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I can't believe I'm going to break my self-imposed blogging restriction on account of Pokémon today and Fire Emblem tomorrow.
Here I was ready to sleep through the morning, but no. Apparently I have a problem.
Let's just jump in so that I don't spend a billion years writing this post — as I tend to do with these updates. I'll keep it short and sweet by focusing on three things addressed in today's trailer:
Version exclusives, new Pokémon and… Gigantamaxing.
Version Exclusives
Version differences are not new to Pokémon.
The series' initial hook was monsters exclusive to Red and Blue version so kids would trade in order to "catch 'em all." Every generation has had exclusives since.
Gold, Silver and Crystal started the trend of different versions having unique legendaries that changed details about an overall identical story (though Yellow technically led the way by making an anime-inspired version of Red/Blue/Green).
Arguably the first major game-to-game change was the Magma/Aqua split in Ruby and Sapphire, even if they were just different villains in the same circumstances.
It wouldn't be until Emerald version that they truly stood out as different entities.
In Sword and Shield we will be getting version exclusive Gym Leaders. Sword will have the Fighting-type Bea, while Shield will have the Ghost-type Allister:
We haven't seen differences in the Gym Leader roster since Black and White, where the eighth Gym could feature Iris or Drayden. Though Iris was clearly better since she went on to be the Unova Champion.
These newbies will have to battle for who is better. To me, it's an even match so far.
Allister is a Mimikyu lover with a Shy Guy mask. Meanwhile, Bea is a Hitmontop lover who must be getting all the fan art on account of her exposed feet.
Both seem like great additions to the canon!
The trailer also introduced Rose, chairman of the Galar Pokémon League, and his assistant Oleana. As far as I'm aware they are not version exclusive, but there's so little about them that I couldn't figure out where else to slot this.
You're welcome.
New Pokémon
Can't have a Pokémon news update without new Pokémon, though one of the monsters revealed isn't new:
Yamper was seen in Sword and Shields' E3 demo, but now we know more about the adorable Corgi with the heart-shaped butt.
For instance, he charges electricity by chasing cars and has an ability that lets him catch one Pokéball. Literally playing fetch.
That's really all we need to know.
Alcremie is a foot-tall pile of whipped cream and strawberries that drugs its opponents with whipped cream that chefs also like to use on desserts.
Because if Game Freak wants us to know anything about Fairy-types, it's that half of them are edible.
Also Alcremie becomes a giant cake when Gigantamaxing…
But we'll get to that.
I'm all-in on Rolycoly for its name alone.
This new Rock-type is essentially a mobile ball of coal with a lamp that must have been a godsend during the Galar Industrial Revolution. It's new Steam Engine ability increases the Pokémon's speed when hit by Fire or Water-type moves.
So you know.
It has Overheat synergy?
We've saved the weirdest for last.
Duraludon is our first Steel/Dragon-type since Dialga. But instead of being a wicked cool time dragon, he's like…
I'm not even sure what he looks like. Some kind of weird gun? Or airplane part?
But hey, this weird airplane part goes head-to-head with Tyranitar apparently.
So it has that going for it.
I don't have a lot to say about this.
I gave my thoughts on Dynamaxing last time, but the fact that there's a special version of that mechanic only adds to my hesitation.
Gigantamaxing Pokémon are extra exclusive variants of Dynamaxed Pokémon that trainers can sometimes find during Max Raid Battles.
They look different, have better stats and a more powerful "G-Max Move."
Like… Is this something we'll have to breed onto our Pokémon if we want competitive Gigantamaxing over Dynamaxing?
I don't know, man. The official website only has so much information, so I can't fully speak to the merits of this mechanic.
All I can say is I'm unfortunately still not into it.
And that's that, ladies and gentlemen. New Pokémon information to salivate over.
While I'm not enamored by Gigantamaxing and the latest crop of monsters are more on the weird side, I'm still plenty excited overall. Especially by the prospect of having more unique trainers to meet on each journey through Galar!
So let me know what you think of this latest trailer.
While you do that, I'm going to make use of this closure and go back to sleep.


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Fixing a Manual Shifter - How To Repair And Service Manual Shifters
Shifter Service And Adjustment For '65-'68 Mustangs Is Something You Can Do Yourself
Classic Mustang shifters are the proverbial broomstick in a barrel-sloppy, ineffective, and forget speed shifting unless you like missing gears. Think of a classic Mustang shifter as an engineering mishap where the bean counters won out over engineers to keep per unit costs down. But is it really as bad as all that?
Yes. Classic Mustang three-speed and four-speed shifters were designed to function smoothly for five to seven years and roughly 100,000 miles-and most didn't last that long. It isn't that these mechanical wonders will leave you on the roadside. They work even when they're shot to pieces. They just feel terrible in your hand where it's challenging to find a gear. Sometimes, they will jam and leave you stuck in gear. That's when you either crawl underneath to bang them free or call for a wrecker.
The good news with these shifters is that they are easy to repair and adjust. You just have to stay on top of them with regular preventative maintenance. Their greatest enemies are dust, dirt, and crud, which is what makes them malfunction. Mustangs Etc. has everything you need for restoring manual shift performance. Remanufactured three- and four-speed shifters with fresh plating and new parts are also available from Mustangs Etc.
Classic Mustang shifters are spring-loaded, sliding selector shaft mechanisms that get their direction from a bolt-on shifter handle. They get sloppy when the shifter handle cups and buttons wear out and fall out, which is what makes them loose and sloppy. Shifter cups are two 1/2-inch buttons (three-speed) or cups (four-speed) that ride on each side of the shifter housing when you're in each side of the H-pattern. Think of them as shifter handle bushings. They give your shifter handle something to bear against when you're searching for a cog.
It is important to note the shifters we're addressing here are '65-'68 three- and four-speed shifters only. There isn't much difference between three- and four-speed shifters. Aside from the additional Fourth gear and Reverse lockout functions, these guys are virtually the same. For '69, Ford tried to copy the legendary Hurst shifter without much success on both three- and four-speed. In 1970, Ford switched to the Hurst shifter for high-performance Mustangs through '73.
In your search for Ford shifter parts, you will find many variations out there from all Ford carlines. Some interchange. Some do not. The greatest weak spot in these shifters, aside from cups and buttons, is the U-shaped trunnion casting that the shifter handle attaches to. With abuse, these trunnions tend to crack and break. You're going to want to inspect yours for cracks or evidence of any welding. If you find either, toss it.
We're going to walk you through the rebuilding process along with proper adjustment that will make your Mustang driving experience rewarding.
Four-Speed Differences
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GM EVs to Permanently Hang Up On Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

subset: commoncrawl


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De Niese steps into Met 'Cesare' on short notice
NEW YORK (AP) — Danielle de Niese stepped into the Metropolitan Opera's new staging of Handel's "Giulio Cesare" on a few hours' notice as if she knew every detail of the production.
That's because the soprano sang the role of Cleopatra when the David McVicar production premiered at England's Glyndebourne Festival in 2005 and performed it again when the staging traveled to the Lyric Opera of Chicago in 2007.
Natalie Dessay sang the role when the staging arrived at the Met last Thursday night, but was unable to go on Tuesday because of illness. Met general manager Peter Gelb said in an announcement from the stage that de Niese was in the New York area and planned to watch the performance from his box, and that he called her Tuesday morning and asked her to sing instead.
McVicar's Bollywood-inspired staging includes highly choreographed dancing for Cleopatra, including "Da Tempste" in jodhpurs and "Tu la mia stella sei (Oh star of my desire)" in a flapper dress with an umbrella. De Niese hoofed her way through as if she had been practicing for weeks.


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Everything is early this year! All of the fall Jewish holidays were: Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkoth, Simchas Torah. My birthday came around all too fast. Now we're coming up on Hanukkah — which begins Saturday evening. Saturday is also Mom's birthday.
Even flu season is a month early. Yes, it is. Don't believe me? Just ask the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). So far, it says, high flu activity has been reported in Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Texas, and moderate activity in Georgia and Missouri. (Hmmmm…both Missouri and Tennessee are just one state away from where I live.)
And just in time for early flu season comes National Influenza Vaccination Week. That would be this week. So go get your flu shot. The CDC is saying this year's flu is a particularly bad one, but the vaccine rocks.
I'll be getting my flu shot — and dragging the young'uns who live in my house with me. Two of them are in high school, where 2,000-plus teenagers are crammed into one building, busily passing germs around faster than they can text each other about next weekend's party.
I have more than one reason for not wanting to get the flu. For one, I'm finally…hopefully…getting my blood glucose straightened out. One more tweak on my basals, maybe? I certainly don't want to throw chills, a fever, aches and pains, and whatever else comes with the flu (it's been a few years) into the mix. Besides, I don't even like to get the sniffles.
Another reason is this month's road trip to South Carolina to see my father. It's been a year since I've seen him and Mom says he's going downhill. He isn't reading any more and when he gets crossways on his bed, somebody has to help him get back where he needs to be.
At least he still remembers who I am. And I remember the way his face lit up last year when he saw me.
One of the ways he made money when he was a single dude was to work as a roller skating rink guard. An early memory is skating with Dad when the person in front of us fell down. Without a break in rhythm, Dad picked me up and jumped over the person. Now he's bedfast. It's still difficult to think of my father as anything but the Energizer Bunny, who worked all day, then came home and worked all evening.
Anyway, he doesn't need the flu.
We're taking our granddaughter and her boyfriend with us. He thinks he wants to marry her when he graduates from college, so I believe he needs to meet more of the family, most of whom live in South Carolina. He can meet uncles, aunts, a cousin, great-grandparents, and even a couple of old family friends who are meeting us there.
On top of all that, the kids are staying with Mom. My husband and me? We're staying in a hotel. My family drives me nuts! Actually, we get a suite and Dad stays with us. Besides, the hotel has accessible rooms: The relatives' houses do not.
Dad and I get into our jammies and watch football. He's a big West Virginia University fan, so I got him WVU sleep pants and a t-shirt. I think he'll like them.
In January, my granddaughter, her best friend (who also lives with us), and I are taking a fun trip to Chicago for a couple of days. We'll take the train up one morning and back the next evening. In between, we'll do some shopping, eating, and bumming around, and see I Love Lucy: Live on Stage. It'll be fun. And, as long as I don't let my granddaughter know where the Hello Kitty store is, I might even come home with some money!


