Sugar these days, but any will do)
2 cups cooked/canned pure pumpkin
1 cup unsweetened natural applesauce
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
4 eggs
2 cups any all purpose gluten-free flour mix (I like to use a sorghum mix, yay whole grains!)
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
2 tsp baking powder (corn-free, Hain Pure Foods is great)
2 tsp cinnamon
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
In a large bowl, beat eggs until fluffy.
Blend in sugar, pumpkin, applesauce, and oil by hand or with a mixer on low just until combined. Do NOT overmix!
Add all dry ingredients, one at a time, blending together.
Pour batter into a greased, large bundt pan and bake for 1 hour.
Check with a toothpick/knife to make sure it's cooked through, cool, and enjoy!
Don't forget to freeze left-overs, wrapping in parchment paper before storing.
I hope this cake brings you as much joy as it brought me :)


text:
The following Voip Services are available -:
NB. All services are prepaid
A) The "Business connection"-:This service is for business/individual users wishing to use the voip network prepaid service with a voip device (Ip Phone,Ata's, Gateway).Once we have received your registration form and airtime has been purchased, you will be contacted by Voicesource.
B) The "Home Connection"-:This service is for the businesses/individual wishing to use the voip prepaid service with a voip device (Ip Phone,Ata's,softphone, Gateway) at a lower monthly subscription fee.Once we have received your application you will be contacted by Voicesource.
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"High Quality calls at excellent rates"
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My suburb is undergoing an explosion of growth. Due to a change in local planning law, it is now possible […]
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text:
Renewable Energy, Minor
- Area/Department Website: Chemical and Materials Engineering
- More Info: Political Science
The interdisciplinary minor program in renewable energy is open to all students. The goal of this program is to provide students with the technical skills, economic and political background, and analysis and design skills needed to apply the knowledge gained in their major to the nationally important issues of alternative and renewable energy.
Students will be exposed to a broad range of technical and social/political disciplines necessary to understand the sources of renewable energy, technical and economic decisions involved in using alternative energy sources, and the policy and regulatory issues that influence adoption of alternative energy resources.
Tracks in the renewable energy minor
This minor has two tracks. Students may elect either track, but for most engineering students, Track I will be preferable as it will enhance their degree to include a specialization in alternative energy. For most students majoring in other areas, Track II will be most suitable.
Track I: Engineering Majors
Track I is designed for students in engineering who seek additional specialization in the interdisciplinary studies of alternative energy sources, improved generation technologies, energy policy and the economics of various energy sources. Students in chemical engineering, electrical engineering, materials science and mechanical engineering will find that this minor complements their major discipline and provides them with the background needed to address many issues associated with renewable energy. Students in environmental engineering, computer science and engineering, chemistry and physics may also find this track useful. Students in engineering and computer science and engineering should consult with their advisor to ensure that the maximum number of credits will count toward their degree.
Track II: Other Majors
Track II is designed primarily for students in disciplines other than engineering. These students will receive training in the basic technical aspects of renewable energy, as well as learning about energy policy and the economics of various energy sources. This track may be particularly appropriate for students interested in science, environmental studies, political science and business. It may also be appropriate for those who are technically oriented with a focus on geothermal energy.
Course requirements
Students in both tracks must complete 18 credits for the minor, including the introductory course, which covers current issues in renewable energy technology, public policy and feasibility. The remaining courses can be selected from a list of approved classes, depending on your track, on topics ranging from economics to environmental law to public policy, as well as more technical engineering courses for students in Track I.
For further information, contact Charles Coronella at firstname.lastname@example.com for Track I questions or Eric Herzik at email@example.com or call (775) 682-7764 for Track II questions.
Related Degrees and Programs
Contact College of Engineering
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text:
Pat Brady's resignation Tuesday as chairman of the state's Republican Party was a move months in the making, an effort to leave on his own terms rather than being ousted for his support of gay marriage.
But in leaving the post, effective immediately, Brady's decision resurfaces publicly the decades of behind-the-scenes infighting between social moderates who long ruled the GOP and social conservatives who sought more power in directing party activities.
Brady's resignation comes as the Illinois GOP prepares to enter the beginnings of a political season focused on the 2014 contest for governor — a seat that had been within Republican grasp in 2010 only to see Democrat Pat Quinn gain a narrow but important victory.
The Quinn victory gave Democrats the unfettered right to draw new and favorable legislative and congressional boundaries. And that led to severe Republican losses last November that only put Illinois more firmly in the column of blue states.
Now the GOP nationally and at the state level is looking to reach out beyond its traditional base. But the optics of Brady's ouster — focused on the controversy over his backing of pending same-sex marriage legislation — magnifies the difficult party rebuilding process in Illinois.
For Brady, smarting over criticism by some members of the Republican State Central Committee, the answer is to entrust the GOP's next agenda to Republican officeholders that have shown their ability to get elected, rather than to an inside panel of party pooh-bahs.
"There's plenty of them. You have (U.S. Sen.) Mark Kirk on one side and (U.S. Rep.) Peter Roskam on the other. They're true leaders in my mind," Brady told the Tribune. "The central committee members thought it was just the opposite, that they run the party. No, it's the opposite. They need to look to the people who have won elections and proven they're leaders."
Brady contended that only a "sliver of the party" is driving the socially conservative message as opposed to "the people who are the rank and file." Absent efforts to seek a broader appeal among voters, the GOP will face further losses as conservatives put a premium on purity over electability, he said.
"Not to belittle the grassroots, but the whole purpose is to get your candidates elected," he said.
Republican leaders, who orchestrated Brady's exit strategy last month at a meeting in Tinley Park, said about a dozen real contenders are vying to replace Brady. That number is likely to be winnowed to five or fewer within the next two weeks after a Wednesday conference call of the state central committee members, they said.
Among the contenders is Jason Plummer, son of a wealthy Downstate lumber baron, who was the lieutenant governor running mate of state Sen. Bill Brady of Bloomington in 2010 and who lost a bid for Congress in southwestern Illinois last year.
Also seeking the job is Jim Nalepa of Hinsdale, who lost bids for Congress in the 1990s and opted against running against Democratic U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin in 2008. Nalepa also made a failed bid for the GOP chairmanship in 2005.
Mark Shaw, who was appointed to the state central committee a year ago from Lake County, also has expressed interest, as has Tim Schneider, a Cook County commissioner from Streamwood.
Brady said he believed a woman should succeed him to provide "better optics" for a political party trying to modernize. "Do we need anymore white Irish males?" he joked.
But Demetra DeMonte of Pekin, who serves as secretary to the Republican National Committee, took herself out of the running. Acting state GOP Chair Carol Smith Donovan of Chicago also is not a contender for the position, GOP leaders said.
State Sen. Jim Oberweis of Sugar Grove, a state central committee member who led the movement to oust Brady, also is not running for the chairmanship. In Springfield, Oberweis sought to knit the need for outreach against his criticism that Brady's position on same-sex marriage ran counter to the state GOP's party platform.
"I think the Republican Party has to be open to different viewpoints. I think that is a positive. We need a chairman who will bring different elements of the party together to unify us," Oberweis said.
State Sen. Dave Syverson of Rockford, also a state central committee member, said the "goal is to get the chairman and the Republican message the same: that we can do better, that we have to do better in Illinois and we can do that with a Republican economic philosophy that has worked so well in other states."
But Syverson's goal leaves out the continued strain within the party over social issues — a factor which played heavily into the GOP's loss for governor the last time out.
Tribune reporter Monique Garcia contributed.


