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Rod Brooks and Rethink Reveal an Industrial Robot for the Masses
"Want to see some robots?" says Rodney Brooks.
Yes I would, I say. And so would the rest of the world.
Brooks is a renowned roboticist and artificial intelligence expert, the founder, chairman, and chief technology officer of Boston-based Rethink Robotics. In a previous life, he was an MIT faculty member for 25 years, and he co-founded Bedford, MA-based iRobot (NASDAQ: IRBT), the maker of Roomba vacuum cleaners and PackBot military robots. He left his post as CTO of iRobot in 2008 to pursue his current venture.
With Rethink, Brooks (an Xconomist) has been sitting on a secret for a long time—namely, what the company's robots look like, and exactly what they can do. But today is Rethink's coming-out party, in preparation for shipping product next month. This is where top, cutting-edge robotics expertise meets big business. And this is what $62 million in venture funding buys you. (That money comes from Amazon.com's Jeff Bezos, Charles River Ventures, Highland Capital Partners, Sigma Partners, and Draper Fisher Jurvetson.) Clearly, the company is one of the biggest technology bets in Boston—or anywhere, for that matter.
But first, why the recent name change to Rethink? I have been on record saying I preferred the old name, Heartland Robotics. Well, it turns out that "Heartland" technically means the interior of the country, so states on the coasts would be excluded, says Brooks. Heartland also doesn't translate well overseas, he says (though I think it sounds pretty good in his Aussie-Boston accent). "Rethink" seems to encompass the bigger picture of what the startup is trying to do: revitalize the manufacturing industry with inexpensive and intelligent robot helpers.
Brooks leads me to an open area of the company's headquarters where a half-dozen robots are working on benches, some of them connected to computers and various debugging tools. Engineers are tinkering furiously around us. "This is Baxter," Brooks says, stopping in front of one of the robots. (The name is an archaic form of "baker" and strikes the right occupational tone, he says; it was one of hundreds of names suggested by Rethink's employees.)
Baxter has an LCD screen for a head, a quad-core PC box in its torso, and two large, red, human-like arms. Brooks calls them "Olympic swimmer" sized, and they have shoulder, elbow, and wrist joints. If you look closely, they are not left and right arms—they're both right arms (simpler to program and outfit them, I guess). The robot has five cameras—one in its head, two in its chest, and one in each wrist looking down at its workspace. It also has a sonar system up top to detect people and objects around it. In total, the robot weighs about 165 pounds and can be bolted to any work platform; it also has a base with wheels, so it can be moved around a factory floor, but doesn't get around by itself.
You might think of this as the world's first mass-produced, commercial humanoid robot—though it doesn't actually look very human. And that's not the point anyway. The point is to do manual tasks that will help factory workers in assembly-line-type jobs be more efficient. To do that, the robot needs dexterous hands and a simple user interface. And it needs to be cheap (for an industrial robot): Baxter will sell for $22,000, not including its base and hands, but including a software subscription and warranty.
Brooks shows me a demo (see video, below) of how it works. Using a two-fingered, pincer-like hand—the hand can be swapped out for others of different shapes and configurations, depending on the task—the robot learns to pick up a widget on the bench and put it down somewhere else. The task can be done with or without computer vision; using the cameras takes a little more processing time. Brooks starts by selecting a few operations using a combination of buttons and rotary selectors on the robot's arm to navigate a menu on the display. He physically guides the robot's arm above the widget and presses a button to close its fingers around the part to pick it up; then he guides it to a spot a few feet away where he opens Baxter's fingers to put the part down. After a little training, the robot is able to repeat the sequence on its own. (The video cuts off just as Brooks is demonstrating the object recognition capabilities of Baxter's computer vision system.)
Here's what's interesting. If you change the task a little—move the widget around on the table, say—the robot will grope around until it finds the part (or doesn't find it, as it were). If you get in the way of the arm—Brooks put his head in its path to demonstrate—the arm stops abruptly. Its control system has a force field that prevents the robot from bumping into objects around it, including itself. And its joints are soft and springy: they are powered by what are called series elastic actuators, a technology licensed from MIT, so they have some give to them, instead of being rigid (and potentially dangerous) like traditional industrial robots.
And that's the big idea here: Baxter is a new breed of industrial robot that's meant to be accessible to the masses. A factory worker could set up the robot to pick parts out of a box, or place them into a box, or take them off an assembly line. The robot is designed to work next to a person; while the machine unloads a box or moves things around that need moving, the person can focus on tasks better suited for humans: prioritizing, making decisions, organizing, assembling.
The robot is supposed to be easy-to-use for a production-level factory worker. It doesn't come with an IT/robotics geek or MIT PhD included, as Brooks puts it. It has to be self-contained. In fact the robot is notable for a number of things it doesn't try to do. It doesn't connect to a network or Wi-Fi (factories and plants don't necessarily have connectivity). It doesn't have speech recognition (factory floors are noisy) or a touchscreen (workers wear gloves). It doesn't move around the room by itself. And it doesn't require any software programming by its users. "Our whole thing is about lowering the barrier to entry," Brooks says. "We're not asking for anything except a 110 [volt] outlet."
But it is designed to be a robotics platform. Brooks and his team are hoping to cultivate an ecosystem of robotic app developers. Imagine apps for different factory tasks, or eventually, all kinds of other things—more on that below. (Bartending, anyone? Wouldn't a row of Baxters making drinks be better than waiting 10 minutes in a crowd every time you order a beer?)
Indeed, it's tempting to call Baxter the "iPhone of robotics," or some such. "I'd like to say it's the Apple IIe," Brooks jokes. "There's a long way to go. But we've broken away from the mainframe, which is the current industrial robot."
There's no question this whole approach could take a while to catch on in industry. But here's the plan: Rethink is going after small and medium-size manufacturers—say, businesses or divisions with 10 production workers—to be its initial customers. The first applications will be for materials handling. But subsequent software upgrades will enable the robot to do things like push a button, work with other machines to test or weigh parts, and use both its arms together to move a box out of the way, says Brooks.
"We've taken this robot to factories—never seen the factory before—and an hour after we pull up, it's on the factory floor doing a useful task," says Brooks. "We show it to the line workers, we show them how to program it, and in a few minutes they're getting it to do simple tasks."
Much has been made of Rethink's big goal of revitalizing U.S. manufacturing. "It gives automation capabilities to small companies that couldn't afford it before," says Brooks. "They don't have to put in safety cages, they don't have to reconfigure. It's not a long, drawn-out project, and it's cost-effective to do a task for two hours. Whereas a traditional industrial robot, there's so much overhead of getting that task set up. We think it's going to make U.S. labor more competitive on low-end goods that currently we can only do in Vietnam. For a certain class of objects, and a certain class of tasks, it adds to the attractiveness of on-shoring, or at least not off-shoring."
Interestingly, the robot has gone through six iterations in four years, says Brooks. The first prototypes had only one arm, and they were configured very differently from the current model. But going out to plants and talking to potential customers about the tasks that needed doing—as well as working closely with robotics suppliers and fabricators—led to the current design. And it is a fresh one: less than a dozen have been built so far, and some software debugging remains to be done. Brooks emphasizes that the robot can be manufactured cheaply because of advances in materials and many built-in design features.
One point of contention from entrenched vendors: "The conventional industrial robot manufacturers will say, 'It's not as precise as our robot.' And you know what? It's not!" says Brooks. "You move it 10 centimeters, it still works. You move theirs 1 millimeter, it doesn't work. It's not about precision, it's about sensing." Brooks continues, "A traditional industrial robot is measured by speed and repeatability. Ours should be measured by adaptability, flexibility, and ease of use." But he admits: "When it's a completely new category of product, is the world ready for it?"
I asked Brooks how this product launch stacks up against other famous commercial robots from his career, like Roomba and PackBot. "My aspirations are high for this robot. This is the first mass-produced, slightly sentient humanoid robot," he says. "How well it sells, we don't know yet. That's why we're VC-funded."
He did offer this comparison to Roomba: "A big lesson we learned from the Roomba [was] they had to work out of the box. This is the first out-of-the-box humanoid," he says. "These are the first ones going out in the wild." (And coincidentally, he says, Rethink's rollout comes exactly 10 years after Roomba's release, down to the week.)
Brooks says the big challenge for Rethink now is refining its first product based on customer feedback—and figuring out what needs to be added to the robot over time, as well as eventually expanding the product roadmap. Some vestiges of his big-idea academic thinking come out as he talks about selling Baxter to researchers (for $22K they'll buy it, he says) and providing a software development kit for them to experiment with the robot. "I think it's going to be interesting that people will be able to use it," he says. "I think they'll try all sorts of different applications for it, ones we would never have thought of. It's going to be really exciting to see which ones of those actually make economic sense."
For Rethink, the near-term path is clear. "We have a solid economic case for manufacturing," Brooks says. "But once we get it out there, who knows?"
Trending on Xconomy
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One response to "Rod Brooks and Rethink Reveal an Industrial Robot for the Masses"
There is a growing demand for accessible
robots—robots that are easy to program, use, and buy. Rethink is
well positioned to address this. Other
companies, such as Robai Technologies and Universal Robots are making advances
in this area as well.


