text:
JUDGMENT OF THE GENERAL COURT (Sixth Chamber)
12 January 2022 (*)
(EU trade mark – Revocation proceedings – Word mark APIRETAL – Declaration of revocation – No genuine use – No proper reasons for non-use – Article 58(1)(a) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001)
In Case T‑160/21,
Laboratorios Ern, SA, established in Barcelona (Spain), represented by T. González Martínez, lawyer,
European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), represented by T. Frydendahl and D. Gája, acting as Agents,
the other party to the proceedings before the Board of Appeal of EUIPO, intervener before the General Court, being
Ingrid Malpricht, residing in Ludwigshafen am Rhein (Germany), represented by M.‑C. Simon, lawyer,
ACTION brought against the decision of the Fourth Board of Appeal of EUIPO of 20 January 2021 (Case R 1004/2020‑4), relating to revocation proceedings between Ms Malpricht and Laboratorios Ern,
THE GENERAL COURT (Sixth Chamber),
composed of A. Marcoulli (Rapporteur), President, S. Frimodt Nielsen and C. Iliopoulos, Judges,
Registrar: E. Coulon,
having regard to the application lodged at the Court Registry on 25 March 2021,
having regard to EUIPO's response lodged at the Court Registry on 15 June 2021,
having regard to the intervener's response lodged at the Court Registry on 14 June 2021,
having regard to the fact that no request for a hearing was submitted by the parties within three weeks after service of notification of the close of the written part of the procedure, and having decided to rule on the action without an oral part of the procedure, pursuant to Article 106(3) of the Rules of Procedure of the General Court,
gives the following
Background to the dispute
1 On 3 January 2006, the applicant, Laboratorios Ern, SA, filed an application for registration of an EU trade mark with the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) pursuant to Council Regulation (EC) No 40/94 of 20 December 1993 on the Community trade mark (OJ 1994 L 11, p. 1), as amended (replaced by Council Regulation (EC) No 207/2009 of 26 February 2009 on the European Union trade mark (OJ 2009 L 78, p. 1), as amended, itself replaced by Regulation (EU) 2017/1001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 June 2017 on the European Union trade mark (OJ 2017 L 154, p. 1)).
2 The mark in respect of which registration was sought, at issue in the present case, is the word sign APIRETAL.
3 The goods in respect of which registration was sought are in Class 5 of the Nice Agreement Concerning the International Classification of Goods and Services for the Purposes of the Registration of Marks of 15 June 1957, as revised and amended, and correspond to the following description: 'Pharmaceutical and veterinary preparations; dietetic substances adapted for medical use, food for babies; plasters, materials for dressings; mouthwashes for medical purposes; material for stopping teeth, dental wax; disinfectants for medical purposes; preparations for destroying vermin; fungicides, herbicides'.
4 On 29 November 2017, the intervener, Ms Ingrid Malpricht, filed an application for revocation of the mark at issue on the basis of Article 58(1)(a) of Regulation 2017/1001 for all the goods in respect of which that mark was registered with the exception of pharmaceutical preparations, on the ground that that mark had not been put to genuine use in connection with the goods in question within a continuous period of five years preceding the date of that application.
5 By decision of 20 March 2020, the Cancellation Division upheld the application for revocation and revoked the applicant's rights in respect of the mark at issue for all the goods in question, on the ground that no evidence of use had been submitted in respect of those goods and that no valid reason for non-use had been provided.
6 On 20 May 2020, the applicant filed a notice of appeal with EUIPO, pursuant to Articles 66 to 71 of Regulation 2017/1001, against the Cancellation Division's decision.
7 By decision of 20 January 2021, the Fourth Board of Appeal of EUIPO dismissed the appeal ('the contested decision'). In particular, first, it rejected the applicant's argument that the evidence produced before the Cancellation Division was relevant to all the goods in question, since it related exclusively to use of the mark at issue for pharmaceutical preparations for human use. Next, it found that the applicant had not shown that there were proper reasons for non-use of that mark. According to the Board of Appeal, legal restrictions did not constitute an obstacle to use of that mark for the goods in question which would justify the non-use of that mark for those goods. It therefore concluded that the applicant had not proved use of the mark at issue to the requisite standard and confirmed the revocation of that mark in respect of those goods from the filing date of the application for revocation.
Forms of order sought
8 The applicant claims that the Court should:
– annul the contested decision;
– annul the Cancellation Division's decision;
– order EUIPO and the intervener to pay the costs.
9 EUIPO and the intervener contend that the Court should:
– dismiss the action;
– order the applicant to pay the costs.
10 In view of the date on which the application for revocation was filed, namely 29 November 2017, which is decisive for the purpose of identifying the applicable substantive law, the facts of the case are governed by the substantive provisions of Regulation 2017/1001 (see, by analogy, judgment of 3 July 2019, Viridis Pharmaceutical v EUIPO, C‑668/17 P, EU:C:2019:557, paragraphs 3 and 25).
11 The applicant relies, in essence, on a single plea in law, alleging infringement of Article 58(1)(a) of Regulation 2017/1001, according to which the rights of the proprietor of the EU trade mark are to be declared to be revoked if, within a continuous period of five years, the trade mark has not been put to genuine use in the European Union in connection with the goods or services in respect of which it was registered, and there are no proper reasons for non-use. That plea is divided into two parts, alleging, first, that the Board of Appeal erred in its interpretation of the concept of genuine use of an EU trade mark and, secondly, that the Board of Appeal erred in its assessment of the proper reasons for non-use relied on.
The first part, alleging that the Board of Appeal erred in its interpretation of the concept of genuine use
12 The applicant submits that the concept of genuine use contained in Article 58(1)(a) of Regulation 2017/1001 must be interpreted in the same way as that contained in Article 47(2) of that regulation.
13 According to the applicant, the use and reputation of the mark at issue for pharmaceutical preparations are sufficient for that mark to be regarded as also having been used in connection with the other goods in respect of which it was registered. Those other goods, it is argued, which are also in Class 5, have the same purpose as pharmaceutical preparations, namely to protect or cure humans and animals of diseases, with which they constitute a sufficiently restricted category, which cannot be divided other than in an arbitrary manner. Therefore, proof of genuine use of the mark at issue in connection with some of the goods in that category is sufficient for the application for revocation to be dismissed.
14 Furthermore, according to the applicant, the fact that it has used the mark at issue in connection with only some of the goods in Class 5 does not rule out future use for all the goods covered by that mark which are in Class 5, as has been the case with other marks owned by the applicant.
15 EUIPO and the intervener dispute those arguments.
16 In that regard, it should be borne in mind that the ratio legis of the requirement that a mark must have been put to genuine use in order to be protected under EU law is that EUIPO's register cannot be regarded as a strategic and static depository granting an inactive proprietor a legal monopoly for an unlimited period. On the contrary, that register must faithfully reflect what companies actually use on the market to distinguish their goods and services in economic life (see judgment of 15 July 2015, Deutsche Rockwool Mineralwoll v OHIM – Recticel (λ), T‑215/13, not published, EU:T:2015:518, paragraph 20 and the case-law cited).
17 An EU trade mark which is not used could obstruct competition by limiting the range of signs which can be registered as trade marks by others and by denying competitors the opportunity to use that trade mark or a similar one when putting onto the internal market goods or services which are identical or similar to those covered by the mark in question. Consequently, non-use of an EU trade mark also risks restricting the free movement of goods and services (see judgment of 13 April 2016, Facchinello v EUIPO – Olimpia Splendid (Synthesis), T‑81/15, not published, EU:T:2016:215, paragraph 36 and the case-law cited).
18 It is apparent from settled case-law that there is 'genuine use' of a trade mark where the mark is used in accordance with its essential function, which is to guarantee the identity of the origin of the goods or services for which it is registered, in order to create or preserve an outlet for those goods or services; genuine use does not include token use for the sole purpose of preserving the rights conferred by the mark (judgment of 11 March 2003, Ansul, C‑40/01, EU:C:2003:145, paragraph 43).
19 In order to examine, in a particular case, whether a trade mark has been put to genuine use, an overall assessment of the evidence in the file must be carried out, taking into account all the relevant factors of the particular case. That assessment must have regard to all the facts and circumstances relevant to establishing whether the commercial use of the mark is real, particularly the practices regarded as warranted in the relevant economic sector as a means of maintaining or creating market shares for the goods or services protected by the mark, the nature of those goods or services, the characteristics of the market and the scale and frequency of use of the mark (judgments of 11 March 2003, Ansul, C‑40/01, EU:C:2003:145, paragraph 37, and of 19 December 2012, Leno Merken, C‑149/11, EU:C:2012:816, paragraph 29).
20 As regards, more specifically, the pharmaceutical sector, it has been held, first, that, since consumers are searching primarily for a product or service which can meet their specific needs, the purpose or intended use of the product or service in question is vital in directing their choices, and, secondly, that the purpose and intended use of a therapeutic product are expressed in its therapeutic indication (judgment of 13 February 2007, Mundipharma v OHIM – Altana Pharma (RESPICUR), T‑256/04, EU:T:2007:46, paragraphs 29 and 30).
21 In addition, genuine use of a mark cannot be proved by means of probabilities or suppositions, but must be demonstrated by solid and objective evidence of actual and sufficient use of the trade mark on the market concerned (see judgment of 7 July 2016, Fruit of the Loom v EUIPO – Takko (FRUIT), T‑431/15, not published, EU:T:2016:395, paragraph 24 and the case-law cited).
22 It is in the light of those considerations that the applicant's arguments under the first part must be examined.
23 At the outset, it should be noted that, as EUIPO correctly states, the applicant does not dispute that the evidence which it provided related only to use of the mark at issue in connection with a pharmaceutical product for human use, namely a paediatric antipyretic and analgesic. That evidence did not therefore relate to any of the goods covered by the application for revocation, namely veterinary preparations, dietetic substances adapted for medical use, food for babies, plasters, materials for dressings, mouthwashes for medical purposes, materials for stopping teeth, dental wax, disinfectants for medical purposes, preparations for destroying vermin, fungicides and herbicides.
24 First, some of the goods covered by the application for revocation do not appear such as to belong to the pharmaceutical preparations category. Secondly, and in any event, although some of the goods covered by the application for revocation may have similar attributes to pharmaceutical preparations in that they are intended to protect or cure humans or animals, they have a very wide and diversified range of defining characteristics. Thus, some are specifically intended for animals, others are dietetic substances, products intended for the physical treatment of wounds, products specifically intended for the treatment of a range of oral pathologies, disinfectants or products intended to destroy vermin, unwanted fungi or plants. It follows that their therapeutic indications or, at the very least, their purpose and intended use are substantially different, and that they form sufficiently autonomous categories, thus justifying the requirement of proof for each product protected in accordance with the case-law referred to in paragraph 19 above. Thus, contrary to what the applicant states, relying on the judgment of 16 July 2020, ACTC v EUIPO (C‑714/18 P, EU:C:2020:573), the goods covered by the application for revocation are not defined so precisely and narrowly that it is not possible to make any significant subdivisions between their purposes, nor do they constitute conceivable variations of pharmaceutical preparations. Accordingly, the applicant is not justified in claiming that, as regards the requirement of proof of genuine use, the goods covered by the application for revocation form, together with pharmaceutical preparations, a homogeneous category of goods which cannot be divided other than in an arbitrary manner, and that proving genuine use of one pharmaceutical product may suffice to prove use of the mark at issue in connection with all the goods covered by the application for revocation.
25 Furthermore, it should be pointed out that the applicant's argument as to the potential future use of the mark at issue in connection with the goods covered by the application for revocation is irrelevant to the present dispute, since genuine use of a mark in connection with a certain type of goods cannot be proved by the probability of future use, as set out in the case-law referred to in paragraph 21 above.
26 It follows from all of those considerations that the applicant has not proved genuine use of the mark at issue in connection with any of the goods covered by the application for revocation. The Board of Appeal was therefore right to reject the applicant's argument, repeated in the present action, that the evidence relating to a single product in respect of which the mark at issue is registered is sufficient to prove genuine use of that mark in connection with all the other goods in the same class, namely Class 5, in respect of which revocation of that mark was sought.
27 The first part of the single plea in law must therefore be rejected.
The second part, alleging that the Board of Appeal erred in its assessment of the proper reasons for non-use
28 The applicant submits that there are legal reasons independent of its will which justify non-use in respect of the goods covered by the application for revocation, which stem from the numerous regulations to which the goods covered by the mark at issue are subject on account of the fact that they directly affect human and animal health. According to the applicant, the name of goods in Class 5 must comply with specific guidelines relating to the protection of human or animal health. In particular, it states that the marketing, under that mark, of a product in Class 5 other than a pharmaceutical product was refused by the competent Spanish authorities since there was already marketing authorisation for a medicinal product for human use with the same name.
29 EUIPO and the intervener dispute those arguments.
30 It is clear from case-law that, in order to be regarded as proper reasons, obstacles to the use of a mark must satisfy two cumulative conditions, namely, first, they must have a sufficiently direct relationship with a trade mark, making its use impossible or unreasonable, and, secondly, they must arise independently of the will of the proprietor of that mark (see judgment of 17 March 2016, Naazneen Investments v OHIM, C‑252/15 P, not published, EU:C:2016:178, paragraph 96 and the case-law cited).
31 Furthermore, the concept of proper reasons must not be interpreted broadly, in order to ensure that registered trade marks are actually used and, if not used, are revoked (see, by analogy, judgment of 14 June 2007, Häupl, C‑246/05, EU:C:2007:340, paragraph 51).
32 In essence, the applicant claims that Spanish law prohibits it from using the mark at issue in connection with goods such as those covered by the application for revocation, since it has already marketed a pharmaceutical product under that mark. However, in accordance with case-law, the mere fact that an obstacle to the use of a trade mark exists, such as the requirement to comply with legislation in order to market the goods covered by that mark, does not suffice to justify the non-use of that mark (see, to that effect, judgment 8 June 2017, Kaane American International Tobacco v EUIPO – Global Tobacco (GOLD MOUNT), T‑294/16, not published, EU:T:2017:382, paragraph 42). More specifically, as the Board of Appeal correctly submits, complying with legislation is within the trade mark proprietor's sphere of influence and responsibility, and does not constitute an obstacle independent of its will. It is clear that any commercial activity must be carried out in accordance with specific legislation. The applicant cannot therefore invoke the existence of a specific regulatory framework, the purpose of which is to protect consumers, in order to justify the non-use of a trade mark which it has consciously registered for a wide range of goods.
33 In that regard, it should also be noted that there is nothing in the file to support the conclusion that the applicant has taken steps to attempt to market, under the mark at issue, the goods covered by the application for revocation, either as pharmaceutical products or, as the case may be, by ceasing to market its pharmaceutical product. Furthermore, the applicant has not shown that there was any obstacle to use of that mark in connection with the goods covered by the application for revocation in Member States of the European Union other than the Kingdom of Spain. It refers only to Spanish legislation without proving that the prohibition on marketing applies to the entire territory of the European Union or even to that of other Member States in view of the applicable regulations and the potential marketing of its pharmaceutical product in those States.
34 Consequently, the conditions defined by case-law concerning the concept of proper reasons for non-use are not satisfied in the present case.
35 It follows that, contrary to the applicant's claim, the Board of Appeal did not err in its assessment of the reasons for non-use relied on. The second part of the single plea in law must therefore be rejected.
36 In the light of all the foregoing considerations, the single plea in law must be rejected and, accordingly, the action must be dismissed in its entirety.
37 Under Article 134(1) of the Rules of Procedure of the General Court, the unsuccessful party is to be ordered to pay the costs if they have been applied for in the successful party's pleadings.
38 Since the applicant has been unsuccessful, it must be ordered to pay the costs, in accordance with the forms of order sought by EUIPO and the intervener.
On those grounds,
THE GENERAL COURT (Sixth Chamber)
1. Dismisses the action;
2. Orders Laboratorios Ern, SA to pay the costs.
Frimodt Nielsen
Delivered in open court in Luxembourg on 12 January 2022.
E. Coulon
S. Papasavvas
* Language of the case: English.