text:
* Qtel raises stake to 92.1 pct from 52.5 pct
* Deal gives Qtel more control over Algeria, Tunisia subsidiaries
* Wataniya unlikely to delist from Kuwait bourse * Qtel cannot force remaining shareholders to sell
(Recasts, adds analysts quotes, details)
By Matt Smith and Dinesh Nair
DUBAI, Oct 7 (Reuters) - Qatar Telecom (Qtel) has nearly doubled its stake in Kuwait's No.2 operator Wataniya
to 92.1 percent, giving an instant boost to its bottom line and more control of subsidiaries in the high growth markets of Algeria and Tunisia.
Qtel, which operates in 16 countries across the Middle East, Africa and Asia, will pay 519.1 million Kuwaiti dinars ($1.8 billion) at 2.6 dinars per share to raise its stake in Wataniya from 52.5 percent, it said in a statement on Sunday.
"For the past couple of years the geopolitical situation in the Middle East has made it riskier to buy into new assets, so Qtel has prioritised raising its stakes in existing units where it knows the market and the other shareholders," said Marc Hammoud, Deutsche Bank telecoms analyst, in Dubai.
Qtel consolidates Wataniya's net profit on a pro rata basis. In 2011, the firm made a net profit of 362 million dinars from its operations in Kuwait, Algeria, Tunisia, the Maldives, Saudi Arabia and the Palestinian Territories.
Wataniya owns 71 percent of Algeria's Nedjma and 75 percent of Tunisia's Tunisiana, with this pair's revenue up 33 and 116 percent respectively last year, according to Qtel's results.
Yet Kuwait accounted for about 90 percent of Wataniya's net profit last year, with the country's average revenue per user (ARPU) among the highest in the Gulf.
"Tariffs aren't expected to decline substantially and this was an opportunity for Qtel to up its stake in a cash cow," said Abhinav Purohit, an analyst at IDC in Dubai.
Wataniya has an estimated 39 percent share of Kuwait's mobile subscribers, with Zain claiming 41 percent and Saudi Telecom Co's (STC) affiliate, Viva, 20 percent.
"For many years, Wataniya did very well against Zain, but the market has changed since the launch of Viva, which has STC's backing and thus has been quite aggressive," said Abhinav. "This will allow Qtel to better deal with competition and also give it more lobbying power in Kuwait."
The latter is important because Kuwait does not have a telecom regulator. The Ministry of Communications is a de facto watchdog and also ultimately owns and operates the fixed-line infrastructure, which has long been earmarked for privatisation.
"Qtel will be better placed as new opportunities emerge in Kuwait, especially in fixed lines," said Purohit.
Qtel did not state whom it bought the Wataniya shares, but on Saturday sources told Reuters the Kuwait Investment Authority (KIA) had agreed to sell its 23.5 percent stake.
Deutsche's Hammoud said the KIA's decision to sell its entire holding in Wataniya could set a precedent, with the government also owning stakes in Zain and Viva.
Bourse rules do not allow Qtel to force remaining shareholders to sell.
"There are no delisting plans and Qtel won't go to minorities with a better offer to buy them out," said a banking source familiar with the matter. "For Qtel, a 90-percent control is more than enough."
The Wataniya deal is Qtel's second major buy this year after agreeing in June to double its stake in Iraq's No. 2 operator Asiacell to 60 percent for $1.47 billion.
"Are we going to see more majority shareholders looking to buy-out minority stakeholders in the sector? My answer would be yes," added the banker.
Yet Qtel is unlikely to take full control of Tunisiana, despite the government set to offload its remaining 25 percent stake, because it wants to sell to a financial investor, rather than a telecom firm.
Qtel was advised by Barclays Capital and the investment banking arm of National Bank of Kuwait on the deal. Consulting firm Protiviti advised Wataniya.
(Writing by Matt Smith; Editing by Sanjeev Miglani)
Messaging: firstname.lastname@example.com))
Keywords: QATAR TELECOM/BRIEF


text:
An extra bonus opportunity for those who join this month.
Qualify for up to $150 in free Watkins products as you start your business.
There's an extra bonus opportunity when you choose to join Watkins as a member of our team this month. It's been 150 years since Watkins sold his first bottle of Red Liniment for sore muscles. Watkins is celebrating by giving all new members the opportunity to earn $150 worth of free Watkins food products as they take action to build their business quickly.
But the gift certificates for free products are really just the icing on the cake... by quickly doing the first steps towards success, you'll also be setting yourself up for solid earnings and bonus income in the months and years ahead.
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When you get access to our training site the day after you join, you'll learn how to reach those achievement levels to earn one, two, or all three certificates. Get all three and you'll have a total $150 in free Watkins products, in honor of Watkins' 150th year. Cool!
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The day after you join, our team sets up a free website for you just like the one you're viewing now. Share the link so your friends can decide if they want to join during this month's incentive. It's fun having other people tag along with you on your journey to earning income with Watkins.
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text:
They're the Marmite of banking. I love packaged bank accounts – cleverly used you can get hundreds of pounds of insurance for a fraction of the cost. I also hate packaged accounts – most people waste a fortune on them and hundreds of thousands have probably been mis–sold and can now reclaim thousands.
If you're not sure what they are, these are bank accounts with a monthly charge, like Lloyds Platinum, NatWest Select and Barclays Premier. They sell themselves on the "added benefits" (which of course you pay for) such as travel or mobile phone insurance.
Yet their nature means they're a paradox. If you're one of the millions who have, or had, a fee dripping from their account each month, check now if you're being diddled. If you're on a fee–free deal, check now whether you'd be better off paying.
A product so badly mis–sold you could claim thousands back
Packaged bank accounts leave a bad taste in the mouth and are rightfully being attacked by the regulator. Many people should cancel immediately.
Alarm bells should ring if you were upsold this product by phone or in branch with a flattering call stating: "You're a special customer, we'd like to upgrade you to our special status premium banking", or a faux advisory: "You need this account, it's far better for you".
If something like that happened to you, or you have one of these accounts but no clue of its "benefits", then at best you're wasting cash and at worst you were mis–sold and may be due years' worth of fees back.
Do the maths
Often paying a fee barely improves the banking benefits compared to the fee–free account, and usually still doesn't match the market leading fee–free accounts.
In reality, this is all about flogging you an ongoing bundle of insurance with a bank account tacked to its backside. Yet while most insurers charge annually, banks do it monthly. While £15 a month sounds reasonable, £180 a year makes you realise this is not cheap.
Many people don't need all the elements. If you don't have a smartphone, don't drive a car, or don't go abroad, then with many policies at least one element is irrelevant.
So multiply your monthly fee by 12, then ask if you'd save by ditching the fee and buying the insurance straight…
Annual travel insurance: For a single person in Europe the cheapest is £14 a year, and for a family £27. With stronger cover levels it's £40 and £75 (full details www.mse.me/travelinsurance)
Smartphone insurance: The cheapest policies are around £60 per phone (full details www.mse.me/mobileinsurance)
Breakdown cover: Via cashback sites, AA or RAC basic cover can be as little as £10 a year for new customers, and full cover is available for £39 (full details www.mse.me/breakdown)
For many, the sum will show you're overpaying. So downgrade to a fee–free account.
The only warning is that if you're using an especially large overdraft, linked to your packaged deal, that may not be replicated on the normal product.
A £125 bribe to ditch your fee
Rather than just downgrading at your own bank, take advantage of the fact the market is heating up in preparation for new seven–day switching rules.
First Direct is currently offering new customers a £125 bribe to switch to it. You'll need to pay in a minimum £1,000 per month income (equivalent after tax to a £13,600 salary). It also offers a 0pc overdraft up to £250.
Alternatively, if you mainly have your packaged account for travel insurance, the fee–free Nationwide FlexAccount includes annual European travel insurance up to age 75 (though you must start by 73).
Are you due thousands back?
There's growing evidence that banks systematically mis–sold these policies, just as they did PPI, with commission–based sales staff flogging them hard regardless of suitability.
I've been campaigning on it since last November, and the numbers getting their money back are growing. This email I received from Hywel in Newport is typical: "I found out that for several years my mother had unknowingly paid £17 per month for a Lloyds Platinum account that was originally free. She is 88 and wouldn't have qualified for many 'added features'.
"We received a letter today, stating the account was inappropriate for my mother's circumstances. She will be receiving a refund of £1,225. We're both delighted! Thank you."
Some typical mis–selling categories include…
• The bank lied, telling you that the insurance was compulsory, or that you had to get it to be accepted for a mortgage or loan.
• It sold you travel insurance without pointing out there was an age limit (typically 65) you were already over.
• It added the policy without asking, or maybe even added it after you'd refused permission.
• Its policy was no longer appropriate, and it didn't check for years.
• It hiked prices or changed terms, but didn't give you the option to leave.
If this rings a bell, even if you've now closed the account, write to the bank, explaining why you were mis–sold, and asking for the fees back. If it rejects you, push it to the financial ombudsman. All this can be done for free; there's no need to pay a claims handler. Step–bystep help and template letters from www.moneysavingexpert.com/BankFeesBack
£600 worth of travel, mobile & roadside cover for £120
Packaged accounts are a tasty little number, giving you a wide range of insurance products at a fraction of the normal price, saving you hundreds of pounds.
First, actively assess your insurance needs. Then, don't just stick with your bank: find a deal that perfectly matches your needs at the lowest cost. To do this at speed automatically, you can try my packaged account analyser at www.moneysavingexpert.com/packaged.
Most packaged account insurance tends to have high cover levels and decent feedback. I suspect this is because they have a far lower claim rate than normal, since so many people don't use one or two elements – thus making it cheaper to boost cover levels.
Here are some of the power–pick policies right now: – Family cover for worldwide travel, smartphones and breakdown. The Nationwide FlexPlus account works best for couples or families. For £10 per month (£120 a year) you get:
• Mobile cover for all the family's smartphones including iPhone 5s. This would usually set you back £60 per phone – Worldwide family travel insurance up to age 74 – which could cost £50 to £150 depending on age.
• European breakdown cover for the account holder(s), which could cost you £60 or more.
• A free extra year's extended warranty on electrical items bought using the debit card.
• My assessments are based on fairly cheap policies, not direct equivalents. For a family of four who'd be getting all these anyway, buying them individually could cost £600 per year.
• As for the bank account itself, it's nowt special. It pays 3pc interest on the first £2,500 and charges 50p per day above £100 on overdraft (quite costly, so avoid if you are likely to go overdrawn).
Travel insurance up to age 79
Older people's travel insurance can be extremely costly. Yet the Lloyds/Bank of Scotland Gold account, at £12.95 a month (£155 a year), includes annual worldwide travel insurance up to age 79. For some, that's cheaper than buying it straight. Plus, there's mobile insurance and breakdown cover.
Bigger savings rate and cashback.
It's debatable whether this is a packaged account, but you pay a fee, and it's a very strong deal for savers, so let's include it. For £2 a month (£24 a year) with Santander123, you get 3pc interest provided you have £3,000 to £20,000 in your account – this is nearly double the rate on the best–buy savings account.
It also pays cashback on direct debits: 3pc for phone, TV and broadband, 2pc gas and electricity, 1pc for water, council tax and Santander mortgage repayments. Many can earn £10 or more a month – easily covering the fee. Its overdraft isn't much cop over the long term though, so avoid it if you use yours.
A final warning. If you're signing up for a packaged account for the insurance cover, treat it like any other type of insurance, and ensure you declare pre–existing conditions and/or any special circumstances, or you could find them excluded.
Martin Lewis is a broadcaster and creator of MoneySavingExpert.com. To join the seven million who are emailed his weekly tips, visit moneysavingexpert.com/tips