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Why we should dance for Parkinson's disease
Parkinson's disease is more common than most people think, affecting more than 100,000 Australians.
You probably know somebody with "the shaking palsy", because at least one in every 100 people over the age of 75 years has the disease. However, it can also affect those as young as 40.
Tremor of the hands, slow movements, freezing of footsteps, tiny handwriting, poor balance, a soft voice or loss of facial expression are some of the symptoms, and these vary for each individual.
Currently, there is no cure for Parkinson's disease. The severity of these symptoms can be managed with medication - and deep brain stimulation surgery is also an option for a small number of people.
Yet for both of these options, and other therapies, the disease continues to progress.
Given people typically live with Parkinson's disease for 25 years or more, is there anything else sufferers can do to live long and strong? The answer is, quite simply, exercise. It's often said that exercise is medicine. If we could take exercise as seriously as prescriptions for pills, people would benefit.
And, in this case, the research evidence is particularly clear; exercise helps fight Parkinson's disease and there is emerging evidence that it might slow the rate of disease progression.
Now, for someone with a chronic disease, it might seem like regular exercise is all but impossible to achieve.
But there are so many forms of exercise out there, and activities can be modified to suit symptoms and energy levels.
Take dancing, for example. Dancing can be a great choice because it brings people together in a happy social event.
People can move to their favourite music and learn new motor skills while sitting or standing, with or without a partner. Dancing is fun and engaging - some even say it's addictive.
If dancing is not your thing, then maybe think about walking, yoga, golf, tennis, boxing exercises or going to the gym or pool. Even vigorous housework or gardening can be beneficial.
Of course, check with your doctor before you start any new exercise, to make sure that it's safe for you.
A registered physiotherapist or exercise scientist can also guide you.
Try different exercises, mix and match and give it a go. The main thing is to keep moving, every day.
Professor Meg Morris is a physiotherapist and researcher in Allied Health at La Trobe University and Healthscope, and works in partnership with Parkinson's Victoria.

subset: commoncrawl


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fact or faith
I have spent the last few hours reading varies debates on diffrent sites - some asserting that Darwinism is faith based and that people need to see this.
It dawned on me - I am not a scientist - I have only basic knowledge of science and I am not inteligant enough ( or is it that I dont have enough time ) to fully grasp many of the concepts.
It also was countered with - I have never read the bible - why - well because it boores the hell out of me and I think its a waste of time.
If I were to assert at this moment - I believe evoltion is a valid scientific therory - I would indeed be making this statement of faith - because I have never read it - I have never educated myself on this subject more than reading cliff notes are getting the gist of it. Or just listening to some one else tell me.
Did my faith originate from being to lazy to think for myself ? Does it even matter ? I mean do I have to believe in something. I trust the scientific community I have faith that it is full of people who know more than I do about science and if they say " evalution is a valid theory" i will believe it untill they tell me other wise. This is faith - How is it diffrent then my faith in god or a bible I have never read ?
am I trading one belief system for another ? I understand that to a scientist it is not belief they understand how it has been tested and proven BUT I DONT. I understand it no more than my ansestors would have understood some one telling them the earth isnt flat. They either believed it or didn't. So the question is do I put my faith in a book full of things and actions and rules that I myself could never respect ( the parts I have read ) even if on reading it in intirety I might find some good to or do I put my faith in a proscess that makes sence ?
Like peer review and the constant search to prove itself wrong.
Do I choose to believe there is an infalible god looming over me
or do I choose to believe we dont know all the answers and we are still searching but I shall believe the answers the scientific community presents because the proscess it goes through to try and govern it self seems less currupt then that of the above god.
A lot of this probably doesnt make sence - but really its a way to write my questions and thoughts out so I can try and make some semblance of them.
One more thing ...
why was I taught to "FEAR GOD" ( the god in the bible not the one I know I want to exist)
Could the bible have been written by a bunch of people suffering from CPTSD due to the harsh lives they were leading. They fear god as they fear an abuser. They love god as one loves an abuser.
- kaosgrl's blog
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never understood why the debate exists with religion and evolution. If God can create the universe and all living systems perhaps he planned and implements evolving systems. the earth is billions of years old and is constantly evolving changing and that is fact not theory


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Here is the recorded video from our webcast of the 2011 NBBI Graduation Service. Dr. Ray Pritchard gave the charge to the graduates entitled "Give Them Something to Eat."
We had 28 students graduating from our one-year program, 13 from the three-year program, and 47 from the fourth year, ABM (B Th) program.
It is our prayer that these graduates will go out and impact the world for Christ.


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Hi guys so my latest video is a HAUL of the products I have been using for my hair lately but I thought it would be useful to share where I am able to buy them in the UK. Check out the list below with products and locations of where to find them.
Wilkinsons |
Perm Rods £2
Holland & Barrett |
Dr Organic Tea Tree Shampoo £5.49
Australian Tea Tree Oil £4.29
Afro Hair and Cosmetic stores (Usually on most high streets, I have been too, Sabina's, Tooting SW London and various hair shops in Mitcham, Croydon, Streatham)
SheaMoisture Raw Shea Butter Deep Treatment Masque | £14.99
Coconut Oil 100% Natural | Various prices (mine was £1.99)
Beauty By Zara www.beautybyzara.com |
SheaMoisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie £12.99
SheaMoisture African Black Soap Dandruff and Dry Scalp Elixir £12.99
Hot Head deep conditioning cap £18.31


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Nitric Oxide, Free Radicals
Nitric oxide (NO) is a simple gas molecule composed of one nitrogen atom and one oxygen atom. NO possesses an unpaired electron making it a reactive free radical that the body uses as a powerful signaling molecule. Until 1987, NO was known only as a toxic pollutant gas that appeared in automobile exhaust and city smog. That year, NO was discovered to be produced in the body and shown to have a signaling function in the cardiovascular system. For their seminal discoveries in 1987 concerning the physiological roles of NO, Drs. Robert Furchgott, Louis Ignarro, and Ferid Murad were awarded the 1998 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.
Q. What is a free radical?
Free radicals such as hydroxyl radical and superoxide anion radical are molecules that possess unpaired electrons. This property makes them especially reactive with other molecules. Free radicals are reactive, unstable and can cause cellular damage that leads to the pathology of strokes, heart disease, and numerous other illnesses. Unlike other free radicals, NO has both life-saving and life-taking properties. In small amounts, NO plays vital roles in many body functions including regulating blood pressure, establishing memory, and fighting pathogens. During inflammatory diseases and other disorders, NO is produced in excessive amounts and exhibits its free radical properties by injuring tissue and contributing to disease pathology.
Q. Why is nitric oxide such an important molecule?
Nitric oxide plays many important roles in the body. Under normal conditions, NO is produced in very small amounts which play crucial roles in regulating blood pressure, facilitating memory, and defending the body against pathogens. The body has natural protective mechanisms to protect itself from NO. Under pathological conditions, NO is produced in excessive amounts which can overwhelm these protective mechanisms. Excessive NO can then cause inappropriate enzyme activation and oxidative damage to vital cellular systems. Excessive NO production occurs during inflammatory conditions and is associated with numerous and diverse human diseases and disorders including intradialytic hypotension, diabetes, septic and hemorrhagic shock, stroke, allograft rejection, and Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.
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Health and Beauty (Nutriment Edge)
Nitric Oxide Supplements- Club Pump, 90 Capsules, NO2 Muscle Builder, #1 Muscle Pump Supplement,Show Your Muscle In Da Club, L-Arginine Supplement, After Hours Male Enhancement Supplement , Libido Booster, Boodt Male Performance, Muscle Pumps, Made in USA
Health and Beauty (Healthy Body)
Rich Piana 5% Nutrition Kill It (Fruit Punch)
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No2 Xtreme / Extreme 2000 L-arginine, Nitric Oxide-build Muscle 90 Capsules *New
Health and Beauty (MARITZMAYER LABORATORIES)
2 lb. L-Arginine Alpha Ketoglutarate 2:1 AKG Powder 1000mg (908g) AAKG Nitric Oxide USP & FCC Maximum Strength Pharmaceutical Grade By Dual Health
Health and Beauty (Dual Health Body & Mind)


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The Yakuza Papers: Final Episode (1974)
Directed by Kinji FukasakuGenres - Crime | Sub-Genres - Crime Drama | Run Time - 97 min. | Countries - Japan | MPAA Rating - NR
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Synopsis by Mark Deming
In this violent and morally ambiguous crime drama from master genre filmmaker Kinji Fukasaku, Takeda (Akira Kobayashi), a longtime leader of one of Hiroshima's Yakuza families (the Japanese Mafia), attempts to resolve the longtime war between various mob factions by reshaping his organization into a political organization that would be both powerful and legal. But not all of Takeda's men take to this new way of doing things, and a rash act by one veteran gangster (Jo Shishido) leads to a final turf war between the families. Jingi Naki Tatakai: Kanketsu-Hen (aka Yakuza Papers, Vol. 5: Final Episode) was the last film in the landmark series Fukasaku began with Jingi Naki Tatakai.
gang-war, gangster, Japan, Mafia, organized-crime


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Few days back I happen to meet a student whom his teacher has rewarded with knowledge. His face was shining bright. And why don't his face shine for he had reason, he got knowledge from his teacher (Guru). It was pleasure to see him. Somehow a question came to my mind, for how many days will you be able to carry this gift? Will you be able to enhance this knowledge?
I remember in school days, we were taught, "Knowledge increases with its use". True it is, knowledge will increase with its use, but with proper use. One can increase knowledge with its constructive thoughts, thoughtful and watchful use of knowledge.
When I met that student, I recalled the story of "Alchemist" by Paul Cohelo, very famous story. The boy who is the hero of the story meets a wise man, who gives him a spoon having few drops of oil and asks him to carry the spoon while he moves around the palace. The boy does what he was being told but when he returns to the wise man, there was no oil in the spoon.
Teachers give us knowledge and set us free to move around the palace. It is up to the student how much he preserves his knowledge, how much he use his knowledge and grow. The usual mistake a student does is to lose the knowledge like the boy lost the oil in the spoon.
Today after many days when I met that student again I can see he has lost the shining brightness. It was normal phenomena; till the student will realize that the shining brightness is lost a good amount of time would have been lost. The student will then have to put extra efforts to get that knowledge. Our mind is like a spoon and the knowledge we receive is like oil. It is our duty to protect that oil while we move around the luxury of the palace.