text:
More Than 3,500 Police Planned for Boston Marathon
More than 3,500 police officers will patrol this year's Boston Marathon, more than double the number deployed last year, when two bombs exploded near the finish line, killing three people and injuring more than 260.
The enhanced police presence is part of a beefed-up security plan detailed Monday by public safety officials as they prepare for the April 21 marathon.
Spectators who plan to attend the marathon are being strongly discouraged from bringing backpacks, rolling bags, coolers and other large items, and are instead being asked to carry personal items in clear plastic bags. Anyone who does bring a bulky bag will be subject to search, officials said during a news conference at the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency's bunker in Framingham.
The new guidelines for spectators are similar to rules for runners made public several weeks ago by the Boston Athletic Association.
Authorities said they sought to strike a balance between keeping the traditional feel and character of the marathon and tightening security in response to last year's deadly terror attack.
"We are confident that the overall experience of runners and spectators will not be impacted, and that all will enjoy a fun, festive and family-oriented day," said Kurt Schwartz, director of the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency.
Schwartz said police are looking to spectators to be especially vigilant and report any suspicious items or activity.
Like runners, spectators are also being told they cannot bring containers with more than 1 liter of liquid and cannot wear bulky costumes or anything that covers their faces.
Unregistered runners known as "bandits" will be prohibited this year. Officials said the move was necessary because or security concerns and because organizers are expecting 9,000 additional runners this year — bringing the total field to 36,000 — and double the typical number of spectators for a crowd of up to one million.
"This course is at capacity this year and it's just common sense" for bandits to stay off the course, Schwartz said.
Police and other public safety officials from the eight cities and towns along the marathon course have been meeting for months to come up with a plan to beef up security following last year's deadly attack. Two brothers are suspected of building homemade pressure-cooker bombs and placing them in backpacks near the finish line.
Dzhokhar Tsarnaev has pleaded not guilty to 30 federal charges and faces the possibility of the death penalty. His brother, Tamerlan Tsarnaev, died following a shootout with police several days after the bombing.
Kieran Ramsey, an assistant special agent in charge of the FBI's Boston office, said the agency has "no specific intelligence indicating there is a threat to this year's marathon."
"At this point, we don't have one, nor do we anticipate it," Ramsey said.
Ramsey said the FBI and its law enforcement partners have met with officials in other cities that host large scale public events, including London and New York City.
Col. Timothy Alben, commander of the state police, said police will have more than 100 additional security cameras along the route and have also met with business owners to coordinate use of their surveillance cameras, as well. He urged spectators to report anything at all suspicious to police.
"In this world, you never eliminate risk, you never bring it down to zero ... but we are working very hard at reducing that risk level and managing it to the best of our collective abilities," he said.
(Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

subset: commoncrawl


text:
WASHINGTON – If the words "shucking" and "slurping" make your mouth water, get ready for the debut of a new oyster raised in Maryland.
The "Skinny Dipper" has been named the preferred oyster for this weekend's Preakness Stakes Race.
The oyster will be served to distinguished guests at Pimlico Race Course Saturday, in an exclusive area right near the finish line, The Baltimore Sun reports
It's part of a special menu created by celebrity chef Mike Isabella, who owns Graffiato in Chinatown.
If you're not among the lucky ones who will be chowing down trackside, there's another way to be among the first to taste the "Skinny Dipper."
Ryleigh's Oyster in the Federal Hill area of Baltimore will offer them at a Preakness party Saturday afternoon.
They'll be sold for a "Buck-a-Shuck" along with Preakness-themed specials and giveaways. You can get all the details by visiting the Ryleigh's Oyster Facebook page.
The "Skinny Dipper" comes from the True Chesapeake Oyster Co., an oyster Farm in St. Mary's County.
The oyster will begin to appear in area restaurants this summer.
Follow @WTOP on Twitter.