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Photos are Worthless
It is an interesting period in photography right now. Technological advances in camera bodies, lenses and software, along with a burgeoning social media revolution and widespread availability of training and tutorials, have all converged to make advanced photography available to the masses. That's a good thing, right? Well, not so much. … Continue readingPhotos are Worthless


text: Tuesday, December 20, 2011 High Court Sets Dates to Hear Health Care Law Arguments The Supreme Court will hear 5.5 hours of oral arguments on the health care reform law March 26-28, 2012, according to Reuters. On March 26 the court will hear 1 hour of arguments on whether the legal challenges to the requirement that all Americans buy insurance must wait until after that part of the law has taken effect in 2014 and the penalty for failing to comply is imposed. The court is slated to hear 2 hours of arguments on March 27 on the constitutional issue that is "at the heart of the battle -- whether Congress overstepped its powers by adopting the insurance purchase requirement known as the individual mandate," Reuters says. On March 28, the court will hear 90 minutes of arguments on whether the rest of the law can survive if the mandate is struck down. On that same day, it will hear 1 hour of arguments on whether Congress "improperly coerced the states to expand the Medicaid program." A ruling is expected by the end of June 2012.


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Most of us like a good live show once in a while. Though I've never been fanatical about concert-going or following any one band around the country, I do get surprised every time I go just how intense the experience can be. Whether it be a jazz trio in a smoky lounge, a jam band in a beer can littered park, or a punk show with a leg-breaking mosh pit, each experience has its charms.
Music festivals can be awesome because of the sheer number of bands you can catch in one place! Coachella, for example, which I got into for free twice – once as a rep for Han Vodka and once as part of the Jack Johnson team while I was working for Oniracom – was amazing in that regard. Frustrating though, because you can't be in like 12 places at once. I guess hanging out while Jack Johnson and G. Love warmed up in their trailer was worth missing a few bands for though…(Yay for backstage passes!)
But ya. Seeing the band(s) you love live and sitting amongst other blubbering wide-eyed fans definitely has its merits. When I saw Pink Martini live a few years ago, I think I cried through basically the whole show. Gotan Project and Thievery Corporation had me dancing at the front like a total psycho*.
These days, though, I rarely take the time to keep track of who's playing, where, and when. Luckily, there are a host of websites which can do that for you. JamBase is one. They've been around since 1998, but I was reminded of them recently, when another MixMatcher and I attended the SF New Tech meetup in San Francisco. JamBase was one of the featured presentations and after seeing them in action, I realized that they can make concert-going for us
lazy busy people more feasible. Their comprehensive tour date search engine of over 40,000 bands should be a good start anyway. Other goodies include in-depth reviews, networking with other fans, listings of shows in your area etc. Check em out.
Obviously, they are not the only player in their field. One contender, which I found on TechCrunch, is the new startup Songkick. It helps you find the cheapest concert tickets – definitely a winning idea in my book. You can also track shows and blog posts about your selected entertainers, and there is a recommendation engine, which is "not generated from the user base, like Last.fm, or through careful analysis like Pandora." Another alternative is LiveNation, which claims to be the "world's largest live music company".
Given the seemingly endless number of startups popping up every day, it's hard to keep track of what's what. My opinion about startups is generally based on their answer to the question "how will you make my life easier?" as well as secondary concerns like "how pretty is your website?" and "can you keep my attention for more than 30 seconds?" In this regard, JamBase has my vote. For now, anyway.
*My psycho dancing is nothing compared to the thousands of teeny bopper girls I watched morph into screaming hyenas at that one Backstreet Boys concert I got dragged along to years ago…I kept thinking poor chaperoning parents. Yet, oddly enough, many of them seemed just as excited to be there as their 3-13 yr olds. Admittedly, I may have kind of gotten into it too. Just a little.


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FORT COLLINS — A car rear-ended a school bus carrying nine children near Fort Collins early Friday, slightly injuring three children and the bus driver and critically injuring the lone person in the car, authorities said.
Colorado State Patrol Trooper Josh Lewis said the driver of the car suffered life-threatening injuries after the vehicle ran almost completely under the back of the bus. He said the school children and bus driver had minor to moderate injuries.
Patti Meyer told KMGH-TV she heard the crash and ran to help.
"We came out with a blanket and covered the driver when we got her out on the ground," said Meyer.
Her daughter, Brianna Meyer, said she heard a loud bang and saw students getting off the bus.
"(The kids) were shocked, they looked like they were going to cry," Brianna Meyer said.
Jessica Scott said she missed the bus on Friday and felt bad because she wasn't there to help her fellow students.
The names of the injured were not available, and the cause of the accident is under investigation.
Poudre School District spokeswoman Danielle Clark said the children attend Wellington Middle School and Eyestone Elementary School. Clark didn't know how long the driver has worked for the district, or if there were seat belts on the bus.


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The Hugh Hodgson School of Music's conducting studies department features internationally recognized faculty, attracting talented young musicians from the United States and abroad.
Conducting students at the Hodgson School enjoy countless opportunities to lead performances. Students have the opportunity to participate in and collaborate with the Hodgson School's numerous small chamber ensembles, orchestras, bands, and choirs. Additionally, young conductors can also gain valuable interactive performance and teaching experience by participating in one of the Hodgson School's numerous educational and community outreach programs.
Area Chair: J.D. Burnett
- Rob Akridge, Director of Band Festivals/Asst. Director of Athletic Bands
- Daniel Bara, Director of Choral Activities
- Brett Bawcum, Asst. Director of Bands, Assoc. Director of Athletic Bands
- J. D. Burnett, Assoc. Director of Choral Activities
- Mark Cedel, Director of Orchestra Activities
- Jaclyn Hartenberger, Associate Director of Bands
- Cynthia Johnston Turner, Director of Bands
- Michael Robinson, Director of Athletic Bands