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Governor Hickenlooper Identifies Rural Colorado as a Priority in State of the State Address
By: Kelly Erb, Policy Coordinator
January 2017–Policy Corner
With one eye on the state's $500 million deficit and the other on upcoming changes in Washington, Governor Hickenlooper and the split General Assembly enter the 2017 legislative session with plenty of uncertainty. Luckily, during his annual State of the State address on January 12, Governor Hickenlooper vowed to make rural Colorado a top priority. Hickenlooper referenced rural Colorado over fifteen times during his address, calling on the state to continue investing rural economies, addressing rural teacher shortages and rural opioid abuse, and trying to find political compromise on the Hospital Provider Fee.
The Hospital Provider Fee divided the state house in the 2016 session, and with an even tighter 2017 state budget, the issue has once again taken center stage. Governor Hickenlooper proposed a $195 million reduction to the HPF fee collection-a net $390 million net reduction in state and federal matching dollars- in order to balance the state budget and avoid TABOR refunds. The issue has pitted education, transportation and healthcare interests against one another for scant state funding. Hickenlooper addressed the provider fee issue optimistically, noting, "Let's see if we can take a fresh look at the Hospital Provider Fee itself, and see if it can be modified as a vehicle to control costs, to build more transparency and accountability and better serve rural clinics and hospitals."
Hickenlooper also emphasized adequate broadband access as one of the most important components in advancing rural Colorado communities. "Every school, hospital, clinic and home should have high speed internet. In rural Colorado, only 7 in 10 households have access," he stated. Hickenlooper commended the Rangely community for being one of the very first rural giga-bit communities and committed to working with industry and civic leaders to identify local solutions to providing broadband. "We're bullish on partnering with rural economies on every intractable issue: from broadband to job training…to our energy economy and clean air and water."
Diversifying rural economies was also identified as a strategy for strengthening rural communities. Job training programs, expanding tourism and enticing entrepreneurs are the main ways to diversify rural communities. "We can't wave a magic wand to diversify the economy throughout the state, but if we work together, we can support growth in any community that wants it. We're asking to establish a point person on the ground for rural economic development issues to expedite and speed resources to communities that need them," said Hickenlooper.
Hickenlooper wrapped up his State of the State address with one final nod to rural Colorado, urging legislators and Coloradans alike, "Giddyup. Let's get to work."
Read more:
Governor Hickenlooper's 2017 State of the State Address, Annotated – Colorado Public Radio
Hickenlooper Reaffirms Commitment To Health Care Exchange In State Of State Address –CBS Denver
5 players to watch in the 2017 Colorado legislative session – The Denver Post


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Brain Injuries and Other Medical Catastrophes
There are several degrees of physical injuries. They go from mild, to moderate, to serious, to catastrophic.
Catastrophic injuries are those that permanently alter the way the victim lives their lives. Victims may be unable to work again at the same job, or at any job. They may require medical intervention for the rest of their lives. They may lose or distort critical functions, including cognition and personality. They may require personal assistance on a permanent, ongoing basis.
We Seek Recovery For All Catastrophic Injuries
We File Catastrophic Injury Claims
Because of the severity of these conditions, victims need to add up every dollar they will need in the years to come. The lawyers at The Zimmerman Law Firm are skilled in this kind of detailed analysis and can help the people of Waco, Austin and Central Texas. We cannot undo the injuries that have disabled a person, but we can do our best to see that they have the financial security to get them through the rest of their life.
Most personal injury cases are resolved without filing a lawsuit, through negotiations. However, catastrophic injuries go to court more often — in part because of the significant amount of money involved, but also because jurors can be sympathetic to individuals whose lives have been destroyed because another party was careless or indifferent to their safety.
We File Wrongful Death Claims
In cases of fatal accidents, our lawyers file wrongful death claims to help you cope with in the enormous loss of a loved child, parent, or partner.
Call our attorneys at The Zimmerman Law Firm, at 254-265-9300 or 1-800-INJURIES, or email us your questions. We'll get right back to you!


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Wi' Eyes Wide Open: A Puzzle Related to Falsified Facts
Your eyes are open, and you do see what you think you see on this page, but when you do a search for any snippet of the paragraph you are looking at, that fragment of text cannot be found. The question then becomes, whether you do know what you are looking at.
This presentation may be ideal for classroom use, but no one is excluded from the challenge.
On the one hand, it may be used to discuss the nature of reality, from a philosophical point of view.
Once the previous point has been pondered, consideration can be made of how false perceptions of what one is exposed to can lead to deceptive conclusions. Those perceptions may have been deliberately created. While the conclusion may be as innocently wrong as when a child sees a magician seemingly cut someone in half – for in that event, one always has a happy ending; or psychologically useful, such as in the case of a person who has had a serious work accident (for example, in the construction industry), and needs to face fears anew to conquer them, before being ready to go back to work, there are always cases of deliberate misuse, made ever more possible by digital manipulation of sound and image.
I would like to stress that wherever I seem to name a person, organization, or "illegal" activity in the first part of this article, such may be the perception to the human eye, but I would guess that for over 99% of all people reading this, they would not be able to find the text which they claim to see. As for the final, poetical part, I do take poetic licence, mixing fact and ideas to create, in part, word plays, even if the reader has a seemingly valid conclusion regarding the person(s) referred to, because of poetic licence, it could be anyone at all. The grammar of the verse should make that clear.
Neither do I care to rush into any conclusions about what countries do right or wrong, whether "our" country, or that of a real or imagined "enemy". Some ideas on that I have put into an article about the correct formation of conscience.
For me, the author of this little game, it is an exercise in HTML/CSS programming. First, I look to see the correct functioning on my home computer. If this article is published, the domestic version of this work gave the required result. (In truth, it didn't, but I got lucky after going to the Internet Café to look for more relevant information). A second question then is, whether the web-page mark-up language work correctly with the free version of WordPress. At least it did, before I pressed the "Publish" button.
So then, I hope that for most people, this is an interesting puzzle. I might acknowledge some correct answers, but will not reveal the secret too openly.
Yet, at an opportune moment, the answer to this question may be sufficiently clear, or divulged if not, to allow writers with a modicum of the required knowledge to improve the appearance of their articles, beyond what the basic interface permits.
Now, let us look at the following text, apparently silly, but conforming to our "game plan".
Pete packeth a cat, cheetah, coot, boa, ape; the bamboo box maketh a path to Chatham.
If you use the browser search function, and type in part of the preceding phrase, you should find it. But don't stop yet! Changing everything to capitals should not affect anything either, so you should also be able to find the text below, in other words, you should have found more occurrences of the chosen text.
Here is where things get tricky, because I myself do not know the answer to my own questions as I write this sentence. The result may depend on browser settings and installed fonts. Rather than use Times New Roman, I am selecting (as I type this up in Word) the Algerian Font, followed by the Stencil Font. Whether or not these show up correctly on your computer, in total, your selected text should be found 4 times. (I've changed this to 5 times now, to make a point.)
If the following two lines are not shown in capitals, the required font(s) is/(are) missing in the reader's computer.
Pete packeth a cat, cheetah, Coot, Boa, ape; the bamboo box maketh a path to chatham.
Pete packeth a cat, cheetah, coot, boa, ape; the bamboo box maketh a path to chatham.
I notice that in my version of Word, I can find the two texts immediately above, but not the all-capital version immediately below the first text.
I will now repeat the second version from above (the fifth time you should find the result, and immediately below, a sixth version – which you can not find!
Is it not strange, that one of these shows up, and the other not?
If, however, you were to copy part of the above text into your browser search window, you would find it, but none of those further above.
No need to worry, there is nothing malicious about this, nor has the browser ceased to function correctly.
The reader's task is to puzzle it out, mine is to improve the presentation of this page.
Careful observation will give some clues as to what might be going on. There are at least three implicit clues – there would only be two, had I chosen to deliberately complicate things.
End of Story
I will not waste my time typing up the following in different versions – but the above lines do deserve some kind of closure:
The cheetah ate the ape, the boa ate the coot, the cat took a hike.
Because as you can see, none of the preceding is found in the following line:
The last word in the preceding sentence figures in one of my more successufl articles. And, on a standard search here, you will not find one of the favourite cartoon characters of my childhood:
Political, Policial, and Philosophical Implications
Our introductory line might be reworded to the philosophical question about the nature of reality.
For, as I write something here, I may choose to induce a thought into the reader's mind, yet I deny any active rôle in that process.
It is somewhat like the leading question at an interrogation, "subtly" forcing the accused to concede a point, because no legal representative was present to help the accused. Except here, instead of conceding to a question, you will probably spontaneously accept what you see.
I will now expand upon what I did in the first part of this article, with a bit more of seriousness.
A well-known broadcaster in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the name of which only appears to be ВВС – [you cannot type the initials of that broadcaster which you "think" that you see into the search box and find them], on the occasion of the meeting between Trump and Putin, compared the two men. The former profession of the latter was prominently written with 3 letters, which happen to look like – but I am not writing that word – again, you cannot find it in the search box – was "SРY"! Mixing this in with the allegation of Russian НАСКing – the reader read a word I did NOT write – the broadcaster reinforces the idea (second paragraph below the chart on the linked page) that it is believable that a former intelligence agent may still be involved, directly or indirectly, in similar activities.
Let us take this one step further. In using the search box of the browser, the truth of my assertion that I did not write such-and-such a word could be ascertained. What happens, though, if I make a hard-copy of the following, especially if it were poster-sized:
ВВС: РUТІN WАS SРY – АССUЅЕD ОF НАСКЅ.Warning: The above text does not exist anywhere on this page – read the proof!
There are 2 proofs that this is not an image, individual letters or text can be chosen, and if one zooms sufficiently, the smaller text splits into more lines.
If the large text in the above is more than two lines, you might want to zoom out for a moment, to compare with the image file below.
[The text was viewed correctly before I updated it, but changes may yet be necessary.]
ВВС: РUТІN WАS SРY, АССUЅЕD ОF НАСКЅ. Again, I hasten to add, this paragraph contains no name of any organization, person, or activity, save that which the reader imagines that I have written. Let's make our poster, now:
Should we want to induce someone to believe the preceding, an unsuspecting person completely unaware of the nature of the narrative, and if that person were inside an official building, or watching a newscast from the interior of an official building, could that individual not swear upon a stack of divinely-inspired books about the truth of what was seen?
Now comes the most difficult question of all. Since, as can be verified by using the procedure outlined here previously, that my statement made no allegation against any named organization, person, or activity, can that claim validly hold for the printed copy?
Believe it or not, there are at least two small details in the image which could allow me to negate that I wrote what the reader may have thought. Someone else, however, might accuse me of splitting hairs.
Be that as it may, does some reader see the loop-hole which allows my denial of having written the potentially defamatory text?
Let's try the reverse of what we have been doing until now. If the reader's screen is not as dark as I prefer mine to be, it may be visible enough – my name You could force it to be visible by passing the mouse cursor over it, but had the text actually been hidden, that would as little prove that I had actually written what is seen – and that is why the search needs to be carried out to verify my claim.
Paul Karl Moeller
It would not take arcane programming skills to hide text on a page, but search engines believe that when someone does this, they really do have some sinister purpose, for which reason we will not take the easy route. It would not add to my knowledge. Rather, before going on, I have to study what I need to do. It seems that what I originally did here is not accepted either, (I've confused the totally prohibited with the prohibited just the same), so my study of the matter must continue. Just imagine that the green text upon the black were the same color as the background! While I could have chosen dark green, or maybe grey, for all I know, this is also considered bad behaviour. If you have come here, and enjoyed the basic idea, come back in a week or two, to see if I have found a solution. If this page never is indexed, it was blacklisted! Too early to tell.
I even have a third choice for a propaganda technique, said to have been illegal way back in the Sixties. I could, if the system permitted, flash a message at the reader so rapidly that it becomes subliminal, and yet obtain effects in the easily malleable. Wikipedia does not give any example as I write this predating 1978, but I heard about it around 1967.
A disturbing feature about flashing images is that at a certain frequency, they may trigger epilepsy attacks. One time, this happened with a children's show in Japan. Reason enough not to do it, but the source code is available on pages which teach CSS programming. And I have no idea why they teach how to hide text, if we are not to do it – unless, of course, we do it within the confines of an Intranet or smaller.
It is strange to say, that once, in some conservative Latin American country, a military regime acting in concert with the United States to fight communism, objected to the new math because it suggested moral relativism, the non-existence of absolutes.
The same people who look for absolute truth, however, often try to force out the "right" answer in questioning, whether a detainee, or an agent who does not concur with thek official narrative, let's say, [you do NOT see it here!] а wеаpоn оf mаѕѕ dеѕtruсtіоn.
It is said, and I am not qualified to assert the truth of the statement, that Russian peasants were prohibited from learning to read before their Revolution. A smilar statement is made about other conservative governments, such as those of Latin America.
While other media make it almost unnecessary to read in order to obtain information in the present age, by whatever means one does inform oneself, or seem to inform oneself, the greatest danger is not that of not being able to make words out of print or sound, but to comprehend their reasonableness. Truths created out of shrill demands, "truths" that vilify, that drone on, as in cold-war propaganda, should be recognized for what they are.
Blind faith is fine in a religion which teaches no harm, but truth requires constant inquiry, and an accrual of knowledge.
In closing, I would like to point our that an article in a popular on-line encyclopedia refers to a Russian agency which encourages learning of the Russian language as a species of soft power initiative, (a.k.a. propaganda provider). It is doubtful whether they make the same accusation about the certain American International Schools in other countries, or Centres of English Culture, the Alliance Française, or the Goethe Institut.
Poetical Addendum
Wi' eyes wide open, the
Wise open wide their
Minds to the opposing view
In order that, … uh …
[(Wince) Open wide, the
Dentist wants a clue.]
The true hacker wants your account
To decrease, by his preferred amount;
The hacker has some records fixed,
Some traffic fines and failures nixed;
Your number and your name belong
To one with key-stroke skills so strong
To flow, to 'n fro', and never slow
To a server in a bathroom hidden –
And when the law will've bidden
To see the naughty info there,
You strike up such a haughty air
And claim from RE-view you're immune
(You're playing Goldmann`s Sax'ny's tune)
And claim 'twas all a Russian hack
'Cause whoe'er else could have the knack?
Oh! I don't mean the knacker's hack!
Of both of these, there's now a lack,
We'd rather rack a one-time "spy"
Who, of course, bye the bye,
Because of our growing insularity
We just can't stand his popularity
So say: "He, we'll never trust
Until we're mutual nuclear dust
And even then we'll remonstrate
It's their fault that our mutual fate
Our "New Land" went to instigate.
Our "New Cons" then investigate
And find purported hairs of Bear
Somewhere in Novaya Zemlya's cold
'N claim such proof to be pure gold,
And for that they need the people scare
With big bad wolves, and Russian menace
'Cause there just isn't any other genus
On whom we hateful can pin the blame
Should the world go up in flame –
Our watchword – full spectrum dominance
We fail not! – Their come-uppance!
In all of this, no contradiction –
Our eyes are shut – it's our addiction.
© Paul Karl Moeller
Basic Version uploaded July 9, 2017.
2nd part, and poem, added July 12, 2017.


