text:
By Suzanne Kelly, Elise Labott, and Mike Mount
The U.S. diplomatic post in Benghazi, Libya, was operating under a lower security standard than a typical consulate when it was attacked this month, according to State Department officials.
The mission was a rented villa and considered a temporary facility by the agency, which allowed a waiver that permitted fewer guards and security measures than a standard embassy or consulate, according to the officials.
There was talk about constructing a permanent facility, which would require a building that met U.S. security and legal standards, the officials said.
Allowing a waiver would have been a decision made with input from Washington, Libyan officials and the ambassador, according to diplomatic security experts.
"Someone made the decision that the mission in Benghazi was so critical that they waived the standard security requirements, which presents unique challenges to the diplomatic security service as you can imagine," said Fred Burton, vice president for Intelligence at STRATFOR, an intelligence analysis group.
While standards were lower at the compound, security had been enhanced at the post after a number of incidents this year that included a failed bombing attempt against the compound in June, according to sources.
Several security changes were made over the past few months, the officials said. These included additional barriers and barbed wire, increased lighting, chain link fences, additional sand bags and closed circuit television.
Every U.S. building on the compound was also fitted with a safe room with a steel door, although the officials recognize that the room was not fireproof.
Ambassador Christopher Stevens and the other Americans killed in the attack are believed to have died of asphyxiation from heavy smoke.
"We took the place and made improvements to it in a continued fashion," one official said, adding that a pre-September 11 review of base security deemed the post to be adequately secured given the threat.
The threat assessment was based in part on the June attack and previous attacks on other foreign targets, which included the attempted kidnapping of a Red Crescent staff member, a bomb attack on a United Nations convoy, a rocket attack on an International Committee of the Red Cross facility, and a similar attack on the British ambassador's convoy.
The protections in place reflected the State Department's understanding of the threat, which did not suggest a swarming attack by a militia, the officials said.
U.S. officials have said the attack was a spontaneous outgrowth of a protest over an anti-Muslim film. Officials told CNN's Security Clearance last week there were questions about whether there was a significant protest ahead of time.
There was no indication anything was amiss a couple of hours before before the attack was believed to have started, according to one American who was in Benghazi.
The American, who spoke to CNN on Monday on the condition his name not be used, said he had been speaking with Stevens less than three hours before the deadly attack.
He said there was no indication during the conversation that anything was wrong, saying Stevens sounded upbeat and calm and he was very enthusiastic about the next day's meeting with the American.
About 20 minutes after that conversation, the American spoke with a U.S. security officer to discuss logistics about the upcoming meeting. That call also revealed no signs of any pending trouble, he said.
The American had a second call with the security officer a little more than an hour later, around 9:30 p.m. local time, and the situation had dramatically changed. The security officer told the American "we've got a real problem here" and hung up.
The timing matches what CNN's Arwa Damon, who has been reporting from Benghazi, said about the September 11 attack. Damon reported a group of armed individuals showed up outside the consulate around 9:30 and a firefight broke out within 30 minutes.
The American source was at his hotel, located a little more than a mile from the diplomatic post, when he heard large explosions coming from the direction of the mission seconds after the phone call.
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And a DC-3 - an antique aircraft - would have accomplished what, exactly, against folks armed with RPGs? How would that have, in any way, improved security for the Libyan embassy? Use your heads, folks!
This is worse than incompetence! What is anyone supposed to think? Who asked for and who granted this waiver? When, exactly, did that happen? The senators who asked for cables from Stevenson said, ""Despite these warnings, the State Department sought and received a waiver from the standard security requirements for the consulate," making it sound like the standard wasn't lowered until just before the attack.
What if a new Marshall Plan were organize to redesign and rebuild big cities of the Middle East? New bond issues could be voted on to help pay for this. Oil revenues and minerals income could pay back these new bond issues. There is an unemployment rate of 25 percent. This may be contributing to the unrest in these cities. You could hire the youth of these cities to rebuild their towns paid for with these new bonds. As part of the redesign of these Middle Eastern cities, you could add layers of new walls with checkpoints and close some roads surrounding our embassies. Thus make them more safe. I believe we should look into forming new bond issues into redesigning and rebuilding those Middle Eastern cities. You could solve a few problems (mentioned above) at once.
Is this a joke? The Marshall plan was designed to rebuild bombed out cities and ruined economies post WW II. And you suggest we should do the same here? How could you ever think this is a similar situation? Do you honestly believe that throwing infrastructure $$$ at the region will improve anything? Clearly lack of money and infrastructural improvements are the basis for the entire regions discontent. Maybe we should also air drop Playstations 3s so that every child can understand how much more fun it is to kill over a high speed internet connection rather than real life! Problem solved, nothing to see here.
"The U.S. diplomatic post in Benghazi, Libya, was operating under a lower security standard than a typical consulate when it was attacked this month, according to State Department officials." No sh-t. Now lets crawl before the UN and apologize some more.
Less security at a military base in the mideast ? are they nuts ? We have been at war with the mideast for 60 some odd years now and some brilliant pencil neck decides they dont need top security at a U.S.Military base ?whomever made that choice should be arrested
5 security guards there for 1 person. everyone else was out of the building already.
He was choked to death, hence the blue lips in the photos.
Network strikes again.
USA will always win
Grampasez posted: "CNN jumps in to PROTECT OBAMA'S dereliction of duty, making up for its earlier revealing of information about Steven's personal concerns."
BS ... Do you think President Obama oversees the smallest details of everything the US does? Go get yourself a bottle of Viagra, a jar of Vasoline and an elbow wrap ...
So the Affirmative Action president is too busy with Beyonce and JayZ to pay attention to his presidential duties.
Good post, I guess the buck stops anywhere except with Obozo.
Good Obozo drone post
We know that you are racist as always you call Obama obozo, I'm wondering what education level you have even it's clear from your comments that your education level can't be even good to be hired as a toilet cleanner, you have to thank God that you still around Rednecks give you some connection to get a job without High School diploma, and by the way even obozo is good nickname than Redneck!
Amen to that.
Whom ever Mike is that was berating M123, should really proof read his posts prior to speaking about another persons education level. Based on the grammar he used I would say Mike is functioning at about a 7th grade level. Might have completed more school but it obviously wasn't retained. I can't understand how these failures occur. How can security be at a low level on, of all dates, Sept. 11th? How can any outpost of the US be seized and our citizen killed with out one fatality on the side of the aggressor? To many questions and to many lies attempting to cover it all up.
So Mike, what leads you to believe m123 is a redneck? He uses better grammar than you. I happen to be from a small southern town where we like trucks, tractors, and guns. Does that make me a redneck? I have a college education. Do you? It doesn't sound like it.
CNN jumps in to PROTECT OBAMA'S dereliction of duty, making up for its earlier revealing of information about Steven's personal concerns.
Nice job, CNN.
It is a marvel and a concern that those who "guard and watch over America" had no clue that a terrorist attack was planned against our Ambassador to Libya and the whole USA compound! Actually, the most basic common sense would deduct that it was not prudent to put any representative Americans in a country that just suffered violent revolution and was infested with terrorists. What the heck were they doing there under those conditions and in that climate. Hey, they were sitting ducks–and no one in Washington snapped to that fact? Is this the way USA is being protected?
If we didn't send an ambassador we would have offended Muslim sensibilities. If we brought Marines in to guard the compound it would have offended Muslim sensibilities. If we hadn't apologized for the sins of our past to kings and dictators it would have offended Muslim sensibilities. Even now Obama grovels before the UN blaming a short film but not his own policies. I am surprised he hasn't blamed those tea party terrorists yet. It seems Dems and Obama have more hate for them than those who slaughter our people.
Look.... This isn't a political issue (despite attempts above to somehow call "night"...."day"...... Facts are facts. I've served in security positions in embassies in many parts of the world..... No matter what, protection of the AMBASSADOR is mission #1. I'm not saying we don't look out for other embassy staff, properties, Americans in the country etc.. I'm just sayin protecting the personal life of the Ambassador is PARAMOUNT. He / she is the physical embodiment of the American government in that country. So here's the score:
– Ambassador warned in advance security was a problem
– The site was not defensible against a determined attack (predictable scenario in eastern Libya)
– There was not a big enough security detail
– Direct, honest answers from the the Administration are non-existent.....
I'm just sayin..... Heads should roll, whether people above support their presidential candidate or not. Period
*high five*
I agree with a caveat. The "boot" and integral intelligence link here is...our dead ambassador. He was, undoubtedly, in charge.
Primary responsibility for the failures of intelligence and security there lie at his feet.
Start there.
As a former FSO, myself, I agree. The problem comes from the lies afterwards when the administration just did not want to tell the truth to the American people. I have written about this over at The Diplomad 2.0 at thediplomad.blogspot.com
What's the problem. Obama said Muslims are not terrorists. His policy is that if we're nice them and send them a lot of money they will be nice to us. What happened? Could it be that Obama is on the wrong side?
Could it be that you have a pea-brain and watch Fox News!
In addressing his wealthy donors about the 47%, Mitt Romney said "my job is not to worry about them because they're going to vote for the President." Well, Ambassador Stevens was also a Democrat! Would Romney have "worried" about Ambassador Stevens if he was President? I doubt it!
What the he11 are you talking about?
Good question!
Blah Blah Blah your name says it all. Romney was talking about his campaign strategy NOT whether he was concerned economically about the "47%". He was in a room full of donors and was responding about how he would reach undecided voters. He was just stating the obvious that there were many voters he could not reach no matter what his message as they were committed to Obama already and that he had to concentrate on those he could reach. Nothing sinister here no matter how much you wish to spin it.
