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WASHINGTON -- Federal watchdogs expressed concerns to lawmakers Wednesday about the security of information that will be traded through the Affordable Care Act's (ACA) health insurance exchanges.
Federal tax information provided to the exchanges in order to determine benefit eligibility may not be adequately protected, an official from the Office of the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration said Wednesday.
Alan Duncan, assistant inspector general for the Treasury Department, told the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee his office has concerns the Internal Revenue Service's (IRS) fraud controls may not be ready in time to detect ACA-related fraud schemes.
"The lack of adequate testing could result in significant delays and errors in accepting and processing ACA applications for health insurance coverage," Duncan said.
While much has been stated about whether the law's exchanges will be ready for open enrollment in roughly 76 days, Congress also is concerned that information passed through the exchanges' data exchange -- or data hub, as it is also called -- is vulnerable, with so many parties, including federal agencies and states, putting in and taking out that information.
The hub ties together information from various federal agencies to determine what benefits patients are eligible for under the ACA. It confirms income, citizen status, family information, and other data.
The health insurance exchanges -- online marketplaces where uninsured consumers can shop for health coverage -- request the information, such as tax return data from the IRS, to determine eligibility for financial assistance such as premium tax credits. While the exchanges are open to people regardless of income, the tax credits are available to those making between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level.
"I believe that the hub has a bulls-eye on it," Rep. Jackie Speier (Calif.), the top Democrat on the Energy Policy, Healthcare and Entitlements Subcommittee, said at Wednesday's hearing. "The potential for it being hacked is great."
Witnesses said Wednesday that data is not stored at the hub -- only transferred between parties -- and disposed of within minutes. Such data includes contact information, employment information, income, Social Security number, date of birth, and certain information about family members.
The exchanges don't ask for, access, or store personal health information, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Marilyn Tavenner said.
"CMS is committed to creating safe, secure, and resilient marketplace IT systems and protecting personal privacy and confidentiality in collaboration with our partners, while expanding access to health insurance coverage to Americans," she told Congress in her testimony.
She said CMS will be fully ready this fall. Meanwhile, Henry Chao, deputy chief information officer at CMS, said the agency is about 80% along in its privacy and security efforts under the exchanges.
CMS has recently completed risk assessments and developed strategies for mitigating those risks with the data hub, John Dicken, director of healthcare at the Government Accountability Office (GAO), said Wednesday. The agency also is working on mitigation strategies for each state that is running its own exchange.
"Much progress has been made, but at the same time, much remains to be accomplished within a relatively short amount of time," Dicken told lawmakers.
Not hitting deadlines closer to open enrollment could result in delayed implementation of the ACA, Dicken said.
Danny Werfel, the IRS' principal deputy administrator, outlined to lawmakers how the IRS plans to test the data hub between now and when the exchanges open Oct. 1. Agencies receiving IRS information must meet "significant safeguarding requirements, including strict record-keeping and proper handling, storage, and disposal of tax records," he said.
Tavenner noted CMS is used to collecting and storing vast amounts of information.
House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chair Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) expressed doubt because there has been no pilot testing of the security of the hub and subsequent exchanges. "The data of every American will be transferred," Issa noted.
A fair portion of Wednesday's hearing involved Republicans grilling IRS officials about the agency's targeting of politically conservative groups and their tax-exempt status. Sarah Hall Ingram, who headed the IRS office that led the charge against those groups, now heads the IRS' ACA implementation office, although she did not attend the hearing.


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subset: commoncrawl


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Panasonic is a leading manufacturer of high quality electronic goods, and their air conditioners are no exception. The new 2012 line of Panasonic mini splits represents a step forward in both aesthetics and performance, allowing Panasonic to offer one of the top mini split lines on the market. Panasonic has over 53 years of air conditioning experience, allowing any consumer to purchase a Panasonic product knowing that the addition to their home or office will be efficient, reliable and easy to use.
The E24NKUA Mini-Split air conditioner system is a fine example of Panasonic's engineering aptitude. This 24,000 system is guaranteed to meet any need a customer may have. The efficiency offered by this system is incredibly high, allowing anyone to save money on energy bills. The indoor units look great in any home, a sleek and stylish addition to any living space. The outdoor units represent Panasonic's pinnacle in engineering skill, combining high efficiency and operating range with a low footprint. The Panasonic E24NKUA Wall Mounted Mini Split System is an incredible addition to new or existing construction.
Panasonic E24NKUA Wall Mounted Mini Split System Features:
Panasonic E24NKUA Wall Mounted Mini Split System Contents:
Panasonic E24NKUA Wall Mounted Mini Split System Warranty Information:
To complete the Panasonic E24NKUA Wall Mounted Mini Split System, consider adding the following accessories that are required to complete every mini split system installation to your order:
By adding the required accessories to the Panasonic E24NKUA Wall Mounted Mini Split System you are receiving a complete solution completely ready for installation, so your contractor does not need to purchase required Panasonic Accessories to finish the installation.
Warranty From The Manufacturer - Only applies to units installed by licensed HVAC Or Air Conditioning company.
If you received a product that is "Dead On Arrival" we will replace it with brand new unit. You have 15 days from the date of delivery to notify us of the same.
Please make sure that you have an invoice from the licensed HVAC (or air conditioning company) with our model number AND serial number to receive any warranty. Replacement parts will be shipped and credit will be given when the part is returned to supplier. You will not receive credit for replacement units or warranty parts without proper documentation. Proper documents include an invoice from us and an invoice from a licensed installer. Our invoice will be emailed to you with the tracking number that you can print and save for future reference.
NO LABOR. THESE LIMITED WARRANTIES DO NOT INCLUDE LABOR or any other costs incurred for service, maintenance, repair, removing, replacing, installing, complying with local building and electric codes, shipping or handling, or replacement of the System, compressors or any other parts. For items that are designed to be maintained or replaced by the owner, the owner is solely responsible for all labor and other costs of maintaining, installing, replacing, disconnecting or dismantling the System and parts (such as filters or belts) in connection with owner-required maintenance. Air filter cleaning and/or replacement for each applicable indoor unit are owner-required maintenance, and labor for this procedure is not covered under warranty. Please consult the applicable technical documentation for air filter cleaning and other maintenance procedures.
D. Proper Installation. This Limited Warranty applies only to Systems that are installed by contractors who are licensed for HVAC installation under applicable local and state law, and who install the Systems in accordance with (i) all applicable building codes and permits; (ii) YMGI's installation and operation instructions; and (iii) good trade practices.
BEFORE REQUESTING SERVICE, please review the applicable technical documentation to insure proper installation and correct customer control adjustment for the System. If the problem persists, please arrange for warranty service.
(a) Contact the licensed contractor who installed the System or the nearest licensed contractor, dealer or distributor of any defect within the applicable warranty time period.
(b) Proof of the installation date by a licensed contractor is required when requesting warranty service. Present the sales receipt, building permit or other document which establishes proof and date of installation. Otherwise, this Limited Warranty shall be deemed to begin one hundred twenty (120) days after the date of manufacture stamped on the System. THE RETURN OF THE OWNER REGISTRATION CARD IS NOT A CONDITION OF COVERAGE UNDER THIS LIMITED WARRANTY. However, please return the Owner Registration Card so that YMGI can contact you if a question of safety arises.
(c) This Limited Warranty applies only while the System remains at the site of the original installation and only to locations within the continental United States, Alaska and Hawaii.
2. THIS LIMITED WARRANTY DOES NOT COVER: property damages, malfunction or failure of the System, or personal injury caused by or resulting from: (a) accident, abuse, negligence or misuse; (b) operating the System in a corrosive or wet environment containing chlorine, fluorine or any other hazardous chemicals; (c) installation, alteration, repair or service by anyone other than a licensed contractor or other than pursuant to the manufacturer's instructions; (d) improper matching of System components; (e) improper sizing of the System; (f) improper or deferred maintenance contrary to the manufacturer's instructions; (g) physical abuse to or misuse of the System (including failure to perform any maintenance as described in the Operation Manual such as air filter cleaning, or any System damaged by excessive physical or electrical stress); (h) Systems that have had a serial number or any part thereof altered, defaced or removed; (i) System used in any manner contrary to the
Operation Manual; (j) freight damage; or (k) damage caused by force majeure or other factors such as power surge damage caused by lightning and fluctuations in or interruptions of electrical power.
3. THIS LIMITED WARRANTY ALSO EXCLUDES: (a) SERVICE CALLS WHERE NO DEFECT IN THE SYSTEM COVERED UNDER THIS WARRANTY IS FOUND; (b) System installation or set-ups; (c) adjustments of user controls; or (d) Systems purchased or installed outside the continental United States, Alaska and Hawaii. Consult the operating instructions for information regarding user controls.
4. This Limited Warranty shall not be enlarged, extended or affected by, and no obligation or liability shall arise or grow out of, YMGI providing, directly or indirectly, any technical advice, information and/or service to Owner in connection with the System.
5. EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED IN THIS LIMITED WARRANTY, YMGI MAKES NO OTHER WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND WHATSOEVER REGARDING THE SYSTEM. YMGI DISCLAIMS AND EXCLUDES ALL WARRANTIES NOT EXPRESSLY PROVIDED HEREIN AND ALL REMEDIES WHICH, BUT FOR THIS PROVISION, MIGHT ARISE BY IMPLICATION OR OPERATION OF LAW, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND OF FITNESS FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE. NO ONE IS AUTHORIZED TO CHANGE THIS LIMITED WARRANTY IN ANY RESPECT OR TO CREATE ANY OTHER OBLIGATION OR LIABILITY FOR YMGI IN CONNECTION WITH THE SYSTEM. YMGI DISCLAIMS ALL LIABILITY FOR THE ACTS, OMISSIONS AND CONDUCT OF ALL THIRD PARTIES (including, without limitation, the installing contractor) IN CONNECTION WITH OR RELATED TO THE SYSTEM.
7. Some states do not allow limitations on warranties or exclusions or limitation of damages, so the above limitations or exclusions may not apply.
8. This Limited Warranty gives the owner specific legal rights and the owner may also have other rights that vary from state to state.
9. This Limited Warranty is valid only in the continental United States, Alaska and Hawaii, and it is not transferable.
Mostly All Of Our Products Are Shipped Same Or Next Day
Your product will be mostly shipped using Freight Company such as SAIA, ESTES, Old Dominion, FEDEX or UPS and will be delivered in 1-5 business days depending upon your geographical location from our warehouses. We ship products from warehouses in NY, NJ, FL, CA,AZ, TX And MO. Mostly if you are close to our warehouses, you should receive the Product in 1-3 business days. We will email you your tracking number soon as its shipped out or you can log into your account on our website by using your email address and password you created at the time of placing order to check all the shipment and product details.Please remember we only ship to 48 states within United States. Due to expensive shipment fee we do not ship to Hawaii & Alaska. We do not ship to Canada, Puerto Rico, Jamaica and other countries due to custom issues.
Though above shipment and delivery process is what we normally practice, under unforseen circumstances they cannot be guaranteed at all times. But we do our best and mostly succeed to ship the product either same or the next day.
Overnight Shipping Details (if required)
We can ship overnight or by Second Day Air. But beacuse these are air conditioners and the package weighs more than 90 pounds usually, shipping overnight can result in the package being mishandled and delivered damaged. Plus it cost anywhere from $180-$850 more than regular shipping depending upon your location from our warehouse. Feel free to email us with such enquiries.
We truly appreciate your business and for the past 2 decades being in this business we have continued to do our best to earn customer trust with each transaction. We want you to be happy with your purchase.
100% Satisfaction is guaranteed with all your purchases. In case any of the RARE complications occur, we will handle them upto your best interest and satisfaction.
Delivery Acceptance Terms:If you receive a package that seems damaged or dented, please open the package in front of the driver and after inspection if you see the product has a severe damage you can refuse the package and call us immediately. We will then arrange a new shipment (Free Replacement) ASAP.
Please note: If the box looks visibly damaged, the product inside may still be in perfect condition as they are well padded for shipping purposes.
PLEASE DO NOT SIGN OR REFUSE THE PACKAGE WITHOUT INSPECTING THE CONDITION OF THE PRODUCT INSIDE. Please take pictures if needed, accept or refuse shipment based upon the condition of the product in the box, not based upon the condition of the box. Please remember if you signed off on a delivery document, insurance cannot be filed if cosmetic damage is found at a later date, as it is considered to have happened after delivery at jobsite. If you need to get in touch with KINGERSONS, please call KINGERSONS customer service number at 1-386-951-1722 OR email us with your query. AS PER OUR WEBSITE, BELOW IS OUR EXCHANGE/RETURN POLICY FOR YOUR REFERENCE.
DEFECTIVE EXCHANGEIf unit (any product) is defective, depending upon the brand you buy, it will be taken care of by manufacturer warranty. Usually they will send out the replacement part within 24 hours, if replacing part is not a solution, they would probably replace the whole unit if the product was found defective. Replacement will only be made with the same model, if customer decides to upgrade or downgrade to a different model, we'll treat it as a return and a new order.
* All returns should be in original packaging and in brand new condition. Installed products are not considered brand new and cannot be returned.
* All damaged returns and replacements must be requested within 24 hours after the receipt of the product. *
Before shipping the product back, you should request an RA# (Return Authorization number), without an RA# your package will not be accepted, will be refused and sent back by the warehouse.
RETURNSFor all returns, customer is responsible to ship product back to our warehouse at their own expense; restocking fee of 19% will apply regardless if defective and original shipping fee (from $69 to $189 depending upon the product you purchased) will not be refunded as it is paid to the trucking company's and they are non-refundable.
CANCELLATIONSIf you placed the order and you wanted to cancel the order BEFORE IT IS SHIPPED, we will gladly cancel your order and $15.99 cancellation fee will be charged and 3% credit card processing charges will not be refunded. Please make sure that you call us within few hours after the order is placed. We ship the items out same or next business day. We cannot process cancellations after the product is shipped out. It will be considered as a return instead once the product is shipped and you will need to pay the return charges. If the delivery of the shipment is refused above return policy will apply. Once the item is shipped, the shipping company will not refund us the shipping fee back and will charge us for shipping both ways, this will not be refunded if cancelled after the product is shipped and 19% restocking fee will apply.
Warehouse Locations: New York, New Jersey, California, Florida, Missouri, Georgia, Texas, Arizona and Canada.
Copyright 2004 ADVANCE INFOTECH INC. Website Designed, Owned and Maintained by Bhatia International
Split Air Conditioners Ductless Air Conditioners mini split air conditioners split air condition split heat pump air conditioner contractors Cost Of Air Conditioner air and heat split air conditioning Split Air Conditioning