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Ford recently overhauled their car dashboards to make car interfaces less sucky and more like cellphones. They focused on better usability and teamed up with design firm Ideo to create a consistent UI for all their cars.
Ford sought advice from Ideo, maker of Apple's original mouse, to come up with a consistent DNA that would become the standard layout on all their vehicles. Instead of inventing their own method to do things, they chose more familiar input devices similar to iPods and TV remote controls. Here are some of their changes:
One is the five-point controller - four directional arrows with a central button - on the steering wheel. Used on many electronic gadgets, it had roots in the points of the compass. Five-point controllers on the steering wheel are easily operated with the thumb, which lets drivers keep their eyes on the road.
A central eight-inch screen is organized around four corners and four colors: yellow-orange for the phone, green for navigation, blue for climate control and red for entertainment. There are, mercifully, large knobs for volume and fan speed.
You can see how much cellphone UI influenced Ford and Ideo in the prototype (the white and blue dashboard) and how much of that eventually trickled into the production model (the black dashboard). I think the changes that Ford made are absolutely welcome as car dashboards have been terrible from a technological standpoint for a very long time. [NY Times]


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Alfonso I
Alfonso I, 1109?–1185, first king of Portugal, son of Henry of Burgundy. After his father's death (1112), his mother, Countess Teresa, ruled the county of Portugal with the help of her Spanish lover, Fernando Pérez. In 1128 young Alfonso, who had allied himself with discontented nobles, defeated her in battle and drove her into León with Pérez (Alfonso did not, despite the popular legend, put her in chains at Guimarães). Beginning as little more than a quasi-independent guerrilla chief, Alfonso spent his life in almost ceaseless fighting against the kings of León and Castile and against the Moors to increase his prestige and his territories. In 1139 he defeated the Moors in the battle of Ourique (fought not at Ourique, but at some undetermined place). In 1147 he took Santarém by surprise attack and, with the help of the English, Flemish, and German crusaders, captured Lisbon. He began to style himself king in 1139, and in 1143, by the Treaty of Zamora, he placed his lands under papal protection and secured Castilian recognition of his title, which was confirmed (1179) by Pope Alexander III. Alfonso's son Sancho I ascended an established throne.
The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2023, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.
See more Encyclopedia articles on: Spanish and Portuguese History: Biographies


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Mises Daily Articles
This Perfect Hell
Ira Levin's gift is no longer what it once was, to judge from his recent Son of Rosemary and his Sliver a few years back. Still, we are permanently in Levin's debt. For decades he produced some of the most exciting and intelligent page-turners in the business — A Kiss Before Dying, Rosemary's Baby, The Stepford Wives, and The Boys from Brazil. Like his Broadway hit, Death Trap, these were all turned into movies. Rosemary's Baby, brilliantly directed by Roman Polanski with a superb cast, was understandably omitted from the American Film Institute's recent list of the 100 greatest American films — otherwise, there might not have been room for Jaws or Dances with Wolves. However, the best work of Levin's creative period was never filmed at all. It is This Perfect Day.
This Perfect Day belongs to the genre of "dystopian" or anti-utopian novels, like Huxley's Brave New World and Orwell's 1984. Yet it is more satisfying than either. Not only is its futuristic technology more plausible (computers, of course), but the extrapolation of the dominant ideology of the end of the twentieth century is entirely convincing. And from the children's rhyme at the beginning: Christ, Marx, Wood, and Wei, Led us to this perfect day…. to the thrilling denouement some 300 pages later, the novel is practically the ideal-type of a good read.
The action begins in the year 141 of the Unification, the establishment of global government, which finally led to consolidating all the world's super-computers into one colossal apparatus lodged deep below the Swiss Alps. Uni-Comp classifies and tracks all the "members" (of the human Family), decides on their work, residence, and consumption goods, whether they will marry and if so whether they will reproduce, and everything else.
Egalitarianism and altruism are all-pervasive. "Losing's the same as winning" is one of the catch-phrases drilled into kids. "Hate" and "fight" are the dirty words — only a very sick member would utter such a shocker as, "Fight you, brother-hater!" Genetics has progressed to the point where skin color (tan), body shape (unisex), and facial features (brown slanted eyes) ran mostly be programmed. Scientists are busily at work rooting out the biological basis of aggressiveness and egotism and implanting docility and loving kindness in their stead. The aim is to have this compassionate race expand across the universe, and space exploration is another of the Family's unifying collective goals.
While awaiting the final solution to the individualist problem, Uni subjects every member to monthly "treatments." The injections include vaccines, contraceptives, tranquilizers as prescribed, and a medication that reduces aggressiveness and limits the sex drive to a lackadaisical once-a-week encounter. All of this is mediated by super-caring Psychotherapists, who constantly monitor the members' mental health.
Enter Chip — official name Li RM35M4419 — the hero, not just "protagonist" of this novel. From the start two things distinguish Chip. First, one of his eyes is green, genetic science not yet being foolproof. Second, he has a grandfather, Papa Jan, a throwback to pre-U times, who bestowed the nickname "Chip" on the lad after his own granddad, a fearless cosmonaut. Papa Jan perplexes Chip: Often he says things in such a way that he seems to mean the opposite of his words. On a family trip to the world's greatest tourist attraction, Papa Jan — who worked on the construction of UniComp — shows Chip the real Uni, not the pastel proxies on inspiring display.
As he grows up, Chip keeps having heretical thoughts. Something about the uniformity of design in apartments and public buildings is vaguely disturbing. Even the pictures on the wall go against the grain — always one of a handful that includes Christ Expelling the Money Changers, Marx Writing, and Wei Addressing the Chemotherapists. But the monthly treatments quickly submerge such troubling ideas.
Chip is discovered by a small group of dissidents, misfits like himself who have found a way to minimize the effects of the treatments. They meet in secret, spending their time cursing Uni, pairing off for "untreated" sex, and most depraved of all, smoking tobacco. To persuade Chip to trick Uni into giving him reduced treatments, they introduce him to the concept of "consent": "Your body is yours, not Uni's." But Chip has had the Family's philosophy drummed into him — there are no ethical or political conflicts, only medical problems, questions of mental health or illness. He argues with himself. "As if consent had anything to do with a treatment given to preserve one's health and well-being, an integral part of the health and well-being of the entire Family!" Uni, after all, has provided everything he's ever had, his food, his clothes, his education; it even granted permission for his conception. Try to trick Uni? Just how sick is he?
This is as much of the splendidly inventive plot as can decently be divulged. It's not really giving anything away to say that Chip will somehow withdraw himself from the Family, and that, in the end, he will keep his destined date with the real UniComp.
Ira Levin's great book cries out to be filmed. Yet who in Hollywood could be trusted to direct This Perfect Day in the spirit in which it was written? The name Mel Gibson comes to mind.


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The Last Time I Saw You: A Novel (Paperback)
On Our Shelves Now
From the beloved bestselling author of Home Safe and The Year of Pleasures, comes a wonderful new novel about women and men reconnecting with one another—and themselves—at their fortieth high school reunion.
To each of the men and women in The Last Time I Saw You, this reunion means something different—a last opportunity to say something long left unsaid, an escape from the bleaker realities of everyday life, a means to save a marriage on the rocks, or an opportunity to bond with a slightly estranged daughter, if only over what her mother should wear.
As the onetime classmates meet up over the course of a weekend, they discover things that will irrevocably affect the rest of their lives. For newly divorced Dorothy Shauman, the reunion brings with it the possibility of finally attracting the attention of the class heartthrob, Pete Decker. For the ever self-reliant, ever left-out Mary Alice Mayhew, it's a chance to reexamine a painful past. For Lester Heseenpfeffer, a veterinarian and widower, it is the hope of talking shop with a fellow vet—or at least that's what he tells himself. For Candy Armstrong, the class beauty, it's the hope of finding friendship before it is too late.
As Dorothy, Mary Alice, Lester, Candy, and the other classmates converge for the reunion dinner, four decades melt away: Desires and personalities from their youth reemerge, and new discoveries are made. For so much has happened to them all. And so much can still happen.
In this beautiful novel, Elizabeth Berg deftly weaves together stories of roads taken and not taken, choices made and opportunities missed, and the possibilities of second chances.
About the Author
Elizabeth Berg is the author of many bestselling novels as well as two works of nonfiction. Open House was an Oprah's Book Club selection, Durable Goods and Joy School were selected as ALA Best Books of the Year, and Talk Before Sleep was short-listed for an Abby Award. Her bestsellers also include The Year of Pleasures, The Day I Ate Whatever I Wanted, and Dream When You're Feeling Blue. Berg has been honored by both the Boston Public Library and the Chicago Public Library and is a popular speaker at various venues around the country. She lives near Chicago.
Praise For…
"[Berg] has a knack for taking you right into the soul of her characters, as they respond to joy and tragedy in a perfectly imperfect way."—Chicago Sun-Times
"A warm, unsentimental look at life way past high school—and the hope some people hold of reliving those glory days."—People (four stars)
"For the delightful hours it takes to read this novel, it seems that the characters jumped right off the page and joined the crowd for a casual family supper."—Chicago Tribune
"Marvelous . . . plenty of pathos and can't-stop-laughing moments . . . Readers will care about every character."—The Oklahoman
"Book groups are clamoring for upbeat yet significant works that are entertaining as well as enlightening; Berg's latest novel satisfies and succeeds on both counts."—Booklist


