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Source: Wikipedia: Summer Breeze, YouTube: JCVDude
Summer Breeze by Seals And Croft on Summer Breeze (Warner Bros). "Summer Breeze" is the title of a song written and recorded by Seals and Crofts that has been covered by The Isley Brothers, the Three Tenors, and several other artists.
Source: Wikipedia: Summer Breeze, YouTube: JCVDude
Turanor PlanetSolar Catamaran: World's Largest Solar Powered Boat. The Turanor PlanetSolar, the world's largest solar-powered boat is a catamaran powered exclusively by solar energy. The craft recently completed the first solar-powered trip around the world in May 2012 after traveling over 37,282 miles in 584 days.
Source: Yahoo News: Solar Powered Boat
El Capitan by Lowpaz on Logic.User Compilation 2013 (Artistbase)
Measles-Like Virus May Be Cause Of Dolphin Deaths On U.S. Coast. A measles-like virus that suppresses the immune system could be the reason an extraordinary number of bottlenose dolphins have died after becoming stranded along the U.S. East Coast, a panel of dolphin experts said on Tuesday.
Since July 1, 333 bottlenose dolphins have been found dead along coastlines from New York to North Carolina, the highest number in a quarter-century and almost 10 times the average of 33 for the same period and region over the last five years, according to Teri Rowles of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Virginia has had the largest number of stranded dolphin deaths, with 174, Rowles said in a telephone briefing. The death toll is likely higher because there have been reports of dolphin carcasses floating off the East Coast, particularly in Virginia.
Rowles and other experts from NOAA, universities and marine institutes have tentatively attributed the deaths to cetacean morbillivirus, which is related to the virus that causes measles in humans.
Morbillivirus attacks dolphins' immune systems, leaving infected animals thin and vulnerable to other diseases, including pneumonia. Many of the stranded dolphins have lesions on their skin, mouths, joints or lungs, NOAA reported.
Different kinds of morbillivirus stay within a closely related species and there is no indication this outbreak could jump to people, said Jerry Saliki of the University of Georgia.
This kind of dolphin die-off has not occurred in the mid-Atlantic region since 1987-1988. If this outbreak follows a similar course, it could last until May 2014 as dolphin populations build up resistance to the virus, Rowles said.
NOAA has declared an Unusual Mortality Event, which offers support for bottlenose dolphins in this area under the U.S. Marine Mammal Protection Act. "At this point, there isn't anything to stop the virus," Rowles said. While there are vaccines against morbillivirus that occurs in land animals, there is no vaccine that could be easily deployed to populations of dolphins, she said.
This month, NOAA declared an Unusual Mortality Event for bottlenose dolphins in Florida's Indian River Lagoon, where dolphin strandings are nearly three times the historic average this year. The agency did not offer a tentative cause for these deaths, but many of the dolphin carcasses in Florida were emaciated.
"There is a tipping point in populations," Stephanie Venn-Watson of the National Marine Mammal Foundation said. "The primary hypothesis is East Coast dolphins don't have the natural immune response to fight off the virus."
Asked whether pollution could be a factor, Rowles said experts are monitoring an area off Georgia where there are high levels of polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs, in the water. PCBs were banned in the United States in 1979, but they can remain at manufacturing sites for decades and are known carcinogens, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
No stranded dolphins have been reported along the Georgia coast, but that could change as the dolphins migrate south for the winter.
Source: Reuters: Dolphins Stranded
Jack Sparrow Quotes: The Problem Is Not The Problem. The Problem Is Your Attitude About The Problem. Do You Understand? - Captain Jack
Watermen Masters
December 2016


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Crimp tab terminals allow quick connections with crimp receptacles. They can also be applied speedily to conductors with use of the correct tooling. They enhance tensile strength, thermal conductivity, and resistance to vibration and corrosion. This method of termination ensures protection and reliable disconnections of electrical circuits.
What are crimp tab terminals used for?
Crimp tab terminals are commonly found in the appliance and automotive industries. They allow wires to be easily connected to screw terminals, quick-disconnect / spade-foot / fast-on type terminals, wire splices and various types of combinations.