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The Secret Beyond Matter
After the Big Bang, a super powerful explosion that marked the beginning of the universe, particles emerged and came together as atoms. Well, do you know what an atom is?
Let us first explain to you what an atom is like. We can compare the atoms to marbles. But these marbles would be too tiny, unlike anything you have seen before.
Now, look around you! Everything that you see in reality is made of these marbles, namely the atoms. The chair on which you are sitting, the book in your hand, your mother, your teacher at school, the television that you watch, apples, melons, and the chocolates in the kitchen, your pet, water, the flowers in your garden, your toys, and even your body, all are made up of these atoms. As we explained earlier, the stars and suns that make up the universe and the world in which we live are also formed of atoms just like you. In all the places in which you go about and all the corners that you turn, there are atoms.
You cannot see these little things that we call atoms, because they are a lot smaller than you can imagine. They are so small that even with the largest microscopes, it isn't possible to see even one of them. To be able to comprehend the tiny size of the atom, look at this example:
Imagine that you have a key in your hand. Without a doubt, it is impossible for you to see the atoms that make up this key. If you say, "I must see these atoms", then you must visualise the key to be as large as earth. If you were able to visualise the key to be as large as earth then every atom inside it would be as large as cherries and so you could see them.Well, how did all the atoms come together after the Big Bang? The atoms are lifeless. They don't have any minds or any intelligence. They cannot make any decisions. They cannot say, for example, "Come on, let's get together and form a star" or "Let's come closer and form earth". We can also use the following example: We already mentioned a jigsaw puzzle. The pieces of this puzzle are lifeless and, like atoms, they cannot make decisions. If you spread them about, they cannot have thoughts such as "Well, let's get together and form a castle or a human!"
Then let's ask again: "How did all these stars, planets, humans and animals that are made up of atoms come into being? If the atoms did not make a decision, then who put them together?"
Of course, nothing around us can occur by coincidence. Allah is the One Who brings atoms together. Allah has created all the vastness of space, the planets, stars, earth, animals, plants and humans from atoms.


