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Free publicity is one of the best tools that you can use to promote and grow your small business or startup.
P.T. Barnum used it to grow his little circus to international fame. Thomas Edison used it to destroy his competition and become the only name in the game. And Richard Branson uses it to launch every single Virgin product division…from makeup to airlines.
But if free publicity brings such spectacular results … why doesn't every small business use it? Well, knowing how to become the person everyone wants to interview is not easy.
That's why I thought I'd share with you ten great ways to get free big media attention for your brand and examples of companies or people who have succeeded using each technique.
1. Write the best complaint letter ever
Advertising executive Oliver Beale wrote Richard Branson a 6-page letter describing his awful in-flight meal. He opened the letter by praising Branson and the Virgin brand, then went on to detail how awful the food was.
The letter went viral on the Internet and Branson eventually called Beale and offered him a job as Virgin Airlines food tester.
Beale claims the letter wasn't a publicity stunt, which I find hard to believe. Regardless, it generated a lot of attention.
- Use humor: Don't be a jerk…but never back down from a genuine complaint. Showing that you have a funny bone and that you can write on serious matters will show you have some creativity and maturity.
- Choose who you write to wisely: Virgin is an ideal company to write such a letter to. Branson is very transparent and open about communication with his customers, and only he would offer compensation in the form of a position as a "food tester." I can't imagine that going over nearly as well at a company like Firestone, for instance.
- Write a physical letter: Scrap the email. It will get lost and will not emphasize the weight of a 6-page letter. And address it to the CEO.
- Write several pages: While there is no magic number to page count, a longer letter is bound to get more attention than a shorter letter.
2. Create a "most-wanted" list
One of the most famous "wanted lists" is the FBI's.
It all started in 1949 when a reporter from the United Press International asked the FBI director for a list of most-wanted criminals. When that list was published, publicity for the FBI went through the roof.
The success of the list proves to be one of its more enduring features. Over 491 fugitives have been listed, 460 of those being captured, a third due to help from the public.
A "most-wanted" list that goes viral can bring tons of media attention to your small business. Here are some tips on creating a successful most wanted list:
- Location: If your business is tied to the local economy, like a bank or coffee house, you can create a list of the most wanted people or locations.
- Jobs: If you're a career technology consultant, for example, you could create a most-wanted list of the skills that technology employers are looking for.
- Forbidden objects: If you are a museum, you could create a top ten most wanted list of art or historical objects you want to add to your museum.
Here are two things you have to keep in mind when you are creating these lists:
- Creativity rules: Boring will not get you in the media. You must evaluate the success of current and past lists and determine how you can leverage their success.
- Research rules: Successful most wanted lists like USA Today's "best hospitals" or BusinessWeek's' "MBA programs" are interesting usually because the creators poured a lot of statistical research into creating them, giving them a substantial and scientific feel.
3. Create a visual stunt
You can draw attention to your business, brand or idea by showing people the concept behind it in a dramatic way.
For example, the housing and homelessness charity Shelter hired a family of contortionists to crawl inside a miniature home to protest children living in overcrowded conditions.
However, you don't have to do anything complicated to get viral attention. Chris Brogan got attention when he shaved his head. David Beckham simply wears crazy hairstyles a lot.
By the way, check out How to Use YouTube to Build Explosive Product Buzz for tips on creating viral videos.
4. Hold a contest
A great way to pull in a lot of interest from the public and the media is to hold a contest. The Royal Society of Chemistry, for example, held a competition to see if anyone could solve the cliffhanger dilemma from the 1969 movie The Italian Job.
Over 2,000 entries were submitted to the RSC, and the media loved the idea.
What's great about this kind of stunt is you will get the publicity over the duration of the competition, from launch to the announcement of a winner, which could last six months.
Here are some important things to think about when holding a competition:
- Find a relevant unsolved mystery: Search through movies, comic books, popular news or novels looking for a bizarre or unexplained event.
- Try to keep the riddle as relevant to your company as possible: The RSC chose a topic that would have to involve physics, which isn't chemistry but related because it is science. Netflix held a competition to build a better algorithm for their recommendation engine.
- Give away a prize: You will get more people to enter the contest if you give away a prize. And the better the prize the better the turn out…so budget for a decent one.
5. Leak a promotional rumor
Late in 2006, the alcohol retailer Threshers leaked a voucher that amounted to 40 percent off liquor for any online sales. That nobody knew whether the company actually leaked it or was using it as a publicity stunt fueled the discussion across social media.
Part of the success of this campaign came from the fact that misinformation was shared along with the leak.
Here's how to leak your own rumor:
- Make it simple: A complicated rumor is hard to spread and can lead to confusion. Your rumor should amount to "Did you hear X did Y?"
- Make it concrete: Be very specific with your rumor. Notice in the Thresher example that it was a voucher for 40 percent off booze bought online. Can't get more concrete than that, can you?
- Use humor: Funny rumors seem to spread faster than sad ones. Just think about how easy a good, funny joke spreads. Besides, some funny rumors never die.
6. Do something ridiculous
The CEO of British airline Ryanair is known for his ridiculous stunts to promote his company. Here is a little sample of Michael O'Leary's publicity:
- Ran a press conference in 2006 with a Winston Churchill look-a-like.
- Dressed as an Irish priest to celebrate a St. Patrick's Day sale.
- Wore a cell phone costume to celebrate in-flight use of mobile phones.
You have to agree, those are some pretty ridiculous stunts (and it's just a sampling of many other O'Leary publicity ideas), but they work.
Here's how to make stunts like this work for you:
- Be completely relevant: Churchill worked for O'Leary because the company is based in England. In the United States Franklin Roosevelt or John F. Kennedy would be more relevant.
- Be consistent: O'Leary developed a reputation for these stunts so that people started to anticipate what he was going to do next. That anticipation is worth its weight in gold when it comes to free publicity. Media won't just talk about your stunts…they'll even talk about what you do next.
- Clue the media in: Don't forget to contact someone at the news station and newspaper to let them know what you are going to do. They love to hear about publicity stunts!
7. Do something green
Did you know that modern-day bicycle racing came from a news courier publicity stunt?
Back a century ago in Paris bicycle messenger companies would compete with other companies to be the fastest couriers. Those who won got the most publicity.
There is a company in Paris who is reviving that publicity with bicycle messengers…Urban Cycle. They hope to beat out scooter-based delivery companies. Here's why they're strategy is starting to work:
- Tapping into green trends: Whether in France or the U.S., people are recognizing the need to be friendly to the environment. For you, is there an environmental cause you can get behind? Will it fit your brand?
- Use beautiful people: Urban Cycles said that one of the reasons more businesses are choosing them is because the messengers are athletic, young and friendly. That's not necessarily being "green," but it's a great way to get attention.
Is there a way you can tie you and your company into environmental issues like solar energy, pollution or deforestation?
8. Protest a law
If you can identify a law that you want to protest, turn it into a publicity stunt.
Back in 2003, Mark McGowan pushed a peanut with his nose for two weeks across London to give to Tony Blair to protest his student debt. The event drew intense coverage, and ended with McGowan handing the prime minister the peanut.
Here's what you should try to do:
- Protest something relevant: SOPA was an example of businesses protesting a law. Websites with the best anti-SOPA pages actually got media coverage from places like the Washington Post, BBC and Huffington Post.
- Don't be afraid of negative criticism: Many of the supporters of SOPA viewed these protests as a "destructive gimmick." That sort of criticism will come…which is not a bad thing. It keeps the publicity rolling in.
- Take whatever coverage you can get: Sometimes only small media sites will pick up on your stories. Don't complain because the larger sites are sometimes watching these smaller organizations to see if they've missed anything.
9. Ask for pro bono work
Some of your publicity stunt ideas will require you to hire an ad agency or talent. Even if you have it in the budget, ask them if they can do it for free. No reason to spend money if you don't have to, right?
There are a number of reasons why they might work for free:
- Share in the exposure: Choose talent or agencies that are trying to get off the ground and they will do the work for a share in the exposure. This means they'll get credit for whatever work they provide.
- Get new experience: Agencies or talent new to the business may be interested in helping you out simply to get the experience. This is something they will be able to put in their portfolios.
- Fulfill volunteer opportunities at work: Some organizations give their employees or teams time to volunteer in the community. Call around to some organizations and ask about their volunteer policies.
I always wonder why more companies don't try to get free publicity by pulling off stunts like I shared above. I mean…big media is always looking for news…and if you're a guy wearing a wedding dress at a basketball game…I think I would want to cover that!
What's interesting, too, is that such publicity isn't just for the small businesses and startups…large, established brands can use these techniques, too! Just look at Richard Branson and Virgin.
What other free publicity stunts do you think can work for small businesses?
Neil Patel is the co-founder of KISSmetrics, an analytics provider that helps companies make better business decisions.
More from Neil Patel on GeekWire: Seven signs that you might just be an entrepreneur… Eleven things every entrepreneur should know about innovation… 17 things I wish I'd known when starting my first business…


text: I saw this advocacy poster in the Adams Morgan area of Washington, DC this weekend. I love the metaphore and graphic technique, the United States a tree, the world it's roots grouped by continent (another view). Not sure what organization put the poster together, perhaps the Arlington, Va. based NCIC?

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Free Plus 8 Launcher APK Latest Download For PC Windows 7/8/10/XP
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text:
- 112 min
- Drama, Music, Romance
Four time Academy Award nominee JEFF BRIDGES stars as the richly comic, semi tragic, romantic hero, Bad Blake in the debut feature film CRAZY HEART from writer director Scott Cooper. Bad Blake is a broken down, hard living country music singer who's had way too many marriages, far too many years on the road and one too many drinks way too many times. And yet, Bad can't help but reach for salvation with the help of Jean (Golden Globe Nominee MAGGIE GYLLENHAAL), a journalist who discovers the real man behind the musician. As he struggles down the road of redemption, Bad learns the hard way just how tough life can be on one man's crazy heart.