text:
|Picture compliments of Travel-Leaf.net
check out their article for more on the nasoni
But, as you leave your home or hotel where you no longer run the water when brushing your teeth, you see the water just spilling out 24/7 and down into the drains. The claim is that the run-off goes toward watering Rome's agricultural fields; but I wonder if that's not just an urban legend. The park near my house was hooked up to the nasoni with an expensive irrigation system that stopped working pretty much the day the water works trucks drove away. Needless to say, of the hundreds of newly planted bushes there, only a handful have survived.
I have oft moped about the ludicrousness of dumping good, clean water right down the drain. The EU fines Italy millions year after year for this wanton waste of a precious resource. No one can comprehend why the fountains simply don't have taps (although Travel Leaf provides an explanation that holds water...the taps were vandalized). But, with the economic crisis leaving city budgets blistering from the heat of Mr. Monti's debt management, turns out a solution could be found. This summer, the water started spilling out more slowly. I know that from how long I'm bent over, hands cupped so my dog, Arcibaldo, can take a drink (two dogs later and neither can drink from the tap?!). Turns out, the city, in order to slow the cost of serving good, clean water to the populace (and multitudes of tourists, I might add) took the pressure down a notch or two. Brilliant. The cost savings is said to be in the tens of millions.
Of course, this, after they levied the evil tourist tax in order to 'improve tourist services' - so we get less water in return. But either way, I'm okay with that since most tourists are aghast at the waste, and, it's a huge improvement on boiling hot and dirty Milan where they simply took away all the fountains. Not as a cost saving measure, mind you, but because people were - horrors upon horrors! - actually using the free flowing water. To wash their cars or, in the case of the homeless, to clean themselves. The fountains were ruining the bella figura image of the city. Although I would have liked to invite the Mayor to step out of her insulated car and walk by a stinking homeless man...maybe she would have thought better of it.
But as for me, I think it's a nice step in the right direction (both turning down the pressure and getting a town Mayor to mix with the hoi polloi).
And, if you want to know how one actually should take a sip from these wonderful fountains, check out The Beehive Hotel's Cross-Pollinate charming How To Video. Now, if I can only get Archie to look at the video, too.


text:
sql dump is in the module root folder, you could ofcourse use another type of database if you like,just create the necessary tables as shown in that file.
Attached is:
sforum.zip , the module itself
forum.zip , a demo app
Add attachments by drag&drop or multi file upload thanks to XUpload extension
Image attachments (with the extensions you approve) is shown in lightbox style(using easybox)
A bbcode editor with preview functionality
Edit the topic, or title easily thrue ajax
Browse topics in a category and its latest threads etc
An ajax search function that searches in both title and content of all topics to get the results.
Neat slide-to-unlock(iphone/android style) captcha
Moderator functionality:
Move topic to a diffrent category (including trashbin category)
Delete topic
Make the topic sticky, or remove the sticky status
Comment with the bbcode editor
Quote comment
Edit comment
Upvote/downvote comment
Moderator functionality:
Delete comment
Browse topic per category
See latest treads and by who
Quick browse between the other categories while viewing one.
Moderator functionality:
Create, delete or rename categories in the admin panel
Decide the order in which the categories will be shown thrue a drag&drop sortable list in the admin panel
Other admin functionality:
View stats (currently only number of threads,comments and users) in a nice user friendly graph.
View trashbin, threads that instead of beeing deleted has been sent to the trashbin category so another moderator later on can study it and decide to delete it entirely or "approve" it, sending it back to a normal category that visitors and normal users can see.
To install:
Put the sforum folder in your protected/modules folder
in your config file make sure you have these things set:
'aliases' => array(
'xupload' => 'application.modules.sforum.components.xupload', //used for the attachment uploads
'newTopicStatus'=>'visible', // or hidden. Description: What status should newly created topics get.
'userClass'=>'User', //set the name of your user model
'commentsPerPage'=>3, //number of comments per page
'uploadDir'=>'/uploads/',// where to upload attachments
'userUrl'=> "/user/view/id/{{userid}}", //the url to the user profiles in your project
'imageExt'=>"jpg,gif,png,jpeg",// what extensions for attachments should be treated as images and shown in a easybox window if clicked
Question: What is the userUrl options and how do I modify it?
Answer: You should set the userUrl to the url that your app uses to show a users profile. In that url you should use {{userid}} at the place in the url where you use the userid. Sforum will automaticly swap this with the userid that has created a topic or comment.
Not good enough? Well just customize the userUrl method in SForumModule.php
Question: Why this instead of myBB or other feature rich forums?
Answer: This module was written to provide a basic forum experience that can easily be integrated in any yii project.
If you want an ultimate forum solution for big communities this wont suit you, since I'm a single developer doing this as a hobby and do not have the possibility to create a forum with ALL features. But many sites only needs something simple, and this module can easily be used with any user system.
This is also my attempt to make a forum as user friendly as possible using ajax more then the big forum solutions I've seen.
Question: How do I controll which ones are moderators? and who is allowed to comment or create topics?
Answer: Please look at SForumModule.php and look at these methods:
//moderator/admin method
//if this method returns true then the user will be able to delete comments,topics and move topics
//you can change the logic of the method if you want
public static function moderator()
return true;
return false;
//comment method
//if this method returns true then the user will be able to comment and reply to comments
//you can change the logic of the method if you want
public static function allowComment()
return true;
return false;
//topic method
//if this method returns true then the user will be able to create new topics
//you can change the logic of the method if you want
public static function allowTopic()
return true;
return false;
With this you can customize exactly who will be able to moderate the forum and who is allowed to comment. Currently this module does not support not logged in users to comment, since a userid will be needed for each comment and topic.
Question: Do I have to use bootstrap?
Answer: No, I have on purpose not used the bootstrap extension or any bootstrap javascript. Bootstrap is only used and included for the css.
You can remove this and modify the views to use any css you want. None of the functionality depends on bootstrap.
Question: Why is there javascript code in the views?
Answer: I've done the most I possibly can to move all jQuery code to the external sforum.js file. But some code has to be in the view to work properly.
If you find a way to decrease the amount of javascript code in the views, please provide your solutions and I will update this module.
Question: Why have you mixed CHTml::tag and html?
Answer: Originally I did all html code the old school way. But then I regretted that choice and started to convert as much as possible to CHtml code.
I'm alittle bit lazy and have not finished all of this yet, feel free to help and contribute your changes.


text:
Click here for information on our Alert Notification System
Welcome to the Official Government Site of the Town of Tryon, NC
Celebrating over 125 years as "The Friendliest Town in the South."
Tryon, North Carolina, is nestled at the base of the Blue Ridge Escarpment in the Thermal Belt region of western North Carolina. Year after year, Tryon's moderate winters, cool summer breezes, rolling landscapes, and mountain views attract both those in search of the perfect place to vacation and those looking for a new place to call home.
Specifically, Tryon is located only four miles west of Interstate Highway 26 (Exit 67) on US Highway 176/NC Highway 108. Although a small community with an abundance of rural character, Tryon is within easy driving distance of many major population centers – Spartanburg, South Carolina (30 miles), Greenville, South Carolina (31 miles), Asheville, North Carolina (45 miles), Charlotte, North Carolina (88 miles), Columbia, South Carolina (118 miles), and Atlanta, Georgia (191 miles). We like to think that Tryon is close enough to everything, but not too close for comfort.
In the 1800s, the Tryon community became a "railroad town" with the construction of the rail line between Spartanburg, South Carolina and Asheville, North Carolina. Tryon was a popular stop for those traveling from the Low Country of South Carolina to the mountains of North Carolina. As folks began to take notice of its moderate climate and beautiful natural environment, Tryon became a resort community.
In the early 1900s, numerous authors, artists, and jetsetters began selecting Tryon as their getaway and, in some cases, as their home. Some of Tryon's more famous "residents" included author F. Scott Fitzgerald, actor William Gillette of Sherlock Holmes Thespian fame, Grace Coolidge, wife of President Calvin Coolidge, and Kenneth Lackey, one of the original Three Stooges. Tryon's most celebrated native daughter, Nina Simone, began her musical career at a very young age in Tryon.
Two agricultural industries historically played a major role in helping to shape Tryon's economy and culture, equestrian activities and vineyards. The Tryon Riding and Hunt Club (TRHC) was formed in 1925 by visionary entrepreneur and region promoter Carter P. Brown. The TRHC has held the famous Block House Steeplechase annually since 1946. Numerous other equestrian organizations have also bloomed in the area's rich equestrian scene. The Blue Ridge Hunter Jumper Association (BRHJA), the Tryon Hounds, the Foothills Riding Club, the Carolina Carriage Club, Foothills Equestrian Trails Association (FETA) and the Foothills Equestrian Nature Center (FENCE), to name a few, are thriving in the Tryon area.
Tryon became known for the quality of its wine and table grapes in the early 1900s and was home to several family-owned vineyards. Prohibition eventually forced these family vineyards out of business. Fortunately, Tryon's wine-making tradition has recently been rekindled. Currently, several operating vineyards are located in the Tryon area.
Today, Tryon merges a sense of the past with an eye on the promises of the future. Tryon is a people-oriented community that values the arts, nature and the individuality of all persons. In short, Tryon is whatever you want it to be.
The Town of Tryon was chartered by the North Carolina General Assembly and established as an incorporated municipality in 1885. Geographically, the Town is relatively small with an area of approximately two square miles. The Town's 2010 population was 1,646. However, this number swells during certain times of the year due to the large number of part-time residents and second homes in the area.


