| tags: | Android, Battlefield, Cell Phone, Motorola, Network, Smartphone, Wireless |
| filed under: | Networking, Phones, Wireless |
| source: | Engadget |
| published: | at 02:08, Saturday, June 30, 2012 |
| viewed: | 31 times |
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House-parenting is very difficult. I know, shocker right? Coming into this, I knew that it would be difficult, but I wasn't prepared for all the ways it would be difficult. Arguing, disrespect, cursing, lying, sneaking -- all those were expected, but there were two things that caught me by surprise. First, I didn't realize how difficult it would be for our own children to be in this ministry. They have to hear other kids in the house talk bad about us behind our backs; they sometimes get treated badly just because they are 'staff kids', and they don't get all the counseling resources the 'placed kids' do. Second, I wasn't prepared to deal with the darkness that the kids who come here love so much. It is heart-breaking to hear kids talk so positively about all the life destroying things they used to do before coming here. It's almost like the world has been turned upside-down. And sometimes I just begin to think the whole world is like this and start to despair.
House-parenting is also very rewarding. In our short year, we have had teens leave our home both 'successfully' and 'unsuccessfully'. Which basically means they either completed the program, or didn't for whatever reason -- refusing to work on issues, or parents deciding to remove them early are a couple of examples. But in both cases, we have already heard back from both parents and students who wanted to thank us for the impact we had on their lives, even if only for a short time.
Residential Care facilites are very nearly invisible to the Church. This is unfortunate for two reasons. First, because churches don't know about us, then they won't be able to refer families in crises to us. Second, it is unfortunate because we need all the support we can get. I'm not talking about money here, we have individuals and churches that support us financially, and come help out on various projects around campus -- and for that we are very thankful. What is missing is relationships -- friendship, community, prayer, emotional support -- or even inviting a family over for a weekend get away. We are a fairly isolated and invisible bunch, which can make life difficult at times.
Two parent homes really do make a difference. In the year that we have been here, we have had 10 different teens in our home and only one of those teens still had both biological parents living at home. Most have had multiple step-parents, or in some cases were being raised by an Aunt, or Grandparent. I'm not saying that blended families can't work, but our numbers indicate that blended families have to work extra hard to make sure everyone settles into the new family unit. I don't think this is a magic bullet, but it is one big common denominator for most kids here.
Youth culture in America is creating immature and unprepared adults. Another big common denominator would be American youth culture. Here we give our kids a cell phone, a car, and lots of free time to hang out with their friends, listen to crappy music, and sometimes experiment with drugs or sex. We don't, however, give them hardly any responsibilities or teach them basic living skills. I find it amazing that so many older teens who come here don't know how to wash clothes, wash dishes, run a vacuum, or scrub a toilet (but do know how to identify various drugs, or can write lyrics from dozens of songs from memory). What are they going to do when they leave home, live in filth?
Teens don't really want to become adults, they just want to stay teens. You may have seen articles about how the Millennials are not growing up, but are still living at home with mom and dad, or about how America is being 'Infantilized' by either our consumeristic society, or by political nanny's. Those may be very true, but why would they want to grow up when they have their cell phones to text on, and their friends to hang with?
Source: http://thecrossties.blogspot.com/2012/06/house-parenting-year-on.html
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The damage caused by domestic violence is written on the faces of the victims. It?s presence can be heard in the tone of voice. The heavy burden? seen in the slumped shoulders, hanging head, or vacant eyes.
If it goes on long enough and is severe enough the spirit of the person can be broken.
Years of stress, despair, defeat and heartache play havoc on the mind.?Following written instuctions,?learning new job skills, or even reading a book for enjoyment can become challenging to the point of total frustration. The background chatter in your head distracts you during times when focus is what is needed.
For those who have been?accustom to abuse since childhood it?s not?much of a stretch to become involved in destructive relationships as adults.?If experiencing a?gentle touch, warm? smile,?or soothing voice?was the exception rather than the rule not having warm and healthy relationships will feel?normal?accepted and even expected?in adulthood.
The great news is that there is?hope?for men and women who have been abused to step out?into their own?light. I have heard from people who don?t believe this is possible. They feel?they are doomed to continue down?the path they are on. If your thinking is along this line please know that you can change your direction and your situation.?Dig down deep; you can find the strength.
It is not?not easy and not quick but you can do it.
If you are in or coming out of a destructive?relationship seek information through a variety of resources. Life can get better. Seek out individuals you trust such as a parent, friend, guardian, sibling, minister, neighbor, or another person. Call your local domestic abuse hotline or call the national hotline 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or TTY 1-800-787-3224. If you have decided to leave your situation remember that you must have a plan and if necessary contact local law enforcement.
Don?t settle for anything less than the best for you.
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Tags: adulthood, background chatter, despair, destructive relationship, destructive relationships, domestic abuse hotline, domestic violence, great news, havoc, healthy relationships, heavy burden, national hotline, new job, tone of voice, vacant eyes, warm smile
Source: http://endingdestructiverelationships.com/uncategorized/its-not-easy-but-you-can-do-it/
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Source: Wikipedia
It was a great day to be in DC, though what brought me here had nothing to do with this morning?s major headline. ?Still, I found a way to connect to the moment via a meditation on how our nation?s capital has a unique purchase on this thing we call social.