Types of crimp tab terminals
There are two types of crimp tab terminals.
Uninsulated crimp tab terminals provide reliable wire connection and disconnection in various applications and allow visual inspection, useful for keeping on top of maintenance and internal degradation.
Insulated crimp receptacles are used for preventing shock and electrical short circuits caused by exposed leads. They ensure high stability under load and in severe environmental conditions, keeping liquids and contaminants away from electrical connections.

subset: commoncrawl


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Porcelain crab
Porcelain crabs are decapod crustaceans in the widespread family Porcellanidae, which superficially resemble true crabs. They have flattened bodies as an adaptation for living in rock crevices. They are delicate, readily losing limbs when attacked, and use their large claws for maintaining territories. It first came to be present in the Tithonian stage of the Late Jurassic epoch.
|Porcelain crabs
|South eastern Pacific species of Petrolisthes, Allopetrolisthes and Liopetrolisthes
|Scientific classification
Haworth, 1825
See text
Porcelain crabs are small, usually with body widths of less than 15 mm (0.59 in).[1] They share the general body plan of a squat lobster, but their bodies are more compact and flattened, an adaptation for living and hiding under rocks.[2] Porcelain crabs are quite fragile animals, and will often shed their limbs to escape predators,[3] hence their name. The lost appendage can grow back over several moults. Porcelain crabs have large chelae (claws), which are used for territorial struggles, but not for catching food.[1] The fifth pair of pereiopods is reduced and used for cleaning.[4]
Porcelain crabs are an example of carcinisation, whereby a noncrab-like animal (in this case a relative of a squat lobster) evolves into an animal that resembles a true crab.[5][6] Porcelain crabs can be distinguished from true crabs by the apparent number of walking legs (three instead of four pairs; the fourth pair is reduced and held against the carapace), and the long antennae originating on the front outside of the eyestalks.[3] The abdomen of the porcelain crab is long and folded underneath it, free to move.[3]
Biogeography and ecologyEdit
Porcelain crabs live in all the world's oceans, except the Arctic Ocean and the Antarctic.[7] They are common under rocks, and can often be found and observed on rocky beaches and shorelines, startled creatures scurrying away when a stone is lifted. They feed by combing plankton and other organic particles from the water using long setae (feathery hair- or bristle-like structures) on the mouthparts.[4]
Some of the common species of porcelain crabs in the Caribbean Sea are Petrolisthes quadratus, found in large numbers under rocks in the intertidal, and the red-and-white polka-dotted Porcellana sayana, which lives commensally within the shells inhabited by large hermit crabs. In Hong Kong, Petrolisthes japonicus is common.[2]
As of 2018[update], some 4723 extant species porcelain crab had been described,[8] divided among these 30 genera:[8][9]
- Aliaporcellana Nakasone & Miyake, 1969
- Allopetrolisthes Haig, 1960
- Ancylocheles Haig, 1978
- Capilliporcellana Haig, 1978
- Clastotoechus Haig, 1960
- Enosteoides Johnson, 1970
- Euceramus Stimpson, 1860
- Eulenaios Ng & Nakasone, 1993
- Heteropolyonyx Osawa, 2001
- Heteroporcellana Haig, 1978
- Liopetrolisthes Haig, 1960
- Lissoporcellana Haig, 1978
- Madarateuchus Harvey, 1999
- Megalobrachium Stimpson, 1858
- Minyocerus Stimpson, 1858
- Neopetrolisthes Miyake, 1937
- Neopisosoma Haig, 1960
- Novorostrum Osawa, 1998
- Orthochela Glassell, 1936
- Pachycheles Stimpson, 1858
- Parapetrolisthes Haig, 1962
- Petrocheles Miers, 1876
- Petrolisthes Stimpson, 1858
- Pisidia Leach, 1820
- Polyonyx Stimpson, 1858
- Porcellana Lamarck, 1801
- Porcellanella White, 1852
- Pseudoporcellanella Sankarankutty, 1962
- Raphidopus Stimpson, 1858
- Ulloaia Glassell, 1938
The fossil record of porcelain crabs includes species of Pachycheles, Pisidia, Polyonyx, Porcellana, and a further 6 genera known only from fossils:[10]
- Annieporcellana Fraaije et al., 2008
- Beripetrolisthes De Angeli & Garassino, 2002
- Eopetrolisthes De Angeli & Garassino, 2002
- Jurellana Schweitzer & Feldmann, 2010
- Lobipetrolisthes De Angeli & Garassino, 2002
- Longoporcellana Müller & Collins, 1991
The earliest porcelain crab fossil is Jurellana from the Tithonian of central Europe.[10]
- ^ a b Mark W. Denny & Steven Dean Gaines (2007). "Crabs". Encyclopedia of Tidepools and Rocky Shores. Issue 1 of Encyclopedias of the Natural World. University of California Press. pp. 164–176. ISBN 978-0-520-25118-2.