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This revised edition of the standard history of the first great period in Christian thought has been thoroughly updated in the light of the latest historical findings. Dr. Kelly organizes an ocean of material by outlining the development of each doctrine in its historical context. He lucidly summarizes the genesis of Chrisitian thought from the close of the apostolic age to the Council of Chalcedon in the fifth century--a time teeming with fresh and competing ideas. The doctrines of the Trinity, the authority of the Bible and tradition, the nature of Christ, salvation, original sin and grace, and the sacraments are all extensively treated in these pages.
This revised edition of Early Christian Doctrines includes:
- Sweepingly updated early chapters
- Revised and updated bibliographies
- A completely new chapter on Mary and the saints


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- Civic AnalyticsLearn more
The Civic Analytics program, led by Professor Constantine Kontokosta, works directly with cities to acquire, analyze, and derive insight from data in order to solve tangible and significant problems of city management, policy, and planning.Health, Environment, and PolicyLearn more
The Health, Environment, and Policy program, led by Professor Kevin Cromar, improves health through scientific research, direct policy engagement, and collaboration with agencies at the local, federal, and international level.LitmusLearn more
The Litmus program, led by Professor Angela Hawken, works with public agencies and the people they serve to develop and rigorously test new ideas for improving the performance of the public sector.Transportation and Land UseLearn more
The Transportation and Land-Use program, led by Professor Eric Goldwyn, examines transit-infrastructure projects, land-use policies, and complementary data sets to understand how public agencies build, manage, and pay for capital projects, like subway expansions, bicycle lanes, and high speed rail.
- Urban ExpansionLearn more
The Urban Expansion program, led by Professor Shlomo Angel and supported jointly with the NYU Stern Urbanization Project, works with rapidly growing cities to better prepare them for their inevitable growth.Director's Office LabsLearn more
The Director's Office, led by the Director of NYU Marron Institute, opportunely engages with researchers on urban-focused projects that can develop into full programs if they demonstrate impact and are viable.
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By David Crane
defrev (at) gmail (dot) com
July 9, 2010
For quite some time, now, DefenseReview (DR) has been publishing information on just how reliable the direct-gas-impingement (DGI) select-fire Colt M4/M4A1 Carbine/SBR (Short Barreled Rifle) and semi-auto AR-15 carbine/SBR can be if they're properly set up/sprung and lubricated (and even if they're not properly lubricated). We have retired U.S. Army Special Forces (SF) assaulter/operator and DR contributor Mike Pannone to thank for that. Pannone's articles, linked-to below in the "Related Articles" section, are fantastic and required reading for anyone even thinking about owning or using an AR carbine, SBR, or rifle for any serious purpose (i.e combat, competition, or training).
Well, right on the heels of the FN MK16 SCAR's cancellation by SOCOM (USSOCOM), the New York Times (NY Times) published a very interesting and informative article by C.J. Chivers two days ago titled Examining the Complaints About American Rifle Reliability in At War, in which both DefenseReview and Military.com are mentioned with links, citing our collective reportage on the recent MK16 SCAR cancellation. The article discusses Colt SOPMOD M4 Carbine and FN M16 rifle combat reliability. Basically, Chivers and his associate, photographer Tyler Hicks, spent roughly three months with U.S. troops in Afghanistan to find out how complaints heard in the States jibe with what's actually happening in the field. In other words, how are the weapons actually performing? If there are indeed problems, what's the nature of them. And, how satisfied are the troops with their M4s and M16s, respectively?
The answer(s) surprised them. As it turns out neither weapon (M4, M16) was seen by Chivers or Hicks to be suffering from any reliability problems, whatsoever, "at least not among people whose paths have crossed ours."
"Simply put, in observations in many firefights in harsh conditions, and in the experiences of Army and Marine grunts queried this year, the issue of rifle reliability seems much less pressing than it has appeared in accounts of widespread worries about or dislike of the M-4 and M-16," Chivers wrote.
There is a caveat, however. Chivers and Hicks interviewed slightly less than 100 infantrymen and witnessed "intensive small arms engagements" on about a dozen different days, so the survey sample was somewhat limited when dealing with a total ground troop contingent of 90,000 in a multi-terrain combat environment like Afghanistan. However, the adverse combat conditions/environments in which Chivers and Hicks witnessed U.S. infantrymen carrying and fighting with their M4s and M16s were, according to them, some of the worst that the Afghanistan theater of operations/area of operations (AO) has to offer. But I'll let Chivers tell it:
The ground covered included some of Afghanistan's worst for firearms: the agricultural areas of Helmand Province, where weapons are often coated in a fine powdered sand (the troops call it "moon dust"), and where many firefights result in Marines jumping into irrigation canals. This means that rifles are dusty, then often wet and covered in mud. Moreover, some of the firefights lasted a few hours, resulting in several expended magazines for each grunt. I found only one report of a jammed rifle — a mud-coated M-16 that failed to fire one time after a sergeant climbed out of a canal midfight. The sergeant cleared the weapon and chambered a fresh round, and the rifle resumed firing without further hitch.
Given these conditions, while we can't draw definitive conclusions about the current performance of the M-4 and M-16 lines, it is nonetheless a jolt to find no accounts of significant weapons failures and then to read blog posts that declare that the weapons are either a disaster or at least widely loathed.
This is more so given the account of Chief Warrant Officer Joshua S. Smith, the Marine responsible for weapons training and performance in the Third Battalion, Sixth Marines, which is engaged in daily fighting in Marja. "We've had nil in the way of problems; we've had no issues," he said of the M-4s and M-16s. The battalion has about 350 M-16s and 700 M-4s, he said.
Chivers finishes with:
At War, for now, will draw no larger conclusions than this: Whatever the merits of the concerns about the M-4 and the M-16, on the matter of latter-day reliability, the complaints that have boomed on the Web feel out of proportion to what can be documented in the field, and may well be overstated, even hyped.
Defense Review highly recommends that our readers check out the At War piece. It's well written, and a good read.
Related Articles
Examining the Complaints About American Rifle Reliability (New York Times: At War)
SOCOM Cancels FN Mk-16 SCAR-L (SCAR-Light) 5.56mm NATO Rifle/Carbine/SBR Weapons Program. Will the FN Mk-17 SCAR-H (SCAR-Heavy) 7.62mm NATO Variant Survive? Only the Shadow Knows.
The Big M4 Myth: "Fouling caused by the direct impingement gas system makes the M4/M4A1 Carbine unreliable."
An Operator's View of M4/M4A1 Carbine (and AR-15 Carbine) Malfunctions
M4/M4A1 Carbine Reliability Issues Part II: Diagnosing the root cause.
M4/M4A1 Carbine Reliability Issues: Why They Occur, and Why They're Our Fault!
U.S. Army Issues Sources Sought Notice Requesting Information for "Individual Carbine" Small Arms Technology: The Quest for the "Next Carbine" to Upgrade/Improve and/or Replace the Colt M4/M4A1 Carbine Continues…
U.S. Army Issues Sources Sought Notice/Solicitation for "Market Survey" for M4 Carbine "Modification Kit"/Performance Upgrade Kit
LMT .308 Modular Weapon System (LM308MWSE) Monolithic Rail Platform (MRP) Semi-Auto 7.62mm NATO Tactical AR Rifle/Carbine
Video: Colt M4/M4A1 Carbine Config Sand Test with FailZero "AR-15 Upgrade Kit" Bolt Carrier Group (BCG) and Hammer Upgrade Kit Installed
FailZero "AR-15 Basic Kit": Tactical AR-15 Carbine Parts Upgrade Kit with EXO Technology Self-Lubricating Firearms Coating