What in fact brought me to town was a business pursuit in the social technology arena. ?My colleague in the pursuit is a DC-bound consultant whose personal brand sits somewhere between super-loveable?and hypersocial. ?He?s also a really smart guy. ?But whenever I get together with him in DC, I am treated to a debate on the profound differences between life in DC and life in Silicon Valley, my home. ?Says my friend: ?in DC, people really don?t get ?social.? ? I then argue that, ?wait, isn?t this the place that launched Blue State Digital?,? one of the premier social-media/digital shops that came out of the Obama 2008 campaign. ?And Washington, I sometimes point out, ?is home to DC Week, one of the truly great mega-events in the social media world, lighting up the entire city for a few days each year in a wide and motley range of locations throughout the metropolis. ?For my friend, however, the point is a matter of comparison. ?Compared to Silicon Valley, DC is less social. ?But that?s only true, of course, if you narrowly define social to only things digital.
Perhaps this is why my DC colleague and I are becoming such good friends. ?For whereas he has a romantic conception of Silicon Valley social, I am romantically attached to my understanding (limited) of DC social life. ? Maybe the grass looks greener, for both of us. ?For me, a former?New Yorker?no habituated in the suburbs, I sometimes ache for the rhythms and patterns of city life that more frequently bring people together in physical spaces. ?But because my early understanding of city life was shaped by New York ? a place, I believe, that is vastly more complex than most other cities ? the rhythms and patterns of life in DC are more palpable. ?If you are suggestible, like me, you can actually see the flows. ?Especially if you hang out with my friend. ?But I remember first thinking this seven years ago, on a visit to meet with some of the city?s top ?technology reporters. ?The highlight was a day shuttling between The Wall Street Journal and The Washington Post. ?Somewhere in between, one of my then-colleagues pointed out, was a famous watering hole where Senator Edward Kennedy was known to do a lot of business. ?It was a reminder of the power of place, something that I was beginning to understand was fading from my life. ?But nothing compared to our visit to the Washington Post newsroom ? the same one made famous by the Watergate film All the President?s Men. ?It took a while for Silicon Valley to tear down the cubicle walls and copy this more social style of workplace architecture, and I remember later thinking that the Post, and its stubborn fix on the 70?s, was oddly ahead of its time.
My DC friend is too young to remember reporters, publicists, and Mad Men from that era. ?But he?s cut from the same cloth. When he walks into a joint, he quickly scans to see who?s there, for it will surely moderate the flow of conversation. ?Last night, at a streetside table at a downtown eatery, he spotted one of the town?s biggest celebrities of the week: ?Kathleen Sibelius, the Secretary of Health and Human Services. ?She was sitting right behind me, and my friend was so amused. ?When she got up to leave, he shouted, ?Madam Secretary, whatever the court says tomorrow, we know you?re on the people?s side!?
I would never have dared to say what he did, though I wish I had. ?But I guess I?m not that social.
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Replacing a house full of switches and dials with a single remote seems a desirable proposition, but less-than-intuitive setup processes and fees that run far into the thousands make a disconnected home the only option for some. Like other home automation system manufacturers, Control4 has a bounty of offerings that can run up pricing into that out-of-reach range, but if you're looking to adjust audio and video in a single room, the new Starter Kit should get you going for just shy of a grand, including installation. That price includes a HC-250 Controller, which delivers IR control for up to eight components (via splitters connected to the four IR ports on the rear), serial control for up to two receivers or other systems and IP control for an unlimited number of devices. There's also an SR-250 ZigBee remote in the box, which offers full control through a television interface (HDMI and component outputs can be found on the HC-250's rear). You can also have full access through a variety of add-ons, including a $999 7-inch in-wall touchscreen with camera, a portable version for the same price, or any Android, iOS or Mac device -- access licenses for smartphones, tablets and computers run $199 each, or $499 to cover the entire home.
The Starter Kit can enable control of a single room, which may be fine for some users -- to add additional home theater setups you can bring on more HC-250s at $599 a pop. There's also an option to add ZigBee lighting controls ($129 per switch), ZigBee door locks ($150 to $350) or a door intercom unit with camera ($799). All-in, outfitting a large home can be quite pricey, and the Starter Kit is designed to get folks in the door, rather than to deliver a complete solution. We tested the controller with a TV, audio system, a pair of lights on two zones, the door intercom and a deadbolt, and all performed seamlessly without an hiccups. We also took a look at the intuitive drag-and-drop PC-based interface, which owners can use to change macros and add media. Introducing new components to the rig will require a dealer service call (or remote access, if you're just trying to loop in something like a NAS to serve up content). The Control4 Starter Kit is available through third-party dealers beginning today, including Magnolia Home Theater in select Best Buy stores (in that case, Geek Squad will handle the install). That sub-$1,000 figure factors in two hours of labor, and may climb a bit higher depending on dealer rates. Still, if you're just looking to get your feet wet, this seems to be a solid solution. Thumb through the gallery below for a closer look at the components and interface.
Control4 delivers home automation Starter Kit for under $1,000 including installation, we go hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 28 Jun 2012 11:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | | Email this | CommentsSource: http://www.engadget.com/2012/06/28/control4-starter-kit-hands-on/
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Supreme Court upholds health care law
Source: MSNBC
Posted on:
Thursday, Jun 28, 2012, 9:47am
Views: 5
Source: http://www.labspaces.net/121365/Supreme_Court_upholds_health_care_law
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A bill to legalize intrastate online gambling in Delaware passed through the state Senate Wednesday. Now the only thing standing in the way of House Bill 333 becoming law is Gov. Jack Markell, who still needs to sign it. There should be no hangups there, however, as he is a proponent of the bill and could put his name to paper as early as today.