Low security in a country that just came out of a Civil War a year ago, a recipe for disaster.
I think the government can careless for our people in those areas. They just let it happen so they can make their points/cases to the world. We have enough knowledge, technology to set up boobies trap to protect and take out those intruders when they become a threat.
One question that I find very troubling and no one is yet to ask is why didn't Ambassador Stevens and the other Americans try to ease tension by waving a white flag and trying to negotiate their way out of the crisis. After all, that is what Ambassodors do, they negotiate and compromise and when their backs are against the wall, they bring out the best negotiating skills. Furthermore, even if they had been captured and kidnapped, I believe that failure to negotiate with the insurgents negated any chances of a future rescue by our Navy SEALS. I just don't understand why they ddidn't try to negotiate their way out instead of panacking and allowing themselves to be overcome by smoke innihilation. Very sad and confusing.
First, These people who are attacking are not fightting under any rules of engagement. The are outside the Geneva convention. Second, from everything I have read the attackers were not in any kind of position to negotiate. They had a target and an agenda. Negotiationg does not appear to be part of that agenda. Third, generally speaking, while there is even an iota of hope, Americans do not surrender.
i will assume this a poor attempt at sarcasm. that is all.
Next time an angry, committed bunch of hardened desert fighters attacks you with heavy weapons, try that approach out.... Let me know how it goes.....
You are a complete idiot.
Republicans want to claim the pro-troop mantle. They never pass up a photo app with our Vets. But when it comes to actually supporting our troops, they're an abject failure. They send our troops into harms way without the proper equipment and body armor as was the case in Iraq and Afghanistan. They often send our troops off to war without clearly defining the mission and the end game. But when our troops return home, Republicans can't forget about them fast enough. For example, in 2010, John Boehner and House Republicans voted to cut the Veterans Bill but eventually pulled back on their proposal only because Democrats threatened to go public with the proposed cuts. However, in their plan to reduce the federal budget deficit, House Republicans eliminated $75 million in funding to help thousands of America's homeless Veterans. That is sad because according to the Department of Veterans Affairs, in 2009 roughly 136,000 Veterans were homeless. Furthermore, the decision by House Republicans to eliminate important funding for Americans who served in our Armed Forces especially during their times of need just to give more tax breaks to the rich is heartwrenching and appalling to say the least.
They said it was a Consulate the day and weeks after the attack. Now the truth comes out and they are calling it what it is.. a diplomatic post . Very little security.
The story continues to change. I heard on a radio news station that the Embassador was actually dragged half naked through the streets. I just don't have any confidence in the State Department anymore for lying to the public concerning this. How much more are we in the dark about? The television news stations are also not providing adequate information, it appears very one sided.
All, understand that the two party system has not existed since we went to the "Fiat dollar" in 1971. We are living in a goverment sponsored Ponzi scheme that has been perpetuated by every president since it's induction. You doubt it? How do you explain the continous printing of dollars at every increasing rates? or the selling of US gold to control the price of gold? or why the interest rates have been held so low since the Bush administration? So blame every president from every previous term, but the real blame falls on us the people for failing the United States of America by following our leaders blindly and not questioning, educating and acting.
Truth, for the most part.
Stevens requested that security be reviewed as he feared for his life. Two weeks before the attack an aid to Clinton was visiting Stevens when she asked him about the lack of security. Stevens told her that he had requested a review from Washington, but the review was not granted. This could have been averted. Just because a loophole says that the condo didn't need to be heavily guarded doesn't eliminate the risk in a region that is full of extremists. Washington failed Stevens, and most importantly Hillary Clinton failed Stevens. It was her responsibility to protect Stevens and she did nothing to help him. His family deserves an enormous settlement from the government. He served his country, but his country left him to die.
Agreed! I am convinced that no matter who we are and how we serve, our own country is capable of throwing us under the bus..... I mean really? HE WAS AN AMERICAN DIPLOMAT!
An apology is more than in order!
Do you doubt he was an agent provocateur, prior and during the overthrow of Ghaddifi?
That he was, in theory and statement from State dept, the most knowledgeable of the ongoing situation in Benghazi/Libya?
That he PUT himself in that house, at that time? That he was in charge during that incident?
We don't need to put people like that on a pedestal. We DO need to assign blame for these failures...and not blame the "other" side when obviously failings on our part led to this conclusion.
Just saw the Anderson Cooper report about CNN's handling of Ambassador Stevens' journal. It looks like CNN used information in the journal to seek out additional details about what actually happened. The WH apparently didn't like reports that are not compatible with their official story.
It's now have to believe that the WH was not lying from the start to cover itself.
"Hard to believe" is an understatement! They lied because: a) Romney criticized the feckless statement that was posted on the Cairo Embassy website on the 11th; b) the attack on the Consulate in Benghazi was proof of an utter lack of security around the Consulate, and the Ambassador; 3) they did not want it to become public knowledge that a private British security firm [Blue Mountain Group] was providing the security for all our diplomatic facilities in Libya, NOT Marines; AND 4) the planned terrorist attack on the consulate in Benghazi was just one more consistent bit of proof that the Obama foreign policy in the Middle East is in shambles.
I didn't think Libya had a King, but the pic above obviously shows a queen.
Why don't CNN follow up with the Gamers who were online with Sean Smith at the time of the attack? He clearly stated in Jabber (online messaging service) that a Lybian policeman was taking pictures 2 hours before the attack. 'I hope I don't die tonight. One of the Lybian policemen guarding us is taking pictures of the building.; His conversations said nothing about a protest.
RIP Vile Rat
Where did you hear that story regarding Jabber?
jason – here's one story of many re vile rat:
Jason, here is the Yahoo story about Sean Smith, who was indeed online with gamers that night.
GenXer is absolutely right. Smith, who played under the handle "vile_rat" typed the following comment:
(12:54:09 PM) vile_rat: assuming we don't die tonight. We saw one of our 'police' that guard the compound taking pictures
Another story indicated that Smith's final message sent before contact was broken off was simply a one word response - "Gunfire!"
Yes.....why don't they? Why aren't we hearing much about it? Anyone?
Cui bono? And who smirked?
If this is how our sitting President handles anniversaries like 9/11 without ordering the upmost security for our Ambassies, that leaves me to think who side is he on anyways.. Quit the crap or thought that he has in regards to his Muslim heritage and be a leader, or better yet, get the hell out of HOUSE...
Perhaps the President should have followed Mitt Romney's lead..."it's not worth moving heaven and earth to find Bin Laden." Or GWB's lead..."I'm not worried about Bin Laden at all."
How come the previously administration always gets free pass from you guys??? Who dropped the ball on the going after al-Qaeda. You heard Bush said when asked about where Osama bin Laden was "I don't know don't care, not worried about him." Just maybe if he had been more worried about it, we'd be much further along in combating al-Qaeda. But who has carried the fiight, who has killed more al-Qaeda, how about giving credit where credit is due.
please don't change the subject. bush failed in a lot of ways but those failures are for another discussion. THIS terrorist attack was entirely on THIS administration's watch.
I guess the crystal bal was in the shop. The nature of this attack made it unlikely to have been predicted. There aren't enough assets to harden all of our diplomatic facilities enough to withstand such an attack.
bob – you're right. there was no way to predict this attack. oh, wait.
"American diplomats were warned of possible violent unrest in Benghazi three days before the killings of US Ambassador Christopher Stevens and three members of his team, Libyan security officials say."
source: http://tinyurl.com/92exs6a
"The U.S. State Dept. issued a travel warning telling Americans to avoid Libya two weeks before the deadly attack that killed Ambassador Christopher Stevens and three others. In addition, a recently updated threat assessment for Libya demonstrates the State Department was aware the security situation in Benghazi had become particularly dangerous for diplomats. Despite this, security at the US consulate appears to have been minimal during Ambassador Stevens' visit."
source: http://tinyurl.com/8qbqxl9
"The Department of State warns U.S. citizens against all but essential travel to Libya," reads the new travel warning issued today [August 27, 2012]. "The incidence of violent crime, especially carjacking and robbery, has become a serious problem. In addition, political violence in the form of assassinations and vehicle bombs has increased in both Benghazi and Tripoli."
source: http://tinyurl.com/9xb9eka
There have been over two hundred militant attacks on our most heavily fortified bases in Afghanistan and Iraq over the years with alot of American and NATO casualties. So what makes you think that a dozen or even two dozen marines would have averted an attack on our consulate? These militants used rocket propelled grenades from a distance as is usually the case in Afghanistan and Iraq. The only defense against these militants or insurgents is to bring our troop s home and keep them home.
blah blah – um, how about NOT HAVE HIM THERE AT ALL.
that is, don't send the ambassador over there during such a knowingly hostile period. and if it's so vital that he be there on that day (which it wasn't), provide enough security to keep him safe - and give them the ammo to do it.
Hello Shaggy, if it wasn't for Bush starting this take down of Bin Laden it would have never of happened.. This was well in effect before Bush left office, get your facts straight..
Yea, Bush did start taking down Bin Laden all right. It all started when OBL was cornered in Tora Bora in 2002. As the U.S. forces closed in for the kill, GWB called General Tommy Franks and told him to withdraw our forces and let the Mugahardeen take the lead because in GWB's words, 'the terrain too tough and the mission too risky. So just imagine GWB withdraws the world's most advanced and equipped forces from the mission to let some opium growing farmers take charge of such an extremely important mission, wavering to the terrorist and giving OBL his escape and safe heaven in Pakistan. They say everything in Texas is big but perhaps GWB shouldn't have built such a big and revealing house for OBL in Pakistan. After all, his mission to harbor and protect OBL may have been mission accomplished had the house been smaller and less revealing.