- ^ a b Brian Morton & John Edward Morton (1993). "Boulder shores". The Sea Shore Ecology of Hong Kong. Hong Kong University Press. pp. 86–125. ISBN 978-962-209-027-9.
- ^ a b c Gary C. B. Poore & Shane T. Ahyong (2004). "Porcellanidae Haworth, 1825". Marine decapod Crustacea of southern Australia: a guide to identification. CSIRO Publishing. pp. 242–246. ISBN 978-0-643-06906-0.
- ^ a b Gerald R. Allen. "Anemone Crab Neopetrolisthes maculatus". Tropical Marine Life. Periplus nature guides. Tuttle Publishing. p. 35. ISBN 978-962-593-157-9.
- ^ C. L. Morrison; A. W. Harvey; S. Lavery; K. Tieu; Y. Huang; C. W. Cunningham (2001). "Mitochondrial gene rearrangements confirm the parallel evolution of the crab-like form" (PDF). Proceedings of the Royal Society B. 269 (1489): 345–350. doi:10.1098/rspb.2001.1886. PMC 1690904. PMID 11886621.
- ^ Jonas Keiler, Stefan Richter & Christian S. Wirkner (2014). "Evolutionary morphology of the organ systems in squat lobsters and porcelain crabs (crustacea: Decapoda: Anomala): an insight into carcinization". Journal of Morphology. 276: 1–21. doi:10.1002/jmor.20311. PMID 25156549.
- ^ P. McLaughlin, S. Ahyong & J. K. Lowry (October 2, 2002). "Porcellanidae Haworth, 1825". Anomura: Families. Australian Museum. Archived from the original on April 29, 2005. Retrieved February 10, 2005.
- ^ a b Masayuki Osawa & Patsy A. McLaughlin (2010). Martyn E. Y. Low & S. H. Tan (eds.). "Annotated checklist of anomuran decapod crustaceans of the world (exclusive of the Kiwaoidea and families Chirostylidae and Galatheidae of the Galatheoidea)" (PDF). Zootaxa. Suppl. 23: 109–129. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-03-02.
|chapter=ignored (help)
- ^ WoRMS (2010). "Porcellanidae". World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved November 13, 2010.
- ^ a b Carrie E. Schweitzer & Rodney M. Feldmann (2010). "Earliest known Porcellanidae (Decapoda: Anomura: Galatheoidea) (Jurassic: Tithonian)" (PDF). Neues Jahrbuch für Geologie und Paläontologie, Abhandlungen. 258 (2): 243–248. doi:10.1127/0077-7749/2010/0096.
|Wikimedia Commons has media related to Porcellanidae.


