tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21611355001741174672024-03-05T02:34:54.228-04:00People are funny like that.....Caffeen induced random opinion on any and all events that impact my life. Personal, business, political, technical any topics which warrant my attention will be offered for your entertainment and information.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14328496794563082229noreply@blogger.comBlogger200125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2161135500174117467.post-2996259539105178012011-04-29T00:18:00.001-03:002011-04-29T00:18:18.913-03:00Would Angus MacLean or Robert Stanfield vote for Harper?<h4>by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/teresadoylemusic">Teresa Doyle</a> on Thursday, April 28, 2011 at 1:57pm</h4> <p>I grew up in a fiercely loyal conservative household. These two men were held in the highest regard. They were Progressive Conservatives we could all be proud of. Angus MacLean realized how dangerous nuclear power could be. Harper fired the head of Atomic Energy Canada for doing her job. She insisted that safety guidelines be followed to prevent a Fukashima here in Canada. <p>Stanfield and MacLean supported conservative fiscal responsibility. Harper has wracked up the biggest deficit in history and takes credit for saving the economy. He frittered away our surplus before the economic meltdown even started. Stanfield and MacLean would be looking at the hard facts and I doubt they would commit us to 30 billion dollars for fighter jets when what we really need to fight is un-employment and the devastation of our farming and fishery sectors. <p>Harper has done nothing for farming and fishing but has given billions in subsidies to the oil sector. He eliminated regulations requiring a full environmental assessment on off shore drilling. His buddies at Corridor Resources are set to drill in the Gulf of St Lawrence with no regard to the consequences to our fishery or our beaches. <p>MacLean and Stanfield had un-wavering respect for parliament and the institutions of democracy. Harper doesn't. His last mean spirited act was to get his Tory appointed Senators to over turn a bill giving cheaper generic drugs to women and children dying of AIDS in Africa. Even 26 Tories supported this bill. What kind of family values is this? What kind of family values shuts down 43% of women's groups many helping the victims of sexual abuse and violence. The Progressive is indeed gone out of the Conservatives. We have some very decent people running for the Harper party here in Atlantic Canada. Don't be duped. A vote for them is not a vote for the PCs of MacLean and Stanfield. <p>===================================</p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:4aea6e9a-b4f1-4b96-a486-b21bdaba57a1" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Political+Comment" rel="tag">Political Comment</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Human+Nature" rel="tag">Human Nature</a></div> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14328496794563082229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2161135500174117467.post-89947834780587035322011-04-26T17:20:00.001-03:002011-04-26T17:20:54.492-03:00IPTypewriters: Last manufacturing plant shuts down production<h3> </h3> <h4>The final typewriter manufacturer shuts down in Mumbai</h4> <dl> <dt>BY: <a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/8300-504943_162-10391715.html?contributor=10470214">Brett Register</a></dt> <dt>CATEGORY: <a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/8300-504943_162-10391715.html?categoryId=10458021">Trending Now</a></dt></dl> <p><img alt="#RIPTypewriters: Last manufacturing plant shuts down production" src="http://www.cbsnews.com/i/tim/2011/04/26/Typewriter_620x350.jpg" width="486" height="278"> <p>An old manual typewriter is seen in Finca de Vigia, the villa where author Ernest Hemingway lived outside Havana, Cuba <p>(Credit: GETTY) <p>(CBS / What's Trending) Today in Mumbai the doors to the final typewriter manufacturing company <a href="http://www.godrej.com/godrej/godrej/index.aspx?id=1">Godrej and Boyce </a>closed its doors. With over 140 years of production under its belt, the typewriter has stood as the definitive writing utensil for many generations. But, with the "electric" typewriter serving as the last major update, the speed of technology has finally overcome the primitive writing device. We must say goodbye. <p>The passing of such an iconic piece of our history has struck a vein with the social populous, as one can't help but ask the question, "What's next?"With Flip video closing due to the iPhone's market dominance and touch screen computing is putting serious fear in the hearts of people -- and inferior non-touchscreens, it's important that we keep our eyes trained to the future and try to remember only the good times had with these obsolete devices. <p><a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7363877n">VIDEO: The typewriter is officially dead</a> <p>And, while it's sad to think that in the next generation people will only know of typewriters from what they read in books, see in museums and dig out of their hoarding grandmother's basement, it's important to remember that this is not the first time the death of a beloved device has touched our lives:</p> <p>But, while the world sheds a single ink stained tear for this revolutionary advancement in modern word processing, I can't help but wonder, "Who will buy the last one?" <p><b>More on CBS News: <a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/1770-5_162-0.html?query=typewriter&searchtype=cbsSearch">500 machines left at world's last typewriter factory</a></p> <p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:3353c1a1-a2fc-4abb-aa02-ce55eb17dd7d" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: </div>Last Typewriter Manufacturer Shuts</p> <p></b> </p> <p> </p> <p><a name="comments"></a> <ul></ul> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14328496794563082229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2161135500174117467.post-2974933428497462292011-04-20T23:37:00.001-03:002011-04-20T23:37:36.345-03:00Five Years of Harper – Broken Promises<p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:dccc31b5-ad77-4b05-9b31-93dd124ac6d2" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Five+years+of+Harper" rel="tag">Five years of Harper</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Election+2011" rel="tag">Election 2011</a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi56BGAgu-9Gtv2Xx12430BcZtZy5K7rN3Vx8SnvQEH-kkJkdaeikAm5IgWV_k7QDpRcN2oRKUnujGF6354mT_NBgtUlg7cRCTMZIN6BWLHxBZQU0Mv8CB6n6TWuwbER3Rus9_cO1iFycc/s1600-h/clip_image002%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="clip_image002" border="0" alt="clip_image002" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPmpcBX5kUBdYr15masnCB5Wlu3h1U5dknwi59b00BQvz_ZDk8lzy8OZo9txZ9q12lqb7nhPqtbgki0DdElUzZy7bsekmoJq3R9qKUVCZMSviAjwsdn2MWOlVU0cfNtkhEAOrUn8uTbCY/?imgmax=800" width="377" height="97"></a> <h1>2006 Conservative Platform: </h1> <h3></h3> <p>1. Require ministers and senior government officials to record their contacts with lobbyists. <b>Government Action:</b> <b>Broken </b> <p>2. Prohibit nominated candidates or MPs seeking re-election from accepting large personal gifts. <b>Government Action: Broken.</b> <p>3. Ban the use of trust funds to finance candidates’ campaigns. <b>Government Action: Broken.</b> The Conservatives subjected trust funds to the limit of the registered trustee. <p>4. Ensure that all Officers of Parliament are confirmed through a secret ballot of all Members of Parliament. <b>Government Action: Broken.</b> <p>5. Establish a Public Appointments Commission to set merit-based requirements for appointments. <b>Government Action: Broken</b>. The Harper Conservatives haven't appointed a single member, despite wasting over $1 million on the promised commission. <p>6. Prevent ministerial aides and other political appointees receiving favoured treatment when applying for public service positions <b>Government Action: Broken.</b> <p>7. Give the Public Service Integrity Commissioner the power to enforce compliance with the Public Servants Disclosure Protection Act. <b>Government Action: Broken</b>. Conservative appointee Christiane Ouimet didn’t find a single case of wrongdoing amongst 228 complaints. The Auditor-General concluded that she did not discharge her duties as Integrity Commissioner. <p>8. Remove the government’s ability to exempt Crown corporations and other bodies from the Whistle Blower Act. <b>Government Action: Broken.</b> The Conservatives exempted the RCMP and other security agencies from the Act. <p>9. Require the prompt public disclosure of information revealed by whistleblowers. <b>Government Action: Broken</b>. <p>10. Ensure that whistleblowers have access to the courts and that they are provided with adequate legal counsel. <b>Government Action: Broken.</b> The Conservatives gave the Integrity Commissioner the option of granting legal assistance. <p>11. Establish monetary rewards for whistleblowers who expose wrongdoing or save taxpayers dollars. <b>Government Action: Broken.</b> <p>12. Require departments to provide the Parliamentary Budget Officer with the information it needs to provide accurate analyses to Parliament. <b>Government Action: Broken.</b> <p>13. Have the Auditor General audit all federal grant, contribution, and contracting policies, and a commitment to following all of her recommendations. <b>Government Action: Broken.</b> <p>14. Allow citizens, not just politicians, to make complaints to the Ethics Commissioner. <b>Government Action: Broken. </b> <p><b></b> <p><b></b> <p><b></b> <p>15.Implement the Information Commissioner’s recommendations for reform of the Access to Information Act. <b>Government Action: Broken.</b> <p>16. Give the Information Commissioner the power to order the release of information. <b>Government Action: Broken. </b> <p><b></b> <p>17. Expand Access to Information Legislation to any organization that spends taxpayers’ money. <b>Government Action: Broken.</b> <p>18. Subject the exclusion of Cabinet confidences to review by the Information Commissioner in relation to Access to Information requests. <b>Government Action: Broken.</b> <p>19. Oblige public officials to create the records necessary to document their actions and decisions. <b>Government Action: Broken</b>. <p>20. Provide a general public interest override for all exemptions, so that the public interest is put before the secrecy of the government. <b>Government Action: Broken.</b> <p>21. Ensure that all exemptions from the disclosure of government information are justified only on the basis of the harm or injury that would result from disclosure, not blanket exemption rules. <b>Government Action: Broken.</b> <p>22. Ensure that the disclosure requirements of the Access to Information Act cannot be circumvented by secrecy provisions in other federal acts, while respecting the confidentiality of national security and the privacy of personal information. <b>Government Action: Broken.</b> At least 50 provisions in other laws continue to override the Access to Information regime. <p>23. Give the Comptroller General the overall authority for the internal audit function in each government department. <b>Government Action: Broken.</b> Deputy Ministers remain responsible for their departmental internal audit functions. <p>24.When a Minister and deputy Minister disagree about administration of the department and the Minister chooses to override his deputy, the Minister must provide written direction to the deputy and alert the Auditor General. <b>Government Action: Broken</b>. <p>25. Eliminate the capital gains tax when the proceeds are reinvested within six months. <b>Government Action: Broken. </b> <p><b></b> <p><b></b> <p>26. Pay down the national debt by a minimum of $3 billion each year. <b>Government Action: Broken</b> in Budget 2008. Eliminate the capital gains tax when the proceeds are reinvested within six months. <b>Government Action: Broken.</b> <p>27. Limit the future growth of federal grant and contribution programs and federal departments to the rate of inflation plus population growth. <b>Government Action: Broken.</b> <p>28. Ensure that regional development agencies are non-politicized <b>Government Action: Broken.</b> The Board of ACOA is stacked with Conservative insiders and programs like RInC send far more money to Conservative ridings. <p>29. Replace CAIS with separate farm income stabilization and disaster relief programs that are simpler and more responsive. <b>Government Action: Broken.</b> The Conservatives simply changed the name of the program but farmers say it’s no easier to use. <p>30. Commit to adding an additional $500 million annually to farm support programs. <b>Government Action: Broken</b>. Although they committed the money early on, overall support for farm support programs has dropped. <p>31. Get the $5B in softwood lumber tariffs back. <b>Government Action: Broken.</b> <p>32. Guarantee repayment of illegally imposed softwood lumber tariffs through Export Development Canada. <b>Government Action: Broken.</b> <p>33. Extend the two hundred mile limit to the edge of the Continental Shelf, the nose and tail of the Grand Banks, and the Flemish Cap in the North Atlantic. <b>Government Action: Broken.</b> <p>34. Create mandatory consecutive sentences (instead of concurrent sentences) for select multiple violent or sexual offences. <b>Government Action: Broken.</b> <p>35.Replace statutory release (the law entitling a prisoner to parole after serving two- thirds of his sentence) with earned parole <b>Government Action: Broken.</b> <p>36.Toughen parole provisions once you have been convicted of committing a crime while on parole, and eliminate parole for life after the third such conviction. <b>Government Action: Broken.</b> <p>37. A constitutional amendment to forbid prisoners in federal institutions from voting in elections. <b>Government Action: Broken. </b> <p><b></b> <p><b></b> <p><b></b> <p>38. Ensure federal corrections officers have the tools and training they require to do their job as peace officers. <b>Government Action: Broken</b>. <p>39.Create a joint national task force on security. <b>Government Action: Broken.</b> <p>40. Strict monitoring, including tracking place of residence, of high-risk individuals prohibited from owning firearms. <b>Government Action: Broken.</b> <p>41. Tighter restrictions on individuals on bail or parole for firearms offences, including the use of electronic monitoring. <b>Government Action: Broken.</b> <p>42. Crack down on gun smuggling. <b>Government Action: Broken.</b> <p>43. Improve safe storage laws for firearms. <b>Government Action: Broken. </b> <p>44. Require firearms safety training for everyone wishing to acquire and use a firearm. <b>Government Action: Broken. </b> <p>45. Eliminating exceptions to firearms prohibition orders following criminal conviction. <b>Government Action: Broken. </b> <p>46. Adopt a zero tolerance policy for child pornography, eliminating the so-called “legitimate purpose” defence. <b>Government Action: Broken.</b> The Conservatives only modified the use of the "legitimate purpose" defence. <p>47.Prohibit conditional sentences for sex offences committed against children. <b>Government Action: Broken. </b> <p><b></b> <p>48. Allow judges to impose residency restrictions on where offenders released on peace bonds can live. <b>Government Action: Broken.</b> <p>49. Work with provinces, municipalities, police, and community leaders to ensure at risk youth reject gang and gun violence. <b>Government Action: Broken.</b> The government's 2009 Evaluation Report of the Youth Gang Prevention Fund found that "Canada’s youth gang problem has escalated and continues to escalate." <p>50. Support results-oriented, community-based initiatives for addictions treatment, training, and rehabilitation of those in trouble with the law. <b>Government Action: Broken. </b> <p>51. Direct $50 million in funding into community-based, educational, sporting, cultural, and vocational opportunities for young people at risk. <b>Government Action: Broken.