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KUWAIT: How Iraq Conflict Rewards A Kuwaiti Merchant Family
The war in Iraq, like all wars, has yielded a bonanza for military suppliers. Few have prospered as spectacularly as the Sultan Al-Essa family of Kuwait.
Delivering everything from machinery to T-bone steaks to U.S. forces, a company the Sultans dominate, Public Warehousing Co., has landed billions of dollars in work for the U.S. Defense Department.
It's a risky business. Dozens of employees have been killed in Iraq. But through tough tactics and adroit maneuvering, Public Warehousing and the Kuwaiti merchant family behind it have provided U.S. commanders in Iraq with what they need -- lots of storage space and dependable deliveries to places many others won't go.
The methods used by the Sultans to get contracts and quash rivals include a near-monopoly over strategic land and warehouse space in Kuwait, the U.S. military's main staging ground for the war effort in Iraq. Along the way, the family has transformed Public Warehousing into a global player in the logistics industry, whose annual revenue is now more than 40 times its level before the war.
But the Sultans are also grappling with a broad U.S. investigation of their methods. Federal prosecutors in Atlanta are looking into whether Public Warehousing and another family-dominated company, Sultan Center Food Products Co., colluded to gouge the U.S. military.
The case is shaping up as one of the biggest fraud investigations of the Iraq conflict. The U.S. is investigating whether Public Warehousing overcharged the Pentagon as much as $374 million "by inserting a related company to inflate the amount billed," a Justice Department fraud prosecutor recently told a federal court in Washington, D.C.
The U.S. also is investigating allegations that Public Warehousing "solicited as much as $80 million in kickbacks under cover of 'discounts' from U.S. suppliers," said the prosecutor, James Graham. Those figures are much higher than previously reported.
Public Warehousing says the discounts are legitimate incentives given by its suppliers for prompt payment. The U.S. companies, which include Sara Lee Corp. and ConAgra Foods Inc., say they have been cooperating with the investigation and are merely being sought as witnesses, not targets.
Beyond this, federal agents have pursued allegations that Public Warehousing got hold of early drafts of a Defense Department bid solicitation, gaining an improper advantage, according to three people involved in the matter. Public Warehousing won the contract, which was for transporting heavy equipment into and out of the war zone.
Officials at Public Warehousing Co. deny doing anything improper. "PWC's service has been timely, reliable and cost effective throughout its work on these competitively awarded contracts, and its performance has been unparalleled," the company said in a statement. It said it wasn't aware of any wrongdoing related to its contract to move heavy equipment, called the "Heavy Lift VI" contract.
Shares of the company, which had soared on the Kuwait Stock Exchange after it first became a major vendor for the U.S. war effort, have sunk back to prewar levels. Two other publicly listed companies dominated by the Sultan family are worth just a quarter of their post-invasion peaks. The clan also is beset by internal disputes, including a long-running lawsuit between two prominent Sultan family members.
Reaping Rewards
Their story provides insight into one of the least-explored aspects of the war in Iraq: A handful of businessmen in the Middle East are reaping huge rewards from Washington's need to sustain its tens of thousands of American troops.
Warehousing has long been a basic government service in Kuwait, an emirate rich in oil but dependent on imported food and consumer goods. Few people knew warehouses better than Jamil Sultan Al-Essa, who founded Sultan Center Food Products in 1976. Importing food to sell at retail, the company became a major user of warehousing.
Many of his 11 brothers also became prominent businessmen. One, Abdul Aziz Sultan Al-Essa, became chairman of Kuwait's Gulf Bank. He also had a feisty streak that stirred trouble with the emirate's ruling Sabah family. Following the first Gulf war in 1991, Abdul Aziz, appearing on ABC News's "Nightline," accused the royal rulers of plotting to kill his pro-democracy comrades. He soon lost his bank post.
Other Sultans navigated business and politics more adroitly. A firm led by Jamil, National Real Estate Co., snapped up 25% of the shares of Public Warehousing in the late 1990s, after the Kuwait government auctioned off its share.
To head Public Warehousing, the family tapped a son of Abdul Aziz, Tarek Sultan Al-Essa. The son, who was reared partly in the U.S. and attended the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School, speaks English with an American accent and mixes comfortably in Kuwaiti and American business circles.
Public Warehousing had one especially valuable asset: land leased from the government at bargain prices, according to competitors and papers for one 1999 deal. It covers 1.62 million square meters of storage space in a prime industrial area of Kuwait. The papers show Public Warehousing paying only 10 Kuwaiti fils per square meter, the equivalent of about one-third of a penny per square foot per month.
The company's relationship with the U.S. military soon grew. Beginning in 2000, PWC leased a sprawling warehouse complex on the coast near Kuwait City to the Defense Department, which dubbed it Camp Doha. Another family member began providing latrine-cleaning services to the U.S. military through his contracting business, Kamal M. Sultan Co.
In the run-up to the U.S.'s March 2003 invasion of Iraq, Kamal joined forces with his cousin Tarek to bid for a bigger piece of the military business. The result was a bonanza. The Pentagon named Public Warehousing "prime vendor" for virtually all food that would be served to U.S. forces in Iraq and Kuwait -- some 150,000 stomachs. The five-year deal, which included nonfood items, has been renewed and expanded, and so far has been worth more than $6 billion.
But it frayed family ties. Public Warehousing obtained the contract alone, not as part of a joint venture with Kamal. He sued, claiming he'd been cheated of his share of proceeds. Public Warehousing calls his suit, in Kuwait's Court of First Instance, "without merit." The dispute continues.
The food-supply deal helped other family ventures to thrive. A leading supplier of the food that Public Warehousing delivers to U.S. troops is Sultan Center, the retail chain founded by Tarek's uncle, Jamil. Tarek and Jamil joined each other's boards. Jamil and four other Sultan family members are the largest stockholders in Sultan Center and also control a large stake in Public Warehousing.
Family Ties
The close ties are at the heart of one strand of the U.S. probe, that involving Public Warehousing's dealings with its affiliate the Sultan Center and possibly overbilling the government. Public Warehousing acknowledges it didn't tell the Pentagon of the overlap. It says it didn't have to, because Sultan Center is neither its parent nor its subsidiary. Public Warehousing plays down the family ties, saying Jamil is just one of Tarek's 21 uncles or aunts.
Close ties between the two go back more than a decade, however. Tarek is a vice president and corporate secretary at U.S. units of National Real Estate Co. -- the firm Jamil leads -- for a number of investment projects in the U.S., according to corporate records in California and Florida. In Florida, for example, a 1996 filing listed the two men as running a firm called NREC Indian Harbour Inc. A January 2007 filing lists them as the top officials in its successor, NREC Oakland Inc.
Public Warehousing's business surged after it became prime food vendor to the U.S. in Iraq. In the year before the war, 2002, revenue was about $77 million. In 2006, it was $3.69 billion.
As revenues soared, Public Warehousing expanded globally. It formed a partnership with a Dubai food and beverage distributor, Maritime Mercantile International LLC. In a matter of months Public Warehousing entered logistics markets in Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Jordan. In October 2004, Public Warehousing bought a warehouse operation in Lebanon, extending its reach from the Persian Gulf to the Mediterranean Sea.
In 2005, it pushed farther from home, snapping up California-based GeoLogistics Corp., a closely held freight-forwarding business, for $454 million. It took on a contract with the U.S. Navy to provide logistical support during natural-disaster responses and it won a contract to provide warehousing and distribution across the Middle East, North Africa and Pakistan for Domino's Pizza. But U.S. military business remained core.
For its business-development staff, Public Warehousing hired graduates of U.S. business schools and former U.S. military officers. Some had connections with Pentagon contracting officials. For instance, the head of the company's efforts to win defense contracts is Dan Mongeon, based in Virginia. He is a retired Army major general and was commander of the Defense Supply Center, the Pentagon contracting unit that oversees Public Warehousing's food contract, from 2000 to 2005, when the initial contract was awarded.
Mr. Mongeon declined to comment. Public Warehousing said he came aboard after its initial food-supply contract had been granted.
In 2004, Public Warehousing had its eye on what promised to be the largest U.S. military contract of its kind: a deal worth up to $1.5 billion to move heavy equipment into and out of Iraq on flatbed trucks.
'Requests for Proposals'
Before seeking bids on such contracts, military officials issue "requests for proposals," or RFPs, with detailed guidelines and expectations. Responding is a time-consuming effort. A bidder has to be able to meet all requirements.
Public Warehousing had a head start, former employees say. Donald Hill, an ex-Marine who then was a manager at Public Warehousing, says that as he started preparing for a project bid, another manager handed him a draft copy of the RFP the Pentagon would eventually issue. He says he received two more drafts with minor changes before the Pentagon finally published the RFP in 2005. Other former Public Warehousing employees, including one other executive on the project, confirm that advance copies were circulating at the company.
The RFP gave technical requirements and listed the precise formulas the Pentagon would use to evaluate bids. Public Warehousing had time to put together a proposal well in advance of publication of the RFP, Mr. Hill said in an email exchange.
He "would have never been able to develop a viable proposal" otherwise, Mr. Hill said. "For sure it helped PWC win the contract if the other companies did not have the drafts."
Mr. Hill said he didn't know how Public Warehousing managers got the advance copies, but "I knew we should not have them." He said having the draft copies nonetheless benefited U.S. taxpayers, by allowing Public Warehousing to "provide the best product we could to the U.S. Army."
U.S. law bars federal officials from disclosing contracting documents such as drafts of solicitations, and it bars companies from "knowingly" obtaining confidential government decision-making data. U.S. Army criminal investigators have questioned some former Public Warehousing employees about how the draft RFPs got into company hands, according to four former employees. They describe the probe's focus as a former major who worked in the Army Contracting Command's Kuwait office -- an office that a Pentagon report says is the subject of at least 78 corruption investigations, targeting about 50 Army officers.
Mr. Hill said Public Warehousing dismissed him in June 2005, along with many other Americans it had hired during its explosive Iraq-war growth. He said U.S. investigators probing the company have interviewed him four times about the draft RFPs, most recently this summer. Public Warehousing declined to answer written questions about Mr. Hill or comment on the specific allegation that draft proposals were circulating inside the firm.
There were other unusual aspects of the competition for the "Heavy Lift" equipment-moving contract. Pentagon officials got a mysterious email, purportedly from the government of Kuwait, with derogatory information about one competitor of Public Warehousing for the contract.
Crucial Leases
In addition, according to the U.S. Government Accountability Office, Public Warehousing informed defense officials that a third bidder was ineligible because it had lost some Kuwait land leases crucial to its bid. The landlord that canceled these leases: Public Warehousing itself.
After Public Warehousing won the contract, this third bidder, a Kuwait City company called American United Logistics, complained to the GAO that its big rival had canceled the leases in order to thwart its bid. The GAO dismissed the complaint after the Army contracting officer in Kuwait said the matter was just a land dispute between parties.
The U.S. criminal probe is now looking at whether some Army contracting officials were secretly helping Public Warehousing. The Army Contracting Agency says it doesn't comment on investigations. Public Warehousing said it "is unaware of any wrongdoing related to its successful bid for the competitively awarded Heavy Lift VI contract and the company has not been contacted by investigators. If contacted, PWC will fully cooperate."
- 20 Logistics
- 185 Corruption