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Samsung SmartThings CamITEM# 1397The Samsung SmartThings Cam will allow you to watch over your home at all times from your smartphone and other compatible devices. Learn more here!$89.99
Samsung SmartThings OutletITEM# 1392The Samsung SmartThings Outlet allows you to have control over your lighting and compatible electronic devices by app or with your voice. Learn more here!$34.99
Samsung SmartThings ButtonITEM# 1394Automate your home with the click of a button with the Samsung SmartThings Button. You can control lights, small appliances, and much more!$14.99
Samsung SmartThings Motion SensorITEM# 1396SmartThings Motion Sensor detects motion in your home and keeps you aware of what's happening. Begin protecting and gain control of your home now.$24.99
Samsung SmartThings Multipurpose SensorITEM# 1391The SmartThings Multipurpose Sensor will monitor any off limits areas and alert you when it detects that something is left open, or if there is a change in temperature.$19.99
Samsung SmartThings Arrival SensorITEM# 1308The SmartThings Arrival Sensor can send you a notification when people, pets, and cars arrive at and leave your home. Simply place it in a child's bag, around a pet's collar, or in your car to stay connected to loved ones. And by keeping it on your keychain, you can trigger it to emit a beeping noise to help you find your keys at home.$29.99
Samsung SmartThings Smart BulbITEM# 1399Samsung SmartThings Smart Bulb is easy to control and will save you money and energy. Take control of your lighting today. Learn more here!$9.99
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Samsung SmartThings Water Leak SensorITEM# 1395The Samsung SmartThings Water Leak Sensor will detect moisture and water leaks immediately to protect your home from damage. Learn more here!$19.99
The Samsung SmartThings hub communicates information from your smartphone to all of your different connected products - regardless of their wireless protocol - so that you can easily monitor and control them.$69.99
Samsung SmartThings Smart Outlet - WhiteITEM# 1148The Outlet lets you control, automate, and monitor lamps, electronics, and small appliances from anywhere. Trigger lamps to automatically turn on when you come home; save energy by estricting power to appliances; and turn any three-prong plug into a smart, controllable device.$44.99


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William Butler Yeats
William Butler Yeats [W.B. Yeats] (13 June 1865 – 28 January 1939 / County Dublin / Ireland)
» Click to list general statistics » OR, select a date :
Me Peacock
WHAT'S riches to him
That has made a great peacock
With the pride of his eye?
The wind-beaten, stone-grey,
read more >>
- Hits: Number of visitors who read the poem on the given date.
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text:
I'll Make You Famous
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I hope all of you are doing good, staying healthy, and safe. Team HK Jiu-Jitsu will continue to be closed until May 31st as ordered by the State of Hawaii. As mentioned in a previous post, this is how we are conducting classes in the time being. If you are a current member and have questions about your billing please read the bottom of this post.
Online lessons have been available to our members since April 1st using the …
Team HK Jiu-Jitsu will be doing online lessons starting April 1st using the ZOOM.US app. Please download the app on your computer, laptop, tablet, iPad, cell, or whatever works for you. This app will allow us to interact with one another and provide you with better services. (Click link Zoom.us app. here) We will still continue to post videos to our Face Book…
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Elias Cambranes, owner of K'Atun Ahaw Culture and Eco Adventure Tours
Elias is a San Ignacio Belize tour guide with over 20 years experience in giving archaeological tours to sites in Belize and to Tikal in Guatemala.
Elias is the only tour guide in Belize who is also licensed in Guatemala. While other tour operators will turn you over to a Guatemalan guide at the border when leaving Belize, Elias will be your guide from start to finish. This not only provides you with an experts tour guide but also assures your safety and comfort for the whole trip.
K'Atun Ahaw Culture and Eco Adventure Tours, your San Ignacio Belize Tour Guide, offers expert guided tours to all the important sites in Belize and to Tikal.
Belize is a land of many attractions, the longest barrier reef in this hemisphere, home to the Great Blue Hole, many islands, hundreds of ancient Maya sites both excavated and jungle-covered, and lush tropical rainforest with many species of birds, and exotic tropical flora and fauna.
We invite you to visit the official website of Belize to find information on travel, lodging, attraction and everything else you need to know to make your Belize vacation the trip of a life time.
K'Atun Ahaw Culture & Eco Adventure Tours Office located in the
Casa Blanca Guesthouse on 10 Burns Avenue, San Igancio, Cayo District, Belize
International Callers please dial : 501-610-6474 or 501-824-2661
When calling inside Belize please dial: 610-6474 or 824-2661


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When Alexia Jean Grey cosplays as Princess Peach, she doesn't go for puffy dresses and a smile. She channels Peach: Warrior Princess.