</b> <p>52. Make anyone 14 years or older who is charged with serious violent or repeat offences is automatically subject to adult sentencing provisions. <b>Government Action: Broken.</b> <p>53. Amend the Youth Criminal Justice Act to include deterrence and denunciation as mandatory sentencing principles to be considered. <b>Government Action: Broken.</b> <p>54. Restore the Canada Ports Police <b>Government Action: Broken.</b> <p>55.Name a National Security Commissioner. <b>Government Action: Broken.</b> Even after the Air India Inquiry recommended it. <p>56.Create a Canadian Foreign Intelligence Agency. <b>Government Action: Broken.</b> <p>Amend the Youth Criminal Justice Act to include deterrence and denunciation as mandatory sentencing principles to be considered. <b>Government Action: Broken</b>. <p>54. Restore the Canada Ports Police <b>Government Action: Broken.</b> <p>55. Name a National Security Commissioner. <b>Government Action: Broken</b>. Even after the Air India Inquiry recommended it. <p>56. Create a Canadian Foreign Intelligence Agency. <b>Government Action: Broken</b>. <p>57. Make the Canadian Coast Guard as a stand-alone agency. <b>Government Action: Broken.</b> It remains a Special Operating Agency as the previous government had made it. <p>58. Create a National Security Review Committee. <b>Government Action: Broken.</b> <p>59. Reopen RCMP border detachments in Québec and the West. <b>Government Action: Broken. </b> <p><b></b> <p>60. Permit sentencing courts to order deportation following conviction on select offences and prohibit persons already ordered deported from parole eligibility before deportation. <b>Government Action: Broken. </b> <p>61. Create evidence-based benchmarks for medically acceptable wait times, starting with cancer, heart, diagnostic imaging procedures, joint replacements, and sight restoration are established as soon as possible, as promised in the Health Accord. <b>Government Action: Broken.</b> <p>62. Ensure Canadians get regular reports on progress towards meeting these wait-time targets, as promised in the Health Accord. <b>Government Action: Broken.</b> <p>63. Increase the numbers of, and expand educational programs for doctors, nurses, and other health professionals. <b>Government Action: Broken.</b> <p>64. Allow patients who can’t be treated within an acceptable amount of time to be treated in other jurisdictions. <b>Government Action: Broken.</b> <p>65. Improve access to natural and complementary health products and supplements. <b>Government Action: Broken.</b> Bill C-36 reduces access. <p>66. Introduce a National Disability Act. <b>Government Action: Broken.</b> <p>67. Create 125,000 childcare spaces. <b>Government Action: Broken.</b> <p>68. Not tax income trusts <b>Government Action: Broken.</b> <p>69. Increase the Pension Income Amount to $2,500 in five years. <b>Government Action: Broken.</b> <p>70. Remove postsecondary education funding from the Canada Social Transfer and create an independent Canada Education and Training Transfer. <b>Government Action: Broken.</b> <p>71.Spend at least one percent of total federal health funding annually on physical activity, including amateur sport and programs for school age children. <b>Government Action: Broken.</b> <p>Increase the numbers of, and expand educational programs for doctors, nurses, and other health professionals. <b>Government Action: Broken. </b> <p>72. Allow all cities and communities, including cities with more than 500,000 people, to use gas tax transfer dollars to build and repair roads and bridges to improve road safety and fight traffic congestion. <b>Government Action: Broken.</b> <p>73. Develop a national Road Congestion Index to track progress in reducing road congestion. <b>Government Action: Broken. </b> <p>74. Develop tax incentives for developers to build affordable housing. <b>Government Action: Broken</b>. <p>75. Develop a strategy for greenhouse gas emissions in concert with the provinces. <b>Government Action: Broken. </b> <p>76. Create a Canadian Agency for Assessment and Recognition of Credentials, to provide pre-assessment of international credentials and experience. <b>Government Action: Broken.</b> The Conservatives created a Foreign Credentials Referral Office with a much narrower mandate. <p>77. Accept the targets agreed upon at the recent Meeting of First Ministers and National Aboriginal Leaders and work to achieving the Kelowna Accord’s targets. <b>Government Action: Broken.</b> <p>78. Let aboriginal parents choose the schooling they want for their children, with funding following the students. <b>Government Action: Broken.</b> <p>79. Replace the Indian Act (and related legislation) with a modern legislative framework which provides for the devolution of full legal and democratic responsibility to aboriginal Canadians. <b>Government Action: Broken. </b> <p>80. Implement the resolution of the House of Commons to acknowledge the historic inequality of treatment and compensation for First Nations, Métis, and Inuit war veterans, and provide compensation to them. <b>Government Action: Broken.</b> <p>81. Support the important contribution the Council of the Federation is making to Support the important contribution the Council of the Federation is making to strengthening intergovernmental and inter-provincial cooperation. <b>Government Action: Broken.</b> Stephen Harper has still not participated in a single Council of the Federation meeting. <p>82. Ensure that all new federal-provincial cost shared programs have an opt out with compensation option. <b>Government Action: Broken.</b> <p>83. Achieve permanent changes to the equalization formula. <b>Government Action: Broken.</b> The “permanent” changes lasted one year before they were changed again. <p>84. Support the Official Languages Act, ensuring that English and French have equality of status and equal rights and privileges as to their use in all institutions of the Parliament and Government of Canada. <b>Government Action: Broken.</b> A report from the Commissioner of Official Languages says the government is not providing the necessary leadership to protect language rights. <p>85. Propose an amendment to the Constitution to include the right to own property, as well as guarantee that no person shall be deprived of their just right without the due process of law and full, just, and timely compensation. <b>Government Action: Broken.</b> <p>86. Ensure that full, just, and timely compensation will be paid to all persons who are deprived of personal or private property as a result of any federal government initiative. <b>Government Action: Broken. </b> <p>87. Create a national process for choosing elected Senators from each province and territory. <b>Government Action: Broken. </b> <p><b></b> <p>88. Make the Senate an effective, independent, and democratically elected body that equitably represents all regions. <b>Government Action: Broken</b>. <p>89. Establish fixed election dates every four years, except when a government loses the confidence of the House. <b>Government Action: Broken.</b> Stephen Harper broke his own fixed election law in 2008. <p>90. Make all votes in Parliament, except the budget and main estimates, “free votes” for ordinary Members of Parliament. <b>Government Action: Broken.</b> <p>91. Increase the power of Parliament and parliamentary committees to review the spending estimates of departments and hold ministers to account. <b>Government Action: Broken</b>. <p>92. Ensure that party nomination and leadership races are conducted in a fair, transparent, and democratic manner. <b>Government Action: Broken.</b> The Conservative Party continues to trample on local riding associations such as Calgary West and Dauphin-Swan River-Marquette. <p>93. Prevent party leaders from appointing candidates without the democratic consent of local electoral district associations. <b>Government Action: Broken.</b> <p>94. Advance Canada’s interests through foreign aid, while at the same time holding those agencies involved in this area accountable for its distribution and results. <b>Government Action: Broken.</b> Despite CIDA’s recommendation to continue funding numerous NGOs the Conservatives cut them without an explanation. <p>95. Increase spending on Overseas Development Assistance beyond the currently projected level and move towards the OECD average level. <b>Government Action: Broken.</b> Once the projected level was achieved they froze the international assistance envelope. <p>96. Make Parliament responsible for exercising oversight over the conduct of Canadian foreign policy. <b>Government Action: Broken.</b> <p>97. Complete the transformation of military operations and defence administration. <b>Government Action: Broken.</b> <p>98. Recruit 13,000 additional regular forces and 10,000 additional reserve forces personnel. <b>Government Action: Broken. </b> <p>99. Reduce defence rank structure overhead, review civilian and military HQ functions, and increase front-line personnel. <b>Government Action: Broken.</b> While regular force personnel have increased 9.7% civilian staff at National Defence have increased 31.9% <p>100. Treat Canada’s veterans with the respect and honour that they deserve. <b>Government Action: Broken.</b> From drastically paring down their promise of $3 billion to veterans exposed to Agent Orange to failing to fix the lump sum payment system for severally wounded modern day veterans, the Conservatives have let down veterans both young and old. <p>101. Explore the possibility of appointing special envoys between Canada and the United States to chart a course for the future of NAFTA <b>Government Action: Broken. </b> <p>102. Reassert Canada’s traditional leadership in negotiating the Free Trade Area of the Americas. <p><b>Government Action: Broken</b>. Canada was barely visible at the Fifth Summit of the Americas in 2009. <h1>2008 Conservative Platform: </h1> <p>103. Reducing Taxes on Diesel Fuels. <b>Government Action: Broken.</b> <p>104. Restricting Unfair Text Messaging Charges. <b>Government Action: Broken.</b> <p>105. Ensure that any regulation of natural health products balances the protection of Canadians' health and safety with the freedom to choose alternative products. <b>Government Action: Broken.</b> <p>106. Allow families where one spouse is not working full-time in order to care for one or more family members with disabilities – whether children or adults – to split their income between spouses for tax purposes. <b>Government Action: Broken.</b> <p>107. Fully index the $100 per month Universal Child Care Benefit to inflation. This will ensure that the value of the benefit does not erode over time. <b>Government Action: Broken.</b> <p>108. Ensure that Aboriginals have the opportunity to fully participate in Canada's economy and society. <b>Government Action: Broken.</b> <p>109. Work with the private sector and small business organizations to identify inefficiencies and make permanent a formal process of measuring, reporting and reducing the burden on businesses. <p><b>Government Action: Broken.</b> The Red Tape Reduction Commission announced in January 2011 has yet to produce meaningful results. <p>110. The government has already established two new funds – the $900-million Strategic Aerospace and Defence Initiative and the $250-million Automotive Innovation Fund. These funds emphasize leading-edge technology and innovation to ensure that Canada remains a world leader in these industries. Unlike previous governments, a Harper Government will ensure that taxpayers' investments are repaid. <b>Government Action: Broken.</b> <p>111. Committed to implementing the reforms contained in the 2008 Budget to reduce the immigration processing backlog and to expedite applications from people with the skills and professions most in demand in Canada. <b>Government Action: Broken</b>. The immigration processing backlog has increased by 145,000 under the Conservatives. <p>112. Modernize the administration of our fisheries to ensure greater focus on conservation and using administrative sanctions, rather than court proceedings, to deal with violations. <b>Government Action: Broken.</b> The new Fisheries Act died when Stephen Harper called an early election in 2008 – the bill has not been re-introduced. <p>113. Work with Western Canadian grain farmers to ensure that the results of the barley plebiscite are respected and that they are given the freedom to choose whether to sell grain on the open market or through the Canadian Wheat Board. <b>Government Action: Broken. </b> <p><b></b> <p>114. Reaffirming the Ban on the Bulk Transfer of Water. <b>Government Action: Broken.</b> <p>115. Make biofuels and renewable energy a key part of our environmental and energy strategy. <b>Government Action: Broken</b>. Canada lags other countries, like the Unites-States, in renewable energy investments. <p>116. Assert Canada's rights over our Arctic waters, including the Northwest Passage <b>Government Action: Broken</b>. The Conservatives released yet another “Arctic strategy” in 2010 while failing to fulfill their past promises for the North. They continue to insult the people of the North with more empty promises and rhetoric. <p>117. Reforming or Abolishing the Senate. <b>Government Action: Broken.</b> Stephen Harper broke his pledge to only appoint elected Senators, instead he appointed 38 Senators -all Conservatives -just since the last election. <p>118. Continue to reform appointments to federal agencies, boards, commissions and Crown corporations. <b>Government Action: Broken.</b> After riding into town on the white horse of accountability, Stephen Harper continued appointing Conservative insiders to the Senate, courts, and government boards and agencies – bringing the total to nearly 400 partisan appointees since the 2008 election. <p>119. Ensure that appointees to federal agencies, boards, commissions and Crown corporations reflect the diversity of Canada in language, gender, region, age and ethnicity. <b>Government Action: Broken. </b>Figures show that when the Conservatives took over in 2006, the percentage of women appointed to Governor-in-Council positions began to drop. While the figure was about 37 percent from 2002 to December 2005, it dropped to 32.5 percent from February 2006 to May 2010. <p>120. Appoint members to the Public Appointments Commission. <b>Government Action: Broken</b>. The Harper Conservatives haven't appointed a single member, despite wasting over $1 million on the promised commission. <p>121. Ending Insider Loans to Political Candidates. <b>Government Action: Broken</b>. The on servitudes tabled Bill C-19 in March 2010 but never moved forward. <p>122. Respecting the Provinces and Territories, Establishing a Charter of Open Federalism. <b>Government Action: Broken</b>. The Conservatives have quietly dropped any talk of a Charter of Open Federalism. <p>123. Limiting the Federal Spending Power. <b>Government Action: Broken.</b> <p>124. Create a new, refundable tax credit on up to $500 of eligible fees for children under 16 who participate in eligible arts or cultural activities, such as music lessons, drama or art classes. <b>Government Action: Broken. </b> <p>125. Enhance the Children's Fitness Tax Credit by making it refundable. <b>Government Action: Broken. </b> <p>126. Committed to a Canada First Defence Strategy that will provide predictable growth for Canada's defence budget, increase the size of our forces to 70,000 regular and 30,000 reserves. <b>Government Action: Broken. </b> <p>127. Ensure that we acquire the ships, aircraft, vehicles and other equipment our Forces need in a manner that ensures our troops have the best possible equipment and that taxpayers' dollars are prudently spent. <b>Government Action: Broken.</b> After promising an open and transparent competition to replace Canada’s CF-18s, the Conservatives flip-flopped and announced that <p>Canada would purchase 65 F-35s without holding a competition – costing taxpayers at least $30 billion. <p>128. Leverage these dramatic increases in defence procurement to ensure that new high technology jobs are created in Canada through a combination of buying Canadian-made defence equipment and securing high-value industrial benefits when equipment is purchased abroad. <b>Government Action: Broken. </b> <p>129. A re-elected Conservative Government led by Stephen Harper will continue to improve the lives of Canada's veterans. <b>Government Action: Broken.