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The High Court on Tuesday gave retired air force Lieutenant Colonel Yuan Hsiao-feng (袁曉風) 12 life sentences for passing classified military information to China over a period of six years, adding to a list of spy cases to hit the nation in recent years.
A court official said yesterday that Yuan passed unspecified military secrets to China between 2001 and 2007 through Chen Wen-jen (陳文仁), a former colleague in the air force.
Using flash drives, Yuan and Chen are alleged to have provided classified information to China on 12 separate occasions. Yuan, who was deployed at an air force ground control unit, was found guilty on 12 counts of leaking secrets, each of which carries a mandatory life term, the court official said.
Yuan, who retired in 2007, was reportedly paid a total of NT$7.8 million (US$269,000) by China for his efforts, though the High Court would not confirm the figure.
Chen received a lighter sentence of 20 years imprisonment, as he had already retired from the military at the time the crimes were committed.
Chen, who retired as a lieutenant in 1992, was operating a business in China and had a Chinese spouse. He was recruited by the Second Department of the People's Liberation Army General Staff Headquarters, which is in charge of collecting military information. He is then believed to have recruited Yuan after returning to Taiwan and discovering that the latter was still in the air force.
The retired lieutenant is also believed to have collected intelligence on Taiwan's combat aircraft with assistance from another officer.
Sources said that after retiring Yuan continued to seek access to intelligence through former colleagues.
The pair was detained last year after two junior colleagues they had tried to recruit in August 2011 reported the matter to the armed forces' internal security, prompting a counter-intelligence probe.
The verdict can be appealed.
The case is one of many instances in which Chinese agents have recruited retired military officers of a certain rank who then rely on their connections with active officers in the armed forces to collect classified information.
The principal targets of Chinese intelligence collection in Taiwan are believed to be the "Po Sheng" C4ISR modernization effort, the Anyu-4 air defense system and the surveillance radar program, which revolves around the long-range early-warning radar on Leshan (樂山), Hsinchu County, which was launched on Friday.
In February last year, an information control officer assigned to an air defense base in northern Taipei, surnamed Chiang (蔣), was arrested in connection with another espionage case. Chiang's uncle, who operated a business in China, was believed to have served as a conduit.
Earlier this week, the Ministry of National Defense confirmed that a rear admiral had come under investigation as part of an espionage case involving the possible leak of navy secrets. According to reports, Admiral Hsu Chung-hua (徐中華), commander of the 146th Attack Squadron based in Magong, Penghu, had been transferred from his position in connection with the case, which emerged last year after Lieutenant Colonel Chang Chih-hsin (張祉鑫), formerly a commander in charge of political warfare at the navy's Naval Meteorology Oceanography Office, was arrested in a raid.
The 146th includes Chengkung-class frigates armed with the Hsiung Feng III supersonic anti-ship missile, among others. Analysts believe Chang's actions may have compromised the operation of Taiwan's submarines.


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Team Cadillac Racing drivers Johnny O'Connell and Andy Pilgrim continue to rack up the points for the 2012 SCCA World Challenge Series.
Round Four at the Miller Motorsports Park brought the team second- and fourth-place finishes. The fifth round at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca brought third- and seventh-place finishes.
After five rounds, Cadillac Racing stands first in points (37) for the manufacturers' trophy in the GT class. O'Connell is ranked first (573 points) and Pilgrim is second (-14).
The next stop is the Detroit Grand Prix June 1-3.
Video recaps of both rounds four and five are below.


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I am using a script I found online created in 2003 by one of the commentators here. It is a great script and exactly what I have been looking for and I'm very glad to have found it. It simply takes a points file and using two fields in the table, bearing and distance it moves the points based on these two fields. When I run it, the points always seem to move to the correct bearing but the distances are never correct. For example, I may need to move a point 30 meters away from the original position at a bearing of 85 degrees. The points move much more than that (hundreds of kilometers or more). Is this a projection issue? When I enter 30 in my table as my distance, do some projections interpret this as 30 degrees? How do I get ArcMap to recognize that this is 30 meters? If I can solve this I will be extremely happy. My points file covers very large sections of geography covering many states. Thank you
The script is below
Option Explicit
Sub MovePoints()
' move points in layer(0) based on bearing and distance
Dim pMxDoc As IMxDocument
Set pMxDoc = ThisDocument
Dim pFLayer As IFeatureLayer
Set pFLayer = pMxDoc.FocusMap.Layer(0)
Dim pFCur As IFeatureCursor
Set pFCur = pFLayer.FeatureClass.Search(Nothing, False)
Dim lBFld As Long, lDFld As Long
lBFld = pFCur.FindField("Bearing")
If lBFld = -1 Then
MsgBox "bearing field not found"
Exit Sub
End If
lDFld = pFCur.FindField("Distance")
If lDFld = -1 Then
MsgBox "distance field not found"
Exit Sub
End If
Dim pFeat As IFeature
Set pFeat = pFCur.NextFeature
Do Until pFeat Is Nothing
Dim pConstPoint As IConstructPoint
Set pConstPoint = New Point
Dim dAngle As Double, dDist As Double, PI As Double
PI = Atn(1#) * 4
dAngle = Azi2Cart(pFeat.Value(lBFld)) * PI / 180
dDist = pFeat.Value(lDFld)
pConstPoint.ConstructAngleDistance pFeat.ShapeCopy, _
dAngle, _
' maybe set distance to 0 here
' to avoid moving it again
'pFeat.Value(lDFld) = 0
Set pFeat.Shape = pConstPoint
Set pFeat = pFCur.NextFeature
Dim pAV As IActiveView
Set pAV = pMxDoc.FocusMap
End Sub
Function Azi2Cart(ByVal dCompassAngle As Double) As Double
Azi2Cart = -dCompassAngle + 90
End Function


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How can you commence an action if you don't have the proof you're entitled to to enforce the action in the first place?
Must Lender Have Current Ownership Interest in Promissory Note or Mortgage at the Time Foreclosure Action Is Filed?
Or May Lack of Standing Be 'Cured' Through Mortgage Assignment Before Judgment?
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. v. Duane Schwartzwald et al., Case nos. 2011-1201 and 2011-1362
Second District Court of Appeals (Greene County)
ISSUE: If a party files a lawsuit to foreclose on a mortgage and it is later shown that party did not have a current ownership interest in the mortgage or the underlying promissory note on the date the foreclosure action was filed, is the court required to dismiss the suit based on the plaintiff's lack of standing to bring it? Or may the plaintiff "cure" a defect in standing or in naming the actual party in interest under Civil Rule 17(A) by obtaining an assignment of the mortgage prior to the court's entry of a judgment in the case?© 2010-19 FORECLOSURE FRAUD | by DinSFLA. All rights reserved.


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It was a fairly uneventful day in the grain markets as everyone awaits the Supply and Demand report from the USDA on Friday morning at 7:30am. Corn and beans settled lower with December corn finishing 3 ¾ lower at $4.62 ½ while November beans were 3 ¼ lower at $10.48 ¾. The downside leader was Chicago wheat which settled the day 24 ½ lower in the December contract at $7.11.
This morning Stats Canada released a report that showed higher than expected stocks for Wheat and Canola. This contributed to the sell-off in the wheat market and helped push Canola six dollars lower. For the most part everyone is waiting to see what the USDA report will say and the markets will likely continue to chop around until we have this new data. With only 6% of the corn crop harvested it is still hard to determine what the final yield will be. We should have more accurate information this week after many producers will be deeper into harvest. I am still convinced that everyone is ready for a bad corn yield number on Friday. These are levels that are profitable for most producers, in our opinion being adequately hedged at these levels is a good idea. (see hedge recommendations.)
This morning the USDA announced the sale of 115,000 mt of US Soybeans to China for 2010-2011 delivery. The bean market traded higher early in the session before finishing 3 ¼ cents lower. In our opinion the bean market is solid throughout the majority of the corn-belt. For those producers that need to catch up on sales these levels appear attractive to us. Please give your broker a call if you would like to look at strategies to protect these levels before the report on Friday.
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Elkhart, Ind.-based trade journal RVBusiness and RV supplier Blue Ox, Pender, Neb., are working together this spring to launch an industrywide survey that should ultimately help raise the bar in terms of industry intelligence-gathering, the two companies report.
The first "RVB's All-Industry Survey" goes out today (Mar. 6) and can be accessed by clicking here. Industry people can also register their opinions and monitor ongoing percentage results by clicking on the new survey banner on the right side of the RVBUSINESS.com home page.
Blue Ox CEO Jay Hesse first challenged RVB's staff to develop a survey format that might ultimately help industry leaders better understand the current thinking of the thousands of North Americans who work daily in the RV arena.
"Every segment of our industry is dependent on the other for success, and we all face changes to varying degrees," says Hesse, whose company manufactures steering, towing, hitching and braking systems. "I feel that providing a forum where we can obtain opinions from all segments will help broaden our perspective of issues and help all of us – whether as a business owner or board member – to make the best decisions on behalf of our own entity and industry."
"The end result, if things go the way we think they will, is that we may all benefit to an extent from an improved ability to manage change based on a wider consensus of industry views," adds RVB Publisher Sherman "Sherm" Goldenberg, who, with partner Beverly Gardner, purchased RVB a year ago. "And that's a good thing for everyone involved, especially in a post-recessionary era like ours."
The survey is slated to run for the rest of 2012 and will feature new questions on a regular basis, with weekly reminders on the RVBUSINESS.com news feed, according to the sponsors, who will compile a summary report for RVB's Louisville Show issue.
Anonymous essay responses will be accepted, although RVB and Blue Ox reserve the right to delete any entries that, in their view, cross the line of civility. Thus, answers will not be live streaming, but will be screened first by RVB's staff. The essays also can be accessed through the survey banner.