thank you, CNN, for finally reporting what was self-evident when this tragic event occurred on sept 11. the insulting false narrative concocted by this administration and fostered by the MSM hasn't fooled anyone. this is not something we as Americans will allow to be swept aside. this was a terrorist attack on American soil that left 4 Americans dead. this was a gross dereliction of duty by the state department and the obama administration and secretary clinton, if she had any conscience at all, should absolutely resign. nonetheless, the truth always comes out in the end and justice will prevail, both at home and abroad.
Want some cheese with that whine?
so let me get this straight: truth = whining. got it.
GenXer – Absolutely agree with your posts!
Well said, GenXer.
Hillary Clinton bears much of the responsibility for this disaster, including her failure to have Marine security at any location within the country of Libya. There were no Marines in Benghazi and none in Tripoli at our main Embassy located there. http://trochilustales.blogspot.com/2012/09/the-marine-hymn-as-amended-by-h-clinton.html
The State Department is entirely responsible for the status and depth of security at any of our diplomatic locations. The State Department security that was assigned to our diplomatic locations in Libya two weeks ago on September 11th, was limited to a contract with a British security firm called "Blue Mountain Group" that was operating under very restrictive "rules of engagement." http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Peace/2012/09/18/After-Friday-Denial-State-Department-Admits-It-Hired-British-Firm-to-Provide-Security-At-Benghazi
Hillary Clinton should immediately resign in disgrace, or she should be fired. And Barack Obama should be voted out of office in November.
Let us focus on the causes of terrorism and try to fix the issues. They have been hanging out there for over 60+ years ...in India....in Israel..and now in the United States...England...Austrailia...Sweeden....all over the Europe. Let us focus on the victims of 9/11 and help the families more than we have done. Let us take care of their kids and put them through college. Let us take care of their wives/husbands/parents. Let us take care of families whose dear ones gave their lives in fighting al Qaeda terrorists...in Pakistan...in Afghanistan....in Iraq....in Yemen....in Africas. Let us focus on the victims of Pakistani sponsored terror networks....Haqqani...Pakistani Taliban...Hazbollah in Iran...Hammaz in Palestine. Let us honor US/NATO soldiers from all over the world who sacrificed their lives believing they were fighting for freedom, believing they were fighting evil terrorists in Pakistan....in Afghanistan....in Iraq....in Libya...in Syria...in Yemen....in Egypt....in Africas. They are so many. Just in last ten years, terrorist sponsoring countries like Pakistan, Iran, Pelestine have change our lives once and for all.
America is the bigest terrorist in the universe. Not Pakistan. Pakistani politicans thnk thy cnt go without ths America, so thy dnt fight America. We the victims of Swat operation in Pakistan found US dollars full bag with people who were fighting against us.
Thank you CNN for reporting on the blatant cover-up of this administration about the murder and torture of our ambassador and others. The lack of security is inexcusable even after warnings were issued. Our taxpayer dollars are paying to protect the evil president of Iran, but has done nothing for our own in Benghazi and all the other consulates attacked. We are OUTRAGED.
How outraged are you about the two wars started by the Bush Administration that have left thousands dead and disabled and trillions of dollars to pay for those useless wars that will continue to have a direct effect on millions of Americans lives in the future. HOW OUTRAGED ARE YOU ABOUT THAT MR. PATRIOT.
Why is it that Obama supporters are prepared to blame everything on the past to avoid looking at real issues today – is Obama to be given a free pass on everything he does?
This has nothing to do with political parties but about security decisions taken by this administration that cause 4 American deaths and probably the loss of a great deal of very sensitive intelligence.
If past administrations must accept blame.... why not this one? Thank you CNN for doing your job & being responsible when the President and his administration refuses to do theirs – yet tries to attack CNN.
Changing the topic won't do either of us any good. It's clear we won't all agree on the same things but can you at least take a good look at the truth in the comments posted? Our country does provide financial assistance to other countries for their (other countries) protection. Why not our very own. Wether Democratic or Republican....we are all still Americans.
You mean the same war the Obama is still continuing in Afghanistan? The one that he still hasn't brought all the troops home yet. Yet another promise he didnt' keep. Were are all those people standing on the streets with signs yelling "Bring them home". Get out of your parent's basement and get a clue in life. The administration is a failure in every area and it's going to get worse if he is re-elected.
The Ambassador's death may be a smoke screen. Two Navy Seals were killed in Libya and the press is ignoring that. How many coincidences does it take for people to see that the Obama administration has it out for our military (especially the Seals and CIA), patriotic citizens (Tea party members, Republicans, Libertarians, and even moderate Democrats), conservative Jews, Evangelical Christians, straight Caucasian males, and anyone else who is not blindly devoted to their radical vision of America? The Obama administration's new America hates traditional America–that is all that binds its followers together. Having only hatred to bind the many factions, their coalition of malcontents lacks any guiding moral principles and governs without conscience–accordingly, they will ultimately fail.
There is nothing wrong with the U.S. being a traditionally Judeo-Christian country; it has served us well and it is who we are. WE HAVE THE RIGHT TO A HOMELAND. The U.S. is open to Muslims who can live in a traditional Judeo-Christian country; we are not intolerant of otherness. Muslims who cannot abide by our culture, however, have many Muslim countries they can call home. Accepting the intolerance of those harboring anti-American sentiments is where the Obama administration goes horribly wrong. Certainly there are good Muslims and bad Muslims, just like people in any group. However, those in the Obama administration appear to align with the extreme Muslims who are intolerant of Judeo-Christians–and would appear to communicate freely with them. Those in the Obama administration are not acting as private citizens, who are free to have any opinion; their official job is to represent America and not to aid and abet the enemy in strikes against Americans.
Who in the Washington ordered the waiver for higher security? Start with that person and work up the chain of command. That act is tantamount to aiding and abetting murder, and in the context of national security–treason. No wonder the State Department confiscated any hard evidence. The will lie, deny, and obfuscate for decades to come.
The Obama administration is way too cozy with Muslim extremists, much more than the media opening report, although some has come out. The Obama administration seems to work around the U.S. military and CIA not with them, and they seem to be using their contacts with Muslim extremists to "wag the dog". The Osama bin Laden kill was fake as he died in 2001. The Obama administration may have had a contact in the Abbottabad complex who actually killed the younger man identified as "Osama" (perhaps it was Hamza bin Laden) so that the Seals could not take him alive. Then it would seem that the Obama administration systematically went about setting up Seals for killing, some of whom may know secrets that threaten the narrative of the Obama campaign. How many Seals have died since 2001? Twenty-two plus two plus two: how statistically improbable is that? The public needs to know more about which missions the Seals who have died went on. President George Bush needs to release some long-held secrets if innocents are being killed and the American public is being horribly misled. Did President Bush order the killing of Osama bin Laden under his watch and kept that secret to protect the Seals who served on that mission? Now is the right time for the truth to come out.
Correction: How many Seals have died since 2011 (May 2, 2011)?
I agree with this post .Though Obama may be the guy to have a beer with I am now feeling he does not have what it takes to keep us safe.
Citizens for Seals, nice and accurate post.... Bush needs to come forward and let ALL Americans know WHAT HE!! started before his term was up.. Really tired of this President we have...If the seals would have failed on getting Bin-Laden that day, then OBAMA would have blamed BUSH..
You're either smoking WMDs or drinling too much Kool-Aid. A few more sips ough to do the job you right wing moron.
This is a smoke screen if there ever was one. I have worked at intel sites in European countries of our allies that had more protection than what's been described in Libya. This is a disgrace. If our State Department is not protecting our foreign Embassies in hostile countries, what faith do you have they are protecting any of the rest. If I were in the foreign service I would be very worried no matter my assignment because if the government doesn't protect it's ambassadors, what hope do the rest have in their security. The President is the Command-In-Chief and people are dying because he is not do all he can to protect them. Also, what does that say about the protection of the homeland? It's time for someone else, because what we have in office is not what this country needs.
I was about to agree with most of your comment until you made it into a political pawn for MITT ROMNEY. Do you Republicans value anything.
Guess what Dean, a lot of people feel,this way. Even those not Republican such as myself. I don't think this issue is an issue of political poles but rather who was wrong, who did not protect who has tried to spin this into something it wasn't, who failed their people. This is not about what party our CIC is in but who that man & who he chooses to represent him is – an abysmal failure.
Look Dean. I am neither on one side or another but am trying to make a decision. The truth of the matter is that I want to feel protected in my country. Unfortunately, I am beginning to feel like a sitting duck. If our embassador being killed prompts an apology to the killers from our own president, what is next....another major attack on our country and another apology. None of us are safe anymore.
So you really think that this article fully describes all the security measures that were in place?? I think not. And the last thing we need is another set of hawkish cowboys in the White House. We haven't come near undoing the damage done by the Bush/Cheney debacle.
I'm not worried about our embassies. I'm more worried about the right wing domestic terrorist extremist christian brotherhood militant groups in this country and the likes of Ted Nugent and Judge Tom Head who are conspiring to undermine our democracy.
It's apparent that you are not worried about out emassies...... you should be though.
I'm worried about people like you – who after one of the worst terrorist attacks us since 9/11 – keep posting the stuff that you do. BTW, as pointed out to you earlier, Bill Clinton had a chance to deal with UBL in 1999 – and he chose not to. Now getting back to providing adequate security for our embassy personnel, which the administration obviously did not do in Libya...
Ted u sing an reed minded with fork thing like jihads an Mideast I track u I no this is true DEA likes me to track u an jihads we can take an will take all your dope at your showe,s we mite drop water an bords as if Rogger Water is with my b his bord in need to go to AK. DON'T U YES RITES./////pnm.