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The King County Bar Association has led a high-level partnership of lawyers, doctors, pharmacists and other professionals in Washington to find more effective ways to reduce the harm and costs of drug abuse, and of the "War on Drugs" itself. What began as a transitory study of current drug laws has evolved into a comprehensive, long-term effort to bring about meaningful reform of drug policy on many levels. The principal objectives of this effort are: reductions in crime and public disorder; improvement of the public health; better protection of children; and wiser use of scarce public resources.
Through its Drug Policy Project, the King County Bar Association has examined a public health approach to drug abuse, promoting:
On January 19, 2005 the King County Bar Association adopted a Resolution on State Regulation and Control of Psychoactive Substances requesting the Washington State Legislature to establish a special consultative body composed of public officials, civic leaders and experts to develop recommendations for legislation to create regulatory systems for the control of psychoactive substances. Underlying the Resolution was the release of a comprehensive new report.
The Treatment Policy and Funding Task Force of the KCBA Drug Policy Project also published its report to the KCBA Board of Trustees entitled Drug-Related Crime and Disorder: Practical Policy Options, with numerous recommendations for more effective treatment intervention and minimization of criminal justice exposure for drug addicted individuals.
Project's Origin and Purpose
In late 2000, in response to an editorial by KCBA President Fred Noland lamenting the failure of the "War on Drugs," an outpouring of interest among lawyers, judges, public officials, scholars and concerned citizens led to a comprehensive effort to examine and reform current drug policy. Policy-oriented task forces conducted extensive research and prepared reports with recommendations for reform, resulting in the release of a major report in 2001, Is It Time to End the War on Drugs?, which found that current drug policy is fundamentally flawed and is associated with numerous negative societal consequences, including:
Based on these findings, the King County Bar Association concluded that, rather than criminally punish persons for drug use per se, any state sanction or remedy should be aimed at reducing the harm directly caused to others by persons using drugs, and that unmitigated criminal sanctions should continue to be imposed upon persons who commit non-drug criminal offenses, but such offenders should have the opportunity to receive drug treatment if their crimes are related to drug addiction
Drug Sentencing Reform Legislation
After the release of its 2001 report, the King County Bar Association sat at the negotiating table with criminal justice stakeholders, including prosecutors, judges, the defense bar, law enforcement, the state corrections department and the governor's office, to draft a drug law reform bill. The KCBA Drug Policy Project hosted an all-day drug policy forum at that time, featuring key lawmakers who exerted significant leadership on drug policy reform, and the program received important media coverage and helped to propel the legislative initiative forward. The drug law reform measure passed the legislature in 2002, putting in place a completely new drug sentencing system that gives sentencing courts vastly increased discretion to reduce incarceration and focuses much more on treatment alternatives for drug law violators. The bill was been hailed as a significant shift in state-level drug policy and has led to similar reforms in other states.
Professional and Civic Coalition for Drug Policy Reform
The King County Bar Association has strengthened links with other organizations in the professional and civic communities. Nowhere else in the nation has such a coalition of groups been activated on drug policy reform issues to this extent. Among our partners:
The Washington State Bar and Medical Associations, with encouragement and guidance from the KCBA, adopted their own resolutions in 2001 stating official positions on drug policy.
For more information on projects like this at other bar associations, or to start a similar project or committee at your bar association, please visit the Voluntary Committee of Lawyers' website at www.vcl.org.
King County Bar Association
1200 5th Ave, Suite 700
Seattle, WA 98101
Main (206) 267-7100
Fax (206) 267-7099
Charitable Arm of the Bar


text: Sort by DateRelevance Items per page 102550100 Brian Geoffrey Davies, John Barney, David Douyere and David Kemp - s.87B undertaking 12 October 2000 The parties were involved in litigation by the ACCC relating to price-fixing and market sharing conduct in the Queensland Fire Protection industry in breach of sections 45(2)(a)(ii) and 45(2)(b)(ii) of the Act. Optus Internet Pty Limited - s.87B undertaking 30 September 2000 Optus and Excite@Home jointly provide the Optus@Home residential cable Internet service. The service was launched in January 2000. Prior to 4 August 2000 the service was advertised as unlimited. The service was limited by an Acceptable Use Policy ('AUP'). Cable & Wireless Optus Limited - s.87B undertaking 30 September 2000 Optus advertised two unlimited call plans in March and May 2000. As at 27 July 2000 over 20,000 people had joined the plans. In early May, Optus introduced the 'Optus Local Fair Go Policy' (the Policy). Cuisine Courier Pty Ltd - s.87B undertaking 29 September 2000 Cuisine Courier Pty Limited provides a restaurant delivery service in Melbourne and Sydney. As part of this business Cuisine Courier publishes and distributes, by itself or by its agents, menu booklets listing menus and prices for a variety of restaurants. Aus-Care Townsville, - s.87B undertaking 21 September 2000 Four Aus-Care medical centres have undertaken to ensure that vaccinations of Hepatitis B do not include a GST component and the medical centres will review their billing practices to ensure there is no GST component on any GST-free services. Islanders Board of Industry & Service (IBIS) - s.87B undertaking 20 September 2000 The Island Industries Board is a body corporate under section 52(2) of the Community Services (Torres Strait) Act 1984, Queensland. This Board operates under the registered business name of Islanders Board of Industry & Service (IBIS). Australian Leisure & Hospitality Group ("ALH Group") - s.87B undertaking 18 September 2000 Australian Leisure & Hospitality Group ("ALH Group") is a full subsidiary of Carlton and United Breweries. Between 1 July 2000 and 28 July 2000 the ALH Group incorrectly applied the Wine Equalisation Tax ("WET") to approximately 20 alcohol products which resulted in it over-charging consumers for these products. Clarendon Homes (NSW) Pty Ltd - s.87B undertaking 11 September 2000 In or about June 2000, Clarendon Homes (NSW) Pty Limited ("Clarendon") wrote to all clients who had signed contracts based on a tender dated prior to 29 October 1999 and whose house would not be completed by 1 July 2000, stating they would have to pay GST on the work completed after 1 July 2000 ("affected clients"). Pocket Money Limited (PML) - Peter Kelly - s.87B undertaking 7 September 2000 Pocket Money Limited (PML) trade in the promotion and sale of phonecards. PML advertised its international call rates in the May-September 2000 edition of 'Sydney - The Official Guide' and on its Internet site. Khad Pty Ltd, trading as Professionals Edge Hill - s.87B undertaking 6 September 2000 Khad Pty Ltd, trading as Professionals Edge Hill operates a real estate agency in Cairns. In early 2000, the real estate agency sent out two letters to ex-tenants requesting payment for alleged debts. « first ‹ previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 … next › last »


text: Huurh uughghhhgh aaaaahnr uggguh aguhwwgggghhh! That's Shyriiwook (the Wookie language, yes, really, one exists and there's an online translator for it) for, "This hat is super awesome!" Fans of the 'bacca will love this fuzzy brown Star Wars Chewbacca Laplander hat, featuring two braided tassels to keep it tied securely under your chin, and Chewbacca's face on the front. Hurrrrh!


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Szpilki gwoździe do wyrobu biżuterii, metal w kolorze oksydowanej miedzi, długość 5 cm / cena za opakowanie 10 sztuk
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August 28th, 2013
Billy Ray Cyrus speaks on Miley's twerked-out show
Billy Ray Cyrus doesn't care how hard his daughter twerks, she'll always be his little Smiley.
The country star said as much in an interview with "Entertainment Tonight," telling the show's Nancy O'Dell that he'll "Of course I'll always be here for Miley."
Adding that he "can't wait to see her when she gets home," Billy Ray said that his relationship with his 20-year-old daughter is intact after the storm of criticism she inspired at Sunday's MTV VMAs.
"She's still my little girl and I'm still her Dad regardless how this circus we call show business plays out," he said. "I love her unconditionally and that will never change."
That evening's big winner, Justin Timberlake, hasn't lost any love for his fellow pop star. "She's young ... It's not like it was the Grammys," he said in Miley's defense while chatting with Hot 97's Angie Martinez.
"I was not in the crowd because it was close to my performance," Timberlake said. "I don't look at Miley that way, because the first time I met her she was 'Hannah Montana.' My thoughts on it are, it's the VMAs. We're talking about Madonna in a wedding dress humping the stage, we're talking about Britney doing a striptease. This cycle is not uncommon. ... It's almost like if something like that doesn't happen at the VMAs, then I feel like it was boring."
Gotta say, Justin ... we agree.
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This panorama is taken from rooftop of BCA Tower / Grand Indonesia 56th floor. You can see the Welcome Statue on Bundaran Hotel Indonesia and the office buildings on the horizon.
I took this panorama during mid-noon where the light are plenty.
For the nadir patch, I suddenly have the idea to put a hot air balloon and there you go :)
Also I dedicate this panorama for my beloved forum www.lensamanual.net who gave me the chance to shoot from up there!