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C-X17 Concept is Jaguar's first sports crossover concept vehicle and blends the seductive design and intelligent performance that are hallmarks of Jaguar, while delivering the benefits of a crossover's assured driving position and high levels of flexibility. It showcases Jaguar's all-new intelligent aluminium architecture, with the cars rolling off it engineered to deliver class leading quality, durability and reliability.
In January 2015 production of the Jaguar F-PACE was confirmed. Based on the C-X17 concept this new performance crossover is the latest in our dynamic and seductive bloodline.
C-X17 Concept's highly advanced, aluminium-intensive modular architecture provides the flexibility to deliver a great range of models without compromising the unique character, design, vehicle dynamics, performance and luxury that Jaguar is renowned for.
The first production Jaguar that is based on the all-new architecture will be on sale in 2015. This new, mid-sized premium sports sedan will be powered by engines with a wide range of capacities and outputs, all delivering inspirational performance and offering the latest innovations in fuel-efficient technologies without sacrificing drivability.
C-X17 Concept has been revealed to the world in three stunning colours: Caesium Blue, Liquid Aluminium and Liquid Gold.
First revealed in Frankfurt, followed by appearances in Dubai and Los Angeles with its stunning Liquid Aluminium exterior, an ultra luxurious version of C-X17 Concept in 'Liquid Gold' made its first appearance in China.
Frankfurt debut, 10th September 2013, C-X17 Concept in Caesium Blue.
Dubai debut, 6th November 2013, C-X17 Concept in Liquid Aluminium.
Los Angeles debut, 19th November 2013, C-X17 Concept in Liquid Aluminium.
Guangzhou debut, 20th November 2013, C-X17 Concept in Liquid Gold with interior design and technology adaptation.
C-X17 Concept had to be stylish, sporty and exciting. It had to stand out from the crowd, while retaining the sense of timeless sophistication that is typically Jaguar.
Jaguar's Design Director, Ian Callum, says, 'We designed the C-X17 from the ground up from a distinct set of principles, a deep sense of what makes a Jaguar: exciting proportions, clean lines, balance of form. Assertive and powerful, yet with a beautiful sensuality about it, the C-X17 is boldly, distinctively Jaguar.'
C-X17 Concept's cabin brings together innovative interactive technology with a modern take on traditional high-quality materials and British craftsmanship for true luxury and sophistication. The inviting design and overall usability of the interior, along with its versatility – including its extensive loadspace – means that it is as good for the family as its is exciting for the driver.
The assured driving position is designed to give a feeling of security and being cocooned within the luxury of the cabin. There are premium materials used throughout including milled aluminium and black brushed anodised metal finishes for a dark, sophisticated effect. The attention to detail even includes the rotary gearshift which controls the vehicle's driving modes. It is finished in striking ruthenium and dramatically rises as soon as C-X17 Concept is activated.
The innovative Interactive Surface Control is multi-screen infotainment hub with a series of interconnecting Touch-screens that connect the passengers with the vehicle. Individuals can upload pictures, video and sound files from their mobile devices and share them with fellow passengers, as well as connecting with friends on other social media channels.
Designed exclusively for C-X17 by Meridian, the British audio experts, a 28-speaker 3D surround sound system features Meridian Trifield 3D technology to give every occupant an optimum, premium in-car 3D surround sound experience.
The original Caesium Blue vehicle that was revealed in Frankfurt has four stylish individual seats, while the latest C-X17 Concept in Liquid Gold features the versatility of a five seat arrangement highlighting the versatility of the car and its suitability for families. Both versions of C-X17 Concept provide the right balance between comfort, support and versatility.
The spacious loadspace also offers the flexibility of two occasional leisure seats that swing up and out of the floor for use when the car is parked and the rear tailgate is open.
Adding to a feeling of lightness and airiness within the cabin, C-X17 Concept's unique roof features contoured vanes to provide a distinctive 'elliptical' panoramic view and a more open outlook as you watch the world pass by.
In normal grip conditions C-X17 Concept's intelligent All-Wheel Drive system delivers traction to the rear wheels. This is unique in the Sports Crossover segment and helps provide the renowned Jaguar dynamic driving experience. The system continuously monitors the road surface to pre-empt and react to wheel slip for greater driver confidence and improved vehicle stability in low grip conditions.
Giving the driver even more control and improved cornering, Torque Vectoring by Braking (TVbB) helps the vehicle maintain the desired path and reduces the likelihood of oversteer.
Taking care of all occupants as they go to open the vehicle's doors, C-X17 Concept features Rear Exit Detection. This advanced active safety aid warns of approaching objects that may be hidden in the passengers' blind spot.
Inspirational performance, driveability and excellent fuel economy. C-X17 Concept offers a range of engines with differing capacities, including a new family of high-output and efficient four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines. C-X17 Concept has class-leading efficiency and CO2 emissions thanks to its highly efficient engines and all-new intelligent aluminium architecture.


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A fast food restaurant charges $1.69 for burgers, $1.09 for fries, and $0.99 for sodas.
a) Create an Order application that prompts the employee for the number of burgers, fries, and sodas and then displays the total, the tax (6.5%), and the final cost. The application output should look similar to:
Enter the number of burgers:2
Enter the number of fries:5
Enter the number of sodas:5
total before tax: $13.78
Tax: $0.90
Final total: $14.68
b) Modify Order to prompt the employee for the amount tendered and then display the change due. Application output should look similar to:
Enter amount tendered: $20.00
Change: $5.32


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Matheny launches website to spread message
JUPITER, Fla. -- Long an advocate for changing the culture of youth sports, manager Mike Matheny will now use social media platforms to disseminate his message.
Matheny has started a website -- www.mikematheny.com -- on which he will post blogs and video interviews related to his views on how to change that culture. In a welcome letter posted on his website, Matheny described his intention of creating the website as a way to bring children and parents "fresh information and videos … that will challenge and encourage coaches, parents and aspiring athletes to use sports as a platform to develop character, and skills that are needed for success on the field and off."
Matheny unintentionally became a leading advocate for this culture change in 2009, after he typed out a letter noting a number of conditions that had to be met before he agreed to coach a youth baseball team. The letter denounced parental interference and spoke of an environment that would be faith-based.
That letter has since circulated nationally and is now known as the Matheny Manifesto. Through his website -- and a complementing Twitter account (@mikematheny22) -- Matheny intends to provide additional resources for those who believe in his vision.
"There are a lot of people that believe in that concept, so now what?" Matheny said Monday. "[I'm] just trying to give them some things to challenge them, and the target market is coaches, parents and kids, for trying to change the concept of youth sports or the culture of youth sports, or give them another option."
Matheny's blog posts aren't solely dedicated to the topic of youth sports, either. He has already written about a wide-range of topics, including Chris Carpenter's injury, Lance Lynn's weight loss, the fifth starter competition and his recent surgery. The website also highlights Matheny's foundation -- The Catch22 Foundation -- which is now in its 10th year.