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Global Cable Management System Market 2018 – Emerging Technology, Investor Analysis and Forecast Research till 2023
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subset: commoncrawl


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U.S. Equal Employment
Opportunity Commission
Hispanic Employee at Sarasota Store Punished for Complaining About Race Discrimination, Federal Agency Charged
SARASOTA – Office supply giant OfficeMax violated federal law when a manager at one of its Sarasota stores retaliated against a Hispanic sales associate when he complained about race discrimination, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) charged in a lawsuit it filed today.
According to the EEOC's lawsuit, OfficeMax's human resources department became aware of allegations raised by a Hispanic sales associate in mid-June 2009, when he was fired by his store manager. Although OfficeMax rehired the associate following his internal complaint of race discrimination, the manager began to engage in a pattern of retaliatory conduct towards the sales associate, which included unwarranted and disparate discipline, disciplinary actions based on false accusations and a reduction in hours. The retaliatory conduct was ongoing, notwithstanding the sales associate's numerous and continued complaints, until the employee was forced to resign from his position.
Such alleged conduct violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The EEOC filed suit (EEOC v. OfficeMax, Case No. 8:12-cv-643-T-17MAP) in U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, Tampa Division after attempting to reach a pre-litigation settlement through its conciliation process.
"Complaints of retaliation are not taken lightly by the EEOC," said Malcolm Medley, district director of the EEOC's Miami District Office. "When an employee exercises his or her right to oppose unfair practices, they need to feel secure in exercising that right."
The EEOC's Miami regional attorney, Robert E. Weisberg, added, "All employers must respect federal anti-discrimination law. The EEOC will actively prosecute employers who perpetrate or condone unlawful conduct."
The EEOC enforces federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination. Further information about the EEOC is available on the agency's website at www.eeoc.gov.


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Welcome to the CRG Discussion Forum!Forum registration problems: Make sure you enter your email correctly and you check your spam box first. *Then* email KurtS2@gmail for help.Classified ads are not allowed on the forum.
Were the 67 to 69 Firebird drive shafts the same as the 67 to 69 Camaros ?Thanks
were the yokes the same ? Will the drive shafts interchange ?Thanks
1967L-48M-20Los AngelesBuild Nov 66U-boltsClocked @ 30deg


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The Spiegelau brand has become synonymous with prestige quality glassware especially in the area of connoisseur wine glasses to leading world sommeliers, wine connoisseurs and discerning gourmet product retailers. Spiegelau is dedicated to producing the very best wine glasses possible. This means bringing to the market glasses of the highest quality and aesthetics as well as durability and value, with the goal of making the wine experience a pleasurable, fun part of today's exciting lifestyle. This Spiegelau Siena Decanter features a generous 33-ounce full capacity in a unique, curvaceous silhouette, designed to create a cyclonic flow as the wine swirls down the vessel during the pour. Made in Germany of lead-free crystal, this decanter provides an attractive wine serving vessel at the table, as it functions to double-aerate the wine, exposing it to more oxygen and surface area with each pour, allowing the wine to develop to its maximum potential.
Dimensions of the Spiegelau Siena Wine Decanter:
Height 10-6/7" Capacity 34oz
Collections: Spiegelau Wine Decanters


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Or, we can ride with Lolchez and be in the exact same position.
Alex Smith has played in 27 games with the San Francisco 49ers where his defense has surrendered 24 or more points. Please guess how many he has won.......
The number is 2
The Jets allowed 24 or more 8 times last year, with 2 games allowing 23 points. SAR would be on board with the campaign: Fire Rex, Blow for Bridgewater
Or, we can ride with Lolchez and be in the exact same position.
Do you think Sanchez will not be the starter next year?
I don't see what option the Jets have at this point.
If I was Alex Smith, I'd rather be #2 behind CK, than being #1 with the Jets.
Sanchez will definitely be our starter. At least at the beginning of the season. Only positive is we get to boo the sh*t out of him.
.... crickets ...
Ummmmm Nooooo
Sanchez has already been paid to be the Jets starter next season, the HC has a tattoo plus ~13 million other excuses to keep him starting and Bridgewater (or similar) is why Idzik will green light the coaches decision and we can hear the "gives us the best chance to win" quote 10-15 more times
The fix was in last season or Sanchez would have been riding pine long before the butt fumble, I just wish they could rest the good players; Mangold, Brick, offer a 365 day vacation to extend Revis, etc..
My heart will be with Rex and the 2013 Jets but the odds are not
So he should be the QB because he's just as bad? Or what?
Alex O' Donnell...been there done that
Sanchez played well against the Bills in the Jets first game this past season and the Jets won handily against a Bills team that was supposed to be much better than us. Sanchez is capeable of winning our season opener again. After that all bets r off but I pronounce the Jets 1-0 to start next season.
Alex Smith is worse than Mark SAnchez and hit his ceiling a long time ago. Alex Smith had a much better team, as well as coaching, around him last year than Mark Sanchez ever did and he could only do as well as Sanchez did his first and second years. And Smith was already in his 7th year. Sanchez never had anyone near the talent of Vernon Davis of Frank Gore around him and he was saddled with Schottenheimer and CAvanaugh. Smith wouldn't have made it as far as the championship game on the Jets so what is the point of even talking about him?
sanchez is a four year crap bust
smith is a seven year crap bust
we did tne Neil O'Dummy bust acquisition in 1996
no need for a repeat performance in 2013
NFL Netwwork highlighted exactly why the Jets don't want him. He is a system guy, and can be easily exposed. I don't think he would be much of an upgrade from sanchez.. Sanchez prob has more upside, sadly.
Alex Smith is by far and wide the best available option at QB.


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A town where every detail, from vision to execution, makes luxury seem simple.
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When Shakespeare District patrol officer Enrique Molas found out that a rooster with a broken wing was trapped on the CTA's Blue Line tracks, memories from his island boyhood followed him to the Logan Square subway station.
"I pretty much knew what to do,'' Molas said. "I grew up in the Philippines; we have a lot of livestock.''
It's not known how the rooster got onto the northbound tracks at the subway station at 2620 N. Milwaukee Ave. The power was shut down at about 12:15 a.m. Monday after it was spotted, according to CTA spokeswoman Catherine Hosinski.
Molas, an 11-year veteran who works the midnight shift, said he simply put on a pair of protective gloves and ventured out onto the tracks.
"I saw the bird still alive -- and tired," he said. "When I came down I didn't want to startle it, I just wanted to approach it really carefully.''
Molas, 50, a North Side resident, said the injured bird was well behaved and didn't struggle when he picked it up.
Personnel from the city's Department of Animal Care and Control were summoned to the scene and, 12 minutes later, service was restored, Hosinski said.
Sadly, Molas' rescue didn't lead to a happy ending.
"Unfortunately, the vet examined the rooster and determined that he has a broke wing and will be euthanized,'' animal control executive director Cherie Travis.
Molas said he was surprised at all the attention he's gotten since the rescue was broadcast on YouTube. "I didn't expect that it would be this blown out of proportion," he said.
Twitter: @RosemarySobol1


