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Saturday, March 9, 2013

Teacher Oral History Project to Document the Destructive Impact of School Reform

 Every day, I get emails and facebook messages from teachers around the country describing the demoralizing conditions they are working in as a result of the "School Reform" movement unleashed by No Child Left Behind and y Race to the Top-conditions which are forcing teachers to retire en masse, seek medical help, and lose the ability to inspire their students or give them individual attention.

  Since the press and commercial media have refused to tell this story, I suggest that teachers, with or without the help of university based scholars, start telling these stories themselves.  One way to do this is to start teacher oral history projects in which teachers, either under their own names, or using psudonyms, describe what has been happening to them individually, and to their students and colleagues. This way, education activists, policy makers and historians of the future will have a record of a collective tragedy whose full dimensions have never seen the light of day.

 It is one thing to show, as a Met Life Survey has, that teacher satisfaction has plunded to the lowest level on record, dropping 25 percent since Barack Obama took office,  it is another to describe in detail why this has taken place, and what the texture of teachers lives has been since policy makers have started evaluating schools and individual teachers on the basis of student test scores, closing failing schools, giving preference to charter schools, and deluging schools with tests, all in the context of a relentless attack on teachers  in the commercial media.

In many societies, story tell is a time honored way of building community, and giving people the courage to resist unjust conditions. It can play this role today.  It's time to start documenting the damage, as a way of building the resistance.

If you want to start such a project in your own town or school district, please contact me at I have experience in creating community based oral history projects (see and can give you some advice in how to get one started

1 comment:

Herculano Fecteau said...

As long as this is not the extent of our protest: to deliver these testimonies to the people like the pronouncement of a eulogy at a funeral for public education. There have at least been a few isolated but powerful examples of what teachers, public workers and citizens can do to begin to stem the tide -- the Wisconsin General Strike and State House Occupation, the Chicago Teachers Strike, the teachers, students and parents in Seattle, Colorado and Philadelphia who are mobilizing to resist standardized testing and school closings -- which should give us some hope to turn things around.

Furthermore, workers and other citizens in Portugal, Spain, Greece and Latin America are standing up, combatively, to oppose the dark future that the banks, corporations, generals and their servile politicians are attempting to fashion for humankind. Are we going to roll over and play dead, or are we going to fight?

Finally, we shouldn't be fighting a holding action to preserve just some of the gains we have made over the decades. We should start to be bold and demand more, not always just in the areas of compensation and social benefits, but in terms of control over the entire education process. To explore, for example, the prospect of demanding and establishing first schools, then entire school districts, be run, not by highly paid administrators and consultants in business suits (jackets and ties. pant suits or skirts) but by democratically established committees of teachers, students, parents and community members.

This should be a model to hold up, as well, for others among the public who are fed up, not just with the corporatization of education, but with the growing corporate and financial domination of civil society. We will only do this effectively by relying on our own power and resources -- protests, rallies, strikes, sick-outs, occupations, the establishment of action groups and committees and ultimately (without too long of a wait, because we haven't much time) our own political organization -- and by breaking the hegemony of Democratic politicians over the process of resistance.


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North-South All-Star Football Game

Thiel, PA (WKBN)-  Some of the best football players from PIAA Districts 9 and 10 competed in the 24th annual North-South All-Star Football Game Saturday. The third annual event was held at Thiel College’s Alumni Stadium.

The teams were made up of seniors from Erie, Warren, Crawford, and Venango counties for the North and Mercer and Lawrence counties for the South.

The South was able to walk away with the win 27-26, despite being out-gained by the North 442-318.

Greenville’s Matt Jones had a big game, throwing for 173 yards, completing 7-13 passes for 3 TD’s. The second one went to fellow Greenville senior Tyler Fattman from 18 yards out. Jones is going to the University of Mount Union to play baseball.

The South only trailed once the entire game, that was in the first quarter when the North’s Tyler Sanders took the option pitch from Zach Fox for the 6-0 lead.

Turnovers really hurt the North team, the South was able to force three interceptions.

Matt Jones was named MVP of the North’s offense, Josiah Bloise of Wilmington was the MVP of the defense who had two tackles.

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(Shaker Heights) - The unemployment rate is down to 6.7 percent -- the lowest level since October of 2008 -- but today's jobs report isn't a positive one.

The government says employers added just 74,000 jobs in December, the smallest number in three years, but admits the decline in the unemployment rate occurred partly because more Americans stopped looking for jobs.

Bonnie Dick of the Career Transition Center in Shaker Heights isn't impressed with the lower unemployment number of 6.7 percent. She doesn't believe the figure is an accurate reflection of the economy.

Dick says it may be true that the number fell because many of the unemployed have given up looking for work, but adds that a lot of job seekers don't know how to look. Adding that it takes more than searching help wanted listings online, you have to network and create relationships with potential employers.

Dick says the unemployment rate might be a lot lower if companies offered on the job training. She contends many good prospects are turned away because they don't meet every single qualification.

She maintains there are other barriers keeping the jobless index higher than it should be, like underfunded education programs, and discrimination against middle aged workers.

Dick also says it would help if more people really cared about the unemployed. She claims programs like hers that help people start new careers are severely underfunded.

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Want a perfect U.S. Open Champion? It’s Webb Simpson…

June 18, 2012 | Drew Forrester

No one really lost on Sunday at The Olympic Club.  Sure, Jim Furyk’s 15-handicap duck hook off the tee at 16 will always be looked at as the shot that turned the tide in Simpson’s favor.  But Furyk played terrific golf for four days, even if his final round was less than spectacular.  Graeme McDowell fought off a sluggish start to give himself a chance at a second U.S. Open title, but his bad miss on a 25-footer at 18 left him one shot shy of a playoff.  The guy with the worst feeling in his stomach on Sunday night had to be Lee Westwood, who was poised to finally break through and claim a major championship after a run of close calls since 2008.  Westwood never got it going on Sunday, driving his golf ball all over the lot and hacking and whacking his way to a 75.  Ernie Els had a chance on the back nine, but as has been the case for The Big Easy over the last half-dozen years, his putter betrayed him when he needed it most.

But Webb Simpson didn’t back in to the winner’s circle.

He played the back nine on Sunday without a bogey.

That’s how you win the U.S. Open.

Honestly, that’s how the USGA wants it.

Unlike a “regular” PGA Tour event where pars on the back nine on Sunday get you run over, that’s rarely the case on Father’s Day when the national golf championship is held.

Pars are good enough at the U.S. Open.

And Webb Simpson as your U.S. Open champion for 2012 is also very-much “good enough”.

He’s a helluva player and, somehow, a better person.

That’s the way it should be.


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Marshall Softball Comes Up Short

Sports - 2/25/2013 11:00 PM by Marshall Sports Information
GREENSBORO, N.C. – Marshall softball loses 4-3 to Drexel and defeats UNC Greensboro 4-3 on Monday, February 25, the last day of the Spartan Classic. The Herd goes home with a 3-2 weekend in Greensboro, N.C.

The Drexel Dragons and The Thundering Herd were scoreless through two innings.

Dragons’back-to-back singles put Maggy Fermo (2-for-4) and Sylvia Llamas (2-for-4) on base with one out in the top of the third. Marshall senior Andi Williamson forced Jessica O’Hara back to the dugout with a looking strikeout, but a wild pitch to Comfort Ahonkhai (2-for-3) allowed runners to advance. Ahonkhai ‘s single brought in the first run of the game, but another strikeout closed the top of the third with Drexel leading the Herd 1-0.

The Herd’s senior center fielder Ashley Gue (1-for-2) reached first on a walk with one out registered. Senior second baseman Bri Anna Hope (1-for-1) singled to second base, moving Gue into scoring position. Drexel’s Shelby Taylor rung up the second out of the inning, bringing the Herd’s junior outfielder Savanah Webster (1-for-4) up to the plate. Webster singled through the left side to load the bases, but a fly out would end the inning and leave three stranded on base.

The Herd's defense held off the Dragons with a 1-2-3 inning, bringing freshman outfielder Kaelynn Greene (1-for-2) up to the plate. Greene doubled to right center and stole third. Senior Jessica Ferrick reached base on a walk, but kept running to take second, while Greene took home to score one run for the Herd. Ferrick advanced to third on an error by the Dragons’ second baseman. Gue walked, but was caught stealing second for the third out of the inning, keeping the score tied 1-1.