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Hello, everyone! Thank you to all who joined in our previous challenge, Anything Goes. We had a huge turn-out of creations submitted. We truly appreciate the time and effort you gave in stopping by our blog, to check out our latest challenge, and join in.
111. Jane
117. Kathyk
121. TracyM #6773
183. Zora
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Fairy Land
On a Break
using Elly the Elephant Dancing from Sasayaki Glitter
MelonHeadz - Winter Clip BoobleHeadz
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I am not proud of this, but I'm really just a one trick pony in the language department. Sure, after four years of high school French and the shortest exchange program ever, I can get by in Paris and because of this, can occasionally make sense of written Italian or Spanish, but Czech? German? I couldn't be further from makings heads or tails of it.
As you might expect, as Alex and I luckily found ourselves at some untouristy eateries in Vienna–without a waitstaff that catered to the language-deficient or menus reprinted in 16 world languages–quite a bit of Hilarity Ensued. After many hours of walking on a hot day, Alex and I were beat, so we flopped down at a cafe and mindlessly asked for "iced coffees" completely forgetting that "ice" equals "eis" equals "ice cream" in German, and ended up with a big cup filled with coffee, cream, whipped cream and a scoop of vanilla gelato. I wish all mistakes were this tasty!
Looking to offset the heavy dishes Central Europe, I also ordered something that I guessed was going to be a light, healthy vegetable strudel, something I'd imagined dreamily warm with crispy, flaky edges and something I was certainly going to want to repeat at home. Unfortunately, I received a brick of rice with a few flecks of carrots and parnsips, wrapped in phyllo and smothered in a creamy herb sauce. It all went very well with my eis Kaffee!
Nevertheless, this in no way diminished my dream to make my own vegetable strudel once I got home, so when I found a wild mushroom strudel recipe on Leite's Culinaria, I was so eager to try it, I entirely forgot about my wholly justified Fear of Phyllo. Here, just look at my first effort, doomed from the start.
I quickly realized that there was simply no way I was going to make this dish into the four burrito-shaped strudel the recipe suggested, and took matters into my own hands, dealing with phyllo the only way I am comfortable–in a technique I loosely adapted from Hogwash, or the very first time I saw a phyllo effort I thought I might actually be able to take part in.
Instead of stacking fragile sheet after sheet atop one another, you simply work with one at a time, folding into quarters and rolling your filling up into a little package, flag-style. You end up with a neat little finger food, and, at least in my case, far fewer gray hairs at the end of the night. (Alex's too, as he heard me talking smack about the phyllo's mother a lot less from the living room.)
Along with a big green salad, we ended up with a mighty delicious meal and I'm eager to make these again for a party sometime soon. So, whose got some phyllo tips for me, should I ever get the nerve to try this again?
Mushroom Strudel
Adapted from The Complete Mushroom Book, via Leite's Culinaria
My mother-in-law, whose phyllo expertise I bow before, always makes extra pastries and keeps them frozen until she needs them, a great planning-ahead party tip.
12 to 18 sheets phyllo pastry (12 to make four large strudel, 18 to make smaller triangles)
1/4 to 1/2 cup butter, melted (1/4 cup to make large strudel, 1/2 cup to make smaller triangles; alternately, you could use olive oil for a different flavor profile)
1 egg, beaten (for large strudel; I did not see the need to seal the small ones)
1 pound mixed, fresh, wild and cultivated mushrooms (we used only creminis, and ended up with plenty of flavor. If you omit the stems, start with 1.5 pounds)
1 medium onion, minced
3 tablespoons butter
Freshly grated nutmeg (optional, we skipped it)
1 tablespoon dry sherry
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
Leaves from 1 sprig marjoram or thyme
4 to 6 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan, plus extra for sprinkling, if you wish (the latter amount for the minis)
Salt and pepper to taste
Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Clear a large work surface for this, big enough for two full sheets of phllyo, your egg wash, parmesan and filling–trust me, you'll need it.
Make the filling: Make sure the mushrooms are dust- and sand-free, wash if necessary, and trim if need be. Cook the onion in the butter and, when soft, add the mushrooms with the nutmeg. Saute for 5 to 7 minutes, until liquid has been released and has partially evaporated. Add the sherry and evaporate the alcohol by cooking over low heat for 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in the flour, herbs, and some salt and pepper, and let cool. The mixture will be moist.
To make small, triangular strudel: Take one sheet of phyllo at a time from their package; cover the remaining sheets with plastic and then a damp towel, ensuring they are completely covered. Brush one half of the sheet lengthwise with butter. Fold the unbuttered side over the buttered side, carefully, smoothing out any wrinkles and bubbles but not worrying if you can't get them all. Again, brush one half of this lengthwise (a few inch-wide column) with butter, and fold the unbuttered side over it again. You'll end up with one long column.
Dollop a spoonful of the mushroom filling near the end and sprinkle a teaspoon of parmesan over it. Begin folding one bottom corner of the phyllo strip over the filling until it meets the opposite edge, forming a triangle, as if you were folding a flag. Place the triangle seam side down on the baking sheet, brush lightly with egg wash and sprinkle with parmesan.
Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes. Serve warm.
To make four larger strudel: Take 3 sheets of phyllo at a time from their package; cover the remaining sheets with plastic and then a damp towel, ensuring they are completely covered. Brush 1 sheet on both sides with melted butter, then place it on top of another sheet, and cover with a third. Repeat 3 times, to make 4 stacks of triple-layer phyllo.
Lay one of the 4 stacks of phyllo on the parchment-lined baking sheet. Brush the edges with beaten egg. Put one-fourth of the mushroom mixture on the center of the phyllo and add 1 tablespoon Parmesan. Fold in the sides, then fold over and over into a neat parcel. Brush with beaten egg, turn over very carefully so that the seam is on the bottom, and brush with egg again. Repeat to make 3 more strudels.
Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes. Serve warm.


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MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP) — A World Food Program handout of corn rations to Somalis trying to survive a famine turned deadly Friday after government troops opened fire, killing at least seven, witnesses said.
Residents of Mogadishu's largest famine refugee camp accused government soldiers of starting the chaos by trying to steal some of the 290 tons of dry rations that aid workers were trying to distribute there. Then refugees joined in the scramble, prompting soldiers to open fire, the witnesses said.
"They fired on us as if we were their enemy," said refugee Abidyo Geddi. "When people started to take the food then the gunfire started and everyone was being shot. We cannot stay here much longer. We don't get much food and the rare food they bring causes death and torture."
The chaos underscores the dangers and challenges of getting help to a nation that has been essentially ungoverned for two decades and now has a severe famine sweeping through it. There are 9,000 African Union soldiers in the capital, but their main mission is to fight al-Qaida linked Islamists, not safeguard humanitarian aid.
Aid workers are puzzling over how to help the starving without helping gunmen who either prey on the refugees, compete for security contracts to guard the food, or steal it and take a share of the profits when it's sold at market.
The situation echoes the 1992 famine that prompted deployment of a U.S.-led multinational force to safeguard the delivery of food to Somalia's starving. That international intervention collapsed in 1993 after two U.S. Black Hawk helicopters were shot down and 18 servicemen were killed in one single battle in Mogadishu.
U.S. and U.N. officials acknowledge that some aid in Somalia is bound to be stolen during delivery.
"Will there be losses? Sure. Will there be some looting? Of course there will be. What we have to do is try to minimize it," said WFP spokesman David Orr. "This is the highest risk environment in the world … the safety of our staff and getting food into the right hands are our highest priorities."
Friday's food distribution was organized by Mogadishu's mayor, and had been delayed two days as officials tried to shore up security arrangements. Orr told The Associated Press that the food distribution started smoothly at around 6 a.m. but degenerated a couple hours later.
"We got reports of trouble, looting. The trucks were overwhelmed by a mob of people. There were reports of some shots fired," said Orr, who said he could not confirm any death tolls.
One of the camp's refugees, Muse Sheik Ali, said soldiers first tried to steal some of the food aid, and that other refugees began to take the food.
"Then soldiers opened fire at them, and seven people, including elderly people, were killed on the spot. Then soldiers took the food and people fled from the camp," he said.
A Western official said the distribution went smoothly until more displaced families and gunmen arrived. The official could not be identified because he is not authorized by his employer to be quoted by the press. No details on which militia the gunmen may have belonged to were available. At least four militias prowl government-controlled areas of Mogadishu, their gunmen roaring around in pick-up trucks.
Thousands of Somalis have flooded into Mogadishu from the drought-stricken south. Many have walked for hundreds of miles and buried family members along the way. The drought and famine in Somalia have killed more than 29,000 children under the age of 5 in the last 90 days in southern Somalia alone, according to U.S. estimates.
Somalia Prime Minister Abdiweli Mohamed Ali visited the camp after the violence and said he was "deeply sorry." Ali said an investigation would be opened and promised harsh punishment for anyone found guilty.
The already mostly lawless capital has been made even more chaotic with the arrival of tens of thousands of refugees fleeing drought in the south, the famine's epicenter. International groups face huge challenges in distributing food inside Somalia. The worst-hit part of the country is controlled by al-Qaida-linked insurgents, who deny there is a famine and who have forbidden many aid groups from working there.
More than 12 million people in the Horn of Africa are in need of immediate food aid. The U.N. says 640,000 children are acutely malnourished in Somalia, where the U.N. has declared five famine zones, including the camps in Mogadishu for displaced families.
WFP often tries to do what it calls "wet feedings," in Somalia — giving out already made food like porridge — to limit the chances that it will be looted. But in this case it was dry rations, Orr said.
Somali soldiers control just part of the capital and are poorly trained.
"It was carnage. They ruthlessly shot everyone," said Abdi Awale Nor, who has been living at the camp. "Even dead bodies were left on the ground and other wounded bled to death."
The memory of international intervention in Somalia in 1992, just after the socialist dictatorship of Siad Barre had collapsed into clan warfare, haunts aid workers. Hundreds of thousands of Somalis starved to death, and the spectacle of their suffering rallied the world to send ships full of grain and peacekeepers to guard them.
Since the era of Black Hawk Down, aid groups say they have tried to tighten up their procedures by screening contractors, having independent checks on their operations and requiring truckers to pay a cash bond to ensure the food is delivered. Some say that Somalia is still too volatile to work in: WFP alone has had 14 employees killed in the past three years. Most foreign aid workers pulled out two years ago after a spate of killings and kidnappings.
The African Union peacekeeping force is willing to help safeguard aid deliveries, said Maj. Gen. Nathan Mugisha, the former commander of the AU force. He urged international organizations to do more to feed the families in the places they secured.
"We have done our part, largely, in the security sector," said Mugisha, whose forces have clawed back government control in about half the capital's 16 districts. Five more are on the front lines and the rebels control three.
Many aid agencies — some of whom are still able to operate in rebel-held areas — fear that if they are seen to be working too closely with the AU force, their staff could be targeted for being spies.
"Humanitarian responses in Somalia must be civilian-led," said Mark Bowden, the U.N.'s top official in charge of humanitarian aid in Somalia. "In the highly politicized context of south-central Somalia, relying on military assistance will not be effective. It is important that aid is seen as being impartial and independent of all political action."