text:
Authorities seek information in Marine recruit's disappearance
Investigators scour woods in case of missing Marine recruit
Aunt of Missing Marine Recruit Makes Emotional Plea for Nephew's Safe Return
Family: It's out of character for missing national guardsman to disappear
Help find service dog stolen from KY veteran
Theodore Jost Missing Veteran
Clarence Moore Missing Active Duty Military
Special agent's disappearance doesn't make sense
Where are "The Springfield Three"? Women Disappeared Without a Trace in 1992
Disappeared: Stacy McCall, Suzie Streeter, and Sherrill Levitt are 'The Springfield Three' who Vanished from Levitt's Missouri Home on June 7, 1992
Lackland Air Force Base Nurse Nonnie Dotson Mysteriously Disappeared, Last Seen November 19th, 2006 in Littleton, Colorado While on Leave
Cold Cases:
10 Unsolved Military Cases | Military Justice for All
Army National Guard Capt. Gordon Hess Found Stabbed to Death at Fort Knox, CID Ruled Suicide Despite 26 Stab Wounds to Neck & Chest Area (1998)
Air Force Col. Philip Shue Died in an Apparent Car Accident, But Autopsy Revealed Much More; Texas Judge Ruled Cause of Death as Homicide (2003)
Cold Case: Army Veteran Kanika Powell Shot Several Times at Doorway of Maryland Home, No Known Suspects At This Time (2008)
Unsolved Homicide: Fort Hood Army Pvt. Justin Lewis Shot & Killed Near Vacant Lot in Neighborhood in Killeen, Texas (2017)
Family of Man Murdered in LR New Year's Day 2016 Seeking Public's Help in Finding His Killer
Fugitive on the Run:
New Security Footage in Search For 'Armed and Dangerous' Fugitive Army Recruiter
Reward Offered for Armed and Dangerous Fugitive: Army Recruiter John Blauvelt Wanted for Allegedly Murdering Estranged Wife in South Carolina (2016)
US Marshals release new images of man wanted for 2017 double murder
Overseas Deaths:
US Army soldier dies at base in Kosovo
Islamic State group offshoot claims attack on US soldiers in Niger
SPC Zachary C. Moore Memorial
DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Javion Sullivan, 24, Ft. Hood
DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Mihail Golin, 34, Ft. Lee
Family: Soldier with ties to Simpsonville killed in Iraq
Fort Hood soldier who died in Iraq remembered by family
US servicemember killed in fighting in eastern Afghanistan
DoD identifies Green Beret killed in New Year's Day attack in Afghanistan
First Navy Jack flies at Pearl Harbor to honor sailors killed in collisions
Body of Turlock soldier who died in Iraq returns home
Stateside Deaths:
Three young men killed after late-night crash in St. Lucie remembered by family, neighbors
Cause of Death Determined in Lakeside Car Fire
Marine Dies in Parachute Accident in Arizona
Fort Hood identifies soldier found unresponsive at off-post residence
Soldier killed, 5 injured when military vehicles crash
2016 Hornet Crash Involved Commander of Top Gun, Investigation Shows
Two soldiers killed in Apache crash at Fort Irwin
In Memory Of U.S. Army SSG Anthony Ray Lovell | Freedom Isn't Free
Airman assigned to Shaw AFB found dead at off-base home
Fort Riley soldier found dead off post
Shaw AFB airman who was found deceased identified as crew chief
Mosque vandal commits suicide a day after sentencing
Two teens, both Army Reservists, killed while pushing stalled vehicle off Jefferson County road
Camp Pendleton Marine killed in San Diego had plans to join law enforcement
Dakota Lee Stump (EP 104) | The Vanished Podcast
Honor sought for US soldier who died in Bronx fire rescue
2 killed in Bellevue when tow truck crashes into stopped cars, police say
Ohio to require overpass fencing after sandbag causes deadly crash
19-year-old airman, Papillion man killed in 3-vehicle crash
Homicide Cases:
Court denies appeal in airman stabbing murder conviction
Body of Calif. woman identified two decades later
DNA hit solves 1992 murder-mystery
18-year-old Marine who was fatally stabbed at Camp Pendleton buried Monday, as investigation continues
Judge rules on bail conditions for triple homicide suspect
Family of murdered Army sergeant make an appeal to you
Funeral Monday for Janesville Marine murdered at Camp Pendleton
Ex-Marine Found Guilty of Killing Two UCSD Medical Students In Drunk Driving Crash
Procession held for Camp Pendleton Marine stabbed to death on base
"We do this to honor him:" Body of murdered Rock County Marine returns to Wisconsin
How homicide charges for two skippers will shake up the entire Navy
Michelle Paet sentenced to life without parole for conspiring to kill her husband
2nd man charged in slaying of Army sergeant is ordered held on no bail
Family mourns Marine stabbed to death at Camp Pendleton
2nd man charged with Omaha slaying of visiting soldier
More Murder-Suicide Details Disclosed
McKernan could serve 3 1/2 years under plea deal
American sailor freed from Belgian custody as Pentagon takes over homicide probe
Navy filing homicide charges against 2 ship commanders
Navy filing homicide charges against officers in ship collisions that killed 17
Funeral held for murdered Army Staff Sergeant Kyle LeFlore
Man accused of shooting Army sergeant admitted to the crime, prosecutor says
Police: Witness to murder-suicide involving Navy officer struck gunman with SUV
Pregnant woman killed by stray bullet identified as Air Force wife
Soldier Found Guilty, Sentenced in Murder of Good Samaritan Marine
US Marine killed in stabbing at Camp Pendleton's School of Infantry
Suspects wanted in Texas couple's ambush, murder during home robbery
Man convicted in fatal shooting of Good Samaritan at Arlington Walgreens in 2016
3 Men Accused of Brutally Slaying Texas Couple Execution-Style Held Without Bond
Raised by a Serial Killer: Edward Edwards' Daughter Shares Guilt and Shame After Turning Him In
Fate of Marine charged with murder for fatal crash in hands of jury
'With Excrutiating Sadness' Father Confirms Marine Son Killed in Camp Pendleton Stabbing
2nd man charged in slaying of Army sergeant is ordered held on no bail
Fort Eustis soldier, mistress plead guilty to wife's 2013 murder
Fort Bragg investigates dead body found on post
Document: Ft. Bliss soldier accused of killing man claims he has PTSD
Court documents detail moments leading up to death of man near Hueco Tanks
Fort Bliss soldier accused of killing man in front of shocked witnesses
Navy servicewoman allegedly killed by ex-boyfriend in Lake Forest had made video about domestic violence
Staff sergeant shot, killed while visiting family in Nebraska
Arrests Made in Fatal Stabbing of Camp Pendleton Marine
Suspects in Gaslamp Quarter Stabbing of US Marine Have History of Predatory Attacks: Prosecutor
Claire Vanlandingham & Ryan Zike: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know
Omaha gunfire claims the life of a soldier on a visit home
Men who stabbed Marine to death targeted him because he appeared to be easy target
Green Beret indicted for murder (1994)
Sex Crimes Cases:
Coast Guard rape conviction overturned after court's scathing attack on women-packed jury
Man sentenced to 20 years for child molestation
Air Force Academy cadet accused of sexual assault found not guilty
Navy recruiter suspected of using position to lure sex-abuse victims
Ex-Air Force policeman who raped four women at gun point sentenced to prison
Airman sentenced for sexually abusing young pregnant teen runaway on base
Academy Scandal Exposes Air Force's Continuing Struggle With Sexual Assault
Former death row inmate, Army Sergeant accused of sex trafficking
Man previously on Delaware's death row indicted in Hawaii
Other Crime Cases:
Airman, son of Army 1SG charged with injuring 5-year-old during a hit and run
Man pleads guilty in border smuggling case involving former Fort Hood soldiers
Army hospital employees under investigation for misconduct
Marine charged in 'military training' child abuse
Military romance scammers steal U.S. soldiers' photos — and money — from lonely people
Soldier who was hunting charged after N.C. woman was struck by a bullet while in truck with baby
Clarksville Mongols gang members no strangers to police
First military trial in Navy's 'Fat Leonard' scandal results in guilty plea in Norfolk
Motorcyclists held at gun point after trying to sneak in USAF base for second time
Security Forces airman arrested for kidnapping, spotted at squadron holiday party
Absent Without Leave (AWOL) Cases:
Military Desertion is Issue in Border Agent's Murder Case
Asking for help to find double homicide suspect
Soldier who found fame executing Nazis died his own mysterious death
Military Explosives:
Anti-personnel mine found near Fountain Creek was real
Police: Hand grenade disarmed after being found in trash
$10,000 reward offered for info about military explosives discovered in Pine
Wrongful Conviction Cases:
Bill would give Norfolk Four $3.5M for wrongful rape, murder convictions
Former Marine Sniper Punished in Scandal Wins Again in Court
Dennis Maher: How DNA Freed a Wrongfully Convicted Army Sergeant After 19 Years
Stateside Deaths:
Florida National Guard identifies soldier killed in military vehicle crash
2 soldiers die after SUV stalls on Missouri roadway
Indiana National Guard soldier dies at Fort Hood
Army releasing few details on National Guard soldier who died at Fort Hood
Second Republican Lawmaker Commits Suicide Following Sexual Abuse Allegations In Less than a Month
Felony Crime:
Couple was paid for recruiting soldiers, but they committed fraud, jury finds
Fairbanks man gets 20 years for 2016 rape
Former official claims sex discrimination, lies, obstruction at Oregon military agency in $4 million suit
Shutdown cancels North Carolina National Guard training
Eric Greitens Should Have Known Better
Allegations against Missouri governor raise legal risks
Sheena Chestnut, Eric Greitens' Wife: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know
Cause of fatal SW Wichita fire determined
Man who died in Lansing house fire was U.S. Air Force veteran
Gun used in Yakima veteran's suicide among those confiscated, sold
This Marine Veteran Just Died of Cancer at 36. Here's Why He Fought Assisted Suicide.