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ENNISKILLEN, Northern Ireland – Leaders of the G-8 wealthy countries were spending the final hours of their summit Tuesday focusing on how to deter kidnappings of foreign workers in Africa and how to corner globe-trotting companies into paying more taxes.
They also faced a final few hours of behind-the-scenes haggling to see whether all eight could express a joint position on ending the 2-year-old civil war in Syria. Russia's Vladimir Putin, who backs the government of Bashar Assad against rebel forces, refused to shift his stance during Monday night's working dinner on the issue. The other seven leaders, including U.S. President Barack Obama, have shown varying degrees of support for the rebels. As well as host Britain, the G-8 includes the United States, Japan, France, Germany, Italy, Canada and Russia.
British Prime Minister David Cameron is seeking a joint commitment by nations to stop paying ransoms to kidnappers in hopes of deterring the practice following January's bloody capture by al-Qaeda-linked militants of an Algerian gas facility. Ten Japanese, five Britons, three Americans and a French national were among the 40 civilians killed as Algerian forces retook the facility.
Hostage-taking of foreign workers for cash payments is on the rise across much of West Africa, particularly Nigeria with its own oil industry dominated by Western companies and foreign managers.
"I want us to discuss how we crack down on terrorist ransoms because this would suffocate one of the main sources of funding for these terrorist organizations, and of course would reduce the incentive to take our citizens hostage," Cameron said ahead of Tuesday's discussions.
Cameron has also invited the leaders of Libya and the African Union to join the talks table Tuesday.
The G-8 leaders also are expected to agree on new measures to restrict the ability of multinational corporations to avoid paying taxes in their home countries by using shell companies and other legal accounting tricks to shelter cash in principalities and islands, many of them British, that charge little or no tax.
Britain's treasury chief, George Osborne, is taking part to help explain Britain's agreement unveiled last week with its far-flung crown dependencies and overseas territories — including the Channel Islands, Gibraltar and Anguilla — to start sharing more information on which foreign companies bank their profits there.
"You're going to see concrete achievements today on changing the international rules on taxation, so individuals can't hide their money offshore and companies don't shift their profits away from where the profit is made," Osborne said.
"Of course Britain's got to put its own house in order," he added, referring to companies' practice of funneling money between the British offshore territories and the City of London, the world's second-largest financial market.
The summit is concluding with rapid-fire press conferences by each departing leader. Obama continues his European trip Tuesday night in Germany.
Associated Press writer Cassandra Vinograd in Enniskillen contributed to this report.