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Komatsuzaki Shigeru
Entry updated 12 September 2022. Tagged: Artist, Author.
(1915-2001) Japanese illustrator (see Illustration) and author, whose lurid images dominated sf publishing in Japan in the 1950s, before resurgent Cinema and the new media of Television and Manga changed the shape of the genre.
His first published work comprised illustrations for the serial "Shirogitsune Kidan" ["Mystery of the White Fox"] (1938 Otaru Shinbun), and he was still a teenager when he began drawing military hardware for the mechanical journal Kikaika. He shot to prominence when World War Two made such images paramount in popular consciousness, although he lost all his personal pre-war archives in a 1945 air raid. In the immediate post-war period, Komatsuzaki created stories that sold largely on the basis of large, double-page tableaux, with relatively minor textual content. Squarely aimed at a Young Adult audience, his stories offered technicolor Disasters and exciting Inventions, with the touching subtext that however bad life might be for Japan's youth, things were sure to get better. Typical of this attitude is "Daini no Sekai" ["Second World"] (October 1952-January 1955 Shōnen), the Near Future tale of a strapping teenage engineer who dimly remembers once being a lonely, hungry war orphan.
Komatsuzaki seems to have illustrated a reprint of Shunrō Oshikawa's Kaitei Gunkan ["Submarine Warship"] (1900) for the magazine Omoshiro Book in 1952-1953. He followed this with his own Kaitei Ōkoku ["Undersea Kingdom"] (October 1954-December 1955 Omoshiro Book), which appears to have also run as the keynote story in its own magazine Kaiyō Kagaku E-Monogatari Kaitei Ōkoku ["Marine Science Picture Stories: Undersea Kingdom"] (1953-1955). In it, a plane carrying forty-five passengers crashes at sea and is rescued by an eccentric aristocrat, the Marquis Horne, in his secret nuclear submarine the Atomfish. The travellers are soon embroiled in the machinations of the queen of a Lost World Under the Sea.
Komatsuzaki worked as a production designer on several Japanese films, including Chikyū Bōeigun (1957; vt The Mysterians; vt Earth Defense Force), and Uchū Daisensō (1959; vt Battle in Outer Space, 1960 US). He also designed vessels and monsters for the film Kaitei Gunkan ["Submarine Warship"] (1963; vt Atragon, 1965 US), and was retroactively credited with part of the original story. The screenwriter, Shinichi Sekizawa, seems to have had only the haziest memories of his childhood reading of Kaitei Gunkan and Kaitei Ōkoku, and, perhaps inadvertently at first, based his script on a combination of both stories.
Although cited by many later manga artists as a strong inspiration, Komatsuzaki was unwilling to turn his hand to comics. As the manga boom took hold and the likes of Osamu Tezuka became the entertainers of a new generation, Komatsuzaki stuck to single-image paintings, chiefly as the artist of hundreds of dramatic box illustrations for plastic model kits. Hence, he became an invisible contributor to the image in Japan of franchises as diverse as Thunderbirds (1965-1966) and Mobile Suit Gundam (1979-1980), and many military model kits exported abroad in the 1960s and 1970s. His last published illustrations, for a CD Tie to Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty (see Metal Gear), appeared some 70 years after his debut. A fire at his home in 1995 destroyed much of his remaining archives.
His influence continues as the centenary of his birth approaches, with the Anime series Project Blue: Chikyū SOS (2006), based on his "Chikyū SOS" ["Earth SOS"] (August 1948-October 1951 Bōken Katsugeki Bunko, later renamed Shōnen Gahō). [JonC]
Shigeru Komatsuzaki
born Tokyo: 14 February 1915
died 7 December 2001
works (selected)
- Komatsuzaki Shigeru (Tokyo: World Photopress, 1999) [binding unknown/Shigeru Komatsuzaki]
- Komatsuzaki Shigeru Thunderbirds Gashū ["Thunderbirds Picture Selection"] (Tokyo: Ōkura Shuppan, 2002) [binding unknown/Shigeru Komatsuzaki]
- Chikyū SOS ["Earth SOS"] (Tokyo: Futabasha, 2002) [binding unknown/Shigeru Komatsuzaki]
- SF Mechanic Fantasy: Komatsuzaki Shigeru no Sekai ["The World of Shigeru Komatsuzaki"] (Tokyo: Laputa, 2010) [binding unknown/Shigeru Komatsuzaki]
- Shigeru Komatsuzaki bibliography (in Japanese)
- Shigeru Komatsuzaki sample pages (in Japanese)
- Internet Speculative Fiction Database
previous versions of this entry


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I agree very much with Dr Songsu Choi 's comments made during the workshop - that some planning is better than no planning. There are perhaps two common misconceptions about urban planning: (i) it is a costly exercise that takes a very long time to complete; and (ii) a plan is a rigid, inflexible regulatory document that does not respond to on-the-ground needs and changes. Yes, while the typical developed country model of comprehensive urban planning may require high technology, high capacity analysis, extensive modeling and typically large amount of resources, that is not the only form of planning. Gathering a block of residents and agree that a road is needed at a certain alignment is planning; the roads agency meeting the drainage agency to coordinate construction schedule for a road is planning; the community leader discussing with the residents on the vision of the community is planning.
We must recognize the intrinsic values of planning and then determine the corresponding resources to commit to it.
Urban planning embodies a vision that conveys the aspirations of both the government and the people. The better aligned the collective vision from both the government and the people, the more realistic and implementable are the plans. It does not have to paint a lofty, unattainable goal but it should be attractive and contextual- making use of the unique assets and characteristics of each place, community or city. In fact, the more down to earth the vision is, and the more the people can relate to it, the better.
Urban planning is a value creation tool which often generates more than enough return just from its own merits (although one may need to have some patience!). It is a powerful tool to generate economic opportunities and facilitate economic development. For example, a well-planned and functioning city is an efficient city that can reduce congestion costs and negative externalities. If we can take it one step further beyond just function and efficiency, but towards livability and attractiveness, that will generate even greater economic benefits. In addition, a little packaging built on the planning vision can be a powerful marketing material to attract investors. (Of course, realizing the vision would need much more than a plan: strong political will, legal backing, social consensus amongst others; however, a transparent and well executed plan will instill confidence in investors and is one of the first step towards generating a virtuous upward growth cycle.)
Urban planning is a coordination and communication instrument, the common document that brings together stakeholders. Just taking the example at the government level, arguments, trade-offs and compromises are better done at the table - the draft urban plan can be used as a starting point for discussions amongst agencies with different mandates and interests. Perhaps even more importantly, the final document reflects agreements and decisions from these discussions that should be upheld. it would, therefore, minimize potential conflicts amongst different agencies during implementation. This applies to all aspects of urban development - from road, water, drainage, sewers, electricity and community services, health and education facilities to economic development direction and goals. Underlying this is the need for one main coordination agency and a clear division of work between the agencies as well as the various levels of government.
Therefore, urban planning is not just about restricting the land use, gross floor area, height limits and imposing various control guidelines for plots of land.
Perhaps then, the question is how can urban planning be carried out in a useful manner appropriate to the developing countries' or cities' contexts? If tackling the issue at the city level is too complicated, perhaps start with one neighborhood or one community. If five agencies cannot agree, perhaps align the interests of three first. If there is not enough budget to implement the entire wish list, prioritize tasks and do the most urgent and critical one first. As the old cliché goes, when there's a will (especially political will), there's a way. If we completely abandon the will to plan, there may never even be a starting point for change.
Be ambitious but pragmatic; dream big but start small; think long term but act now.
Very good article. Thanks to the author. I am a Urban Planner by academic. Just curious to know how i can write a blog in this platform ? I have searched a lot but can't find the page for registration.
Thanks in advance.
Thank you for your interest. We do appreciate outside contributors but first have to make sure that they are credible writers, so access isn't guranteed to everyone. If you would still like to register I suggest you submit me some samples to me that you would like to blog and then we can go from there. Thank you
How can i submit my writing samples ?
Send to me please. email@example.com
Was born, grew up in Houston (and surrounding area) Texas, USA's largest unplanned, unzoned city. Since, lived in or visited large planned cities in America and Canada. Planning has pluses and minuses, but certainly more plusses for the long-run. You need an effective mayor or gov't supervisor, with displayed fervor and vision for good, appropriate planning, that will work with and inspire local politicians and the masses, to carry out that fervor and vision into realities.
Planning varies in many different ways. No Zone doesn't mean there is no planning otherwise the city won't have a 'Planning and Development Department' with the 'General Plan' to guide the growth of the city. Hoston is planned in a differet way that compares to many other cities around the world, with a lot less development restrictions.
I am running an organization in Quetta, Balochistan, here alots of working ngo's but no one is sincerely working, but We are doing maximum effort, we are running a well known project, and we are hoping in future to get directly projects from internationally , so looking forward to develop a good moral.
Not all planning is the same. Check out Strong Towns website.
Really, can we answering to this question? Urban Management is very important for all, especially to developing countries. Urban Planning is a tool to guide city managers. Bangladesh is a densely populated country and the capital of the country ranked as one of the least livable city.
Urban planning is very important for this country where city managers need to allow more people in the urban area considering natural and man-made disasters. The earthquake vulnerability, cyclone, sea level rise, landslide, etc are the major disasters happening once in a year in bigger cities. Additionally the 'Savar Tragedy' added a new tension to the city managers.
But in such a situation policy makers are still passing time by thinking, is Urban Planning necessary?
I don't know how long we need to wait for a prudent initiative.
Urban Planning Need to Plan with the Poor.
Most often, in India, people who live in the slums have other people planning for their lives. As a result, what they get is not planned with them but what other people plan for them.
Most slum redevelopment projects in India have brought the issue of community participation in development decision-making into sharp focus. Redevelopment of Dharavi in Mumbai for example, revealed a complete lack of regard for the life styles of an affected community's input into key decisions that would have far reaching implications for their lives. It is an example of how tragically wrong things can go when communities are not consulted by those charged with execution of such projects.
Be it Dharavi in Mumbai or development in Navi- Mumbai it often leads violent protests making headlines in the media.. We have become accustomed to regular media reports of such "service delivery" protests. At the heart of the issue appears to be the problem that people are not being listened to by the concerned authorities and the state.
A recent research conducted in South Africa by the 'Community Agency for Social Enquiry' with funding support from the Ford Foundation probed whether community participation is working; especially in the way municipalities interact with marginalized residents in terms of their housing strategies. The research hoped to improve communication between local government authorities and marginalized residents.
The research found that, despite the legislated requirements and the structures and processes that both municipalities have in place to engage in community participation, these do not always work. Consultation is often seen as 'token' or 'time-consuming' and does not necessarily mean that residents have a meaningful contribution to government's planning and implementation.
The Town Planning Acts in most states of India provide for structures and processes to facilitate and enhance community involvement including community based integrated development planning. In addition, cities like Mumbai have elected ward councilors and ward committees,
Citizens are promised effective community participation through several legislative mechanisms including the 74th-75th amendment to the Indian Constitution, which focus on a range of socio-economic rights and promotes developmental, inclusive and participatory local government. The law requires local government to work with its citizens and communities. For example, ward committees are a forum for citizens to voice their concerns to promote community participation.
Yet, community participation in housing-related decisions remains inadequate. In some cases poor people's housing strategies are in conflict with competing interests and authorities, and they are removed from settlements. Declaring their activities as "unauthorized" by the authorities increases their vulnerability, with non-local population particularly at risk.
Since 1995, when it was created, the Mumbai Slum Redevelopment Authority has consistently failed to put in place policies focused on in situ upgrading. In other words, improving informal settlements where people have already erected structures for shelter has been deliberately neglected.
Slum re-housing continues to be built on poorly located land far from work opportunities and social facilities. In addition, the upgrading of informal settlements and provision of low-income rental units is almost non-existent. The recent cases in Mumbai, Delhi and some other cities where government demolished houses built by residents who were duped by fraudsters into buying illegally secured land, reveals the extent of the shortage of land for affordable housing in Indian cities.
There is a growing problem of homelessness and inadequate housing. This huge demand for housing has led to the poor resorting to "illegal" occupation of dilapidated buildings in inner cities like Mumbai causing frequent structural collapses and human fatalities
In Mumbai most dilapidated old buildings are poorly maintained "chawls" usually in the inner city, which threaten the health and safety of occupants. Mumbai has approximately 16000 dilapidated (cessed) buildings of which only about 1200 have been reconstructed since 1999.
Location of housing remains critical as economic opportunities for the poor are so important. Poor people try to locate close to areas where they can find economic opportunities, which often bring them into conflict with the local authority. Various social surveys by NGOs in the slums of cities in India (and in the Author's own experience of interaction with project affected families in world Bank aided projects in Mumbai and Chennai ) highlighted the availability of employment opportunities, transport networks and schools as key motivations for the location of housing for resettlement of slum residents.
At the same time, local government is faced with serious urban management challenges, particularly those linked to housing. Municipalities do not have adequate funding and capacity to deliver physical services. Court cases that have followed evictions of families from dilapidated structures and illegal slums have only further underlined the fact that there is an urgent need to provide options to these families living in intolerable conditions, by considering in situ upgrading and provision of alternative accommodation.
Cities must make explicit commitments in their development plan making process to make public participation an integral part of the planning, budgeting and service delivery processes. City development process must work with the people to plan for their future rather than merely informing the community of what is going to happen to them. Community participation processes should be seen as a genuine attempt at capturing the developmental aspirations of the people and not merely a public affirmation or a checklist exercise.
Community participation for residents living in dilapidated buildings marked for redevelopment and in informal settlements is inefficient where it exists, and non-existent in most cases. In fact, in cities like Mumbai the only interaction the slum residents have with the authorities is when the police or officials of the local or Slum Redevelopment Authority harasse them for identity documents. The drive for "Adhar" cards should in fact be concentrated and taken up vigorously in the dilapidated buildings and slum areas of cities like Mumbai
There is a perception that politicians only seek out such communities during the election period. What is their interaction in the so called participatory mechanisms for local development? In the affected people's eyes, the enforcement of municipal by-laws seems to be the only feature of municipal-community interaction!
The civil society organizations, rather than engaging themselves in national corruption issues, could instead, fight for the "right to participate" in the city development process. In the absence of any such initiative, mass protests, demonstrations and approaching the "news hungry" TV media have often become the outlets for people's expression of frustration. A key issue is the importance of effective communication. When considering housing options for the poor it is important that issues around participation of the poor are addressed in conjunction with those affected. Far more emphasis should be placed on effective communication with ward councilors, NGOs and residents.
Prakash M Apte
Yes,it should be beyond the planning, i mean thefactors of planning being considered are not synchronized with the norms, values, cultures , traditions, formatives etc. Moreover, besides doing postpartum of existing urban areas which no doubt is unavoidable, new urbans area should limit population of each not exceeding 1,000,000 persons, and each population center should be kept about 100 kms away from each other, and it should be copupled with economic/financial activities...............and so on to reduce the problems being faced and learned in the existing urban cities of especially third world countries.......... A. Malik
In most cases there is how the community has planned itself and how the government or private developers want to plan the informal sector, thereby creating a parallel structure.