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Wednesday, June 05, 2013
Calder Stakes Advance
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (June 4, 2013) – The Summit Preview, which consists of four stakes races run at 6 furlongs each that are held one month prior to the Summit of Speed, drew an experienced set of runners for Saturday, June 8, at Calder Casino & Race Course.
Rosa Stephany Taveras' Sr. Quisqueyano won the 1 1/16-mile Calder Derby on Calder's opening day card by 7 ½-lengths and returns to sprinting for the first time this year in the Unbridled. During the 2012 Calder season, Sr. Quisqueyano finished second in the 6-furlong Birdonthewire Stakes at Calder and the 7-furlong Jack Price Juvenile Stakes. His first career stakes victory came in the 1-mile Seacliff Stakes at Calder last year.
Cloud Nine Lumoni's City of Weston has two stakes wins under his belt already this year. He earned his first career stakes victory in the Ocala Breeders' Sales Sophomore Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs before taking the Big Drama Stakes at Calder by three-quarters of a length.
Gilbert G. Campbell's Two T's At Two B went 3-for-5 with one second and one third-place finish at Calder as a 2-year-old and returns for his 3-year-old campaign in the Unbridled. His stakes victories came in the Frank Gomez Memorial Stakes and the Florida Stallion Dr. Fager Stakes. Averill Racing LLC and Silver Oak Stable LLC's R Free Roll is the only filly taking on the colts in the Unbridled. R Free Roll has faced colts only one time previously in her career, leading the field and pulling ahead to a 3 ¼-length victory in a 5 ½-furlong allowance last September.
Amaty Racing Stables Inc.'s Anillo, Natalie and Rowan Dixon's Rockyshomerun, Lakshmi Rattan's Trinni Heart, and Peras International's Dr. Chase round out the entrants for the Unbridled.
Frank Carl Calabrese has two runners for the Leave Me Alone, Dreaming of Sophia and Dreaming of Lucy. Dreaming of Sophia closed out her 2-year-old campaign last September with a win in the 6-furlong Cassidy Stakes at Calder after earning her first career victory in a 6-furlong maiden special weight race by an impressive 6 ¼-lengths. Facing older competition for the first time while making her 2013 debut off a layoff, Dreaming of Sophia raced close to the pacesetter, Equus Racing Stable LLC and New Life Stable Inc.'s Isabelle's Thunder, a 5-year-old mare who is entered in the U Can Do It, close to the quarter pole before tiring. Dreaming of Lucy is 2-for-3 with one second place finish in her first season. She most recently won a 6-furlong allowance at Calder by ¾-lengths.
Arindel Farm's Vitameta broke her maiden last year by 7-lengths in a 5-furlong maiden special weight race at Calder in which Dreaming of Sophia also ran. She earned her first career stakes win in the Gasparilla Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs after finishing second in the Sandpiper Stakes at Tampa. She comes off a layoff for the Leave Me Alone.
Rontos Racing Stable Corp.'s Street Girl was victorious in the off-the-turf 1 1/16-mile Calder Oaks by a nose two starts ago. Pinnacle Racing Stable & William A. Kaplan's stakes winner Putitinmypocket comes into the Leave Me Alone two races after taking her first career stakes victory in the Stonehedge Farm South Sophomore Fillies Stakes at Tampa.
Completing the field for the Leave Me Alone are Lotts Creek Farms LLC's Holy Macho Mattie, Drake Smith & Richard Kingston George's Pass Me a Bottle, David E. Garner's Twice Told Tale, Joker Racing LLC's Wholelotaroyalty, Rontos Racing Stable Corp.'s Wildcat Lily, Nicholas Becce & William A. Kaplan's Bama Rose, and Amaty Racing Stables Inc.'s The Royal Boot. Get Away Farm Racing Stable's Cappachino Gal and P. F. Quadrato's Black Heir are on the also eligible list.
In the U Can Do It Handicap, Herman Van Den Broeck's Angelica Zapata looks for her fifth-straight Calder stakes victory. Her most recent sprint race was back in 2011, when she won the 6 ½-furlong Cincinnati Trophy Stakes at Turfway Park. Angelica Zapata closed out her 2012 season at Calder with victories in the Sara's Success Stakes, Emergency Nurse Stakes, Nancy's Glitter Handicap, and Stage Door Betty Handicap.
Chasing Tail Stables LLC's Starship Truffles was victorious in the Musical Romance Stakes at Calder by 1 ½-lengths in her most recent start, defeating the fellow U Can Do It entrants of Silverton Hill LLC's Bahia Beach, who finished second, Isabelle's Thunder, and Ron Hendrickson's Latin Rocks. Starship Truffles has reached the winner's circle three times and finished second once already this year.
Amaty Racing Stables Inc.'s Capitalism At Risk, Frank Carl Calabrese's Saint Aggie, Miller Racing LLC's Oh Carole, and Gillian S. Campbell and Clint Cornett's Givhans Ferry, are also in the field.
Jacks or Better Farm, Inc.'s Jackson Bend is back at Calder for the Ponche Handicap. The 6-year old came out of retirement this year with the Ponche being the first goal for the 2013 season. The multiple Grade 1 winner was named the Florida-bred champion sprinter back in 2011 and previously won five-straight races at Calder that included taking the entire Florida Stallion Stakes series in 2009. Jacks or Better Farm, Inc.'s Grande Shores, who worked in company with Jackson Bend multiple times in preparation for the Ponche, is also entered in the Ponche.
Samuel H. Rogers, Jr.'s Close It Out looks to improve off of his third-place finish in last year's Ponche. He comes into the Ponche off a win in the Champali Stakes at Calder, where he defeated fellow Ponche entrants, Bluestone Thoroughbreds LLC's Black Diamond Cat, who finished second in the Champali, and Zena Gardner and Guillermo Visliquez's On Appeal. Close It Out won the Jack Dudley Sprint Handicap at Calder last November, where Donald R. Dizney's Bahamian Squall lost the Jack Dudley Sprint Handicap by just a neck. Bahamian Squall earned his first career stakes victory in the Sunshine State Stakes at Gulfstream Park in December.
Pegasus Holdings Group Stables LLC's Trickmeister is a multiple stakes winner who has not run in sprint races since 2010 while making his second-career start. He last raced in September in the 1-mile Grade 2 Kelso Handicap at Belmont Park, where he finished third. Donald & Meryl Work's Smoking the Field is also entered.
The Unbridled Stakes and the Leave Me Alone Stakes comprise the seventh and eighth races on the 12-race card with the approximate post time for the seventh race at 3:32 p.m. The U Can Do It Handicap and the Ponche Handicap comprise the tenth and eleventh races on the card. Post time for the first race at Calder is 12:50 p.m.
Read more articles in the Calder category.