</b> From drastically paring down their promise of $3 billion to veterans exposed to Agent Orange to failing to fix the lump sum payment system for severally wounded modern day veterans, the Conservatives have let down veterans both young and old. <p>130. Increase funeral and burial assistance rates for veterans to bring the rates for veterans in line with those of active duty Canadian Forces and RCMP officers. <b>Government Action: Broken.</b> <p>131. Make the promotion of Canada's democratic values on the world stage a major focus of our foreign policy. We will establish a new, non-partisan democracy promotion agency that will help emerging democracies build democratic institutions and support peaceful democratic change in repressive countries. <b>Government Action: Broken.</b> The Conservatives failed to create the new agency. <p>132. Implement our Turning the Corner action plan to reduce Canada's greenhouse gas emissions in absolute terms by 20 per cent over 2006 levels by 2020. <b>Government Action: Broken.</b> From Copenhagen to Cancun, the Conservatives consistently block progress on climate change. <p>133. Work with the provinces and territories and our NAFTA trading partners in the United States and Mexico, at both the national and state levels, to develop and implement a North America-wide cap and trade system for greenhouse gases and air pollution, with implementation to occur between 2012 and 2015. <b>Government Action: Broken.</b> The Environment Commissioner issued a damning <p>report on the Conservatives’ total abdication of responsibility when it comes to adapting to the harmful effects of climate change. <p>134. Proceed with an impartial third party investigation of the recent listeriosis outbreak. G<b>overnment Action: Broken.</b> Despite assurances from the PMO that Sheila Weatherill’s listeriosis report would be released unedited and without interference, key alterations were made to her findings, including the elimination of her finding that the crisis was “preventable.” <p>135. Continue to take creative measures to tackle major lung, heart and neurological diseases.<b>Government Action: Broken. </b> <p>136. Work toward bringing an end to discriminatory life insurance practices. <b>Government Action: Broken. </b> <p><b></b> <p>137. Take additional steps to ensure that Canada's communities and hospitals have more doctors and nurses where they are most needed. <b>Government Action: Broken.</b> <p>138. Extend the benefit of the existing Children's Fitness Tax Credit and the new Children's Art Tax Credit to lower income families that pay little or no income tax by making both credits fully refundable. <b>Government Action: Broken.</b> <p>139. Replace the automatic release of prisoners after serving two-thirds of their sentence with earned parole for behaviour and rehabilitation in prison. <b>Government Action: Broken.</b> The legislation was killed by prorogation and still hasn’t been implemented. <p>140. Amend the Criminal Code to make sure that serious crimes, including serious property offences, are not eligible for house arrest. <b>Government Action: Broken.</b> The legislation was killed by prorogation and still hasn’t been implemented. <p>141. Allow Canadians who have been affected by terrorism to sue the sponsors of terrorist organizations, including recovering funds from states that are designated as sponsors of terrorism. G<b>overnment </b><b>Action: Broken.</b> The legislation was killed by prorogation and still hasn’t been implemented. <p>142. Continue efforts to change Canada's drug laws to ensure that serious drug crimes, such as trafficking and running large cannabis grow operations or crystal methamphetamine labs, face mandatory prison sentences. <b>Government Action: Broken.</b> <p>143. Amend the Criminal Code to make the pregnancy of a woman an aggravating factor in sentencing if a woman is assaulted or killed. <b>Government Action: Broken.</b> <p>144. A Conservative Government will not initiate or support any legislation to regulate abortion. <b>Government Action: Broken.</b> The Conservative government further isolated Canada from the rest of the developed world and breaking with 25 years of Canadian tradition through its refusal to include the full range of family planning options in its maternal and infant health initiative. <p>145. Abolish conditional sentences and introduce mandatory prison sentences for impaired driving causing bodily harm or death. <b>Government Action: Broken</b>. Legislation to this effect was introduced in 2007 and passed the House committee but never advanced by the government.</p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14328496794563082229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2161135500174117467.post-37553523613291936262011-04-18T22:19:00.000-03:002011-04-18T22:19:21.686-03:00What to do if you are being bullied<p>Cyberbullying sometimes escalates to serious situations, especially if the victim is lacking information when it comes to dealing with cyberbullies. Below are some things you can do to resolve or at the very least limit the damage of cyberbullying: </p> <p> <strong>* Refrain from Responding:</strong> Defending yourself from a <a class="ml-smartlink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyber-bullying">cyberbully</a> attack may seem like a natural response, but this is oftentimes the first mistake victims make. Cyberbullies feed on your reaction to their inflammatory posts and will increase the tempo of their attack if you start defending yourself. Moreover, the longer online cyberbullying lasts [as long as you keep responding to the comments], the more viral it becomes as more and more online bystanders are attracted to the fight. When you refrain from responding, or better yet, if you have not responded to the first attack at all, the cyberbullying situation will likely die down after a couple of days like a fire without any fuel to burn. </p> <p> <strong>* Lock Down Profiles</strong>: Most teens are aware of the dangers of posting private information online and yet make them public anyway. Perhaps the most important step in preventing or minimizing cyberbullying is the careful management of what you post online as this information can be used as weapons against you by cyberbullies. </p> <p>This especially goes for photos or videos you post online as well as those you have in your mobile phone or digital camera/camcorder. Compromising videos and photos are some of the most damaging bullying weapons online, so keep a tight lock on them and minimize the number of people that have access to these materials. Remember, even regular photos and videos could be digitally manipulated to embarrass or hurt you so limit access to these materials to your trusted friends only. </p> <p>Moreover, even the information you share online can be used against you in cyberbullying. One of the cases wherein the victim committed suicide was because she shared personal information with an online ‘friend’ which turned out to be managed by cyberbullies. Your your blog could be mined for personal information that can be used against you in an online fight so refrain from posting about your fears, insecurities, etc. If you feel you must share this information, then at least keep these posts private. </p> <p><strong>* Block Offending Accounts:</strong> If the cyberbullying attack is done through private messaging or email, it could be sometimes simpler to block the offending account. Unless the <a class="ml-smartlink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyber-bullying">cyberbully</a> wants to escalate the situation into a public online campaign [which he or she may hesitate to do so because it would reveal who they are to the public], the attack would run out of steam at this stage. </p> <p><strong>* Change Contact Information:</strong> Similarly, it could also be a good move to just change your contact information [telephone number, cell phone number, email address, etc] and locking down the new accounts. Of course, you should only give out your new contact information to the persons you trust so as not to invite a repeat of the situation. <br /></p><span style="font-weight: bold;">Read the rest of this Article </span>.......... <a href="http://facecrooks.com/cyberbullying-internal-links/item/881-cyberbullying-what-to-do">What to do if you are being bullied</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14328496794563082229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2161135500174117467.post-76848635177312773602011-04-16T22:18:00.000-03:002011-04-16T22:18:19.060-03:00Dr. Harper’s New and Improved Medicare « Murray Dobbin's Blog<p>Medicare is turning out to be the sleeper issues in this election as Canadians continue to say that <a class="ml-smartlink" href="http://api.getsmartlinks.com/r?app_id=fox_lingo&guid=7D7A5856-5B12-E73B-C286-CC64C2AA4CCB&time=130300294&ref_hash=b4cd53ae&url=http:%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FPublicly_funded_health_care&pid=1&cid=437&link_id=1&sense=RdDkRYvIC4ggXq41iN5FKQ&hash=087a5f683808ba1cfc7d1992271b87d1&v[linker_wp1]=linker">public health care</a> – universal, comprehensive, publicly administered care, transferable across provincial lines – is their most important election issue, even more important than the economy. And is the economy that Harper has based his whole campaign on – after spending over $20 million in public funds framing the argument in his favour.</p> <p>But if Medicare can become the issue in the last two weeks of the campaign, there is a good chance that Harper’s Teflon will start to erode.</p> <p>But for that to happen, people need to know just what Harper is likely to do with Medicare and what he has said about it in the past. People’s memories are short. </p> <p>The country needs a refresher course in Dr. Harper’s New and Improved Health care</p><a href="http://murraydobbin.ca/2011/04/16/dr-harpers-new-and-improved-medicare/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+MurrayDobbin+%28Murray+Dobbin%27s+Blog%29">Dr. Harper’s New and Improved Medicare « Murray Dobbin's Blog</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14328496794563082229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2161135500174117467.post-59670386437223256412010-11-16T21:24:00.001-04:002010-11-16T21:24:33.402-04:00Best divorce letter & answer<p> </p> <p>Dear wife:<br> I'm writing you this letter to tell you that I'm leaving you forever. I've been a good man to you for 7 years & I have nothing to show <br>for it. These last 2 weeks have been terrible. Your boss called to tell me that you quit your job today & that was the last straw. <br> Last week, you came home & didn't even notice I had a new haircut, had cooked your favourite meal & even wore a brand new pair of silk boxers. You ate in 2 minutes, & Went straight to sleep after watching all <br>of your soaps.<br> You don't tell Me you love me anymore; you don't want sex or anything that connects us as husband & wife. Either you're cheating on me or you don't love me Anymore; whatever the case, I'm gone......<br> Your EX-Husband,<br>P.S. Don't try to find me, your SISTER & I are moving away to Oklahoma together. Have a great life!<br>------------------------------------------------------------------------<br>Dear Ex-Husband<br> Nothing has made my day more than receiving your letter.<br>It's true you & I have been married for 7 years, although a good <br>man is a far cry from What you've been.<br> I watch my soaps so much because they drown out your constant whining & griping. Too bad that doesn't work.<br> I DID notice when you got a hair cut last week, but the first thing <br>that came to mind was 'You look just like a queer!' Since my mother raised me not to say anything if you can't say something nice, I didn't comment. And when you cooked my favourite meal, you must have gotten me confused with MY SISTER, because I stopped eating pork 7 years ago.<br> About those new silk Boxers: I turned away from you because the $49.99 price tag was still on them, and I prayed it was a coincidence that my sister had just borrowed $50 from me that morning.<br> After all of this, I still loved you & felt we could work it out. So when I hit the lotto for 10 million dollars, I quit my job and bought us two tickets to Jamaica , but when I got home You were gone.<br> Everything happens for a reason, I guess. I hope you Have the fulfilling life you always wanted. My lawyer said that the Letter you wrote ensures you won't get a dime from me. So take care.<br>Signed,<br>Your Ex-Wife, Rich As Gates and Free at last!</p> <p>P.S. I don't know if I ever told you this, but my sister Carla was born Carl. I hope that's not a problem! <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:e35526ed-9268-4376-920b-44282aa789ab" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Humor" rel="tag">Humor</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Divoirce" rel="tag">Divoirce</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Les+Muise" rel="tag">Les Muise</a></div> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14328496794563082229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2161135500174117467.post-53731672000249779062010-10-15T12:25:00.001-03:002010-10-15T12:27:05.890-03:00Seal Caucus–Rick Mercer Rant!!!<img alt="" src="http://www.rickmercer.com/getmedia/e56e5eaf-8e39-4ed8-9f93-4b92522abe8e/TXSJSU?width=580&height=424" width="467" height="344"> <p>It seems to me that the media is a little too obsessed with how controlling Stephen Harper is. I don't really get this debate. I mean, can we blame the Conservatives for wanting this in a leader? A man who is firmly in control? Because Stephen Harper is all that and a bag of chips. <br>And his idea to scrap the long form census is a perfect example of his abilities. Because scrapping the long form census has never been an issue among Conservatives. No this idea, just like rewriting O Canada, this is Stephen Harper’s baby. </p> <p>And you talk to anyone close to the guy, they will tell you, every now and then he gets in a funny mood and he comes up with his funny ideas. He just woke up one morning out of the blue and said to his best people, hey, what would happen if we scrapped the long form census and go to a voluntary survey? And they all said the same thing: Well, the <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:ad2301b6-f747-40c1-94ba-03c3421fe5db" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Rick+Mercer+Rant" rel="tag">Rick Mercer Rant</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Harper" rel="tag">Harper</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Seal+Cabinet" rel="tag">Seal Cabinet</a></div>data will be worthless, scientists will go crazy, business leaders will freak out, and plus, it will cost an extra 30 million dollars. And Harper said, 30 million dollars? I’m sold! And then he walked into caucus and said, hey, I’m gonna spend 30 million dollars in the middle of a recession, getting less reliable data, who's with me? And then 143 Tory MPs started clapping. </p> <p>Which again is a testament to his abilities. Because do you have any idea how hard it is to get 143 seals to do the same thing simultaneously? He's more than a Prime Minister, he's like... he’s like Siegfried and Roy all wrapped up in one. The difference being, of course, is no matter how many tricks he makes them do, none of his MPs will ever make a peep. </p> <p><strong>So let's stop this debate about how controlling Stephen Harper is. We know what he’s made of. It's his MPs I worry about.