Military Suicide Awareness | SGT Jordan Roberts, 27, USMC, November 14, 2017
A Tacoma veteran died waiting for heart surgery from the VA. His family has sued
Homicide Cases:
3 sentenced to prison for their part in killing of Army veteran
Former Marine accused of murder-for-hire plot released on bail
Ex-soldier sentenced to life in prison for murder of Denver transit guard
Murder suspect held on $5 million bond, victim's family seeks answers in Delaware shooting
Ex-soldier gets life in prison without parole for slaying Denver transit guard
Funeral services held for paramedic, Army veteran, killed by husband
Victims in Bella Vista suspected murder-suicide identified
Family says murder victim was killed for defending his daughter
Attorney seeks to bar border agent's military records from trial in teen's shooting
Crime History: Versace-Killer Andrew Cunanan's 1997 Murder Spree
Deputy US marshal, an Army veteran, killed while serving Pennsylvania warrant
Man convicted in Kane County murder 20 years ago now on trial for armed robbery
Deputies Down-Colorado story
Officials: SCI-Somerset inmate killed his cellmate
Colorado Gunman Live-Streamed Shooting of Sheriff Deputies
Suspect charged with murder in San Bernardino deputy's death 'needs to spend the rest of his life in prison,' DA says
Police: Former School Principal and Her Mom Died of Gunshot Wounds
Alonzo Leron Smith, Who Fatally Punched California Police Officer, Charged With Murder
Suspect identified in fatal shooting of deputy
Other Crime Cases:
Army Vet Shot by Police at VA Clinic Faces Charges
Dear thieves, give back the Silver Star you stole from a dying Kansas veteran
Former Pilot Sentenced to Life in Prison for Traveling to Philippines to Buy, Rape Young Girls
See the First Image of Sarah Palin's Battered Husband Todd After Son Track's Alleged Attack
Wrongful Conviction Cases:
Blackwater: Black-listed and betrayed
Man wrongfully convicted of Simi double-murder plans to work with veterans
Veterans Affairs Issues:
DoD and VA Partner with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention to Focus on Reducing Suicide
VA criticized over eye care for vets in rural areas
Fired combat veteran sues McDonald, alleging discrimination
DoD and VA Release Online Tool to Assist Veterans with Discharge Upgrade Process
Police: Oregon man shot by VA officer had come to clinic for appointment
What You Think About Veterans Is Likely Wrong
Man Shot at Oregon Veterans Clinic During Altercation
Inmates, dogs help veterans reintegrate into civilian life
The Obstacles Facing VA In Its Fight To End Veteran Homelessness
Army veteran found dead in freezing cold parking lot after release from VA hospital
Army vet with scalpel left in body after surgery sues VA
New England vet claims surgeon left scalpel inside his body for 4 years
VA secretary apologizes for surgery that left scalpel in Army veteran for years
VA Facilities Now Offer Same-day Care for Urgent Primary and Mental Health-care Needs
New Hampshire House Approved Marijuana Legalization Bill
New Trump order focused on preventing suicide among new vets
New Trump Executive Order Takes Aim At America's Veteran Suicide Crisis
Reality Check: Veterans Have Lost Faith in A Failing VA System
Unarmed Kansas Man killed by SWAT Team After Getting 'Swatted' By Call of Duty Player
If You're A Vet In California, Here's How The New Marijuana Laws May Affect You
Explainer: What is "Swatting?" Prank Calls to SWAT Teams are on the Rise
VA Caught Denying Care To Sicker Vets To Get Better Performance Ratings
Attorney General Sessions ends federal policy that let legal pot flourish
VA says Justice Department crackdown on marijuana won't hit veterans
VA firings spiked after Trump signed the new accountability law last year
Mental Health:
Show Your Mind Who's Boss
"You have value. It's there." | Korey Shaffer
Seeking Justice or Enhancing a Victimized Identity?
5 Things Not to Say to Someone Who's Suicidal — and What to Say Instead
A Letter to Parents Surviving a Child's Suicide
Is Mental Illness Physical or Mental?
Honoring Our Fallen Police, Firefighters, Military
11 Signs of a Sneaky Sociopath
The Catch-22 of Dealing With a Narcissist
How To Spot Sociopath Women
3 Surprising Ways Heartbreak Impacts Your Brain
Felony Crime:
Freed Felon Chelsea Manning to Run For Senate
Military Sexual Trauma Survivors Speak Out At Pentagon
Pentagon officials endorse demonstration against military sexual assault
Veterans Who Have Faced Sexual Assault Ask: Where Is Our #MeToo Moment?
"Where's Our Reckonin?" | Military Women Gather Outside Pentagon in #MeToo Protest
International Incidents:
Pentagon investigating video that appears to show a service member opening fire on a civilian
Military Morale Sacrificed as Pawn in Shutdown Political Game
Surface Fleet Commander to Resign After Reported Firing Recommendation
Army general now 'special assistant' after 'sweetheart' comment to female staffer
So the military is doing its job, but not getting paid. And Congress is not doing its job, but getting paid? #SchumerShutdown via Uncle Sam's Misguided Children
Other Injustices:
Pico Rivera Student Who Recorded Teacher's Anti-Military Rant Hopes to Serve in Marine
Secrecy and uncertainty surrounds Navy discipline for fatal ship collisions
This viral video caught a California high school teacher's ugly rant about military recruiters
CA Teacher Caught on Tape: US Military Members 'The Lowest of the Low'
Air Force supplying drinking water after water well contamination detected near former Texas base
Sgt. Joshua Berry, 2009 Terrorist Attack, Fort Hood | Judicial Watch
Report: Navy sailor found hiding on ship had financial problems
Missing sailor who hid on USS Shiloh was found filthy, carrying Peeps candy, report says
Navy Missed Signs Of 'Clear Instability' In Days Before Shiloh Sailor Went MIA
Military Policy:
John Kelly says California teacher caught on video bashing troops 'ought to go to hell'
Social media becoming powerful tool for Fayetteville police
Marine Col. drugged, robbed in Colombia; now being forced to retire
Air Force technical sergeant removed for racially charged video rant
The Conversation #MeToo Needs to Have
USAF TSgt removed from charge after online rant, base under investigation
Second Lady Karen Pence Advocates for Art Therapy to Help Fort Hood Soldiers
Geraldine Lovely: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know
The Innocence Deniers
USAF NCO under investigation for saying only her black subordinates are disrespectful
Why Revoking Obama's Sex Assault Letter Won't End Campus Witch Hunts
US soldiers are revealing sensitive and dangerous information by jogging
Army pays $4 million to families for murders committed by WA soldier
New PTSD study shows recovery for Fort Hood soldiers in just two weeks
Navy tells families when they can identify a sailor who has died on social media in latest handbook
AFRICOM investigates images depicting Niger ambush that killed four US soldiers
#MeToo Excesses | Opinion | The Harvard Crimson
Why Does Our Justice System Fight So Hard to Keep Innocent People Behind Bars?
Injured Heroes, Broken Promises: Army Launches Investigation Inside Fort Hood's Warrior Transition Unit
This Is How Mass Incarceration Happens
Nonprofit steps in to aid military death benefits during shutdown
How To Avoid Getting Duped By A Stripper
Troops Just Want Congress to Stop Political Budget Games: Dunford
Feds say slaying by outlaw biker gang happened at Bumpus Mills cemetery
6 signs she is more in love with your contract than you
#MeToo and the Military
Why don't more people serve? The US is launching a commission to find out
Reporting abuse was risking my life – US veteran & rape victim
S.2870 – Military Retaliation Prevention Act (2015-2016)
McKernan jurors: What if Colleen and Rob's roles were reversed?
'Til Death Do Them Part: A Husband Pushed Off a Cliff, a Wife Drowns and Other Newlywed Homicides
Condoleezza Rice on #MeToo: 'Let's not turn women into snowflakes'
Rape Victims' Reactions Misunderstood by Law Enforcement
DOJ to help police dive deep into numbers
This young man is transgender, and ready to enlist Jan. 1
Rape Kits in America: Battling the Backlog-on-Backlog in SAKI
Dakota's Law by Warriors Aftermath & Recovery (Dakota Stump)
Publicly, We Say #MeToo. Privately, We Have Misgivings.
'Believe the Victim' Investigations Reveal a Callous Disregard for the Truth
Proposal Would Create Alerts for 'Critically Missing' Adults
Honoring the Victims of Serial Killer Andrew Urdiales, US Marine Corps, in California and Illinois (1986-1996)
Top 10 Posts on Military Justice for All in 2017
Army Soldiers at Fort Hood in Texas Are Dying at Alarming Rates Stateside
74 Fort Hood Soldiers Died Since January 2016: 4 Insider Attacks & 2 Suicides Overseas; 67 Stateside Deaths Including 34 Alleged Suicides & 1 Unsolved Homicide
Army Major Chester Barrett Murdered By Estranged Wife Lisbeth & Step-Son for Military Survivor Benefits; Both Sentenced to Prison 35+ Years Later (1977)
Navy Spouse Susan Russo Hired Drug Addicted Hitmen for $100 to Murder Husband David for the Servicemen's Group Life Insurance (July 14, 1994)
AWOL Army Pvt. Dannie Boy Edwards' Bones Found Near Ohio Cemetery on April 13, 1997; Ed Edwards Guilty of Murder for SGLI; Sentenced to Death (April 13, 1996)
Army Soldier Gary Prokop Murdered by Wife Tyshee Manik & Childhood Friends for the Servicemen's Group Life Insurance (June 25, 1998)
Fort Bragg Army SSG John Diamond Convicted of Murder of Air Force Capt. Marty Theer; Military Court Sentenced to Life in Prison, No Parole (2001)
Army Pfc LaVena Johnson Died of Non Combat Related Injuries in Iraq, Death Ruled Suicide But Independent Autopsy Revealed Rape & Murder (2005)
Army Soldier Marc O'Leary Raped an 18 Year Old Woman in Washington; Three Years Later Arrested in Colorado for Rape & Sentenced to 300 Plus Years (2008)
Pregnant Samira Watkins Found Dead in Bayou Grande in Florida; Navy Sailor Zachary Littleton Convicted of 1st Degree Murder, Sentenced to Life (2009)
Evidence Reveals U.S. Army Reserve Recruiter Adam Arndt Murdered High School Student & Recruit Michelle Miller, Then Killed Self; Army Investigators Claim 'Double Suicide' (2013)
Army Spouse Dana Mackay Found Murdered in Virginia Home; SSG John Mackay, Nicole Houchin, Nace Houchin, & Greg Crawford Confessed to Crime (2013)
Air Force Veteran Colleen McKernan Shot Husband Robert 10 Times; Plead Guilty to Manslaughter to Avoid 3rd Trial, Sentenced to 7 Years in Prison (2014)
Fort Hood Army Pvt. Dakota Stump Found Dead on Post Three Weeks After Vehicle Accident; Family Wants Missing 'Warrior Alert' Law (2016)
Pvt. Wanya Bruns Died by Self-Inflicted Gunshot Wound Nine Months After Joining Army; One of Many in 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Hood, Texas (2016)