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An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 5.9 struck Tuesday afternoon near Washington, D.C., the U.S. Geological Survey said.
The epicenter was in Mineral, Virginia. The quake was four miles deep, according to the USGS. Did you feel it? Send CNN an iReport.
To get complete coverage and all the latest updates, click on CNN's main story here. View a CNN Open Story about the quake. CNN Open Story combines iReports with reports from CNNers across the globe on a map and timeline.
Update 3:36 p.m. ET: Terminal A at Washington Reagan National Airport has been evacuated because of an odor of gas, airport spokeswoman Courtney Mickalonis said. Initial sweeps of the building showed no major damage from the earthquake.
Light structural damage has been reported in Culpepper and Orange counties in Virginia, said Laura Southard of the state Emergency Operations Center. She said there have been no reports of injuries in Virginia.
Update 3:28 p.m. ET: The White House and adjacent buildings evacuated as a precaution following the earthquake have been given the all-clear, the U.S. Secret Service said. The FBI and Justice Department have also reopened evacuated buildings.
Update 3:25 p.m. ET: East Coast residents should be prepared to feel aftershocks from Tuesday's earthquake, a U.S. Geological Survey official said.
Update 3:22 p.m. ET: The North Anna nuclear power plant, located 20 miles from the epicenter, is shut down and in a safe condition, a company official and the Louisa County public information office report. There has been no release of nuclear material, Louisa County spokeswoman Amanda Reidelbach said.
Update 3:04 p.m. ET: All national monuments and parks in Washington are "stable but closed" following Tuesday's earthquake, a United States Park Police spokesman Sgt. David Schlosser said. A couple of minor injuries and some minor structural damage have been reported in Washington, following Tuesday's earthquake, according to Schlosser.
Part of the central tower of the National Cathedral, the highest point in Washington, was damaged, according to spokesman Richard Weinberg. "It looks like three of the pinnacles have broken off the central tower," Weinberg told CNN.
Update 3:02 p.m. ET: Amtrak is reporting service disruptions between Washington and Baltimore because of the earthquake, the company reported on Twitter.
Aftershocks are a concern, U.S. Geological Survey seismologist Lucy Jones told CNN. "People should be expecting (them), especially over the next hour or two," she said.
The quake was felt in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; New York City and on Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, where President Barack Obama is vacationing. It's unknown if the president felt the quake.
The Pentagon has been evacuated, CNN's Barbara Starr reports. "When the building began shaking rather violently, hundreds of people began streaming out," she said, because many people thought that the building was under attack. Starr was standing in the Pentagon's press office when the roof started to shake.
Cell phone service has been disrupted in New York City, CNN learned within minutes of the quake.
Updated 2:47 p.m. ET: A "considerable amount" of water from a water pipe has flooded two corridors of the Pentagon, according to an announcement in the building. People who work in those areas are being asked to stay in their offices while workers try to repair the damage.
The National Cathedral in Washington is damaged, CNN has confirmed.
And Dominion Generation, which operates the North Anna nuclear power station in central Virginia a few miles from the epicenter of the earthquake, is trying to reach operational staff at the plant, according to a company spokesman. Landlines to the plant appear to be down.
Shortly after the quake struck, traders in the New York Stock Exchange also felt the quake and shouted to each other, "Keep trading!" CNN's business correspondent Alison Kosik reported from the floor at 2:20 p.m. E.T.
Twitter traffic suggests the quake was felt all over the East Coast.
In Philadelphia, HunterPence3 tweeted, "Wow Earthquake just shook the entire locker room!"
In Cleveland, "tribeinsider" wrote "I'm no expert but i think we just had an earthquake here."
And even in Toronto, Canada, tweets said that the shaking could be felt for minutes.
Pete Krech, who works at a business in Fredericksburg, Virginia, likened the sensation to being on a jolting amusement ride. "I was receiving a supply truck," said Krech, store manager at Mattress Warehouse of Fredericksburg, south of Washington. "I felt a vibration under my feet."
Brendan Wein, a sales representative at Hoffman Nursery in Roxboro, North Carolina, said he thought there was a helicopter flying above his work building. "I was literally shaking in my chair," he said.
CNN iReporter Jeff Yapalater said he was in his backyard in New York's Long Island when the earthquake hit. "Suddenly I felt this light swaying of the Earth. I'd never felt that before, so I thought maybe I was experiencing vertigo for a moment, and it lasted maybe 30 seconds ... We're feeling this really far away!" he wrote.
Felt in West Pittston PA
tremors where felt here in whiteville, north carolina (columbus county)
Felt in in Long Island
Definitelyfelt it in Herndon VA!!! I was in an elevator and the whole thing felt like it was going to collapse!
Nothing in TN, But, I just ripped a great big fart.
Felt in Tarboro N.C.
Felt the quake in Cincinnati, OH. My computer monitor moved side to side, cube walls moved. Lasted 30 seconds Made me dizzy.
felt a little shake in chapel hill, nc
Boonton, New jersey shook up...old building groaned!
Felt it in Millsboro, DE. Freaked me out!
Big tremor in Harrisonburg VA. I thought a truck had hit our building.
Wow! We felt it really strongly here in Bethesda, MD!
Felt it in central PA, just northwest of Harrisburg in Mifflintown...shook the whole house for about 30 seconds.
People standing in the streets in Philadelphia
Felt in in Morgantown, WV. School next door was evacuated.
Felt it in Suffolk, NY


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(AP) Since 1993, when the Division of Natural Resources began investigating and tracking reported bear sighting, the numbers have risen from 25 to more than 66 in 2000, spread over 31 counties. "The number of bears in Ohio has almost tripled since 1993, and that's probably a conservative estimate," said Dave Swanson, an ODNR wildlife biologist.
Although black bears inhabited Ohio prior to settlement of the region, unregulated hunting and the extensive deforestation by the mid-1800's significantly reduced the state's bear population.Bears that remained were shot or trapped to protect livestock and crops. By 1850, black bears were considered nonexistent in Ohio, Swanson said.
However, occasional reports of their presence, particularly in south-central and southeastern Ohio, persisted and, in 1973, included a report of a female with cubs.
In 1999, there was a sighting of a bear bounding across the Cambridge Country Club. In the same year, a bear was killed by a vehicle on U.S. Route 52 in Scioto County.
Most of the bear reports received are believed to be on one-year-old animals that have migrated from Pennsylvania and West Virginia, where sizeable bear populations exist. There are about 8,000 black bears in West Virginia and up to 10,000 in Pennsylvania.
Even with the growth of the species' population in Ohio, the chances of seeing a black bear are slim and the chances of being attacked are even less likely.
"Black bears are not territorial toward people and are usually afraid of being attacked. These bears are not prone to bite people,: said Dr. Lynn Rogers, a wildlife research biologist now retired from the U.S. Forest Service. Black bears are a protected species in Ohio and injuring or killing one is a violation of Ohio wildlife laws.
An adult black bear can weigh between 150 and 600 pounds. Males average 400 pounds, while the smaller females average around 175. Males, when standing upright, measure between 5 and 6 feet tall. Females, typical of mammals, are smaller, measuring 4 to 5 feet. On all fours, most adult black bears are between 2 and 3 feet at the shoulder. Prints from a black bear's front paw are about 6 inches wide.
The bears seek a den each year, usually between October and mid-December where they will hibernate until next March or April. The chances of spotting a bear are best right before and after these times.
Almost all the bear sightings in Ohio have been in the eastern part of the state with majority of sightings being in the counties bordering Pennsylvania and West Virginia. However, bears were also sighted in Highland, Crawford and Erie counties in 2000.
To learn more about bears, visit http://www.bear.org
Wildlife Haven's Home Page


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The city of Chicago could pay $4.5 million to settle a lawsuit filed by the family of a 22-year-old woman killed by an off-duty police officer.
The City Council's finance committee is scheduled to consider the proposed settlement on Monday.
Rekia Boyd's family says she was shot in the back of the head by an off-duty officer in March 2012. The lawsuit alleges the officer drove by Boyd and a group of friends and got into an argument with a man in the group. The officer then fired a gun, hitting Boyd.
The finance committee also is scheduled to address a $1.8 million settlement in the case of a man who says he confessed to two murders because he was tortured by police. His conviction was thrown out in 2007.