</strong></p> <p>Posted: 05/10/2010 9:07:17 PM | <p>To read / view more of Rick’s work <a title="http://www.rickmercer.com/" href="http://www.rickmercer.com/">http://www.rickmercer.com/</a> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14328496794563082229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2161135500174117467.post-52453684965182739182010-10-14T17:31:00.001-03:002010-10-14T17:31:09.179-03:00NEW BOUTIQUE DISC JOCKEY COMPANY LAUNCHES IN OTTAWA<p>by <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Pulse-Entertainment/145745325470803">Pulse Entertainment</a> on Wednesday, October 13, 2010 at 10:26pm</p> <p><strong></strong> <p><strong></strong> <p>Pulse Entertainment promises a new standard of quality, style and sophistication for the “take no chances” customer</p> <p><a href="http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=146159508762718&set=o.133953203321365"><img style="margin: 0px 7px 10px 0px; display: inline; float: left" align="left" src="http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs031.snc4/33906_146159508762718_145745325470803_238652_6223309_a.jpg"></a>(Ottawa) October 12, 2010 – MELDAN Entertainment Inc. is proud to announce the official launch of Pulse Entertainment. Pulse Entertainment is an Ottawa-based boutique business providing disc jockey, events planning, and multimedia services for weddings, corporate events and conferences, private parties, and community and cultural events. </p> <p><a href="http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=146159515429384&set=o.133953203321365"><img style="margin: 0px 20px 0px 12px; display: inline; float: right" align="right" src="http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs765.snc4/66579_146159515429384_145745325470803_238653_3109329_a.jpg"></a>The company’s co-founders, Melissa Peneycad and M. Daniel Roukema, have extensive experience in the entertainment and professional services industries. Both recognize the need for a more consistent level of service excellence in the Ottawa entertainment industry and are applying their experiences and expertise to provide clients with a higher standard of quality, style, and sophistication. “At Pulse, we’re committed to maintaining a high quality service standard,” says Peneycad, Pulse’s President. “For years we’ve proven our approach and delivery with a wide range of clients and we will continue to do so as disc jockeys, event planners, and multimedia service providers. Our clients usually get only one chance to impress their guests and, as a result, we commit ourselves unconditionally to putting our best foot forward to deliver beyond expectations, every time.”</p> <p>Roukema, the company’s Director of Operations, has been a disc jockey in Ontario, Manitoba, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=146159535429382&set=o.133953203321365"><img style="margin: 4px 11px 1px 0px; display: inline; float: left" align="left" src="http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs011.snc4/33899_146159535429382_145745325470803_238655_5442005_a.jpg"></a>and Nova Scotia, and a guest performer in Africa, the Caribbean, and Europe, for almost 25 years, and says the timing for this boutique entertainment business in Ottawa couldn’t be better. “Ottawa is changing rapidly,” he says. “With up-and-coming infrastructure like the new state-of-the-art congress centre, it is clear that this city is reaching out for a larger piece of the national and international market.” The multilingual Roukema also states that his experience in international relations, business, and diplomacy will allow Pulse Entertainment to reach out to and serve the VIP and dignitary communities including diplomatic missions in Ottawa.</p> <p>Pulse Entertainment is headquartered on Cooper Street in downtown Ottawa. More information on the company is available on its website <a href="http://www.pulse-entertainment.ca-30">www.pulse-entertainment.ca-30</a>-</p> <p>Contacts:</p> <blockquote> <p>Melissa Peneycad <a href="mailto:melissa@pulse-entertainment.ca">melissa@pulse-entertainment.ca</a> 613.859.6735 </p> <p>Daniel Roukema <a href="mailto:daniel@pulse-entertainment.ca">daniel@pulse-entertainment.ca</a> 613.859.6735 </p></blockquote> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14328496794563082229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2161135500174117467.post-12197152757520730352009-10-30T08:41:00.001-03:002009-10-30T08:41:11.905-03:00Subject: DR Oz advice H1N1<p>Subject: DR Oz advice H1N1 <br /> <br />The following advice, given by Dr. Oz, makes a lot of sense and is important <br />for all to know: <br /></p> <p>The only portals of entry are the nostrils and mouth/throat. In a global <br />epidemic of this nature, it's almost impossible to avoid coming into contact <br />with H1N1 in spite of all precautions. Contact with H1N1 is not so much of a <br />problem as proliferation is. <br /> <br />While you are still healthy and not showing any symptoms of H1N1 infection, <br />in order to prevent proliferation, aggravation of symptoms and development <br />of secondary infections, some very simple steps, not fully highlighted in  most official communications, can be practiced (instead of focusing on how to stock N95 or Tamiflu):</p> <p> 1. Frequent hand-washing (well highlighted in all official communications). <br /> 2. "Hands-off-the-face" approach. Resist all temptations to touch any part of face (unless you want to eat or bathe.) <br /> 3. *Gargle twice a day with warm salt water (use Listerine or Hydrogen Peroxide if you don't trust salt). *H1N1 takes 2-3 days after initial infection in the throat/ nasal cavity to proliferate and show characteristic symptoms. Simple gargling prevents proliferation. In a way, gargling with salt water has the same effect on a healthy individual that Tamiflu has on  <br /> an infected one. Don't underestimate this simple, inexpensive and powerful  preventative method. <br /> 4. Similar to 3 above, *clean your nostrils at least once every day with warm salt water, or hydrogen peroxide. *Not everybody may be good at Jala  Neti or Sutra Neti (very good Yoga asanas to clean nasal cavities), but  *blowing the nose softly once a day and swabbing both nostrils with cotton  buds dipped in warm salt water is very effective in bringing down viral  population.* <br /> 5. *Boost your natural immunity with foods that are rich in Vitamin C (Amla and other citrus fruits). *If you have to supplement with Vitamin C tablets, make sure that it also has Zinc to boost absorption. <br />6. *Drink as much of warm liquids (tea, coffee, etc) as you can. *Drinking warm liquids has the same effect as gargling, but in the reverse direction. They wash off proliferating viruses from the throat into the stomach where they cannot survive, proliferate or do any harm. <br /></p> <p>Pass this on to your entire e-list. You never know who might pay attention to it - and STAY ALIVE because of it.</p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14328496794563082229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2161135500174117467.post-20594560175091249802009-09-10T00:14:00.001-03:002009-09-10T00:19:15.307-03:00RED SKELTON'S RECIPE FOR THE PERFECT MARRIAGE1. Two times a week, we go to a nice restaurant, have a little beverage, good food and companionship. She goes on Tuesdays, I go on Fridays.<br /><br />2. We also sleep in separate beds. Hers is in California and mine is in Texas.<br /><br />3. I take my wife everywhere..... but she keeps finding her way back.<br /><br />4. I asked my wife where she wanted to go for our anniversary. "Somewhere I haven't been in a long time!" she said. So I suggested the kitchen.<br /><br />5. We always hold hands. If I let go, she shops.<br /><br />6. She has an electric blender, electric toaster and electric bread maker. She said "There are too many gadgets and no place to sit down!" So I bought her an electric chair.<br /><br />7. My wife told me the car wasn't running well because there was water in the carburetor. I asked where the car was; she told me "In the lake."<br /><br />8. She got a mud pack and looked great for two days. Then the mud fell off.<br /><br />9. She ran after the garbage truck, yelling "Am I too late for the garbage?" .... The driver said "No, jump in!"<br /><br />10. Remember: Marriage is the number one cause of divorce.<br /><br />11. I married Miss Right. I just didn't know her irst name was Always.<br /><br />12. I haven't spoken to my wife in 18 months. I don't like to interrupt her.<br /><br />13. The last fight was my fault though. ! My wife asked "What's on the TV?"<br /> I said "Dust!"<br /><br />Can't you just hear him say all of these? I love it.........this is the good old days when humor didn't have to start with a four letter word........ just clean and simple funAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14328496794563082229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2161135500174117467.post-21362561107809535502009-05-27T10:52:00.001-03:002009-05-27T10:52:36.568-03:00This may be the best Living Will I've Seen<p> <br />I,__________________, being of sound mind and body, do not wish to be  <br />kept alive indefinitely by artificial means.  </p> <p>Under no circumstances should my fate be put in the hands of pinhead  <br />politicians who couldn't pass ninth grade biology if their lives  <br />depended on it, or lawyers/doctors interested in simply running up the  <br />bills.  </p> <p>If a reasonable amount of time passes and I fail to ask for at least one  <br />of the following:  <br />Glass of wine  <br />Chocolate  <br />Margarita  <br />Sex  <br />Martini  <br />Cold Beer Chocolate  <br />Chicken fried steak  <br />Cream gravy  <br />Sex  <br />Mexican food  <br />Chocolate  <br />French fries  <br />Chocolate  <br />Pizza  <br />Sex  <br />Ice cream  <br />Cup of tea  <br />Chocolate  <br />Chocolate  <br />Sex  <br />Chocolate</p> <p>It should be presumed that I won't ever get better. When such a  <br />determination is reached, I hereby instruct my appointed person and  <br />attending physicians to pull the plug, reel in the tubes, let the 'fat  <br />lady sing,' and call it a day! </p> <p>Have a Drink IT'S 5 O'CLOCK SOMEWHERE  </p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:5de6ddf1-f82b-4bfd-81bb-aaa30b528c94" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Humor" rel="tag">Humor</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Living+will" rel="tag">Living will</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Les+Muise" rel="tag">Les Muise</a></div> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14328496794563082229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2161135500174117467.post-89955567688877665362009-05-07T20:59:00.001-03:002009-05-07T20:59:47.114-03:00NEW MARKETING HUB LAUNCHED FOR CANADIAN CONFERENCES<table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody> <tr> <td width="201"> <table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody> <tr> <td> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAVlfWS1KrVs0-We8qgrxc36kXmhg5_eUF8ufRaZQ13THcFwjDOUXHwCsS3OdPhmugYxv6PREKOJunBsJJ7LWpKHmcBlh20ATO48iyxM13DGTSlDHxFeEBLD69nN8lczbUh0XULxOrgMw/s1600-h/clip_image0023.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="clip_image002" border="0" alt="clip_image002" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTh2gLCtEvJxhWPmtNTfsBCbM686LQsZxZ2UTmMKDRz1ROxrNGOQcDKWWD7U4zO33t4T7INeTgEHam-N_VUYb_PImXXqN1wGu6lkJ-6C24Mty1c16tuORDkF7N738HoGB1qiNF_lxmYqY/?imgmax=800" width="163" height="133" /></a></p> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <p><b>PRESS RELEASE</b></p> <p><i>- <b>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</b></i><b> –</b></p> <p><b>NEW MARKETING HUB LAUNCHED FOR CANADIAN CONFERENCES </b><b>- </b><i>ConferenceZone.net</i> aims to boost visibility of conferences, visitors to Canadian cities, and competitive positioning of small business and non-profit sectors.<b></b></p> <p><b>Ottawa, ON – May 6, 2009 – </b>Canadian cities, small businesses, and non-profit organizations are now able to enhance their visibility on a website designed to promote conferences and the vendors that serve them. <i>ConferenceZone</i>, billed as <b><i>Canada’s Find a Conference – Plan a Conference – Serve a Conference Destination</i></b>, provides free membership and access for meeting planners in 24 cities to promote their upcoming events; receive information, news, and trends on the conference planning industry; and to identify reputable vendors and professional service providers. As the ailing economy is poised to further impact the declining tourism industry in 2009, <i>ConferenceZone</i>, to be promoted online and in print across Canada and around the world, will be a useful tool to promote meeting facilities, attractions and events, and local hospitality.<b></b></p> <p>“<i>ConferenceZone</i> is a bright-spot in these tough economic times for conference planners and for the local vendors that cater to them,” says Melissa Peneycad, Principal at Nova Vista Strategy Group Inc. “Building communities is our passion and we are delighted to work with so many talented small businesses and non-profit organizations across Canada to increase their visibility and positioning in the marketplace.”</p> <p>In June, a comprehensive directory of reputable meeting vendors and other professionals that serve the conference industry will be launched to provide additional resources for meeting planners. To qualify for a profiled listing each vendor must meet a pre-determined criterion that affirms them as small business and non-profit-friendly. This summer, students from universities across Canada are being hired to meet with businesses to promote <i>ConferenceZone</i> and to evaluate their qualifications for vendor membership.</p> <p>Advanced online tools, currently in development, will soon be made available for planners to enable conference delegates to register, receive their schedules and programs, access live webinars, and evaluate their events online. Vendors will receive email alerts whenever a conference is newly listed in their city and a planner has indicated a need for their product or service.</p> <p>“This year has been presented significant economic challenges for small businesses and non-profit organizations, and <i>ConferenceZone</i> is a positive solution”, says Dr. Wayne Adams, former Nova Scotia provincial cabinet minister and Sr. Principal of Nova Vista Strategy Group Inc. “We feel confident that by increasing the visibility of thousands, we can help curb the economic losses that our sectors have sustained.”</p> <p>- 30 -</p> <p><b>For more information about <i>ConferenceZone</i>, please visit </b><a href="http://www.conferencezone.net/"><b>www.<i>ConferenceZone</i>.net</b></a><b>, call M. Daniel Roukema, President & Sr. Consultant, Nova Vista Strategy Group Inc. at (613) 683-5979, or email </b><a href="mailto:droukema@novavista.ca"><b>droukema</b><b>@novavista.ca</b></a><b>.</b></p> <p><b></b></p> <p><b>About Nova Vista Strategy Group Inc.</b></p> <p>Nova Vista Strategy Group Inc. is an Ottawa-based company with associates in Ontario, Nova Scotia and Saskatchewan that provides small businesses and non-profit organizations with the strategies and tools required to enhance their visibility, positioning, and overall competitive advantage in the marketplace. The firm specializes in web solutions, public engagement and facilitation, and non-profit management consulting. For more information visit <a href="http://www.novavista.ca/">www.novavista.ca</a> or email <a href="mailto:droukema@novavista.ca">droukema@novavista.ca</a>.</p> <p> </p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:5f98826c-c90d-479a-8e74-86f3e821b2f7" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/ConferenceZone" rel="tag">ConferenceZone</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Novavista" rel="tag">Novavista</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Daniel+Roukema" rel="tag">Daniel Roukema</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Dr.+Wayne+Adams" rel="tag">Dr. Wayne Adams</a></div> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14328496794563082229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2161135500174117467.post-33535542858116030622009-04-07T09:18:00.004-03:002009-04-07T09:26:05.356-03:00GM and Segway create new vehicle<div><a href="http://digg.com/d1o8he"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321923659485841650" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 107px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 32px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrMr1rZKcyDqkxX6zQOvtI7B9Uno3IVnxDobpXLZret5TBWPtZpYjOAAVAWQ25Phv-T5FqdGWerjZ9p89ENcOVUKdGqHINuUw42vnIpNrVCMVkvnFYjIBppuMEu3oCEuwJQKX_0Q9X53k/s320/header_blocks.gif" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>GM and Segway create new vehicle </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqaMornE4sx8FvTw_7FVKPMUO0DxBXOXLUwyLEaHyS4qzpKoPb5mF8T1VlmLQy02zznZendYVbESArS0nGfxGUDv47hlx_HSKWxl4aA8EzKmibj4ZmgIu3WLu6nzEVKwb22n-0MatLpXk/s1600-h/Segway.