Legislators felt they needed to do something to bolster Delaware?s gambling industry, as it was seen as falling behind its neighbors. New Jersey obviously has Atlantic City and Pennsylvania has been very aggressive lately in developing its gambling venues. CEO of Dover Downs Hotel and Casino Ed Sutor told DelawareOnline.com that his company is losing slots customers to the new Maryland Live! casino in Hanover, Maryland, situated across Chesapeake Bay near the Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport. ?This will go a long way to help us be more competitive,? he said.
Currently, gambling contributes over $250 million in tax revenue to state coffers each year and about 2,500 of the state?s residents are employed by casinos.
HB 333 would legalize all forms of gambling over the internet, which would make Delaware the first state to open its series of tubes to poker, casino games, lottery, and even sports betting. While Nevada recently awarded its first online gaming licenses, those are just for online poker. Casino games and poker will be found on various licensed websites, which will be controlled by the state Lottery Office. Non-casino venues, such as bars and restaurants, will be able to sell Keno tickets and football parlay cards. While 2013 is the target date for overall online gaming, a couple dozen venues are expected to be ready for football betting before the NFL season starts this fall. Lottery tickets will also be sold online.
Players must be within state borders to play.
The bill?s vote was by no means unanimous. Thumbs-up beat thumbs-down by a score of 14 to 6, with one Senator, F. Gary Simpson, abstaining because of his association with the Harrington Raceway and Casino. Interestingly, there is a chance that the vote will have to be redone as Sen. Robert Venebles has said he meant to vote ?no,? but thought they were voting on an amendment that would have given Delaware?s horse racing industry a larger portion of online gambling revenues. His hearing aid was supposedly turned down, resulting in his confusion. He may move to rescind the vote which, if approved, would mean a new vote would have to be taken. Even if one ?yes? vote ends up changing to ?no,? however, the three-fifths majority needed to pass HB 333 would still be intact, though just barely. If the Governor signs the bill first, the vote cannot be rescinded.
The Delaware Department of Finance has estimated that online gambling will bring in $7.75 million revenue to the state next year. That plus job protection were the main goals of the bill?s lead sponsor, Senate President Pro Tem Anthony DeLuca.
In order to give the three existing brick and mortar casinos in the state a boost, a portion of the revenue from intrastate online gambling will go towards the $3.75 million in licensing fees they pay each year.
Want the latest poker news in your twitter feed? Follow PokerNewsDaily on Twitter.
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LONDON (AP) ? Fighter jets thunder above the English countryside. Missiles stand ready. And Big Brother is watching like never before.
The London Olympics are no ordinary games. Not since World War II have Britain and the United States teamed up for such a massive security operation on British soil.
Hundreds of American intelligence, security and law enforcement officials are flying across the Atlantic for the games that begin July 27. Some will even be embedded with their British counterparts, sharing critical intelligence and troubleshooting potential risks. Dozens of Interpol officers will also be deployed.
The unique collaboration is rooted in common threats the partners have faced since the Sept. 11 terror attacks on the U.S. and Britain's own deadly suicide bombings in 2005.
Britain was America's closest ally in Afghanistan and Iraq, making it a prime target of Islamic terror groups. And dozens of recent terror plots, including the 2006 plot to blow up nearly a dozen trans-Atlantic airliners, have been hatched within Britain's sizeable Muslim population, more than 1 million of whom have ties to Pakistan.
Although other Olympics have taken place since 9/11 ? Salt Lake City, Athens, Turin, Beijing and Vancouver ? London poses a different breed of security challenge.
"I'm confident that there is more than adequate security here for these games," Louis Susman, the U.S. Ambassador to the U.K., told The Associated Press. "That said, we live in a tumultuous world, whether that be in New York or London."
Intelligence officials say there has been an expected increase in chatter among extremist groups but there are still no specific or credible threats to the London games. The terror level is labeled substantial, a notch below severe and what it has been for much of the past decade. A substantial threat level indicates that an attack is a strong possibility.
"There is a perception in some quarters that the terrorist threat to this country has evaporated," said Jonathan Evans, head of Britain's domestic spy agency of MI5. "Bin Laden is dead, al-Qaida's senior leadership in Pakistan is under serious pressure and there hasn't been a major terror attack here for seven years. (But) in back rooms and in cars and on the streets of this country, there is no shortage of individuals talking about wanting to mount terrorist attacks here."
The potential threats to the London games are broad and diverse ? a lone wolf attacker such as Norway's Anders Behring Breivik who confessed to killing 77 people; a possible non-Asian Muslim convert who could slip by security with a European passport; a coordinated strike like the Sept. 11 terror attacks or a debilitating cyber-attack.
Although al-Qaida has been weakened by targeted U.S. strikes, its affiliates in places like Somalia and Yemen have stepped up their activity and increased their capabilities. They've even been working on bombs that can go undetected in airport scans.
British security officials fear that dozens of nationals who went to train in Somalia and elsewhere could eventually return.
"Terrorist problems have a long tail," said Evans. "They very rarely just stop."
Up to 1 million visitors are expected for the games, putting added strain on border security agents at airports like London's Heathrow, which has been criticized for its long lines and lack of staff to screen those arriving from other countries.
On site, some 300,000 people are expected to flow into Olympic Park in east London each day during peak times.