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Monday, August 27, 2007
August Moon
Well this is a record, I have went a whole month without a post. You can tell I am really busy. The moon came up over Leetonia tonight around 8:30pm and for the first time I got a decent picture of it. There is supposed to be a partial eclipse around 5:15 am tomorrow morning I am not sure I will be up to see it.
I have been seeing a lot of bobcats. They are logging to the North of us and I saw a mother bobcat cross the road and her baby ran up a tree. It was about the size of a small house cat. It was too dark to get a picture of the baby. Hope you all have had a great summer. Labor day weekend marks the end of summer vacation in Leetonia for most people. It marks the beginning of thinking about getting firewood closer to the house and ready up for winter. Mountain girl, Paula, logging out!
Posted by eaglebear at Monday, August 27, 2007 No comments:
Labels: full moon, leetonia, pennsylvania, summer
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Mokarabia Cuor di Moka Decaffeinated Beans are a premium Italian coffee from Mokarabia. Clean and light in flavour with wonderful aroma. Perfect decaffeinated option for coffee lovers looking to cut down on caffeine intake.
Create fantastic lattes and cappuccinos with Mokarabia Cuor di Moka Decaffeinated Beans.


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Vikings football never sleeps. Perhaps that's why we're 0-for-4 in the Super Bowl as sleep deprivation can be a mother.
Purple FTW has had a nice little break since the Vikings season ended (Insert – "Your team didn't make the playoffs joke here"). But it's high time to get back at it. The NFL is now a year-round league, ipso-facto this mom & pop podcast is now year-round too.
So we're back on the weekly schedule.
This Thursday January 22nd, we'll get a live report from the Senior Bowl with our man Luke Inman. He'll point out a gem or two that Wheelin' & Dealin' Rick Spielman should keep his eye on for The Draft.
After that, new episodes will drop every Tuesday evening starting on the 27th. Most shows will feature a guest interview, although some weeks it'll just be me mumbling on about how we need a true free safety so Harrison can spend more time down in the box where he's best utilized.
Upcoming Episodes
• JAN 22nd (PM) – Senior Bowl Fiesta with Luke Inman
• JAN 27th – Adam Carlson – The Viking Age & Purple People Podcast
• JAN 29th – Super Bowl Preview Special
• FEB 3rd – Andrew Renschen – Writer for First Round Grade
• FEB 10th – THE 100th EPIOSDE EXTRAVAGANZA
• FEB 17th – Christopher Gates – Founder of The Daily Norseman
• FEB 24th – Lindsey Young – Vikings Territory
• MAR 3rd – Free Agent Target Special
• APR 28th – Official Draft Preview
• MAR 5th – Draft Recap – WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE??!?
Also the plan is to do several LIVE shows from Mankato during training camp. Come to an arrangement with a local watering hole, plop down the gear, and have our favorite guests stroll into the Purple FTW! Thunderdome at their leisure to drop some nuggets about our 2015 Vikings. I'd also love to meet the awesome fan(s) of our humble podcast.
Bottomline is The Dirty Man is back for the offseason and looking forward to the most anticipated season that I can remember in my Vikings fandom. 2015 is gonna be a helluva ride. #GoalSantaClara
Purple FTW! – The Podcast dedicated to the Pain AND Pleasure that is the Minnesota Vikings.
Subscribe to the Purple FTW! Podcast on iTunes & our Youtube Channel!