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|Llewellyn's 2019 Daily Planetary Guide
|Yoga for the Creative Soul
|The Pure Heart of Yoga
Have you ever felt alone or confused by an unusual or unique supernatural experience? Do you know in your soul that you have an unconventional spiritual gift, but feel misunderstood by family, society, or religious dogma? Have you suppressed your abilities, spiritual gifts, and talents? Well dear soul, I am here to tell you that you are not alone.
My name is Jodi Foster; I consider myself an average person just like you. I am a mom, a domestic goddess, and a brilliant cook (well, according to my friends and family, that is). Strangely, through divine intervention, I find myself embarking on a new magical adventure as an author, radio personality, and intuitive consultant. My debut book is called Forgotten Burial: A Cry for Justice from Beyond the Grave, and my paranormal adventure was featured on the SyFy Network show Paranormal Witness (the particular episode is titled, "The Apartment").
It all started in the year 2000, when I found myself on a life-altering spiritual journey. I experienced premonitions, intuition, and extreme empathy, and what I later understood to be paranormal activity. I have come to understand that there seems to be a common thread woven throughout a person's first paranormal experience. Life as you knew it, is never the same again. Most people feel alone and crazy. We question reality, science, and our own sanity, then we question what we have been taught by mainstream religion.
A paranormal encounter may not seem like a good thing as it is being experienced, but maybe it is simply a matter of perception. As you read further, I encourage you to listen to the knowingness in the pit of your stomach: be a skeptic; pray; meditate; and keep an open heart, soul, and mind. I hope to plant a seed of encouragement, that you might embrace your own spiritual awakening and innate gifts.
As a child, I recall my grandfather—a Christian man and retired mortician from Albany, New York—sharing his ideas about the afterlife with me. These were ideas of acceptance, love, grief, and the possibility that life continues, even after death. I listened to his interesting stories, but other than thinking that he was one smart guy, I never really thought too much about how he helped families and spirits make it to the afterlife. However, on the eve of my ninth birthday, things changed.
My first encounter with the spiritual realm and the unknown was January 31, 1976. My grandfather came to me. He sat at the end of my bed and said, "Jodi, every one receives a special gift to share with the world. It's your job to accept and understand your gift, and to use your gift to the best of your ability. As you get older the gift will fade away. But someday when you least expect it, the gift will mysteriously reappear." He kissed me on the head, tucked me in bed, turned off my bedroom light, and walked out of my room.
In my child mind, I couldn't imagine what kind of special gift awaited me; I envisioned a wand, an invisibility cape, or a special fairy doll of some kind. I recall lying in my bed, fantasizing about the gift. It all seemed so magical and exciting. I assumed that since it was my birthday, Grandpa would be the one to bring it to me in the morning.
That morning, as I awoke with great expectations, I couldn't wait to hold the magical gift in my tiny hand. I stared out my living room window waiting for Grandpa and my gift to arrive; Grandpa's house was only ten minutes down the road from our home. As I waited with baited breath, I suddenly saw him. He was walking toward me up the dirt road. He smiled and waved at me, and I waved back. Strangely, as he approached my front door, he vanished. I didn't understand. I ran to see where he had gone, but I couldn't find him. I went into the kitchen and explained to my mother what had just happened. She looked at me, puzzled, and then decided to go look for him.
Mom was gone for about thirty minutes. When she returned, she had tears in her eyes. She cried out, "Grandpa went to heaven!" I didn't understand.
"Mom," I said, "I just saw him at our door!"
She yelled at me, "Stop lying, Jodi, he never left his house today—he died!"
I fell to my knees and cried. I was confused and scared. I didn't understand; I had just seen him at my front door. Apparently, mom had found him lying on his couch at his home. According to the coroner's report, he had suffered a heart attack the night before, and passed in his sleep.
From my grandfather's death forward, departed friends and family began to visit me in dreams. Sometimes they had messages to share, or sometimes they just wanted to visit. The next thing that started to happen was that I soon found myself able to sense a person's feelings and emotions, and knew without speaking if they were sick, sad, mad, or elated. None of these abilities really bothered me much until teen-hood, when my abilities became even more intense.
As a teen I attended a fundamental Christian church and began to search for answers regarding these gifts and strange abilities. But, according to the church, these types of abilities were from the devil. This is when I decided to suppress my gifts. But, as a result of this, I started to experience panic attacks and severe agoraphobia. For years I suffered in silence, not knowing where to turn or to whom to talk.
In the year 2000, denying and suppressing these abilities was no longer possible. And just like Grandpa had said twenty-five years earlier, my spiritual reawakening began. It was a reality-bending, scary paranormal adventure that changed my life forever. Shortly after moving into my new apartment, I began to feel the presence of an unknown entity. I soon found myself plagued with haunting nightmares: visions of murder, abduction, and a secret burial. Each and every morning, I would awaken at 3:37am, to my daughter's Sing and Snore Ernie doll mysteriously placed in the middle of my living room, yelling, "I feel great, I feel great!" Lights flashed off and on. TVs blared white static noise, and cupboards and drawers flew open. The anomalies were confusing and overwhelming. I didn't know where to turn, and I questioned my sanity. Being raised as a Christian, I was taught that evil forces were constantly trying to take my soul to the depths of hell, and that I had to be on guard for the devil, who lurked around every corner. It was all the plan of the devil, he was trying to steer me away from God.
Other than complete insanity, I really had no other explanation for what was going on. If not for the fact that my two friends and my daughter experienced the horrifying anomalies as well, I might have checked myself into a psychiatric hospital. I soon found myself in the middle of a multi-layered murder mystery, paranormal adventure, and a spiritual awakening like no other.
Old enough to be fading from local memory, the news of a Red Bluff, California kidnapping, torture, and sex-slavery story, dubbed The Girl in the Box, grabbed national headlines during much of 1984. In the sixteen years between 1984 and when I moved into my apartment, I had not heard of this story, nor did I know that I would uncover a horrifying connection to this strange and horrific story that had made the covers of newspapers and television broadcasts worldwide.
A married couple, Cameron Hooker and his wife/accomplice Janice, made national and international headlines during much of the 1980s. They were known for abducting and sexually enslaving a young woman by the name of Colleen Stan from 1977 through 1984. They kept her in a coffin alive under their bed for seven years, doing unimaginably sadistic things to her. The story was featured on The Oprah Winfrey Show, as well as many other popular talk shows and news broadcasts for much of the 1980s and 1990s. But, before Colleen Stan's story made the headlines, the Hookers had a first victim: her name was Madeline Isabella Johnson.
Unbeknownst to us, there was an explanation for the paranormal happenings in the apartment my daughter and I had moved into in 2000: it was Madeline Isabella's last residence.
Known to family and friends as Maybelle, her story was a shocker. According to a local paper, she and her boyfriend had been at a local flea market selling goods to earn money for their college tuition. An argument ensued. He yelled. She cried, and the embarrassing incident ended. With tears running down the young woman's face, she yelled back, "I am walking home." That was the last time the man saw his beloved girlfriend.
On Jan 31, 1976 (oddly enough, the same day that my grandfather visited my nine-year-old self after his death), a missing person report ran in the local Chico, California newspaper, asking anyone with information regarding the disappearance of Madeline Isabella Johnson to come forward.
Leads were followed up with local police and FBI, but nothing came of the teen's disappearance; her case fell dormant. Eventually years passed, and then decades. The story and life of Maybelle faded into a mere memory.
My spiritual reawakening in 2000 began with Maybelle's haunting. At the time it was a frightening, reality-bending, mind-blowing adventure that made me question, "What does this all mean?" What I was able to glean from my experience was that there is a spiritual realm; the anomalies actually deepened my belief in God, my higher power. I realized that there are many kinds of spiritual awakenings and gifts. Though we all come from differing religious backgrounds, there is a central theme that brings us together... it is the quest for meaning and purpose to our existence. I have learned that there is a realm of higher existence; there is justice, peace, love, and hope. It is a place where wrongs can be righted, and justice can be served; it is a place of continual spiritual growth and love. Maybelle was on a mission: she was part of a bigger picture and wanted to remind us that there is a spiritual realm and it is just as real and solid as the realm in which we are now living.
My hope is that after reading Forgotten Burial: A Cry for Justice from Beyond the Grave that, just like me, you will take away with you a new spiritual understanding. You will be able to embrace struggles, look adversity in the face, and know you are not alone. Whatever spiritual practice you choose to embrace, there is life after life on earth and, no matter how horrifying the situation might seem, there is always a miracle around every corner. Though it may seem terrifying in the moment, know that there is a spiritual realm guiding your step. Sometimes it takes a tragedy; sometimes it takes a miracle to remind us that magic is all around us.
Like children, we just need to open our eyes, souls, and hearts to the possibilities. And, just like Grandpa said so many years ago, "Your magical gift will appear." Embrace the child within…you are special and you too have a gift just like me. Know that you don't have to be perfect to share or experience the magic… it is all around you. And know that you are not alone.
Jodi Foster (Chico, California) is an author, radio, and TV personality, and was the star of the Syfy channel's Paranormal Witness episode entitled, "The Apartment." Forgotten Burial is her debut non-fiction book. ...