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The cofounder of a Web site that offers free streamed music from top artists said he's determined to operate his service legally despite menacing overtures from Universal Music Group.
The Web site, Deezer.com, based in France, has been signing up users at a fast pace thanks to its user-friendly interface and streamed music from thousands of artists including Maroon 5, Rihanna, The Beatles and The Rolling Stones.
The site offers about 200,000 songs and has signed up 300,000 registered users in the past few months, cofounder Jonathan Benassaya said on Monday. Most of the users are in France, he said, although the site is available in 16 languages.
The record labels have been less enthusiastic. Universal Music, a division of Vivendi Universal SA, said on Friday that Deezer.com's use of its music was illegal and that it would take "all measures necessary" to get its music removed from the Web site, according to press reports.
Benassaya insisted on Monday the service is legal, however — or at least, that it will be soon.
"We are not robbers," he said. "We want to pay for the rights to our music but it takes time to put all the agreements in place."
Deezer.com originally operated as Blogmusik.net but shut down in February under pressure from the music industry. It relaunched with its new name last week after it signed a deal with SACEM, a group that collects royalties for authors and songwriters in France.
The recording industry told Deezer.com that the deal with SACEM was a necessary first step before it could sign deals with the major labels, according to Benassaya. His company is now in talks with the labels and is confident that it will sign deals with them soon to begin paying royalties, he said.
Universal Music, EMI Group Ltd. and Warner Music did not return calls seeking comment on Monday, and Sony BMG could not immediately be reached.
Asked if Deezer.com should have waited until the agreements were in place to launch the service, Benassaya countered that YouTube launched its service before it signed deals with content owners to distribute their video. He also said that Deezer.com has been operating since April and that only now has Universal raised its objection.
While Deezer.com is supposed to let people stream music only, some users have figured out a way to download songs to their computers, something that's only likely to further irritate the music labels.
"It appears there are some leaks in the Web site security and we have been working on that since Friday," Benassaya said. "This week by Tuesday or Wednesday we will put in place new security so you cannot download music."
Deezer's problems arose when it got caught in the crossfire of competition between two French ISPs, Free and Neuf Cegetel, according to Benassaya.
Neuf announced a deal with Universal Music last Monday to launch a music download service for its customers. Deezer.com was launched two days later, and Free has been promoting Deezer.com as an alternative to its own customers.


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FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Check out the video of LeGarrette Blount.
Not the one of him punching an opponent at a college game. Or the one showing him smacking an NFL teammate during a preseason practice.
Try these: Blount returning kickoffs for 83 and 62 yards, and dashing 73, 36 and 35 yards for touchdowns, all in his last two games.
Given a chance by the New England Patriots to revive his career, the 250-pound back is running over and away from defenders while leaving behind images of a hot-headed youngster putting his future in jeopardy.
Back-to-back rushing performances of 189 and 166 yards have sparked a run on his jersey.
"It's nice to know that people like me out here," he said. "It's nice to know that they're enjoying the wins."
At the Patriots Pro Shop, "in recent weeks, Blount's jersey is in great demand," team spokesman Stacey James said Wednesday.
Coach Bill Belichick is thrilled to have the real No. 29 for Sunday's AFC championship game against the Broncos in Denver.
"LeGarrette's been great," Belichick said. "He's done the things we've asked him to do. When a player does that, I don't think he can do anything but earn the respect of all the people around him."
It's quite a turnaround from an ugly moment in college when Blount punched Byron Hout, a Boise State defensive end who had taunted him at the end of Oregon's loss in the opening game of Blount's senior season in 2009. Blount was restrained by teammates and fuming as he was led toward the locker room – a scene still just a mouse-click away.
Oregon Coach Chip Kelly suspended him for the season, and then reinstated him after eight games when he met academic and behavioral requirements.
They reunited last summer when the Patriots went to Philadelphia for joint practices with Kelly's Eagles.
"I had a chance to give him a big hug and I'm very proud of him," Kelly said. "I told him he shouldn't be defined by an incident that happened on Sept. 3rd, 2009, because that's not the type of person LG is."
At Oregon, Kelly referred Blount to former Indianapolis coach Tony Dungy for advice.
"He's been through a lot," Dungy told The Associated Press. "I do know that people at Oregon really respect him. He's made the most of his second opportunity. He had to go through a lot to get reinstated and he did that. He took care of things and really did what he had to do and that showed me that he truly did want to succeed."
But the punch and suspension prompted every team to bypass him in the draft. So he signed as a free agent with Tennessee. That's where he threw a punch in training camp after his helmet was knocked off for the second straight play.
"He apologized, and I said he didn't have to apologize," Titans Coach Jeff Fisher said then. "His past is his past. Is that the first punch you've seen in camp this year? No. I'm not disappointed whatsoever."
They released him after camp, hoping to put him on the practice squad. But Tampa Bay signed him and he rushed for 1,007 yards as a rookie.
Buccaneers coaches felt Blount had trouble blocking, receiving and learning the playbook. And when they drafted running back Doug Martin in 2012, Blount's days in Tampa Bay seemed numbered.
"The media can put you in whatever kind of light," said Patriots cornerback Aqib Talib, who became friends with Blount when they were teammates at Tampa Bay. "He's the same guy here, just a regular guy."
During last year's draft, he was traded to the Patriots for running back Jeff Demps and a seventh-round draft choice. Now he's a win away from the Super Bowl after his two historic games – a team record 334 all-purpose yards in the regular-season finale against Buffalo and the 166 yards rushing that tied the Patriots single-game playoff record. He ran for four touchdowns in the 43-22 divisional-round win over Indianapolis and eight in his last three games.
"He's a load," said Broncos safety Omar Bolden, who faced Blount in college. "They're definitely putting a challenge on the DBs, man, to make those tackles one-on-one in the open field. So far, it's a formula of success for them, so I don't see why they wouldn't come in here and do the same thing."
Blount's production is finally matching what Belichick had seen.
"Certainly, he's had some outstanding games recently, but he's been a solid player for us all the way through," Belichick said. "Nothing has been given to him. He's earned everything he's gotten."
He also praised Blount's all-around ability – in the passing game, running game and kickoff returns.
"He's a hard guy to tackle," Belichick said. "I think he's been solid."
And pleasant.
In demand by the media recently, he's been available on a regular basis.
On Wednesday, he wore black workout pants with the word "OREGON" on one leg and a dark blue Patriots sweatshirt. He even took time to explain the pronunciation of his name.
"I can see where it's confusing," he said, "but the `O' is silent."
He's making his loudest statements on the field for owner Robert Kraft's team. Blount said he's fit in well with his teammates and "nobody really talks about" the punch at Boise State.
And after all he's been through – at Oregon, Tennessee and Tampa Bay – he said he doesn't take extra satisfaction in his success.
"I just come out here and play," Blount said. "Bill and Mr. Kraft saw something in me that they liked and they brought me aboard. And I came out here and did what they wanted me to do."
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For more than a year, Square has been on the leading edge of a revolution in commerce with its app that let merchants use iOS devices as credit card readers. On Monday, it expanded its efforts with a new app that turns an iPad into a fully-functioning cash register.
Like its predecessor, the new Square Register app lets merchants take and process credit and debit card payments without having to pony up for a traditional—and expensive—card-reading system. (With both apps, you must have a Square account, and obtain a free Square card reader, which plugs into the iOS device's headphone jack.)
But Square Register offers an expanded range of features, letting merchants add photos, names, and prices of the items in their sale inventory to enable a "fast checkout" process that tallies up, records, and processes a full sale. The app also tracks repeat customers, helping merchants who want to reward loyalty by offering discounts and rewards to their regulars. And Square Register also offers an analytics program to track the best-selling items and the most-profitable times of day. The app can also wirelessly connect your tablet to a receipt printer and cash drawer. (See the video below for a full tour of the capabilities.)
The app is free, but it does come with a cost: Square charges a 2.75-percent fee on every swipe of a Visa, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express. But merchants may find that they spend less on a basic $500 iPad using Square Register than they do on a typical touchscreen cash register that, after all, can't be taken home and used to read or watch movies.
As Apple has grown its share of the enterprise market in recent years, there has been a lot of talk about the " consumerization of tech"—the idea being that business executives love their iPhones and iPads so much that they've forced otherwise-skeptical IT managers to allow those machines in the workplace. But Square offers another wrinkle to that process: Apple products might be expensive in the consumer marketplace, but—in combination with developers like Square and its competitors—they are often cheaper than the equipment that entrepreneurs would otherwise need to buy for their new and small businesses, offering Apple a grassroots entry avenue into the enterprise market.
Square Register is compatible with iPads running iOS 5.0 or later.