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The approval Friday of legislation to allow undocumented students in Colorado to pay in-state tuition at colleges and universities signals a new dawn for thousands of young people in the state.
All that Colorado ASSET (Advancing Students for a Stronger Economy Tomorrow) lacks to become law is the signature of Gov. John Hickenlooper, who supports the bill.
Gerardo Xahuentitla, who was battered so badly by out-of-state tuition that he dropped out of Fort Lewis College after accumulating 2½ years of credits, was all smiles Friday.
I plan to go back to college, said Xahuentitla, 25, who was born in Tlaxcala state in Mexico. When he arrived in the United States with his parents in 2002, he was enrolled at Durango High School in a class for youngsters with limited English.
He applied himself he was particularly good at math and graduated in 2005.
The difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition is not a matter of pennies. At FLC, non-Colorado residents pay $16,072 a year, while residents pay $5,232. Native Americans have their tuition waived.
Colorado ASSET is one of three efforts to help resolve the fate of students brought to the United States as minors by their parents. The other plans are the DREAM (Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors) Act, aimed at giving undocumented students who meet certain criteria a chance to earn legal status, and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, which protects eligible students against deportation for two years while they register with the Social Security Administration and find work.
In addition to those measures are the ongoing talks by the Gang of 8 senators, including Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo., who are trying to find consensus on overall immigration reform. Bennet is a cosponsor of the DREAM Act.
Its the most productive set of conversations Ive had since Ive been here (in the Senate), Bennet said Thursday in a telephone interview, speaking of the work of the gangs four Democrats and four Republicans. I have to give credit to senators (Marco) Rubio and (John) McCain for moving the matter along.
Bennet thinks legislation could be introduced to the Senate Judiciary Committee by early spring.
The package of programs could lead to the most significant immigration reform in a generation, since the 1986 Simpson-Mazzoli Act that, among other things, legalized the residency of about 3 million people.
I cant go back to Mexico, said Durango resident Fernando Mendoza, 23, who arrived in the country at age 6 with his mother from Guadalajara. Theres nothing there for me any more.
We were pretty poor, said Mendoza said. My father drove a taxi and my mother made leather wallets to sell.
Mendoza could typify the young undocumented residents in La Plata County or elsewhere. Theyre high school- and college-aged. They work, go to school or do both. They network socially. They speak English without an accent.
But they have a secret often shared only within a tight circle they came to the United States, in most cases, without documentation. As they enter their teen years, life becomes crimped because they cant legally get a Social Security number to work or get a drivers license. If they reach adulthood, deportation is the penalty they pay if found out.
Immigrant students should have no concern about prying questions in Durango School District 9-R, said Amy Kendziorski, director of student services. The business of schools is education, she said.
We dont care about immigration status at all, Kendziorski said. We want all kids to be treated in a fair and in a just way. We want them to be involved in school and maximizing learning. We dont collect data on immigration status, legal or not.
Compañeros/Four Corners Immigrant Resource Center stands ready to help, said director Nicole Mosher.
Were the only free option for help in the application process, Mosher said. In fact, we get requests for help on non-immigration issues, including discrimination.
Mendoza, a 2007 graduate of Durango High School, was accepted at FLC, but, overwhelmed by the cost, he didnt enroll. He has drifted since, biding his time as a volunteer at nonprofits.
Id like to get a degree in sociology, maybe with a minor in business, Mendoza said. Ultimately, Id like to have my own nonprofit that would focus on immigrant and GLBT (gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered) rights.
Hes a candidate for deferred action.
Deferred action is only limited protection against deportation, said Beth Padilla, an immigration attorney in Durango. Its not law, and its not a barrier against deportation if they break the law. Deferred action could be revoked and the person deported.
Even if DACA applicants qualify in every other respect, the arrival date to qualify on or before June 15, 2007 is unbending. No exceptions.
The inflexibility can be heartbreaking, said B. Kent Felty, an immigration lawyer in Littleton.
Theres a young man in Durango who could be the poster child for this program, Felty said. Hes a fine person, a Durango High School graduate with good grades and a hard worker with a clean record.
The hitch is that he arrived in the country five weeks after the Obama deadline, Felty said. The proof is the tourist visa he was issued.
Theres absolutely nothing I can do for him, Felty said. If he married an American citizen, he wouldnt have to leave the country to get residency as a person who arrives illegally does.
The young man, who turned 19 on Friday, appears to take the situation with equanimity.
My life is here, and Id like to go to college, he said. But if I have to go, theres nothing I can do.
Under DREAM Act guidelines, which require arrival in the U.S. at age 15 or younger, he could qualify for residency.
A Friday story in Californias Oakland Tribune newspaper said that more than 20,000 potential college students are seeking financial aid for the first time under the states Dream Act laws. The state will need $65 million a year by 2016-17 to provide benefits for Dream Act and DACA students, the story said.
Alex Rodriguez, 18, is set. Scheduled to graduate from DHS in May, he has received DACA status. He arrived in the U.S. at age 6, then alternated one-year stays in Leadville and Frisco with returns to Mexico before the family settled in Durango, where he began fifth grade.
I definitely plan to go to college, Rodriguez said. Im interested in architecture, diesel mechanics and business administration.
Xahuentitla, a 2005 graduate of DHS, said he was slowed by the language barrier at first, but now speaks fluently.
He provides free help with income tax at the Compañeros office in Durango.
He has applied for DACA.
Im not sure what Id like to do, he said. Teaching is one obvious career.
Xahuentitla said some undocumented residents hesitate to talk about their migratory status.
Theres always a little fear, but its not real serious, he said. I had a pretty good experience.


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BCS � three letters that evoke a lot of emotion from passionate college football fans. Some hate it, some like it, but either way, there is no denying the excitement and controversy it brought with it.
BCS � three letters that evoke a lot of emotion from passionate college football fans. Some hate it, some like it, but either way, there is no denying the excitement and controversy it brought with it.
I will miss these three fabled letters. Through all of the pain it brought some people, it actually gave me a lot of great memories.
Allow me to divulge a few of them now.
No. 1 for me would have to be the inception of the BCS and inaugural National Championship Game in 1999 between No. 1 Tennessee and No. 2 Florida State.
The Vols were undefeated at 12-0 and led by future NFL stars Jamal Lewis and Peerless Price.
I loved this team so much that I told my mother I was going to name my first-born son Peerless. I have since rethought that notion.
Tennessee won the title 23-16, and my father took a trip to Rocky Top with my �uncle� Sam to get championship gear. Definitely my best BCS memory.
Most of the remainder of my great memories are just from the obsessive-compulsive sports mind that lies inside my cranium.
I love great games � what a crazy thought, huh?
Anyway, No. 2 is the 2002 Miami Hurricanes� blowout victory over Nebraska and Eric Crouch.
That Hurricanes team was undefeated at 12-0 and in my mind, the single greatest team of the BCS era.
NFL stars like Andre Johnson, Ed Reed, Jonathan Vilma, Clinton Portis, Jeremy Shockey, Willis McGahee, Kellen Winslow Jr. and others comprised its roster.
The very next year, Miami returned to the title game undefeated at 12-0 to take on 13-0 Ohio State.
In a fantastic, play-for-play matched game that saw two overtimes, Ohio State prevailed largely in part due to the most controversial call in the BCS era.
A pass interference call in the end zone in overtime set up the Buckeyes� winning score.
Memories from that game include McGahee being hit on the knee by a Buckeye defender�s helmet and Maurice Clarett�s fumble recovery where he took the ball out of Hurricane legend Sean Taylor�s hands.
It was the second greatest game of the BCS era to me.
Which brings me to my final great memory � the 2006 BCS title game between Texas and USC.
Not many people gave Texas a chance, due to USC�s 2002 Hurricane-esque talent laden roster.
Vince Young put forth the best effort of his career and the Longhorns upset the Trojans, perhaps karma from the �Bush Push� game against Notre Dame.
Now for some superlatives of the BCS era:
Best Game: 2006 title game Texas vs. USC
Best Player: Tim Tebow, QB Florida
Best Team: 2002 Miami Hurricanes
Most Successful Program: Alabama Crimson Tide (three titles in three appearances)
Most Disappointing Program: Oklahoma Sooners (three title losses in four appearances)
Most Overrated Player: Jason White, QB from Oklahoma
Most Underrated Player: A.J. McCarron, QB Alabama
Best Head Coach: Nick Saban, LSU and Alabama
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Source: rense.com, Book: Selected by Extraterrestrials: My life in the top secret world of UFOs, think-tanks and Nordic secretaries
Clip from November 30, 2016 - guest William Tompkins on the Jeff Rense Program.
UFO-ET Interstellar Spacecraft Propulsion Technology Disclosure
From William Mills Tompkins
A Rense World Exclusive
"We already have the means to travel among the stars but these technologies are locked up in Black Projects...and it would take an act of God to ever get them out to benefit humanity. Anything you can imagine, we already know how to do."
- Ben Rich, Former Director Of Lockheed Skunkworks shortly before his passing
"We now have the technology to take ET home. No, it won't take someone's lifetime to do it. There is an error in the equations. We know what it is. We now have the capability to travel to the stars."
- Ben Rich, Former Director Of Lockheed Skunkworks shortly before his passing
Ben Rich was asked how UFO propulsion functioned. His reply was remarkable. "Let me ask you. How does ESP work?" The man asking the question of Mr Rich said - "All points in time and space are connected?" Ben Rich then replied, "That's how it works!"
For The First Time In History, You Can Read For Yourself These Stunning, Never Before Seen, Official Secret Scientific Documents And Papers From The Early 1950s Dealing With Design, Development And Physics KNOWLEDGE Behind Our Most Ultra Classified Technology.
Mr. Tompkins Worked At The Most Classified And Secret Levels Hidden Away In Secret Think Tanks At The Douglas Aircraft Company Which Would Eventually Be Known As McDonnell Douglas Missiles And Space
You Can Now Read In The Words Of The Scientists Themselves About The Research And Development Of What Seemed Like Science Fiction Advanced Propulsion Systems For Rockets And Space Vehicles ...Ultimately To Allow Them To Travel Faster Than The Speed Of Light.
The Truth Of Our Most Brilliant Science, Its Origins And How These Propulsion Systems An Technology Came Into Existence, And Then Deployment, Are Being Disclosed By Mr. Tompkins In Order To Bring The World Into Conformity With Reality.
You Are To Read Key Parts Of The Story Of How Our Most Brilliant Science Achieved The Abilities That Ben Rich Mentioned In The Quotes Above. We Also Had 'Outside Help' In The Field Of Propulsion Physics As Mr. Rich Alluded To When He Also Reportedly Stated "There are 2 types of UFOs - the ones we build...and ones 'they' build. We have learned from both crash retrievals and actual hand-me-downs." He Is Also Quoted As Stating, "Anything You Can Imagine, We Already Know How To Do."
We Are Not Talking Just Of Interplanetary Travel But Of Inter-GALACTIC Travel. The Contributions And Revelations By Mr. Tompkins In His Book, 'Selected By Extraterrestrials', And In The Documents And Papers That Follow, Are Simply Staggering Reading...
An Essential Preface For These Historic Documents
Preface (pdf)
Advanced Propulsion Systems Documents
From Douglas Aircraft Company Above Top Secret Think Tank
Santa Monica, CA - Circa 1955
Part 1 (pdf)
Part 2 (pdf)
Part 3 (pdf)
Part 4 (pdf)
More Coming Soon As The UFO ET Disclosure Continues...
William Tompkins - UFO-ET Ultra Secret Spaceship Propulsion
Physics Documents From The 1950s Released! Hour 1
William Tompkins - UFO-ET Ultra Secret Spaceship Propulsion
Physics Documents From The 1950s Released! Hour 2
William Tompkins - UFO-ET Ultra Secret Spaceship Propulsion
Physics Documents From The 1950s Released! Hour 3
William Tompkins, Dr. Robert Wood Video Interview:
Dr. Robert Wood and William Tompkins Interview | Disclosure: Secret Space Program, UFOs, Extraterrestrial Contact | November 2016
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This article is from the archive of our partner .
Let's be honest: Google still does a lot of good, but a very large number of people seem legitimately convinced that the consolidation of user data is a violation of your privacy, rather than a simplification of settings, as Google would have us believe. Since the new policy took effect midnight on March 1, there's no turning back* for Google or for Google users. You can tweak the settings; you can educate yourself about the settings; but you cannot opt out of the new scenario. That is, unless you stop using Google altogether. Let us show you how.
Step 1: Quit Google
As you probably already know, your entire experience in the Google Empire is dictated by the preferences on your Google Account. Quitting Google altogether can happen in a couple of ways.
- Option One: Logout and do not log back in. Turn on private browsing for additional protection from Google's data gobbling cookies and trackers.
- Option Two: Delete your Google Account altogether, and in turn, sacrifice your data to the Internet Gods.
If you think you might change your mind about quitting Google in the future, we highly recommend Option One. If you're actually very upset about new privacy policy or disgruntled in general, just click the "Close entire account" link on your general settings page and get on with your life. See the illustration we made on the right.
Bear in mind: Deleting your account will also delete all of your data, including but not limited to emails, contacts, search history, etc. etc. You can, however, retrieve this data by visiting the "Data Liberation" link in your account settings. If you use the Chrome browser or an Android phone, you'll have to stop doing that too.
Step 2: Quit Gmail
Now, if you're not ready to quit all of Google altogether, you might consider migrating your email habits off of Gmail. This is difficult, especially if you've been using Gmail since college, like your correspondent. Gmail is a terrific product, but it's not without its shortcomings. (The part about Google's robots reading your email has always been particularly disturbing for some privacy advocates.) But thanks to capitalism, there are many choices for other email services. Our favorite alternative and a terrific option is iCloud.
Whether you own a Mac or not, iCloud is one of the newest and best cloud storage services out there, and since Apple's chief competitor is increasingly looking like it's Google, the company appears to be investing heavily in providing Google alternatives. So for those features that aren't already available to Apple users, you should expect them to come out in the near future. Furthermore, those with iPhones or iPads will enjoy how well integrated iCloud is into all of the features on the mobile devices. This includes everything from your address book to your calendar to document management. (Read: this also lets you quit Google Contacts, Google Calendar and Google Docs.) You also fget five gigabytes of storage for free, which is slightly less than what Google gives you for free. As we've argued before, iCloud is not a perfect solution for your email and general data needs. But neither is Gmail.
Step 3: Quit Searching with Google
This seems like a silly step three, but it's an important one. Google's flagship product is stil one of the best ways to find information quickly on the Internet. The new image search is insanely useful, if you're a visual kind of person, and the work-in-progress social search is getting better. That said, every time you do a search -- whether you're logged in or not -- Google stores the info in a database somewhere. If you do not like that fact, then you should switch to a different search engine. The current leading alternative to Google search engine is Wolfram Alpha.
Think of Wolfram Alpha as your own personal genius. You ask it questions and it gives you answers. We know what you're thinking: Didn't Ask Jeeves come up with this concept a long time ago? The answer is yes, but Wolfram Alpha is much much smarter than Jeeves. If you don't believe us, try it out for a couple of days. If it's not your style, there's always Bing.
Step 4: Quit YouTube
This is a tough one. Google didn't invent YouTube, but as video's taken over the these past few years, it's become their pride and glory. There are dozens if not hundreds of other video sites that you could use to find videos. However, none of them will offer the breadth and depth of YouTube. How much? "48 hours of video are uploaded every minute, resulting in nearly 8 years of content uploaded every day," reads the site's FAQ. YouTube is also moving into the original content business with the launch of about 100 new channels over the course of the year; so, the videos will get better, more interesting and probably more important. If you're into high quality video, though, you should spend more time on Vimeo. Start with this video and just let the beautiful design of the site take you into your arms and rock you to entertainment.
Step 6: Quit Maps
This is a really tough one. Unfortunately, we don't have a fantastic alternative -- Google Maps works really well! You might just try out Bing Maps. It's actually pretty good.
Step 7: Relax and Enjoy Your Privacy!
The end.
* - It's worth noting that there are numerous investigations into the legality of the policy in various countries around the world that will likely take years to resolve.
This article is from the archive of our partner The Wire.
We want to hear what you think about this article. Submit a letter to the editor or write to email@example.com.