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As of 4 December 2017, learner drivers will be required to know how to operate a sat nav, and must be able to be guided by it for 20 minutes as part of their test. Which begs the question, which system is the best?
In lieu of a dedicated dash-mounted sat nav, two of the biggest mobile offerings available at the moment are Google Maps and TomTom's Go app. So, let's take a look at how they compare.
It's hard to remember a time that relied on glove box-essential, the A-Z Road Map. But the digital age has well and truly banished the paper manual, making room for the now almost universal, satellite navigation. And TomTom has been at the forefront of the revolution for a while.
TomTom really shines in the real-time traffic department. In the UK, the system tracks every iPhone and Vodafone customer that has their GPS setting enabled, and updates its traffic system based on movement every 60 seconds. Because of this, you're constantly fed the quickest routes available, letting you skirt around traffic jams and road works with ease.
The interface offers a lot of information, including your speed, the road's speed limit, speed camera locations, and the likelihood of unavoidable delays. And you can also plan routes before you get in the car using the MyDrive website, which can then be shared with both the mobile app and the full sat nav system.
One of the key differences between the two mobile apps is that TomTom is a premium service. When you sign up, you're allocated 50 free miles before having to put a hand in your pocket, whereas Google Maps is always free.
Unlike the above, Google doesn't let you know where speed cameras are, nor does it receive updates on traffic jams as frequently as TomTom does. It's also no good if you wind up somewhere without access to the internet, if you haven't previously downloaded that area for offline use.
TomTom on the other hand lets you download entire countries (and continents) before you get started, so you'll never be left without a map.
Google Maps is very good at voice recognition, something TomTom has only recently introduced. You can say something along the lines of "Okay, Google - show me supermarkets on my route" and it'll bring up a list for you to choose from. TomTom has similar functionality, but through our testing, it doesn't work quite as well.
Another thing we love about Google Maps is its Street View. This obviously isn't so useful when you're actually driving, but if you need to find out exactly what the address looks like before you set off, it's a service TomTom can't compete with.
Please note: In the UK it's illegal to interact with your mobile phone when driving, and is only permitted if you have hands-free access. The offence can carry a 6-point penalty on your licence and a £200 fine.
The law still applies if you're stopped a traffic lights, in queued traffic, or supervising a learner driver. You're only allowed to use a mobile phone if you're safely parked, or if you need to call 999 or 112 in an emergency and its unsafe to stop. Learn more on Gov.uk.
What's your go-to sat nav system? Drop us a comment below.


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What are Fire Rated Curtains and why are they so important?
In the event of a fire, you may not consider a curtain to be an effective method of protection against loss of life and structural damage – but, on the contrary, a fire rated curtain is the perfect solution that can fit a bespoke design. Read more about fire rated curtains.


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In exciting news this morning, Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) announced they will be returning to the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) in 2017, the first time they have competed in the discipline since 1999. The new rally vehicle is based on the Toyota Yaris hatchback and will be developed and tested by Toyota Motorsport GmbH (TMG). Between 1973 and 1999, Toyota won 43 WRC rallies, and won the championship three times. We are very excited to see their return to the sport, this only brings good news for racing fans seeing major manufacturers return to the game.
The new Yaris WRC car measures 3,910mm in length and 1,820mm in width. In line with global racing stipulations, it will run a 1.6-liter direct-injection turbo engine. The car will run on Michelin tires and test drivers thus far have been, Stéphane Sarrazin, Sebastian Lindholm and Eric Camilli. Official drivers for the 2017 have not yet been announced.
We'll have more information as it develops. More at Toyota.com.
(Images: Toyota Motor Corporation)


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The Ghosts of Altona by Russell Craig
Series: Fabel Crime Series
Genre: Crime Thriller
Format: Digital
Publisher: Quercus (4 June 2015)
Source: Publisher/NetGalley
Fabel is back: scarred by an experience that has changed him for ever and haunted by his past, he investigates the biggest case of his career
Jan Fabel is a haunted man.
Head of the Polizei Hamburg's Murder Commission, Fabel has dealt with the dead for nearly two decades, but when a routine enquiry becomes a life-threatening - and life-changing - experience, he finds himself on much closer terms with death than ever before.
Head of the Polizei Hamburg's Murder Commission, Fabel has dealt with the dead for nearly two decades, but when a routine enquiry becomes a life-threatening - and life-changing - experience, he finds himself on much closer terms with death than ever before.
Two years later, Fabel's first case at the Murder Commission comes back to haunt him: Monika Krone's body is found at last, fifteen years after she went missing. Monika - ethereally beautiful, intelligent, cruel - was the centre of a group of students obsessed with the gothic. Fabel re-opens the case. What happened that night, when Monika left a party and disappeared into thin air?
When men involved with Monika start turning up dead, Fabel realizes he is looking for a killer with both a hunger for revenge and a taste for the gothic. What he doesn't know is that someone has been aiding and grooming a deranged escapee as his own, personal tool for revenge.
A truly gothic monster to be let loose on the world.
My Thoughts:
There are several interconnecting threads running through the storyline of The Ghosts of Altona and a plethora of characters. Following the discovery of a woman's remains Jan Fabel the central character reopens one of his first cases, an unsolved disappearance from 15 years ago. The discovery triggers a series of new murders. As the story unfolds we meet some odd seemingly unrelated individuals, including Zombie and Frankenstein, and we drop in on a group of people who regularly meet to talk about their near death experiences (NDE).
Craig Russell's characters in The Ghosts of Altona are not stereotypical but complex individuals neither entirely good, or evil. They are flawed, depraved, sociopathic, psychopathic, innocent, naive, and charming. Traumatic experiences have shaped them into what they have become or maybe they're just unfortunate to have inherited some very bad genes.
Craig Russell writes intelligently and with sensitivity about a key characters mental illness, and of another's medical condition which has resulted in horrendous physical abnormalities. Incredibly powerful and thoughtful stuff! It was difficult to truly hate the 'the bad guys' even though I still wanted to see them get their just deserts.
Initially I thought the ending rather abrupt but after mulling it over actually appreciated the opportunity to draw my own conclusion as to what I wanted to happen between the characters. Maybe there's more to come in a follow up as an opening is certainly there.
The Ghosts of Altona is an absorbing above average crime thriller which weaves into the storyline the fascinating history of the Gothic origins and traditions.
The Ghosts of Altona is absolutely not one to miss.
I discovered Craig Russell writing as Christopher Galt last year with, in my opinion the totally underrated, Biblical. An intelligent, compulsive, sci-fi read and I really wanted to read more from him.
* Biblical is out now (April 2015) in paperback with a new title, The Third Testament.
Craig Russell has worked as a police officer, freelance writer and creative director.
His Fabel novels were inspired by his long-standing interest in the language, culture and people of Germany. The Lennox novels, set in 1950s Glasgow, were inspired by Russell's fascination for the period and love of the unique character of the city.
His novels are translated into twenty-three languages worldwide.
In 2007, Craig Russell was awarded the highly prestigious Polizeistern (Police Star) by the Polizei Hamburg, the only non-German ever to receive this award. He was nominated for the 2007 CWA Duncan Lawrie Golden Dagger, the world's biggest literary award for crime writers, as well as the SNCF Prix Polar in France. In 2008, Craig Russell won the CWA Dagger in the Library. In 2013, he was nominated for the CWA Ellis Peters Historical Dagger.
Source: CraigRussell.com
Disclaimer: A complimentary digital copy of The Ghosts of Altona was provided by Quercus via NetGalley in exchange for an honest unbiased review.


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PROCESS – DESIGN – Visit;
I allow about an hour for an initial visit and there may be a charge depending where you are. This is for us to meet each other, look at and discuss the garden and to establish your ideas and requirements. After this meeting you will get a written quotation.
PROCESS – DESIGN – Once fees are agreed;
1. A return visit to do a site survey, taking detailed notes and photographs.
If available, you provide scaled measurements of the areas to be designed, if not and the area/s are clear and straightforward I can add a quote to measure. For larger and more complex gardens I usually recommend a professional site survey, this really helps the process run smoothly later on.
2. If detailed in the quotation, a meeting to look at rough layout ideas/plans.
3. From this I will draw a final master-plan. This is hand drawn in plan view showing in detail all areas of hard and soft landscaping.
Depending on the requirements, it will include planting lists or full planting plans.
This plan is now yours to keep.
I work on a fixed fee basis agreed at the start of the project.
1. Deposit once fees agreed
2. Percentage of the total fee once rough designs are seen
3. Final payment upon delivery of master-plan
From the master plan prices for hard and soft landscaping can be worked out.
You may wish to get tender prices from several landscape companies. This may require further construction drawings but usually not.
I work with a local landscaper, Ben Catt. We have been working on projects together for over 5 years .We are both fully insured and can provide testimonials and visits to completed gardens to view our work.
I will monitor the landscaping work from start to finish and this includes;
- Oversee main contractor during landscaping
- Mark out main areas/borders etc.
- Liaise with other sub-contractors
- Source, deliver or arrange delivery of materials
- Source, deliver or arrange delivery of plants
- Position all plants and plant/oversee planting
Other contractors may be needed, as gardens often require bespoke elements.
- Lighting
- Water features
- Woven willow screens
- Sculpture
- Metal work
- Bespoke garden buildings
- Pergolas/ gazebos
- Pebble mosiacs