One of the key functions for Interpol, the international police organization, will be to speed intelligence data sharing between countries so threats can be deterred. U.K. officials scan Interpol data 130 million times per year, Interpol Secretary General Ronald K. Noble told the AP during an exclusive interview at the agency's Lyon headquarters.
"The truth is, and we know this from Norway, that you can't identify one ethnic group and say that's the ethnic group that should only concern us," Noble said. "But this Olympics ? from all that I know and based on all the information that Interpol has ? should be a safe Olympics."
Shared intelligence, better technology and boosted resources have allowed security officials to crack organized plots before they happen but the possibility of a self-starter extremist who operates below the radar remains one of the biggest fears.
In the case of Breivik, there were few warning signals that the self-styled anti-Muslim fanatic was about to kill 77 people last summer. The same essentially was true for Mohamed Merah, a Frenchman of Algerian descent who in March killed three paratroopers, a rabbi and three Jewish school children in southwest France.
Security officials say unless people are already known to authorities, they can go virtually undetected as they plan atrocities.
The overall security numbers are staggering. The games will be protected by some 12,000 police officers during peak times and 23,700 security staff ? a number that includes some 13,500 troops on standby, which is more than the 9,500 British troops currently in Afghanistan. A no-fly zone will also be established over Olympic venues from July 14 to August 15.
More than 100,000 people have applied for jobs at Olympics venues, being vetted for employment history and possible criminal backgrounds. The more rigorous checks are done by the government for accreditation to get into the games, according to Ian Horseman Sewell with G4S, a global company providing most of the training and security staff for the Olympics.
Still, Sewell admits London is different than past games.
"London is a proven terrorist target and it is the first time the summer Olympics have been operated in a post 7/7 environment in a place that isn't a totalitarian state," Sewell said, referring to the 2005 suicide bombings in London and the 2008 Beijing games. "From a security perspective, London is breaking new ground."
G4S will also help secure venues outside of the park and protect athletes.
Some specific teams from places like Belarus, Belgium, New Zealand and Vietnam will be training in northern France to keep costs down ? a move that prompted a joint Franco-British security exercise earlier this year.
Protecting athletes has been a concern since a terror attack at the 1972 Olympics in Munich killed 11 Israeli athletes and coaches.
"Israeli athletes will be staying away from the others in a more secluded area and with more security," a senior Israeli intelligence official told the AP, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of his job. "But a repetition of what happened in Munich is considered unlikely because Israel is ready and also because it isn't the kind of attack Palestinians would want now."
Technology has also advanced from past games.
Special Israeli surveillance technology has been rolled out for the Olympics across Britain, a country already known for its 4 million closed-circuit television cameras. Even more cameras have been installed at the Olympic Park.
Advanced facial and image recognition software will be used to identify suspects and connect multiple crime scenes. Cameras will be used to capture suspicious behavior. And special drones will be used for crowd surveillance, according to a salesman at an Israeli company who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the press.
And remember the movie "Speed" where a bomb would allegedly go off if a bus went slower than 50 mph (80 kph)? Hundreds of public transport vehicles and VIP buses being used in the London games have already been equipped so authorities can tell if a driver is acting erratically ? something that might happen in a hijacking.
Authorities will also be able to stop a vehicle remotely or keep it going at a certain speed ? technology that could be useful if a terrorist were carrying explosives and threatening to crash a bus full of athletes into a crowded venue.
The British military has already made headlines with the weapons it will have available ? surface-to-air missiles, RAF Typhoon combat aircraft and an aircraft carrier docked on the Thames, the river that cuts across London close to several Olympic sites.
Security officials had worried that Irish dissidents could target the games, but those fears have dissipated.
Despite the U.S.-U.K. collaboration, there will still be differences in how the London Olympics is policed. Most of the security personnel will be unarmed ? a striking difference to operations in the United States.
Adding to security issues, leaders from around the world will want to visit during the Olympics. The American delegation will be led by first lady Michelle Obama while President Barack Obama focuses on his re-election campaign.
"I've not heard any American who has said they were concerned about security here," said Susman, the ambassador. "London has made an effort to showcase London for the world and I think it's going to be terrific."
___
Ian Deitch contributed to this story from Jerusalem and Nicholas McAnally from Paris.
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Of course, just having beautiful flooring is not enough. You would have to make sure that it is properly cared for so that guests who might wander in would not think that your home just survived a major disaster. Here are a few suggestions that would help you in maintaining your flooring:
1. Clean it frequently. People have become more engrossed with their work nowadays that they leave things at home in disarray and only get to attend to them when they show signs of disintegration. However, leaving floors unkempt for long periods of time allows dirt and stains to be deeply ingrained that it would take forever to clean them. So, regularly sweeping your floors will definitely help them last longer.
2. Wipe spillage immediately. Spilling is not unheard of. Every so often, someone in your household is going to spill something. Whether it be your baby-who can be forgiven immediately just because they are so cute, or your husband-who you would find harder to forgive because he has left a permanent dent on your Karndean flooring. The point is that it happens and the remedy is simple: mop the mess pronto and do not wait until it leaves an ugly stain that will have you reeling every time you pass by it.
3. Use felt pads on your furniture. It is a known fact that you do move your furniture when you clean, right? The thing about cleaning is that people tend to drag instead of lift. Now, dragging is very harmful to your floor. It can leave unsightly marks that cannot be removed just by scrubbing it off until your fingers bleed. Felt pads were invented to prevent this catastrophe. So, put them underneath the feet of your furniture and rest assured you can breathe easier the next time someone attempts to drag a chair or a child smashes into it while playing.