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He's called a hero by some and a traitor by others. Today, a military judge convicted Army Private Bradley Manning of a string of charges including violating the Espionage Act for handing classified information to WikiLeaks. He was acquitted of the more serious charge of aiding the enemy. Today's verdict is raising new questions about just how much harm Manning actually caused. In a 360 exclusive, Anderson discusses the impact with Glen Greenwald, investigative journalist and columnist for Britain's Guardian, and senior legal analyst Jeffrey Toobin.
Post by: Anderson Cooper
Filed under: Jeffrey Toobin
Toobin's claim that foreign service employees were harmed is without proof. Moreover, both Greenwald and Toobin failed to mention that Manning released documents and video showing atrocities committed by American troops.
Anderson Cooper goes beyond the headlines to tell stories from many points of view, so you can make up your own mind about the news. Tune in weeknights at 8 and 10 ET on CNN.
Questions or comments? Send an email
Want to know more? Go behind the scenes with AC361°


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After Microsoft confirmed last week that the upcoming update to Windows 8 will be available for users to preview by the end of June, more details are surfacing about Windows Blue – though we won't know how true they are until the final release of the software is available this fall.
Charms menu and other fixes
As Acer's President Jim Wong hinted last week, Blue is all about making Windows 8 easier to navigate for users without a touchscreen because the operating system in its current state alienates users with older computers. That's why the Charms menu (see below) may become more mouse-friendly in Blue, according to ZDNet. Currently, this black vertical bar lets users control key functions like connecting to a Wi-Fi network and connecting with a printer, but it can be frustrating to open if you don't have a touchscreen. (Usually, users can access it by swiping from the right toward the center of the touchscreen, but good luck if you have just a mouse or a touchpad that doesn't understand swiping gestures.) Based on ZDNet's tipsters, Microsoft is also reportedly adding some "built-in tutorials and in-context help," and is touching up the look of the tiled homescreen with Blue, though these changes may not show up until the final release of the software update.
By making the Charms menu easier to open, and possibly bringing back the Start button and boot-to-Desktop feature that users have been asking for, these improvements in Blue will go a long way to making users more comfortable with Windows 8.
Blue = free?
Despite the fact that Microsoft's Tami Reller told ZDNet the company will be releasing pricing information on Blue soon, which suggests the update to Windows 8 won't be free, various analysts surveyed by Computerworld all seem to think the Redmond-based company will be making an exception to this first update by giving Blue away for free to current Windows 8 users.
"I don't think that in the current Windows 8 climate they can charge for the first update, as the perception of many users will be that any changes being made or features they are adding will make Windows 8 the way it should have been when they first purchased it," said Michael Cherry of Directions on Microsoft, an "independent source of information for IT executives who need clarity about Microsoft technologies, strategies, product roadmaps, and licensing policies."
Gartner analyst Michael Silver concurs. Silver told Computerworld that even though he acknowledges that "[Microsoft] would be walking a tightrope giving away Blue for free, and be setting a precedent," he believes that Microsoft will "give this one away," considering how "controversial" of a technology Windows 8 is.
No matter what Microsoft wants to call this update to Windows 8, it's hard to think of it as being much different from the service packs that the company used to offer users for free. Even IDC Analyst Brett Waldman has trouble wrapping his head around this one. "I find it hard to believe that Microsoft would try to monetize Windows Blue," Waldman told Computerworld. "In my mind, it's more like a service pack-plus-feature pack, which have always been included with the purchase of a license."
Current Windows 8 users will probably agree; but will Microsoft really give up on this opportunity to make some more money, even though these changes should really have been a part of Windows 8 from the get go?
Editors' Recommendations
- Windows 11 update: New gestures, Start menu changes, and more
- The next major Windows 10 update is about to launch. Here's how to get it now
- Windows 10 May 2020 Update plagued by issues with Chrome, printing, and more
- Windows 10 May 2020 Update review: Small tweaks that matter
- It's official: The next version of Windows 10 is the May 2020 Update


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Fraleigh and Beauregard's text is known for its clear presentation and writing style, mathematical appropriateness, and overall student usability. Its inclusion of calculus-related examples, true/false problems, section summaries, integrated applications, and coverage of Cn make it a superb text for the sophomore or junior-level linear algebra course. This Third Edition retains the features that have made it successful over the years, while addressing recent developments of how linear algebra is taught and learned. Key concepts are presented early on, with an emphasis on geometry.Raymond A. Beauregard is the author of 'Linear Algebra, Third Edition', published 1995 under ISBN 9780201526752 and ISBN 0201526751.[read more]
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Top 5 Volkswagens of SEMA 2013
Everything from a slammed 2015 Golf to a 900hp GTI that's for sale
Tuners everywhere appreciate Volkswagen for its versatility and range in models. Whether it's the fast and agile GTI, or the classic Mk1, the possibilities in aftermarket modifications are endless. Although the hardcore European tuner scene is small at SEMA as compared to the JDM and American muscle presence, the yearly super show is still an effective place to gauge the direction that the scene is going.
This year, we found everything from a slammed 2015 Golf, to a GTI that packs a 900hp mid-engine punch, and happens to be for sale. Whether it's speed you lust after, or outrageous bodywork – we have something here for everyone. The bar has been set high, but we hope to see better and wilder builds next year. Until then, take a look at the features below.
H&R 2015 Volkswagen Golf 7
Although the seventh-generation Golf made its official US debut at the 2013 New York Auto Show, it won't be for sale here in the States until 2014. However, the suspension specialists at H&R obtained a Euro-spec model in order to showcase its Street Performance Tuner Coilover kit and 26mm Sway Bars (front and rear) at the 2013 SEMA show.
Apart from the H&R coilovers, which lowered the hatch 2.5" up front and 2.75" at the rear, it also featured a Brembo Partner HP GT system brake upgrade, and Rotiform wheels with Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires size 225/35ZR19.
As a Volkswagen factory accessory car, the 2015 Golf came equipped with VW's factory accessory kit, which includes body styling components and a sport exhaust.
The slammed hot hatch managed to attract a lot of attention sporting a cool blue shade - it was a great preview of what can be achieved with the 2015 Golf once we receive it stateside.
FMS 2014 Volkswagen Jetta Widebody
We were able to cover the FMS 2014 Volkswagen Jetta widebody build before it hit the showroom floor at SEMA. Below is a quick overview, but you can find additional coverage here and here.
The Jetta's powerplant consists of a 2.0L 16V turbo motor pushing a claimed 450hp made possible by an APR stage 3+ built motor and turbo kit. It's also got Brembo four-piston calipers, H&R Street Performance coilovers and Sport sway bars.
The exterior was outfitted with FMS widebody fenders, along with a modified Golf R front bumper with splitter, GLI rear bumper, and Golf R side skirts. It's also got custom body-side molding from Foam molders, and a Volkswagen accessories spoiler.
The interior sports track-ready features such as two Recaro Sportster CS front seats with matching rear seats, FMS helmet rack, as well as ECS Tuning digital vent gauge, center console, and Philips LED interior lighting.
To round out the package, the Jetta is sitting on TSW Jerez wheels and 245/35 R19 f, 275/30 R19 r Nitto NT-05 tires. The FMS Widebody Jetta just goes to show that a sedan can be customized to one's desire, and the Golf/GTI must now share the spotlight.
Forge Motorsport Volkswagen Golf Mk1
The Forge Motorsport Golf Mk1 is the result of having about $110,000 at your disposal, and the desire to build a track car. But this isn't your average track car - it was built to compete in various racing competitions including the Berg Cup hill climb, an event that's held in Germany. We found this gem over at the Garrett booth – the turbocharger company partnered with Forge Motorsport to build this incredibly fast hatchback.
The Golf's engine was swapped out with Volkswagen's 1.8T, which initially created some issues due to fitting such a large engine into a light car. The engine was stroked from 1.8L to 2.0L utilizing a TFSI crankshaft, JE pistons with 9.25:1 compression, Integrated Engineering connecting rods, and cylinders bored 2mm over. According to Yukio Taira of Garrett Turbos, a GTX2860R turbocharger was fitted into the Mk1 – the smallest of the GTX turbos. The engine has the capability of pushing 400hp at the wheels - an impressive number for such a small turbo.
Among some of the features in the interior are Cobra seats that were custom trimmed, Cobra 3" six-point harnesses, a Race Technology digital dash, Forge shifter tower, Sparco plumbed-in fire extinguisher, and a custom roll cage with extra bracing and safety padding.
The bodywork on the Mk1 is truly a sight to see, with its retro paint scheme, Forge Motorsport side skirts, front splitter, and roof-mounted rear wing. Look for it at local time attack competitions here in California, and the Berg Cup, which is the ultimate goal for this build.
034Motorsport Volkswagen GTI-RS
When your car wins a Gran Turismo award at SEMA, you know you did something right. That's the card that 034Motorsport was dealt, and they weren't complaining. Neither were we, because our staff had the privilege of choosing the winner! As judges, we felt that 034Motorsport's Volkswagen GTI-RS was worthy of winning the "Best European Import" award - it packs a 900hp mid-engine punch, was converted to RWD, and is a certified beast.
The list of upgrades is extensive, but some of the main components start with what's under the hood. Here you'll find an Audi V6 engine that was stroked to 3.0L with custom JE Pistons bored 83mm over with 9:1 compression. There are two turbocharger options for the GTI, which include the Precision Turbo CEA 62mm GT35R for the track and Garrett GT42RS for the drag strip.
The GTI also features a Porsche 996 turbo rear suspension, with stock rear sway bar, custom tubular rear subframe, custom valving for weight and wheelbase of GTI, and Ohlins three-way adjustable dampers with remote reservoir.
The Porsche components spill over to the brakes and wheels, which include Porsche 993 turbo front and rear brake calipers, custom 034Motorsport front brake rotors, OEM rear rotors, and Porsche 996 Turbo Twist "Hollow Spoke" wheels.
Finally, if this VW GTI looks familiar, it's because the car has appeared on the cover of eurotuner's 2010 issue as well as taking home a first overall win at the 2011 eurotuner Grand Prix. What's more, this insane project car is for sale! For a mere $60000, you can be the lucky owner. Spare parts included.
Volkswagen Golf R
With so many cars and automotive products to see inside the doors of the Las Vegas Convention Center at SEMA, it was easy to get sucked into one booth and stay there for a while. But there was a lot to see outside as well, which is where we found this 2013 Volkswagen Golf R. The four-door hatch packs 256hp made possible by its 2.0L turbocharged engine.
The Golf R, which is owned by Traction Motorsports in San Juan Capistrano was sporting 20x9 (front), 20x10.5 (rear) Ace SL-5 wheels, has H&R springs, and a NEUSPEED intake. For those who plan to attend next year's SEMA show, we suggest exploring what the outdoor section has to offer - you may just uncover a hidden gem.
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Coupling Trailer & Clips
All Season (4)
Know what this is about? Be the first one to add a plot.
Know what this is about? Be the first one to add a plot.
Know what this is about? Be the first one to add a plot.
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Cast & Crew
As Steve Taylor
As Jane Christie
As Susan Walker
As Sally Harper
As Patrick Maitland
As Jeffrey 'Jeff' Murdock
As Oliver Morris
As Julia
As Tamsin
As Mariella Frostrup
Coupling is released in 2001 and the latest season 4 of Coupling is released in 2004. Watch Coupling all seasons full episodes online - the English Comedy TV series from United Kingdom. Coupling is directed by Martin Dennis and created by Steven Moffat with Jack Davenport and Gina Bellman. Coupling is available online on The Roku Channel and Freevee Amazon Channel.
On average, men and women think about sex every six seconds. Shorten that to every second, and you've got Coupling. It's more than just a one night stand! When a couple gets together, it's never just the two of them - they also bring baggage - and Susan and Steve are no exception. Their baggage is a crowd of best friends and exes who talk about all aspects of sex and relationships on their never-ending quest to find true love. Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps... Susan Walker is a beautiful go-getter with an uninhibited attitude who used to date Patrick Maitland, the sextet's charismatic, cocky player, London's king of conquests - a guy who's just too cool to worry about being smart. Attractive Sally Harper is a beauty therapist who is Susan's unashamedly vain best friend, who aggressively battles aging with heavy doses of moisturizer and men - including Patrick. Meanwhile, Steve Taylor, while getting together with Susan, can't seem to shake loose from his vivacious and slightly vacuous ex-girlfriend Jane Christie, a woman supremely confident in her ability to seduce anyone of either sex, and who refuses to be dumped unless she's the one doing the dumping. Jeff Murdoch is Steve's "porn buddy" who is, in equal parts, obsessed and bewildered by actual sex; charming in his way, but with an uncanny ability to say the wrong thing at the worst possible time. He works in the same office as Susan, with whom he had a disastrous and unsuccessful one-night fling. Coupling has been honoured with the prestigious Silver Rose of Montreux, Best TV Comedy Award, and is recent winner at the 2003 British Comedy Awards. With a new guy on the scene, a baby on the way, commitment in the air, and love on the horizon, the dynamics of the six friends are definitely changing. At the end of last season Susan and Steve discovered they were pregnant (well, mostly Susan), confirmed bachelor Patrick and Sally finally admitted their true feelings for each other, and poor Jane was left on her own, once again. But it's not all doom and gloom for Jane. As the new season opens, things are looking up. There's this guy called Oliver, who has his eye on her. Is it possible that lifetime loser in love Oliver might just get somewhere with lifetime loser in love Jane? Trouble is, his apartment is a little "un-edited" and his living room has lost the battle with magazine nudity... Susan and Steve are now well and truly an item. So why is he dreaming about being executed by a fetus with an axe? Meanwhile Sally and Patrick are settling into their new relationship. But since the dawn of time, men and women have been falling in love - and men have been trying to get home straight afterwards. Can fallen playboy Patrick ever find his way back from the enchanted glade of his one true love and get a decent night's sleep?
It's better than foreplay!
The naughty new comedy about nothing...but SEX!
More than just a one night stand!More
Up for a threesome?
Two's company, three's a crowd... so what do you do with six?