In the top of the fifth, Drexel hit two back-to-back singles and a two-run double by Llamas to give the Dragons a 3-1 lead. Williamson rung up the Dragons’leadoff hitter Hanna Parrish and walked Ahonkhai. An Ellen Scott (1-for-3) single through the right side brought in Llamas, who had previosly advanced to third on a wild pitch. Freshman Katalin Lucas tagged Ahonkhai out at home plate for the third out of the inning, score 4-1.

Marshall’s second baseman, Hope, reached base on a walk to start the top of the fifth. A strike out and fly out to center brought Lucas (2-for-4) up to the plate with two outs on the scoreboard. Lucas slammed a two-run homer to center field, shrinking the Dragons’ lead 4-3. A strikeout would end the bottom of the fifth, but the Herd came back to the plate after shutting the Dragons down with a three-up, three-down sixth inning.

The Thundering Herd was unable to score again, leaving a total of eight runners stranded on base and having three errors. Marshall dropped 4-3 to the Dragons in the first game of the day.

A walk, UNCG error and wild pitch put Gue and Hope (1-for-4) on second and third with no outs to start the second game of the day for Marshall. Lucas hit a SAC bunt that allowed Gue to score and Hope to advance to third. The inning ended with a line out to third and fly out to center.

Marshall’s freshman pitcher Halie Vance allowed Spartans’ Aisha Figueroa (2-for-4) a single, but the Herd’s defense forced her out at second and allowed Danielle Vega to take first. A fly out to center field and strikeout left UNCG scoreless in the first.

Shaelynn Braxton (1-for-3) came up to the plate for the Thundering Herd and smashed a triple to the right-side fence, recording the first triple of the season. The Spartans’ right fielder’s throwing error allowed Braxton to immediately score and clear the bases for Alysia Hively (1-for-3). Hively kept Marshall alive with a solo-shot over the fence. UNCG brought in Nicole Thomas for starting pitcher Erica Navarette. Thomas was able to get the Spartans’ out of the inning, trailing Marshall by three 3-0.

A Marshall fielding error allowed Spartans’ Heather Robb (1-for-3) on base and a ground out to third base allowed her to advance. Tatiana Alcala singled to the pitcher and robbed Marshall of second base, but Vance and the Herd got out of the inning without allowing UNCG to score.

Hope homered to right center to start the third inning, stretching the lead to 4-0. The Spartans were able to send two back to the dugout. Alexandra Bayne (1-for-2) hit a two-out single to left field, but was left stranded.

Vance walked two and a Marshall fielding mistake loaded the bases with two outs on the board, bringing Robb to the plate for UNCG. Robb hit a three-run double to center field to put the Spartans behind The Herd by a run, 4-3. Williamson was brought in for Vance, and a pop up would end the third inning.

The Thundering Herd and Spartans sparred for four more innings, but the Herd came out on top with a 4-3 win.

It was the first time this season that Marshall hit three homers in a game, and it is the 15th time in Marshall’s history, last time was April 11 against Ohio. Gue has tied the third all-time record of 88 career stolen bases. She shares third place with assistant coach Amanda Williams.

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Sunday, December 23, 2007

Henry the VIIIth Must Be Spinning In His Grave

Henry VIII was the English King who, in 1534 broke from the Roman Catholic Church and, by the The Act of Supremacy, declared himself "the only Supreme Head in Earth of the Church of England," or, as it is better known, the Anglican Church. He took this act largely out of pique that the Pope would not grant him an annullment of his marriage to Catherine of Aragon, though it is likely that the chance to pad the Royal treasury with Church lands probably played no small role in the decision also. This set off a firestorm of events and violence that has reverberated through the centuries. Indeed, it is a measure of the lasting mortal enmity that developed out of this "English Reformation" that the English Bill of Rights of 1689, provided for those subjects "who are Protestants" to own weapons for their self defense (this is the precursor to our Second Amendment) and England's national holiday celbrates the torture and execution of Guy Fawkes, a papist who conspired with other Catholics to blow up Parliament in the Gunpowder Plot. And in a rather grisly reminder of that event, a book bound in the human skin of one of the plotters was recently auctioned in Britain. Update: Much more on the history associated with the English Reformation at Bookworm Room.

Yet you can call this week the revenge of the Pope. It has only taken about half a millenium. Just a few days ago, Britain's former Prime Minister, Tony Blair, converted to Roman Catholicism. And today, it has been revealed that the dominant Church in England is no longer the Anglican Church, but rather the Catholic Church. This from the Telegraph:

Britain has become a 'Catholic country'

. . . Roman Catholics have overtaken Anglicans as the country's dominant religious group. More people attend Mass every Sunday than worship with the Church of England, figures seen by The Sunday Telegraph show.

This means that the established Church has lost its place as the nation's most popular Christian denomination after more than four centuries of unrivalled influence following the Reformation.

Last night, leading figures gave warning that the Church of England could become a minority faith and that the findings should act as a wake-up call.

The statistics show that attendance at Anglican Sunday services has dropped by 20 per cent since 2000. A survey of 37,000 churches, to be published in the new year, shows the number of people going to Sunday Mass in England last year averaged 861,000, compared with 852,000 Anglicans worshipping.

The rise of Catholicism has been bolstered by an influx of immigrants from eastern Europe and Africa, who have packed the pews of Catholic parishes that had previously been dwindling.

. . . Worshipping habits have changed dramatically with a significant rise in attendance at mid-week services and at special occasions - the Church of England expects three million people to go to a parish church over Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

In an attempt to combat the declining interest in traditional religion, the Anglican Church has launched radical new forms of evangelism that include nightclub chaplains, a floating church on a barge and internet congregations.

. . . The Rt Rev Crispian Hollis, the Bishop of Portsmouth, said that the Roman Church had been active in trying to win back lapsed worshippers, but conceded that mass immigration had been a significant factor in swelling its numbers.

. . . "We don't want to be seen to be scoring points over the Anglican Church as we are in no way jealous of its position as the national church, but of course these figures are encouraging. It shows that the Church is no longer seen as on the fringes of society, but in fact is now at the heart of British life." . . .

Read the entire article here.

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I'll take ManhattanhengeWelcome, Wonkeratti, to another bizarre and disturbing Wonkette Sci-Blog. Have another dose of Soma and come on in!

Today and tomorrow there will be a unique astronomical event, visible only to the lucky residents and visitors of Manhattan Island in New York City, USA: “Manhattanhenge”!

Manhattan’s streets are laid out in a right angled grid pattern and twice each year, the setting sun is positioned at such an angle that it shines directly down the grid. Anyone who’s ever seen this phenomenon knows how awe inspiring it is to see the city illuminated like this.  For a town  so lit up at night that almost all other astronomical events are washed out,“Manhattanhenge” is a nice compensation.

The estimable Neil deGrasse Tyson of the American Museum of Natural History (who has his very own  Meme) is of course a big fan of the Manhattanhenge phenomonon and publishes a handy Guide on the Museum’s Hayden Planetarium webpage. Here’s a bit of Dr. Tyson’s enthusiastic commentary:

“For Manhattan, a place where evening matters more than morning, that special day comes twice a year. For 2013 they fall on May 28th, and July 13th, when the setting Sun aligns precisely with the Manhattan street grid, creating a radiant glow of light across Manhattan’s brick and steel canyons, simultaneously illuminating both the north and south sides of every cross street of the borough’s grid. A rare and beautiful sight. These two days happen to correspond with Memorial Day and Baseball’s All Star break. Future anthropologists might conclude that, via the Sun, the people who called themselves Americans worshiped War and Baseball.

For these two days, as the Sun sets on the grid, half the disk sits above and half below the horizon. My personal preference for photographs. But the day after, May 29th, and the day before, July 12, also offer Manhattanhenge moments, but at sunset, you instead will find the entire ball of the Sun on the horizon.”

So that you can see the most dramatic effect, Dr Tyson recommends standing as far east in Manhattan as you can get. The cross streets with the best western views are “14th, 23rd, 34th, 42nd, 57th, and several streets adjacent to them. The Empire State building and the Chrysler building render 34th street and 42nd streets especially striking vistas,” he writes.
Here, to be helpful, is the interactive Google map of Manhattan.  Times for Manhattanhenge 2013 are:

Beverly Hills surgeon explains at home fix for crepey skin around the arms, legs, and stomach.

Full Sun on the Grid: Friday, July 12 8:23 P.M. EDT
Half Sun on the Grid: Saturday, July 13 8:24 P.M. EDT

Be sure to arrive at your favorite observation location 1/2 hour before this.

Of course, seeing the Sun set on the grid of Manhattan is totally weather-dependent and we’ve had a bout of showers and thunder storms today. Hopefully, the skies will clear enough to see the setting sun either today or tomorrow (hopefully both!).  Here’s the NWS 7 Day Zone forecast for NYC so you can check beforehand. Think Clear Skies, everyone!