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Editor's note: Simon Wheatcroft lives in Doncaster, England, and has been registered blind since he was 18 years old. That's because Wheatcroft, now 29, has been diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa, a degenerative eye disease that essentially breaks down the cells composing the retina, a layer of optical tissue that helps convert light images and visual cues before sending them on to the brain. There is no cure, but that hasn't stopped Wheatcroft from continuing with one of his great passions: running.
Moreover, Wheatcroft is now committed to running the Cotswold ULTRArace.100, a 100-mile ultramarathon that starts on June 24 and ends the next day.
This is the first in a series of semi-regular guest posts, where Wheatcroft will describe the challenges and triumphs he encounters as his training regimen continues. For more frequent updates, please check out his personal blog at AndAdapt.com. In this installment, Wheatcroft reflects on how his use of various apps – RunKeeper, in this instance – has helped him get back to serious training.
Being blind introduces a number of challenges in my daily life; certain tasks can only be completed with support or guidance. I won't bore you with the psychological effects and the stressors involved. I will just say it's stressful.
Running is my way to alleviate stress; concentrating on my breathing and pace allows me to drift away. Historically, I used a guide runner to aid with my running, as running on the roads and blindness are a dangerous mix. I began using RunKeeper while I had my guide runner, and it gave me a great sense of control. The audio cues allowed me to feel in control of my pace and to not rely on input from my guide. This, frankly, felt great. For the first time ever, I was able to give pacing information to my guide rather than the other way around.
Then I lost my guide runner. With university calling, he moved to another city and I was left with one option: the treadmill. Now, the treadmill at first would appear the ideal solution. After all, it offers a very low risk of death.
But the treadmill itself offers a number of issues that removed control from me and placed it into the hands of a guide. The majority of treadmills now feature touchscreens – pretty useless to someone who is unable to see the screen. I wouldn't be able to change speed or incline, and I wouldn't know how far I had run or, indeed, for how long. I could, of course, have used Nike+ for this information, but it wouldn't solve the actual operation of the treadmill.
So, instead, I chose to do something which may have appeared impossible: run solo on the roads with RunKeeper. I memorized a three-mile stretch of pavement and began practicing. With each dip, lamppost and foreign object memorized and paired with distance audio cues through RunKeeper, I was now in control. It allowed me to break free of the shackles of guide runners and to feel a true sense of control and freedom. It's difficult to express the difference one app has made, not only with my running but my life as a whole. For those five runs a week, I forget I am blind and just run. RunKeeper made me just like everyone else on those three miles of pavement.
RunKeeper has not only allowed me to run solo, but also kept alive my dream of running a 100-mile race. Finding a guide runner who shared the same goals as me had proved difficult; no one was willing to train to that distance. But now I have a running partner that doesn't complain about the long runs and lactic acid, they simply deliver my audio cues that keep me running.
*The following day, Wheatcroft reflected on the challenges of getting back on a serious training schedule.
Today's eight-mile run was the toughest run in recent memory. I felt incredibly fatigued and dehydrated, thanks to a lack of food and water this morning. Despite feeling rough and encountering a few issues along the way, I did make the distance.
Running the usual route proved far more challenging than normal. Usually around once a week, I will run into something, be it a random piece of rubbish, a post or something larger like a ditch. Today I managed to run/trip three times. A new record, but it really took its toll. I tripped on the largest piece of dirt I have ever found on a footpath. (It was so large, I'm sure it will show as an incline on my RunKeeper stats.) I also managed to trip over what I believe was a pipe. The final obstacle was a traffic cone that some genius decided to place in the middle of the footpath – no actual road work around to speak of, just one random cone in the middle of a path.
Paired with the fatigue, these little incidents made today's run especially tough. And each trip reminds me of the difficulties related to the challenge I have undertaken, with each chipping away at my drive. Every time I thought about quitting today's run and phoning my wife to collect me, I thought of the kind words I received from yesterday's post.
I didn't begin this journey with the thought of inspiring others. I just wanted to achieve something for myself, to prove that despite my failing vision, I could still achieve amazing physical feats. But armed with the knowledge that my little adventure is inspiring others, I dug deep, ignored the pitfalls and completed the short run. Only another 35 miles to run this week.
Let's hope someone has moved that cone.
Photo courtesy Simon Wheatcroft


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You mean, the recruitment of underprepared high school graduates into our Texas colleges and universities didn't automatically amount to increased graduation rates?
In Texas, only 20 of every 100 students who enroll at a public community college or university earn an associate's or bachelor's degree within twice the normal amount of time, the report found.
This isn't news, although for some who work in the field it will probably be a source of increased frustration and stress. The State of Texas committed to "Closing the Gaps" in our universities and colleges by working more on recruitment; however, the State failed to "Close the Deal" by failing to adequately fund First Time In College and college retention efforts; not to mention decreasing the value of financial aid through tuition deregulation and cuts to scholarships and aid.
The failure to fully fund, and now, cut K-12 education will only add to the problem with few solutions that are well-funded being created. This "nontraditional" population in the report by Complete College Americais described as:
Graduation rates for this "new majority" are lower than for traditional students, particularly those who are part-time, older, poor, Hispanic or African American.
In other words, those who have been heavily recruited recently to "Close the Gaps", as well as those hit by the economy.
Republican (and a few privileged, clueless Democratic) politicians, of course, will try to lay the blame on "liberal" professors and academic advising offices, but the bottom line is that you cannot set out to "close the gaps" without addressing every single issue involved in the college going to college graduation process. In this case, we can only blame political expediency for this challenge because, certainly, colleges and universities have been doing without adequate resources for years.
The response now is to tell people, "There is no money." But there is plenty of money which is being irresponsibly left untapped by Republican elected officials who fail to close tax and fee loopholes. And in Texas, Republicans may commit to using the Rainy Day Fund and other Education money for possible corporate welfare giveaways to oil companies. I guess we know what their priorities really are.
If those affected aren't being targeted by the likes of Rick Perry and his wealthy buddies, then someone please explain to me this failure in leadership.


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Dutch National Opera creates and performs dramatic musical art, focusing on quality, diversity and innovation. This is expressed by taking a fresh approach to the opera classics, rediscovering repertoire that has seldom been performed and creating brand-new operas. Come and be inspired in our theatre, where you will be given a warm welcome.
La Traviata | 2012-2013
It tells the story of Violetta Valéry, a beautiful French "Courtesan" supported by lovers, in joyful Paris of the 1840's. At her recovery-from-illness-party, Violetta meets nobleman Alfredo Germont that apparently has been admiring her from afar for over a year. Violetta has Baron Douphol as a lover, but as a free woman she considers the love offer, after few days she accepts it and after 3 months they already happily live together out in the country, with her former life left behind.
One day, it all happens at once; her maid Annina tells Alfredo that Violetta has been selling her belongings to pay their debts, and Alfredo that realize Violetta's sacrifice, leaves for Paris to take care of things.
On that same day Violetta gets an invitation from Paris to attend her friend's party that same evening. She chooses to stay at home when unexpectedly Alfredo's father Giorgio Germont comes to visit. He used the opportunity to persuade her to leave his son, as she with her doubtful reputation risks his daughter's engagement and the name of the noble family. Although she proves him of her sincere love to his son, Germont insists and Violetta with great grief surrenders and promises to leave his son. She acts fast; she sends a note to her friend in Paris accepting the party invitation and immediately sits down to write the farewell letter to her love, when Alfredo returns home, catching her by surprise. She, being confused, dramatically declares her unconditional love and rushes out to Paris, living her farewell letter behind. When Alfredo reads the letter, and finds the party invitation on her desk, he suspects that Violetta's former lover, the Baron is behind all this and he rushes out back to Paris to confront Violetta at the party.
At the party, Alfredo mingles and joins the gambling games to try his luck. When he sees Violetta arriving with her Baron Douphol, he vigorously declares he came to proclaim his Violetta, and the Baron who feels annoyed, responds by joining him at the gambling table. Alfredo is lucky with his cards more than with love, and the Baron loses a small fortune to him.
Dinner is announced, and everyone leaves. Alfredo comes to leave with his winnings when stopped by Violetta who begs him to leave the place as she fears that the Baron will challenge him to a duel. He refuses to leave without her, but she has made a secret promise to his father and cannot return home. Tragically again, she is led to deny her true love and instead declare love to the Baron.
Alfredo naturally gets furious and as an act of rage he humiliates and denounces Violetta in front of everyone, throwing his new money at her feet, in payment "for her services". She faints and everyone denounces Alfredo, including his own father that shows up and Baron that keeps insisting to confront him in a dual.
Days after, Violetta is ill and alone, reading Alfredo's father news letter. He tells her that the Baron was slightly wounded in the duel, and that he himself told Alfredo the truth about her and that she was forced by him to leave and that he his son is on his way to ask for her forgiveness. But it is already too late for Violetta.
Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg | 2012-2013
The story takes place in Nuremberg during the middle of the 16th century. At the time, Nuremberg was a free imperial city, and one of the centers of the Renaissance in Northern Europe. The story revolves around the real-life guild of Meistersinger (Master Singers), an association of amateur poets and musicians, mostly from the middle class and often master craftsmen in their main professions. The mastersingers developed a craftsmanlike approach to music-making, with an intricate system of rules for composing and performing songs. The work draws much of its charm from its faithful depiction of the Nuremberg of the era and the traditions of the mastersinger guild. One of the main characters, the cobbler-poet Hans Sachs, is based on an actual historical figure: Hans Sachs (1494–1576), the most famous of the historical mastersingers.
Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg occupies a unique place in Wagner's oeuvre. It is the only comedy among his mature operas (he having come to reject his early Das Liebesverbot), and is also unusual in being set in a historically well-defined time and place rather than a mythical or legendary setting. It is the only mature Wagner opera to be based on an entirely original story, devised by Wagner himself. It is also the only one of Wagner's mature operas in which there are no supernatural or magical powers or events. It incorporates many of the operatic conventions that Wagner had railed against in his essays on the theory of opera: rhymed verse, arias, choruses, a quintet, and even a ballet. Die Meistersinger is, like L'Orfeo, Capriccio, and Wagner's own earlier Tannhäuser, a musical composition in which the composition of music is a pivotal part of the story.


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Quote, "The National Park Service placed cones along the highway viewing areas outside Mount Rushmore this week, barring visitors from pulling over and taking pictures of the famed monument."
Can this report be real? In America? Our national leaders are so mean-spirited and self-indulgent they close a free roadside, non-staffed, no-cost look at one of our national monuments, just to make a point? Are you kidding me?
Then the government (us) has to pay for police or rangers to guard so people do not remove the cones. And now this becomes not only a frustrating experience for visitors, but we have to pay as well?
A friend recently suggested to me, "Be thankful you don't get all the government you pay for!" – I think he's right.