subset: commoncrawl


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Johnson, Braves complete three-year extension
Third baseman's new deal includes a $10 million club option for 2018 season
MIAMI -- Chris Johnson did not allow himself to be bothered by the fact that he was considered the "other guy" the D-backs sent with Justin Upton to Atlanta last year. In his mind, you could call him whatever you wanted as long as he got to realize his childhood dream to be a part of the Braves organization.
Johnson made the most of his opportunity as the 2013 season proved to be the finest of his blossoming career. He finished second in the National League batting-title race, proved to be a solid successor to Chipper Jones and celebrated a division title for the first time in his career.
But the most satisfying product of last year's success was realized on Friday afternoon, when the Braves officially announced that they had given Johnson a three-year contract extension that will keep the third baseman in Atlanta through at least the 2017 season.
"It's pretty cool," Johnson said with a wide smile. "Without the dollar figure or anything, just hearing them say they want to have me around for three years after this, that is pretty cool in itself."
With that being said, the financial aspect certainly added to the thrill of this commitment. Johnson's three-year, $23 million contract includes a $10 million club option for the 2018 season. The deal buys out his final two arbitration-eligible seasons and at least the first of his free-agent-eligible seasons.
Given that Johnson gained a one-year, $4.75 million deal through arbitration this year, there is certainly reason to believe that at some point over the next two seasons his salary could have risen above the $7.83 million average annual salary he will receive from 2015-17.
"I think the deal made sense for both sides as we looked at it," Braves general manager Frank Wren said. "He was looking for stability and we were looking to have a solid player at a tough position to man.
"Chris is 29 years old. When this contract is over, he's 32. We all feel like that is when they're in their prime. So it was another example of tying up a player long term, but not extending beyond their prime."
When the Braves spent the latter portion of January and early part of February buying out free-agent years with the contract extensions to Freddie Freeman, Andrelton Simmons, Julio Teheran and Craig Kimbrel, Johnson was not considered a prime candidate to join the group of younger players, none of whom had yet completed an arbitration-eligible season.
Unlike the other four aforementioned players, Johnson has never been tagged as a potential superstar. But somewhere in the process of hitting .321 with 12 home runs and an .816 OPS last year, the gritty third baseman displayed a blue collar, disciplined approach that gave the Braves reason to think they would like to keep him around for more than just a couple years.
"The one thing we were impressed with last year was he never gave up on his approach," Wren said. "He stayed with it and was consistent. We've continued to see that."
Wren and manager Fredi Gonzalez both said this never-say-die approach was evidenced again on Thursday night, when Johnson worked a 10-pitch walk off Marlins right-hander A.J. Ramos with two outs in the eighth and the Braves trailing by one run.
Plate appearances like those have given the Braves reason to overlook the inconsistent April experienced by Johnson, who entered Friday hitting .255 with one home run and a .641 OPS. The veteran third baseman was in the midst of a 4-for-33 skid before recording three hits in Thursday's loss.
"Maybe he's not going to hit .320. But we've always felt he was somewhere in the .280 to .300 range as a hitter," Wren said. "His career will tell you that. As we go forward, we believe that is the kind of player he can be, in that [.280 to .300] range and hit 10 to 15 home runs, drive in 70 and play solid third base."
Thoughts of this deal materializing started to take shape after Johnson's agent, Jim Murray, called Wren just after this season began. Murray did all the leg work and waited until two weeks ago to inform Johnson that they were getting close to a potential deal.
"I'm not going to stop working just because of this," Johnson said. "I'm not that kind of guy to get comfortable and just show up every day and go through the motions. I'm going to keep working hard and try to get better every single day and try to win as many games as possible until we win a World Series."


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Equipped with 2 SLD (Special Low Dispersion) glass element for maximum image quality, the new Sigma Global Vision teleconverters utilize a splash and dust proof construction for long lasting durability. Created exclusively for the Global Vision lenses, these teleconverters ensure the utmost in compatibility, even for large diameter lenses. With effective AF at F8 and 2x the reach, get the most out of your Sigma lens.
The SIGMA TELE CONVERTER is developed exclusively for the new lens lines. By mounting it in between a telephoto lens and a camera, the offered magnification of focal length of TC-2001 is 2 times times respectively.
TC-2001 incorporates SLD (Special Low Dispersion) glass elements that offer excellent aberration correction. It is exceptional for a lens accessory to use one of the best glass materials, yet this is because SIGMA is seeking for the best image quality, and it is necessary to meet the new "SGV" standards.
It is suitable for professional use since its durable construction is dust and splash-proof. It is compact and light, and provides easy extension of focal range.
TC-2001 incorporates 2 SLD (Special Low Dispersion) glass elemenst. By minimizing chromatic aberration effectively, it has achieved very good optical performance, thus it is possible to maintain the optical quality of the original lens.
Its power distribution is designed for lenses of large diameter. Without affecting the lens performance, it offers stable image quality until corners. The rich peripheral brightness enables shooting quality images at every focal length.
It is dust and splash-proof, and designed for higher durability. SIGMA 150-600mm F5-6.3 GD OS HSM |Sports and other telephoto lenses are able to meet the demands that professional photographers would require in severe shooting conditions, such as in the rain.
When the new SIGMA TELE CONVERTER is attached to cameras that are compatible with AF at F8, it is possible to shoot with AF.
* When shooting subjects with low contrast or luminosity value, focus may not be spot on the subject.
We used to measure lens performance with an MTF measuring system using conventional sensors. However, we've now developed our own proprietary MTF (modulation transfer function) measuring system (A1) using 46-megapixel Foveon direct image sensors. Even previously undetectable high-frequency details are now within the scope of our quality control inspections. The SIGMA TELE CONVERTER TC-1401 and TC-2001 will all be checked using this "A1" before they are shipped.
A rubber part is attached to where it mounts with the original lens, and it prevents the devices from scratching each other. It has the same materials and finishing for integrated design as the lenses from the new product lines.
* There is difference in the specification from mount to mount.
All SIGMA's manufacturing – right down to the molds and parts – is carried out under an integrated production system, entirely in Japan. We are now one of the very few manufacturers whose products are solely "made in Japan". We like to think our products are somehow imbued with the essence of our homeland, blessed as it is with clean air and water, and focused, hard-working people. We pride ourselves on the authentic quality of SIGMA products, born of a marriage between highly attuned expertise and intelligent, advanced technology. Our sophisticated products have satisfied professionals and lovers of photography all over the world, because our manufacturing is based on genuine craftsmanship, underpinned by the passion and pride of our experts.
|SIGMA 100-400mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary
|SIGMA 120-300mm F2.8 DG OS HSM Sports
|SIGMA 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM Sports
|SIGMA 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary
|SIGMA 500mm F4 DG OS HSM Sports
*1 Requires firmware update to version 1.01 or later.
*2 Requires firmware update to version 1.02 or later.
*3 Requires firmware update to version 1.03 or later.
*4 In cameras with F8-compatible autofocus, SIGMA TELECONVERTER can be used with AF, but blurry images may result of subjects of low contrast or luminance.
|Lens Construction
|10 Elements in 5 Groups
|Shooting RAnge and Shooting Ratio
|2.0 times the magnification of the original lens
(Diameter x Length)
|69.8x48.90mm/ 2.7x1.9in
|290g/ 10.2oz
|Corresponding Mounts
* The appearance, specifications, and the like of the product are subject to change for improvement without notice.