I haven’t found a webcam for Manhattanhenge (yet) but here’s some outstanding photos of the May 29th event, courtesy Buzzfeed. And if we get a rain out both days just remember: It’ll come around again next Spring & Summer. Watch Neil deGrasse Tyson’s space and plan on being there!

Blue Moon Here’s an Astronomical first: Skywatcher Thierry Legault in Elancourt, France has taken a photo of the very instant of the appearance of the crescent moon. Taken during daylight(!) it’s the thinnest crescent section of the Moon ever photographed and a World Record.

Cobalt Blue Dot In another Astronomical first, the Hubble Space Telescope has seen the actual color of an alien world for the very first time. The exoplanet, called HD 189733b, is a deep Cobalt Blue, according to the spectrum captured by the telescope’s team. Orbiting a star 63 light years from Earth, HD 189733b is not exactly a watery paradise. A class of planets knows as “Hot Jupiters”, the planet is a gas giant many times the size of Earth. Orbiting very close to its star, HD 189733b boasts a 1000 deg. C atmosphere that rains molten glass sideways at 7000 kilometers per hour. The lovely Cobalt blue color is likely caused by light reflecting from all the silica in the planet’s atmosphere.

Dat Heliotail.Still another astronomical first: NASA’s Interstellar Boundary Explorer (IBEX) probe has taken an image of something that, up until now, was only known in theory: the “tail” of the Solar System’s Heliosphere — the Heliotail. We must be a lucky system because the tail appears cloverleaf-shaped!

Here’s a video update of the construction of the James Webb Space Telescope, the successor to the amazing Hubble Space Telescope, at NASA’s Goddard Spaceflight Center:

fhtagn!In news closer to Earth, an international group of scientists have been analyzing water samples recovered from Antarctica’s Lake Vostok for trace amounts of genetic material that might be present. Once thought to be completely sterile, Lake Vostok — a lake of liquid water — is located 4000 meters under the ice. The subglacial lake has not seen the surface for 10 to 25 million years and any living things, if present, might be very different from those on the surface today. The news: the team has found genetic materials from thousands of species — freshwater and marine — some highly adapted and complex. Perhaps R’lyeh is not in the South Pacific after all?

Very Bad ThingsToday in Very Bad news: Japan’s destroyed Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant complex has been leaking water contaminated with radioactive Cesium 137 into the ocean. On the bright side; they’re getting their very own offshore wind farm! Barn door. Horse.

Sarcasm! I'll show you Sarcasm!A French company called “Spotter” says it has developed an “algorithm-based analytics software” tool that recognizes Sarcasm. It was developed to help individual and corporate clients monitor and improve their online reputations. Sarcasm. Wait until they point that thing here. Let’s Pin this sucker, everyone.

Trouble in paradiseA report released on Monday by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) and Choose Clean Water Coalition (CCWC) gives us a State by State evaluation of the state of the efforts to restore the Chesapeake Bay. Progress, but no jurisdiction is on track to meeting all its 2013 goals. The goals set include sharply reducing sediment, nitrogen and phosphorus entering the bay by runoff from farms, developments and wastewater plants. The bay has a 64,000-square-mile watershed, encompassing 6 states that are home to approximately 17 million people.

And now for your Cephalopod Video of the week: Octopus Volcano! Now, it’s not a terrible SyFy movie special, it’s a documentary about the Mediterranean octopus population living on the submerged slopes of Mount Stromboli. Enjoy!

Previous articleMalala Yousafzai Celebrates Her 16th Birthday at U.N., Makes Us Almost Not Cynical For A Little Bit
Next articleRussia Tired Of Snowden, Says He Can Have Freedom If He Shuts Up Already


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Luke Wroblewski: From the Front Lines of Multi-Device Web Design

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November 5, 2014

It’s hard enough to design a great mobile or Web site but what about experiences that span these devices and more? Join Luke for a set of lessons learned designing Web products that attempt to embrace simultaneous and sequential multi-device use. What worked and, more importantly, what didn’t?

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Search map of city, region, country or continent:

Map of Jefferson Hills

Yandex map of Jefferson Hills: distance measurement; scheme and satellites photos view; make a route; map scale; in most of sities, towns, and some villages - allow address search by street name (square, avenue, highway) and house number.

If you can't find something, try to use Jefferson Hills map - Google, or from OpenStreetMap project: map of Jefferson Hills.

You can get the link to visible map region. By sending them to another person via E-mail, ICQ, SMS or placing on the blog or web site, you can show (by cross): meeting place, address of delivery, airport, market, railway station or other place location. Who open the link - by cross determine the location.

Map visible region link:

Jefferson Hills, Pennsylvania region

To change map scale - use mouse weel, toddler "+ -" on the left, or scale button on the top-left corner of map area; to switch to view from satellite - use menu on the top-right corner; to measure the distance - click the ruler button on map right bottom corner, and poly route points by clicking on the map area.

Online map of Jefferson Hills №2, scheme and satellite view. USA.


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Algeria’s Hostage Crisis: Did the Jihadists Have Inside Help?

As death toll in Algerian hostage attack grows, security officials examine Europe's exposure to terror by al Qaeda-lined groups vowing revenge against France and the West for military intervention in Mali's jihad.

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The In Amenas gas gield in Algeria on Oct. 8, 2012

As the death toll from Algeria’s hostage massacre rose to at least 67, security experts in Europe and beyond are examining the six-day drama for clues about the evolving terrorist threat. The initial conclusions, however, may not be as dire as one might expect following the horror of the In Amenas attack. Although 37 foreigners lost their lives after Islamist extremists took hundreds of gas-refinery workers prisoner Jan. 16, the early view from some counterterrorism officials is that In Amenas represents a nightmarish exception to increased but much lower-grade action by jihadi forces in coming weeks.

“This was quite clearly a very well-planned and long-contemplated attack that could not have been mounted in response to the French intervention in Mali as Islamist leaders have claimed,” said a security official from a European nation who asks not to be identified. The official refers to the video by Algerian radical Mokhtar Belmokhtar claiming responsibility for the In Amenas attack as retaliation for France’s Jan. 11 military deployment to battle Islamists holding northern Mali.

(MORE: Algeria’s Hostage Crisis: What Was Behind a Shadowy Militant Leader’s Plot?)

“This was the kind of attack that — in its way — was intended to raise the bar for terror activity in Africa the way the bombing strikes in London and Madrid became references for successful Islamist plots in Europe,” the European official notes. “As such it will become the standard-setting model some extremists may seek to match or surpass, but not the kind of thing we stand to see repeatedly. Indeed, one consequence of such spectacular terrorism succeeding is that authorities apply lessons learned from them to prevent [others] in the future.”

Other counterterrorism and government officials TIME spoke with largely agree. Most readily acknowledge France’s military assistance to Mali’s effort to reclaim the north of the nation from Islamist militias will inspire extremists in the region and elsewhere to mount terrorism plots against France. The range of potential targets broadens when you factor in U.N. approval for Paris, the logistical aid of some Western allies, and troops deployed by several African nations. Yet given the complexity of the In Amenas assault — and considerably raised guard of Algerian and other African authorities as a result — some security experts suspect that near-term attacks by jihadi militants will be less sophisticated actions against more-accessible targets requiring little planning.

“I think soft targets — expatriates, and tourists in farther-flung areas — will be at higher risk for several months, and we’ll probably see an increase in opportunistic kidnapping of passing tourists as a favorite Islamist weapon in Africa,” says a senior French security official, referring to the kind of abduction that has long been a favored method of political and financial blackmail among African radicals. “I’m not saying Islamist militants won’t plot bigger attacks — including some in Europe itself. But because more complex and spectacular plots take considerable time, consultation and planning to prepare, we’re more likely to see rising jihadi anger vented in faster, direct ways.”

Security authorities have told TIME they suspect the In Amenas attack was conceived in part by Belmokhtar to increase his leadership influence and power among the mix of loosely allied Islamist groups that — like his own — largely operate in the wider Sahel region encompassing northern Mali. In targeting the BP gas facility, they add, Belmokhtar attained the triple achievement of capturing an important symbol of the energy sector dominating Algeria’s economy and political system; defying an Algiers regime infamous for its brutality in dealing with Islamist militants; and claiming scores of foreign lives in defense of jihad in Mali.

(MORE: The Crisis in Mali: Will French Air Strikes Stop the Islamist Advance?)