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(317) 848-0215
December 12, 2016
"Greenery," a fresh and zesty yellow-green shade that evokes the first days of spring, has been named 2017's Color of the Year by Pantone, the world's global color authority. The color immediately evokes Granny Smith apples and Kermit the Frog, but gem and jewelry lovers will recognize Greenery as an exact match for August's official birthstone, peridot.
Illustrative of flourishing foliage and the lushness of the great outdoors, the fortifying attributes of Greenery signals consumers to take a deep breath, oxygenate and reinvigorate, according to Pantone. It's a life-affirming shade emblematic of the pursuit of personal passions and vitality.
"Greenery bursts forth in 2017 to provide us with the hope we collectively yearn for amid a complex social and political landscape," noted Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute. "Satisfying our growing desire to rejuvenate, revitalize and unite, Greenery symbolizes the reconnection we seek with nature, one another and a larger purpose."
Each year since 2000, the color aficionados at Pantone have picked a color that reflects the current cultural climate. Typically, Pantone's selection shows up in fashion, beauty, housewares, home and industrial design and consumer packaging.
The process of choosing the annual color takes about nine months, with Pantone's trend watchers scanning the globe's fashion runways and high-profile events for "proof points" until one color emerges as the clear winner.
A year ago, Pantone blended two shades — Rose Quartz and Serenity Blue — to create its 2016 Color of the Year. Together, the mineral pink and tranquil blue combined to communicate a sense of wellness and peacefulness, with a dash of gender equality.
In 2015, Pantone disappointed the masses with its choice of Marsala, a brownish-red hue that was supposed to resemble fine wine, but looked more like high school cafeteria meatloaf. For 2014, the group chose Radiant Orchid, an enchanting harmony of fuchsia, purple and pink.
Here are most recent Pantone Colors of the Year...
PANTONE 13-1520 Rose Quartz (2016)
PANTONE 15-3919 Serenity (2016)
PANTONE 18-1438 Marsala (2015)
PANTONE 18-3224 Radiant Orchid (2014)
PANTONE 17-5641 Emerald (2013)
PANTONE 17-1463 Tangerine Tango (2012)
PANTONE 18-2120 Honeysuckle (2011)
If the jewelry industry takes its cue from Pantone, store showcases will be featuring more peridot in 2017. Colors range from pure green to yellowish-green to greenish-yellow, but the finest hue is green without any hint of yellow or brown, according to the Gemological Institute of America. In addition to being the official birthstone of August, peridot is also the 16th anniversary gemstone.
Peridot is credited with being the first gem to be discovered on another planet. The Mars landing of 2003 revealed that green peridot crystals — in the form of the gem's less-precious cousin, olivine — cover about 19,000 square miles of the Red Planet's surface.
Credits: Greenery images courtesy of Pantone. Peridot images courtesy of Smithsonian.


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Shahu Maharaj Death Anniversary News Lokmat 8th May 22
Recent Posts
- College of Engineering Team QuantumGIS has secured first place in the Smart India Hackathon 2022.
- College of Hotel Management and Catering Technology successfully created a world record by preparing 100 curries in 250 minutes with the help of 250 students & faculty members.
- College of Pharmacy has been reigning champions in the National Pharmacy Week competition at the undergraduate level, organized by the Indian Pharmaceutical Association, for the past five consecutive years.
- Institute of Management is ranked 10th among affiliated colleges in India by Outlook I-Care Magazine B-School Survey.
- Institute of Information Technology successfully implemented the HAM radio project, ensuring connectivity between remote villages.


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If you have the author's name for an item you are searching for use the author function in OSCAR. Select "Author" from the pull-down menu. Remember, last names should be entered first, followed by first name. If you are unsatisfied with the search results, try searching by last name only. If there is a difference in spelling with an author's name from one work to another, there will be an authority record in your search results. This should aggregate items by the same author.
Be careful when doing a subject search. The subject headings used in the library are based upon the Library of Congress Subject Headings. If you do not know the exact name of the subject heading you are looking for it is often best to find a relevant item and then search via the subject headings assigned to it. Please note the example above. Notice the subject heading below the author and title information. These subject headings are clickable. If you click on either of them they will display all items which have likewise been assigned this subject heading. This can be a very effective method to aggregate similar items together.
If you already have the title of an item you are looking for, then the quickest way to find its entry in the catalog is with a title search. Go to OSCAR, and select "Title" from the pull-down menu. If you only have a partial or incomplete title do a keyword search instead.
A keyword search can be a great way to find relevant materials if you do not know the titles of items you are looking for, or the subject heading assigned to them. A keyword search will search within a record's title entry, author entry, subject headings, uniform titles, corporate names, publishers, and content notes (when available). If you do not know the title or author and are unsure about the descriptive subject terms then a keyword search is often your best starting point.


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New iPad not quite running circles around iPad 2
While the new iPad's A5X processor, with its quad-core GPU, is great at pushing millions of polygons around in games, does it offer any general speed increases over the iPad 2?
At this point in the performance narrative of i...Things, I've gotten accustomed to each new iteration of the iPad or iPhone being demonstrably faster than the last. I'm not talking strictly about frame rates in games either. App load times, movie encoding, and app download speeds are all things that seem to noticeably improve with each new iOS device.
However, with the announcement that the new iPad's A5X processor would only see an upgrade in its graphical capabilities over the A5, I have to admit to being more than a bit disappointed.
Still, there's no way to know for sure what improvements or lack of improvements to general performance there are without rolling up your sleeves, using a little elbow grease, hunkering down, and doing some testing.
Honestly, conducting these types of tests is something I genuinely enjoy so no need to thank me, I'd likely be doing it even if CNET wasn't constantly driving dump trucks of money to my house. Really, they are (not really).
Since I know how much you love things you can read, I've organized the results into an easily digestible chart. Check below the chart for explanations of what exactly these numbers mean. I ran the tests on the iPad 2 (Wi-Fi, 16GB) and the new iPad (4G, 32GB).
|New iPad (in seconds)
|iPad 2 (in seconds)
|Boot time
|iMovie export (front cam, 720p)
|iMovie export (rear cam, 720p)
|iMovie export (rear cam, 1080p)
|Game load (Puzzlejuice)
|Game load (Real Racing 2 HD)
|Game load (Flip Ship)
|App download (Cut the Rope HD Lite)
Boot time
While tablet owners will rarely turn off their tablets, boot time is still a simple and easy way to gauge and compare overall speed. For this test, I loaded the exact same apps on both iPads, put them in airplane mode, and powered them off. I started the timer as I pressed the power button and stopped it as soon as the lock screen appeared.
iMovie encoding
I shot two 30-second clips: one with each iPad's front camera and one with each of their rear cameras. I exported the front camera's movie from each iPad to the camera roll at 720p and timed the process from the moment I tapped "HD - 720p" until the process completed.
I followed the same methodology for the rear camera videos. In addition, since the new iPad possesses the power of 1080p (the iPad 2 isn't capable of 1080p output), I exported the back camera movie at that resolution as well, just out of curiosity really.
App loading
I used three different games to determine if apps load any faster on the new iPad than the iPad 2. First up was one of my favorite games on iOS, Puzzlejuice. I timed the test from the moment the app icon was tapped until the game screen appeared.
For Real Racing 2 HD, I chose Quick Race and started the timer as I tapped the default course and stopped as soon as the cars appeared onscreen.
Lastly, I used Flip Ship since, one, in my previous experience it wasn't always the fastest-loading app, and two, it has a useful progress bar. I timed it from the moment I tapped the app until the title screen appeared.
App download speed via Wi-Fi
I downloaded Cut the Rope HD Lite (23.8MB) from the App Store over a closed Wi-Fi network where the tablets were about 5 to 7 feet away from the router. I timed both the download and installation of the app from the moment I tapped "Install app" until the app icon lit up. Check out the full iPad review for information about its 4G speeds.
The chart above definitely indicates that the new iPad opens apps about as fast as the iPad 2 does. While I didn't test every app available, given the evidence gathered during testing as well as anecdotal evidence garnered by simply using the device, I think it's safe to say that you won't find much speed difference, if you do at all, when opening apps.
Pretty much the same thing goes for app download speeds as well. During my testing, as well as anecdotal usage, I didn't notice a significant difference in download speed. And while the new iPad is consistently faster at encoding 720p video, it's not dramatically so.
Boot time was faster on the iPad 2, but storage size must be taken into account here. As mentioned above, our iPad 2's 16GB of storage cuts the boot process duration, making it quicker than the new iPad's with its 32GB of storage.
If you're considering replacing your iPad 2 with a new iPad in the hope that the speed increases will justify your purchase decision, you may want to consider something else, like sticking with your iPad 2.
While overall the new iPad does perform faster, the small increase in speed isn't by itself worth an upgrade from iPad 2; however, if you've got your eye on the iPad for other reasons (like the gorgeous screen, its impressive graphical capabilities, or its fast 4G speeds), well, that's something I'd be much more inclined to support.


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Hi-Res Porcelain Texture – 08
This is 8th texture in the series of 10 floral porcelain/ceramic textures. This is a Hi-Res Custom Made texture and can be used for ceramic, pottery and/or other floral design needs. Hopefully you will find textures in this series useful for your own projects.
Texture Category: Porcelain/Ceramic
Sub-Category: Floral Texture Type: Seamless
File Type: JPG
Dimensions: 4096×4096
Bump Map Included: Yes
Normal Map Included: Yes
Specular Map Included: Yes
Files Included:
Porcelain-08.jpg (Diffuse)
Porcelain-08B.jpg (Bump)
Porcelain-08N.jpg (Normal)
Porcelain-08S.jpg (Specular)
Render Preview(s) (applied to 3d object)


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Reality Is Broken
Why Games Make Us Better and How They Can Change the World
Visionary game designer Jane McGonigal reveals how we can harness the power of games to solve real world problems and boost global happiness.
More than 174 million Americans are gamers, and the average young person in the United States will spend ten thousand hours gaming by the age of 21. According to world-renowned game designer Jane McGonigal, the reason for this mass exodus to virtual worlds is that videogames are increasingly fulfilling genuine human needs. In this groundbreaking exploration of the power and future of gaming, McGonigal reveals how we can use the lessons of game design to fix what is wrong with the real world.
Drawing on positive psychology, cognitive science and sociology, Reality is Broken uncovers how game designers have hit on core truths about what makes us happy, and utilized these discoveries to astonishing effect in virtual environments. Videogames consistently provide the exhilarating rewards, stimulating challenges and epic victories that are so often lacking in the real world. But why, McGonigal asks, should we use the power of games for escapist entertainment alone? Her research suggests that gamers are expert problem solvers and collaborators, since they cooperate with other players to overcome daunting virtual challenges, and she helped pioneer a fast-growing genre of games that aims to turn gameplay to socially positive ends.
In Reality is Broken, she reveals how these new Alternate Reality Games are already improving the quality of our daily lives, fighting social problems like depression and obesity, and addressing vital 21st century challenges — and she forecasts the thrilling possibilities that lie ahead. She introduces us to games like World Without Oil, a simulation designed to brainstorm — and therefore avert — the challenges of a worldwide oil shortage, and Evoke, a game commissioned by the World Bank Institute that sends players on missions to address issues from poverty to climate change.
McGonigal persuasively argues that those who continue to dismiss games will be at a major disadvantage in the coming years. Gamers, on the other hand, will be able to leverage the collaborative and motivational power of games in their own lives, communities, and businesses. Written for gamers and non-gamers alike, Reality is Broken shows us that the future will belong to those who can understand, design and play games.
Penguin paperback (Dec. 27, 2011)
Penguin, (January 20, 2011)