The Silent Truth: The Rape, Murder & Military Cover-Up of Army Pfc LaVena Johnson in Iraq
Killeen PD: Army SSG Anthony Lovell Died of Injuries Sustained in Apparent Motorcycle Accident Along Nolan Creek in Killeen, Texas (2017)
Fort Hood Army Spc. Zachary Moore Found Unresponsive in Barracks on Deployment to Camp Hovey, South Korea; CID Ruled Suicide (2017)
30 Domestic Abuse Cases in the Military That Ended in the Murder of Female Partners (2017)
Washington DC Veteran's Presentation on the Current Status of the Armed Forces at Fort Hood in Texas (2017)
30 Domestic Abuse Cases in the Military That Ended in the Murder of Female Partners (2017)
A Month in Review: In the News on Military Justice for All (November 2017)
A Month in Review: In the News on Military Justice for All (December 2017)
Sophie and Co | RT: Reporting abuse was risking my life – US veteran & rape victim (2018)
On This Day:
100 Years After The Porvenir Massacre, Most Texans Still Haven't Heard The Story
Today in History for Jan. 15
Johnson says U.S. should stay in Vietnam | History.com (January 12, 1966)
Andrew Muns Disappeared from USS Cacapon, Listed AWOL; 30 Plus Years Later, NCIS Cold Case Squad Solved Murder; Michael LeBrun Plead Guilty (January 17, 1968)
Explosion rocks USS Enterprise (January 14, 1969)
Cease-fire goes into effect (January 28, 1973) | History
President Carter pardons draft dodgers | History (1977)
Army Brigadier General Bobby Robinson Found Dead by Gunshot Wounds at Washington DC Home, Death Believed to be Suicide (January 14, 1985)
Saddleback College Student Robbin Brandley was Stabbed to Death by Camp Pendleton Marine Andrew Urdiales in California (January 18, 1986)
Civilian Kimberly Ruggles Raped & Murdered by Fort Bragg Soldier; Ronald Gray Sentenced to Death by Military Courts for Two Murders & One Attempted Murder (January 6, 1987)
The Persian Gulf War begins (January 16, 1991)
Army OTS Candidate Lisa Gaudenzi Disappeared from Virginia Home; 15 Years Later, Spouse Lawrence Pleaded Guilty to Murder, Sentenced to 25 Years (January 26, 1995)
Navy Petty Officer James Kuenn Convicted of the Cold Case Murder of Carol Hutto in Florida; Sentenced to Life, Possibility of Parole After 25 Years (February 9, 2000)
The US Air Force Academy Sexual Assault Scandal, Colorado (2003)
Army Sgt. Keicia Hines Struck by a Vehicle on Mosul Airfield in Iraq; No Updates on Outcome of DoD Investigation (January 14, 2004)
Air Force SSgt Michael Severance Drugged by Wife; Wendi Davidson Plead 'No Contest' to 1st Degree Murder, Sentenced to 25 Years (January 15, 2005)
Army Pfc. Suzanne Swift Went AWOL from Fort Lewis; She Refused to Deploy for Third Time with Superiors She Accused of Sexual Harassment (January 15, 2006)
Army Soldier Katherine 'Kat' Singleton Died in Iraq; Department of Defense Did Not Publish Press Release Notifying Public of Death (January 18, 2006)
MA1 Jennifer Valdivia, US Navy, Died in a Non Combat Related Incident in Bahrain, NCIS Ruled Death Suicide by Carbon Monoxide Poisoning (January 16, 2007)
Marine Veteran Joseph Kerekes & Navy Veteran Harlow Cuadra Murdered Bryan Kocis in Pennsylvania Home; Sentenced to Life in Prison (January 24, 2007)
College Student Brianna Denison Kidnapped, Raped and Strangled by a Former Marine in Reno, Nevada; James Biela Sentenced to Death (January 20, 2008)
Sgt Tracy Birkman, US Army, Died of Non Combat Related Injuries in Owesat, Iraq (January 25, 2008)
Iraq War Army Veteran Benjamin Barnes Found Dead in Mount Rainier National Park; Suspect in Death of Park Ranger Margaret Anderson (January 2, 2012)
Army Soldier Sgt. Brandy Fonteneaux Found Murdered in Fort Carson Barracks; Sgt. Vincinte Jackson Sentenced to Life, No Parole (January 9, 2012)
Fort Bragg Army Soldier Joshua Eisenhauer Shot at Police & Firefighters During 4-Hour Standoff at Fayetteville Home (January 13, 2012)
Shannon O'Roark Murdered Estranged Husband's Mistress Veterans Affairs Psychiatrist Dr. Irina Puscariu; Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison (January 13, 2012)
Iraq War Army Veteran Steven Russell Jr. Convicted of the Capital Murder of Girlfriend Joy Owen; Sentenced to Life in Prison, No Parole (January 27, 2012)
US Air Force TSgt. Jennifer Norris Testified Before the House Armed Services Committee in Washington DC (January 23, 2013)
Air Force Defends Handling of Sex Scandal (January 24, 2013)
JBLM Army Soldier Shawn Woods Died Saving a Woman Stabbed in Back by Boyfriend; Chase Devyver Sentenced to 31 Years in Prison (January 19, 2014)
Army SSG Devin Schuette Found Dead in Vehicle at Recreation Area Near Fort Hood; CID Ruled Suicide, Spouse Requests Independent Investigation (January 3, 2016)
Iraq Army Veteran Jonathan 'Mike' Gilotti Gunned Down in Front of Home in Alabama; 4 Individuals Charged with Murder, 1 Found Not Guilty (January 5, 2016)
Air Force Major John Gerrie Died from Non-Combat Related Incident at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar (January 16, 2016)
Fort Hood Army Major Troy Wayman Found Dead at Residence in Nolanville, Texas; Death Ruled Suicide by Self-Inflicted Gunshot Wound (January 16, 2016)
Air Force TSgt Zechariah Casagranda Stabbed to Death in Parking Lot in Louisiana; Benjamin Shaw Found Not Guilty of Second Degree Murder (January 24, 2016)
Vanity Fair Confidential on Investigation Discovery Features 'Code of Dishonor' (January 25, 2016)
Army Sgt. Joseph Stifter Died of Wounds Suffered When Armored HMMWV was Involved in Roll-over Accident in Iraq (January 28, 2016)
Army Pfc. Shadow McClaine Reported Missing at Fort Campbell on 9/2; Spc. Charles Robinson Pleaded Guilty to Murder, Sgt. Jamal Williams-McCray Awaiting Trial (January 23, 2017)
Fort Hood Army Pfc. Kai Yancey, Died After Complications From a Short Illness on New Year's Day at Scott & White Hospital in Temple, Texas (January 1, 2017)
Fort Hood Army Pfc. Randal Anderson Died from Gunshot Wound in Killeen; No Updates on Outcome of Investigation & Cause of Death Ruling (January 2, 2017)
Florida airport shooting suspect Esteban Santiago formally charged with murder (January 6, 2017)
Army Spc. Barron Von Reichelt Died From Injuries Suffered in an Automobile Accident on South Range Road at Fort Hood (January 7, 2017)
Army Sgt. Alex Taylor Found Unresponsive in Place of Duty at Fort Hood; No Updates on Outcome of Investigation & Cause of Death Ruling (January 11, 2017)
Army Spc. Zackary Partin Found Dead in Barracks at Fort Hood in Texas; Had Plans to Discharge in a Few Months & Become Full-Time Firefighter (January 12, 2017)
Army Pfc. Shadow McClaine Reported Missing at Fort Campbell on 9/2; Spc. Charles Robinson Pleaded Guilty to Murder, Sgt. Jamal Williams-McCray Awaiting Trial (January 23, 2017)
Shaw AFB SSgt. Zachary Townsend Found Deceased at Off-base Residence Near Columbia, South Carolina; No Foul Play Suspected (January 15, 2018)
Featured in Television Episode, Movie, Documentary, Theatre:
No Means Yes | Deadly Women Quick Hits
"48 Hours: NCIS" | Body of Evidence
Tyshee Prokop Documentary | Female Killers
'The 15:17 Train to Paris' Cast on Who They Would've Chosen to Play Themselves
Megan Leavey Movie Trailer
Cold Case Files: Carols Diary (With Bill Kurtis)
Realistic Patriotism Makes '12 Strong' A War Movie Worth Watching
Watch Our Interview With the Real Heroes of 'The 15:17 to Paris'
BSF Exclusive Sneak Peek: National Geographic's Chain of Command
The Ultimate Pledge | Bride Killa | Investigation Discovery
'The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story': Who is Andrew Cunanan?
My Father, The Serial Killer | People Magazine Investigates (ID Web)
Afghan War Documentary 'Trauma' Does Justice To The Difficult Job Of Combat Medic
'12 Strong' Isn't The Afghan War Movie We Deserve, But It's The One We Want
The Perfect Suspect (Investigation Discovery): Lisa Gaudenzi, US Army
Forbidden: Dying for Love (Investigation Discovery): Adam Arndt & Michelle Miller
'A Few Good Men' Comes to Cotuit Center for the Arts
Evil Lives Here (Investigation Discovery): Bobby Joe Long, Army Veteran
Army announces deployments for about 10,000 soldiers
Elevator maintenance worker found dead at William Beaumont's 9th floor
US: American soldier wounded in Afghan attack
Top 10: Mariah Woods disappears
Married to a Monster: Ex-wife discusses serial killer who raped, killed 10 women
After 15 years, father finds peace in knowing truth about his murdered daughter
Oprah as commander in chief? Here's what she had to say about the Iraq War
Okinawa-Based Marine Honored for Heroism after Harrowing Water Rescue
Gen. Mark Welsh sounds alarm on undermanned Air Force (2015)
Rear Admiral Ronny Jackson: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know
Martin Luther King Day | Military Justice for All
Chelsea Manning files to run for US Senate in Maryland
Ex-wife says lawmaker who killed himself molested 2 girls, including relative
Dog Found Tied To Tree With Note Has Been Adopted By Army Specialist
Surprise for an Army Veteran | Purple Heart Homes
Thank you for your service to all generations of veterans
NFL rejects Super Bowl ad from veterans group that asks players to stand during anthem
California Names Mountain after Marine Who Died in Combat
Preston Sharp: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know
Related Links:
A Month in Review: In the News on Military Justice for All (November 2017)
A Month in Review: In the News on Military Justice for All (December 2017)
A Month in Review: In the News on Military Justice for All (January 2018)
A Month in Review: In the News on Military Justice for All (February 2018)
A Month in Review: In the News on Military Justice for All (March 2018)


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1.Dr. Preston Burke
He was dark, handsome, tall and the best cardiothoracic surgeon in Seattle! Burke however seemed to always be distant, the kind of man who you would never know what's on his mind. His devotion to his work is very attractive and it's what makes Cristina, the hungry intern for knowledge on cardiothoracic surgery fall in love with him. Their relationship goes through several rough patches, from Cristina, the workaholic having to settle for a relationship to Burke's tragic accident, when he is shot on the arm in an incident right outside the hospital. Burke's arm never heals completely and he is unable to operate with his right arm, this situation breaks him down. The last of them is when he eventually stands up Cristina at the altar after she hesitated to enter the church on their wedding day. He eventually leaves Seattle Grace. Word went round that he went on to win a prestigious medical award at a different state. I miss Burke, I feel like he was destined for big and better things in the developing story. He had a very strong character, un fortunately he fell out with one of the actors on set and the series had to fire him to avoid bad publicity.