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321923858342547170" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 206px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqaMornE4sx8FvTw_7FVKPMUO0DxBXOXLUwyLEaHyS4qzpKoPb5mF8T1VlmLQy02zznZendYVbESArS0nGfxGUDv47hlx_HSKWxl4aA8EzKmibj4ZmgIu3WLu6nzEVKwb22n-0MatLpXk/s320/Segway.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><br /> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>The electric-powered PUMA has a top speed of 35mph<br />US carmaker General Motors is joining with scooter maker Segway to make a new type of two-seat electric vehicle. The prototype, which will be debuted in New York, is aimed at urban driving. GM aims to start making them by 2012. </div><div><br />The vehicle, named Puma, can go as far as 35 miles on a single charge. It will use lithium-ion batteries. GM, having been bailed out by the US government as car sales have dropped, is looking to smaller vehicles to secure its future.<br /></div><div>Puma stands for personal urban mobility and accessibility. </div><div><br />'Dramatically different' GM has already received at least $13bn in aid from the US government and seems likely to enter bankruptcy. It is looking to more environmentally-friendly models as consumers have abandoned their expensive trucks and cars. </div><div><br />"We are excited to be working together to demonstrate a dramatically different approach to urban mobility," said Jim Norrod, chief of Segway. </div><div><br />Segway introduced its personal transporter in 2002 and has sold more than 2,000 in the UK.<br />They are capable of speeds up to 12mph and cost £4,795. </div><div><br />The personal scooters came to international prominence when US President George W Bush fell off one while on holiday in 2003. </div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14328496794563082229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2161135500174117467.post-44100842217855327272009-01-12T08:19:00.006-04:002009-01-12T08:52:56.323-04:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7_bLtkgBT-xqfkBu9VQeaOvlQKAcTvAAStbB0w-cxCYb-Kp-oh-7blqrpepF4HqUhHVHPC5RjYBzgFT5cDy8BPtiR2hyphenhyphenySaECeSdp2wnAqBYfeBfGCVM8KyuW-7L0oAUcdiZWtEGUFqM/s1600-h/lincoln-mkt-lead-580.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290385525517923682" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 165px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7_bLtkgBT-xqfkBu9VQeaOvlQKAcTvAAStbB0w-cxCYb-Kp-oh-7blqrpepF4HqUhHVHPC5RjYBzgFT5cDy8BPtiR2hyphenhyphenySaECeSdp2wnAqBYfeBfGCVM8KyuW-7L0oAUcdiZWtEGUFqM/s320/lincoln-mkt-lead-580.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpWs4D7qQFZTonx8UCuOk7JPXB-_NtbtXcbvbSVexIQgc-o4J1WswD-Z6Toc5e-2YDkbjeyryfNZF0dHBufbQQjHmJtUZy4zYIUlOjtIfSg_NQ_M8X3UmuohQKlhncp0ZHvSneNLBAftU/s1600-h/AutoBlog+Logo.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290385165682120226" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 120px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 80px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpWs4D7qQFZTonx8UCuOk7JPXB-_NtbtXcbvbSVexIQgc-o4J1WswD-Z6Toc5e-2YDkbjeyryfNZF0dHBufbQQjHmJtUZy4zYIUlOjtIfSg_NQ_M8X3UmuohQKlhncp0ZHvSneNLBAftU/s320/AutoBlog+Logo.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/12/detroit-2009-lincoln-mkt-debuts-with-a-big-toothy-smile/" rel="bookmark">Detroit 2009: Lincoln MKT debuts with a big, toothy smile</a><br /></div><div></div><div>by <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/bloggers/chris-paukert/">Chris Paukert</a> on Jan 12th 2009 at 12:01AM<br /></div><div>Click above for high-res image gallery of the 2010 Lincoln MKTFord has a major-league hit on its hands with the<a href="http://asdf/"> </a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/17/in-the-autoblog-garage-2009-ford-flex-limited-w-video/">2009 Flex crossover</a> – with the media. Sadly, despite its varied and considerable charms, sales haven't met the Blue Oval's admittedly <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/11/ford-shoots-for-100-000-flex-sales-a-year/">lofty expectations</a>. Blame the recession, blame the marketing department, blame the Flex's divisive styling, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/28/slow-ford-flex-sales-blamed-on/">blame what you will</a>, but Dearborn is plainly going to have to find more volume for its D4 platform. Enter the 2010 Lincoln MKT.It doesn't take more than a brief glance to realize that Ford's stylists have exacted much more than a quick nip/tuck on the rectilinear Flex en-route to minting this new Lincoln. But beyond the crossover's assertive looks, there is a host of new technology on offer inside and out that should help put the MKT on luxury crossover shopping lists. <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/12/embargo-1-12-09-12-01-detroit-2009-lincoln-mkt-revealed/">Follow the jump</a> to learn more about the MKT and read Lincoln's official press release.<br />Gallery: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2010-lincoln-mkt/">2010 Lincoln MKT</a><br />Starting with the MKT's most obvious discussion point, its sheetmetal, it is clear that Ford has gone in a different direction – literally. Whereas the Flex comes about its styling primarily through the use of horizontal lines, the MKT's design has a decidedly vertical orientation. From its two-piece wing grille, to the character ridge running down the hood, to its surprisingly crisp corners, the MKT is very much its own crossover. It's also very much a Lincoln, with its end-to-end taillamps and fast-becoming trademark two-piece wing grille. Few are likely to call the MKT "pretty," but in the metal, there's no doubting its originality or its presence. </div><div><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/12/detroit-2009-lincoln-mkt-debuts-with-a-big-toothy-smile/">Read the rest of this blog......</a> </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14328496794563082229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2161135500174117467.post-84090286596338828662008-10-28T01:07:00.001-03:002008-10-28T01:07:39.450-03:00Halifax’s Finest Aggressive Panhandlers<h1>Les Muise Consulting<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/lcmuise/SQaQBVmiDvI/AAAAAAAAAdw/JfWUSQ2wAeI/s1600-h/clip_image002%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" border="0" alt="clip_image002" align="right" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/lcmuise/SQaQB0m4LmI/AAAAAAAAAd0/Z0lOj4vdtTc/clip_image002_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="74" height="85" /></a></h1> <p><b>Monday, October 27, 2008</b> </p> <p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.myhalifaxcapanhandlers.wordpress.com">Posted to MyHalifaxCa Panhandlers</a> </p> <p></p> <p>The following is the Introduction to an opinion piece developed by request for MacKay Fashions of Halifax to be used to begin a discussion within the business and civic concerns with the objective of finding a better way to deal with the panhandlers of Downtown Halifax. </p> <h5>It’s time to deal with the issue….<i></i></h5> <p>Panhandling is a challenging issue faced by cities of all sizes, and one that affects Halifax as well. The experience of numerous professionals and service agencies finds that money given to panhandlers often only enables self-destructive behaviors like alcoholism and drug addiction. </p> <p>One former panhandler and addict has even stated, "Giving money to a panhandler is like giving a gun to someone who is suicidal. </p> <p>I think it was mid November of 1997 and I was sitting in the Great Taste Coffee Shop on Spring Garden Road enjoying a brew and writing in my journal. I was not aware of where he came from or when he arrived but suddenly, there was a little man sitting at my table. He was in rough shape having fallen and broke an arm, he had not shaved in a couple of days, he had no teeth, his fingers were deeply stained by nicotine, and he was cold, hungry and the smell… God the smell, it just about turned my stomach. </p> <p>The conversation began with his statement that it had been a hard day and he was considering walking out to the middle of the Angus L Mc Donald Bridge and jumping. </p> <p>My instant response was ‘I don’t know you from a hole in the ground but I figure if you’ve made it this far in life…. You’re too stubborn to do that.” </p> <p>That was the day that I met ‘Terry M’ a paranoid schizophrenic who had lived with his parents on Cunard St till they died and had a room of his own [these days at Turning Point] in a know flop house. Terry had never traveled past the Halifax Commons, had memorized every word in three dictionaries and would give you the correct spelling, pronunciation, and use it in conversation…. several times in one sitting. He had a memory for detail as good as anyone I know but could never keep a job. </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/lcmuise/SQaQCBjdsHI/AAAAAAAAAd4/v_T1SwCLNzw/s1600-h/clip_image003%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" border="0" alt="clip_image003" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/lcmuise/SQaQCn7ksaI/AAAAAAAAAd8/UM02RZZJRXg/clip_image003_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="198" height="132" /></a> </p> <p>Tommy Boutilier, left, an on-street support worker, chats with a panhandler named Liam, while walking along Spring Garden Road in Halifax. – Halifax Herald </p> <p>At the time Terry was one of a handful of regular panhandlers that you would see around town. Over the years I’ve watched, tried to help and got frustrated seeing my little friend loose ground in his life. He survives on $385.00 per month from Community Services and every check day his property owner drives him to Sobey’s on Queen and waits while Tarry cashes his check, takes $350.00 for rent and leaves Terry with $35.00 for a months worth of food. </p> <p><b></b></p> <p><b>No wonder he panhandles.</b> </p> <p>Anyone who spends time on Spring Garden Road, Argyle Street, Barrington Street or on the Waterfront [as I do] and is slightly aware of his/her surroundings should see the whole picture. You cannot help but have a certain amount of compassion for the street people like Terry M who for one reason or another have fallen through our so-called social safety net. As a community, we are failing to provide a safe, healthy and caring life for these individuals and <b>that has to change</b>. </p> <p>Every situation has two sides and though I have a soft spot for the position in which people like Terry M find themselves I have also had to deal with the constant harassment, insults, threats and potential violence of navigating the downtown core of Halifax. As you read this document, you will read several personal accounts of both the good & bad side of our streets. In addition, remember … <b>Big changes come as a result of many small steps.</b> </p> <p><b></b></p> <p><b><a target="_blank" href="http://www.myhalifaxcapanhandlers.wordpress.com">Read More…….</a></b></p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14328496794563082229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2161135500174117467.post-16096614143509672662008-09-10T19:58:00.001-03:002008-09-10T19:58:11.379-03:0011 Ways to Calm Down an Angry Woman<h3><img alt="madwoman.jpg" src="http://www.menshealth.com/mhlists/cms/uploads/1/madwoman.jpg" align="right" border="0" /></h3> <p><a href="http://www.menshealth.com/mhlists/calm_her_down/index.php"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="48" alt="mh_logo_nav.jpg" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/lcmuise/SMhRAhptXRI/AAAAAAAAAU8/VU_YT1zhGnY/mh_logo_nav.jpg%5B3%5D.png?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>Yes, 1.5 million women are physically assaulted by their partners every year, but so are 835,000 men, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Next time your little honeybee turns mad as a hornet, here's how to stop the buzzing before her fire turns to fight. You've already tried pretending to be invisible, right? How'd that work? <br /><strong>1. Lower Your Thermostat <br /></strong>Whatever you do, don't get angry. Surprisingly enough, she won't consider it righteous; she'll just get more pissed off, and a little self-righteous besides. If you feel yourself heating up, just remember that "she can't make you angry," says Paul Hauck, Ph.D., an Illinois psychologist and author of How to Cope with People Who Drive You Crazy and Overcoming Frustration and Anger. "And you didn't make her feel angry. She did. You may be responsible for her problem, but not her emotional reaction.</p> <p><strong>2. Don't Feed Her Data</strong> <br />"A man generally tries to win an argument by coming up with facts that are totally meaningless to her," says Michael Staver, the author of 21 Ways to Defuse Anger and Calm People Down. "She filters that as being disrespectful and not listening, which ticks her off all the more."</p> <p><strong>3. Own Up . . . Maturely <br /></strong>"If you're wrong, just admit it," says Staver. "But don't do it in a condescending way."</p> <p><strong>4. Tune In</strong> <br />"If she has a big problem," says Hauck, "you'd better listen." And don't wait till swords are drawn. Like an orgasm, anger follows a bell curve—at the top you're completely out of your mind. So if you're seeing signs of frustration (a sigh or roll of the eyes), you'd better start listening quick, for the apex is near and things are about to go downhill fast.</p> <p><strong>5. Take a Step Back</strong> <br />"You don't have to agree," says Staver. "But acknowledge her perceptions as real. It shows that you respect her." Often, her anger is triggered because she believes something's 1) unfair, 2) out of her control, or 3) a personal attack. Address these concerns.</p> <p><strong>6. Assert Your Eyes</strong> <br />If you can't make eye contact, it means you're becoming angry. But if you can, it shows you're listening. Psychologists have seen a classic pattern in marital fights: The wife gets mad, the husband shuts down, the wife goes nuts. You shut down because you want to avoid a battle, but she thinks you're avoiding (here comes that dreaded word) intimacy.</p> <p><strong>7. Get Engaged <br /></strong>Ask questions. "It shows you're listening, and it implies you want to listen to her more," says Staver.</p> <p><strong>8. Hit the Road—Together</strong></p> <p>Taking a walk may sound dumb, but it's actually a neat trick. Physically, you just got her to move with you, rather than against you. "Taking a walk is calming," says Susan Heitler, a Denver clinical psychologist and author of The Power of Two. If the argument reaches crisis mode, however, remove yourself from the situation until it's clear the ranting is over.</p> <p><strong>9. Use Magic Phrases</strong></p> <p>Heitler suggests three: Yes, I agree. You're right. I'm sorry. Nothing disarms an attacker faster than taking her side. So find something, anything, to agree on. We're not suggesting you cave in, but find some small plot of common ground. <br /></p> <p><strong>10. Use Anger as a Meter</strong></p> <p>Heitler compares anger to a Geiger counter—it can alert you to a problem. "What it's not good for," she quickly adds, "is solving a problem." <br /><strong>11. Set Limits</strong></p> <p>"You get the behavior you tolerate," says Hauck. If her rage is a little too melodramatic, a little too frequent, a little too abusive, you want to give her exactly two chances to change, he says.</p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14328496794563082229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2161135500174117467.post-8292414446210559412008-09-07T16:25:00.001-03:002008-09-07T16:25:42.678-03:00Broswer War??? Here we go.....<div > </div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 12px 0px; font-family: arial; color: #333333; background: #ffffff; border: solid 4px #e5e5e5; width: 100%; clear: left;"><tr><td valign="top"><!