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"Good morning, class!"
"Good morning, Miss Ellie!"
"Today, we're going to learn a new word. That word is 'machinima.' Without using Google, who in the class can tell me what it means? Anyone? Bueller?"
Yeah, I got nothing, too. Apparently, and this is with the help of Wikipedia, machinima is "both a collection of associated production techniques and a (film created by such production techniques)." Long story short, those Red vs. Blue guys and their videos? Yeah, that's machinima. And it's a big enough art form to have its own take on the Oscars—the Mackies. For those who prefer a slightly more indie take, the third annual "Rockets on Prisoners" awards were announced today to award golden Master Chief statues to this year's outstanding Halo machinima submissions.
Just so you know, you have to wade through a lot of crap to get to the good stuff—and that's just from the winners' list. The Codex series, which took him a relative boatload of the awards, was a bigger winner than Red vs. Blue, which I'd have called the odds-on favorite. If you have to suffer through watching any of them, I'd go for those.


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Air Force Writing Examples
In the Air Force we're constantly confronted with new challenges and responsibilities. We're frequently expected to meet critical administrative requirements on short notice, often for the very first time. To make these tasks even harder, there is often no documentation or examples to follow. Not many things are as frustrating as wanting to do your job well but not having the tools to do so. This community website was established to provide those tools and help our peers overcome obstacles to success. Note: This site is no longer being updated.
Air Force EPR / AF Form 910
EPR Bullets by Category
Performance Feedback
Letter of Evaluation
Referral EPR Procedures
STEP Promotions
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Military Resumé
Air Force Counseling
MFR ( for Counseling)
Letter of Counseling Examples
LOC Format
LOC Rebuttal Examples
Letter of Reprimand
LOR Rebuttal Examples
Character Statements
Articles of the UCMJ
Letter of Appreciation Examples
How to Write a Letter of Appreciation
Letters of Recommendation
Sponsor Letter Examples
Appointment Letters
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Complaint Letters
Letter of Request
Privacy Act Statement
Air Force Awards & Decs
Ribbon Rack Builder
AF Form 1206 Examples
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Air Force Civilian Awards
Official Memorandum Template
Memo For Record (MFR) Format
Air Force Letterhead
The Trip Report
The Talking Paper
Policy Letters
Requests for Exception to Policy
Request Extension for PCS
DEROS Extension Letter Template (docx)
Air Force Specialty & AFSC Links
Air Force Handbook-1
HELP! We need more examples. Contributions may be shared by pasting into the form below or by e-mailing firstname.lastname@example.com. Thanks!
The Air Force Enlisted Performance Report
The EPR is the most important document you will encounter during your military career. That single document, the AF Form 910, affects your chances for promotion, your pay, your assignment options, and your entire future in the military. And yet most people don't give it the attention it deserves. Many of us just aren't ambitious and care more about doing a good job at work than about promoting our own careers. We care more about doing our share than about trying to make ourselves look better than our peers. And that's natural. But ultimately, it's wrong. You have to take care of yourself. While you're working overtime to help make sure the mission gets done, others are working just as hard to get promoted ahead of you. So it's important that you take the time to do a good job on your and your troops' EPR. A lot depends on it. It's one of those necessary nusiances. But using the materials provided on our EPR page should make the job a lot easier. More on the Air Force EPR...
Air Force Awards and Decorations
Another important method for recognizing and rewarding our Airmen's contributions are medals. Submitting someone for a medal is one of the easiest yet most effective things a supervisor can do. Not only do you get to express your appreciation for someone who deserves it, the person who was recommended is ecstatic that someone recognized their efforts and took the time to make the recommendation. And the promotion points are an added bonus. If you've never submitted someone for a decoration before it might seem complicated but it's not. All awards have specific requirements and follow a prescribed format which is outlined in the applicable AFI (AFI 36-2803, The Air Force Awards and Decorations program). All that needs to be done is to fill in the details. But sometimes it's hard to get started, to accurately convey what you want to say. That's where we come in. We're in the process of collecting awards and decoration examples to make the job easier. So far, we have basic instructions for preparing the most commonly awarded medals and quite a few examples of properly written citations. More on Air Force Awards and Decorations...
The Air Force Letter of Appreciation
Recommending someone for a medal isn't the only way to recognize someone's contributions. At the lower end of the recognition spectrum is the humble Letter of Appreciation. Although widely considered less meaningful than an Achievement Medal or other decoration because of the promotion points, a Letter of Appreciation can still be very effective! Letters of Appreciation can have just as much or even more impact as decorations. After all, Letters of Appreciation are awarded for genuine accomplishments which is not always the case with medals. When a person receives a Letter of Appreciation, they know they've accomplished something! I strongly endorse the use of Letters of Appreciation as a recognition tool. It costs nothing but a few minutes of your time, they're easy to process, and they pay big dividends in pride and loyalty. For examples and format, see our Air Force Letter of Appreciation examples.
The Air Force Letter of Counseling
We know how to recognize good behavior. We write solid EPRs, express our gratitude in Letters of Appreciation, or submit deserving members for medals. But how do we deal with bad behavior? This is one of the supervisor's most difficult duties. It's tough to make the decision to document substandard behavior and it's awkward to describe that behavior in writing. There are a range of disciplinary options available but the most common and useful tool for this purpose is the Air Force Letter of Counseling. We are collecting examples of Letters of Counseling (in AF Form 174 or letterhead format) and other information related to LOCs that might be useful. More info on the Air Force Letter of Counseling...
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Class Actions
The Futhey Law Firm has prosecuted and defended class actions involving a variety of matters including toxic torts, consumer rights, products liability, banking issues, and health care matters in multiple jurisdictions.
The law firm handles a wide array of business law matters ranging from litigation involving breaches of contract, landlord/tenant disputes, and employment matters to transactions related to contract p
Malcolm Futhey III prevails on appeal and has nearly $3 million jury verdict reinstated Malcolm Futhey won an appeal to the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals
Posted by:Malcolm Futhey at Monday, September 14, 2020
Continue Reading »
Senator Rand Paul awarded over $580,000 for assault and battery claim A civil jury awarded Senator Rand Paul over $580,000 for his assault and battery against his neighbor. In November 2017, Paul's neighbor tackled him and broke three of Paul's ribs. The neighbor pled guilty to criminal charges of felony assault. In the later civil trial, the jury awarded Paul $375,000 for punitive damages, $200,000 for pain and suffering, and $8,000 for medical expenses. Paul noted after the jury verdict that it is never ok to turn "disagreements into violent, aggressive ange
Posted by:Malcolm Futhey at Thursday, January 31, 2019
Tax Sales and Quiet-Titles Using quiet-title actions to restore marketability to previously unmarketable properties obtained through tax sales.
Posted by:Malcolm Futhey III at Friday, January 18, 2019
Malcolm Futhey III obtains nearly $3 million jury verdict on insurance claim lawsuit Hanover Insurance Company denies claims after owner submits false documents to insurer.
Malcolm Futhey III has deficiency lawsuit based on second mortgage dismissed Bank of America files suit to recover a second mortgage foreclosed on six years prior by first mortgagee.
False Imprisonment Claims Tennessee law provides for claims based on false arrest, malicious prosecution, and abuse of process.
Posted by:Malcolm Futhey III at Monday, August 22, 2016
Led Zeppelin Sued for Copyright-Infringement Trust connected to the band Spirit sues Led Zeppelin for copyright-infringement.
USA Women's National Soccer Team Files EEOC Wage Discrimination Complaint USA Women's National Soccer Team Files EEOC Wage Discrimination Complaint. Players allege massive wage gap to the U.S. Men's National Team
Posted by:Malcolm Futhey III at Monday, April 11, 2016
Tennessee Supreme Court Rules on Non Economic Damages Cap Tennessee Supreme Court strikes down lower court decision on the constitutionality of noneconomic damages cap.
Posted by:Malcolm Futhey at Thursday, November 12, 2015
Judge rejects Silicon Valley non-poaching class action settlement as too low A federal judge in California has just rejected a proposed settlement of a class action involving non-poaching of Silicon Valley employees by big tech companies because the $324.5 million settlement proposal was not high enough. The employees' estimated damages are $3 billion and could be trebled if they win at trial. It's highly unusual for a judge to reject a settlement for not being enough.
Posted by:Malcolm Futhey III at Saturday, August 9, 2014
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Equity futures are up a little this morning after being down sharply overnight. Below is the overnight action in the DOW and S&P:
The Dollar is almost flat, right at the 76 area, while bonds are down a little. Oil and gold are close to even following very large down moves yesterday. Oil is now down 13.4% from its recent $82 peak, while gold is off about $100 an ounce from its peak, about a 9% fall in just the past 5 days.
I turned on my computer this morning and found that I was viewing some sort of totally bizzaro sick and twisted zombie flick! There stands President Obama accepting the Nobel Peace Prize stating that "peace requires sacrifice" while having just ordered 30,000 more troops to go fight in a very pointless war, one in which any sane person has to ask, "What does victory look like?" Sick and demented is all I can really say. Wait, no, actually I can also add that this twisted rational for "security" is accelerating the process of bankrupting our nation and will ultimately make us far less secure.
Speaking of bankrupt, yesterday, New York Governor Patterson got up and said that he'll probably be sued for saying that "New York has run out of cash," and for making the following statement, "You can't spend money that you don't have."
BLASPHEMY! What do you mean you can't spend money you don't have? That is the great new American tradition, I think I'll sue!
But here's the reality… one state after the other is going bankrupt. This is a tremendous problem that is going to become more fully evident as time passes. According to the Census Bureau, state revenue fell by a whopping 16% last year while at the same time their expenses skyrocketed. Their fastest growing expense? Welfare. Eleven states spent MORE THAN 25% OF ALL THEIR MONEY ON WELFARE.
And I hope that everyone is paying attention to what is going on at Citi Bank. They took your money and lent $8 Billion of it to Dubai. Strange, but the U.A.E. was one of the largest investors in Citi and bought a large stake in Citi which they are now selling. Two entities that need the cash, both want it. And at the same time Citi is being pressured to pay back the TARP. Could there be more to these events? How about the fact that the speculation is all of a sudden is coming out of oil. Are messages being sent? I don't know the game, but I am paying attention.
The media is touting that foreclosures are slowing because there was an 8% month over month decline in foreclosure filings, the 4th monthly drop in a row. Ahhh, hello, McFly? Foreclosures are UP 20% over this time last year, and we are dead in the middle of the trough with massive Option-Arm resets coming up.
The monthly report on International Trade came out this morning, showing a narrowing of the trade deficit and improvements in the amount of both imports and exports that is causing the year over year decreases to narrow from the prior 30% drop to a little less than 20% year over year for imports, and from the prior nearly 20% yoy drop in exports to "only" an 8.6% yoy drop. Remember that these figures are now compared to a time a year ago when these figures were in free fall.
The latest international trade report shows exports continuing an uptrend, boosting U.S. manufacturing. Imports also rose, likely reflecting inventory rebuilding for autos and cautious hope about the consumer and business investment. The overall U.S. trade deficit narrowed to $32.9 billion from a revised $35.7 billion gap in September. The deficit was smaller than the market forecast for a $36.4 billion differential. Exports advanced 2.6 percent while imports gained 0.4 percent. The improvement in the trade deficit was primarily due to a narrowing in the petroleum deficit, which came in at $17.8 billion compared to a gap of $20.5 billion the previous month. The nonpetroleum gap shrank to $25.2 billion from $25.7 billion in September.
The really good news in today's report is that exports are benefitting from a lower dollar and reasonably healthy demand abroad. Exports were led by a $1.2 billion jump in capital goods ex autos in October, followed by gains in consumer goods and autos.
But apparently, U.S. businesses are a little optimistic about domestic demand for both capital equipment and consumer goods. Import gains were led by a $1.1 billion boost in capital goods ex autos, followed by a $1.0 billion rise in consumer goods imports and $0.4 billion for autos. Industrial supplies imported fell $1.8 billion, with the crude oil component falling even more-by $2.4 billion. However, some of the auto imports may be lagged effects from the surge in auto sales under the cash-for clunkers program as import auto dealers restocked.
The narrowing in the petroleum deficit was due to both fewer barrels imported and slightly lower prices. Physical barrels imported decreased 9.6 percent in October after rising 6.6 percent the month before. The price of imported oil slipped to $67.39 per barrel from $68.17 in September.
Year-on-year, overall exports in October improved to minus 8.6 percent from minus 12.2 percent the month before while imports increased to down 18.8 percent from minus 20.3 percent in September.
Overall, today's international trade report is good news for fourth quarter estimates for economic growth. The lower trade deficit adds to GDP growth. Equities should like today's report but initial claims rose instead of declining as expected and it is uncertain which report will get the most attention by traders. At time of release, markets were little changed, indicating that the two reports initially were a wash.
Weekly jobless claims rose by 17,000 over last week. In the background sits a record number of unemployed, nearly 16 million in all. And also keep in mind that with huge numbers falling off the roles, any increase here means that the situation is very poor:
Initial jobless claims ended five weeks of improvement, rising 17,000 in the Dec. 5 week to 474,000 for the highest level since mid-November. But the four-week average continues to improve and is right at the current level, down 7,750 to 473,750. Market News International also notes that seasonal contraction in construction, tied to heavy weather, is another offsetting factor in the latest week's rise. Continuing claims in data for the Nov. 28 week fell very sharply, down 303,000 to 5.157 million. The drop in continuing claims reflects an uncertain mix of new hirings and the expiration of benefits. The unemployment rate for insured workers continues to come down, 2 tenths lower to 3.9 percent. This rate peaked in July at 5.2 percent in a major contrast with the overall unemployment rate which, at 10.0 percent in November, hit a 10.2 percent peak in October. Today's report is a bit of a disappointment and will lend modest support to those who question whether the November jobs report, with its big improvement, will prove to be a fluke.
So, here we sit on the 10th of December, the last spiral Fibonacci date of the year that emanates from the top and bottom of the market in 1929 and 1932 respectively. Remember to give these dates a couple of days to see what happens, and certainly don't bet the farm on something that has only proven to be interesting, nothing more as of yet.
Yesterday's action actually produced another small movement on the McClelland Oscillator, thus you should expect a rather large movement today or tomorrow. Back to the top of the range? Yes, I'm as tired of this range as anyone, it is definitely testing everyone's patience. Yet, I know that gravity cannot be ignored forever and I remain clearly focused with my eye on the ball – the ball in this situation is DEBT. Until the financial system and the burden of debt is lifted, real progress will be impossible. Obviously that doesn't mean that the hot money won't head into equities pushing them to formerly unheard of valuations. For me, I view that game as extremely risk filled and it's not the place I will place my personal money. Thus I sit patiently watching until we see a break of the range and we see a clear E.W. count that eliminates possibilities and provides some clear direction.
It's interesting to watch the Utilities here as they went onto a new high yesterday and again are doing so today. Meanwhile the XLF still languishes and looks plain old sick.
1,090 is still support, 1,100 is overhead followed by the 1,107 pivot...
I am coming out with what I hope is a motivational outline of our proposal today. I won't be releasing details of the plan until next week, but I want to start laying a foundation of understanding now. I have developed what I think is a workable plan that includes incentives for individuals, states, businesses, and even banks to get behind it. Additionally I am working on some innovative ways to get this in motion, the last thing we want is to just jawbone a bunch of ideas to death! We want action and I am working towards that and will be discussing that, too, in the next day or two.
Hey, eventually the market will surrender to the forces of gravity, and it's going to be our job to get the politicians to surrender to a wise and stable system of money moving forward!
Cheap Trick – Surrender:


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Check against delivery!
On the 3rd of April, Brunei-Darussalam went on with the implementation of its 2013 Penal Code Order. The code foresees punishments such as amputation, public flogging and death by stoning, which should simply have no place in the world.
Also, there is a clear expansion in scope for the potential application of the death penalty. You know our principled, clear and strong position against the death penalty everywhere in the world.
We believe there is no justification for this kind of punishments. No crime justifies an amputation or torture, let alone the death penalty. And no person should be punished for loving someone. That can never be interpreted as a crime.
These punishments – if applied – would constitute a violation of many of the international commitments undertaken by Brunei-Darussalam.
These acts are prohibited by the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment, which was signed by the country in 2015.
They also go against the 2012 ASEAN [Association of South-East Asian Nations] Human Rights Declaration, and they may also breach Brunei's obligations as a party to the Convention of the Rights of the Child, and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women.
On the very day of the announcement, we reacted, together with many of our international partners, starting with the UN High Commissioner of Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet.
We expect the Government of Brunei-Darussalam to make sure that the implementation of the Penal Code Order will not infringe on human rights and will be fully consistent with all international human rights obligations undertaken by the country.
We also expect the country to maintain its de facto moratorium on the use of the death penalty.
Let me add that we have been following this issue for years; it is not just a few weeks ago that we have started to react. When the 2013 Penal Code was adopted, we suspended negotiations on a Partnership and Cooperation Agreement with Brunei.
Since then, we have raised the issue in all our meetings with the country's authorities, and in our Annual Reports on Human Rights and Democracy in the country.
It is now essential to prevent the application of such punishments. To this goal, we will first and foremost continue to put pressure bilaterally on the authorities of Brunei, both directly and through the Member States that are present in the country. The new EU Special Representative for Human Rights, Eamon Gilmore, will work on this.
We will also continue to engage at the UN Human Rights Council, in particular within the ongoing Universal Periodic Review, where Brunei will be reviewed.
And we will raise the issue with our ASEAN partners, since this also represents a violation of a commitment taken by Brunei in the ASEAN framework. And I will have the possibility to do so personally at our next annual EU-ASEAN meeting this August.
The ban on degrading punishments is not simply about European values. I want to underline this point that many of you [Members of the European Parliament] have raised. These are universal values, cherished by people of all backgrounds and of all faiths, all around the world.
These are rights that are not at the disposal of any authority or any country. They belong to all people and no State can take them away.
This is about the dignity of each and every human being, and we will continue, as the European Union, to work for this dignity to be respected everywhere in the world, starting from Europe.
Link to the video: https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/video/I-170858