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71% Full-time employment
14% Graduate school
9% Part-time employment
9% Volunteer
* information from the Saint Michael's College First Destination Survey
No matter what path they choose, our alumni take with them a solid foundation in the liberal arts, a strong sense of self and a desire to give back to their communities. Our graduates are dentists, lawyers, teachers, entrepreneurs, members of the Peace Corps, professional snowboarders, composers, authors, social workers, politicians and activists.
While the vast majority of Saint Michael's students get full-time jobs immediately after graduation, 51 percent of our students will attend graduate or professional school within five years of leaving Saint Michael's. You'll find St. Mike's graduates at Harvard, Yale and Johns Hopkins, for example, where they're studying everything from medicine to business to biology.
The Career Education and Alumni Engagement Office helps students plan their career goals, develop interview skills, and search for jobs upon graduation. If you want to pursue graduate study, take advantage of our programs for Pre-med and Pre-law, graduate school preparation, graduate scholarships and fellowships, and special admission agreements with professional schools in the region.
The best part? No matter where life takes them, our alumni maintain strong connections to Saint Michael's and our students. "If someone with a St. Mike's connection calls me, I will always respond," says an alumni executive.


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Or call us today toll free: 1-8555099159
The best strategy to avoid costly and complicated problems with the machines and systems you rely on daily is to get a comprehensive home warranty. All of your home appliances and systems are gradually enduring wear and tear, no matter how well you take care of them. Eventually even the best-designed HVAC systems, laundry machines, refrigerators, and more will break down altogether.
New Hampshire residents know all too well how hectic life can get. Between work, family, and social obligations it's hard to find time for anything else, and the slightest disruption can cause big problems. A major disruption like an uncooperative dishwasher or leaky plumbing can throw your entire life out of balance. Luckily, there's a solution for many common issues you might have with your home systems and appliances. American Home Shield New Hampshire can help take care of all your major maintenance, repair, and replacement needs.
Nothing will disrupt your life faster than leaking water pipes, electrical wiring that's on the fritz, or a malfunctioning kitchen appliance. These machines and systems are often quite complex, making them difficult to repair and maintain on your own. Breakages and accidents can crop up at any time, and a full repair or replacement of a major home appliance can cost hundreds or thousands of dollars.
A home warranty service brings an incredible amount of peace to your everyday life. When choosing the best value service for your situation, look for a warranty plan that charges a low amount every month and covers all the essential home appliances and systems you use.
You can get all of your concerns and questions cleared away and get help choosing the right service for you. You can also ask about special offers and deals to make sure you're getting the most out of your investment.
Your household machines could break at any moment. Can you imagine living without a toilet or refrigerator? Don't put it off until an emergency happens; get a home warranty now to avoid expensive and complicated repairs. Find a home warranty company providing service in your area today!


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Rodney Liber necesitaba un nuevo diseño de logotipo y lanzó un concurso de diseño en 99designs.
Un ganador ha sido elegido entre 181 diseños de 24 diseñadores freelance.
See Requirements for Name
We are a website design company that has decided to outsource our updated logo design.
Joomla Website Owners, Businesses, anyone needing a website.
Please use our header from now on to submit your logos on, i want to get a good idea of what it will look like on our site.
Our Company Name: The Turn Group
Our Slogan: Turning Ordinary into Extraordinary
Colors we like: Red, Maroon, Orange, Blue, White
We like the orb, 3D look and feel.
Must be a Vectored Logo
Must be layered file both .AI and .PSD
Must have Black and White Version
2 versions - With and Without the Slogan
We are a Joomla Web Design Company. Our existing logo can be found here. http://www.theturngroup.com/images/…uplogo.jpg
Download and view our animated logo here. http://www.theturngroup.com/flash-p…ngroup.flv
We are looking for a massive upgrade to our logo that makes our current logo look like a child designed it.
We are looking for uniqueness, Jaw Dropping, WOW effect. This logo must stand out, must make a statement.
Descubre cómo funciona un concurso de diseño u obtén más información sobre nuestros servicios de diseño de logo.