He was my best doctor ever! He came from an ordinary family that never believed that their Georgy did become a doctor! George was just a great person, a loyal friend, he had a pleasant character though sometimes overly emotional. He had the hugest crush on Meredith, ended up marrying Dr. Torres who divorced him after finding out that he cheated with his best friend Izzy who was at that time not in her clear mind, literally she had a brain tumour. In seas 6 the introduction of Dr. Hunt is the beginning of Georgy's end, Hunt convinces George to leave Seattle to go become a doctor at the military. George leaves hastily and misses his own farewell party when the rest of his friends were planning to cajole him to stay. Later that day, a man who was badly injured and completely disfigured after being hit by a bus trying to save a girl on the streets is brought to the hospital. He undergoes various surgeries and doesn't seem to be doing well. One night when Meredith was checking up on the patient, she noticed that he was trying to communicate using his hands. Meredith decodes a hand sign that George used to love and realizes that the man was George! She breaks down and calls the rest. George starts to code and despite efforts to save his life, he finally dies. You think his friends cried? I cried the whole night, haven't cried as much since Titanic, LOL. George has asked the writers to depart the series, but did they have to kill him so tragically? That was just heart wrenching and by far the most dramatic and saddest season finale! Most of the fans even thought that the writer would introduce another George, with a different face since the accident messed his face but that never was. Goodbye Georgy 😦
Dr. Erica Hahn
She was annoyingly authoritative but at the same time you had to love her for being the only other cardiothoracic surgeon to stand up to Dr. Burke, in addition she was lesbian! We all need a little spice innit! The most memorable Hahn episode must be her introduction, when Dr. Burke flies to her hospital in a different state to get her patient's heart for his patient whose life was on the line. Hahn on the other hand did not want to give up the heart. Chief Webber later employs Hahn at Seattle Grace and she saves the day when Burke gets an accident. She has a fling with Dr. Torres that never really flourished before she leaves Seattle. Yet another very strong character killed, yuck @ the writers!
Dr. Isabel Stephens
I think she was annoying in soooo many ways but now that she is gone, I miss her! What was most outstanding about Izzie was her beauty, a broad with brains is usually a good combi! She is the doctor who can't keep her mouth shut, moreover she is the most spontaneous of all. She falls in love with a patient, Danny Duquette who proposes to her right before he dies! She is later haunted by his memories after he lives her millions of his fortune. Izzie uses all that money to start a special medical ward at Seattle Grace called The Danny Duquette memorial. She is later diagnosed with a brain tumour after marrying Dr. Karev at the height of her ailment. She later becomes distant and falls out with Karev, they divorce and she eventually quits the whole being a doctor vibe. Looked like a diminishing character to me.
We really miss these characters, a miracle would be their recurrence which is highly in doubt!


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International Nightlife association published the World's 100 best clubs.
The beautiful news is that in the first ten position there are five Ibiza's clubs: after Omnia Las Vegas, named best club in the world, there are Ushuaïa (2nd) Pacha (4th), Space Ibiza (5th), DC10 (7th), Amnesia (10th) then Sankeys Ibiza (16th), Blue Marlin (82nd) Privilege (83rd): as usual Ibiza clubs make the difference!
This is the official rank, where you can see that Ministry of Sound London was 11th, Space Moscow was 13th, Fabrik Madrid was 20th, then Fabric London 27th, Berghain Berlin 31st, Watergate Berlin 37th, Tenax Florence 42nd, Warehouse Leeds 43th, Pacha Barcelona was 71th, Egg London 72th.
The team of Ibiza by night wished to make compliments to all Ibiza's clubs and to all the workers that made it possible!
The organizers said:"Omnia Las Vegas was named Best Club in the World as well as winning an award for Best Bookings. After a day of intense debated, the 3rd International Nightlife Congress finalized the night of the 26th of October with the Golden Moon Award ceremony. The ceremony rewarded best practices in the industry as well as administrations and other organizations in 16 different categories. For one day Las Vegas has become epicentre of debate for the progress of the nightlife industry, establishing dialogues on topics such as the development of nightlife districts, the quality of life, the influence of the music industry, tourism marketing, nightlife & technology, responsibility, security, among others.
Both Ibiza and Las Vegas, two of world's main nightlife capitals, won awards in various categories. Omnia was the final winner of the Best Club in the World Golden Moon, after a vote led by all of the components of the different nightlife associations from around the world. Ushuaïa Ibiza won second place, Green Valley the third and Pacha Ibiza the forth. Space Ibiza, winner of the fifth place, was also recognized with the award for Most Historical Club and Ushuaïa Ibiza for Best Nightlife Business Development. The Best Booking Service was awarded to Omnia and Best Customer Service was presented to club X's, both also located in Las Vegas.
The Hakkasan Group from the United States won one year more the award for Best Marketing Strategy and Pacha Group from Spain was recognized in the category Best Nightlife Business Group.
The San Francisco Entertainment Commission was warranted a special mention for their outstanding and responsible support to the industry. Another awarded with a Golden Moon was the Night Time Industries Association, winning in the category for Best Awareness Campaign for their inniative "Save Nightlife". Best Security Action went to DEKRA Certification for the "International Nightlife Safety Seal", following Keep Sydney Open win for the most original action in defense of nightlife. The Funktion-One repetedthis year with the award for Best Sound System after managing musical events such as Chemical Brothers concerts, Glastonbury Festival, London's Millenium Dome Central Show, and more recently The Glade Festival. The awards even travelled to Dubai for the Best VIP Service offered by Club Provocateur.
In the category for Best Franchise the award went one year more to Space Moscow, and for Most Original Club it went to Warung Brasil. Lastly, as best booking platform was voted Nightspender.
This was the second edition of the Golden Moon Awards, celebrated as part of the framework of the 3rd International Nightlife Congress, and will be back again next year for the next edition of the congress, which will take place in Ibiza. This event will be celebrated alternating between both locations, being held in Ibiza on odd years and Las Vegas the years that are pair."


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Spring Training Wrap #10 – First Cuts
Welcome back to day #10 of my daily coverage of Spring Training. It was nice relaxing today in front of the tv and watching the Phillies beat the Twins by a score of 5-4. Let's take a look around and check in on some former R-Phils from today — ENJOY!
Monday marks the start of Minor League spring training games and today the Phillies assigned 14 players to Minor League camp — 8 of the 14 have spent time in Reading at some point over the past couple of seasons (Tuffy Gosewisch, John Suomi, Kevin Nelson, Joe Savery, Scott Mathieson, Yohan Flande, and Freddy Galvis).
Let's take an in-depth look at a few of those who were cut today:
Quintin Berry (2009) – Berry, a member of the Phillies 40-man roster, found himself among today's cuts. A native of San Diego, California, Berry, 25, had just one at-bat this spring for the Phils, and finished 1-1 with 3 runs scored, one RBI, and two walks. With a crowded outfield in Philadelphia this season (Werth, Victorino, and Ibanez), Berry will begin the season in the minors — where, will depend on his next couple of weeks in Minor League camp.
Joe Savery (2009) – Savery, a product of Rice University, was among eight pitchers reassigned today. The 24-year-old Houston, Texas native appeared in two games for Philadelphia this spring (3 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 1 K, 3 BB). Savery will most likely start the year at Lehigh Valley, where he could work on his control.
John Suomi (2008) – Suomi "the money", was among three catchers cut today. Suomi, a native of Toronto, Ontario, appeared in just two games this spring with the Phils and went 1-2 at the dish. Much like the crowded Phillies outfield, Suomi finds himself in another crowded position at both the Major and Minor League levels — catcher.


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Bethlehem Mayor John Callahan apologized Monday to the referee who ejected him from a high school wrestling match over the weekend, a story that media sites across the country picked up.
In an email, Callahan said he should have handled "the incident better no matter how I felt about the calls made during the match" and said he respects that the referee, Dennis Buchman, has "the right to call the match the way he sees it."
"That said, both Mr. Buchman and I agree that this was a minor incident that has become overblown and unfortunately took away from the great effort and dedication shown by the young men who participated in the tournament," Callahan said. "I hope that this will no longer distract from the real issues facing Bethlehem and Northampton County."
Callahan did not return a telephone call seeking a comment.
Read more:


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With advanced medical procedures, piles are treated with a laser technique called laser piles treatment. The cost of laser treatment for piles in Visakhapatnam can range between Rs. 40,650 and Rs. 1,04,800.
One of the best piles doctors in Visakhapatnam says, "Most of the patients with piles keep delaying their treatment because of various factors. But treating piles at the initial stage can cost you less when compared to treating them at the end-stage. So, timely treatment can help you free from piles with negligible chance of recurrence and also reduces the cost burden."
Here, you can know the cost of piles laser treatment in Visakhapatnam and the factors affecting them.
Piles Operation Cost in Visakhapatnam:
Piles or hemorrhoids can be treated with lifestyle and dietary changes in the grade-1 stage. But, surgery is the best method for treating grade-2, 3, and 4 piles.
Some of the surgical procedures used to treat piles are
- Laser Piles Treatment
- Open Piles Surgery
- Stapled Hemorrhoidectomy
- Sclerotherapy
- Cauterization
- Rubber Band Ligation
Each of these piles treatment methods has its very own advantages and disadvantages. Most proctologists worldwide suggest their patients undergo laser piles surgery, and this is due to its benefits which are mentioned further.
The approximate cost of piles treatment methods in Visakhapatnam are tabulated below.
|Different Piles Treatment Methods
|Minimum cost in Visakhapatnam
|Average cost in Visakhapatnam
|Maximum cost in Visakhapatnam
|Laser Piles Treatment
|Rs. 36,500 approximately
|Rs. 54,350 approximately
|Rs. 1,03,500 approximately
|Open Piles Surgery
|Rs. 21,000 approximately
|Rs. 51,500 approximately
|Rs. 81,650 approximately
|Stapled Hemorrhoidectomy
|Rs. 11,500 approximately
|Rs. 20,360 approximately
|Rs. 40,500 approximately
|Rs. 20,800 approximately
|Rs. 35,500 approximately
|Rs. 74,830 approximately
|Rs. 25,750 approximately
|Rs. 50,250 approximately
|Rs. 84,940 approximately
|Rubber Band Ligation
|Rs. 20,000 approximately
|Rs. 31,500 approximately
|Rs. 48,500 approximately
Note: The cost mentioned in the table is not the exact price range and should be used for reference purposes only.