4. Apply a new coating. This would actually depend on how heavily used your floor would be. But if the time would come that your floor looks like it would need a facelift so that it would still look shiny and new, be generous and tend to its needs.
Now that you are armed with these tips, go ahead and start scrubbing and cleaning for the betterment of your flooring.
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The $75 million USAID Teacher Education Project alone won't patch the US and Pakistan governmental relationship. But education projects are one way to maintain people-to-people relations.?
A group of 22 high-ranking Pakistani education officials and policymakers are in the US meeting with education experts, as part of the USAID Teacher Education Project.
Courtesy of Education Development Center
EnlargeEvery few months, US-Pakistan relations seem to fall to a new low. ?
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The latest tumble happened this week when the United States announced it had called off negotiations with Pakistan to reopen NATO supply routes.?
But even as Washington and Islamabad figure out how to mend their struggling relationship, soft diplomacy efforts ? and billions of dollars ? are in place to keep US-Pakistan ties from fraying completely.?
In fact, a group of 22 high-ranking Pakistani education officials and policymakers are in the US meeting with education experts. It's part of a first-of-its-kind, USAID-funded project to professionalize Pakistan's teachers and upgrade the quality of education in the nation's elementary and secondary schools.
The USAID Teacher Education Project alone may not patch the relationship between the US and Pakistan, but funding education projects is one way the US is able to support the kinds of moderate values that both the Pakistani government and the US say they want to promote.
?We need a strong civil society here in Pakistan that is safe and secure. We cannot produce that without good education,? says Mahmood ul Hasan Butt, director of the USAID Teacher Education Project, which is being?implemented by?EDC,?a nonprofit based outside Boston.
Pakistan is having trouble attracting both teachers and students to classrooms. Dr. Butt attributes a large portion of these problems to the state of the teaching profession. Until now, there was no special training for teachers and few incentives to teach.
The USAID Teacher Education Project is a $75 million, five-year project under the Kerry-Lugar-Bergman Act. Since the project began in 2009, Pakistani teachers and policymakers have been meeting regularly in Pakistan, working on developing and implementing their own education policy changes, developing new syllabuses, and working with the higher education commission to implement new education degrees.
Pakistan is introducing both a two-year associate's degree and a four-year bachelor?s degree in education, with a plan to require a bachelor's degree in education by 2018. To encourage teachers to get the degree now, schools are offering higher pay to teachers with the new qualification.
Some in Pakistan criticize USAID?s approach to dispensing aid and Pakistan?s apparent dependence on it. The US has pumped $20.7 billion in aid into Pakistan since 2002 (some two-thirds military, the rest civilian). US lawmakers often complain that Pakistan does not cooperate as much as hoped, and have threatened to suspend aid. And in some cases have acted: After the doctor who helped the US track down Osama bin Laden was sentenced to 33 years in prison, the Senate voted to cut aid by $33 million. And more recently, the US cut?$20 million for the Pakistani version of Sesame Street after USAID made allegations of fraud against the show's producers.
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Syria's civil war is ugly, and outside intervention could make it uglier. But Syria's alleged chemical weapons stockpiles argue for a major US and international role if the Assad regime collapses.
The Monitor's Nick Blanford has a well-researched piece on Syria's alleged chemical weapons stockpiles out this morning that anyone interested in Syria's war should read.
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The firmly held belief in the US, Israel, and other countries that the Baath regime of Bashar al-Assad holds large quantities of chemical weapons is a major factor under consideration for all the international players involved in the Syrian crisis.
Blanford writes:
Hard data on Syria's chemical and biological warfare capabilities is scarce, but the country is believed to have one of the largest chemical agents stockpiles in the world, including VX and Sarin nerve agents. It also has an impressive number of surface-to-surface missiles, such as Scud-Ds which can be fitted with chemical warheads, and modern Russian anti-aircraft missile batteries, including portable shoulder-fired systems.
"This is unknown territory," says Charles Blair, senior fellow for State and Non-State Threats at the Washington-based Federation of American Scientists. "We have never been through the potential collapse via a very bloody ethnic civil war of a country that is likely armed with a very large stockpile of chemical weapons.?
... The main concern in the West is that Al Qaeda-affiliated groups fighting in Syria will attempt to obtain chemical agents from Syrian stockpiles. Al Qaeda has been seeking chemical and biological weapons since at least the late 1990s. Documents seized by US troops in Afghanistan in 2001 indicated that Al Qaeda was working on acquiring weapons of mass destruction, possibly attempting to weaponize biological agents. In 2009, a British tabloid reported that an Al Qaeda group in Algeria was forced to abandon a training camp after experiments to weaponize bubonic plague led to the deaths of 40 militants.
I wrote last week about reports of CIA involvement in determining which rebel groups receive weapons, and expressed some concern that they could be a first step towards a broader US involvement in Syria's civil war. Saudi Arabia and Qatar are backing the rebellion; Iran and to a lesser extent Russia are backing Assad. That's one messy situation to get in the middle of.
But I neglected to mention Syria's chemical weapons stockpiles and long-range missile systems, an issue that is probably at the top of the list of concerns of every US soldier and intelligence officer working on Syria. While the collapse of the Baath regime isn't imminent, it's certainly possible. And if that day comes, finding a way to secure the country's chemical weapons ? which could end up almost anywhere, given the country's porous borders and history of smuggling over the Iraqi, Turkish and Lebanese borders ? will be paramount.