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Years before ER or Grey's Anatomy, there was Medical Center. The drama debuted in 1969 on CBS and ran for seven seasons and 171 episodes.
The medical show revolves around two surgeons, their lives and the lives of their patients. Paul Lochner (James Daly) is the experienced Chief of Staff and Joe Gannon (Chad Everett) is a young and handsome physician and they both work at a university hospital in Los Angeles. Gannon also works as the head of the Student Health Department at the University. They're helped by a very efficient nurse Eve Wilcox, (Audrey Totter).
Season one of Medical Center has now been released on DVD. You can purchase the six disc set or you can also try to win a copy here. To enter, you need to merely post a comment below. You can enter once per day.
If you'd like an additional chance to win, leave a comment on our Facebook page under the wall post about the contest. You can enter once per day.
You can also follow us on Twitter and tweet "@tvseriesfinale Hope I win Medical Center on DVD! http://tvseriesfinale.com/?p=20457". You can enter once per day.
If you don't have Facebook or Twitter accounts, you can email us as another way to enter.
Guidelines: This giveaway is open to participants with a United States mailing address only. (International readers can enter if they have a friend in the States who can accept their prizes by mail.) Many may enter but one person will win. You must be 18 and older to enter and no purchase is necessary. Contest ends August 14, 2011.
UPDATE: Congratulations to Jasper who won this DVD set in our contest. Thanks to everyone who played and we've got more contests coming!


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The Cure for Everything
By Timothy Caulfield
By Timothy Caulfield
By Timothy Caulfield
By Timothy Caulfield
By Timothy Caulfield
By Timothy Caulfield
Smart Medicine for Healthier Living
The Pill Book (13th Edition)
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Organic Chemistry
The Metabolic Plan
Power Healing
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Vitamins and Minerals, 3rd Edition
The BalleCore® Workout
Acupuncture without Needles
Sinus Relief Now
Body Signs
"A Freakonomics for the health industry."—Justin Sorbara-Hosker, Indigo Lifestyle blog
"[Caulfield] thinks with an academic's rigor and precision and knows the health maintenance territory inside out. Mr. Caulfield is at his breezy best in discussions of exercise and diet, both of which he approaches with a certain swagger… Mr. Caulfield muses at amusing and instructive length on the exact definition of fitness — the bizarre, science-free equivalency the modern aesthetic has established between fitness and sexy abs — and the depressingly well-validated fact that the older you get, the more running it takes to stay in exactly the same place."
—Abigail Zuger, MD., The New York Times
"Caulfield's cure for the mess we're in is this lucid and well-researched compendium of the best-available science about diet, fitness, genetics, pharmaceuticals and alternative medicine. . . . A compelling and timely argument for science and a reminder that science is an iterative process, breakthroughs are rare, and there are no magical cures for everything."
—Julia Belluz, National Post
"Timothy Caulfield is a science nerd. He's also a health nut. And he's fed up with all the bogus diet claims, expensive fitness programs and weird information that poses as scientific fact. . . . [He] spent a year combing through research and interviewing top scientists. He also exercised like a maniac and ate an ultra-healthy diet. His search for the truth resulted in . . . The Cure for Everything!"
—Nancy J. White, The Toronto Star
"[An] entertaining and thought-provoking slam."—Publisher's Weekly
"[The] Cure for Everything is insightful and entertaining…Gently and with humour, Caulfield guides readers through the funhouse world of health sciences."—National Post (Canada)
Table Of Contents
Introduction: The Cookie Conundrum
One: Fitness
Sexy Abs and Simple Solutions
Two: Diet
Miracle Foods and Magical Weight Loss
Three: Genetics
The Blueprint to Perfect Health and Happiness
Four: Remedies
Colon Cleansers, Meridian Alignment, and Wonder Drugs
Five: Magic
Looking for the Elixir of Life
Omissions and References
21 Books You've Been Meaning to Read
Become a Member
Start earning points for buying books! Just for joining you'll get personalized recommendations on your dashboard daily and features only for members.Find Out More Join Now Sign In


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Nurses On-Call is a health advice and physician referral service line that HCA Midwest Health provides to the public free of charge—a free nurse hotline for uninsured, insured, no insurance, etc. Reach a registered nurse 24 hours per day, 7 days per week*.
Call Centerpoint Medical Center
Find a doctor
Whether you want a primary care physician or a specialist, and close to home or quick access from work, there are a few easy ways to find a physician that fits both your needs and your lifestyle.
- Call us at Centerpoint Medical Center
- Visit the Physician Finder for Centerpoint Medical Center
Choosing a doctor that's right for you is a big decision, and we want you to have all of the information you need.
Schedule an appointment
Have you selected a physician already? We'll help you make that appointment. Call us at Centerpoint Medical Center and we'll get you to the right place. Or schedule online!
Health advice
Our registered nurses are licensed in four states and have combined nursing experience of over 150 years. Health questions that our RNs can answer for you might include:
- I hit my head; do I need to see my doctor?
- How do I know if this mole needs to be looked at?
- Am I drinking enough water?
- My child has a fever and cough! What do I do?
The nurses at Nurses On-Call can give you some guidelines, some information to think about, and point you in the right direction for all of your healthcare concerns.
Hospital information
Are you looking for a hospital that offers a particular service? We can help. If you have questions about Centerpoint Medical Center, give us a call at Centerpoint Medical Center; we'll point you in the right direction.
Think of us as your healthcare navigator: find MDs, consult a nurse, and get all the information you need to make the best healthcare decisions you can.
If you are looking for a patient or employee of the hospital, please call Centerpoint Medical Center's main number.
Additional helpful information
* Closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. If you are having a medical emergency, call 911 or visit your nearest Emergency Room. To find out just how fast you'll be seen, text ER to 32222.


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Meetings shall be held quarterly or more frequently as necessary.
Recommend specific actions or initiatives to encourage or facilitate affordable housing while protecting the ability of the property to appreciate in value. Evaluate the incentives contained in the Martin County local housing incentive plan and make recommendations for its amendment as needed to encourage or facilitate the creation or maintenance of affordable housing. Review the Martin County Local Housing Assistance Plan (SHIP) before its submission for adoption or amendment to the Board of County Commissioners (BCC). Review applications for SHIP funds by community-based organizations or eligible sponsors and provide recommendations for funding of these applications to the BCC. Function as the review committee set forth in the local housing assistance plan to advise and monitor the SHIP program, evaluate requests for exceptions from the regulations in accordance with the procedures set forth in the local housing assistance plan, and to hear appeals from decisions made by the SHIP program administrator.
The Committee shall consist of at least eight but not more than eleven members who shall be appointed by resolution of the BCC. Five members shall constitute a quorum. The Committee shall consist of one County Commissioner, or designee, and one representative from at least six of the following categories:
As of the effective date of this ordinance (March 28, 2017), up to six members of the Committee shall be appointed for a three-year term and up to five members shall be appointed for a two-year term. Thereafter, at the end of each members' term, the member may be reappointed for a two year term or replaced with a member who shall be appointed for a two year term. Appointments to fill a vacancy shall be for the remainder of the unexpired term.


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"Parasara said, 'The lowest order, it is proper, should derive their sustenance from the three other orders. Such service, rendered with affection and reverence, makes them righteous. 2 If the ancestors of any Sudra were not engaged in service, he should not still engage himself in any other occupation (than service). Truly, he should apply himself to service as his occupation. In my opinion, it is proper for them to associate, under all circumstances, with good men devoted to righteousness, but never with those that are wicked. As in the Eastern hills, jewels and metals blaze with greater splendour in consequence of their adjacence to the Sun, even so the lowest order blazes with splendour in consequence of their association with the good. A piece of white cloth assumes that hue with which it is dyed. Even such is the case with Sudras. 3 Hence also, one should attach oneself to all good qualities but never to qualities that are evil. The life of human beings in this world is fleeting and transitory. That wise man who, in happiness as also in misery, achieves only what is good, is regarded as a true observer of the scriptures. That man who is endued with intelligence would never do an act which is dissociated from virtue, however high may the advantages be of that act. Indeed, such an act is not regarded as truly beneficial. That lawless
p. 353
king who, snatching thousands of kine from their lawful owners, gives them away (unto deserving persons), acquires no fruit (from that act of giving) beyond an empty sound (expressive of the act he does). On the other hand, he incurs the sin of theft. The Self-born at first created the Being called Dhatri held in universal respect. Dhatri created a son who was engaged in upholding all the worlds. 1 Worshipping that deity, the Vaisya employs himself, for the means of his support, in agriculture and the rearing of cattle. The Kshatriyas should employ themselves in the task of protecting all the other classes. The Brahmanas should only enjoy. As regards the Sudras, they should engage themselves in the task of humbly and honestly collecting together the articles that are to be offered in sacrifices, and in cleaning altars and other places where sacrifices are to be performed. If each order acts in this way, righteousness would not suffer any diminution. If righteousness is preserved in its entirety, all creatures inhabiting the earth would be happy. Beholding the happiness of all creatures on earth, the deities in heaven become filled with gladness. Hence, that king who, agreeably to the duties laid down for his order, protects the other classes, becomes worthy of respect. Similarly, the Brahmana that is employed in studying the scriptures, the Vaisya that is engaged in earning wealth, and the Sudra that is always engaged in serving the three other classes with concentrated attention, become objects of respect. By conducting themselves in the other ways, O chief of men, each order is said to fall away from virtue. Keeping aside gifts by thousands, even twenty cowries that one may give painfully, having earned them righteously, will be productive of the great benefit. Those persons, O king, who make gifts unto Brahmanas after reverencing them duly, reap excellent fruits commensurate with those gifts. That gift is highly prized which the donor makes after seeking out the donee and honouring him properly. That gift is middling which the donor makes upon solicitation. That gift, however, which is made contemptuously and without any reverence, is said to be very inferior (in point of merit). Even this is what those utterers of the truth, viz., the sages, say. While sinking in this ocean of life, man should always seek to cross that ocean by various means. Indeed, he should so exert himself that he might be freed from the bonds of this world. The Brahmana shines by self restraint; the Kshatriya by victory; the Vaisya by wealth; while the Sudra always shines in glory through cleverness in serving (the three other orders).'"
352:2 Nirdishta refers to Seva.
352:3 i.e., they take the hues of the society they keep. Hence, it is very desirable for them to live with the good.
353:1 This son of Dhatri is the god of the clouds.