text:
Program (as a pdf)
IAC Awards
Distinguished Fellowships
for the Preparation of Posters
Contact Us
On behalf of the Organizing Committee, it is my great
pleasure to invite you to exhibit at the
14th WORLD CONGRESS ON HEART DISEASE,
INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY OF CARDIOLOGY, ANNUAL SCIENTIFIC SESSIONS 2008, to be held
at The Fairmont Royal York, Toronto, Canada, July 26 -29,
Plans for this meeting are progressing well. Many
distinguished cardiologists and scientists have agreed to
join the faculty participating in this Congress. Papers will
be presented in the form of plenary sessions, symposia and
posters, and will include superb scientific material
originating from numerous laboratories around the globe,
assuring that the meeting will be a major scientific event.
The Congress will provide the opportunity for a comprehensive
overview of the latest research developments in
cardiovascular medicine, primarily in the areas of molecular
biology, coronary artery disease, heart failure, cardiac
arrhythmias and cardiac surgery.
The exhibition will offer companies an excellent opportunity
to meet with specialists in the rapidly evolving field of
cardiovascular disease, and to present to the participants
their products and services related to this important field.
We look forward to your active participation in the
exhibition of the
14th WORLD CONGRESS ON
HEART DISEASE, International Academy of Cardiology
Annual Scientific Sessions 2008 and to welcoming you to the beautiful city of
Toronto in July 2008.
Location of Congress and
The Congress and Exhibition of the
14th WORLD CONGRESS ON
HEART DISEASE, International Academy of Cardiology
Annual Scientific Sessions 2008 will be held at
Fairmont Royal York, Toronto, Canada. The Exhibition will be situated at a strategic
location close to the meeting rooms. All refreshment breaks
will take place in or near the Exhibition Hall.
Royal York
100 Front
Street West, Toronto, Canada M5J 1E3
Tel (416) 368-2411, Fax (416) 368-9040
Timetable (Preliminary)
8am - 5pm
Construction and set-up of booths
Exhibitors are requested to clear all packages by 5 pm
� 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Exhibition opens in the evening during the Get-Together
� 10:00am - 5:00pm
Sessions / Exhibition
29, 2008
� 10:00am
- 1:00pm
� After
1:00 pm
Dismantling of Exhibition
Exhibitors are requested to clear the exhibition space
by 4:00 p.m.
* Please consult the Congress Program for possible
Space Allocation
completed application form accompanied by advance payment
should be mailed to the Exhibition Manager to ensure
reservation of desired location. Upon receipt of the
application form with payment, space will be confirmed and
an invoice for the balance due will be mailed. Three
alternative choices should be clearly indicated on the
application form. Space assignments will be allocated in the
order of which application forms with payment are received.
Advance payment will be refunded if space is fully booked or
space offered is not acceptable to the exhibitors.
Terms of Payment
Applications for exhibit space must be accompanied by
50% of the rental fee.
Payment must be made to:
14th WORLD CONGRESS ON HEART DISEASE
International Academy of Cardiology
Annual Scientific Sessions 2008
PO Box 17659
Beverly Hills, CA 90209, USA
Tel: +1 310 657 8777
Fax: +1 310
659 4781
Applications submitted after
April 25, 2008 will
require full payment.
All cancellations must be received in writing.
Optional Services
and Information Package
The Exhibition constructor will provide all optional
services at an additional cost.
An Exhibitor's kit will be sent upon receipt of
payment. The kit will contain all details regarding
additional services offered including customs
regulations and information.
Liability Insurance
The organizers will provide general guard service and
third party insurance at the Exhibition site.
Equipment and all related display materials installed
by exhibitors are not insured by the organizers, and
under no circumstances will the organizers be liable
for any loss, damage or destruction caused to
equipment, goods or property and person and for the
property and persons of his employees and agents
through full and comprehensive insurance. The
organizers cannot be held responsible for any and all
damage claims arising from theft and those perils
usually covered by a fire and extended-coverage
General Regulations
a) The Exhibition Manager, acting under direction of
the Exhibition Organizer, has the final decision as to
the acceptability of displays.
b) Exhibitors are not permitted to share with any
others any space allotted to them without prior
written consent by the Exhibition Manager.
c) The International Academy of Cardiology has the
exclusive authority to allocate its available stand
space to exhibitors. The wishes of the exhibitors will
be taken into account as far as possible.
d) The organizers reserve the right to alter the
general layout or limit the space allotted to each
exhibitor, postpone the exhibition or transfer it to
another site in the event of unforeseen circumstances.
e) Participation by exhibitors is dependent upon
compliance with all rules, regulations and conditions
stated herein. The International Academy of Cardiology
reserves the right to refuse registration.
a) All exhibits are to be displayed so as to avoid
blocking aisles, obstructing adjoining booths, or
damaging the premises. Height is restricted to 12
feet. Exhibitors will be responsible for the cost and
execution of the design, installation and delivery of
their display to (and its removal from) the exhibition
b) Use of amplification equipment to attract the
attention of the public is prohibited. Those seeking
permission to do so must contact the International
Academy of Cardiology in writing to receive exemption
from this.
c) The provision of refreshments to the public by
exhibitors is only permitted if the catering
regulations of the exhibition building concerned are
d) The exhibitor is obliged to leave the space made
available to him in its original condition when the
contract period is terminated. If the International
Academy of Cardiology considers it necessary to take
steps to restore it to its original state, the costs
incurred will be borne by the exhibitor.
e) No flammable materials are to be used. Equipment
displayed or demonstrated must be installed according
to safety regulations. The Exhibitors are obliged to
comply with the instructions given by, or on behalf
of, the organizers, the International Academy of
Cardiology the fire service or other officials
responsible for the maintenance of order and safety
with regard to the construction, layout and safety of
each stand, the advertisements displayed on each
stand, the products or objects to be exhibited on it
and the decorations to the stand. The presentation of
advertising material may only take place within the
stand space.
a) Exhibitors undertake to strictly observe the
timetable designated for completion of their display
before the opening of the exhibition and its
dismantling at the close of the exhibition.
b) Exhibitors are obliged to ensure that their stands
are permanently manned during the exhibition opening
hours. In principle, the stand should always be open
to the public.
c) The exhibitor may only exhibit, demonstrate or show
samples of the products and services specified on the
registration form. These activities must remain within
the objectives of the exhibition at all times. The
exhibitor is not permitted to deal in used goods, or
act as a repairer.
Should any contingency prevent the holding of the
exhibition, the organizers will not be held liable for
expenses incurred other than the cost of rental of
exhibit space. The International Academy of
Cardiology, at all times reserves the right, if
serious circumstances dependent or independent of the
International Academy of Cardiology make it necessary,
to change the dates of the exhibition and/or of the
stand, as well as the right to alter the design and/or
the size of the stand. In such cases, the exhibitors
may not make any claim for compensation in access to
its rental fees.
a) Payment is to be made in accordance with the
conditions of payment on the exhibit application form.
b) Should the exhibitor fail to make a payment on
time, the exhibitor therefore forfeits all right to
any exhibit at the exhibition. Refund of monies
already paid by the exhibitor will only occur in
accordance with the provisions of the cancellation
policy. Unless otherwise stated in said article, the
agreed price remains payable in full by the exhibitor.
Contractual interest at an annual rate of 15% of the
agreed price is payable by the exhibitor from the due
date specified on the application form.
The exhibitors agree to defend, indemnify and hold
Royal York, the International Academy of Cardiology and
their officers against any and all claims, loss,
demands, liabilities, costs and expenses or damage
including reasonable attorney fees, for any injury to,
including deaths of persons, any property loss or
damages caused by, growing out of, or happening in
conjunction with the planning, set-up, execution and
closing of the exhibition, arising out of the
negligence or willful misconduct of the exhibitor, its
agents or employees and/or contractors/vendors
contracted for by the exhibitor.
a) The exhibitor is in default for non-compliance with
any of the obligations resting with the exhibitor
under the terms of these General Regulations or any
further written agreements. The International Academy
of Cardiology may dissolve the agreement without the
intervention of the court with immediate effect. The
exhibitor is bound to compensate the International
Academy of Cardiology for damages incurred or to be
incurred as a result of his failure to comply. At the
same time, any right to reserved stand space is
b) The legal relationship between the exhibitor and
the International Academy of Cardiology is governed by
the State of California, USA. All disputes will in the
first instance be adjudicated by the competent court
in California, USA, to the exclusion of any other
competent legal bodies.
c) In all cases not covered by these General
Regulations, the International Academy of Cardiology
decision will be final, wherever possible after prior
consultation with the exhibitor.
For further information please contact:
Congress and Exhibition Organizers
PO Box 17659, Beverly Hills, CA 90202, USA
Tel: +1 310 657 8777; Fax: +1 310 659
Click here to download the