-- BEGIN_CLIP_CONTENT ID:A6C2AB8A-B3C0-49D0-88B6-5095F6BDD642:0 CLIPMARKS.COM --><div class="CM_CTB_Content_Wrap" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;background-color: #ffffff;"><div style="border-bottom: solid 1px #dcdcdc; white-space: nowrap; margin-bottom: 8px; background-color: #eeeeee ;background-image: url(http://clipmarks.com/images/source-bg.gif); background-repeat: repeat-x; height: 24px; line-height: 24px; vertical-align: middle; padding-bottom: 4px; color: #666666; font-size: 10px;" ><a href="http://clipmarks.com/clip-to-blog/" title="clipmarks' clip-to-blog"><img src="http://content.clipmarks.com/blog_icon/ad28ca8e-bae9-4dad-85ed-07728fdced1c/A6C2AB8A-B3C0-49D0-88B6-5095F6BDD642/" alt="" width="19" height="19" border="0" style="vertical-align: middle; margin: 0px 4px; display: inline; border: none; float:none;" /></a>clipped from <a title="http://www.readwriteweb.com/images/2008-09-05-disturbance.gif" href="http://www.readwriteweb.com/images/2008-09-05-disturbance.gif" style="font-size: 11px;">www.readwriteweb.com</a></div><blockquote style="text-align: left; padding: 0px 8px; margin: 4px 0px 8px 0px; background: transparent; border: none;" cite="http://www.readwriteweb.com/images/2008-09-05-disturbance.gif"><div align="center"><img src="http://content8.clipmarks.com/blog_cache/www.readwriteweb.com/img/411A3588-4082-496D-A3F9-88E530A725A9" alt="http://www.readwriteweb.com/images/2008-09-05-disturbance.gif" /></div></blockquote></div></td></tr></table> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14328496794563082229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2161135500174117467.post-8769725638508885212008-09-07T12:28:00.001-03:002008-09-07T12:28:19.561-03:00Rocket Scateboard????<div > Some people are not just funny ..... they are crazy!!!! </div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 12px 0px; font-family: arial; color: #333333; background: #ffffff; border: solid 4px #e5e5e5; width: 100%; clear: left;"><tr><td valign="top"><!-- BEGIN_CLIP_CONTENT ID:79891B64-EBED-4B9E-B73F-42DACEB07A41:0 CLIPMARKS.COM --><div class="CM_CTB_Content_Wrap" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;background-color: #ffffff;"><div style="border-bottom: solid 1px #dcdcdc; white-space: nowrap; margin-bottom: 8px; background-color: #eeeeee ;background-image: url(http://clipmarks.com/images/source-bg.gif); background-repeat: repeat-x; height: 24px; line-height: 24px; vertical-align: middle; padding-bottom: 4px; color: #666666; font-size: 10px;" ><a href="http://clipmarks.com/clip-to-blog/" title="clipmarks' clip-to-blog"><img src="http://content.clipmarks.com/blog_icon/765ff8bf-4577-468a-a692-919aee52acdf/79891B64-EBED-4B9E-B73F-42DACEB07A41/" alt="" width="19" height="19" border="0" style="vertical-align: middle; margin: 0px 4px; display: inline; border: none; float:none;" /></a>clipped from <a title="http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSL336567920080903?feedType=RSS&feedName=oddlyEnoughNews&rpc=69" href="http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSL336567920080903?feedType=RSS&feedName=oddlyEnoughNews&rpc=69" style="font-size: 11px;">www.reuters.com</a></div><blockquote style="text-align: left; padding: 0px 8px; margin: 4px 0px 8px 0px; background: transparent; border: none;" cite="http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSL336567920080903?feedType=RSS&feedName=oddlyEnoughNews&rpc=69"><H1>Police hunt high-speed skateboard outlaw</H1></blockquote><div style="height: 2px; font-size: 2px; background: #dcdcdc; border-bottom: solid 1px #f5f5f5; margin: 2px 4px;"></div><blockquote style="text-align: left; padding: 0px 8px; margin: 4px 0px 8px 0px; background: transparent; border: none;" cite="http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSL336567920080903?feedType=RSS&feedName=oddlyEnoughNews&rpc=69"><P>By Josie Cox<SPAN id="midArticle_byline"></SPAN></P></blockquote><div style="height: 2px; font-size: 2px; background: #dcdcdc; border-bottom: solid 1px #f5f5f5; margin: 2px 4px;"></div><blockquote style="text-align: left; padding: 0px 8px; margin: 4px 0px 8px 0px; background: transparent; border: none;" cite="http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSL336567920080903?feedType=RSS&feedName=oddlyEnoughNews&rpc=69"><P>BERLIN (Reuters) - Police are trying to track down a man filmed riding a skateboard down a steep stretch of south German motorway at 100 km an hour (62 mph), far above the speed limit.</P></blockquote><div style="height: 2px; font-size: 2px; background: #dcdcdc; border-bottom: solid 1px #f5f5f5; margin: 2px 4px;"></div><blockquote style="text-align: left; padding: 0px 8px; margin: 4px 0px 8px 0px; background: transparent; border: none;" cite="http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSL336567920080903?feedType=RSS&feedName=oddlyEnoughNews&rpc=69"><P>They believe the man who raced down the Ulm-Stuttgart motorway for three km (two miles) before he stopped and fled was a professional stuntman, Goeppingen police spokesman Uli Stoeckle said.</P></blockquote><div style="height: 2px; font-size: 2px; background: #dcdcdc; border-bottom: solid 1px #f5f5f5; margin: 2px 4px;"></div><blockquote style="text-align: left; padding: 0px 8px; margin: 4px 0px 8px 0px; background: transparent; border: none;" cite="http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSL336567920080903?feedType=RSS&feedName=oddlyEnoughNews&rpc=69"><P>A video of the skateboarder, broadcast on German television networks on Wednesday, showed a helmeted figure wearing a red and white protective suit building up speed by holding onto the back of a motorcycle before letting go and freewheeling.</P></blockquote><div style="height: 2px; font-size: 2px; background: #dcdcdc; border-bottom: solid 1px #f5f5f5; margin: 2px 4px;"></div><blockquote style="text-align: left; padding: 0px 8px; margin: 4px 0px 8px 0px; background: transparent; border: none;" cite="http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSL336567920080903?feedType=RSS&feedName=oddlyEnoughNews&rpc=69"><P>"We put out an all-points bulletin and have received information that gives us useful clues to who the man may be," Stoeckle said. "We are particularly concerned about copycats who may imitate the stunt, putting their lives at risk."</P></blockquote></div></td></tr></table> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14328496794563082229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2161135500174117467.post-51427653393832260672008-09-04T19:21:00.001-03:002008-09-04T19:21:59.453-03:00Every once in a while.... the get cought!!!<div > </div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 12px 0px; font-family: arial; color: #333333; background: #ffffff; border: solid 4px #e5e5e5; width: 100%; clear: left;"><tr><td valign="top"><!-- BEGIN_CLIP_CONTENT ID:7AFC256C-136A-4F0D-80B4-1B4620122A56:0 CLIPMARKS.COM --><div class="CM_CTB_Content_Wrap" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;background-color: #ffffff;"><div style="border-bottom: solid 1px #dcdcdc; white-space: nowrap; margin-bottom: 8px; background-color: #eeeeee ;background-image: url(http://clipmarks.com/images/source-bg.gif); background-repeat: repeat-x; height: 24px; line-height: 24px; vertical-align: middle; padding-bottom: 4px; color: #666666; font-size: 10px;" ><a href="http://clipmarks.com/clip-to-blog/" title="clipmarks' clip-to-blog"><img src="http://content.clipmarks.com/blog_icon/3bf8d736-82cd-4b22-a399-03494745ca19/7AFC256C-136A-4F0D-80B4-1B4620122A56/" alt="" width="19" height="19" border="0" style="vertical-align: middle; margin: 0px 4px; display: inline; border: none; float:none;" /></a>clipped from <a title="http://www.cbc.ca/canada/calgary/story/2008/09/04/fraud.html?ref=rss" href="http://www.cbc.ca/canada/calgary/story/2008/09/04/fraud.html?ref=rss" style="font-size: 11px;">www.cbc.ca</a></div><blockquote style="text-align: left; padding: 0px 8px; margin: 4px 0px 8px 0px; background: transparent; border: none;" cite="http://www.cbc.ca/canada/calgary/story/2008/09/04/fraud.html?ref=rss"><H1 class="headline">4 arrested in $1.8M defrauding of Calgary company</H1></blockquote><div style="height: 2px; font-size: 2px; background: #dcdcdc; border-bottom: solid 1px #f5f5f5; margin: 2px 4px;"></div><blockquote style="text-align: left; padding: 0px 8px; margin: 4px 0px 8px 0px; background: transparent; border: none;" cite="http://www.cbc.ca/canada/calgary/story/2008/09/04/fraud.html?ref=rss"><EM>Last Updated: <br />Thursday, September 4, 2008 | 2:09 PM MT<br /></EM></blockquote><div style="height: 2px; font-size: 2px; background: #dcdcdc; border-bottom: solid 1px #f5f5f5; margin: 2px 4px;"></div><blockquote style="text-align: left; padding: 0px 8px; margin: 4px 0px 8px 0px; background: transparent; border: none;" cite="http://www.cbc.ca/canada/calgary/story/2008/09/04/fraud.html?ref=rss"><P>Calgary police say they have arrested members of an organized crime group from Montreal accused of defrauding a Calgary business of $1.8 million.</P></blockquote><div style="height: 2px; font-size: 2px; background: #dcdcdc; border-bottom: solid 1px #f5f5f5; margin: 2px 4px;"></div><blockquote style="text-align: left; padding: 0px 8px; margin: 4px 0px 8px 0px; background: transparent; border: none;" cite="http://www.cbc.ca/canada/calgary/story/2008/09/04/fraud.html?ref=rss"><P>Officers with the commercial crime unit said Thursday that the four men — charged with fraud — hacked into a database and falsely inflated the value of debit cards.</P></blockquote><div style="height: 2px; font-size: 2px; background: #dcdcdc; border-bottom: solid 1px #f5f5f5; margin: 2px 4px;"></div><blockquote style="text-align: left; padding: 0px 8px; margin: 4px 0px 8px 0px; background: transparent; border: none;" cite="http://www.cbc.ca/canada/calgary/story/2008/09/04/fraud.html?ref=rss"><P>Police said the accused made cash withdrawals on the cards at several ATMs throughout Canada and in a number of other unnamed countries. Most of the Canadian withdrawals happened in Montreal.</P></blockquote><div style="height: 2px; font-size: 2px; background: #dcdcdc; border-bottom: solid 1px #f5f5f5; margin: 2px 4px;"></div><blockquote style="text-align: left; padding: 0px 8px; margin: 4px 0px 8px 0px; background: transparent; border: none;" cite="http://www.cbc.ca/canada/calgary/story/2008/09/04/fraud.html?ref=rss"><P>All four were arrested in Montreal and transported to Calgary on Tuesday.</P></blockquote><div style="height: 2px; font-size: 2px; background: #dcdcdc; border-bottom: solid 1px #f5f5f5; margin: 2px 4px;"></div><blockquote style="text-align: left; padding: 0px 8px; margin: 4px 0px 8px 0px; background: transparent; border: none;" cite="http://www.cbc.ca/canada/calgary/story/2008/09/04/fraud.html?ref=rss"><P>The seven-month investigation was a joint effort of police from Montreal, Vancouver and the United States Secret Service.</P></blockquote><div style="height: 2px; font-size: 2px; background: #dcdcdc; border-bottom: solid 1px #f5f5f5; margin: 2px 4px;"></div><blockquote style="text-align: left; padding: 0px 8px; margin: 4px 0px 8px 0px; background: transparent; border: none;" cite="http://www.cbc.ca/canada/calgary/story/2008/09/04/fraud.html?ref=rss"><P>Calgary police are expected to release more details later Thursday.</P></blockquote></div></td></tr></table> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14328496794563082229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2161135500174117467.post-19565863654588383242008-09-03T21:40:00.001-03:002008-09-03T21:40:31.005-03:00Too much information required...<div > Finally there is a limit to the amount of personal information that can be required by retailers when completing a transaction..... need to know only.... </div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 12px 0px; font-family: arial; color: #333333; background: #ffffff; border: solid 4px #e5e5e5; width: 100%; clear: left;"><tr><td valign="top"><!-- BEGIN_CLIP_CONTENT ID:4F5A257B-26DB-4901-BE24-C6C860986B0F:0 CLIPMARKS.COM --><div class="CM_CTB_Content_Wrap" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;background-color: #ffffff;"><div style="border-bottom: solid 1px #dcdcdc; white-space: nowrap; margin-bottom: 8px; background-color: #eeeeee ;background-image: url(http://clipmarks.com/images/source-bg.gif); background-repeat: repeat-x; height: 24px; line-height: 24px; vertical-align: middle; padding-bottom: 4px; color: #666666; font-size: 10px;" ><a href="http://clipmarks.com/clip-to-blog/" title="clipmarks' clip-to-blog"><img src="http://content.clipmarks.com/blog_icon/b5c97b9a-21a3-4c94-b5fb-afb2748ef73d/4F5A257B-26DB-4901-BE24-C6C860986B0F/" alt="" width="19" height="19" border="0" style="vertical-align: middle; margin: 0px 4px; display: inline; border: none; float:none;" /></a>clipped from <a title="http://www.cbc.ca/canada/edmonton/story/2008/09/03/edm-leons.html?ref=rss" href="http://www.cbc.ca/canada/edmonton/story/2008/09/03/edm-leons.html?ref=rss" style="font-size: 11px;">www.cbc.ca</a></div><blockquote style="text-align: left; padding: 0px 8px; margin: 4px 0px 8px 0px; background: transparent; border: none;" cite="http://www.cbc.ca/canada/edmonton/story/2008/09/03/edm-leons.html?ref=rss"><DIV id="storyhead"><br /><H1 class="headline">Furniture chain ordered to stop collecting driver info</H1><br /><H4 class="lastupdated clearfix"><EM>Last Updated: <br />Wednesday, September 3, 2008 | 1:04 PM MT<br /></EM><SPAN id="socialhead" class="d-inline"><A href="#socialcomments">Comments<EM class="cmt">15</EM></A><A title="Recommend this story" href="#">Recommend<EM class="rec">27</EM></A></SPAN></H4><br /><H5 class="byline"><br /><A href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/credit.html">CBC News</A><br /></H5><br /></DIV></blockquote><div style="height: 2px; font-size: 2px; background: #dcdcdc; border-bottom: solid 1px #f5f5f5; margin: 2px 4px;"></div><blockquote style="text-align: left; padding: 0px 8px; margin: 4px 0px 8px 0px; background: transparent; border: none;" cite="http://www.cbc.ca/canada/edmonton/story/2008/09/03/edm-leons.html?ref=rss"><P>A national furniture chain is no longer allowed to collect numbers from driver's licences and licence plates when customers pick up merchandise at its stores in Alberta, according to a ruling released Wednesday by the province's information and privacy commissioner.</P></blockquote><div style="height: 2px; font-size: 2px; background: #dcdcdc; border-bottom: solid 1px #f5f5f5; margin: 2px 4px;"></div><blockquote style="text-align: left; padding: 0px 8px; margin: 4px 0px 8px 0px; background: transparent; border: none;" cite="http://www.cbc.ca/canada/edmonton/story/2008/09/03/edm-leons.html?ref=rss"><P>Leon's Furniture has also been ordered to destroy driver's licence and plate information it has collected from other customers for the same reason.</P></blockquote><div style="height: 2px; font-size: 2px; background: #dcdcdc; border-bottom: solid 1px #f5f5f5; margin: 2px 4px;"></div><blockquote style="text-align: left; padding: 0px 8px; margin: 4px 0px 8px 0px; background: transparent; border: none;" cite="http://www.cbc.ca/canada/edmonton/story/2008/09/03/edm-leons.html?ref=rss"><P>The ruling stems from a complaint by a woman who went to a Leon's Furniture store in Calgary to pick up furniture for her daughter in January 2007.</P></blockquote><div style="height: 2px; font-size: 2px; background: #dcdcdc; border-bottom: solid 1px #f5f5f5; margin: 2px 4px;"></div><blockquote style="text-align: left; padding: 0px 8px; margin: 4px 0px 8px 0px; background: transparent; border: none;" cite="http://www.cbc.ca/canada/edmonton/story/2008/09/03/edm-leons.html?ref=rss"><P>The daughter had ordered the furniture, and paid deposit the previous month. At the time of purchase, the younger woman indicated her mother would be picking up the item when it arrived.</P></blockquote><div style="height: 2px; font-size: 2px; background: #dcdcdc; border-bottom: solid 1px #f5f5f5; margin: 2px 4px;"></div><blockquote style="text-align: left; padding: 0px 8px; margin: 4px 0px 8px 0px; background: transparent; border: none;" cite="http://www.cbc.ca/canada/edmonton/story/2008/09/03/edm-leons.html?ref=rss"><P>When the woman asked why she had to provide the information, she was told it was store policy.