Belmokhtar also provoked collateral damage. Deadly counterattacks by Algerian forces to end the siege have sparked criticism in some foreign capitals suggesting that Algiers made killing insurgents a bigger priority than saving hostages’ lives. Questions have also arisen about how a supposedly high-security Algerian installation was so easily overrun by about 40 intruders. Many experts suspect Belmokhtar’s brigade had valuable assistance and information from within the plant’s staff to prepare the strike — a detail that, if proved, will be hard to blame on Algerian leaders but will nevertheless increase pressure on foreign energy companies to pull expat employees out of Algeria.

If inside help in the In Amenas attack is confirmed, it’s similar to the local assistance that officials think extremists abroad will rely on to mount strikes in Europe to avenge events in Mali. “The Algerian attack was obviously a broader plot rushed towards execution by a group whose main priority now — like all others in the region — is to defend jihad in Mali against outside aggression,” the French official says, explaining why he believes large-scale terror plotting will now likely unfold elsewhere than Africa. “Apart from possible strikes on soft targets, we’re on guard against extremist leaders in places like Pakistan or Yemen using contacts they’d previously established here to mount strikes in retaliation for Mali. One terrible thing about a jihad being waged one place on earth is that extremists halfway around the planet will use it to justify terrorism in another, entirely different place still.”

Be that as it may, the European official predicts the horror of the Algerian drama — and powerlessness of Western leaders to do anything to protect their citizens once it began — will justify other reaction Belmokhtar and his Sahel peers may not have counted on. “I think you’ll see both the manner and depth of support other countries are willing to give in Mali increase considerably as a result of In Amenas,” he says. “It’s the same logic created in Afghanistan after 9/11. The longer we allow terrorists to freely operate in established havens, the greater the threat of them attacking us grows. Rather than retaliation to France’s intervention in Mali, In Amenas was more likely a consequence of antiextremist action having not been taken in the Sahel sooner.”

(MORE: Westerners Kidnapped in North Africa — but Is France the Real Target?)


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Wednesday, January 18, 2012

The greatest political experiment of humanity, the Republic of The United States of America, is about to be dismantled by a bunch of community organizing thugs controlled by big Marxist Unions and rogue billionaires. Pity! The Founding Fathers must be turning in their graves!

The current administration has been, since its inauguration, trying to, not fundamentally transform The United States of America, as promised by Barry Soetoro, but to utterly destroy The United States of America as conceived by the Founding Fathers.

A thought crossed my mind and I went to one of the online dictionaries looking for the definition of "treason." Here's what I found:

            1. Violation of allegiance toward one's country or sovereign, especially the betrayal of one's country by waging war against it or by consciously and purposely acting to aid its enemies.

            2. A betrayal of trust or confidence.

Do you know of anyone in Washington D.C., who might have aided America's enemies? Are the Muslim Brotherhood, the likes of Hamas, Hezbollah, Al-Qaida, etc. your friends? Did any of them received aid, directly or indirectly from America lately?

Is borrowing indecent amounts of money from countries which have not shown America any friendship, so as to burden future generations with un-repayable debts, something in line with the solemn oath herein described?

(Story continues below...)

We are in a dire situation in this country today, and small publications like this one do not have the huge resources of George Soros pouring in like our liberal friends.

Worth Reading is not funded by the government like NPR.

Worth Reading is not funded by the government like PBS.

Please become a supporting member and help fund this ongoing effort to provide you with news and commentary relevant to our divided nation.

Help us get back our simple conservative values. Remember, the Bigger the Government - the Smaller the citizen!

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Your Comments

I'm no lawyer, so I'll leave it to your own interpretation. I understand that every elected person in the federal government, has to swear to defend and protect the Constitution against enemies both foreign and domestic. In your opinion, do you feel that all elected members of all (3) houses are at peace with their oath?

Again, I'm no lawyer but I would like to know what provisions or penalties are available (mandatory?) under the law, to punish those who break their oath. Perhaps we need to ask the "Culture Warriors." I sincerely believe that there are many people in Washington D.C., who are guilty of breaking their solemn oath. Is that like perjury? Because I know that perjury is a very grave offense.

On another light, Canada has been trying to convince this administration of the benefits that both countries would have with the construction of the Keystone pipeline. For the US, it would mean a great number of high-paying jobs at a time they are desperately needed, as well as the reliability the neighboring country can offer, as a permanent supplier of also much needed oil.

As an added bonus, is it better to give your money to a friend or to an enemy? Because the ONLY friend America has in the middle east, is Israel and, they are not yet in a position to supply oil to anyone, although that may change, unless Iran is allowed to wipe Israel off the map as they keep promising.

Barry though, would rather listen to his environazi friends, than to the common sense speaking for the good of the American people. Perhaps he has forgotten who works for whom? Sorry! I take that back. He thinks W-T-P work for him!

The most important election in the history of America, is only months away. Is it not time to leave behind partisanship and concentrate on what's good for the country? I can tell you that the majority of legal voters are convinced that four more years of Barry Soetoro's illegal occupancy of the White House, would be tantamount of administering the country the "coup-de-grace".

One more thing. Those of us who don't think the way Barry does, are often accused of racism. Against which race are we supposed to be? As far as I know Barry is fifty percent white and fifty percent black. I would like to know why are we assumed to be against his black half? By golly! I was rooting for Herman Cain!

May God Bless America, it needs it badly!

Joseph A. Gamero


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A Wheel of Time Wiki

Calling Lightning

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Lightning being called.

Calling Lightning is a weave associated with the Talent in weather, also known as Cloud Dancing. It uses the opposing elements of Air, Fire, Water and Earth. With an even split between the affinities normally associated with saidar and those of saidin, this weave is theoretically neutral with regards to male/female dominance.

Using Air, Fire, Water and Earth, Aviendha makes a series of "complex patterns" to disperse a single dense cloud which appears suddenly of the Inner City of Caemlyn. It is noted here that "Calling Lightning is twirling feathers between your fingers compared to stopping it."[1]

Examples of useEdit

The first occurrence of this weave is found when Rand and Mat are cornered in an inn by Darkfriends. Rand uses lightning to break a hole in the wall while eliminating the threat of the Darkfriends. When he pulls Mat from the wreckage, he notes that there is not a single cloud in the sky.[verify]

This is likely the second time that Rand uses the One Power; the first being when he used a refresh weave on Bela.

Nynaeve al'Meara makes use of this weave multiple times as a defensive mecanism.

  1. Knife of Dreams, Chapter 13

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A Wheel of Time Wiki

Ewin Finngar

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EWoT: Ewin Finngar

Ewin Finngar
Ewin Finngar
Biographical information
Nationality Andoran
Current status Alive
Physical description
Gender Male
Chronological and political information
First mentioned TEOTW Ravens
First appeared TEOTW 2
Last appeared TSR 54
Last mentioned LOC Prologue
Affiliation Two Rivers

Ewin Finngar is a young man from Emond's Field.[1]

Appearance Edit

He is lean-faced with wide shoulders. Later he develops a bass voice and grows taller.

Activities Edit

Often on the receiving end of Mat Cauthon's practical jokes, Ewin is the one who tells Mat and Rand al'Thor about the arrival of Moiraine Damodred and Lan Mandragoran to Emond's Field. He mentions how Moiraine gave him a silver penny for doing a chore.

Ewin talks with Perrin in the Winespring Inn after the Trolloc ambush leaves Perrin with an arrow in his side. Perrin is amazed by how much Ewin has changed in the year he has been gone.[2]

Later, Ewin helps defend Emond's Field against the invading Trolloc army upon Perrin's return to the Two Rivers,[3] and he soon leaves Emond's Field with Elam Dowtry and Dav Ayellin to explore the world.

  1. The Eye of the World, Chapter 2
  2. The Shadow Rising, Chapter 43
  3. The Shadow Rising, Chapter 56

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A Wheel of Time Wiki

Spine Ridge

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The Spine Ridge is a sept of the Miagoma Aiel. The sept hold is unknown.

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A Wheel of Time Wiki

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EWoT: Varadin

Children of the Light Banner
Biographical information
Nationality Unknown nationality
Current status Alive
Physical description
Gender Male
Chronological and political information
First mentioned LOC 9
Last mentioned ACOS Prologue
Affiliation Children of the Light

Varadin is a Whitecloak agent in Tarabon.