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Thursday, June 13, 2013
Dichotomy Between People's Actions and Their Self Perceptions
What do you call a person that kills? A killer.
What do you call a person that cheats? A cheater.
What do you call a person that loves? A lover.
What do you call a person that hates? A hater.
What do you call a person that rapes? A rapist (not a raper...I wonder why?)
Basically, the above examples were made to illustrate a simple point. Said point being that most, if not all, people define other people by their actions. So far we are all in agreement? Okay, so here is where things get interesting. The farther out from someone's social circle is the more likely they are to be defined, in that person's mind, by their actions. The closer they are to that person the less likely (or at least the less intensely) they are defined by their actions. There seems to be an inverse relationship between the degree to which one is defined, in the minds of others, by one's own actions and their social proximity to the other person/people. The rate of adherence to the rules of defining people vary with this proximity.
In the examples given above, one would assume that the people in question are people on the periphery of one's social group. Most people would refer to someone they read about in a magazine cheating on their significant other as a cheater. However, in the event that their best friend had an affair, would they be as likely to apply the cheater label? Taking this to the furthest point on the inverse end of this relationship is the judgement passers themselves. What do most people call themselves when they do x or y?
I posit that they are quite unlikely to define themselves by these specific actions and instead are more likely to grant themselves psychological/moralistic leeway in the form of a statement such as "I'm not that kind of person," "I don't know what I was thinking- I don't do things like that" or "that's not me; I'm not really like that." Furthermore, I contend that you the reader have yourself done this, as, I will readily admit, have I, your gracious host and sexually proficient blog author.
So why the dichotomy?
Well, for the same reason that (in my opinion) most negative aspects of humanity exist: Ego.
Ego is a motherfucker. Ego is an incredibly strong motivator for much of the world's population; one that can be bested (or at least mitigated to a certain degree) but in order to learn to do so one must undertake a measure of study and practise. For most people, this process is unknown to them, and therefore out of their reach, regardless of their readiness to partake in it. This unreadiness/unwillingness to tackle the inhibiting effects of the ego (and the maintenance thereof) keep people in the default state in which they are prone to bending the truth (or at the very least use whatever techniques/tricks that are available to them in order to maintain a certain narrative in their minds-a narrative regarding themselves and who they are as a person).
It is this psychological phenomenon that is responsible for the shift from actions being held to be the defining characteristic of a person's character to there being an essential "self" that exists outside of one's actions. The logical question is thusly evident, although the answer to it is not:
What are the criteria by which this essential self is judged?
The answer, it seems to me, is partly past actions, partly the moral code that the person assimilated throughout their upbringing (a code that nearly no one follows at all times) and partly an idealized version of the self that is congruent with both a person's culture and the attributes they ascribe to a self actualized, idealized 'hero' character. Basically, we define ourselves by who who want to be, not who we are as would be judged if we were to be judged as we judge others; that is, solely by our actions.
The problem with this is that it can't be both. People either are the sum total of their actions or they are not. So which is it? Just remember that whichever choice you make applies to both you and everyone else. One interesting aspect of this fact that just struck me as I am writing this is that this choice basically comes down to either being harder on yourself or easier on everyone else. I'm not sure what people would rather do but I do know that either one comes down to the same unavoidable implication: You and everyone else will be held to the same standard. The exact thing that I believe sparks this problem in the first place.
I have a saying that applies here, and it as follows: You will be judged not by your actions but by the perceptions of your intent. Unless those doing the judging aren't you ;)
Posted by magx01 at 1:46 AM 1 comments
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DC production of Listen to Your Mother at the Synetic Theater in Arlington. The show starts at 2 pm and it is going to be amazing. I am in some incredible company with some fantastic writers and some good friends. You can buy your tickets online. A portion of proceeds from the show go to the Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Foundation in Susan Niebur's name.
I can't wait.
I can't tell you what I'll be reading, but I can tell you that it is one of my favorite things that I've written. Last week, I answered some questions on the LTYM DC website, and I thought I would share them with you here too.
LTYM: When did you first hear about LTYM? Why did you decide to audition?
Jean: I first heard about it last year when I saw some buzz about it online. When I heard that it was coming to DC this year and that two of my favorite people were producing and directing it, it was a no-brainer. The piece I'm reading is really important to me and is a message that I try to get out all the time. To be able to deliver it to a room full of mostly parents? It's a dream. Also, I have an enormous ego, so forcing a room full of people to listen to me is awesome.
LTYM: When did you first start to feel like a mother?
Jean: The first time I had to write a note to excuse my kid for being absent from school. I was struck by this intense feeling of, who the hell put me in charge of these actual human beings?!
LTYM: What is the craziest thing you've ever said to your kids?
Jean: Today? "Just because the sausage patty is on a fork doesn't mean it is good manners to hold it near your mouth and nibble on it." Ever? More than I can remember. My family life is an exercise in absurdity, from the time I was catching my runaway dog (who had run INTO the neighbors' house) only to turn around to see my toddler crossing the street by himself…while holding scissors—to the time a couple weeks ago, when I had to drag my 8-year-old out of a different neighbor's house after he'd climbed the fence into their yard, gone into their living room, and basically decided to live there. Mostly instead of saying crazy things to my kids, you will catch me mumbling under my breath, "This was the worst idea ever," and maybe sobbing softly.
LTYM: What is your biggest parenting challenge right now?
Jean: My kids are intense. I often say that we are a neurodiverse family (usually while waving my hands in the air and making high pitched laughing noises as I try to corral my kids in a public place). I have a son with ADHD, a son with autism, and a son with…quirkiness. I myself have my own issues, something my husband referred to the other day as my "neurological widgy-wudgy." Sounds about right. We're not your typical family, and we are all trying to find a way to make our way in a world that isn't always friendly to people with invisible disabilities.
My biggest parenting challenge is making sure that other people value my kids for who they are, including and especially, the public school system. Finding the right educational environment for kids outside the norm is really hard and it is a battle that takes place for at least 13 years. I am on year four. As with any parenting challenge though, you have to look at the essence of your child and know that the little soul in there is worth everything. It's not always easy, but it's always worth it.
LTYM: What do you most wish for your boys' future?
Jean: I want them to be happy. That is all. I don't care how it comes to them or what shape it takes. I just want them to be happy.
I jokingly complain a lot about my kids. I whine. I cry. I acknowledge that parenting is the most difficult thing I have ever tried to do. But even on their worst day, those kids are such a gift to me. I am the luckiest mom in the world to get to parent them. They make me laugh, they make me cry, they make me think. All I can hope to do to repay them for the great honor of being their mother is to try to give them the tools to create their happiness.
Hey, friends! I am so grateful to every single one of you who donated to the Cheetahs. I can't tell you how much every single donation meant to me. (Thank you to the newest donor, Curt and family. You took my breath away today.) I looked at every name and thought about how wonderful you are for seeing how much the Cheetahs mean to Jack and the rest of my family and stepped up to help us. Really, from the bottom of my heart, thank you.
If any of you donated $50 or more and haven't gotten an email from me asking for your t-shirt size, drop me a line so I can make sure you get yours! Also, the actual Cheetah-thon is coming up on May 12, so if you want to join us, you can register online!
I promise to stop hounding you about stuff come mid-May. By then, frankly even *I* will be tired of me.


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With the recent drop in temperatures and new snow I am reminded that cold and hot are relative terms.
One man's hot day is another woman's cold day.
Cold is when my too kind and loving wife slides her feet over under the covers and touches me in the middle of the night.
I try to be kind, but I am half asleep, or was half asleep, so the half that isn't is clinging to the ceiling feeling akin to being tasered. And hot is when my wife sends me to bed a few minutes early to warm up her side.
I think our thermometer should have descriptions; not numbers.
72 degrees: Kara turns on the air conditioner and is grumpy because it's too hot.
70 degrees: Kara turns on the heater and is grumpy because it's too cold.
60 degrees: Bluff residents turn on the heat, people in Monticello plant gardens and Bubba-Blen sits on his front porch in his undershirt; I think he is reading a book.
50 degrees: Blanding baseball team cancels practice. Monticello football team starts two- a-days.
40 degrees: Blanding residents celebrate their wise decision not to move to Monticello. People in Monticello drive with their windows down up the mountain to cool off some. La-Sal residents use straw as skirting to cover axles on home and leave opening for dog and cat to make home under "new-to-them" domicile.
32 degrees: Distilled water freezes. Fishermen drive by Loyd's Lake to see if water has frozen. La-Sal residents get confused reading thermometer.
20 above zero: Blanding residents don coats, thermal underwear, gloves, wool hats and drive to Monticello for a Friday night football game.
People in Monticello throw on a flannel shirt and go to the football game and say, "Dang them boys from Blanding are big."
15 above zero: People in La-Sal finally start a fire in the wood burning stove. Headlines in next weeks' San Juan Record reads Five Mobile Homes Burn Down in La-Sal.
Local resident is quoted as saying, "We wuz out looking fur flyin saucers when we smelt smoke which we thought was Bubba's flatulence as he has been eatin lots of that jerky he made this year. We tried to call 911 but couldn't find the eleven on dat dang phone." People in Monticello have the last cookout before it gets cold.
Zero: People in Bluff all go back through Hole in the Rock. Monticello residents quit sleeping with the windows open.
10 below zero: Blanding residents go on a cruise to Mexico. People in Monticello get out their sweaters. La-Sal residents let the dogs sleep ON the bed.
40 below zero: The Governor declares it a disaster. Blanding gets a grant to build a dome over the College. People in Monticello let the dogs sleep indoors. Wife's cold toes touch me and I am ejected out of bed and land in front yard.
460 below zero: ALL atomic motion stops (absolute zero on the Kelvin scale.) People in Monticello start saying..."Cold 'nuff fer ya?"
500 below zero: Hell freezes over. Blanding and Monticello quit fighting over health care. The winner of the Nobel Peace Prize has actually done something to deserve it, the County decides that our property values really aren't worth California prices and they send us money back with a letter of apology.
BYU quarterback announces that he is going to play for Utah, Monticello residents quit fighting with each other long enough to help shovel out all the snow.