To know more about the cost of piles treatment in Visakhapatnam, you can call us or fill in the form on this page. Our medical coordinator will call you back at the earliest possible.
Piles Treatment Cost in Visakhapatnam
Piles laser treatment cost in Visakhapatnam varies for each individual because of several factors that are discussed further in the blog. Below, we have tabulated the approximate minimum, average, and maximum cost of laser piles treatment. Use that cost as reference purpose and to know the exact price, contact the specific hospital where you wish to undergo the surgery.
|Minimum Piles laser treatment cost in Visakhapatnam
|Rs. 36,500 approximately
|Average Piles laser treatment cost in Visakhapatnam
|Rs. 54,350 approximately
|Minimum Piles laser treatment cost in Visakhapatnam
|Rs. 1,03,500 approximately
Factors Affecting Piles Laser Treatment Cost in Visakhapatnam
Types and Grades of Piles
One of the key factor in determining the cost of piles laser treatment is the severity of the condition. For example, grade-1 piles can be cured with non-surgical treatment or with the help of laser surgery, which costs you less when compared with the treatment of grade-4 piles or thrombosed hemorrhoids. This is because the higher the grade of piles, the higher the complexity of the surgery.
Type and Location of the Piles Hospital
Depending on the locality you reside in Visakhapatnam or the location of the hospital where you wish to get treated, the type of hospital you choose, i.e., superspecialty or multispecialty, the cost can be affected. For instance, multispecialisty hospitals may charge you more than superspeciality hospitals. This can be due to the services and facilities they provide you. Choose the right hospital and consider all the possible factors that can help you with the positive outcomes of the treatment.
The Consultation Fee of the Piles Doctor
The consultation fee of the doctor is not the same. Each doctor has their consultation fees, and the higher the experience of the doctor, the higher the consultation fee. If you consult an experienced piles doctor, they may charge you more. If you consult a piles doctor with less experience, their consultation fee might be minimal.
We advise you to consult an experienced piles doctor for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan. Also, highly skilled piles specialists can perform laser surgery without causing significant risks and complications. At our hospital in Visakhapatnam, we house piles doctors who have 10+ years of experience in diagnosing and treating piles. To consult our doctors, you can call us directly or fill out the form that is present on this page.
Diagnostic or Laboratory Tests
To diagnose the condition and the severity, doctors can recommend undergoing a few diagnostic tests like anoscopy, colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, and digital rectal exam. The cost of these diagnostic tests varies from each other. Thus, diagnostic or laboratory tests can bring a change in the overall cost of your piles laser surgery.
Pre-surgical Medications
Before the day or a few days of the surgery, piles doctors will prescribe a few medications. These medications are given as a prophylactic measure or to increase the desired outcomes of the surgery. The cost of pre-surgical medicines can impact the overall laser piles treatment cost.
Post-surgical Follow-ups
Post-surgical follow-ups are essential in determining the outcomes of the treatment. So, don't miss your follow-ups. Follow-ups help the doctor monitor your overall health and evaluate the condition of piles. We provide free follow-ups to each of our patients who underwent piles surgery and thus reduce the overall cost of treatment.
Why Laser Piles Treatment?
Laser piles treatment is one of the latest treatment methods used by many proctologists, anorectal surgeons, and colorectal surgeons to treat piles. In this method, high-energy laser beams are focused directly on the hemorrhoidal tissue.
In Visakhapatnam, all our piles doctors perform laser surgery to treat piles because of its benefits.
– Minimally invasive
– Minimal blood loss
– No scar formation
– No pain throughout the surgery
– No risk of infection when compared with open piles surgery
– No life-threatening post-surgical complications
– Quick recovery of the patient
– High success rate
"I was suffering from anal pain while sitting, walking, and running. For a month, I followed home remedies hoping to cure them. But then, symptoms started to affect my daily activities. Immediately, I consulted piles-doctor.com and had an online consultation with one of the best piles doctors in Visakhapatnam. He diagnosed me with grade-2 piles and recommended undergoing laser piles surgery. He explained everything about the procedure and without a second doubt, I proceeded with the surgery, which is very affordable. After the surgery, I'm free from my sufferings and my condition, piles. It's been 5 months and no side effects or complications have occurred." – says one of the patients who underwent laser piles treatment from our hospitals in Visakhapatnam.
Choose Us for Cost-Effective Piles Laser Treatment in Visakhapatnam
We understand the treatment doesn't stop at the surgery alone. It is associated with things before and after it. So, to make sure each of our patient treatment journey is seamless, we provide several medical services and facilities.
- Confidential consultations with top piles specialists
- Expert surgeons perform the piles treatment
- Affordable piles treatment
- Free transportation to and from the hospital on the day of the surgery and discharge
- Dedicated care buddy to each patient in assisting them during the process of hospitalization
- Complete assistance in insurance paperwork
- No cost EMI service
- Multiple payment options to ease the patients' financial burden
- Free follow-up consultations
The Bottom Line:
Piles laser treatment cost in Visakhapatnam varies from one patient to another due to the aforementioned factors. On average, the cost of laser piles treatment in Visakhapatnam can range between Rs. 40,650 and Rs. 1,04,800.
At our hospital, you can undergo the safest laser piles operation at an affordable cost. To visit us, call the phone number or fill in the form that is on this page.


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Chopta Taxi Service, Haridwar to Chopta, Rishikesh to Chopta Car Hire
Chopta Taxi Service, Car Rental Haridwar, Rishikesh Uttrakhand.
Chopta is a small region of meadows and evergreen forest area which is a part of kedarnath wildlife sanctuary located in Uttarakhand state, India and a base for trekking to Tungnath, third temple of Panch Kedar, which lies 3.5 kilometres (2.2 mi) away.
Located at a distance of 1.5 kilometres (0.93 mi) from Tungnath is Chandrashila, a rising to over 4,000 metres (13,000 ft).
Chopta is an unspoiled natural destination lying in the lap of the Uttarakhand Himalayas and offers views of the imposing Himalayan range including Trishul, Nanda Devi and Chaukhamba. It is located at an elevation of 2,680 metres (8,790 ft) above sea level.
Chopta village is surrounded by forests of pine, deodar and rhododendron and is rich in flora and fauna include rare species of birds and musk deer. Chopta Taxi Services Car Rental Service.
Chopta Taxi Service Car Rental !
This place is popularly known as 'Mini Switzerland'.[citation needed] It lies 29 km from Ukhimath, 254 kilometres (158 mi) from Rishikesh and approximately 450 kilometres (280 mi) from the capital Delhi. The best time to visit is from April to November.
Chopta is also a popular destination during the winter months due to the snowfall that the area experiences. Tungnath temple and Chandrashila are covered with snow from December to March. Chopta can be reached from Rishikesh via Rudraprayag, Kund, Ukhimath OR via Rudraprayag, Karnprayag, Chamoli, Gopeshwar.
Chopta is simply accessible as it is situated on the road connecting Gopeshwar with Guptkashi. Wake up with cool healthy breeze and chirping of birds in Chopta. The morning view from Chopta is invigorating when the crimson rays of sun kiss the snow laden Himalayas.
This place is popularly known as 'Mini Switzerland' Chopta Chandrashila Tungnath
Trekking Uttrakhand,
The trek to Chopta, that can be extended to climbing the Chandrashila Peak, is a popular adventure trip among hiking lovers. Since the route lies in a protected area, the journey takes one through enchanting forests with panoramic views of the Himalayas, far from the maddening crowds.
Best time to start a trek for Chandrashila peak is in morning as around afternoon clouds and rain can smudge the beautiful 360 degrees view of the entire Himalayan valley from the peak.
The town of Kund in Uttarakhand is the usual starting point and the entire tour can be done in 3-5 days, making it a preferred activity for city dwellers in India seeking a short getaway. The general pit stops are as follows:
Kund to Deoriatal (3-5 hours trek) – start at Kund, a quaint town situated at 1,350 m, approximately 200 km away from the spiritual town of Haridwar.
Deoriatal to Chopta (4-5 hours trek)
Chopta to Chandrashila Peak (4,000 m), via Tungnath Temple and back (4-5 hours trek). The distance from Tungnath Temple to Chandrashila peak is only 1 km and serves as a highlight of the trip.Though the Distance is less but it takes time as it is relatively steep.So Best is to start an early trek in order to enjoy the beauty completely.
The return journey from Chopta to Kund can be on foot by retracing the path or in a car. More details can be found on. Chopta Taxi Services Car Rental.
Chopta Chandrashila Tungnath
The Best Time to Visit Chopta:
It is a place that is yet to be fully explored and one of the best hill stations in India. Chopta is a must visit destination for nature lovers and those who are passionate for trekking.
Chopta has a very cool and pleasant climate from March to May with the temperature between 10 °C and 30 °C. After that comes monsoon season that starts from July and ends in October. Chopta witnesses snowfall from November to March and the temperature is between a minimum of −15 °C and a maximum of 15 °C.
It starts snowing in the month of November and increases significantly day by day. By January it is a 4- to 7-foot-thick layer of snowfall. It is fully covered with snow during winters and during the same time, some of the routes going to Chopta are blocked.
An alternative route to Chopta is from Deoria Tal, which is 10–12 km trek that starts from Deorial Tal. Deoria Tal can be approached from Saari Village. It can be taken during winter season. So, trekkers must visit the place during winters if they want to see snowfields.
Summertime in Chopta does not offer clear view of Himalayas due to cloudy weather from June to August. All the peaks are covered in clouds and the view is unclear. During winters, the sky is crystal clear and all the mountains are clearly visible. It amazingly offers a 360-degree view of snow-clad mountains.
Chopta Taxi Services Car Rental offer Best Outstation cab booking service in Haridwar with affordable Rates, Clean Cars & trained drivers. Contact for Book Outstation Taxi in Haridwar. Call us 9456314753.
We Offer You Quality Drive To Everywhere That Has Chosen. We Have A Complete List Of The Facilities That We Take Care Of Our Valuable Customers. Our Aim Is To Provide Safe, Secure And Affordable Cab Services To Customers. Chopta Taxi Services.