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I have found that the combination of hot smoked salmon with a Cajun spices crust is a total delight with this light, Spring vegetable pasta writes Sandra Tate…Hot smoked salmon, with the minimum of cure time, is a thing of great succulence and beauty, and the smoky flavours of fish and spices is one that you will want to return to again and again.
Curing and Smoking the Salmon
Mix together 30g salt and 20g unrefined sugar in 400ml of water in a snug container, immerse 4 salmon fillets for 20-30 minutes, then rinse and pat completely dry. Set the Bradley Smoker to a cabinet temperature of 75°C/150°F and add oak bisqettes to the stack. Allow the cabinet to reach the required temperature and fill with smoke. Coat the upper surface of the fillets with Cajun Spice mix (available in most supermarkets) to cover, patting down to form a dry crust, transfer to a Bradley wire rack and smoke for 1 hour. Set aside in a warm place.
Hot Smoked Cajun Salmon with Pasta, Rocket Pesto & Spring Vegetables – serves 4
First make a batch of fresh rocket pesto by placing in a small processor 1 clove garlic, crushed; 40g fresh wild rocket leaves; 20g grated Parmesan cheese; 20g almond flakes; 1 tsp salt; a squeeze of lemon juice; a grinding of black pepper and enough olive oil to make a thick paste. Process briefly and store in a screw top jar, with more olive oil to cover the surface, until required. You should have enough for another day – keep in the fridge.
Now heat a large pan of salted water to boiling and add 500g of the pasta of your choice. Follow the packet instructions for cooking time and add a generous cup of defrosted, frozen peas and some tender stem broccoli tops to the pan 2 minutes before the end of cooking time. Drain through a colander, return to the pan and toss with 2-3 tbsp rocket pesto to dress before dividing between warmed pasta bowls. Top each with a fillet of hot smoked Cajun salmon and dress with a few strands of fine julienne of courgette. Serve immediately.


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An Orange County Sheriff's deputy is facing jail time after being accused of pepper spraying a teen's pizza without his knowledge during a traffic stop last year, prosecutors said.
Juan Tavera, a six-year veteran of the Orange County Sheriff's Department at the time of the alleged crime, faces one year in jail if convicted of spraying the pizza and ultimately sickening five people who ate it, according to a release by the Orange County District Attorney's Office.
Tavera, 30, allegedly pulled over a 19-year-old named as John Doe for a traffic violation on Sept. 8, 2012, when he noticed a pizza in the back seat and pepper sprayed it without the teen noticing, the release stated.
The teen returned home to share the pizza with four friends, and all five people became sick as a result of ingesting the pepper spray-contaminated pie. He became suspicious and notified the sheriff's department of his interaction with the deputy, the DA's office said.
Tavera is charged with misdemeanor assault or battery by a public officer and is set to be arraigned Monday in Newport Beach.
He is currently on paid administrative leave.
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Blades of Glory
Last night's awe-inspiring Olympic women's figure skating performances have got you dreaming of a career as a professional ice princess.
Too bad your only experience hitting the ice involves chilled crown shots and a triple toe trip to a sit spin on the ground.
Learn how stick your landings a little more gracefully with a few ice skating lessons courtesy of Ice Palace Hawaii's WeSkate Program.
Beginners can sign up for the Pre-Alpha class which offer 30 minutes of group instruction on the most basic of elements, like skating forwards and backwards, gliding on one foot, and stopping without crashing into rink walls.
Seasoned skaters can perfect their skills in the Advanced Classes, which cover a range of skating techniques.
Want to up your artistic score? Sign up for the Theatre Class, designed to bring out your personal creative style through improvisation and the incorporation of props, such as balls, hoops and ribbons into your skating routine. Looking to pick up a little speed between combinations? Take the Stroking Class, which focuses on improving endurance and rhythm through footwork training. There's even a Synchronized Skating Class for those who prefer to hit the podium as a pair.
Ice skates are provided for all of the classes. Register for classes at Ice Palace, 5410 Salt Lake Blvd. For more info, call 808.487.9921 or click here
And the attire is strictly BYOB.
(Bring Your Own Bedazzler)
Register for classes at Ice Palace, 5410 Salt Lake Blvd. For more info, call 808.487.9921 or click here