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Why is this abortion service needed?
A safe abortion service protects a woman's life and health when she needs to end her unwanted pregnancy. This abortion service trusts women to make conscious, well-informed decisions about their bodies.
Abortion is the most performed medical intervention in the world. According to the World Health Organization, each year 56 million women choose to have an abortion for all sorts of private reasons. Still many women do not have access to safe abortion services and are forced to risk their lives and health. They try to end their pregnancies with knitting needles, soap solutions, blows to the abdomen. They get abortions from individuals without medical training in unsanitary conditions. This is very dangerous and should never be done. This service provides a safe alternative by giving women to access safe medical abortions.
Women on Web works to help women achieve the World Health Organization's definition of health. "Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity." (Preamble, Constitution of the World Health Organization, adopted in 1946 by all members of the World Health Organization as the operative definition of health.) It is well-documented that without reasonable access to safe abortion services, women voluntarily risk their health and lives to obtain clandestine abortions from unqualified persons in unhygienic conditions. Access to legal and safe abortions is therefore required to protect pregnant women's lives and health.


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Check out this Knight's Home by Maciej Koszyka, also known as Piglet.
It's one of the many fine entries in the CCC that hasn't been mentioned in the forums (as far as I've seen). Check out all the great entries that are there now and get some inspiration to submit your own.


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In Columbia Pictures' Salt, Angelina Jolie stars as Evelyn Salt, a CIA officer who swore an oath to duty, honor, and country. When she is accused by a defector of being a Russian sleeper spy, Salt goes on the run to clear her name and ultimately prove she is a patriot. Using all her skills and years of experience as a covert operative, she must elude capture and protect her husband or the world's most powerful forces will erase any trace of her existence.
Genres:Drama, Action, Thriller
Platforms:Theater, DVD, Blu-ray
Distributors:Columbia Pictures, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Release Date:July 23, 2010


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Safety Tips: Sledding
Sledding with friends and family members has been a winter ritual for generations. Anywhere there's snow and a hillside, you can find people sledding. You probably went sledding as a kid, and you'll want to share this fun activity with your kids.
But sledding can also cause injuries, some of them pretty serious. To keep your kids safe while sledding, make sure they follow these safety tips.
Why Sledding Safety Is Important
Though it may seem like harmless fun, sledding injuries send thousands of kids and teens to hospital emergency rooms each year. Head injuries, which can be very serious and even deadly, are the most common sledding injuries seen in emergency rooms. Sledders are most likely to be injured in collisions with objects or people.
Choose the Right Sledding Hill
When hills get coated with snow, they may all look like great locations for sledding, but be very careful when choosing a location for your kids to sled. Not all hills are safe.
Here are a few guidelines to follow when it comes to picking the right spot to sled:
- Select a hill that is not too steep and has a long flat area at the bottom for your kids to glide to a stop.
- Avoid hillsides that end near a street or parking lot.
- Avoid hillsides that end near ponds, trees, fences, or other hazards.
- Make sure the hill is free of obstacles such as jumps, bumps, rocks, poles, or trees before your kids begin sledding.
- Choose hills that are snowy rather than icy. Icy slopes make for hard landings if kids fall off a sled.
- Always have your kids sled during the daytime, when visibility is better. If they do go sledding at night, make sure the hillside is well lit and all potential hazards are visible.
Dress for Cold Temperatures
Since sledding involves playing in the snow outdoors during wintertime, chances are it's going to be cold. Frostbite and even hypothermia are potential dangers. Make sure your kids wear the proper clothing to stay warm and safe.
- Kids should wear sensible winter clothing — hats, gloves or mittens, snow pants, winter jacket, snow boots — that is waterproof and warm, and change into something dry if their clothes get wet.
- Don't let kids wear scarves or any clothing that can get caught in a sled and pose a risk of strangulation.
- Make your kids wear helmets, particularly if they're 12 or younger. Helmets designed for winter sports work best, but if you don't have one, make sure they at least wear a bike helmet or something similar.
Get the Right Kind of Sled
The best sleds can be steered by their riders and have brakes to slow them down. Avoid sleds that can't be steered, such as tubes, saucers, or toboggans, and never use a sled substitute like a lunch tray or cardboard box. Good sleds are relatively cheap to buy and are well worth the extra money.
Some Simple Safety Rules
Your kids have the right kind of sled and properly fitted helmets, they're dressed warmly, and you've picked out a perfect hill for them to sled down. They're ready to go.
There are still a few rules they need to follow, though, to keep themselves and other sledders safe:
- Be sure a responsible adult is present to supervise. In the event someone does get injured, there should always be an adult on hand to administer first aid and, if necessary, take the injured sledder to the emergency room. Call 911 for serious injuries, including neck or head injuries.
- Young kids (5 and under) should sled with an adult, and kids under 12 should be actively watched at all times.
- Children should always sit face-forward on their sleds. Never let them sled down a hill backwards or while standing, and make sure they don't go down the hill face-first, as this greatly increases the risk of a head injury.
- Insist that kids go down the hill one at a time and with only one person per sled (except for adults with young kids).
- Don't let kids build an artificial jump or obstacle on a sledding hill.
- Remind kids to keep their arms and legs within the sled at all times. If they fall off the sled, tell them to move out of the way. Teach them that if they're on a sled that won't stop, to roll off it and get away from it.
- Make kids walk up the side of the hill and leave the middle open for other sledders.
- Never allow a child to ride a sled that is being pulled by a moving vehicle.
While it's unlikely that kids will be injured while sledding, the possibility definitely exists. Just take a little extra time to dress them properly and make sure they follow these safety guidelines. They'll have a better time, and you'll rest easier knowing you have less to worry about. Sledding is supposed to be fun; keep your kids safe and warm, and you'll ensure that it is!/p>


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Anonymous, the group behind the Denial-of-Service attacks that hit Visa, HBGary Federal, and the Egyptian government, has once again set its sights on Iran, according to a recent statement.
"Operation Iran" is scheduled for tomorrow, International Workers' Day, at 5AM Greenwich Mean Time as a show of solidarity with the Iranian people who continue to protest in the streets amidst ongoing strife in the region. The statement reads:
We can see that Iran still suffers at the hands of those in power. Your former government has seized control, and tries to silence you. People of Iran - your rights belong to you. You have the right to free speech and free press, the freedom to assemble and to be safe in your person. You have the right to live free and without fear. As International Worker's Day dawns - Anonymous stands with you!
Anonymous is already well known for its support of Wikileaks, having shown its support by taking on such targets as MasterCard and Paypal for cutting ties with the whistle-blower group, as well as the Tunisian government for censoring the Wikileaks communiques during the protests. They were suspected of being linked to the recent PSN security breach, but have denied responsibility. This statement, then, should come as no surprise, but it remains to be seen just what will happen this May Day. [AnonNews via CNet]


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JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) – Democrats will renew their battle to wrest control of Congress from Republicans this year, but the contests with the greatest long-term consequences could be elsewhere on the ballot.
The outcome of races for governor and state legislative seats will shape the boundaries of congressional districts for the decade to come.
Voters in two-thirds of the states will be electing governors to four-year terms in 2018. Of those, 26 will be vested with the power to approve or reject congressional maps that will be redrawn after the 2020 Census.
About 760 state legislative seats will be up for election for four-year terms, ensuring the winners will play a role in approving congressional maps.
Justin Levitt, a professor at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles, called 2018 "enormously consequential for redistricting."