text:
"Following his divorce, Felix Sinclair vowed to never commit to a woman again...until he washed up on Poppy Montgomery's doorstep, proving that sometimes taking the road less traveled pays off.
One night of passion promised a lifetime of happiness, but when Felix begins to grow distant, disappearing for long periods of time without an explanation, Poppy begins to suspect that Felix may not be as committed to her as he claims.
They say the hardest part of love is trusting your heart to someone else, but Poppy is about to find out that sometimes the hardest part may be letting go."
"Lucy, I'm home!" he called out in his best Ricky Ricardo impression. Dropping his tote by the door, Felix kicked off his shoes and hung his jacket on the peg nailed to the wall. He heard rustling in the kitchen and headed in that direction. "Hey, kitten, didn't you hear…me…calling? What is all of this?"
Pausing in the doorway, Felix soaked in his surroundings. The kitchen was lit by candles. Dozens of candles. They were everywhere. Clustered in the middle of the small table in the corner, dotting the countertops, on the shelf over the stove alongside jars of spices. Not that he was complaining. The soft, ambient glow made Poppy's exposed ass look plump and firm.
"Shit, baby, the maid's uniform? Are you trying to give me a heart attack?" There really wasn't much to it. There was the black cap with the white ruffles pinned to her hair, a mind-bogglingly short dress made of the same black and white material, and a pair of heels so tall he couldn't process how she even began to walk in them.
She was stirring a pot of something on the stove when he came up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist and burying his face in the side of her neck. "Smells good," he said against her skin, his lips slowly caressing her.
"This is the dessert. Homemade vanilla pudding. Dinner is on the table."
It was? He'd missed it completely. But could he really be blamed? With Poppy standing there in nothing but a dress that exposed every part of her worth exposing, he wasn't left with much of an attention span. "Mmm, I think I'll have my dessert first." His hand slid up to cup her breast, which was spilling over the cups of the dress, while the other went in the opposite direction.
A moan ripped out of him as his fingers met her hot, wet flesh. "Shit," he grunted, resting his forehead against her shoulder. He had barely touched her and he was about to lose control. He needed to calm down.
Laying the spoon she was using to stir the pudding down, Poppy shut off the stove and turned in his arms. When she lifted her arms to wrap them around his shoulders, his hands met the naked, round globes of her very fine ass and he couldn't resist pressing her up against him.
"I was hoping you would say that." It took a moment for Felix to catch up and realize that she was talking about his comment to skipping dinner and going straight for dessert. Taking him by the hand, she tugged on his arm. "Come with me. I have something I want to show you."
If it had anything to do with what was happening under that dress—which left absolutely nothing to the imagination—then he was all for it. The angels must have been smiling on him, because whatever it was she wanted to show him involved following her upstairs, giving him the perfect view of his most favorite parts of her. "Again, are you trying to kill me?" he asked as she led him into their bedroom.
"Death is not what I had in mind for tonight."
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text:
Big-issue model
The big-issue model, developed by PollyVote team members Andreas Graefe and Scott Armstrong, predicts the outcome of U.S. Presidential Elections based on polling data on how voters expect the candidates to handle the most important issue facing the country.
The big-issue model is simple to use and easy to understand, and it has decision-making implications. Political candidates can take action upon the forecast and develop campaign strategies. Two different strategies seem conceivable for allocating campaign efforts. First, candidates can try to be seen as the best candidate for dealing with the most important issue. Second, candidates can try to change voters' perceptions about which issue is most important.
The model relies on two sources of polls
- Polls that ask people which issue they regard as most important, such as ''What do you think is the most important problem facing this country today?''
- Polls that ask people which candidate / party will do the better job in handling that issue, such as "Regardless of which (2016) presidential (election) candidate you support, please tell me if you think Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump would better handle each of the following issues. How about..
the economy?''
The model uses a simple decision rule, which performs three basic steps, in order to predict the election winner:
- Identify the issue seen as most important by voters,
- Calculate the two-party shares of voter support for the candidates on this issue, and
- Predict the candidate with the higher voter support to win the popular vote.
Simple linear regression is then used to relate the incumbent party candidate's rolling average (calculated by using exponential smoothing) of voter support on the most important issue (
BI) to the dependent variable, which is the actual two-party popular vote share received by the candidate of the incumbent party (V). Using data from the last forecasts prior to Election Day in the thirteen elections from 1972 to 2020 leads to the following vote equation:
That is, the big-issue model predicts that an incumbent would start with 25.4% of the vote, plus a share depending on
BI. For example, if the incumbent's voter support on the most important issue went up by 10 percentage points, the incumbent's vote share would go up by roughly 5.5 percentage points.
Past performance
When the model was first proposed, an ex post analysis for the ten elections from 1972 to 2008 showed that the big-issue model provided forecasts that were competitive compared to forecasts from econometric models and the Iowa Electronic Markets (IEM) prediction markets (Graefe & Armstrong, 2012). An analysis of the model's first ex ante forecasts for the 2012 election provided similar results. The big-issue model was again more accurate than the IEM and the typical econometric model (Graefe & Armstrong, 2014).
To this day, the model provided ex ante forecasts for the three elections from 2012 to 2020. The chart below shows the average absolute error one would have achieved when relying on the Big-issue model from each day until Election Day across (and in each) of the three elections from 2012 to 2020. For example, across the last four weeks (or 28 days) across the last three elections, the Big-issue model's average error was 0.6 percentage points.
The forecasts of this simple model are highly accurate, especially when compared to benchmark approaches. As can be seen below, across the last 100 days before the three elections from 2012 to 2020, the Big-issue model would have consistently outperformed both the forecasts from the combined PollyVote and FiveThirtyEight. For example, assume that, four weeks (or 28 days) before the respective elections, you would have decided to rely on the Big-Issue model instead of the two benchmark forecasts. Then, you would have cut the forecast error of the PollyVote roughly in half. Compared to FiveThirtyEight, error reduction would habe been even higher, at 60%.
- Graefe, A., & Armstrong, J. S. (2014). Forecasts of the 2012 U.S. presidential election based on candidates' perceived competence in handling the most important issue. Political Science Research and Methods, 2(1), 141-149.
- Graefe, A., & Armstrong, J. S. (2012). Predicting elections from the most important issue: A test of the take‐the‐best heuristic. Journal of Behavioral Decision Making, 25(1), 41-48.