</P></blockquote></div></td></tr></table> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14328496794563082229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2161135500174117467.post-33483920737063171182008-08-30T17:05:00.001-03:002008-08-30T17:05:09.040-03:00The times they are a changing...<div > From this weeks Time web site... </div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 12px 0px; font-family: arial; color: #333333; background: #ffffff; border: solid 4px #e5e5e5; width: 100%; clear: left;"><tr><td valign="top"><!-- BEGIN_CLIP_CONTENT ID:73FA3668-5A33-4BE3-8B1F-19C0AED8ED4A:0 CLIPMARKS.COM --><div class="CM_CTB_Content_Wrap" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;background-color: #ffffff;"><div style="border-bottom: solid 1px #dcdcdc; white-space: nowrap; margin-bottom: 8px; background-color: #eeeeee ;background-image: url(http://clipmarks.com/images/source-bg.gif); background-repeat: repeat-x; height: 24px; line-height: 24px; vertical-align: middle; padding-bottom: 4px; color: #666666; font-size: 10px;" ><a href="http://clipmarks.com/clip-to-blog/" title="clipmarks' clip-to-blog"><img src="http://content.clipmarks.com/blog_icon/747812f3-58d2-4fff-8139-1dda30d9fcd3/73FA3668-5A33-4BE3-8B1F-19C0AED8ED4A/" alt="" width="19" height="19" border="0" style="vertical-align: middle; margin: 0px 4px; display: inline; border: none; float:none;" /></a>clipped from <a title="http://www.time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,1837470,00.html" href="http://www.time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,1837470,00.html" style="font-size: 11px;">www.time.com</a></div><blockquote style="text-align: left; padding: 0px 8px; margin: 4px 0px 8px 0px; background: transparent; border: none;" cite="http://www.time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,1837470,00.html"><H1>GPS Helps Prosecute Criminals<br /></H1></blockquote><div style="height: 2px; font-size: 2px; background: #dcdcdc; border-bottom: solid 1px #f5f5f5; margin: 2px 4px;"></div><blockquote style="text-align: left; padding: 0px 8px; margin: 4px 0px 8px 0px; background: transparent; border: none;" cite="http://www.time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,1837470,00.html"><DIV class="byline"><SPAN class="timeStamp">Friday, Aug. 29, 2008</SPAN> <br />By <SPAN><A href="javascript:alert('This link contains javascript. Please visit the clip source to follow this link.');" target="_self">AP/MITCH STACY</A></SPAN><br /> </DIV></blockquote><div style="height: 2px; font-size: 2px; background: #dcdcdc; border-bottom: solid 1px #f5f5f5; margin: 2px 4px;"></div><blockquote style="text-align: left; padding: 0px 8px; margin: 4px 0px 8px 0px; background: transparent; border: none;" cite="http://www.time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,1837470,00.html"><div align="center"><img src="http://content8.clipmarks.com/blog_cache/www.time.com/img/952CEEE6-3930-43CF-8619-2EEE2C0F7A95" alt="" /></div></blockquote><div style="height: 2px; font-size: 2px; background: #dcdcdc; border-bottom: solid 1px #f5f5f5; margin: 2px 4px;"></div><blockquote style="text-align: left; padding: 0px 8px; margin: 4px 0px 8px 0px; background: transparent; border: none;" cite="http://www.time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,1837470,00.html"><DIV class="caption">Garmin GPS units, similar to this one can be used in court cases to pinpoint for jurors the places defendants have bee</DIV></blockquote><div style="height: 2px; font-size: 2px; background: #dcdcdc; border-bottom: solid 1px #f5f5f5; margin: 2px 4px;"></div><blockquote style="text-align: left; padding: 0px 8px; margin: 4px 0px 8px 0px; background: transparent; border: none;" cite="http://www.time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,1837470,00.html"><DIV class="credits">Chris O'Meara / AP</DIV></blockquote><div style="height: 2px; font-size: 2px; background: #dcdcdc; border-bottom: solid 1px #f5f5f5; margin: 2px 4px;"></div><blockquote style="text-align: left; padding: 0px 8px; margin: 4px 0px 8px 0px; background: transparent; border: none;" cite="http://www.time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,1837470,00.html"><P><br />Like millions of motorists, Eric Hanson used a GPS unit in his Chevrolet TrailBlazer to find his way around. He probably didn't expect that prosecutors would eventually use it too — to help convict him of killing four family members.</P></blockquote><div style="height: 2px; font-size: 2px; background: #dcdcdc; border-bottom: solid 1px #f5f5f5; margin: 2px 4px;"></div><blockquote style="text-align: left; padding: 0px 8px; margin: 4px 0px 8px 0px; background: transparent; border: none;" cite="http://www.time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,1837470,00.html"><P>Prosecutors in suburban Chicago analyzed data from the Garmin GPS device to pinpoint where Hanson had been on the morning after his parents were fatally shot and his sister and brother-in-law bludgeoned to death in 2005. He was convicted of the killings earlier this year and sentenced to death.</P></blockquote><div style="height: 2px; font-size: 2px; background: #dcdcdc; border-bottom: solid 1px #f5f5f5; margin: 2px 4px;"></div><blockquote style="text-align: left; padding: 0px 8px; margin: 4px 0px 8px 0px; background: transparent; border: none;" cite="http://www.time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,1837470,00.html">Hanson's trial was among recent criminal cases around the country in which authorities used GPS navigation devices to help establish a defendant's whereabouts.</blockquote></div></td></tr></table> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14328496794563082229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2161135500174117467.post-34688623269686392622008-07-08T17:28:00.002-03:002008-07-08T17:37:05.084-03:00Ferrari to build a Hybrid????<div> Always at the leading edge of automobile design & development the king of the world has seen the light and accepted that the future for auto enthusiasts may well be a hybrid ... at least if they can successfully package a 'new' hybrid ... you know it will be powerful and FAST!!! </div><table style="border: 4px solid rgb(229, 229, 229); margin: 12px 0px; background: rgb(255, 255, 255) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; font-family: arial; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; width: 100%; clear: left;" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td valign="top"><!-- BEGIN_CLIP_CONTENT ID:3ADE8075-1612-4DEA-BE6F-68E9059674C6:0 CLIPMARKS.COM --><div class="CM_CTB_Content_Wrap" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><div style="border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(220, 220, 220); white-space: nowrap; margin-bottom: 8px; background-color: rgb(238, 238, 238); background-image: url(http://clipmarks.com/images/source-bg.gif); background-repeat: repeat-x; height: 24px; line-height: 24px; vertical-align: middle; padding-bottom: 4px; color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-size: 10px;"><a href="http://clipmarks.com/clip-to-blog/" title="clipmarks' clip-to-blog"><img src="http://content.clipmarks.com/blog_icon/16188ca5-4ddd-4ba9-8332-ea48e42a3e0c/3ADE8075-1612-4DEA-BE6F-68E9059674C6/" alt="" style="border: medium none ; margin: 0px 4px; vertical-align: middle; display: inline; float: none;" width="19" border="0" height="19" /></a>clipped from <a title="http://devicedaily.com/environment/ferrari-planning-to-build-a-hybrid-sportscar.html" href="http://devicedaily.com/environment/ferrari-planning-to-build-a-hybrid-sportscar.html" style="font-size: 11px;">devicedaily.com</a></div><blockquote style="border: medium none ; margin: 4px 0px 8px; padding: 0px 8px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; text-align: left; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" cite="http://devicedaily.com/environment/ferrari-planning-to-build-a-hybrid-sportscar.html"><div align="center"><img src="http://content9.clipmarks.com/blog_cache/devicedaily.com/img/FA8ADBE7-E8CE-4057-93A2-9E7E164B18AE" alt="Hybrid Ferrari F430" /></div></blockquote><div style="border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(245, 245, 245); margin: 2px 4px; background: rgb(220, 220, 220) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; height: 2px; font-size: 2px; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"></div><blockquote style="border: medium none ; margin: 4px 0px 8px; padding: 0px 8px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; text-align: left; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" cite="http://devicedaily.com/environment/ferrari-planning-to-build-a-hybrid-sportscar.html"><p class="posted_on">Posted on 08 July 2008 </p></blockquote><div style="border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(245, 245, 245); margin: 2px 4px; background: rgb(220, 220, 220) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; height: 2px; font-size: 2px; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"></div><blockquote style="border: medium none ; margin: 4px 0px 8px; padding: 0px 8px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; text-align: left; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" cite="http://devicedaily.com/environment/ferrari-planning-to-build-a-hybrid-sportscar.html"><h2><a rel="bookmark" href="http://devicedaily.com/environment/ferrari-planning-to-build-a-hybrid-sportscar.html" title="Permanent Link to Ferrari Planning To Build A Hybrid Sportscar">Ferrari Planning To Build A Hybrid Sportscar</a></h2></blockquote><div style="border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(245, 245, 245); margin: 2px 4px; background: rgb(220, 220, 220) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; height: 2px; font-size: 2px; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"></div><blockquote style="border: medium none ; margin: 4px 0px 8px; padding: 0px 8px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; text-align: left; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" cite="http://devicedaily.com/environment/ferrari-planning-to-build-a-hybrid-sportscar.html"><p>I think that there is no need in reminding you that greenhouse gases are affecting the air which is more and more polluted. Due to this problem, car manufacturers are forced to design greener cars that will not have negative impacts on the environment.</p></blockquote><div style="border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(245, 245, 245); margin: 2px 4px; background: rgb(220, 220, 220) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; height: 2px; font-size: 2px; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"></div><blockquote style="border: medium none ; margin: 4px 0px 8px; padding: 0px 8px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; text-align: left; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" cite="http://devicedaily.com/environment/ferrari-planning-to-build-a-hybrid-sportscar.html"><p>We all know what Toyota managed to do as the Prius is the most renowned hybrid-car in the world. A while ago, the European Council came up with a new rule which will lead the automakers to manufacture cars with an 130g/km limit of the CO2 levels by 2012. This ruling would ruin the business of supercar manufacturers like Ferrari or Lamborghini.</p></blockquote><div style="border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(245, 245, 245); margin: 2px 4px; background: rgb(220, 220, 220) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; height: 2px; font-size: 2px; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"></div><blockquote style="border: medium none ; margin: 4px 0px 8px; padding: 0px 8px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; text-align: left; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" cite="http://devicedaily.com/environment/ferrari-planning-to-build-a-hybrid-sportscar.html"><p>In a recent interview with German newspaper <em>Welt am Sonntag</em>, Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo said that they are planning to reduce CO2 levels by 40% before 2012. They will make it possible thanks to a new hybrid technology and Ferrari might build cars powered by turbocharged V6 engines which are smaller and more fuel-efficient.</p></blockquote></div></td></tr></tbody></table>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14328496794563082229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2161135500174117467.post-91485005779217310852008-06-16T18:50:00.001-03:002008-06-16T18:50:10.187-03:00Plug-In Hybrid Leads Toyota's Drive Beyond Oil<h3><a href="http://blog.wired.com/cars/2008/06/plug-in-hybrid.html" target="_blank"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="79" alt="wired_blog_logo" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/lcmuise/SFbgECEOIMI/AAAAAAAAAU4/eThJePEDnl0/wired_blog_logo%5B4%5D.gif?imgmax=800" width="240" border="0" /></a> </h3> <h3>By Chuck Squatriglia  June 11, 2008 | 5:59:37 PMCategories:  <a href="http://blog.wired.com/cars/hybrids/index.html">Hybrids</a></h3> <p><a href="http://blog.wired.com/.shared/image.html?/photos/uncategorized/2008/06/11/plugin_prius01.jpg"><img title="Plugin_prius01" height="433" alt="Plugin_prius01" src="http://blog.wired.com/cars/images/2008/06/11/plugin_prius01.jpg" width="650" border="0" /></a></p> <p>Toyota, rightly or wrongly, is widely considered the greenest automaker, and the company hopes to solidify its hold on the title and move beyond oil through a sweeping plan to produce cleaner, more efficient cars -- beginning with a plug-in hybrid it will produce by 2010. </p> <p>It's no secret Toyota's been <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/14/business/14plug.html?ref=automobiles">working on a plug-in hybrid<img src="http://i.ixnp.com/images/v3.34.0.1/t.gif" /></a> to compete against <a href="http://blog.wired.com/cars/2008/06/bob-lutz-drives.html">the forthcoming Chevrolet Volt</a>, but Wednesday's announcement sets a firm deadline and makes it clear Toyota has no plans of <a href="http://blog.wired.com/cars/2007/11/gm-were-going-g.html">ceding the green mantle to General Motors</a>. It also underscores how quickly <a href="http://blog.wired.com/cars/2008/05/renault-will-br.html">the race to build a viable mass-market electric car</a> is heating up.</p> <p>The company's <a href="http://www.toyota.co.jp/en/news/08/0611.html">ambitious "low-carbon" agenda<img src="http://i.ixnp.com/images/v3.34.0.1/t.gif" /></a> includes cranking out 1 million hybrids a year and eventually offering hybrid versions of every model it sells. In the short-term, Toyota says it will produce more fuel efficient gasoline and diesel engines and push alternative fuels like cellulosic ethanol and biodiesel. It's also pumping big money into lithium-ion batteries. With fuel prices <a href="http://www.fuelgaugereport.com/">going through the roof<img src="http://i.ixnp.com/images/v3.34.0.1/t.gif" /></a> and auto sales <a href="http://money.cnn.com/2008/06/03/news/companies/autosales/?postversion=2008060314">going through the floor<img src="http://i.ixnp.com/images/v3.34.0.1/t.gif" /></a> because of it, Toyota president Katsuaki Watanabe says the auto industry has no choice but to move beyond petroleum.</p> <p>"Without focusing on measures to address global warming and energy issues, there can be no future for our auto business," he told reporters in Tokyo, adding, "Our view is that oil production will peak in the near future. We need to develop power train(s) for alternative energy sources."</p> <p><a></a></p> <p>Watanabe's reference to peak oil echoes that of GM CEO Rick Wagoner, who in explaining the company's decision to <a href="http://blog.wired.com/cars/2008/06/gm-finally-real.html">shut down four truck factories</a> said rising fuel prices and mounting demand for efficient cars are "structural, not cyclical." In other words, the two biggest automakers in the world realize <a href="http://blog.wired.com/cars/2007/11/the-end-of-oil.html">petroleum's days are numbered</a>.</p> <p>That's not to say the wells will run dry anytime soon or the bulk of Toyota's cars won't rely upon internal combustion for many years to come. "People often ask us whether the vehicles of the future will be hybrid vehicles or clean diesel cars or electric vehicles," Watanabe said. "Our answer is that it will not be one technology because energy situations vary from one market to another."