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Picasso, Rembrandt, Van Gogh, Renoir, Monet, Velazquez, Dali...painters have the marvelous ability of transmitting feelings through their works. Their biographies can be more or less tragic or fortunate, they may have enjoyed success in life or posthumously, but they all share need to express themselves through their paintings. Throughout history there have been many different schools of painting, and with them many renowned painters, but there is always a painter whose works have made us feel something special. Participate and vote in this ranking for the best painter of all time.
- Author: ivy (Updated Oct 21, 2019)
- Sources: Completely done by the author
Did you know you can display the rankings in different ways?
Search in this survey »


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Wednesday, August 17, 2005
One of the central threads of discussion in the Federal-State working group has been on the apportionment of authority between each level of government. Today I came across the following passage and it serves as food for thought.
"[T]he States can best govern our home concerns and the general government our foreign ones. I wish, therefore... never to see all offices transferred to Washington, where, further withdrawn from the eyes of the people, they may more secretly be bought and sold at market."
Thomas Jefferson, letter to Judge William Johnson, June 12, 1823
If, as Stigler has persuasively argued, regulatory institutions can be captured and public officials of good will tend to work toward the ends of the regulated, which regulatory institutions are more susceptible? Federal or state? Or does the organizational structure matter more than the level of government? Email me your arguments.
If you believe the states are better equipped to resist capture or to err less grievously when captured than their national counterparts, consider that on the one hand, there is generally more diffused power among agencies and the legislature. But, on the other hand there tend to be fewer "watchdogs" at the state level.
posted by @ 1:13 PM | Federal/State Framework , Preemption
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Stay Up to Date
Receive Bicycle Friendly America news delivered straight to your inbox every other week.
May 1, 2018by League StaffNational Bike Month is here! Read on for dates of important #BikeMonth events and tools to use to make your May better.
May 1, 2018by Cindy PettedBy identifying or creating safe environments to ride, we offer girls and women the opportunity to give cycling a try. The women I work with say being on a bike brings them closer to nature, to their community and to themselves and, along the way, they discover (or rediscover) the joy of riding a bike.
April 30, 2018by Caron WhitakerThanks to all of our National Bike Summit attendees who came to Washington and advocated with their members of Congress. One of our asks this year was to robustly fund the TIGER program.
April 25, 2018Auto makers study for the test: Why automated vehicles need to prove they can see bicyclists and pedestriansby Caron WhitakerLast week, Bill Nesper and I attended a tour and crash test demonstration at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. We learned a lot about how they test and about what they've learned.
April 23, 2018by Kevin DekkingaNow is a great time to join the growing number of bicyclists who are proud to call themselves members of the League! We're adding new membership benefits all the time, and we're proud to introduce a few new partnerships for spring.
April 19, 2018by League StaffAs a member of the Road to Zero Coalition, the League of American Bicyclists is excited by the progress made in the national movement for Vision Zero — zero traffic deaths and severe injuries.
April 16, 2018by League StaffNational Bike Month is coming up in May, and we want to help your business get ready to celebrate! Bike Month is a great time to support your existing bike commuters and to help new bicyclists try bike commuting for the first time.
April 16, 2018by Love to RideThinking about signing up for the National Bike Challenge this year? We have made a list of six of the many great reasons.
April 11, 2018by Christine AcostaChristine Acosta, this year's recipient of the Susie Stephens Joyful Enthusiasm award has been leading a team working to make St. Petersburg more bicycle friendly.
April 10, 2018by Kevin DekkingaWe'd like to invite all representatives of the League's member clubs to our Spring Bike Club Webinar. This quarter, we'll be focusing on issues surrounding E-bikes.


text: Well, I suppose it's that time. Baseball has proven that it waits for no one, and as yet another season starts, I've had to acknowledge that I'm thrilled. So much goodness has occurred for me recently; that's where my focus needs to be, and I really need to see that through. So I'll be taking a break for a while. While I'm out, baseball will be played. Hopefully, good baseball. Actually, hopefully, really, really great baseball, or even the best baseball. I think we look great this year. We've had a phenomenal spring, and we're poised to do phenomenal things. And through all of it, I'll be watching our guys, always with a Boston soul.


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Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Download Brochure
Monday, September 13
2:00-3:00 Conference Registration
3:00-3:10 Welcoming Remarks from Conference Director
Julia Boguslavsky, Executive Director, Conferences, Cambridge Healthtech Institute
Drug-Diagnostic Co-Development at Big Pharma
3:10-3:15 Chairperson's Opening RemarksRuth E. March, Ph.D., Personalized Healthcare Leader, AstraZeneca
3:15-3:50 Achieving Success in Personalized Healthcare: The Role of Partnerships
Ruth E. March, Ph.D., Personalized Healthcare Leader, AstraZeneca
Personalized Healthcare may prove one of the key ways in which the pharmaceutical industry can meet its growing challenges, but there are few examples of successful drug-diagnostic co-development. What are the key success factors and potential pitfalls of personalized healthcare development? How can pharmaceutical companies best use the expertise of partners and diagnostic companies to deliver personalized healthcare medicines to patients? This talk will use historical examples and emerging case studies from AstraZeneca to illustrate these points.
3:50-4:25 Challenges of Rx/Dx Partnering: Co-Development and Commercialization of Companion Products
Andrea H. Lauber, Ph.D., Head, Transactions for Clinical Biomarkers and Pharmacodiagnostics, Strategic Transactions Group, Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.
Partnering to co-develop and commercialize therapeutics and companion diagnostics is critical to enable delivery of Personalized Medicine. Typically, Rx companies partner with other Rx companies to create products of similar types and value proposition. However, companion products require collaboration between Rx and Dx partners, whose products have different value propositions and hurdles. Alignment of partners who will develop separate but interrelated products will be discussed and various considerations explored.
4:25-5:00 Tailored Therapeutics at Eli Lilly: Our Strategy for the Co-Development of Diagnostics with Therapeutics
Brian T. Edmonds, Ph.D., Research Advisor, Global External Research & Development, Lilly Corporate Center
One approach to improving the clinical outcome for individual patients is to marry the predictive power of certain diagnostic tests with a specific treatment regimen. This is not a novel concept to clinical practice, but with the advent of powerful molecular biology tools, new vistas and associated challenges are appearing. This presentation will outline Eli Lilly's approach to coordinating the disparate development work streams of diagnostics and therapeutics with emphasis on choosing partners, how those relationships are managed, and the implications on therapeutic product sales and support.
5:00-6:00 Opening Reception with Poster and Exhibit Viewing
Register Today andNetwork with 400 Colleagues
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35 Years but who's counting?
Located just east of Seattle Washington, Diversified Systems has been providing high quality computer media printing and duplication services for over 30 years. Adapting to the seemingly never ending technological changes, Diversified Systems has been a reliable supplier for magnetic media (floppy disc), optical media (CD-R, DVD-R, Blue-Ray DVD-R) and USB flash memory as well as on demand printing services. With over 20,000 customers worldwide, we have developed a solid reputation for offering state of the art solutions, in a timely fashion and at very competitive prices. We have the knowledge, experience and customer service that allows us to provide our customers one of the best values in the media duplication and printing industry.


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A great way to incorporate more living foods into our diet is through delicious desserts. Cutting out highly processed sugar and flour found in most cooked desserts can have a profound effect on our health.
Here's a great recipe for a raw dessert that will satisfy the chocolate lovers in your life!
Pecan Pie Topping
1/2 cup pecans
1/2 cup packed pitted dates
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp freshly squeezed orange juice
Using a food processor, blend pecans into small pieces. Add the remaining ingredients and pulse until mixed evenly and sticky.
1/2 cup cacao butter (I use Navitas)
1/2 cup raw cacao powder
3 Tbs raw local honey
1 tsp vanilla extract
Melt cacao butter in double boiler over low heat. Pour in mixing bowl and add remaining ingredients. Mix well. Cover a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Pour chocolate on paper and spread evenly. Add pieces of pecan mixture to the chocolate. Freeze for 15-20 minutes. Cut into small squares and enjoy!
This recipe was inspired by Ani Phyo's Pecan Pie Cookies


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Lower, Arthur and Sister Audio Part 1
- CA BWGPL OH-Lower-Lower Audio-Part 1
- Part
- 1973-06-23
First part of an interview with Professor Arthur Lower on June 23, 1973. His sister is also interviewed. The interviewer is not introduced. Professor Lower shares his memories of Simcoe County and his life. See the Related Descriptions below for s...
Simcoe County Archives


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Police probe 'kill list' at Lee's Summit school
Student suspected of writing list no longer lives in state
Lee's Summit police are checking out a so-called "kill list" from Lee's Summit North High School that first surfaced last month.
Police said a student found the list inside an activity planner that the school hands out to each student for the year.
"She located what was titled a 'kill list.' It had pictures of guns and knives on it, as well as the names of four or five students," said Chris Depue of the Lee's Summit Police Department.
The owner of the planner had let another student borrow it in November and never got it back. Police said the student they believe drew up the list has changed schools and now lives in another state.
"They called that district to confirm the enrollment. That student or the parents have not called back so they can complete the investigation," Depue said.
"I just heard about this today," said student Sharel Heath. "It's pretty much a shocker to me."
The district said the school's principal alerted the families of the five students whose names were on the list, but there was no general announcement to the student body.
"I just felt like there should have been more information," said senior Asia Sanders. "Even though it may have just involved a few kids, it was very important and it was very serious and everybody should have known about it."
Police said they're following all the leads they have. Depue said in cases like these, they have to be right 100 percent of the time, so they're still investigating.
If police present a case, the Jackson County Prosecutor's Office would decide whether to bring charges.


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Suntrends Tennis Equipment
SunTrends is a family-owned, privately operated company out of Denver, Colorado that specializes in court-side shade structures. Their benches can be used for any outdoor area and are seen across the globe at private clubs, resorts and recreation centers.
All SunTrends canopies are available as a 'modified' canopy. This half-canopy is manufactured for use next to fences or walls, so no messy, self-modification is necessary as with other brands. This is a standard modification, but must be requested at time of purchase.
Direct burial and surface mounts are different mounting systems offered on different models; be sure to ask about the mounting system and how it applies to your specific facility.
SunTrends offers two great warrantees on all of their courtside cabanas. The life of the bench is covered for one year and the canopy is guaranteed against fading for 5 years. Canopies come in five standard, but highly individualizing colors: burgundy, brown, Pacific Blue, Kelley Green and Forest Green.
"At SunTrends we make it our strongest effort to provide you with a sturdy, well-built, appealing bench for commercial use. From the golf course to the tennis court you will find many great uses for our benches."
Shading tennis players on hot days and providing tennis court benches for them to rest in between matches keeps them coming back and keeps your court the talk of the town.