Varadin was a rug seller during the Whitecloak War. During this time, he peddled his wares through Altara, Murandy and Illian, all the while providing "good service" to Pedron Niall. He was one of Niall's best personal agents. From the profit he made during those years, Varadin set himself up as a wealthy merchant in Tanchico trading in fine carpets and wines. He regularly supplies to both the King of Tarabon and the Panarch, as well as many important nobles. Each time he visits, he comes back with his eyes and ears full.[1]

Varadin sends messages warning about strange creatures, flying beasts, Aes Sedai on leashes and the "Hailene". Niall thinks he has gone insane.[1] After more reports from other people, Niall takes Varadin's second message from Tarabon more seriously.[2] Asidim Faisar, another Child of the Light, sends Niall a report confirming Varadin's earlier messages.[3]

  1. 1.0 1.1 Lord of Chaos, Chapter 9
  2. Lord of Chaos, Chapter 31
  3. A Crown of Swords, Prologue

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Special: Kick-Off

The world is currently going football mad, with each nation eagerly waiting to kick off! The same's true for the nations in World of Tanks Blitz - this weekend we've got discounts on Crew Skill Resets and all Provisions!

The following will be available from 10 June at 7:10 CEST to 13 June at 7:10 CEST (UTC+2).

30% discount on Crew Skill Reset

20% discount on all Provisions


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StudioB 1200

University and Regional Entrepreneurs to be Featured on New WOUB Series

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Ohio entrepreneurship will be the featured topic of a new radio series produced by WOUB Public Media.

The series, “Innovation Conversations,” will air on WOUB 1340 AM and the WOUB FM radio network starting Friday, Sept. 4. The shows also will be available online at and through WOUB social media channels.

“Innovation Conversations” will launch with 15 interviews with individuals involved in the advancement of technology commercialization and entrepreneurship both at Ohio University and throughout southeastern Ohio. The region has attracted attention for its innovative approaches to—and successes in—cultivating startup companies over the last decade.

“WOUB believes it is important to let a wide audience know about the innovations and entrepreneurial spirit that exists in this region.

Innovations create key industries for our citizens—bringing in investment dollars and creating jobs for this area,” said Thomas Hodson, director and general manager of WOUB Public Media. “We need to let people know that this is a beehive of entrepreneurial activity.”

Hodson has interviewed innovation experts from Ohio University programs such as TechGROWTH Ohio, a public/private partnership based at the Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs, the Innovation Center, the Center for Entrepreneurship, Edison Biotechnology Institute and the Russ College of Engineering and Technology.

Featured regional startup businesses from Ohio University’s Innovation Center and TechGROWTH Ohio include Molecular Technologies Laboratories, Exeterra, RXQ Compounding LLC and Metal Hippo. The series also will highlight Ohio University student entrepreneurs and representatives from regional and state initiatives, such as the Ohio Third Frontier program and the Muskingum County Business Incubator.

“Innovators exist throughout our region. It is important to recognize their successes or challenges along with the kind of support they receive through an entire ecosystem of providers and funders,” said Jennifer Simon, director of the Innovation Center. “Years ago no one believed that you could have innovators in Appalachia; now we are showing them you can!”

“Innovation Conversations” will air as a series of 30-minute interviews on WOUB 1340 AM at noon each Sunday, and they also will be available at Five-minute segments will be aired Fridays during Morning Edition and All Things Considered on all WOUB FM stations throughout the region beginning Sept. 4. For more information about the program, visit


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$500,000 bond set for woman accused of shooting Alpha man

This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated.

The woman arrested in connection with a shooting in Alpha, Illinois remained jailed in lieu of a half-million-dollar bond.

Robin Atchison, 29, was arrested after police were sent to investigate a reported shooting at an apartment in the 500 block of South First Street before dawn Tuesday, April 30, 2013.

A man who was shot remained hospitalized and was last listed in critical condition.

Atchison made her first appearance in Henry County, Illinois Court Wednesday, May 1, 2013.  She was formally charged with one county of being a felon in possession of a firearm and one count of reckless discharge of a firearm.  Both charges are felonies.

Court records show Atchison’s bond was set at $500,000 and that she was appointed a public defender.

Atchison was scheduled to appear in court for a preliminary hearing May 6.


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Report: TNA Wrestling Wooing ‘Jersey Shore’ Star Ronnie Magro

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TNA Wrestling may have had involvement with Jersey Shore stars Angelina Pivarnick and J-WOWW in the past, but a new report suggests that the company is now trying to woo Ronnie Ortiz-Magro to make appearances on their Spike TV broadcast of Impact Wrestling. notes that while the company is close to signing him, a contract has yet to be signed.

TNA’s competitor, WWE, had appearances by Snooki earlier this year. She even competed in a match-up at WrestleMania 27.

According to sources, TNA management are impressed with the ratings for Jersey Shore and are hoping that some of those ratings can translate it over to its own broadcast. The company was also happy with the publicity it received previously with the former Jersey Shore reality stars and are looking to reproduce that feat once again.

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Howard Wilkinson

Political Reporter

Howard Wilkinson joined the WVXU News Team after 30 years of covering local and state politics for The Cincinnati Enquirer. A native of Dayton, Ohio, Wilkinson has covered every Ohio governor’s race since 1974 as well as 12 presidential nominating conventions. His streak continued by covering both the 2012 Republican and Democratic conventions for 91.7 WVXU. Along with politics, Wilkinson also covered the 2001 Cincinnati race riots; the Lucasville Prison riot in 1993; the Air Canada plane crash at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport in 1983; and the 1997 Ohio River flooding. The Cincinnati Reds are his passion. "I've been listening to WVXU and public radio for many years, and I couldn't be more pleased at the opportunity to be part of it,” he says.

In 2012, the Society of Professional Journalists inducted Wilkinson into the Cincinnati Journalism Hall of Fame.

Wilkinson appears on  Cincinnati Edition, blogs on politics and more, and writes the weekly column Politically Speaking at

Ways to Connect

Howard Wilkinson

Bill Clinton, the 42nd president of the United States, told thousands of union workers at Coney Island Monday that this is a strange election, but one where they must work to make his wife, Hillary Clinton, the 45th president.

"She never got anything done in Washington- as First Lady, as senator, as Secretary of State – without the strong support from Democrats and Republicans,'' Clinton told the crowd at the annual Cincinnati AFL-CIO Labor Council picnic.

There are those who are ready to stick a fork in the U.S. Senate campaign of former Ohio governor Ted Strickland and declare him done.

Strickland, of course, is not among them.

Tana Weingartner / WVXU

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump stood before several thousand American Legion members at Duke Energy Convention Center Thursday morning and promised that he, as president, would reform the VA medical system.

Ann Thompson / WVXU

Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, in a room full of thousands of men and women who have served in the nation's military, said her opponent wants to destroy the alliances "that generations of Americans in uniform have fought and died to create those bonds."

Ann Thompson

A nationally appointed committee is close to taking testimony in whistleblower cases at Cincinnati VA Medical Center. Acting Director Glenn Costie, during an interview with reporters at the American Legion Convention Wednesday, said Dr. Gene Goldman will lead the board made up of three to four people.

WVXU politics reporter Howard Wilkinson talked with News Director Maryanne Zeleznik Monday morning about Ohio Gov. John Kasich's absolute refusal to endorse Donald Trump; and how Kasich may be looking to be there to pick up the pieces and put the party back together again  if the GOP is shattered in a Trump loss.

As much as he would have liked it to be, Ohio Gov. John Kasich's name will not be on the presidential ballot this year.

The name of Donald Trump, of course, will be on that ballot – a name that John Kasich is loath to even speak out loud, much less endorse.

The governor of the Buckeye State is left to wonder what might have been.

Wikimedia Commons

The Hamilton County Board of Elections Monday unanimously rejected a Norwood ballot issue which would decriminalize marijuana in the city.

Attorney Brice Keller, who represents Sensible Norwood, the group which circulated petitions for the ballot issue, said he is likely to ask the Ohio Supreme Court to review the elections board's decision.

Keller said Monday afternoon he is likely to file something with the Ohio Supreme Court this week to get an expedited hearing on the matter.

WVXU politics reporter Howard Wilkinson talked with News Director Maryanne Zeleznik Monday morning about the U.S. Senate race in Ohio; and how Ohio Gov. John Kasich is campaigning with Portman, who is locked in a tough re-election race with former governor Ted Strickland. There's one thing that Kasich and Portman don't mention publicly though - presidential candidate Donald Trump. Kasich absolutely refuses to endorse the GOP nominee, while Portman has endorsed him - although he has kept his distance from him so far.

  "Odd" is a word that describes many things about the 2016 election cycle, beginning with the presidential race and working its way down to the bottom of the political food chain.

It's certainly a good word to describe recent events in Ohio's U.S. Senate race, where incumbent Republican Rob Portman is trying to win re-election over former Democratic governor Ted Strickland.