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News Story
Michigan's Takeover of Detroit Exposes Strains Over Control
Detroit voters elected Mike Duggan, right, as mayor Nov. 5. A state-appointed emergency manager is running the bankrupt city but Duggan is asking state officials for a role. (AP)
DETROIT— On Jan. 1, Detroit will swear in its first white mayor in 40 years. Usually that would be a significant turn in a city where eight of 10 residents are black. But the milestone will be diminished by the reality that this city is the largest in America where elected officials do not run their own government.
A Washington, D.C. lawyer, Kevyn Orr, is managing the day-to-day operations of the Detroit government for now and into the new year instead of Mayor-elect Mike Duggan and the Detroit City Council. Orr answers to Republican Gov. Rick Snyder, who in March appointed him as an "emergency manager" to steer the city through an unprecedented bankruptcy.
Michigan's election-year intervention in Detroit points up a collateral effect of a state takeover: the loss of control by a government's leaders whom residents elected to deliver their services. Nineteen states have enacted laws allowing the state government to step in and help a financially distressed city, but only a handful are as aggressive as Michigan, which has taken over seven cities and three school districts since 2007.
The perceived trampling of democratic rights often creates tension between the state and city, which disillusions many residents in places such as Detroit. The current mayor, Dave Bing, and five of nine city council members did not seek re-election Nov. 5, when 25 percent of registered voters came out for the municipal election.
"I feel like we have lost our democracy," said Gail Craig, 57, of Detroit, a General Motors consultant. "I know a lot of people who said they weren't voting in the election because they said it wouldn't matter anyway."
Darlene Jackson, 58, a Detroit native laid off from a city job, said, "Now that we've elected a mayor, there's no need for an emergency manager."
Snyder has said the emergency manager will probably be in charge at least until next fall as the city works its way through the bankruptcy, which was filed in July but is awaiting a ruling from a federal judge on whether it can proceed. The city, whose annual general fund budget is about $1.1 billion, has $18 billion in public pension and bond debt.
Mayor's Role
What role Duggan will play in the coming year will be watched closely in Michigan, where Detroit's future is tied to the state's own efforts to re-invent itself after years of decline.
Under Michigan law, the emergency manager has broad powers to act in place of the mayor and council, but the manager can assign tasks to elected officials if he chooses. Some managers have done that in other Michigan cities, but the law was primarily designed to hold the manager accountable for repairing a city's finances.
Duggan, a former county prosecutor and medical center executive, captured 55 percent of the vote in the nonpartisan election. Coming off that momentum, Duggan has talked to Orr, Snyder and state lawmakers to persuade them to give him a role in city operations. Orr, a bankruptcy lawyer, is a former classmate of Duggan's at the University of Michigan law school.
A Democrat who opposed appointing the emergency manager, Duggan is asking Snyder, a Republican up for re-election next year, to honor the mandate voters gave him to help fix their city. The governor's sometimes frosty relations with Bing and the current council have not improved since the election; city officials said Nov. 13 they were insulted at the state's offer of only $5 million in aid to restructure the government.
Yet Snyder is eager to show progress in resolving the city's crisis before next year's election. "What I'd like to do is have a strong good working relationship with the mayor-elect and see how we can work together," Snyder said. "I'm very open to having a process where hopefully he can participate in the operations of the city. That's for the emergency manager and him to work out, hopefully."
Terry Stanton, a spokesman for the state department of treasury, said Snyder is committed to working with Duggan to complete Detroit's comeback. "It would not, however, be prudent to speculate on the specifics of that collaboration at this time," he said.
Historic Perspective
Detroit is not the first city in Michigan or elsewhere in which elected officials have clashed with their state overseers. Pontiac's leaders also resisted a state takeover in 2009, and Flint re-elected its mayor in 2011 only to see him replaced with a state-appointed emergency manager. Allen Park unsuccessfully tried to avoid Snyder's emergency manager in 2012, saying it would harm the city's future.
Washington, D.C.'s mayor called Congress' 1995 decision to impose a financial control board on the nation's ailing capital "the rape of democracy." More recently, a lawyer for the city council of bankrupt Central Falls, R.I. compared the 2011 state takeover to the German occupation of Paris during World War II.
It is not just the loss of local decision-making that local officials resent. The state overseers—a manager, receiver or control board—usually cut budgets, eliminate jobs, reduce or restructure services, trim retirement benefits and raise taxes, none of which is popular.
Yet in city after city, residents opposed to the state takeover often admit it was necessary because their elected leaders would not take the politically difficult actions needed to balance spending and revenues.
"I didn't like the idea of an emergency manager, but it's obvious things wouldn't correct themselves on their own," said Jenise Verde, 48, a Blue Cross analyst in downtown Detroit. "For a long time the people running the city haven't looked at what's going on in the full light of day. At some point, that blows up."
Officials who have led relatively successful state takeovers stress the need to engage the community, including elected officials, city workers, labor unions and civic, business and religious leaders.
Michigan governors have twice named Joyce Parker an emergency manager in Ecorse (2009) and Allen Park (2012). She said in an interview that she eased the strain from budget and pay cuts in those communities in part through a series of meetings in which she explained the financial challenges the cities faced and the role of the emergency manager in resolving them. Small groups met over coffee; large groups gathered at town meetings.
"The key is educating the public, being transparent and keeping an open-door policy," she said. Did state officials tell her to adopt that tack? "No. I was a city manager over 25 years," Parker said. "It's common to do it that way to build consensus."
The same transparency contributed to the quick resolution of the Central Falls bankruptcy, which lasted only 13 months, although the effects of budget and pension cuts and tax increases will linger for several years.
"For a bankruptcy to work there's really got to be negotiations," Theodore Orson, the attorney for Central Falls' receiver, said at a recent Bloomberg conference here on municipal finance. Officials leveraged the negotiations, he said, by stating clear goals: the state would not leave Central Falls until there was a plan to balance the budget for five years, and until the public pension and retiree health care systems were sustainable.
Unionized employees and retirees eventually accepted the benefit cuts once they realized the solvency of the pension system was at stake. Orson said, "We had retirees who had been devastated by the cuts come up to us at the end and say, 'Thank you. This is the first time anyone's been honest with us about our pensions. Even though they will be slimmer, at least we know it's going to be there.'"
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Document:Hunger As A Weapon
|On the US's exploitation at the UN Security Council of humanitarian suffering in Syria to cynically further its policy aims.
Subjects: 2011 Syrian Insurgency, Samantha Power, UN Security Council
Source: Foreign Policy Journal (Link)
★ Start a Discussion about this document
Hunger As A Weapon
How NOT to Get Aid into Homs
Al Nebek, SYRIA — Who authored the seemingly designed-to-fail UN Security Council Draft Resolution on delivering urgent humanitarian aid into the Old City of Homs and other besieged areas of conflict-torn Syria? When we know this, much may become clearer with respect to the cynical politicization of the continuing civilian suffering.
The draft resolution was put forward by Australia, Luxembourg, and Jordan, and according to a UN/US congressional source—one who actually worked on rounding up the three countries to front for the US and its allies—none was pleased with the decidedly raw and undiplomatic pressure they received from the office of US UN Ambassador Samantha Power.
When this observer inquired how such a poorly drafted, one-sided, adversary-bashing draft resolution could actually have seen the light of day and been submitted to the UN Security Council, the reply he received was terse: "Ask Samantha."
Suspicions are being raised in Geneva, in Syria, and among certain UN aid agencies, in Homs and elsewhere, that efforts on behalf of those they are trying to save from starvation were 'set-up' to fail as a result of power politics and influences emanating from Washington and Tel Aviv.
This observer is not a big fan of conspiracy theories. No doubt it's a personal congenital defect of some sort that makes him want to hear at least a modicum of relevant, prohibitive, material, non-hearsay evidence to support some of the wilder and internet-fueled claims ricocheting around the globe. However, some things are becoming clear as to what happened at the UNSC last week and why certain specific language was included in the resolution.
Ms. Power, it has been claimed by two Hill staffers who monitor AIPAC, owes her position as UN Ambassador to Israeli PM Netanyahu, who views her and her husband, AIPAC fund raiser, Cass Sunstein, as Israel-first stalwarts. Congressional sources claim the White House went along with her appointment so as not to provoke yet another battle—either with AIPAC's congressional agents or the wider US Zionist lobby. As part of her continuing gratitude for her "dream job," as she assured an American Jewish Committee convention on February 10 in New York, the United States "strongly supports Israel's candidacy for a seat on the UN Security Council, and we have pushed relentlessly for the full inclusion of Israel across the UN system." Ms. Power is said to have assured AIPAC officials in private that evening that "one of Israel's few survival needs may be to grasp, in the face of rising anti-Semitism, a seat on the council." Insisting that "there is growing and rampant hostility towards Israel within the UN, where a large number of member states are not democratic," Ms. Power, continued "I will never give up and nor should you."
Following the standing ovation from her adoring audience, she repeated, according to one eye witness: "We have also pushed relentlessly for the full inclusion of Israel across the UN system." What the Zionist regime still occupying Palestine knows, as does no doubt Ms. Power, is that the American public and increasingly even the US Congress is finally pulling back from the regime in favor of justice for Palestine. Thus the lobby's strange reasoning that the UN system, where the American public is essentially absent, is increasingly important.
So what's the problem with the US-mission-spawned Security Council draft resolution on Syria so dutifully submitted by three chummy and faithful allies?
Well, for starters, the resolution is DOA, as presumably every sophomore poli-sci, civics, or governance student would have recognized from the outset. The aggressive language—demanding the UNSC immediately take action by targeting only one claimed violator with yet more international sanctions—would have caused chaff and cringing among many, probably most. But even beyond that, Moscow, with a UNSC veto ready to use, sees the US-initiated draft as a bid to lay the groundwork for military strikes against the Syrian government, interpreting the language as an ultimatum: that if all this isn't solved in two weeks then the Security Council will automatically follow with sanctions against the Syrian government.
As Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov told the media on February 10,
"Instead of engaging in everyday, meticulous work to resolve problems that block deliveries of humanitarian aid, they see a new resolution as some kind of simplistic solution detached from reality."
The draft text, obtained by this observer from Reuters, expresses the intent to impose sanctions—on individuals and entities obstructing aid—if certain demands are not met within the next two weeks.
"It is unacceptable to us in the form in which it is now being prepared, and we, of course, will not let it through,"
said Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov.
One diplomat in Syria, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Vitaly Churkin, Russia's permanent representative to the UN, had told the Security Council on February 11 that Moscow opposes some 30 percent of the original draft, but did not specify what which parts. He added, "We're not aiming for a Russian veto, we're aiming for a resolution that everybody can agree. That is what we want."
For his part, President Obama, speaking at a joint news conference in Washington with French President Francois Hollande, kept up the pressure for the Security Council to accept the US resolution. He insisted that there is "great unanimity among most of the Security Council" in favor of the resolution and "Russia is a holdout." Secretary of State John Kerry and others have "delivered a very direct message" pressuring the Russians to drop their opposition.
"It is not just the Syrians that are responsible" for the plight of civilians, but "the Russians as well if they are blocking this kind of resolution," Kerry claimed. "How you can object to humanitarian corridors? Why would you prevent the vote of a resolution if, in good faith, it is all about saving human lives?"
Among international observers, the draft resolution is widely viewed as one-sided, condemning rights abuses by Syrian authorities, demanding Syrian forces stop all aerial bombardment of cities and towns as well as indiscriminate use of bombs, rockets and related weapons. It also, parenthetically and somewhat obliquely, condemns "increased terrorist attacks," and calls for the withdrawal of all foreign fighters from Syria, but the latter language is believed to be aimed mainly at Hezbollah. Sources in Syria claim that the draft heaps all the blame on the Syrian government without devoting the necessary attention to the humanitarian problems created by the actions of the rebels.
These gratuitous draft elements are not only aggressive, but frankly appear calculated to end serious discussion and to undermine a solution of the problem.
Being new on the job is one thing for Ms. Power (she has served as UN ambassador only since August of last year), but politicizing relief from starvation for a besieged civilian population is quite another. Likewise for promoting a draft resolution focusing all blame on one side. Such things violate a broad range of applicable and mandatory international norms, and if Ms. Power is hazy on this subject, the State Department's Office of International Organization Affairs is not—or at least was not when this observer interned there following law school years ago.
Language that would have stood a much better chance of ending the siege of Homs, Yarmouk and other areas under siege was drafted this week by a Syrian law student at the Damascus University Faculty of Law. The widely esteemed university witnessed the death of 17 of its students, along with the serious injuring of more than 20 others, when rebel mortar bombs, on 29 March 2013, targeted the canteen of the College of Architecture. Those responsible for the shelling later admitted they were trained and armed by agents of the US government.
The DU law student's draft resolution on unfettered humanitarian aid into besieged areas of Syria will hopefully be widely discussed over the weekend at a news conference tentatively scheduled on campus. Perhaps the next UN draft resolution will reflect the student's homework assignment.
The starving victims besieged in Syria, and all people of goodwill, are demanding immediate, non-politicized humanitarian aid without further delay. Virtually every American voter is in a position to pressure his or her congressional representative, and would possibly achieve much good by making the White House aware of their demands to end playing international 'gotcha' politics, and to cooperate to end the needless deaths by starvation that continue today.