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Germany's interior minister, Hans-Peter Friedrich -- the country's top security official -- cautioned privacy-conscious residents and organizations to steer clear of U.S.-based service companies, according to the Associated Press. As InfoWorld's Ted Samson has reported, "Friedrich is by no means the first E.U. politician to issue this type of warning, and as details continue to emerge about the U.S. government's widespread surveillance programs, such warnings are certain to garner greater attention."
The blowback in Europe around NSA surveillance is no surprise. Privacy has always been a huge issue in Europe, as demonstrated by confrontations with Google, among others.
[ InfoWorld's Galen Gruman on how users might win the privacy wars. | Get the no-nonsense explanations and advice you need to take real advantage of cloud computing in InfoWorld editors' 21-page Cloud Computing Deep Dive PDF special report. | Stay up on the cloud with InfoWorld's Cloud Computing Report newsletter. ]
However, the real privacy wars in the cloud have yet to be fought, both in the United States and in Europe. This battle will likely occur in courtrooms and in government regulatory agencies.
The reality is that people who working with cloud-based platforms won't stop using those platforms -- but they will get much better at security and privacy. With such improvements in security and privacy, law enforcement and government agencies won't have ready access to some data. That means legal battles will occur in many countries, with the use of remote data hosting services, such as cloud services, in the middle of those frays.
One result of businesses taking steps to ensure that their data won't be monitored by government agencies will be wider use of both encryption and physical restrictions on access. However, if the government wants to see the data and obtains a court order (sometimes in secret), it will want access to that data. To get that encrypted or restricted-access data in the cloud, the government will need an additional court order to gain access. That's when lawsuits will be filed and all hell breaks loose.
Some people believe these issues can be avoided by not using public cloud providers. But that's naive. If the government wants your data and if there is cause to support their concerns to a judge, it will come after that date whether it's in your closet or a cloud. Welcome to the new world order.
This article, "The cloud privacy wars are coming," originally appeared at InfoWorld.com. Read more of David Linthicum's Cloud Computing blog and track the latest developments in cloud computing at InfoWorld.com. For the latest business technology news, follow InfoWorld.com on Twitter.


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Why I'm Buying Markel, Again
History's tales of hyperinflation tell an almost inconceivable story, where a dollar's value withers like a raisin in the sun. Take a present-day example: At this year's beginning, the Argentine government claimed a man could eat on six pesos a day, but the reality was much more stark -- it bought little more than a cup of yogurt.
Fudged government stats play a big part, but there's a brutal truth in this: The Argentine peso's purchasing power was evaporating.
The inverse can apply to exceptional companies. With time's passage and value accrued, a shrewd management team can make a dollar go further. Paradoxically, a company that's more expensive in nominal terms might actually be cheaper.
That why I'm buying shares of Markel -- specialty-insurer-cum-mini-Berkshire -- for my Real Money Portfolio again. Though shares have ticked up from my original purchase price at 1.2 times book value, Markel shares look cheaper than my first purchase, as imminent catalysts lie in wait: A savvy management team's poised to capitalize on hardening underwriting markets and interest rates turning higher. And yet, the market's still pricing Markel shares as if its best days are past. I don't think that's the case. That's why I'm adding a position equal to 1.5% of my portfolio's capital.
More, and why today?
Predictions, particularly those of the discrete and short-term variety, are more often fruitless than nutritious for successful investments. But whether it's this quarter, next year, or two years out, I think Markel shares are poised to turn higher sooner than not.
Better risks: After years languishing -- five, six, or seven, depending on your source -- insurance rates are finally turning higher, and with a vengeance. The unfortunate confluence of several years of horrible catastrophes and low interest rates draining returns from insurers' bond portfolios has proven a potent cocktail. And markets are responding.
A sampling of several judicious underwriters tells the story: W.R. Berkley increased prices 6.5% last quarter, Chubb raised prices at a high-single rate in its standard commercial and professional lines, and Markel passed single-digit increases, as did specialty peer HCC Insurance Holdings .
By my math, prices could increase up to 25% still, as many smaller specialty insurers still contend with adverse loss developments from prior years' mistakes and need to strengthen their balance sheets. That would mean good things for Markel.
Fed tapering. Really: As the Fed begins its long-awaited taper, interest rates should slowly but surely turn up, and possibly sooner. Markel's management, understanding this possibility, has positioned its bond portfolio in short duration issues -- and should capitalize as it repositions to higher return issues. On account of the still-tenuous state of many insurers' balance sheets and years-long pricing drought, I'd expect hardening insurance markets to keep on. The result is a near-perfect confluence of [positive] events for savvy insurers.
To give a sense of the consequence: If interest rates were to increase 400 basis points, Markel would net $400 million more pre-tax from its bond portfolio. That alone could increase return on equity four percentage points.
Management doing its thing: The recently acquired Alterra book of business, which offers potential reward and a new flavor of risk, continues to perform well -- a credit to management's due diligence. Likewise, management continues to approach its business mix with a decided ambivalence: pushing for price increases, selectively opting against renewing poor risks, and above all, emphasizing underwriting profits. Odd as it may seem, that's a rare commodity in the insurance world.
And all of this might seem empty were it not for the fact management incentives back the talk. They have every incentive to do shareholders right. As I wrote before, they're compensated on the five-year-rolling average of growth to book value per share. That's good news for shareholders -- because growth in book value means, loosely speaking, Markel's becoming more valuable. More to the point: Vice Chairman Steve Markel owns $150 million worth of stock, and President and Chief Investment Officer Tom Gayner almost $20 million.
So, while some managers will chase the flavor of the day, growth, or some such shiny thing as markets improve -- we can expect Markel's managers to take a disciplined tack. In short, if there's any management team for whom I'm at risk of developing some affection, it's Markel's.
The price of a good thing
You might think all of this sounds good, but the price just can't be right. Wrong. As the market takes a wait-and-see approach to the Alterra deal and a hard market, Markel shares are priced at 1.2 times book value, implying the company will earn just 11%-12% returns on equity in perpetuity. I don't think that's such a high hurdle: By my math, it only needs to break even on its underwriting operations and generate a 5% after-tax return on its investments to clear the bar. The rest is gravy.
And that, dear Fool, tells the story. I'm happy to own more Markel, and I'll sleep well doing it.
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The article Why I'm Buying Markel, Again originally appeared on Fool.com.
Michael Olsen, CFA, owns shares of Berkshire Hathaway and Markel. The Motley Fool recommends Berkshire Hathaway and Markel. The Motley Fool owns shares of Berkshire Hathaway, Markel, and W.R. Berkley. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
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Susan Bates Crystalites Single Point Knitting Needles are a translucent acrylic and come in a wonderful range of colors. They feature one color per size so there's no confusion as to which size you are grabbing. Not only are they beautiful but they work great with all your yarns. 10 inch. Size 8 (5 mm), 9 (5.5 mm) ,10 (6 mm),and 10.5 (6.5 mm). 4 pc.