Bill Rinehart / WVXU

Cincinnati Bell will pay $3.4 million over the next 10 years for naming rights to Cincinnati's streetcar system, which is set to begin operating on Sept. 9.

The agreement will provide $340,000 a year to help pay for streetcar operations – minus the commission that goes to the company which negotiated the contract with Cincinnati Bell.

The 3.6 mile streetcar system, which runs from Over-the-Rhine to the riverfront, has an estimated $4 million annual operating cost.

Tana Weingartner / WVXU

Presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump will speak on back-to-back days at the American Legion's national convention, which begins in Cincinnati later this month.

The convention is being held at the Duke Energy Convention Center Aug. 26 through Sept. 1. Clinton, the Democratic nominee, is expected to address the veterans' organization on Wednesday, Aug. 31, while the Republican candidate, Trump, will make his speech to the group Thursday, Sept. 1.

About 9,000 veterans, family members and guests are expected to attend the convention.

Wikimedia Commons

A group that wants Norwood voters to decriminalize marijuana will have to argue its case Monday before the Hamilton County Board of Elections.

Howard Wilkinson / WVXU

Cincinnati Council Member Wendell Young made it clear Monday that despite filing an unfair labor practice charge against Mayor John Cranley, he is completely in support of raises for public workers.

But he totally disagrees with Cranley's plan to bypass the city manager and have council pass wage increases of five percent this year and four percent next year.

WVXU politics reporter talked with News Director Maryanne Zeleznik Monday morning about a Sept. 13 Democratic election in the 8th Congressional District that will feature only one candidate on the ballot; and the lack of a Trump "victory center" in Hamilton County, a key county in the race for Ohio's electoral votes.


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Just to avoid getting sand in my macbookpro…

Crisisblogger will be taking a brief hiatus for about ten days as I head off with my lovely wife, son, daughter-in-law and two grandchildren to the warm, sunny beaches of Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico. But, I shall return…

In the meantime, I again encourage your thoughts and comments. Let the conversation continue…

Shel Holtz and other social media experts in "lively discussion"

Our friend and fellow blogger Shel Holtz was part of a panel that appeared to the scene of lively discussion about social media, blogging and PR. I wish I could have been there. But reading this report and listening to the podcast might be the next best thing.

Suffice it to say that there is much ferment around the issue of how the new media, social media, web 2.0, blogging and all the other online stuff is changing the way communication is done. I wasn’t there so this may not be appropriate, but I would just suggest to such experts that those of us who look to you for insight need more light on the subject, not more heat.

The power of blogging–more evidence of growth

Many have commented as 2006 became 2007 that this year will see the peak of blogging’s power in the world of public opinion and communication. More and more I see communication professionals waking up, rubbing their eyes, mostly disbelieving, but slowly recognizing that consumer generated content in all its forms is radically changing our world.

My daughter is a pastry chef and a very good one, and she has been blogging for some time. The connections made and the conversations that go on with people around the nation and world would not be possible without blogging. Here’s an interesting post about food blogging that makes the point better than I am.

Visiting with some of the world's leading communicators

I just returned from a bit of whirl-wind trip to two major cities. It’s part of my new job as CEO of PIER/AudienceCentral. Some of the visits were sales related but most involved initial implementation of PIER, our online communication management technology.

This job, as well as work I have been doing in crisis management and communciation, has given me the rare opportunity to work with some of the top-level communication professionals in the world. For me, this is such a treat, because my journey through life is mostly about learning, and I am learning so much from these people. What an opportunity to discuss personally with the communication manager of one of the world’s leading companies how he is dealing with the controversies that right now occupy the pages and screens of old media and new media outlets around the world. And what a privilege to work with leading emergency management leaders, responsible for planning and communication that may protect millions of lives–to hear their concerns, priorities, strategies, etc.

This blog is in part my attempt to share with any of you who care, some of the things I am learning from these people. I wish I could credit my teachers more, but for obvious reasons, I usually cannot. On this trip, where I had to make several presentations, my basic message was about trust. Whether you are a government communicator or operate in the private sector, it is trust that is the ultimate measure of your success. Whether or not you are building trust depends on two things: are you and your organization doing the right thing–not in your eyes, but in the eyes of your stakeholders? And, two, are you communicating continually, speedily, directly and with absolute authenticity?

These questions resonate with all communicators at senior levels with whom I work. I get so distressed when I see the cynicism in the media, in our schools, in our political and social discourse–the assumption that most in positions of power and authority are bad people and out to screw you at the first chance. Sure, there are the bad apples, as there are in every profession and all walks of life. But the people I am privileged to meet and work with are, virtually without exception, people of high moral and ethical standards, who are continually working to do the right thing, and take their responsibilities as communicators very very seriously.

Attn communicators needing to convinces bosses about importance of blogs

Just had a conversation today with a top level Public Information Officer, and the topic turned to the impact of online media, blogs and the like. He made the comment that some leaders in his organization continue to doubt that many people are impacted by online media. I pointed to the previous post on this blog with the interview with Richard Edelman that stated that this year more will get their news online than from all MSM. More proof of the importance of blogs in public information and news comes from this blog called Just on Online Minute.

The nub: Nielsen//NetRatings shows that blog pages within the top 10 online newspapers drew around 3.8 million unique visitors last month–more than triple December 2005’s 1.2 million.

Please note–these are not the 60 million citizen journalist blog sites that we are talking about. These are blog sites launched by major newspapers. They are certainly discovering where the news readers are going and joining the party.

So, for all you communicators who need to convince your bosses that something important is going on here, tell them to read crisisblogger.

The BP Baker Report–another example of headlines not matching content

Anyone who deals with the media recognizes that it is a common situation to have the headlines, and sometimes lead paragraphs, differ from the story. Understandable since most stories are more complext than can be adequately condensed into a headline, and the fact that headlines are typically written by an editor and not the reporter.

There was big news in the Baker report regarding BP’s safety record. Two items in fact. One of them is that BP has already substantially addressed all the recommendations put forward in the report. Second, and more important, the report provides a direct refutation of the very well publicized accusation of the head of the Chemical Safety Board that the safety problems at BP were a direct result of cost cutting. That theory goes well with the media and the public perception, but the Baker report said it wasn’t true.

However, you will note, these were not the headlines. The Cnnmoney.com report said: “(Baker report)said it found no evidence that BP scrimped on safety in order to cut costs” Based on this a headline writer could easily have written: Baker Report Shows Cost Cutting Did Not Result in Safety Problems at BP. That, however, is not what they wrote.

In fact, the Baker Report says that the focus of BP on personal safety instead of process safety was the real problem. Interesting. They also cited Lord Browne’s leadership in other key areas such as climate change.

Once the media decides on a story line it is very difficult to change it–impossible probably. And the way this is reported demonstrates that the story of irresponsible money-grubbing will continue to be the main theme–regardless of the facts.

Best Buy slipping fast in my opinion

I posted earlier about the flames Best Buy was getting online about how it handles hot items like the Wii. Now, I love Best Buy–mostly because it is my favorite toy store. But, I’m about to switch loyalties to Circuit City. My friend Alan just bought a camera at Best Buy–one of those new Sony cameras that records to DVD. He wanted quick and easy editing with his Mac. Turns out, doesn’t work for that–poor quality and other problems–but the sales person told him different. So he bought it, tried it, packed it back up and returned it. They charged him $85 because he opened the box. He pointed to the sales person who was standing right there and told them what she said. Didn’t matter. He opened the box.

I don’t like using this blog for personal rants, and this one wasn’t even my experience. But it points to a common problem–customer service starts slipping, you hear several instances and the loyalty disappears in a hurry. But in the blog world, that process happens quicker and with far more impact. I hope Best Buy is listening in on the conversation.

Add Apple to the list of not getting the blog world

The thing about blogging is that bloggers tend to have the last word. Lawyers don’t get that very well. And corporate leaders who let the legal brains take the lead on the blog world, are setting themselves up for some real nastiness in the blog world.

This is the message I tried to communicate about Disney as related to their legal attacks on Spocko. Apple has a history of protecting their intellectual property very aggressively–understandable given the fact their value is increasingly tied to their stunning innovations. But, you take this thinking into the blog world too far and you are going to get hammered. Blogging (and increasingly the internet) is about conversing. And when the reaction to conversation is to bring out the legal beagles, it tends to annoy those who just want to talk about things. If a conversation involves proprietary property, the polite thing to do is to make a request. Just say please. If there are competitive reasons, or the property in question can do substantial harm to the company if not protected, then say pretty please, or else. But to just jump up with the barking dogs isn’t polite, doesn’t make much sense, and will cause the kind of reaction that Apple is seeing in the blog world: see techcrunch article called Apple Bullies Bloggers Again.