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Yes it's been dead around here.
I haven't been able to post much within the last week. I have been buy with a few renovations.
--> Building an Attic Access and insulation
--> Building a new shed/garage (mini garage or large shed).
This week I'm hoping to add lots more to the site.
Yes it's been dead around here.
I know, busy with new baby too.
congrats terry2124


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Christopher Guy Harrison is the very first name that pops up when it comes to best inspirational designs. Born in Britain, brought up in Spain and France whereas residing now in Singapore, his international background plays a significant role in his designs.
Philosophy: Innovating classical designs in the most ultra-modern way, Christopher Guy is known for its classic fusion of past and futuristic styles.
Global Recognition: Presence in 39 cities throughout Asia, Europe, North America and Middle East, his designs are preferred by all designers globally.
At Present : Latest showroom was inaugurated in Harrods, London this June whereas another showroom is soon to be launched in one of the prestigious locations in Singapore too which depicts his classic state-of-art. This 1000 sq. m. showrooms reflect the mono-brand showroom showcasing his latest collection of themes and designs.
Owner: Christopher Guy
Founded: 1993


text: We're bringin' Asian Street Fare to Nashville! Our Music City location is located in the stomping ground of East Nashville's creative class. We chose this hotspot because of the cultural diversity, eclectic vibe, and historic character, with homes dating back to the early 1900s. The 'hood serves as a culinary destination chock full of beloved restaurants, dive bars, coffeeshops, and eclectic places to shop. We're pumped to make our mark on this city.


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Find out about local business opportunities
If you want to know out more about the local economic environment, identify potential clients for your business, or find partners to help you implement your project.
With our in-depth knowledge of the area, Le Havre Développement can facilitate your integration and development operationally: suggesting potential clients, service providers or partners for your business, conducting a tailor-made market survey, putting you in touch with appropriate contacts, introducing you to existing networks, and so on...
Le Havre Développement's network includes
French Customer Relations Association
Seine Estuary Alluvial Plain Users' Association, which manages problems common to all businesses in Le Havre industrial port zone
Club CO2
Industrial and institutional operators involved in the development of CO2 capture, transport, storage and recycling
Club Logistique du Havre
Le Havre logistics operators forum
French Supply Chain and Logistics Association
Logistique Seine Normandie
Normandy logistics industry sector
Competitive cluster for logistics and supply chain
Union des Industries Chimiques Normandie
Normandy chemical industries association
Union des Industries et métiers de la Métallurgie Région havraise
Le Havre regional metallurgy industries association
French federation of economic development agencies
Normandy FrenchTech
Label certification for the cities of Le Havre, Caen and Rouen
Autodistribution: meeting the right service provider
Autodistribution distributes equipment for garages, and wants to develop its import logistics from Le Havre. "For shippers, we generally propose two options: either their own installation, or through a service provider," comments Emmanuel Zervudacki, Logistics Business Developper at Le Havre Développement. .
Autodistribution chose the second option. "Autodistribution has specific requirements for products such as bridge cranes and tyre-changers. We put them in touch with local service providers who could meet their specifications exactly."


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Thanks to the @PlainfieldFireTerritory for spending time this week with elementary students in Plainfield, as a part of their fire safety program.
At Brentwood yesterday, they met with Kindergarten students. While there were a lot of giggles while they explored the massive (on a kindergarten student's scale!) fire truck, the topics were slightly more serious in the classroom.
The familiar "Stop, Drop & Roll" has been upgraded to "Stop, Drop, Cover Your Face, & Roll," and students practiced the routine until they could do it on their own, without reminders from PFT's Wayne Long. They also talked about smoke alarms, and they might be reminding their parents that this weekend is the ideal time to change the batteries in their smoke alarms at home. Because, of course, we observe a time change this weekend.
The other classroom section focused on how to call 911 to report an emergency. Personnel from the Hendricks County 911 Communications Center talked about what constitutes an emergency, how it's very important to speak up when on the phone, and never to hang up until the adult says it's okay to end the call.
Key takeaways from the adults' perspective? Most of us know what it means when we say "hang up." Young children don't, because they've never used, and probably haven't seen, a traditional landline phone. You don't "hang up" a cell phone!
The other, extremely important note: many children don't know their street name. In at least one class of kindergarten students, most could share their house number, but only a very few knew what street they live on.
Fire safety is an important topic for every age, and we are fortunate to have such a great relationship with our local department. Their ability to make learning about fire safety fun, while memorable, is appreciated by teachers and parents alike.


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Made of hand-forged recycled steel and a silver and champagne mist hand-applied two-tone finish, the Charmed pendant is the perfect elegant addition to your home decor.
Additional Info:
The Charmed pendant light by Varaluz offers your home a touch of elegance with its shimmering clear crystal beads and flowers. This nine-light fixture is made of hand-forged recycled steel and a hand-applied two-tone silver and champagne mist finish. Add sparkle and sway to your lighting and watch your living space dazzle.


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End of Line (not yet)
I once was a Blackberry addict who clinched on my handset and BBM'ed my friends all day. The blinking red light seemed to have some sort of Jedi power because I couldn't resist checking my messages once the light started to blink. From this description, I have displayed a typical Blackberry user's obsessive behaviour. However, I … Continue reading


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Thumbdive is an social app that gives it's members the unique ability to create private networks of friends and family. I designed the Thumbdive website, logo and branding to highlight Thumbdive's first-to-market capability for their app launch. The brand was crafted to speak to those under thirty who are tech savvy, active, optimistic and want to stay more connected with friends in a fun, private way. Wendy Tam, founder of AirGini and one of the smartest people I've ever done business with, later turned Thumbdive into private label, social collaboration software for businesses and organizations.
dotp's part: logo design, research, brand strategy, website design, information architecture, copywriting.


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National Park Service
National Park Service
Curecanti National Recreation Area
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and Curecanti National Recreation Area are managed by the National Park Service. These two areas implement fire restrictions based on the counties in which they are located.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park lies within Montrose County.
Curecanti National Recreation Area lies within Gunnison County with Cimarron (on US 50), Hermit's Rest (on State Route 92), and areas west of these sites lying in Montrose County.
NPS News
NPS Black Canyon & Curecanti Address
102 Elk Creek
Gunnison, CO 81230
(970) 641.2337, ext. 205


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3G iPad. Just days after we snuck out leaked shots of the HTC Puccini, said tablet has gone official as the HTC Jetstream. As predicted, it's packing a 10.1-inch WXGA capacitive touchscreen, 1.5GHz Snapdragon dual-core processor, Android 3.1 and HTC's latest tablet-centric edition of Sense (that'd be Sense UX). Of course, it's the first LTE / HSPA+ tablet to be announced for Ma Bell's network, but it's not like it matters. For whatever reason, the powers that be decided to price this thing at $699.99 on a two-year contract, which has somehow managed to top Verizon's equally comical pricing for its LTE-equipped Galaxy Tab 10.1. Sure, that tally enables you to sign up for a $35 / month 3GB plan, and yeah, the HTC Scribe digital pen accessory is being tossed in "at no extra cost" for a limited time, but let's be real -- neither you, nor anyone else you know, is buying one. So much for even pretending to compete on price, eh?
Update: It's going for $849 outright, which is even more silly. Why not just price it at $2,000, guys? Might as well milk the most from the four folks that'll accidentally mash the "buy" button.


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FAQ hot tubs
Spruce, pine, larch and sometimes oak is used for tub production. Also is used and thermo wood. What is thermo wood? If the wood material is treated in high temperature and steam, it is called "thermo wood". After such treatment the wood becomes stronger, dimensionally stable and lighter, resin leaking disappears.
The water in tubs can be heated with an electric, gas or wood burning stoves. The latter ones are the most common. The heating stoves can be of inside or outside type.
a) Inside heater stoves are located inside the tub space. The firewood is being put into the stove from above, so that water doesn't get into the stove. This type of stoves are effective in heat transfer. The tub location can be changed easily, because you don't have to disconnect the heating system. On the other hand, the stove occupies considerable amount of space inside the tub.
b) Outside heater stoves are installed on the outer side of the tub, and the heated water flows through rubber tubes. This type of stove has an advantage that it saves space in the tub. But to relocate the tub you will need to disconnect the heater. Very important aspect is the diameter of rubber tubes used, since it influences the water circulation inside the tub.
It is personal. You should consider how many people will usually use it. If you plan to enjoy the tub with your family maybe a few friends only, it is advisable to acquire a mid-size tub. You will economize on water, heating time and energy source.
Hot water tub should be placed on a flat and stable surface. This can be compacted gravel, wooden terrace or any other concrete surface.
You should start heating the water in the tub several hours before planned use. Avoid heating the tub that is not fully filled with water, especially if you have plastic inside tub, because this can damage the walls of the tub.
Water warm-up time depends on several factors. It depends on the initial water temperature, the size of the tub, the volume of water being heated, and the stove type. Heating with electric heater usualy takes more time. Wood burning stoves are much faster. For an average tub, the water heating process will take about 4-6 hours.
It is advisable to use dry birch wood, but also can be used other types of wood or briquettes. Avoid timber containing high level of resin, because the stove quickly drags on, it will need more frequent cleaning.
Tub water is heated by the stove and it warms unevenly. When the water begins to warm, it slowly rises to the top of the tub. Use the paddle or similar tools from time to time to mix the water. The water heats up faster if the tub is covered with a lid.
First of all, after acquiring a wooden tub, you should make it soak with water. This will cause wood pores to absorb the water and prevent the tub leaking.
During the summer, the tub must be filled with water. Otherwise, if the tub is left empty for longer time, wooden elements will dry and begin to leak.
The hot water tub should be cleaned after each 2-4 uses.
It is advisable to choose natural cleaners or organic products for wood tub interior cleaning. Wood tubs should not be cleaned with unknown or unidentified chemicals, because wood's reaction is unpredictable. Wood tubs should not be treated with chemicals containing chlorine or bromine, which are usualy used for outdoor pools, as this may eventually damage the wood fibers. Consider water-proofing the wood at least once a year, but from outer side only.
The tubs with plastic inlays do not need initial soaking, they are immediately ready for use. Avoid heating the stove before the water reaches the proper level, because plastic tub walls can begin to deform. To clean the plastic inside, any ordinary means that are used to clean outdoor swimming pools amy be used.
If the wooden tub began leaking, it was probably left without water for a long time, and wooden elements began to dry and shrink. You should tighten the metal rings. If you discover any leaking gaps, they should be filled with wood sawdust. With time, it will absorb water and fill the resulting gap.
During the cold season both wooden and plastic tubs should be left empty, because the frozen water can permanently damage the tub.
You can start to drain the water out of the tub after the water and stove has cooled completely.
The owners of hot water tubs may enjoy low cost of ownership. It consists of maintenance costs and cost of consumables for heating.