It's a safe bet that the US operatives making contacts with rebel groups in Turkey are bringing up this issue, and seeking to create relationships and cut deals that will give the US and its allies a head start on locking down Syria's chemical weapons if that day ever comes. Fear of so-called weapons of mass destruction is an issue that could see the US form temporary alliances with militant groups it wouldn't touch with a barge pole under other circumstances.
Follow Dan Murphy on Twitter.
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Los Cabos similar to other Mexican destinations is renowned for its sun and sand. Nonetheless it's much more than simply that. The sapphire blue waters that virtually entrance you. Seriously! To maximize the excitement, it's climate is just perfect. With an average temperature of 78 F, it is what tourists from chilly countries like Canada plus Europe miss. The rich waters are also in a comfortable 72 F.
Los Cabos does not just rest on nature's bounty, and also has many things to do which keep tourists arriving year long.
Sunrays and Sand: most favored activity, and so we had to list first. Alongside this tourist corridor, many different companies beaches. If you need calm beaches then head to the beaches along Sea of Cortez. Beaches within the Pacific side sometimes show wild waves. But what are generally guaranteed are soft fine sand and unparalleled landscapes. It's just like you have been transported to a new world. Often the beaches are not congested. A number of the beaches may possibly lack basic amenities such as water and toilets. Pick out the actual beaches that suit your needs.
Sightseeing: No vacation is usually complete without sightseeing. The tourist corridor has many spots. One can simply just rent a car to explore the region. Go to Land's End, where the Pacific and Sea of Cortez seas meet. In low tide you may also walk on Playa del Amor towards the 62-foot El Arco rockformation!
You can purchase local handi crafts at Mercado Mexicano with Calle Hidalgo and Obregon. On the way be sure and savor Mexican dishes!
Whale Watching: Los Cabos is the better place for sighting whales. This warm climate, shallow waters and the plentiful food generate Los Cabos the ideal destination for these giant marine mammals to give birth and rear their calfs.
Nearly 90% of the planet's whale population comes to waters around Baja from December to March.
Whales can be seen from beaches but better views can be experienced from numerous sea adventures.
All-terrain: Should you be adventurous then you should like going on an ALL TERRAIN VEHICLE and go off-roading on the desert. Truck tours are also offered. These tours allow for tourist to research the best spots, local culture along with creatures.
Sportfishing: Sea of Cortez hosts no less than 650 different types of fish. With regard to fishing all year you won't choose a better location. Along with angling you will also view the beautiful marine wildlife just like whales, seals and also dolphins!
Very good Dining: Inside the Los Cabos area you have many good restaurants from which to choose, you then have a variety of cusine varieties from which to choose. Among the better dining places in Cabo feature incredible mexican cuisine fusions everybody defintley have to test. If you are looking to get local you have to try the standard taco places that serve the traditional and delightful Mexican tacos.
Scuba diving & Snorkeling: To view the marine creatures one has to go underwater. This waters is beautiful and visibility can be full of marine life. You can got to Lover's Beach to snorkel as well as relax in this iconic beach. Other locations are Neptune's Finger as well as Pelican Rock. Close to San Jose del Cabo, Gordo Banks, infested with whale sharks, hammerhead sharks along with sea rays, really is a delightful area.
Cruising & Sailing: Cruising and Sailing can't be better than in The Sea of Cortez. There are numerous kinds of cruises which are often enjoyed together with either family or your significant other. Cabo contains great sailing weather conditions where there is almost always good wind along with the seas are reasonably tranquil.
Night life: After returning from the shorelines, and you intend to have fun on the dance floor. Cabo San Lucas has got enough discotheques, night clubs, restaurants and music to make its night life pulsating and fascinating.
Mexico is a land of lovely beaches, amazing landscapes and charming people. You will discover something for you down in Los Cabos, whether it actually is Cabo San Lucas Properties, Cabo San Lucas accommodations, Cabo San Lucas Rentals, the Best Restaurants in Cabo, Wedding receptions in Cabo, come down and then let the hospitality plus Mexican culture blow you away.
About the Author:
Find out more about Los Cabos, Cabo San Lucas, and get all the information about Where is Los Cabos and also Where is Los Cabos
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Computer engineering is in demand and at hype today. As we all are becoming the global citizens, there are many sectors that offer a good career in computer engineering.
Why is computer engineering becoming the favorite choice of any student? One of the most popular reason to opt for a career as a computer engineer is the salary for a computer engineer. Another aspect is the flair for technology. There are many challenging streams under computer engineering. Some of the streams are:
Programming
Networking
Banking
Ecommerce
Information Technology
Programming
Maintenance
Documentation
Animation
E- Learning
Instructional designing
The list mentioned above is sufficient enough to tell how computerization has become the integral part of our lifestyle as well as today?s economy. So the computer engineers are on high demand. Broadly the computer professionals are divided as hardware engineers, software engineers salary also differs with there proffession.
What ever may be the scope of work such as research and development, computer aided systems, maintenance or networking etc. hardware and software engineers contribute a lot.
The most popular sector in computer engineers is Information Technology. This sector includes various tasks such as processing the information, sorting and storing the information. So there is tremendous scope for all types of computer engineers. If you are not a computer engineer but have acquired the relevant skills and upgraded your knowledge that fulfills the job requirements, then you can get equal perks as that of a computer engineer. You will find many people in various fields mentioned above, who are not computer engineers. They might have done their graduation from pure science or commerce stream. Many people who have done engineering from the streams such as mechanical, instrumentation, telecommunication etc. can excel in the field of computers.