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V-Mart's bat shows no signs of rust
LAKELAND, Fla. -- A pair of hitters on the comeback trail stole the limelight from an expected pitchers' duel on Sunday at Joker Marchant Stadium. While Ryan Howard doubled twice with an RBI, including a drive to the right-field fence against Justin Verlander, Victor Martinez continued his triumphant return with a three-hit performance, including a home run off Roy Halladay, as the Tigers and Phillies dueled to a 5-5 draw.
The Verlander-Halladay pairing was expected to make for a quick afternoon, and their easy opening innings certainly suggested it would. Once Howard smacked a line drive to the fence leading off the second inning, however, the offensive onslaught was on.
Freddy Galvis' RBI double completed a three-hit second inning off Verlander to open the scoring, and Halladay struck out two of his first four batters with a nasty selection of pitches. Once he fell behind Martinez, though, he served up a pitch that the Tigers' designated hitter sent deep to right-center field for his first home run since the 2011 American League Championship Series.
Martinez added a fourth-inning single through the right side before flaring a single into right field leading off the sixth. He improved to 4-for-7 this spring.
"This is only my third game, but I think I've been really surprised," said Martinez. "The big thing is to pick up the ball out of the pitcher's hand."
"It was good," Halladay said. "The hardest part of every Spring Training is slowing yourself down. You're anxious. But I felt good. I felt like that was the biggest thing. Five or six pitches I rushed. I rushed a cutter and a couple changeups. I felt good. I'm happy with where things are. It's just a matter of getting repetitions in and getting myself under control."
Howard ripped a line drive into the right-field corner off left-hander Kyle Lobstein in a two-run third inning before Kevin Frandsen homered off Lobstein in the fourth. Alex Avila's sacrifice fly started Detroit's rally in the bottom of the inning ahead of Omar Infante's two-run double.
Prince Fielder's RBI single in the fifth gave the Tigers a lead to protect, but Dominic Brown jumped an Al Alburquerque fastball for a game-tying home run in the eighth.
Up next: The Tigers and Phillies complete their home-and-home set on Monday with a televised 1:05 p.m. ET contest at Bright House Networks Field in Clearwater. Cliff Lee will make his first start of the spring opposite fellow Arkansan left-hander Drew Smyly, who will begin his quest to win a rotation spot for the second consecutive spring. MLB Network and MLB.TV will have the live broadcast, while AM 1270 will have the radio call in Detroit.


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have compiled a list with the most useful websites about Linux (the distro specific sites are not included). They are great resources you can learn from or to find answer to your linux questions. These should be in any linux user bookmarks, so go ahead and look through these links and bookmark your favorite ones:
Provides information on Linux, Linux resources, and Linux development.
Includes help, tutorials, tips and how-to guides for Linux.
LinuxQuestions.org offers a free Linux forum where Linux newbies can ask questions and Linux experts can offer advice. Topics include security, installation, networking and much more.
The Linux Documentation Project is working towards developing free, high quality documentation for the Linux operating system. The overall goal of the LDP is to collaborate in all of the issues of Linux documentation.
Comprehensive information and resources about the Linux Operating System.
Our goal is to provide all the information necessary to make your use of Linux a success.
The Linux Software Resource, providing Linux Forums, Linux Server Distro info, Linux Training, Linux Help, Articles, Tutorials, News, Downloads and more!
8 )www.lwn.net
Linux Weekly News:Covering the Linux and free software communities since 1998. Provides information from the development community in an objective manner.
9 )www.linuxjournal.com
The monthly magazine of the Linux community, promoting the use of Linux worldwide.
Covering how to Install, Boot and Run Linux on a USB Flash Pen Drive.
FSD is a hub for news and articles by and for the free and open source community. FSD is a community driven site where members of the community submit and vote for the stories that they think are important and interesting to them.
Linux quick fixes for systems administrators, students and professionals. Simple answers when the solution is at the tip of your tongue.
News related to Open Source software and community.
Do you waddle the waddle?-Linux guides, tutorials and howtos.
Comprehensive links to information and resources about the Linux Operating System.
HowtoForge – Linux Howtos and Tutorials.
Short tutorials for people who want to learn the basics of using Linux, and thereby Unix, without getting bogged down in too much detail.
Linux command line tutorials, help and tips for the new Linux users, helping them to get familiar with the Linux command line and shell.
The place where you learn Linux. Hundreds of articles, "Test Your Knowledge" quizzes, popup glossary, and much, much more help you learn Linux the easy way.
LinuxCommand.org is a web site devoted to helping users of legacy operating systems discover the power of Linux.
LinuxPlanet — a world of premium information for Linux newcomers! We welcome people jumping from Windows and other Operating Systems to the latest sensation based on the Open Source software model.
22) www.ostatic.com
OStatic's goal is to increase the adoption of Open Source Software by helping users find viable projects and applications that fulfill specific needs


text:
Dallas Ives Skater Profile
Sponsors: Fallen Canada, Zero Canada, Red Dragon Apparel, Red Bull
Hometown: Windsor, Stance: Regular, Age: 33, Status: Am
Last Update: Friday, September 17, 2010 Submit an Update
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Couldn't find any Dallas Ives products, but check out some random products from our Shop. Yeah, Dallas Ives probably shops here...
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Other Skater Links
- Full Skater Database - 6000+ skater profiles.
- Skateboarders on Instagram - browse your favorite pros and ams on Instagram.
- Skate News and Videos - daily skate news and videos from around the web.
- Media Coverage - we log all major magazine coverage by skater and photographer.
- Skate Photographers - we log all major magazine coverage by skater and photographer.
- Contest Results - over a decade's worth of contest history.


text:
Washington University's Olin Business School is a place where you'll discover and develop your talents. Learn through challenging academics and real-world experiences. Collaborate closely and push yourself to achieve more.
Compare the options that best fit your needs.
The order of classes may change due to availability, and classes may be substituted with approval. A communications course (that focuses on oral communication) is also recommended during the first two year. When the student takes the course is determined by the student and his/her advisor.


text:
Love+Monsters' handmade keiki booties
Bootie Call
Your little man has countless needs. The latest: slipping his precious piggly wigglies into some seriously adorable handmade booties.
Time to scoot over to Baby Awearness for the debut of Love+Monsters, a line of soft, colorful keiki shoes by Kalihi designer Richie Calizar, inspired by her own 20-month-old "monster."
The University of Hawaii graduate crafts each pair by hand, stitching together vintage fabrics in playful print and color combos – think red-and-blue giraffe print with brown suede, or pink-and-blue floral and mint green – with her own vibrant, yarn-based textiles woven on a floor loom in tribal-inspired stripes and zigzags.
The result? Eye-catching lace-up and buttoned shoes that are, in the words of three wise and stylish women, totally bootie-licious. Each pair comes in a drawstring bag labeled with a heart for girls' styles or a smiling monster for boys' and unisex styles.
Ask nicely and Calizar can even make you a matching personalized, hand-embroidered monster doll that fits snugly in the palm of your hand, or in the loving arms of your little one.
Just for kicks.
$32 vintage fabric booties, $47 handwoven yarn booties, sizes 0-4 months and 4-8 months, available at Baby Awearness, Manoa Marketplace, (808) 988-0010. For more information or custom orders, email firstname.lastname@example.com.


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On October 7, 1994, in the late evening hours, the Senate passed the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) by unanimous consent.
It took months and months of intense effort by retailers to rally a grassroots campaign among shoppers who feared their supplements would become unavailable. It also took incredible negotiating and commitment from several manufacturers to lobby on behalf of the bill (and financially support these efforts). It took a few influential and established lawmakers to throw their weight behind the idea of protecting health freedom. And, it took strong trade associations (and their attorneys) to do everything they could to rally the troops, meet opposition head on and pave a way for the passing of DSHEA.
I had the privilege of interviewing many of these Industry Trailblazers for this month's cover story on DSHEA's Anniversary. And, I am honored to publish the incredible insight of Rae Howard, cofounder of Good Earth Natural Foods in Utah, about DSHEA yesterday, today and tomorrow, who passed away shortly after writing this piece.
Working on these pieces left me with renewed respect and gratitude for what a relatively young and modest industry achieved. In the end, perhaps the most incredible part of DSHEA was that the day wasn't won by just one white knight on his steed. Rather, it was an alliance of individuals from all walks of life who, as a united group, dared to believe the protection of dietary supplements was something worth fighting for.
The Next Leaders
Now, 20 years later, I couldn't help but feel a little uneasy revisiting the story of how DSHEA was passed. What would happen if something as important as DSHEA were on the table today?
Would Americans—many of whom seem plagued by apathy regarding a whole host of issues—really take the time to contact their Congressmen?
Will any lawmakers take up our cause on Capitol Hill, especially with Senators Orrin Hatch and Tom Harkin announcing their retirement (and several antagonists still in office)?
Will industry companies be too wrapped up in their own profits to give their time and money for lobbying?
Will trade groups be organized, clear and powerful in their efforts to unite members?
The answers are far from clear, but it is certain that we are exposed in many, many ways. Perhaps, we've gotten a little too comfortable, especially with the safe umbrella that Senators Hatch and Harkin have given us in Washington. As Loren Israelsen, president of the United Natural Products Association, Salt Lake City, UT, put it, "This is like living in San Diego all the time. That's not the weather everywhere."
So, if you've felt frustration at negative media reports or proposals from uninformed lawmakers for restrictive laws for supplements, redirect your ire into action. Support your trade organizations with a contribution. Attend the Natural Products Association's Lobby Day on April 8. Write a rebuttal letter to the newspaper publishing the negative press. Get your shoppers involved in caring about their right to health freedom. Help media and lawmakers understand that supplements benefit all of us, and they don't need burdensome regulation. If we use our tools properly, "we could easily be one of the most powerful voices in Washington because so many Americans take supplements," Jarrow L. Rogovin, president and founder of Jarrow Formulas, Inc., Los Angeles, CA, told me.
In the end, we can't turn our backs on a key lesson from DSHEA: your voice is not too small to initiate change. As Gerald Kessler, founder and CEO, Nature's Plus/Natural Organics, Inc., Melville, NY, so aptly stated, "We need to stand together as an industry and once again protect health freedom for the millions of Americans that use and benefit from supplements."
The industry may well be in a very different place than it was in 1994, but one thing hasn't changed. It is worth defending, even if we have to step outside our comfort zone to do it. WF
Kaylynn Chiarello-Ebner
Editor/Associate Publisher
Published in WholeFoods Magazine, March 2014