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edited June 2011 in Soldiers' Ground
Soldiers, if someone wants to join the military, how do we go about it? I don't have any idea where to go to get information on this.
Especially since I'm in Chuuk, there's not much information going around. I remember there were recruiters when I was a senior in high school in '07,
but it's been awhile and I don't know if they still come, and if they do, I don't know where I can get in touch with them. Any ideas?
Especially since I'm in Chuuk, there's not much information going around. I remember there were recruiters when I was a senior in high school in '07,
but it's been awhile and I don't know if they still come, and if they do, I don't know where I can get in touch with them. Any ideas?
What branch do you want to join?
Air Force -> http://airforce.com/joining-the-air-force/enlisted-overview/
Army -> http://www.army.mil/join/
Navy -> http://www.navy.com/joining.html
Marines -> http://www.marines.com/rmi
National Guard -> http://www.ng.mil/features/join/default.aspx
Coast Guard -> http://www.gocoastguard.com/find-your-career/enlisted-opportunities
You can go to those websites for more information and to contact a recruiter.
Both SASVAB/ASVAB are good for only 2 years. SASVAB-Administer to Seniors and Juniors in High School. ASVAB-everybody elses!! YOU can only take the test three times..After the 2nd test, cross all fingers and toes to at least get 31 AFQT. The AFQT is varies from services to services. With Force Reduction in progress, all branches might tighten up the ropes a little bit and enlistment screening process might get little tougher. Good luck.
And when you join the Army, make sure you shoot and Kill everything in your sight, don't even think about the christian values your poor mom and pop reared you to be. Shout profanity from the depth of your lungs and mow your enemies with your piece and watch them bleed and call out for their mommies/wives/husbands/children...and the almighty!
Yeah! join the freakin Army and die for the hand that feeds your Country! Hehe.
Speaking from the inside, I kid you not, the only services that are actually have a decent recruiting chances are the Army, Air Force, and the Coasties. The Sailors and the Marines are overmanned. Meaning, promotion wise in these two is dragging, specially some MOS's in the Marines and some rate's in the Navy. So think about it first. Don't get discouraged though about joining. I alaways have this belief that joining the armed forces for us Micros is the best way to go. You learned self discipline, self control, self confidence, etc. before you actually learn your job. Just remember, stick to what job that interest you the most. Like the sailors always say, "pick your rate, pick your fate'.
i suggest you go to guam or pni to take the asvab test. due to low number of recruits, chuuk is no longer a target for recruiter. they spend lot of money traveling to chuuk, but only few pass the test, sometimes none. once you passd the test, everything will be done smoothly. you will also need to plan on becoming u.s citizen. most of the specialities in the military are requiring secret clearance. you must be a u.s citizen to grant clearance. good luck.
You better do it quick! Most if not all are not accepting anymore recruits unless if U bring something to the table... a bachelors degree or higher maybe then they might make an exception... As far as your background goes, you will have to have a squeaky clean background and if you want a secret clearence then you might need to look at your credit report as well. Study the ASVAB well because that also plays a critical role in picking what type of work they can offer you in the military.
Good info > make wise decisions when you join, by that I mean think about your future. Think about the trend in future job markets before you choose your profession(MOS). Most combat arms MOS will get you a Police or security guard after the service, if you do not take the advantage of the school opportunities when you serve. Plus when you hold a combat arms MOS your job may take you away from these opportunities..Led Zeb, not trying to downplay the shooters...but the battlefield today sees everyone as a target, even support personnel find themselves running gun trucks securing convoys, but their skills find better opportunities outside in the world market.
I don't know how it is in Guam right now but here in the states, it is very difficult to join any of the branches. Your best bet would be the Army. You have to get a 31 on the ASVAB. The Navy and the Air Force is 50. Not sure what the Marines is but I do know they are not hiring for active duty right now. All due to the current downsizing and budget cuts. In a span of 5 yrs, the Army will cut 57K troops from its ranks and have already started reviewing soldiers to be discharged. The Navy, Marines and Air Force have already begun cutting their forces. Last week the Marines approved early retirements (15yr retirementwith 40% instead of 20yrs) to their forces in order to alleviate their numbers. They are projected to cut 20K.
Join Canada's Air Force! I heard they make pretty good buck!
REALLY!!! I think the both of you should re-read the COFA agreement...AGAIN.The COFA Agreement is between the ROP,FSM,RMI and the US of A,and not canada and australia.Join the Australian Army...they make real good money, and Australian chicks are hot.
lol@reaper.....lol, really? I was never made aware that such an agreement existed. I have been serving in the British Royal Navy since I can remember. I'm sure Beast did some time in the Australian Army...and yes, Australian chicks are hhhhhhhoooot! lol..you're quite a character, Reaper..just sarcasms, my friend...drink an OJ and go get yourself a BJ.


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Gotcha: Bug #29838
The bug itself seems so simple to repeat. I'm boggling how it was not seen before. :-0 I really tried too many overly-complex tests, IMHO. Sometimes, it's still best to keep it simple!
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
That error 127 MyISAM bug finally...
Gotcha: Bug #29838
Posted by sbester at 22:08
Labels: corruption, MyISAM
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In Baghdad, women fear everyone
Zainab Salbi is the kind of woman who, in Hollywood, might star in movies with motorcycle chases and leaps from rooftops and the bad guys tossing up their hands in defeat. You wouldn't think this about her right off. She is soft-spoken and slight. Her pixie haircut frames high cheekbones and an easy smile.
But she has the quiet fearlessness of someone who has seen things. She grew up in Iraq during Saddam Hussein's brutal regime and was a teenager when bombs fell during the 1991 Gulf War. In her job, she slips in and out of war zones. Bosnia. Afghanistan. Nigeria. Congo. Colombia. She has talked about her work on "Oprah" six times, the most recent on Monday. She is featured this week in U.S. News & World Report.
A recognized force for women's rights and self-sufficiency in war-torn countries, she is not easily shaken.
But over lunch in San Francisco this week, she said her recent visit to Baghdad from her current home in Washington, D.C., was unlike anything she has experienced. She so feared assassination she slept in a different house every night. For the first time in her life, she covered herself with a traditional Muslim scarf when she went outside, afraid of the religious fundamentalists who have been attacking, kidnapping and killing women in professional and leadership roles.
Salbi knows 14 Iraqi women -- businesswomen, translators, activists, journalists, public officials -- who have been slain in the past 10 months. While Salbi was in Baghdad in October, one friend, a pharmacist, was kidnapped and killed; her body found 10 days later on a highway. Her head had been wrapped in a scarf, something she never wore.
"Men in suits with machine guns came at around 7 o'clock to the pharmacy, handcuffed and blindfolded her right in front of everybody," Salbi said. Professional women are hiring protection, but, Salbi said, "most of the time, you're scared of your own guards. They're often informants, passing on information about what you're doing and talking about, where you're going. You're afraid of everyone."
The violence, Salbi says, has consequences far beyond the personal tragedies. It has driven many of Iraq's most prominent and talented women into their homes and out of public life, just when their participation in reconstructing the country is so crucial.
Salbi, 36, knows better than most -- having witnessed, in country after country, what happens after wars when women are marginalized -- that Iraq can never succeed as a democracy if women are not instrumental in shaping the new Iraqi constitution this summer.
"I call it Code Orange in Iraq right now," said Salbi, president of Women for Women International, the D.C.-based organization she founded 10 years ago. "Women are barometers for how a society is going. Bad things in a society always start with women, and good things, too."
She cites the Taliban as an example. When women were being persecuted, few paid any attention.
"People saw it as something that just impacted women," she said. "So we left it alone."
But eventually the violence spread, turning Afghanistan into a toxic culture that bred a brand of terrorism that landed on our own doorstep. "In hindsight, you can see how it all started with women. I see it in all these places, a pattern that starts with women and spreads. Women are the softest door. The kitchen door. Nobody pays attention when it's opened."
She showed me an excerpt from a 2004 policy brief titled, "Can Iraq Be Democratic?" prepared by a senior fellow at the Cato Institute. It says that in societies in which women play a subservient role to men, men also find themselves playing subservient roles to other men, and "meritocracy takes a backseat to connections and cronyism."
Conversely, study after study has shown that when women begin to be educated and incorporated into government and business, the entire society prospers.
Women make up 60 percent of Iraq's population. Yet when the Interim Iraqi Governing Council was established in 2003, only three of 25 members were women. No women were appointed to the Fundamental Law Committee. No women were appointed governors of any of the 18 provinces. Only one woman was appointed to lead any of the 25 government ministries.
On Sunday, Iraqis will elect 275 members to the National Assembly, which will draft a constitution. One-third of the candidates are supposed to be women, so presumably one-third of the elected membership will be women. But Salbi says the fear of abduction, rape and homicide not only is likely to keep female voters from venturing to the polls in large numbers, but it could keep the women who are elected to the assembly from serving as strong and outspoken members.
If Iraq's women have no voice, there is no democracy.
"The way women go," Salbi says, "the whole society goes."