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Three years ago California endured a summer of rolling blackouts that cost businesses millions of dollars in lost production and raised concerns about the rest of the nation's power grid. Despite warnings about the poor condition of the power grid from those in the highest offices in the nation, little was said about how or when the problem would be remedied.
In a bid to urge new standards for the reliability of the electric power system, former Energy Secretary Bill Richardson said, "In my view, we're the world's greatest superpower, but we have a Third World electricity grid. We have antiquated transmission lines. We have an overloaded system that has not had any new investments. And we don't have mandatory reliability standards on utilities."
Even the current Secretary of Energy, Spencer Abraham, has recognized that it likely will be a bumpy ride, stating that "Our nation's transmission system over the next decade will fall short of the reliability standards our economy requires and will result in additional bottlenecks and higher costs to consumers. It is essential that we begin immediately to implement the improvements that are needed to ensure continued growth and prosperity."
Recent analysis of the situation has also shown a human element is involved. Skyrocketing electrical prices that have tripled in some cases were, in part, caused by market manipulation by energy traders who intentionally orchestrated the congestion of transmission lines and inflated wholesale energy costs. The final report issued by the Department of Energy on the August 14 blackout also found "strikingly similar" issues between it and other previous blackouts, to which a major contributor was poor communication between different entities on the power grid.
Recent outages that have occured in North America and around the globe (Sidebar "Going Global: Recent Blackouts" on page 30) have imparted a new sense of urgency about the reliability of electrical power.
Reasons for concern. Even though the nation's power grid is said to be 99.9% reliable, the typical U.S. business will endure about 14 power quality "events" per year. "Event" is defined as any deviation in power quality that may affect the performance of a customer's load — not just outages. Not only that, the average residential customer will experience 90 minutes of outages per year, most of which will be distribution-related.
The power grid isn't the only problem. The demand for electricity continues to grow at roughly 2% to 3% annually. This is a scary trend for a saturated grid that now uses 3.6 trillion kWh of power. Certain regions like Manhattan, N.Y., for example, are experiencing staggering increases in power demand, up by as much as 25% versus a few years ago.
This jump is largely attributed to an increase in the installation of digital/IT equipment and the power necessary to keep it cool, which can often rival the power of the equipment itself, resulting in a double hit to the grid. Since 1980, as much as 90% of the growth in energy demand can be attributed to supplying power to digital (power-sensitive) loads and 9% of the nation's current energy is estimated to be used to power digital devices.
Environmental regulations, coupled with other obstacles that stand in the way of expanding the nation's generating capacity, make powering the new digital economy a challenge.
While utilities define an outage as a power interruption of five minutes or more (Fig. 1), most electronic devices and IT equipment are only designed to sustain interruptions of about eight milliseconds or less (Fig. 2 on page 31). Therefore, any business that intends to run without interruption must have some sort of power conditioning/backup power source in place. Today, it's estimated that 3% to 5% of the grid is fortified with an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) along with 80 gigawatts (GW) of off-grid generating capacity (roughly 10% of the grid's capacity) installed for longer duration backup. And much of the infrastructure aimed at guarding against interruptions is dedicated to short-duration outages, not against longer outages like those experienced in recent blackouts.
The future of backup power. New technologies are on the horizon that promise everything from independence from the grid to smart ways to ride through long outages. Some hold promise while others seem to follow a never-ending horizon.
One of the most practical solutions isn't a breakthrough technology at all, but rather a smart practice called distributed generation. It consists of locating many small generating plants very close to demand areas. Typically, these generators are fired up to satisfy peak demand periods when the grid is most likely to be compromised.
Industry experts support this concept. In a recent Cap Gemini survey, 75% of the respondents said that distributed generation would have a positive effect in the next three to five years, "mitigating congestion costs and addressing system upgrade requirements for transmission."
Natural gas turbines, particularly high-efficiency co-generation systems, are expected to fill much of the void. Featuring a relatively low profile and low emissions, the co-generation plants don't require as much lead time and regulatory red tape associated with larger generating stations. However, that's not to say that a few nuclear power stations aren't on the horizon.
In many cases, energy consumers elect to use co-generation systems as a cost effective and reliable source of prime power backed up by the utility. California currently leads the nation with an installed base of 6,500MW of co-generation power plants (12% of the states total generation), which is soon expected to double.
Microturbines also hold promise in distributed generation applications. These smaller cousins of the full-size turbine generator generate as many as a few megawatts in parallel systems and can be located very close to the actual load or on-site at the customer's facility (Photo on page 26).
Today's microturbines are quiet, small (a 30kW turbine is roughly the size of a refrigerator), operate on most fuels, are practically pollution-free, and require only a fraction of the maintenance of a large diesel engine. One day, microturbines may be commonplace in neighborhoods for peak shaving, or in some cases prime power for commercial customers who may not want to contend with outages associated with a utility network.
Fuel cell technology may also hold promise. It's already commercially available, and some utilities are looking at equipping residences with their own fuel cell generator that operates on a natural gas source. The advent of vehicle fuel cells is expected to drive down costs for the technology in general and improve the widespread commercial viability of fuel cells as a distributed generation source.
High-power fuel cell plants have been in operation for years, but until a hydrogen infrastructure is established and the cost falls to a reasonable level, they may not be the solution to the grid problems in the near future.
The real improvements will likely not culminate from a single solution, but rather from a combination of many needed improvements. These range from increased generating capacity, massive re-investment in the aging distribution infrastructure, better demand monitoring and evasive plans of action, and a strong base of distributed generation systems.
The rolling blackouts of three summers ago may have brought attention to the country's failing transmission and distribution system, but last summer's blackout on the East Coast brought the problem into much sharper focus. Facilities managers who are concerned about the reliability of their power can't do much to improve quality on the utility side of the meter, but they can take proactive steps to protect their systems with technologies like distributed generation and fuel cell technology until the day when the grid is more reliable.
Katz is senior product manager at MGE UPS Systems in Costa Mesa, Calif.
Sept. 23, 2002: A massive power failure disrupts central Chile. The official reason is said to be "faulty programming" and a "technical failure" at a power station.
Nov. 24, 2002: Buenos Aires and La Plata, Argentina, are hit by a huge power failure.
Jan. 31, 2003: An unusual power failure hits Cambridge, Ontario, Canada.
April 29, 2003: A power failure hits the airport in Melbourne, Australia, disrupting operations for 90 minutes.
Aug. 6, 2003: Buenos Aires is hit again by another sudden blackout.
Aug. 14, 2003: The first major blackout occurs in the northeastern United States and Canada, affecting some 50 million people. Blame centers on a single power generation plant owned by Ohio's FirstEnergy Corp.
Aug. 23, 2003: Finland's capital of Helsinki and its suburbs, including the international airport at Vantaa, are blacked out, affecting more than a half million people in a country known for its first-rate electrical grid.
Aug. 28, 2003: At the height of London's evening rush hour, a massive power outage strikes the city and southeast England. The blackout is blamed on a "fault" in the national electrical grid. The event that Britain's Network Rail calls "unprecedented" stops 18,000 trains, including 60% of the London Underground.
Sept. 1, 2003: Malaysia's capital of Kuala Lumpur and five Malaysian states are struck by a massive blackout. Workers in the Petronas Towers, the world's tallest buildings, are trapped in elevators. With signal lights out, traffic in downtown Kuala Lumpur grinds to a virtual halt. What makes the event all the more perplexing is that blackouts are very rare in the country.
Sept. 2, 2003: Cancun, Mexico, plunges into a blackout. Power is out for six hours, affecting three million people.
Sept. 23, 2003: Eastern Denmark and southern Sweden, including the cities of Copenhagen and Malmo, lose power in what is described as a "very unusual" blackout that affects four million people.
Sept. 28, 2003: A massive power failure strikes Italy, affecting 57 million people. It's later blamed on a tree that hit a high-voltage transmission line.
Sidebar: A Closer Look at the National Power Grid
In 1965, the failure of a single faulty relay at the Sir Adam Beck Generating station caused a cascading failure that left the entire northeastern U.S. and Canada without power for 18 hours and prompted the creation of the National Electrical Reliability Council (NERC). Since then, the national grid has operated in a fairly robust manner, but that all changed in 2001 with the California energy crises. However, that was only the first of many signs that demonstrated how weak the energy grid was, and its failings eventually culminated in the recent northeast catastrophe.
The U.S. power grid is actually made up of four major sub grids that comprise hundreds of large generating stations, a few thousand small generating stations, and 100,000 substations. The system consists of 680,000 miles of transmission and distribution lines.
The grid's interoperability was initially designed to fortify against single points of failure. Ironically, it's this element that's also the grid's Achilles heal. During peak hours many regions within these grids traverse into the "danger zone," an area within 5% to 10% of the grid's absolute capacity, operating far beyond their design parameters. Many regions operate on thinner margins on a daily basis during peak conditions, depending on the season.
Ideally a grid should operate with generating stations and transmission and distribution lines with 10% to 15% margin. This usually gives some margin for failure somewhere in the network, allowing alternate sources to mitigate the failures. Any failure on the grid must be instantly isolated within the overloaded area. In other words, the power must be cut to the specific area. Failure to do so will cause the overload to draw power from other regions of the grid, cascading the overload throughout the entire grid similar to a domino effect.
The most common way to control excess demand is via brownouts (sagging the line voltage) or rolling blackouts (taking turns shutting power down to the least critical areas).


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Remote Linux / UNIX / Windows Server Management With KVM over IPlast updated in Categories Linux, Networking, Sys admin, Troubleshooting, UNIX
KVM (Keyboard, Video, Mouse) is a switch or hardware device allows a single keyboard, video monitor and mouse to control more than one server one at a time. KVM can be local device or remote device working over IP network. KVM devices extensively used in server farms where it is only necessary to periodically access box. KVM allows you to access your server even if a remote public network connectivity is down.