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[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/04/06/art.newt.jpg caption=" Gingrich says the Obama administration is 'anti religious'."](CNN) - Newt Gingrich said Tuesday the Obama administration is "intensely secular" and "anti-religious," the former House Speaker's second hard-hitting criticism of the new administration this week.
In an interview with FOX News, Gingrich said he strongly disagreed with Obama's choice of Harry Knox - an outspoken activist for gay rights - to the White House advisory council on faith-based initiatives.
"I think their goal is to have a very secular America in which government dominates everything," he said. "Why wouldn't you put an anti-religious, left-wing zealot on a faith-based group? It's a perfect pattern for this administration."
Since 2005, Knox has served as the director of the Human Rights Campaign, a national organization that advocates on behalf of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals. He is also a former Methodist pastor.
Obama formally named Knox to the 25-member advisory council on Monday, a move that has not sat well with some Christian conservatives. The conservative Catholic League called him "unfit to serve," especially taking issue with Knox's recent comment characterizing Pope Benedict XVI as a "discredited leader" because of his opposition to gay marriage.
In a statement released earlier this week, Knox said, "The lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community is eager to help the administration achieve its goals around economic recovery and fighting poverty; fatherhood and healthy families; inter-religious dialogue; care for the environment; and global poverty, health and development."
But Gingrich said the Knox appointment, along with some other moves, proves the administration is trying to "go down in history as a consistently anti-religious, secular group of people who are consciously trying to drive things out."
Two days ago, Gingrich told Politico former Vice President Dick Cheney was "clearly right" when he asserted the Obama administration's national security policies have left the country more vulnerable to a terrorist attack.
Obama does not consult Jesus before he makes decisions? Oh the humanity!
This isn't the "White House advisory council on CHRISTIAN initiatives" and plus its a 25 member group. This guy will have 1/25 of a voice, which I think is a fair representation of the gay community. I disagree with a lot of Obama's policies but if anything, he seems to want a diverse group of people for this council. It shouldn't be all people of one specific religion.
Some people seem to forget that we are supposed to have a secular government. Newt, Obama's move wasn't "anti-religious." Your reaction to it was "anti-America." And now that we're talking about it, so are our government's faith-based initiatives.
The guy is a former Methodist minister. How exactly does that make him 'anti-religious'?
And Obama is celebrating Passover at the White House tonight. Just because he's not a toe-tapping evangelical hypocrite like a lot of Republicans does not make him "anti-religion."
But even if he were: ever hear of separation of church and state?
Why shouldn't the government be secular??? Read the Constitution. Gingrich wants a theocracy – yeah, that's worked wonders in the middle East... He's a has-been and his ignorant comments prove that.
Hey Newt, separation of Church and State. Ever hear of it? Guess not...
Last I checked the Gov't was secular and not dictated by a reglious authority. This is why we have separation of church and state. The United States of America is not a Christian nation contrary to what Newt and his buddies may think. It includes peoples from all walks of life and various religous and non-thestic backgrounds.


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UFood Restaurant Group, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries filed a voluntary petition under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Massachusetts in order to preserve its operations and to resolve its liquidity issues in the face of the slow recovery from the current economic downturn. Other members of the UFood group (including its affiliates and franchised stores in Massachusetts, Ohio, Texas, Utah and Maryland) have not filed for protection.
The Company's financial troubles stem from a number of factors that prevented the anticipated growth and caused some of the Company's stores to be unprofitable for a significant period of time resulting in the Company's current liquidity problems.
The Company will pursue a plan of reorganization to capitalize on opportunities for future growth and profitability including the evaluation of any underperforming stores, strengthening its brand strategies and the restructuring of its financial obligations along with the strengthening of its balance sheet and capital structure.
The Company has obtained a financing facility that is likely to be sufficient to support it during the chapter 11 process and the Company's restructuring plan has the support of its lenders.
Day to day operations and business will continue throughout the country as the Company continues to provide its customers with the highest quality and healthiest food at the most reasonable price.
The Chapter 11 process will provide the Company with the opportunity to restructure its finances and execute on its business model to provide sustainable profits and long-term growth.
The Company looks forward to continuing its relationships with its customers, vendors and franchisees in the process of shaping the long term success of the UFood brand.
Any questions should be directed to the Company's attorney, Thomas H. Curran, at McCarter & English, LLP, 265 Franklin St., Boston, MA 02110, or via telephone at 617.449.6500


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[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/04/12/obama0412.gi.jpg caption ="Americans are split on President Obama's goal of eliminating all of the world's nuclear weapons."]
Washington (CNN) - Americans are split on President Obama's goal of eliminating all of the world's nuclear weapons, according to a new CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll released Monday. But the survey also indicates the public overwhelmingly agrees with the mission of the president's nuclear summit this week to keep those weapons out of the hands of terrorists.
Seventy-seven percent of people questioned in the poll say that preventing terrorists from getting nuclear weapons is more important than reducing the number of nuclear weapons controlled by government that are unfriendly to the U.S. According to the survey, 55 percent say that it is likely that terrorists will attack the U.S. with nuclear weapons within the next decade, but less than four in ten think that an all-out nuclear is likely.
"Most Americans are worried about terrorists with nuclear weapons and they see 'loose nukes' as the top priority for the government's nuclear policy," says CNN Polling Director Keating Holland.
The survey comes as President Barack Obama met individually with some visiting foreign leaders before the start of a two-day summit of 47 nations that will focus on how to better safeguard nuclear weapons materials, both old and new, and keep them out of the hands of terrorists.
The poll indicates Americans are divided on Obama's long-term goals, with half saying eliminating all nuclear arms is most desirable, and 49 percent saying that a few major countries, including the U.S., should have enough nuclear weapons to prevent an attack from another nation. According to the survey, there's a generational divide and a gender gap on this question.
"Fifty-eight percent of women favor the elimination of all nuclear weapons, but most men don't share that view," says Holland. "People under 50 also call for the elimination of all nuclear weapons, but people over 50 - who are more likely to remember the Cold War - think that the U.S. and a few other countries should retain their nuclear arms."
In 1988, the same question produced a 56 percent to 41 percent margin in favor of eliminating all nuclear weapons. According to that poll, only a quarter of Americans think it is possible to get rid of nuclear weapons worldwide. That is also a change from the late 1980s, when more than a third of all Americans said that it was possible to eliminate all nuclear weapons.
The poll indicates that the vast majority of Americans say the Senate should ratify a nuclear arms treaty that the president recently signed with Russia. Seven in ten say the pact, which would reduce both countries' nuclear stockpiles, should be approved by senators. But the survey suggests a partisan divide on the question. The Constitution requires a two-thirds Senate majority to ratify treaties.
"Eighty-seven percent of Democrats and 68 percent of Independents call for Senate ratification of the treaty," says Holland. "But Republicans are split right down the middle - 49 percent to 49 percent - on the treaty, and that may be crucial since ratification will require a 'yes' vote from at least eight GOP Senators."
The CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll was conducted April 9-11, with 1,008 adult Americans questioned by telephone. The survey's overall sampling error is plus or minus three points.
–CNN Deputy Political Director Paul Steinhauser contributed to this report
Relax...it is a G O A L. The world has too many nukes. If we can cut the stockpile in half that would be a good start.
I have absolutely no problem with the rest of
the world giving up their nuclear weapons.
I just want us to keep ours.
The public is also divided on whether the earth is flat or round. Seems the right wingnuts should include the right to bear personal nuclear weapons in their 2nd amendment interpretation.
Well from the prospect of an old Army guy, having the ability to wipeout the world several times over always did seem a bit wasteful to me. Always figured total annihilation once was more than likely enough, but just in case let's keep 1 and a half to two times on hand just to make sure the jobs gets done the right way.
We will still have fission weapons and the ability to deliver enough to destroy the world. I think that it fine. The Senate should ratify this with only some debate. Let the concerns come out, but I don't think this is going to ruin our deterant.