Here’s the risk–Apple is riding high. Stock is skyrocketing. Innovations pile on innovations. Complete domination in key markets. And now comes the arrogance. We all like winners. We hate arrogant winners. Arrogant winners become losers. And we become glad. Pride goeth before the fall. And all this thinking just because they let loose some eager lawyers to beat up on bloggers. Apple, wise up.

The Bandy Story on 20/20–join the crusade

I hope all crisisblogger readers watched 20/20 last night and saw the story about Matt Bandy. Matt is a 16 year old from Phoenix falsely accused and prosecuted of child porn because a few images of the nasty stuff was found on his computer at home. Despite the compelling evidence to the contrary, the prosecutor continued to push the accusations until the family accepted a plea bargain for a much lower charge–the equivalent of taking a Playboy to school. Still, he was branded a sex offender with the draconian restrictions applied to those who are thus convicted.

This story is of special interest for several reasons. One it is a great example in the extreme of the need sometime of “moving the black hat” as I advocate in extreme cases in Now Is Too Late2. When your reputation is on the line and you are innocent, sometimes you have to be aggressive and make the accusers the bad guys. In this case, the extremely aggressive prosecutor, more interested in his career than in justice, rightfully (in my opinion) has been outed as the real black hat in this story. View the extended interview with ABC and make up your own mind.

Second, is the personal connection. Jonathan Bernstein is the crisis manager who has been helping the family and their attorney every since they made the courageous decision to turn their bad fortune into a crusade. The 20/20 story is one part of the strategy. Creating an engaging and interactive website that helps manage the conversation that inevitably will go on about such an event is also part of the communication effort. Here is Matt’s website: www.justice4matt.com.

We were very pleased to respond to Jonathan’s request for help and provide the PIER System’s functionality to support the ongoing media relations and viewer response. This kind of communication activity shows the absolutely necessity of a small team or a single communicator to be able to handle the potentially hyperactive online response to this kind of national story and crusade.

For more comments about this communication effort as well as how you can get involved in this important communication effort, please go to www.justice4matt.com and be sure to use the contact form. (I just did!–and also emailed the governor).

The sign of campaigns to come

John Edwards is out of the starting blogs and running. And according to this article from PRSA, it looks like his approach to working with bloggers and videos (YouTube style) shows that he gets it (part of the way anyway, excepting his booboo about bloggers).

I’m committed to staying out of politics here (I did my own run for political office–thank God unsuccessfully) but the point is that the modes, channels, style of public communication is changing. But most who make a living in this business are struggling mightily to keep up with these changes. Edwards’ campaign gives a clear indication of the role of blogging, working with bloggers, web 2.0 style, and most of all use of video–all stuff the topic of many posts here.


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Hospitals Belgrade

Address: 6a Sremskih boraca st., Zemun
Belgrade Phone: 0800-002-004

4/ 5stars

The Dr Vorobojev linic is the place were for over 23 years experts have been working in this area of medicine (treating addiction). Around 23000 patients have gone through our stationary treatment from all around the world.

The addiction is a condition that alters one's personality, physical and psychological condition, breaks up families, reputation and plans for the future.

Stationary treatment means that the patient stays at the clinic 24hrs per day. The full treatment usually lasts for around 14 days and consists of the following phases:

- Diagnostics
- Detox
- Psychocorrection
- Blockage

In order to reduce the symptoms of abstinence, we utilize individual approach to every patient, depending on the type of narcotic, the duration of the addiction and the risk factors.

We do all that we can to make the first days of treatment as painless as possible.

At our hospital we've had great success treating patients from all around the world such as England, Italy, France, Germany, USA, Austria, Poland, Bulgaria, Hungaria, Greece, Nigeria and even New Zeland.

At our clinic the doctors and nurses are at the disposal of our patients 24 hours per day, seven days per week. ALl of the doctors are certified anesthesiologists, psychiatrists and psychologists with 10-25 years of experience. The clinic employes around 70 staff. Our professional security staff takes care of the safety of our patients and staff. The object is also under constant video surveillance.

The patients are accomodated in comfy double and triple rooms with bathrooms, showers, wardrobe and TVs. The rooms are cleaned twice per day. In their free time the patients can utilize our billiards hall, enjoy ping-pong, yoga, gym and movie hall. The clinic also has a safe where the patients can leave their belongings that shouldn't be left in the rooms. The patients who required a visa can be helped in obtaining it.


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Krish wraps up Gabbar’s shoot

Krish Jagarlamudi, who’ll soon be making his directorial debut in Bollywood, has wrapped up the principal shooting of Gabbar. The film stars Akshay Kumar and Shruti Haasan in lead roles and it’s the official remake of Chiranjeevi starrer Tagore. Most part of the film was shot in Mumbai, Pune and Lavasa.

The film’s shooting has been completed in less than four months and the entire team is quite happy with Krish’s work. Akshay Kumar and Shruti Haasan in particular are surprised at the speed at which the film was shot and praised Krish for planning everything to the last detail. “Wrapped on gabbar today! Thanks to the entire team for making it so so special! Wish it wasn’t over :(,” Shruti Haasan posted on Twitter soon after wrapping up the film.

The film is being produced by Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Viacom 18 Motion Pictures. Sajid-Wajid have scored the music and the film is expected to release later this year.

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App Description

Make Your Workout More Scalable
You always perform tough workouts in gym, or opt for other mediums such as swim or run to burn the unnecessary calories, but how do you calculate the calories you’ve burnt during the workout session? Certainly, such measurements encourage you to evaluate your workout and moderate it according to your fitness requirement. Claruss Apps has designed a sports Calc app with exciting features to help you in making your exercises more scalable.
The sports calc depending upon your gender, weight, intensity, distance, time and speed calculate your time, calorie usage, and also recommend the required calorie intake amount. This app can also be used as a running calc or swim calc because it works effectively with aforesaid exercises as well.
Compatibility with Major exercises
This calories calc is purposefully designed for long training session or when you need to keep watch on your practice for a race. Sport calc can be used for all three major exercises namely, swim, run and bike. As a bike calc, it will let you know about the speed, weight, and how many calories get burnt.
This health-oriented calc is compatible with both metric and US standard units. As calorie consumption is individual, this amazing sport calc calculates and recommends things based upon the information given.
It calculates calories per hour for the entire race, including the all three exercises- swim bike and run.
OS Compatibility
Sport Calc is compatible with iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, iPod touch (3rd generation), iPod touch (4th generation), iPod touch (5th generation) and iPad.
Download Sport Calc and take your workout to the next level with better measurement.

iPhone Screenshots

(click to enlarge)

Sport Calc. screenshot 1 Sport Calc. screenshot 2 Sport Calc. screenshot 3 Sport Calc. screenshot 4 Sport Calc. screenshot 5

App Changes

  • April 29, 2013 Initial release


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Draw, Write, Now Book 6 Printables

Draw, Write, Now Book 6 Printables

I am continuing to plow through creating the Draw, Write, Now printables and recently got book 6 completed and will be completing the rest of the books, I promise!

Book 6 has the following themes; Animals & Habitats – On Land, Ponds & Rivers, Oceans. If you aren’t familiar with Draw, Write, Now, you can see the post I wrote last year when we gave a set away and learn more about them!

You may remember me sharing Book 1 last year, and the printables to go along.  These printables are exactly the same, two different options.  One for tracing, one for copying.  Both have the same drawing space.

Draw-Write-Now-Book-1-Hen6222 Draw-Write-Now-Book-1-Hen-26222

Visit the new webpage I created to host these printables to download this set and the book 1 set!Draw-Write-Now-Printables4222

Thanks to Barker Creek Publishing for their permission to share these with my readers!

They have also offered my readers a special discount code to use on their website, for ANYTHING you purchase!

Now through December 31, 2013

use code: 1PLUS1

for 15% off of your total order from Barker Creek!

I am so thankful for this offer and hope it blesses many of you who would like to order these books, or other wonderful items from their website.  If you’ve never been to www.BarkerCreek.com be sure to visit!


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1382925 Toner Cartridge - Lexmark Compatible (Black)
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1382925 Toner Cartridge - Lexmark Remanufactured (Black)
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Thursday, 10 November 2016

You Can Now Use This Simple USB Stick to Check Your HIV Status in Minutes...See How

Experts have made an interesting invention in which you can now use a USB stick to check your HIV status in minutes.