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Chronicle of rabies gripping, unsettling
All but eradicated in the Western world, rabies does not present the most obviously pressing topic for a cultural history. Surely there are other maladies with a more urgent claim on our attention.
But in this keen and exceptionally well-written book, rife with surprises, narrative suspense and a steady flow of expansive insights, "the world's most diabolical virus" conquers the unsuspecting reader's imaginative nervous system.
Bill Wasik and Monica Murphy mount a persuasively argued case for the importance of rabies as both a daunting public health issue and a persistent source of deep-rooted terror. It's a smart, unsettling and strangely stirring piece of work.
Not only is rabies especially lethal and all but unique among viruses for traveling through the nervous system, as the authors show, it also arrives with a haunting means of transmission. "As the lone visible instance of animal-to-human infection, rabies has always shaded into something more supernatural: into bestial metamorphoses, into monstrous hybridities."
Tacking gracefully from case histories to the ancient Egyptians' view of the dog, from bats to Bali, microbiology to vampire novels, "Rabid" moves with the supple efficiency of its subject. Both the menace and meanings of the disease build inexorably.
The hard facts alone are chilling. Despite an effective and widely used vaccine, 55,000 people still die annually from rabies, most of them in Asia and Africa. The course of an infection is grim, with its stealthily delayed onset, horror-show hydrophobia, fever, pain, hallucinations and awful spasms. Even a chapter titled "The Survivors," which recounts the ultimately successful ordeal of a Wisconsin teenager infected by a bat bite in church in 2004, has a grueling intensity.
The dog's double nature, as both man's loyal domesticated companion and a beast with "a dark side lurking behind the soulful eyes," has given rabies its unsettling reverberations through the centuries. More broadly, "the distinction between the familiar, domesticated pet and the ungovernable wild animal came to be seen as analogous to that between civilized and savage races."
"Rabid" finds this potent cultural strain examined in such diverse works as "Wuthering Heights," "To Kill a Mockingbird" and the "Twilight" books and films. In their dog and bat transformations, vampires partake of the intimate, even sexual nature of a rabid bite. "Vampirism is a dark, animal undercurrent that haunts the human — even the most refined among us, and even in our closest relationships."
Not everything in "Rabid" is so darkly stained. The chapter on Louis Pasteur, who developed the rabies vaccine, unfolds as an exciting and vigorous narrative. So does the account of Bali's struggle to eradicate rabies from an island that had been completely free of the disease until 2008.
With its range and sure-footed command of its material, "Rabid" covers the ground like an animal that knows just what it's after and how to find it.
More Information
Rabid: A Cultural History of the World's Most Diabolical Virus
By Bill Wasik and Monica Murphy
Viking, $25.95


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Politics & Government
Supreme Court health care arguments begin today
WASHINGTON — The circus surrounding the Supreme Court health care arguments this week will begin before dawn Monday.
Demonstrators will be gathering around the Supreme Court steps. Nearby, assembled radio talk show hosts will be broadcasting live starting at 6 a.m. Civilians will be lined up, hoping for precious spots inside. Later, politicians will stroll in to claim reserved seats.
The center ring, of course, should remain dignified, even as justices shortly after 10 a.m. commence the most anticipated oral arguments in years. And by the time arguments end Wednesday, spectators should know more about whether the court believes the Obama administration's signature health care law exceeds Congress's constitutional authority to regulate commerce.
"The Supreme Court and the nation have been wrestling with what the Commerce Clause means for more than 200 years," Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said Friday.
The six hours' worth of arguments will be a high-wire act neither seen nor, frankly, fully understood by most voters. Although Chief Justice John Roberts Jr. agreed to release transcripts and audio recordings early, he rejected pleas for television cameras.
Monday, moreover, starts with a technical argument about whether the lawsuits can even proceed because the 1867 Anti-Tax Injunction Act prohibits lawsuits against taxes until they have been imposed.
The Monday argument may do little to clarify public understanding of the 2,700-page health care law and its current status. More than four in 10 U.S. residents surveyed this month mistakenly think the Supreme Court has already struck down the law or are unsure whether the court has acted, a Kaiser Family Foundation poll found.
Among motivated advocates and political professionals, though, the oral arguments are a prime opportunity for spectacle.
Starting early Monday, more than two dozen talk show hosts supporting the law will form a "Radio Row," conducting programs at the United Methodist Center a block from the court. Interest groups backing the law will hold daily morning news conferences, featuring doctors, nurses, patients and others.
Groups opposing the law also plan action. Americans for Prosperity, a conservative group, is organizing a "Hands Off My Health Care" rally at a park near the court Tuesday. They will bus in backers from all over, and speakers will include former Republican presidential candidate Michele Bachmann as well as Republican Sens. Jim DeMint of South Carolina, Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania and Rand Paul of Kentucky.
Demonstrators pro and con are expected at a grassy park across the street from the court, while politicians of all stripes have sought to prepare the ground in recent days.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, for instance, touted health care reform for rural residents. Democratic lawmakers like Rep. Lois Capps of California praised, as Capps put it, "health reform benefits for young people on the Central Coast," while House Democratic leaders on Thursday paraded citizens before a press conference to tell stories how the law has helped them.
House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio, on the flip side, put out a YouTube video promoting the number of times the Republican-controlled House has voted to repeal some or all of the health care bill. Conservative Republicans assailed the law at a news conference.
"Keep your hands off our health care and our Constitution," said Rep. Steve King of Iowa.
House GOP leaders also carefully timed a Thursday health care-related vote for maximum possible attention. The House voted 223-181 to repeal a major part of the law, the creation of a special panel to help control Medicare costs. The bill is expected to go nowhere in the Senate, but that's politically irrelevant. The Republicans' main point was to underscore their opposition.
"The bottom line is this: This health care law is a mess," McConnell said. "And the American people don't want it. ... When it comes to the cost of health care, this law makes matters worse."
Democrats, in turn, are happy to join the debate.
"In two short years, virtually every man, woman and child in America will have access to health insurance they can afford and the vital care they need," said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada.
The lead-up has given legal advocates, too, a chance to spin reporters and promote their own causes.
On Wednesday, for instance, the Sacramento, Calif.-based Pacific Legal Foundation held a telephone briefing with reporters to elaborate on the multiple briefs the conservative group has filed. That same day, the Republican Governors Association sponsored its own preview. At week's end, the libertarian-leaning Cato Institute followed suit.
The most closely watched argument, which takes place Tuesday afternoon, is whether Congress exceeded its constitutional authority with the health care law's requirement that most individuals either buy insurance or pay a fee.
The court's nine justices will separately be deciding whether Congress can use the threat of withholding money to coerce states into expanding Medicaid coverage.
Supreme Court's health care ruling could have big impact
GOP House votes to delete plank of health care law
Whom to watch in the Supreme Court health law arguments
Follow Michael Doyle on Twitter


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Simple, Make Ahead Pot Roast
I saw Tyler Florence (one of my favorite chefs) teach a bunch of school kids how to make this on television. It looked so good that I made it for some friends and their very young children. We all loved it! The carrots were so soft the kids ate them up. And the meat shredded so easily that even the toddlers could eat it without trouble. Look for a good cut of chuck roast with some marbling. It makes all the difference when it comes to flavor. If you love your crock pot, just brown the meat on the stove and throw it in your crock pot in the morning.
3-4 lbs beef chuck roast, trimmed of excess fat
kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
3 tbsp olive oil
1 cup canned crushed tomatoes
1 cup water
2 red onions, halved
2 cloves garlic, minced
8 carrots, peeled and sliced 1/2" thick
2 celery stalks, sliced 1/2" thick
1 cup button mushrooms, stems removed
4 sprigs fresh rosemary
4 sprigs fresh thyme
2 bay leaves
Season all sides of the beef with a fair amount of salt and pepper. In a large Dutch oven or other heavy pot that has a tight cover, heat 2 tablespoons of the oil over moderately high heat. Brown the meat on all sides, taking the time to get a nice crust on the outside. Pour in the tomatoes and the water. Add the vegetables and herbs around the pot roast, season with salt and pepper, and drizzle with the remaining tablespoon of oil. Cover the pot and reduce the heat to low. Braise for about 3 hours, basting every 30 minutes with the pan juices, until the beef is fork tender.
Remove the pot roast from the pan, allowing it to cool for a few minutes. Slice the pot roast and arrange on a platter surrounded by the vegetables. Serve with the pot juices. If serving the next day, allow the meat to cool, then cover and refrigerate. The next day, scrape off any fat that has risen to the surface and discard it before reheating over low heat.
Amanda Haas is a cookbook author, cooking video host, and the founder of One Family One Meal, a website that helps families menu plan, grocery shop, and cook on a budget. Her latest writing collaboration is with renowned chef Todd English. The book, Cooking in Everyday English , is now available on Amazon and is loaded with family-friendly recipes. Amanda's own One Family One Meal cookbook will be released in the fall of 2012.
The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to, POPSUGAR.