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I stepped outside, shovel in hand, and eyed my very snow-worthy Jeep.
But I was overconfident.
As I began to dig into the white stuff, I soon realized I had underestimated the 10 or 12 feet I had to remove in order to actually access my car. Being the overeager newbie reporter that I am, I had unwittingly offered to take photos of the freshly fallen snow, aptly timed as the first task of my morning — or so I thought. READ


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According to an article in The Wall Street Journal, "The Pentagon has concluded that computer sabotage coming from another country can constitute an act of war, a finding that for the first time opens the door for the U.S. to respond using traditional military force." Since the military has been using computers since World War II, it is pretty remarkable that they are just now getting around to figuring this out.
As defined by the Constitution, it is the government's job to "provide for the common defense." Why would the rules in cyberspace be any different?
Of course, not everybody thinks America should defend itself in the event of an act of cyberwar. There are two arguments against self-defense from cyber Pearl Harbors—and they are both pretty stupid.
One holds that we are already attacked all the time in cyberspace. That's true. The Department of Defense gets assaulted every day—sometimes in a "Wow! I can't believe that!" kind of way. In 2008, an unnamed foreign intelligence agency conducted a cyber attack on a U.S. military command with malicious software dubbed "agent.btz."
The issue of when a malicious act rises to "act of war" is a question of proportionality—like the real Pearl Harbor—we'll know when we see it. A computer virus modeled on "stuxnet," for example, which strikes SCADA (computer command and control systems) could direct something really bad—like making infrastructure melt down, shut down, explode or crash—perhaps killing or injuring thousands.
It is probably worth letting the world know that if a state or an organized non-state group tried something like that, the U.S. would come after them like it was the next 9/11. Murdering American innocents, whether it is with a bomb or a botnet (a form of malicious software) should never be thought of as a free lunch. A physical attack in response to a cyberattack that reaps catastrophic destruction is clearly proportional.
A second wrongheaded reason why some say a cyber attack can't lead to war is the "attribution problem." Since cyber attacks can be rooted around the Internet all over the world before they hit their targets, some claim we'll never know whom to attack. I disagree.
Sorting out evil actors online is difficult, but it can be done. Computer forensics (the science and technology of tracking down online malicious actors) has advanced every bit as much as the enemy's ability to write new malware. Even non-governments can do this. For example, the U.S. Cyber Consequences Unit (US-CCU), an independent research institute, conducted an analysis of the Russian attacks on Georgia. The US-CCU concluded cyber strikes were done by non-government entities with the assistance of organized crime and foreknowledge of the war and encouragement from the Russian government. Furthermore, cyber forensics is not the only tool available to track down cyber enemies. A range of information-gathering tools from open source intelligence to old-fashioned spies can be used to hunt down malicious actors—just like any other threat.
More often than not, the failure to deal decisively with cyber threats comes more out of fear or indifference than lack of knowledge.
As a new paper from Heritage cyber-expert Paul Rosenzweig makes clear, it makes no sense to think of cyber conflict as just our electrons fighting their electrons. If someone comes after America in a way that threatens the common defense, then that entity should expect to reap U.S. wrath with all the tools we can muster. That's not to say that every cyber attack merits a declaration of war, but we should always be willing to use all the instruments of national power appropriately and proportionally to secure our rightful place in cyberspace.
Author: James Carafano
Posted June 1st, 2011 at 6:30pm in Protect America
Read more:
Related articles
- Pentagon warns that cyber-attacks will be seen as 'acts of war' (talesfromthelou.wordpress.com)
- Pentagon warns that cyber-attacks will be seen as 'acts of war' (independent.co.uk)
- US: Cyber-attack is 'act of war' (bbc.co.uk)
- Pentagon Declares War On Cyber Enemies (valorfreedom.wordpress.com)
- US Pentagon to treat cyber-attacks as 'acts of war' – BBC News (news.google.com)
- US could respond to cyber-attack with conventional weapons (telegraph.co.uk)


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I listen to music almost any time I am on my computer. I often accidentally unplug my headphones. This has resulted in disturbing others around me. Does any one know of a way to mute the speakers (and potentiality pause VLC) when headphones are unplugged?
I would like to do this on my Laptop. It is an Acer Aspire One D150. The speakers are built-in to the computer. My headphones are standard 1/8 in which connect through the headphone jack.


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Manually altering the contents of the Aperture library in the Finder is not recommended. In Aperture 2.x and later it is especially important to avoid manual changes within the Aperture Library. Make all changes to your library from within Aperture, whenever possible. If you experience issues with your Aperture library, restore it from a recent backup if one is available, or use the Aperture Library First-Aid tools by holding down the Command and Option keys when starting Aperture.
Aperture: Avoid making manual changes to your library structure
Aperture's library is not designed to be manipulated manually from the Finder.
Published Date:


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- 48 - Moro's Wish48
- 47 - Stolen Dragon Balls47
- 46 - The Fall of Planet Namek46
- 45 - Moro's Magic45
- 044 - Escaped Prisoner Moro044
- 043 - Joining the Galactic Patrol!043
- 042 - Settlement and Conclusion042
- 041 - Ultra Instinct041
- 040 - Jiren vs Universe 7040
- 039 - The Omen of Son Goku's Awakening039
- Full List
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Free Shemale Pictures - Ladyboy Crush - Jessica - Black and White
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There are more than 375 picture galleries and nearly 150 videos on the site and they're updating every week just to keep it fresh and sexy. They give you a nice mix of softcore and hardcore content so you can have everything you want from a ladyboy performer. In the masturbation sets the sexy babes with balls strip and show you their hot bodies before stroking off. In the hardcore sets it's almost always the ladyboys being opened up by hard dicks. They like getting fucked hard and they love knowing that someone is out there watching.