To conclude with, computerization has become the essence of fast track life today. So the computer learned professionals and computer engineers form the integral part of the society. So computer was a favorite field, it is a favorite field and it will be favorite and demanding field years ahead.
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Everyone has difficulties with their automobiles during one time or another. As soon as your car runs into issues, you look to find out what is wrong and figure out where to get it fixed. There exists a system online that can help you with the diagnosis of your problems. The site that may help you with your car problems is ATS or Automotive Troubleshooting Secrets. The problem is resolved by a real mechanic online rather than a robot or software application.
The auto mechanic will talk about the symptoms with you and help you figure out the problem yourself. You are certain to get useful feedback and sketches that are simple to understand. The potency of this system is based on the latest details on automotive repairs you get with a click of a button. You?ll be able to correct any problem you have by supplying yourself with the most recent solutions to your problems. Any work performed on your vehicle can be evaluated with ATS no matter what mechanic does the work. You will discover experienced technicians who are prepared to solve your car troubles and there is a massive database of garage repair information and automotive software at ATS. After the fixes are examined, they get emailed to you. Text the Romance Back reviews
Whenever your car or truck has a problem the best approach to repairing it will be researched and evaluated. Because of their big collection of repair information, they can combine wiring diagrams and common fixes and figure out what parts are causing the problem using secret techniques. A number of the specialists are engineers and mechanics, who have retired, and they not only can understand the different systems, but analyze them as well. You may have a problem that may be more complex and difficult to correct so the technicians will guide you in using scanners found in top garages. ATS has belief in their item by offering a lifetime membership having a one time payment, and a 90 day money back guarantee. Win Him Back
One of the reasons ATS is effective is because it is so uncomplicated. By simply utilizing the service, it will save the mechanic time to take action and it will save you money as well. It helps if you test your fixed vehicle only to find that the problem is still there. Together with problems like no-starts, stalling, and hesitations, you can get an analysis with sketches and quick and practical solutions. You will fully grasp how to fix small problems before they become serious problems. You receive unlimited assistance until your car is repaired and it doesn?t matter whether you are a garage owner, a mechanic or just a driver. buy Seduce Your Ex
Being a mechanic just isn?t something everyone is qualified to be, but having the information to know if your mechanic is being honest with you, would be valuable to have. By using ATS, you will certainly save time and money and perhaps headaches as well. Car problems are definitely an annoyance but at least you have an option to make the repairs less distressing.
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With the three-year anniversary of the singer's death on June 25, take a look back at the highs and lows of his life and career.
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Well, not everything has changed.
The 31-year-old has always been very proud of her body, no matter which shape it has taken. And rightly so.
Simpson recently gave birth to a giant baby. And we mean giant. Maxwell Drew Johnson was born at nine pounds, thirteen ounces.
But that is nothing compared to the seventy pounds Simpson herself gained, and that was the figure a full month before the birth.
But now that the baby is born, Simpson has been exercising and getting healthy again. She signed on to be the new spokeswoman for Weight Watchers, for the bargain price of $4 million (can you say ?college fund?).
She is also reportedly working out with a trainer to help lose the baby fat.
"I think anybody who's gone through a pregnancy, after they have the baby, it's like, 'I need to do something about this,'" she said of losing weight. "For me, I really want to do something that is a lifestyle, because in the past, I've been known to yo-yo diet."
But it looks like Simpson is proud of her body once again.
Friday night she tweeted ?Just taking a walk around the block... Street legal????
The tweet included a picture of her cleavage (there may have been other things in the photo but we sure didn?t notice).
Actually, it looks like she was walking her daughter. Simpson has talked about breastfeeding and how close it makes her feel to Maxwell.
The breastfeeding also has another positive side effect. Simpson has said she is trying to eat healthy and cut down on fast food for the health of her baby.
Either way, Jessica looks great and less than two months after giving birth, she is looking like she is getting closer to her pre-pregnancy weight.
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By DANIEL NASH
Bonney Lake-Sumner Courier-Herald Reporter
June 21, 2012 ? 2:52 PM
Registration is open for the city of Sumner's fourth annual Golf Fore Life tournament.
Golf Fore Life is hosted by Dennys Valley Autobody Inc. and DM Disposal Inc., and proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society.
Teams are divided into four person scrambles, either chosen by the golfers or arranged by the tournament depending on what the registrant specifies. Dinner will be provided.
The tournament will be held at the Sumner Meadows Golf Links on July 13.
Contact Bonney Lake-Sumner Courier-Herald Reporter Daniel Nash at dnash@courierherald.com or 360-825-2555 ext. 5060.greenhill nj plane crash plane crash new jersey beef o bradys bowl the hobbit the hobbit an unexpected journey latkes
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First paternity study of southern right whales finds local fathers most successful
Friday, June 22, 2012The first paternity study of southern right whales has found a surprisingly high level of local breeding success for males, scientists say, which is good news for the overall genetic diversity of the species, but could create risk for local populations through in-breeding.
Results of the study, by researchers at the University of Auckland, Oregon State University and the New Zealand Department of Conservation, have just been published in the journal Molecular Ecology.
The study found that most of the right whales born near the remote sub-Antarctic islands of New Zealand were fathered by males from the same local population, according to lead author Emma Carroll, who recently completed her doctorate at the University of Auckland.