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1….Places of interest
Dense forest of Kedarnath Wild Life Sanctuary; where temperate and alpine trees are found in abundance. Trees like, oak, pine, burans and other himalayan species occupy major land part of Chopta, Uttarakhand region.
Flora and fauna with high diversit Grass land patches (Bugyal/ Meadows)
Chandrashilla peak 4090 m
Tungnath temple at 3680 m
Deoria Tal (lake) at 2350 m
Atrimuni falls
Popular Tourist place, Attractions and Sightseeing Family Friendly Tours Holidays
Book our Dehradun to Almora cab service one-way & round-trip online cab booking and you will our get assured quality & reliable services for your Car Rental from Dehradun to Almora.You can book a taxi like Indica, Micra, Indigo, Dzire, Etios, Innova – AC, Non AC, Economical, SUV and Sedan at a very affordable price
- Chopta
May, Jun, Sep, Oct, Nov,
Chopta is an offbeat destination and it acts as an interesting tourist getaway for trekking enthusiasts and nature lovers. Chopta provide the Idealistic Previews of the Confluence of the Himalayas range including Trishul , Nanda Devi and Chaukhamba.
Chopta Taxi Services is situated on the Chandra Parbat and its most popular excursion are Tungnath Mandir and Chandrashila Peak. Tungnath Mandir is dedicated to Lord Shiva and Chandrashila is the highest point of the mountain on which Chopta is situated. This beautiful place is decorated with alpine vegetation, orchids, and many high altitude vegetation's.
By Air : Jolly Grant Airport is the nearest Airport located at the distance of about 180 kms away from Chopta.
By Train : Rishikesh rail-head is the nearest Railway Station located 170 kms away form Chopta. Rishikesh is well connected by railway networks with major cities of India.
By Road Taxi, Car : Chopta is well connected by motorable roads with major towns of Garhwal region of Uttarakhand state.Chopta is situated 40 kms from Ukhimath. Chopta is also accessible from Gopeshwar. Buses and taxis to Chopta are available from major towns of Uttarakhand region.
Chopta Taxi Services Car Rental Haridwar, Rishikesh.
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King wants 'better obstructionists'
Rep. Steve King says the Republican Party needs to be "better obstructionists."
"This country wouldn't be in this angst that it's in today if we had been better obstructionists when they tried to jam Obamacare at us," the Iowa Republican said on CNN's "New Day" on Friday.
King said that "stopping bad ideas" is his job, so long as Democrats are in control of the White House and Senate.
( Also on POLITICO: Obamacare equation is numbers, days and attitudes)
He said he will return to moving legislation through Congress when Republicans are back in charge. He said that if a bill extending veterans' benefits comes to the House, he will come down on the side of the veterans.
"I have always opposed playing politics with our veterans," he said. "We've owed them to follow through on every commitment that we have made and they should never have to wonder if the United States Congress is going to stand with them. We must do so and I will weigh in to make sure that that happens."
"Republicans need to be the conscience of the spending Democrats," he said.


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Out of the shade has been saved
Out of the shade
ME PoV Spring 2016 issue
Talent management has become a priority on the agenda of public sector leaders in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries as they seek to cope with the peculiarities of the GCC labor market and governmental drivers impacting it.
The challenges
Technology, globalization and demographic changes are reshaping the way organizations around the world interact with the talent market. At the same time, the GCC's workforce distribution and governmental drivers are putting further pressure on public sector organizations in the GCC to rethink their talent management approach at all stages of the employee lifecycle (i.e. from hire to exit.) Never before have these public sector organizations faced such a range of talent management challenges that imminently require a sustainable, integrated and comprehensive talent management system across the GCC.
The GCC's workforce distribution impacts talent management
Both a surplus in the supply of young national professionals and a deficit in the supply of experienced and qualified talent present talent management challenges that public sector organizations in the GCC should address to cope with skill shortages.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) estimates that up to 1.6 million nationals could enter the GCC labor market by 2019, with new private sector jobs covering a maximum of half the expected labor market entrants. As a result, public sector organizations in the GCC could be pressured to absorb the surplus of young national professionals in order to avoid an increase in national unemployment rates and to comply with nationalization requirements.
Moreover, there is a deficit in the availability of sufficiently qualified nationals for leadership and middle management positions. As such, public sector organizations in the GCC tend to fill these positions with expatriates or newly empowered, and relatively young, nationals some of whom might lack the required experiences or qualifications to effectively fulfill their position's requirements.
Governmental drivers impact talent management
In addition to the GCC workforce distribution, GCC governments have launched several initiatives that impact talent management.
Nationalization agenda: GCC governments have enforced nationalization requirements on public and private sector organizations in the GCC. These requirements aim to up-skill nationals, address high national unemployment rates, particularly among millennials who constitute more than 50 percent of the GCC's workforce (IMF), and reduce reliance on expatriates in certain sectors. Not complying with nationalization requirements may hinder the organization's ability to participate in the labor market. For instance, the Nitakat program in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia classifies private sector organizations based on their nationalization performance; the better the organization's classification, the easier it becomes for that organization to participate in the labor market.
As a result, both public and private sector organizations in the GCC face a challenging balancing act to attract and retain nationals while maintaining the right mix of competencies to effectively operate their organizations.
Efficiency and excellence: GCC governments have launched several innovation and excellence strategies to which public sector organizations in the GCC should be aligned, in addition to government awards that acknowledge and reward public sector organizations that provide efficient and innovative services to their customers. For example, the Government of Abu Dhabi's 2030 Economic Vision sets out guidelines for optimizing the Government's operations by improving the efficiency and accountability of government departments and related public sector organizations. GCC governments' drive for efficiency and excellence is further reflected in their performance compared to that of other countries around the world. According to the World Economic Forum's 2015 Global Competitiveness Report, Qatar emerged as the country with the most efficient government in the world, while the UAE ranked fifth, Oman 19th, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 23rd and Bahrain 24th. Because of the emphasis placed on efficiency and excellence within GCC governments, public sector organizations are required to sustain employee engagement and increase productivity to support their government's objectives.
Budget optimization: Public sector organizations in the GCC are the largest employer of nationals. According to the IMF, more than 75 percent of employed nationals in Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) worked in public sector organizations in 2013. The ratio is also high in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Oman at 50 percent each. As a result, public sector wages as a percentage of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the GCC are among the highest in advanced and emerging economies, totaling 11 percent in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and 10 percent in each of Bahrain and Kuwait. However, with budget cuts resulting from the drop in oil prices, public sector wages as a percentage of GDP are unlikely to be sustained at current levels. GCC governments' efforts to optimize their budgets will present challenges to public sector organizations by decreasing their ability to provide jobs for the expanding national population and forcing them to "do more with less." Hence, engaging employees and driving their performance becomes of utmost importance.
Key talent management challenges
We have identified key talent management challenges that are further amplified by the GCC's workforce distribution and governmental drivers. These include:
Skills matching: Skills mismatching is the root cause of the youth employment problem in the GCC. There need to be national education policies that bridge the gap between labor market demand and supply, and enhance young nationals' employability. Skills shortages are putting pressure on public sector organizations to attract and retain scarce talent.
Workforce optimization: In their drive to nationalize the workforce, some public sector organizations in the GCC have tended to recruit more nationals than they require, resulting in overstaffing. As a result of budget constraints that are impacting the way public sector organizations recruit, there is a need to adopt a scientific method of determining future workforce requirements while factoring in nationalization targets.
Productivity improvement: Public sector organizations in the GCC have had limited success in promoting engagement among most nationals partly due to the guaranteed benefits they are entitled for, and which are not necessarily directly linked to their productivity or performance. As a result, there is a need to revisit the workplace culture and rewards philosophy by focusing on productivity and performance.
Talent development: Public sector organizations in the GCC often employ individuals who require further development to effectively fulfill their position's requirements. This is mainly due to the unavailability of sufficiently qualified talent, particularly in leadership and middle management positions. As a result, there is a need to develop and implement learning programs to upskill talent and groom next generation leaders.
The solutions
Revisiting the talent management perspective
To effectively address their current talent management challenges, public sector organizations in the GCC should revisit their perspective on talent management and be prepared to question longstanding practices and beliefs.
Talent management tied to a strategic plan: Currently, the majority of talent management activities such as planning for recruitment and implementing trainings are reactive, driven by incidental requests received from concerned line managers. To be viewed as a strategic partner rather than a transactional support function, the Human Resources (HR) function should develop a strategy that is in line with that of the organization and broader government priorities (e.g. nationalization.) This strategy should also include a talent component that both focuses on enabling the organization to achieve its objectives from a talent point of view and guides proactive talent management activities such as recruitment and learning.
Competency-based talent management: In order to achieve integration across HR functions, a competency framework should be developed and used as the base to drive interdependency across talent management initiatives. The below highlights how competencies link various HR functions:
- Workforce planning: Competencies enable the development of a competency-based workforce plan that matches demand and supply. How can an organization determine its workforce needs without knowing what skills are required?
- Recruitment: Competencies enable recruitment activities to be focused on job-specific ability through competency-based candidate screenings and interviews.
- Performance management: Competencies enable the setting of goals and development opportunities related to critical job requirements.
- Learning and development: Competencies enable the targeting of skills development areas through appropriate learning programs.
People and performance-focused culture: Organization cultures should be shifted from cultures focusing on policies to cultures focusing on people and rewarding performance. This could be achieved by revisiting the rewards philosophy to focus more on productivity and performance and by accommodating for factors that might improve employee happiness at work such as flexible working hours, job rotations, contingent work arrangements (e.g. working from home, part-time work, other forms of work arrangements that suit working mothers' requirements.) In addition, shifting organization cultures requires employees to understand how their performance affects the broader organizational strategy and how their individual contributions impact its mission. As a result, a people- and performance-focused culture increases employee satisfaction and engagement levels, thus enhancing talent retention and productivity.
Talent analytics: Currently, talent management activities are not consistently monitored and, as a result, lessons learned and trends are not extracted. To support the decision-making process, HR functions could use talent analytics tools to provide talent-related insights and trends. HR functions could use talent analytics as a descriptive and monitoring tool to measure employee metrics such as productivity and turnover, and determine trends and corrective actions. Talent analytics could also be used as a forecasting tool to support the workforce planning process.