Scientists have invented USB stick that can test for HIV in under 30-minutes.

The clever device, which can be read by a computer and laptop, only needs a drop of blood to diagnose the virus. Currently, around 103,700 people in the UK are living with HIV and around 17 per cent of this total (around 17,000 people) do not know they are infected.

Scientists now hope that this easy-to-use disposable test could help patients, especially those who live in remote areas, manage their condition more effectively.

The new technology monitors the amount of the virus in the bloodstream – a figure crucial to a patient’s treatment. The device, which uses a mobile phone chip, needs a small sample of blood, which is placed on a spot on the USB stick.

If the virus is present in the sample, this triggers a change in acidity which the chip then transforms into an electrical signal.

Research on the device, published in Scientific Reports, found that the handy USB stick tested almost 1,000 blood samples with an impressive 95 per cent accuracy.

And the average time to produce a result was just 20.8 minutes.

The findings can then produce the result in a programme on a computer or electronic device.

Currently, HIV tests take three days or longer to return and many require blood samples to be sent to a laboratory.

In some heavily affected parts of the world, such testing doesn’t exist at all.

The current treatment for HIV, called anti-retroviral treatment, reduces virus levels to near zero.

However, in some cases, this medication can stop working as patients begin to develop a resistance to the drugs.

Doctors are able to figure out when this is happening when they detect a rise in bloodstream virus levels.

Checking patients’ blood levels can also mean healthcare teams are able to check that medication is being taken.

Halting medication fuels HIV drug-resistance – which is an emerging global problem.

These viral levels cannot be detected by routine HIV tests, which use antibodies, as these can only tell whether a person has been infected.

Study author Dr Graham Cooke, from Imperial College, said: “HIV treatment has dramatically improved over the last 20 years – to the point that many diagnosed with the infection now have a normal life expectancy.

“However, monitoring viral load is crucial to the success of HIV treatment.

“At the moment, testing often requires costly and complex equipment that can take a couple of days to produce a result.

“We have taken the job done by this equipment, which is the size of a large photocopier, and shrunk it down to a USB chip.”

Dr Cooke added that this new technology could help HIV patients check their blood with the same ease as diabetics who check their sugar levels.

The researchers are also exploring whether the device could be used to test for other viruses – such as hepatitis.

Professor Chris Toumazou, the founder of DNA Electronics, the Imperial spin-out company behind the device, added: “This is a great example of how this new analysis technology has the potential to transform how patients with HIV are treated by providing a fast, accurate and portable solution.

“At DNAe we are already applying this highly adaptable technology to address significant global threats to health, where treatment is time-critical and needs to be right first time.”

Culled from The Sun UK

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The Shield To Compete Against Each Other In Triple-Threat Match At WMXXX?

Posted by Matt Boone February 8, 2014 7 Comments

According to, there is talk within WWE right now of having a triple-threat match between all three members of at .

The match, which would feature vs. vs. , is expected to happen as long as WWE doesn’t pull the trigger on adding Daniel Bryan to the WWE World Heavyweight Championship match at WrestleMania. The feeling there is that WWE wouldn’t want two high-profile triple-threat matches on the same show.


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 Cronulla Jacob Gagan Signs With Newcastle Knights | NRL | Triple M
Posted: 11 November, 2016 by Triple M NRL

Newcastle's Signing Spree Continues

Newcastle's major signing spree has continued, having nabbed talented Sharkie Jacob Gagan.

The 23-year-old only played seven NRL games during his three seasons at Cronulla. but coach Nathan Brown believes he'll add valuable depth to his young plaing roster.

“Jacob is a talented young player that has been restricted from playing more NRL football due to an accomplished, premiership winning Sharks back line,” coach Nathan Brown said.

“He will add some really good depth to our outside backs.”

Gagan can play at either wing or centre, and has commenced pre-season training with the team.

To Read Next


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no foolin'

This post may contain my affiliate link. For more information, please see my disclosure policy: Thanks! :)

Where did March go??
Here is a fun idea to do for April Fools tomorrow:
put round circles of Cool Whip on plates, top with a peach half and tell your family that you will be dining on ostrich eggs. We had fun doing it last year and my kids loved it once they found out what they really were:

Anyone got anything great up their sleeve for tomorrow?

  1. Last year I pulled some funny ones. My 5 year old tried to drink jello out of a cup (thinking it was koolaid!). And, my husband came home to meatloaf cupcakes! This year, I will be making a meatloaf cake.

  2. I'm horrible at practical jokes. I never do anything for April Fools. But I like your ostrich egg idea. Way cute, I think my kids will love that!

  3. I think I'm going to dye the kids cereal. I saw it in Family Fun. You put a couple drops of food coloring in the bottom of the bowl. Add the cereal. Then when the milk is added, it changes color.

  4. I love the color idea! I just might do that one!

  5. If I get up in time, I'm going to give Joseph (my husband) a dough boy... (when he's in the shower, pour a cup of flour over him...)

  6. What a fun idea! I'm going to have to remember that for next year!

Thank you for taking the time to leave me a note!

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Seljalandsfoss is one of the most famous waterfalls of Iceland. It is very picturesque and therefore its photo can be found in many books and calendars. It was a waypoint during the first leg of The Amazing Race 6.

Seljalandsfoss is situated in between Selfoss and Skógafoss at the road crossing of Route 1 (the Ring Road) with the track going into Þórsmörk.

This waterfall of the river Seljalandsá drops 60 metres (200 ft) over the cliffs of the former coastline. It is possible to go behind the waterfall.

Source: Wikipedia

Copyright: Andrew Bodrov
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Taken: 26/08/2013
Uploaded: 13/11/2016
Updated: 15/11/2016

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Key Strengths

  • Interest generated by an annuity accrues tax deferred until withdrawn
  • You can receive payments from the annuity for your entire lifetime, regardless of how long you may live*
  • There are normally no contribution limits
  • There are many different types of annuities to choose from
  • You pay taxes only on the earnings portion of annuity payments
  • At death, proceeds from an annuity pass free from probate to your named beneficiary

An annuity is a contract between you and an issuer (usually an insurance company).

In its simplest form, you pay a premium in exchange for future periodic payments to begin immediately (an immediate annuity) or at some future date (a deferred annuity) and to continue for a period that can be as long as your lifetime.*

Key Tradeoffs

  • Annuities carry fees and expenses
  • May have surrender charges
  • Contributions are not tax deductible
  • There may be tax penalties for early withdrawals prior to age 59½ (subject to exceptions)
  • Once you elect a specific distribution plan, annuitize the annuity, and begin receiving payments, that election is usually irrevocable (with some exceptions)

*Guarantees are subject to the claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company.

Note: Annuities are long-term tax-deferred investment vehicles intended to be used for retirement purposes. Any gains in tax-deferred investment vehicles, including annuities, are taxable as ordinary income upon withdrawal. For variable annuities, investment returns and the principal value of the available sub-account portfolios will fluctuate based on the performance of the underlying investments so that the value of the investor's units, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original value.


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Getting ready to make a bunch of quivers for my Church Youth Group and not having a clue.
Luckily my 3 ladies are all sporting custom Wheely Quivers, to base my plans on, and not wanting to be left out myself, I found a few of my old "Sea bags" (Those would be "Duffle bags" for you Ground Pounder types) and took them apart, removed the straps and buckles, and flat pockets, etc. (I get issued a new one just about every deployment and the bottoms fall about after a few trips dragging them across the non-skid, anyway. ;-)

After only 4 hours of non-stop work I now have it this far done:

Granted the bulk of my time was occupied with a seam-ripper, taking apart the old Sea bags, but converting the flat pocket to a stand-up "pouch" pocket took me almost an hour to figure out how to and then do, but I really didn't want to waste the already made pocket front and flap with snaps already installed.... the Pencil & Marker slip pocket was easy in comparison!

It should really go a lot quicker, now.


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Old 04-01-2014, 09:34 PM   #1
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Canada
Posts: 111

Default For those that are trying to lose the diet mentality,how often do you weigh yourself?

I have a lot of weight to lose, I will say that upfront. But what I am working on at the moment is the OA program and tackling my binge and compulsive overeating. The weight should straighten out then if I succeed in this.
But Ill admit I am having trouble and sometimes the scale pisses me off. for the first two weeks I didnt think of the scale but lately ive weighed myself too often and there's been no movement. Considering all the food and binges not eaten during this time I was hoping for more weight to come off. It seems to be around the exact same number for a week. This is also dangerous so I will have to stop getting on scale.

How often do you guys weigh yourself, once every two weeks? once a month?
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