"This finding gives us information on the breeding behavior of right whales, but more importantly it shows that the New Zealand population is relatively isolated from other populations in the region, including that of neighboring Australia," Carroll said.
In other words, male southern right whales don't get around much ? and that kind of behavior is surprising.
"In other species of mammals, males usually disperse from their place of birth to seek new mating opportunities," said Scott Baker, associated director of the Marine Mammal Institute at Oregon State University, and co-author on the study. "But with right whales, it seems that local fidelity to breeding habitat is strong ? for both males and females."
Southern right whales were hunted to near-extinction by commercial whaling, but some populations around New Zealand and Australia have slowly started to recover. Baker, who works out of OSU's Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport, Ore., initiated the genetic study of right whales in the region in 1995 in part to assess the likelihood that they could recover.
The New Zealand right whale population had plummeted to fewer than a hundred animals by 1920, from more than 30,000 before Europeans arrived in the late 18th century. The authors estimate that by 1998, the population had increased to about 1,000 individuals. Their newest study sought to determine the connectivity, or isolation, of the regional populations so as to better monitor and manage right whales, which are listed as a "Nationally Endangered" species in New Zealand.
The paternity analysis has also helped to explain the right whale mating behavior observed in the Auckland Islands, which is also a primary habitat for calving and nursing.
"It is difficult to distinguish social interactions from actual mating in southern right whales," said Carroll, who did her Ph.D. studies under Baker. "When and where individuals breed has been difficult to judge in this migratory species. By using DNA profiles from mothers and calves to identify likely fathers among males sampled in New Zealand, we now think mating takes place locally rather than during migration or on distant feeding grounds."
Carroll, Baker and colleagues gathered DNA from small skin samples collected during a 15-year period from 34 mother-calf pairs, and more than 300 males ? about 30 percent of the male right whales in New Zealand.
Although they didn't match all of the calves with fathers, the proportion that did match was also 30 percent, consistent with the number of males sampled from the population. The authors then showed that it was highly unlikely that this many paternities would be assigned to local males if males from outside the New Zealand population were fathering calves.
"It is possible, but unlikely, that males from the Australian population have fathered some of the other calves," Carroll said. "We cannot exclude the possibility of the occasional visiting suitor."
Baker, who frequently provides advice to the International Whaling Commission on cetacean conservation genetics, said that although in-breeding could be a problem at very low numbers, local fidelity also has advantages.
"Along with preserving greater overall diversity, local fidelity may allow for habitat specialization and the transmission of cultural memory," he pointed out. "It becomes easier to pass along such things as locations of breeding and feeding grounds."
Although right whales demonstrate fidelity to their own population, the researchers say, they are anything but monogamous. Males compete in "sperm competition" through multiple mating encounters with different females, rather than physical confrontations with each other, as do males in most other species of mammals. This may be why male right whales have the largest testicles in the animal kingdom, the researchers noted in their study ? up to six feet in diameter and weighing as much as a ton.
###
Oregon State University: http://www.orst.edu
Thanks to Oregon State University for this article.
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[ [ [['Connery is an experienced stuntman', 2]], 'http://yhoo.it/KeQd0p', '[Slideshow: See photos taken on the way down]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['Connery is an experienced stuntman', 7]], ' http://yhoo.it/KpUoHO', '[Slideshow: Death-defying daredevils]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['know that we have confidence in', 3]], 'http://yhoo.it/LqYjAX ', '[Related: The Secret Service guide to Cartagena]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['We picked up this other dog and', 5]], 'http://yhoo.it/JUSxvi', '[Related: 8 common dog fears, how to calm them]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['accused of running a fake hepatitis B', 5]], 'http://bit.ly/JnoJYN', '[Related: Did WH share raid details with filmmakers?]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['accused of running a fake hepatitis B', 3]], 'http://bit.ly/KoKiqJ', '[Factbox: AQAP, al-Qaeda in Yemen]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['have my contacts on or glasses', 3]], 'http://abcn.ws/KTE5AZ', '[Related: Should the murder charge be dropped?]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['have made this nation great as Sarah Palin', 5]], 'http://yhoo.it/JD7nlD', '[Related: Bristol Palin reality show debuts June 19]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['have made this nation great as Sarah Palin', 1]], 'http://bit.ly/JRPFRO', '[Related: McCain adviser who vetted Palin weighs in on VP race]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['A JetBlue flight from New York to Las Vegas', 3]], 'http://yhoo.it/GV9zpj', '[Related: View photos of the JetBlue plane in Amarillo]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['the 28-year-old neighborhood watchman who shot and killed', 15]], 'http://news.yahoo.com/photos/white-house-stays-out-of-teen-s-killing-slideshow/', 'Click image to see more photos', 'http://l.yimg.com/cv/ip/ap/default/120411/martinzimmermen.jpg', '630', ' ', 'AP', ], [ [['He was in shock and still strapped to his seat', 6]], 'http://news.yahoo.com/photos/navy-jet-crashes-in-virginia-slideshow/', 'Click image to see more photos', 'http://l.yimg.com/cv/ip/ap/default/120406/jet_ap.jpg', '630', ' ', 'AP', ], [ [['xxxxxxxxxxxx', 11]], 'http://news.yahoo.com/photos/russian-grannies-win-bid-to-sing-at-eurovision-1331223625-slideshow/', 'Click image to see more photos', 'http://l.yimg.com/a/p/us/news/editorial/1/56/156d92f2760dcd3e75bcd649a8b85fcf.jpeg', '500', ' ', 'AP', ] ]
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