Integrated talent management
In order to plan for the talent management transformation, organizations should assess the maturity of their current approach to talent management, and determine the desired future state. Based on our experience working with public sector organizations in the GCC, the desired future state tends to be at an integrated talent management maturity level, one that focuses on connecting and integrating HR systems and processes. This poses a realistic target that public sector organizations in the GCC could achieve in the short- to medium-term.
The high-impact talent management framework (left) illustrates how talent management functions across the employee lifecycle are integrated.
From an implementation perspective, not all the components within the talent management framework can and should be implemented at the same time. Key solutions within the talent management framework should be exploited first based on their importance to public sector organizations in the GCC. The following key talent solutions should be implemented first:
Talent strategy and organizational alignment:
The talent strategy guides all other talent solutions; therefore, it should be developed first. The talent strategy should complement the organization's strategy by outlining the talent challenges and implications to achieve the organization's strategic objectives, and then defining key talent initiatives to address organizational needs and talent challenges. Considering the importance of the talent strategy in achieving the organization's objectives, it should be business-driven and HR-enabled, requiring a joint effort between the HR function and organization leaders.
Workforce planning: Public sector organizations in the GCC generally develop recruitment plans, however strategic workforce planning is hardly done. Given the talent management challenges that public sector organizations in the GCC are facing, it is time to move beyond gut instinct when making workforce decisions. As such, it becomes essential to use a more scientific method of determining workforce requirements. The aim of the strategic workforce planning process is to develop actionable priorities for bridging competency gaps by identifying the required competencies to achieve the organization's strategy, defining critical workforce segments based on positions requiring scarce skills and of high value to the organization, and conducting a competency gap assessment to forecast talent requirements.
Capability and competency management: Competencies are defined as the combination of knowledge, skills, abilities, and personal attributes that are required to effectively perform a job. Additionally, competencies should be aligned with the organization's strategy and values to help foster common purpose and organization success. Competencies, therefore, when used holistically across the talent management process, can serve as the common language that integrates talent management activities such as workforce planning, recruitment, performance management and succession planning. As such, the development of a competency framework and job profiles are essential to integrate talent management processes.
Leadership development: Public sector organizations in the GCC should implement tailored learning programs aimed at developing technical and general leadership competencies of leaders to better equip them to achieve organizational objectives, respond to challenges and engage employees. Leadership development initiatives can also include the participation of high-potential talent, as identified in the succession management process, in order to groom next generation leaders and ensure a smooth transition between them. Moreover, leadership development programs should not only focus on traditional and class-based trainings, other channels should be explored as well such as coaching, mentoring and job rotation.
Succession management: To comply with their governments' nationalization agendas, public sector organizations in the GCC might find it beneficial to develop robust succession management processes which aim to identify "high-potential" talent, particularly among nationals, at the early stages in their career, and develop their competencies to fulfill potential future leadership responsibilities. As such, succession management can enable these organizations to reduce their reliance on expatriates and smooth the transition between expatriate leaders and up-and-coming nationals.
Performance management: Currently, performance management in public sector organizations in the GCC is mostly an "appraisal system" rather than a system focusing on competencies and objectives. Additionally, the link between performance and other talent programs is not clear. Public organizations should develop and enforce a standardized and transparent performance management framework that rewards and recognizes performance by accurately assessing and evaluating individual contribution to the organization's objectives. Building and maintaining a pay-for-performance culture will increase employee productivity and drive employee engagement.
Learning and capability development: Learning and capability development initiatives in public sector organizations in the GCC generally do not address targeted competencies, and are largely viewed as a break from work. Organizations should strive to become learning entities by developing a learning strategy that is driven by organizational priorities and integrated with the overall talent strategy. Learning initiatives should be in line with employees' job requirements and areas for improvements, as per performance management results, thus fostering interest and active participation. Additionally, public sector organizations could explore the idea of partnering with private sector organizations for joint learning initiatives where mutual interests coincide.
Concluding remarks
The timing could not be better for public sector organizations in the GCC to rethink their talent management approach as a result of the talent challenges they face. HR functions stand at the center of these changes. However, achieving the necessary transformation to effectively address talent challenges requires both leadership sponsorship and bold and innovative thinking, with a greater focus on integrated talent management as a key element in driving both workplace change and organizational success.


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The McWilliam family — (from left) father Tim (who works for the Detroit Tigers), Brian (Miramar College), Casey (Mt. Carmel High), Andrew (Westview High) and mother Linda.
Twice a season, Tim and Linda McWilliam have to really think about what they're going to wear to a basketball game.
Tim and Linda's son, Andrew, is a senior basketball/baseball player at Westview.
Casey, the couple's daughter, is a freshman basketball player at Mt. Carmel.
So when the Wolverines and Sundevils meet in a Palomar League girls-boys high school doubleheader, Tim and Linda have to make sure they're wearing the right gear at the right game.
"I've thought about getting one of those sweatshirts that has one team on one side and a second team on the other," Tim McWilliam said.
"But I figured changing shirts after the girls game or just wearing neutral colors was best."
The McWilliams have plenty of athletic gear.
Brian McWilliam, the oldest son, played basketball at Westview and is now playing at Miramar College.
Andrew is a two-sport athlete at Westview, Casey is at Mt. Carmel and Tim is the West Coast crosschecker in the Detroit Tigers' scouting department.
"Athletics is important in our family, but Linda and I never pushed the kids to play," Tim McWilliam said. "We exposed the kids to different things, and they gravitated to sports.
"Brian was the first to play and the other kids learned from him. So we did a little more with Andrew. And Casey got involved at an early age."
Casey is now fully involved at Mt. Carmel, the archrival of the school where her brothers starred.
In the Poway Unified School District, incoming freshmen can choose to attend Mt. Carmel, Westview, Del Norte, Rancho Bernardo or Poway.
And while the McWilliam boys chose Westview, Casey picked Mt. Carmel.
"I've been playing club ball since the sixth grade for (Mt. Carmel coach) Tim Jollett," Casey said. "My friends all go to Mt. Carmel.
"I've watched my brothers play at Westview since I was 5, and I loved it. So it wasn't an easy decision not to go to Westview. But my brothers wanted the best for me and supported my decision.
"I want to play at the next level, and I'm willing to work to get there. I don't want to have any regrets.
"My parents have been awesome. They never push, but they're there to rebound for us, drive us around, feed us."
Casey is averaging 17.5 points and five rebounds for the Sundevils as a freshman. She leads the team with 61 3-pointers.
"No one put pressure on Casey to choose a school," Jollett said. "But we're glad she chose Mt. Carmel.
"She's a very intelligent player, has a very high basketball IQ. She really understands the game. She can make the great pass, but she always makes the smart pass.
"She's a great shooter and a great competitor. She needs to get stronger, and that will come with maturity.
"She's only a freshman, but you can see she has the ability to play at the next level."
The next level for Andrew McWilliam will come in baseball.
Tall and lean at 6-feet-5, 180 pounds, he's an excellent 3-point shooter, who averages close to 10 points per game.
"I've known the McWilliam family for eight years, and the parents are so supportive," said Westview boys basketball coach Kyle Smith. "The boys are gifted, coordinated, have length and size.
"Plus, they work hard, have a great positive impact on the team. And what you see on the court is what you get in the classroom."
Andrew is a .325-hitting corner infielder on the baseball team who is being recruited by San Diego State, USD, Arizona, UC Riverside, Utah and McNeese State among others.
"Sports is a seasonal thing for me," Andrew said. "But my main sport is baseball. I've played both sports since I was a little kid. Sometimes it's hard juggling both sports, hitting with the baseball team, then running over to basketball practice.
"My dad has been a great mentor. And we're a very close, supportive family. Dad taught all the kids how to shoot correctly. We learned to shoot in the front yard — hand behind the ball, shoot one-handed. And it's helping."
Tim McWilliam was an outstanding prep baseball player in Tucson who went on to play at Texas A&M. He was drafted and signed with the Padres. He led the Arizona Rookie League in hitting in 1988 and reached the Triple-A level before a back injury forced him to retire.
He worked for the Padres as a scout in the Four Corners area before moving to Southern California and landing the job with the Tigers.
Linda McWilliam was an all-state prep volleyball player in Arizona. She is now the family videographer.
"Linda and I have learned that our kids do better with support rather than criticism," Tim said. "We wanted them to be involved in something and are gratified they chose athletics.
"Baseball is the way I make my living, so I'm so glad my kids have had great coaches and had such a positive experience."
Tag(s): News Mt. Carmel News News


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Shura, Triple A, Yukio, and Rin join forces to attack the Gehenna gate, but there are too many small fry in the way. Bon, Izumo, Renzo and Co. execute a plan to telegraph sunlight from the Vatican in Rome to Japan, in order to weaken the demons. Rin and Yukio ride Kuro up to the now-cleared gate and envelop it in flames, closing/destroying it. One month later, things have returned to normal at the True Cross Academy, though Rin is more proactive in interfering in higher-ranking exorcist operations. They also visit their mother's grave – their birthplace – in the forest.
This was a somewhat disappointing finale. I was having a hard time staying invested in the face of a lack of any significant peril, and lots of strange, random things. I mean, wtf was the deal with those mirrors? Where did that come from? Throughout the episode, you see swarms of small black demons flying around, but not attacking their prey, but simply flying by as people yell "there's too many of them!" With Shiemi out of harm's way and Yukio back to his old self, no characters were in immediate mortal danger this week. No suspense. Also, Yukio is suddenly able to hear Rin's cat now, and transforms like his bro when he unsheathes the sword? Huh?
The "everything's back to the way it was" epilogue wasn't the best move either. It only reinforces the fact that nothing that happened in that big climax was any big deal. Even visiting the place where their mom gave birth to them fell flat for me; I mean how is someone who slept with Satan a "wonderful person?" Offspring bias, I suppose. And while Kuro is proof that some demons can be tamed, why is Rin rushing headlong into battles he's not authorized to fight? Or, more to the point, if he's capable of taking care of demons, why's he still in school? I dunno…not a great ending to what was a pretty decent series.


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ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- A person with knowledge of the deal tells The Associated Press that coach John Fox has agreed to a new three-year contract with the Denver Broncos.
The person, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal hasn't been announced, said the team ripped up Fox's 2014 contract and replaced it with a deal that runs through 2016.
[RELATED: Report: Seahawks reach extension with Carroll]
GM John Elway said in early February that Fox would get a new deal this offseason.
Fox has gone 37-17 with three AFC West titles in his three seasons in Denver.
He overcame a heart operation in November to lead the Broncos to an appearance in the Super Bowl, where they lost 43-8 to Seattle.


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