</p> <p>Still, Toyota is betting heavily on batteries to increasingly augment gasoline. The world's leading producer of hybrids -- worldwide sales of the Prius <a href="http://blog.wired.com/cars/2008/05/prius-sales-top.html">recently topped 1 million</a>, 10 years after its introduction -- wants to stay there by producing that many hybrids <em>each year</em> "as early in the 2010s as possible." Looking further into the future, Watanabe says Toyota will introduce hybrid versions of every car in its line-up sometime between 2020 and 2029.</p> <p>Reaching those goals will require bringing down the cost of lithium-ion batteries, which currently cost $1,000 per kilowatt hour, according to Tom Turrentine of the <a href="http://phev.its.ucdavis.edu/">Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle Research Center<img src="http://i.ixnp.com/images/v3.34.0.1/t.gif" /></a> at UC-Davis.</p> <p>Toyota is joining longtime battery partner Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. in launching a program to develop batteries it says will outperform lithium-ion batteries. It's assigning 50 engineers to the project, <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssConsumerGoodsAndRetailNews/idUST29132620080611">according to Reuters<img src="http://i.ixnp.com/images/v3.34.0.1/t.gif" /></a>, and plans to begin producing batteries next year. Full production is slated for 2010, although Toyota isn't saying how many it might build. It also plans to continue building the nickel-metal hydride batteries it currently uses in hybrids.</p> <p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/29/next-gen-prius-coming-in-january-with-more-power-efficiency/">The third-generation Prius<img src="http://i.ixnp.com/images/v3.34.0.1/t.gif" /></a>, due next year, will use NiMH batteries. The plug-in hybrid coming in 2010 will use lithium-ion batteries and will "be geared toward fleet customers in Japan, (the) United States and Europe," the company said. There's no word on when it might be offered to the rest of us, but Toyota promises to "accelerate development of small electric vehicles for mass production." </p> <p>Toyota isn't giving up on internal combustion, though. It's already revamping its engines to make them more efficient, developing 1.3- and 2.5-liter engines that will propel much of its line-up by 2010. The smaller of the two is fitted with a start-stop system to maximize fuel economy. Toyota also plans to roll out a six-speed manual transmission this fall. It's also working with outside partners to develop cellulosic ethanol from yeast and diesel fuel from biomass. And, like <a href="http://www.fuelcellpartnership.org/about_members.html">everyone else in the industry<img src="http://i.ixnp.com/images/v3.34.0.1/t.gif" /></a>, Toyota pushing hydrogen and <a href="http://blog.wired.com/cars/2008/06/516-mile-range.html">its FCHV-adv fuel-cell vehicle</a>.</p> <p><em>Photo: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/54493249@N00/2244131196/">Flickr user unumediastudio<img src="http://i.ixnp.com/images/v3.34.0.1/t.gif" /></a></em>.</p> <p><a href="http://digg.com/submit?url=http://blog.wired.com/cars/2008/06/plug-in-hybrid.html&title=Plug-In%20Hybrid%20Leads%20Toyota%27s%20Drive%20Beyond%20Oil"></a><a href="http://buzz.yahoo.com/article/wired/http%253A%252F%252Fblog.wired.com%252Fcars%252F2008%252F06%252Fplug-in-hybrid.html">Yahoo! Buzz</a> <a href="http://www.stumbleupon.com/submit?url=http://blog.wired.com/cars/2008/06/plug-in-hybrid.html&title=Plug-In%20Hybrid%20Leads%20Toyota%27s%20Drive%20Beyond%20Oil"><img alt="add to StumbleUpon" src="http://www.wired.com/images/stumble.png" /></a> <p>Stumble</p> <p></p> ShareThis</p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14328496794563082229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2161135500174117467.post-42314340073265332642008-06-01T16:59:00.001-03:002008-06-01T16:59:44.930-03:00What lies beneath Crimp’s scripts?<p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/lcmuise/SEL_rav2mEI/AAAAAAAAAUo/eJB58L73hF8/s1600-h/ch-artslife%5B4%5D.gif"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin: 0px 5px 0px 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="45" alt="ch-artslife" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/lcmuise/SEL_r6v2mFI/AAAAAAAAAUw/RNzbFjqXVpA/ch-artslife_thumb%5B2%5D.gif?imgmax=800" width="240" align="left" border="0" /></a> Three actors from Angels and Heroes present three takes on dark comedies at Bus Stop Theatre <br />By ANDREA NEMETZ Entertainment Reporter sun. Jun 1 - 4:31 AM</p> <p><a href="http://www.thechronicleherald.ca/"> <br /><img title="Garry Williams, left, Ann Doyle and Stewart Legere perform in Fewer Emergencies, a series of three plays written by Martin Crimp. Richie Wilcox, Tara Patriquin and Tyler Foley each direct one of the dark comedies in the production, running Tuesday to June 8, at the Bus Stop Theatre, 2203 Gottingen St., Halifax. (Eric Wynne / Staff)</p>" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px" src="http://www.thechronicleherald.ca/photos/large/GREY_ew053008emergencies2_Provincial_06-01-08_898AOD5.jpg" align="right" border="0" /></a></p> <p>Garry Williams, left, Ann Doyle and Stewart Legere perform in Fewer Emergencies, a series of three plays written by Martin Crimp. Richie Wilcox, Tara Patriquin and Tyler Foley each direct one of the dark comedies in the production, running Tuesday to June 8, at the Bus Stop Theatre, 2203 Gottingen St., Halifax. (Eric Wynne / Staff)</p> <p><img height="5" src="http://www.thechronicleherald.ca/images/spacer.gif" width="10" /></p> <p>How much information is too much?</p> <p>In Fewer Emergencies, being staged by Angels and Heroes at the Bus Stop Theatre, 2203 Gottingen St., Halifax, Tuesday to Sunday, June 8, both oversharing and not sharing enough come in for scrutiny.</p> <p>Written by Martin Crimp, the series of three plays — Whole Blue Sky, Face to the Wall and Fewer Emergencies — were designed to be performed together, says Richie Wilcox, A&H co-founder.</p> <p>""They are 20 minutes each, but Martin Crimp packs a lot into a small script. You get more out of it than a three-hour play.""</p> <p>Wilcox, who has just finished up his master’s degree in theatre directing at Texas State University, directed Face to the Wall in Texas and loved it so much he sent the scripts back to Halifax.</p> <p>""(A&H) co-founder Tara Patriquin suggested we divvy them up as we have three talented directors in our company and we thought it would be interesting to see three different styles in one night.""</p> <p>The first piece, Whole Blue Sky directed by Wilcox, focuses on a failed marriage. The second, Face to the Wall directed by Tyler Foley, explores the questions surrounding a school-shooting massacre and the third, Fewer Emergencies directed by Patriquin, refers back to the family in Whole Blue Sky and focuses on their injured child. </p> <p>The plays feature performances by Ann Doyle, Stewart Legere and Garry Williams, founder of DaPoPo theatre.</p> <p>Legere, who starred in Antigone and Oh Dad, Poor Dad with A&H and Penny Dreadful with Zuppa Circus, for which he won a Merritt Award as Nova Scotia’s best supporting actor earlier this year, thinks working with the three directors is an awesome idea.</p> <p>He’s worked with both Wilcox and Foley as directors before and with Patriquin as an actor.</p> <p>""There was no way to say no,"" he says, over a late breakfast at Smith’s Bakery. ""With the limited time to put it together (two-and-a-half weeks) it’s a challenge. The commitment is huge, but exciting.""</p> <p>""The plays are very open, just text. At the first reading it seemed very absurd, and hard to place a throughline or plot. But as you go along, you can really see what each is about.</p> <p>""The plays are very character driven. Whole Blue Sky is about a woman and the difference between how her life looks and what really lies underneath the surface.</p> <p>""The second one deals with a school shooting in a very frank but not gratituous way. It’s graphic, but discusses the events from a distance.</p> <p>""Fewer Emergencies is the hardest, it’s a discussion about the state of the world and desensitization.""</p> <p>Legere says because of the pace, the production is constantly engaging.</p> <p>""It’s like how every song in a musical constantly advances the plot and character. Things are born and die within a little movement.""</p> <p>It is interesting to see the same three actors play different characters, says Wilcox, who suspects the audience will make connections.</p> <p>And he believes the writing is more important than the setting.</p> <p>""It will translate to anywhere, it could be done in thousands of ways. . . in the Oval Office, in a diner, on Parliament Hill.</p> <p>""At the centre of the scripts is the judgment of what society truly values presented in biting satire.</p> <p>""It is pretty much all dark humour. One of the clearest manifestations of what I consider the mandate of Angels and Heroes to be. It’s absolutely silly and absolutely sublime,"" agrees Legere.</p> <p>Wilcox, who will head to York University in Toronto this fall to take a PhD in theatre with a view to teaching and directing, says what sets Crimp’s scripts apart is that they are so theatrical.</p> <p>""So many scripts that you read today can be translated easily to film, but these, on every level are theatrical.""</p> <p>""They demand intensity. You need a clear idea from the actor and director or it falls apart,"" concurs Legere, who was also nominated for a Merritt for best supporting actor for Antigone (directed by Foley for Angels and Heroes).</p> <p>While each of the actors in Fewer Emergencies plays more than one character, each of the three plays has one featured actor.</p> <p>""I really have gotten to delve into my character in Face To the Wall,"" says Legere. ""He goes to some very dark places. We’ve all gone too far with something, or said something we might regret. This is a blown-up version of that and I can relate to it.</p> <p>""We have to consider what is private and how responsible we should be for sharing our minds."</p> <p>And while in Whole Blue Sky the audience finds out way too much information about the state of the woman’s marriage, in Fewer Emergencies the characters don’t say enough.</p> <p>""It’s the opposite of oversharing. They allow themselves to be silence and do do violence to themselves in the same way oversharing does violence to other people.""</p> <p>Tuesday is pay-what-you-can night. Wednesday to June 8 shows are 8 p.m. and June 8 there is a 2 p.m. matinee. There is no show Friday.</p> <p>Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the door or reserved in advance by calling 223-5371. </p> <p>( <a href="mailto:anemetz@herald.ca">anemetz@herald.ca</a>)</p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14328496794563082229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2161135500174117467.post-14957253179797821042008-05-27T10:11:00.001-03:002008-05-27T10:11:58.810-03:00Facebook To Open Source Facebook Platform<h3> <a href="http://techcrunch.com"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin: 0px 15px 0px 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="46" alt="techcrunch" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/lcmuise/SDwInSRNqSI/AAAAAAAAAUg/2mvTS0DV61M/techcrunch%5B5%5D.gif?imgmax=800" width="240" align="left" border="0" /></a> Michael Arrington </h3> <h6>  <a href="http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/26/facebook-to-open-source-facebook-platform/#comments">71 comments »</a></h6> <p><a href="http://www.crunchbase.com/company/facebook"><img src="http://www.techcrunch.com/wp-content/facebooklogo11.gif" align="right" /></a> </p> <p>Sometime soon, perhaps this week, Facebook will turn the <a href="http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/24/facebook-platform-one-year-later/">year-old Facebook Platform</a> into an open source project, multiple sources have told us. The immediate effect will be to allow any social network to become Facebook Platform compatible - meaning application developers can easily take their Facebook applications and have them run on those social networks, too. </p> <p><a href="http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/12/12/bebo-warmly-welcomes-facebook-developers-with-new-platform/">Bebo already licenses</a> the Facebook Platform, which allows third parties to make their Facebook applications work on Bebo, too. With the new announcement, social networks won’t need to go through the hassle of doing a deal with Facebook. They’ll simply map their existing APIs to Facebook Platform (which isn’t trivial) and go. Expect to see the four major technical <a href="http://developer.facebook.com/documentation.php">pieces<img src="http://i.ixnp.com/images/v3.31/t.gif" /></a> of Facebook Platform - FMBL (markup language), FQL (query language), FJS (Javascript library) and the Facebook API to be open sourced and made available to anyone. </p> <p>If they mirror the <a href="http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/30/details-revealed-google-opensocial-to-be-common-apis-for-building-social-apps/">Open Social</a> approach, third parties will be free to change the Facebook Platform components for their own use and deploy them on their own sites. To have those changes be incorporated into the official versions of Facebook Platform, however, would require Facebook’s approval. </p> <p>This is a nearly inevitable response to Open Social, which is backed by Google, MySpace and Yahoo. Open Social is also an open source platform, run the the <a href="http://www.opensocial.org">Open Social Foundation<img src="http://i.ixnp.com/images/v3.31/t.gif" /></a>. Facebook has been looking more and more <a href="http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/16/data-portability-its-the-new-walled-garden/">like a walled garden</a> of late, and they are being regularly <a href="http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/15/he-said-she-said-in-google-v-facebook/">out maneuvered</a> by competitors. Time to fight back. </p> <p><a>minimize</a> </p> <p><a href="http://www.crunchbase.com/">CrunchBase Information</a> </p> <p><a href="http://www.crunchbase.com/company/facebook">Facebook</a> </p> <p><a href="http://www.crunchbase.com/company/facebook"><img alt="Facebook image" src="http://www.crunchbase.com/assets/images/resized/0000/4552/4552v2-max-150x150.jpg" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>Website: <br /><a href="http://facebook.com">facebook.com</a> </p> <p>Location: <br />Palo Alto, California, United States </p> <p>Founded: <br />February 1, 2004 </p> <p>Funding: <br />$493M </p> <p>On February 4th, 2004 <a href="http://www.crunchbase.com/person/mark-zuckerberg">Mark Zuckerberg</a> launched The Facebook, a social network that was at the time exclusively for Harvard students. It was a huge hit, in 2 weeks, half of the student body… <a href="http://www.crunchbase.com/company/facebook">Learn More</a> </p> <p>Information provided by <a href="http://www.crunchbase.com/">CrunchBase</a> </p> <ul> <li><a href="http://www.sphere.com/search?q=sphereit:http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/26/facebook-to-open-source-facebook-platform/">Sphere It</a> </li> <li> <p><img height="16" alt="" src="http://s9.addthis.com/button1-share.gif" width="125" border="0" /></p> </li> <li><a href="http://buzz.yahoo.com/article/techcrunch508/http%253A%252F%252Fwww.techcrunch.com%252F2008%252F05%252F26%252Ffacebook-to-open-source-facebook-platform%252F">Buzz up!</a> </li> </ul> <div class="wlWriterSmartContent" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:9135e17e-e835-4268-b6c5-e5425a2974d3" style="padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-top: 0px">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/TechCrunch" rel="tag">TechCrunch</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Facebook" rel="tag">Facebook</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Open%20Source" rel="tag">Open Source</a></div> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14328496794563082229noreply@blogger.com0