text:
Health Care
Healthcare Town Hall Tanked on the Tube
By Garance Franke-Ruta
Here's one way to negate the power of the Obama brand to sell just about anything: add health care talk to the mix.
Last night's ABC News special on health care, criticized in advance by Republicans as an infomercial for the president's reform plan, "struggled for viewers," according to The Hollywood Reporter's The Live Feed blog.
"The one-hour ABC News special 'Primetime: Questions for the President: Prescription for America' (4.7 million viewers, 1.1 preliminary adults 18-49 rating) had the fewest viewers in the 10 p.m. hour. The special tied some 8 p.m. comedy repeats as the lowest-rated program on a major broadcast network," the Reporter noted.
NBC's "Inside the Obama White House" special on June 2, in contrast, won viewers ages 18-49 during its 9 p.m. airing, garnering 9.1 million viewers over all and making NBC the ratings winner for the evening.
One possible explanation for the discrepancy comes from recent polls that show the president is more popular personally than his policies are.
The NBC special focused as much on life in the White House -- the first lady, the first dog, the lives of staffers and so on -- as any policy questions. The ABC special on the White House health care town hall, in contrast, involved more substantive but slightly dryer matters.
Ratings magnet Michelle Obama, for her part, skipped the ABC forum and, with daughters Malia and Sasha Obama, took in the Beyonce show at the Verizon Center.
Posted at 7:07 PM ET on Jun 25, 2009
| Category:
Health Care
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Please email us to report offensive comments.
Obama's 'Very Best Care' For His Own Family ABC Comment Largely Unimportant Elsewhere
Posted by: StewartIII | June 27, 2009 2:41 AM
Yes, because of the two celebrity deaths the president's health care town hall suffered. Just shows where the priorities of many Americans are. But these were celeb superstars and Barack hasn't become one yet!!!
Posted by: wwdmvician | June 26, 2009 9:32 PM
perhaps the reason for the hit in theratings has to do more with the shallowness of americans. after all how can obama compete with the untimely death of pop star michael jackson. how pathetic
Posted by: afscme3261hotmailcom | June 26, 2009 8:16 PM
I watched the special, and there were many screenings here in Texas, as well as some picketing outside the ABC station complaining about it being biased (hard to imagine since no one had seen it yet). I felt it was a good start to the dialogue, although I wished it had been on PBS, to avoid all the commercial breaks.
Posted by: jdm58 | June 26, 2009 6:05 PM
I caught most of the ABC Special on healthcare from the East Room of the White House. I thought the give and take was excellent, and Obama's presiding over the forum very presidential. I love how this president gets people together across a wide spectrum of perspectives and then let's everyone "have at it." His "listening spirit" is, I believe, responsible for a sizable percentage of his favorable polling.
Nonetheless I have great concern for this event as a precedent, the White House virtually partnering with a network to present an issue--even if the debate was open ended, as it seemed to be. A better venue would have been an amphitheater in Washington away from the White House - neutral ground, in other words. Let's have more town-hall type debates on all major issues, with the president, proponents and opponents of whatever issue. But not smack dab at the White House. John Patrick Grace
Huntington, WV
Posted by: publishersplace | June 26, 2009 2:16 PM
I watched it at www.abcnews.com and it was excellent!
The audience was handpicked and many had strong perspectives. The VP of the Lewin group opposed a public option like Medicare because "it is substantially cheaper than private plans" At least we know where he stands.
Obama's response was quite substantive - pointing out that the public option does not have to follow Medicare re-imbursment pricing and that it can be structured to follow the same rules as private plans, i.e., a true level playing field.
The key points of the President's plan is 1) payment for results not piling on tests/medications, 2)giving doctors/hospitals more freedom AND more accountability to get the results, like the Mayo clinic in Rochester MN 3)eliminating the pseudo-monopolies enjoyed by existing private insurers.
PLEASE SEE FOR YOURSELF at the ABC link above.
Posted by: YoungAtheart | June 26, 2009 1:47 PM
Posted by: nancycrichton | June 26, 2009 12:28 PM
It's pretty clear that nobody knows what the real cost or outcome of this proposed program will be. It's one big experiment, and a complicated one at that, not to mention all the conflicting opinions. No wonder nobody was watching.
Posted by: storycipher | June 26, 2009 11:39 AM
I also did not have any idea that this program was on ABC. There was very little, if any, promotion on the part of ABC to advertise this forum on health care. I really would have enjoyed watching it, as I am sure so many others would have as well. I blame this on ABC for their low ratings. The buck stops with the ABC marketing department. No excuse for these poor ratings...you have to communicate with us if you expect us to watch your specials. Perhaps a change is in order at the ABC headquarters.
Posted by: cherney5771 | June 26, 2009 10:41 AM
I don't think that healthcare issue and Obama policy were to blame for the hit in ratings.
Personally I know how many times I saw the commercials that reminded me about the NBC show behind the Obama Whitehouse; and I never saw a commercial - nor did I receive any emails telling me about the healthcare show on ABC?!?
So either, I like many others watch NBC a whole lot more than ABC - or NBC did a much much better job of promoting their show than ABC did! That is really the simple explanation about the difference.
PEOPLE will not be watching a show - if they NEVER know that it is on. period.
Don't listen to these detractors like otisplumber - NO doubt a relative of Joe's!
Posted by: rbarry13 | June 26, 2009 8:44 AM
Obama get the message your policies are not popular!
Posted by: almek11 | June 26, 2009 8:24 AM
Highly appreciatinghighest ranking of 'Marvelous Statesmanship' of US President - Baracxk Obama, with outstandingly passionate, highly responsible & reserved comments without any interference in sovereignty of Iran, in yesterday's News Conference, expressed witnessing concerns with 'Global-Eye' i.e. a 'Human-Eye' regarding on-going Regional Peace Policies leading to Global Peace Initiative & Sustainable International Development Process. Of course, these positive policies & moves for 'Development-For-All' are visibly long-term & long-lasting and Historically recording of remarkable Obama Administration under your 'foresighted' Political Leadership of Peoples Government (of the peoples, by the peoples, for the peoples) of United state for ORGANIZING FOR AMERICA, and our new millennium approach & commitment to taking care for better environment on our Planet – of an 'un-biased' Human Earth.
Obviously, strong response by 60 to 77 % and much silent approvals of the rest must be inspiring on highly reserved, responsible and strong stand of your fabulous proceedings on national & international issues especially related with national, regional & international peace & development, Economic development, financial re-structuring and re-organizing with peoples' friendly 'regulations' for healthy pace-of-economy', and especially Research-Oriented Educational development & Health Care Reforms.
Consequently it's national & international ethical responsibility of all who are more than 80% (in my opinion) approving & endorsing your foresighted Political Leadership & brilliant Statesmanship of Barack Obama , to come forward joining hands National Spirit i.e. the call-of-time for ORGANIZING FOR AMERICA, with 'above-self' & 'above-communities' , 'above-group', 'above-party' & 'opposition just for opposition'.
Posted by: TGlobalEyeZee | June 26, 2009 2:23 AM
This was great to hear. Now maybe this egomaniac will realize people are seeing through the messiahs lies and stupid ideas. All he wants to do is save his BROS and all the ILLEGALS.
Posted by: otisplumber | June 25, 2009 7:45 PM
The comments to this entry are closed.


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by Nina "Sam" Hibbler
The International Society of Glass Beadmakers (ISGB) continues to support beadmakers everywhere by providing exhibition opportunities, information on the latest techniques, and sources of inspiration. Members are always happy to share what they have learned in their quest for new designs.
This article was originally published on page 44 of the July/August 2011 issue of Glass Art.


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Note: This post lays the foundation for my next post which shows how to put video on a CS4 Primitive at
Putting Video on a CS4 Primitive
(here we do it for Papervision3D).
The real power of Papervision3D is its strong OOP (object oriented) structure. It lets you to do some very robust things, such as put video on any primitive. And in this post, you place a simple video on a curved Plane (developed in Chapter 3 of the book).
Here the basics on how it's created.
At the heart of the program is the NetStream class that allows you to bring a video into Flash. This class will be discussed in greater detail in Chapter 11, which is on the Flash Media Server. The two important import classes are media and net classes, which contain Sound, Video, and net Connection methods. Armed with these you can instantiate your video net Connection and net Stream.
//net stream assets
private var myConnection : NetConnection;
private var myStream : NetStream;
private var myVideo : Video;
In addition to setting up Papervision3D and bringing in your curved video prim (which was covered in Chapter 3), you must load your video into your net Stream and then attach that net Stream to your instantiated video (myVideo) so you can play it on your curved prim.
private function loadMyVideo():void
//Set up Net Connection
myConnection = new NetConnection();
//Not on the media server
myStream = new NetStream(myConnection);
//Set buffer time
myStream.bufferTime = 2;
//Set up My Stream for client
myStream.client = new Object();
//Instantiate the video
myVideo = new Video(320, 240);
//Attach to local client side video
One of the important tricks, shown in the code above, it to set your net Connection "connect" to null.
This lets you stream from a local server (as opposed to a Flash Media Server). And as usual you run into the Flash security sandbox issue for streams coming from a server without a cross-domain policy. If you've been developing in Flash for a while you are familiar with this issue. And later in the book, you'll learn how to use a little PHP to get around such problems.
After attaching your net Stream to your instantiated video object you can now place it on your curved prim.
videoMaterial = new VideoStreamMaterial(myVideo, myStream);
//videoMaterial.interactive = true;
videoMaterial.doubleSided = true;
//plane = new Plane(material applied to object, width, height, wSegments, hSegments);
planeCurve = new CurvedPlane(videoMaterial,32,24,8,8,10);
You'll finally ready to use your Video Stream Material.
Place your video and stream in the Video Stream Material. Declare it double sided so when you spin your curved plane you see the video on the other side. Place that videoMaterial on your curved plane. And add that plane to your scene. Ta-da, video on a prim!