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Platinum Award
From the wiring devices category, the platinum winner in the 2012 Product of the Year competition combines dual USB charging ports with a tamper-resistant AC receptacle to form a unique wiring device — the Combination USB Charger with Tamper Resistant Receptacle, TR7740. "The typical standard duplex receptacle has not changed in over 50 years, other than for decorator looks," says MicheleSalimbeni, product manager for tamper-resistant receptacles at Cooper Wiring Devices. "This is the first time that we've really made a radical change in the product."
In response to the increased use of portable electronic devices, Cooper Wiring Devices transformed the standard receptacle into a device with the ability to charge electronic devices directly from a standard outlet without bulky adapters that can be lost or misplaced. The device's USB charging ports support any electronic product capable of being charged via a 5V power adapter — but without the use of the actual adapter. An LED light indicates that the device is charging. "The only other way to do that would be if you had a powered-up computer that you used to charge your electronics — or if you had an outlet adapter," says Salimbeni. "We looked at these methods and said, 'Let's get rid of the adapter and be able to do it directly from the receptacle.' And that's a pretty big change from what's been done in the past."
The combination receptacle was initially targeted for residential applications. UL-approved tamper-resistant shutters provide compliance with Sec. 406.12 of the 2011 NEC, which states that all 15A, 125V receptacles installed in dwelling units must be tamper resistant. However, the TR7740 is also proving popular in commercial locations. "It's primarily residential at this point, but we have been supplying a lot of commercial installations as well," says Salimbeni. "They're popping up at airports and cafés — anywhere you have charging needs, which is anywhere anyone has a smart phone or a computer."
To that end, the manufacturer designed in features that make the product durable. The thermoplastic top and back-body are virtually unbreakable to deliver years of performance. Ultrasonic welding and integrated construction of strap and body provide superior ground integrity even under heavy use. The injection-molded housing and PVC resin comply with the UL94 5V flammability rating. There's also a zinc-plated steel mounting strap for added corrosion resistance. Finally, triple-wipe blade contacts and double-wipe ground contacts ensure long-term plug retention.
The combination receptacle easily replaces a standard duplex receptacle. Installation is made faster and easier through tri-combo screw heads, patented built-in wire strippers, and backwire clamps on side terminals for 12 AWG and 14 AWG wire. An automatic grounding system eliminates the need for a bonding jumper when installed in a grounded metal enclosure, and provides a redundant measure of ground continuity where jumper is used. Without more work added to the installation process, electrical contractors can add to their list of services for customers. "From a contractor's perspective, this is an opportunity to finally have something exciting to show and to stand out," says Salimbeni. "Not all contractors have this in their bag of tricks. It's a way for a contractor to differentiate themselves from the mix."
Gold Award
The first runner-up in this year's Product of the Year competition comes from the tools (accessory items) category. Designed to reduce the risk of burns and eye injuries, DrillMagnet's ring-shaped magnet collects metal shavings when drilling in steel — especially when drilling overhead or vertically. Able to accommodate hole cutters for ¾-in. conduit or smaller, the magnet also acts as a hardware holder when working on a lift or on the ground when used as a utility magnet.
Silver Award
From the portable test and measurement equipment category, this year's second runner-up — Fluke's 430 Series II of 3-phase power quality analyzers — uses an algorithm to measure energy waste and quantify its cost. This updated series of analyzers features three new measurement functions as well as hardware, software, and firmware improvements. In addition, the products include up to 32 GB (8 GB standard) of memory, a swappable SD memory card, and USB connectivity. Fully compliant with the IEC 61000-4-30 Class A standard, they can monitor systems with up to 10 power quality parameters on one screen, record up to 150 parameters on four phases simultaneously, and are safety rated 600V CAT IV/1,000V CAT III.
An EC&M Tradition
More than a decade ago, the EC&M Product of the Year competition was established to honor excellence in new product development for the electrical industry. The prestigious contest showcases inventiveness in new, cutting-edge technology, as well as improvements in safety and efficiency. Through the competition's arduous two-fold judging and voting process, the most innovative products of the past year that allow electrical design professionals, installers, and maintenance personnel to perform their jobs more efficiently and effectively are recognized.
Products eligible for this year's competition were those introduced to the market between Jan. 1, 2011, and Dec. 31, 2011. Out of the 129 products entered this year, a hand-picked panel of judges ranked each product based on a uniform list of scoring criteria, ultimately selecting 31 category winners for the first phase of the competition. These category winners were then narrowed down to just three through an online poll available to our readers on the EC&M website. By casting their votes, EC&M subscribers determined the platinum, gold, and silver products of the year.
Voting Winners
EC&M would like to congratulate the following three readers who each won $100 for voting in this year's competition:
- Thomas Gelb, purchasing AG, Five Star Electric Co., Inc., Ozone Park, N.Y.
- Denis Manrique, VP, Electrical System Development Corp., Hialeah, Fla.
- Steve Meeks, owner, Steve Meeks Construction, Santa Clarita, Calif.
The EC&M editorial team randomly drew these names from the list of voters who cast their vote in the online poll.


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Ok, I've teased this out enough now. Let's get down to business and check out the top 10.
10. Nick Tropeano
Tropeano took a big step forward in 2012, adding a few mph to his fastball which helps make his already good changeup that much tougher. Even more impressive was the way he excelled in Lancaster, which can chew up and spit out pitching prospects. He should get his first real test in 2013 at AA. Tropeano was a 5th round pick by Houston in 2011.
9. Jarred Cosart
Cosart is a fiery competitor with outstanding stuff that has never consistently translated to his results. Blister problems kept him from breaking out the way many hoped he would in 2012. That said, Cosart still has a chance to quickly become a top of the rotation starter or, should that fail, a good bullpen piece. Cosart will likely begin the year in AAA, though he has an outside shot of making the big club out of spring training. He was a 38th round pick by Philadelphia in 2008 and came to Houston in the Hunter Pence trade.
8. Nate Freiman
Freiman is a big first baseman which a very promising bat. He's consistently hit for good average with plenty of doubles, tape measure homeruns, and a respectable strikeout rate, especially for a big guy with power. As a rule 5 pick from the Padres organization, he'll be given a shot to stick on the roster out of spring training, though he's competing with Carlos Pena and Brett Wallace for playing time. Freiman was an 8th round pick by San Diego in 2009.
7. Domingo Santana
Santana is a corner outfielder with a huge swing that generates home runs and strikeouts. Despite being roughly three years younger than his competition, he has shown marked improvement each of the last two seasons. His real test will come this season as he faces AA pitching for the first time at just 20 years old. Santana was originally signed by Philadelphia out of the Dominican Republic and came to the Astros in the Hunter Pence trade.
6. Mike Foltynewicz
Folty made good strides in 2012 while repeating at Lexington. He's another starter who has the stuff to become a top of the rotation starter but can't quite figure out how to consistently dominate hitters. His mound presence can seem to get shaken at times, but I doubt that will be an issue going forward as he gains experience. There has been some talk that he could skip Lancaster and open the season in AA. Foltynewicz was the Astros' 1st round pick in 2010.
5. George Springer
Springer is often described as being a five tool prospect and he showed that potential in his first full season. At this point, the only real knock on his game is a high strikeout rate, although that's one fault that has ruined many a promising prospect as they face more advanced pitching. Springer will get a chance to test that theory as he starts the season in AA. Springer was the Astros 1st round pick in 2011.
4. Lance McCullers Jr
McCullers was regarded by some as one of the steals of the 2012 draft. With a triple digit fastball and developing slider and changeup, Lance has the chance to develop into a true #1 starter with a fallback as a closer. It will be interesting to see if Houston goes ahead and gives him a shot at full-season ball this year. McCullers was a supplemental 1st round pick for Houston in 2012.
3. Delino DeShields Jr
If not for the Reds' Billy Hamilton, DeShields would have been the biggest story in the minors this season. Not only did he steal over 100 bases, but his batting average, power, and defense at second all made significant strides in 2012. DeShields can be described as quiet but intense, though his body language can be a bit off-putting at times. He will likely start the season in Lancaster. DeShields was a 1st round pick by Houston in 2010.
2. Carlos Correa
I usually wait about a year before ranking any prospect this highly, but Correa has the chance to be something truly special. The size of a third baseman with the athleticism of a shortstop, combined with his big bat potential and first-class makeup should take this kid very far. It will be interesting to see how much the Astros push him through the system, as I could see him in either Tri-City or Quad Cities to start the year. Correa was the Astros 1st round pick in 2012.
1. Jon Singleton
Singleton continued his steady march towards the big leagues in 2012. We started to see the power potential materialize to match his strong batting average and walk rates. Singleton will start the season in AAA and has a good chance of seeing some time in Houston in September. He was originally drafted in the 8th round by Philadelphia in 2009 and came to Houston in the Hunter Pence trade.
So there you have it, the Astros County Top 25. I think this top 10, especially, is as strong as Houston has had in at least 20 years and should start getting the fans excited in the next couple years.


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CHANEL Crystal Large CC Brooch Gold
We guarantee this is an authentic CHANEL Crystal Large CC Brooch Gold or 100% of your money back. This dazzling large brooch is a gold tone in the form of a Chanel CC logo in which is set in linear fashion beautifully cut Swarovski crystals from end to each end. This marvelous brooch will create a sensational accent to any outfit with a timeless look of Chanel!
Length: 1.75 in
Height: 1.25 in
Item #: 230412
Item Location: Carlsbad, California
Comes With: box, dust bag
Year: 2017
Hardware: Faint scratch(es)
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