Inspired by Peach's performances in the Smash Bros. series, the outfit is made almost entirely out of worbla, a thermoplastic from the future.
The pics here were taken by Travis Photography; there are plenty more at his Facebook page.
[via Fashionably Geek]


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BlackRock introduced a new series of benchmarks aimed at helping investors prepare for a smoother ride during their retirement years.
The CoRI Retirement Index series, or CoRI Indexes, allows pre-retirees to calculate an estimate of how much their current savings would generate in annual income when they turn 65.
The 10 CoRI indexes are linked to age bands between 55 to 64 years old. A CoRI Index 2015, for instance, is designed for someone 63 years old, who will turn 65 in 2015.
Each index consists of a U.S. dollar-denominated bond portfolio designed to follow the attributes of the target level calculated. An online tool lets investors see their current expected retirement income along with actual index levels.
BlackRock filed prospectuses with the Securities and Exchange Commission to introduce bond funds linked to the CoRI indexes. The company expects to launch the bond funds later this year.
The online tool is available at www.blackrock.com/cori/cori.


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IRCAM welcomes several installations selected by the NIME 06 jury. Improvisers, performers, instrument inventers, and experimenters in digital technology, these artists push the limits of what is planned and what is composed, and make "interaction" their principal credo.
Acousmeaucorps (pronounced "acous-mo-cor") is an interactive sound installation that creates an acousmatic body space using a video camera, a computer, and four speakers.
The video camera (situated above the space and facing downward) is connected to a computer running Max/MSP/SoftVNS which uses movement and position data to generate spatialized sound. The human body thus becomes a performance instrument, generating and triggering sounds which build musical sequences through walking, running, making arm movements, or even just flexing one's fingers.
For the current version of Acousmeaucorps, the sounds are played on two levels. One is a resonant "mass" that seems to move like water in a wading pool, favoring different pitches depending on the area of movement. The other is the triggering of different "found objects" that seem to jump out of very specific locations within the space. Together the sound types encourage people to shed their inhibitions and enjoy searching with movements that become fluid and questioning, the idea of "body" and "space" taking on new significance. The visitors, moving freely within this space defined by the four corner speakers, become the creators and performers of their own simultaneous music and dance.
With the help of La Grande Fabrique, Dieppe
Musical interface using floating balloons.
The source sound for this work is taken from ping-pong balls rolling on an electric fan. The movement of the floating balloons then processes the sound. A video camera and a computer running Max/MSP/Jitter track the colors and the movements of the balloons. Each color creates its own effect, and the performer can control the movement by moving their hands and changing the wind from the electric fan.
Transformation of a 250 year-old loom into a sound and image instrument. The work was created in the context of northern France, where the loom has played a very important role in the region's economic development and recession during the last century.
Its mechanical motion, its sounds, and the flow of the threads do not only evoke an industrial past but also a whole set of collective emotions that range from poetic to distressing, depending on the person. It is in a way comparable to Japanese Haikus, where minimal words and syllables can generate a magnificent array of images.
At the same time, the loom is also of remarkable global significance to the history of new media art. Art historian Lev Manovich cites a remark made by Ada Augusta, the first computer programmer, who said: "the Analytical Engine weaves algebraical patterns just as the Jacquard loom weaves flowers and leaves...". The connection between the Jacquard loom and the Analytical Engine is not something historians of computers make much of, since, for them, computer image synthesis represents just one application of the modern digital computer out of thousands. But for a historian of new media it is full of significance. Here, this readymade from 250 years ago speaks individually to each spectator, each one having the freedom to make his own connections with local or global history and to weave a unique soundscape based on his experience with the work.
"The submitted work has won the unanimous approval of the jury, which recognizes the presented object and its magnificent poetic dimension (similar to the poetic effects of Japanese Haikus). The project is unanimously commended by the jury." Le Fresnoy–Studio National, 2005.
Electronic Engineer Francis Bras (InterfaceZ) | Studio Decors Jean-Pierre Courcelle | Video Capture Concept Jean-Baptiste Droulers | Production Manager Isabelle Bohnke | Artistic Adviser David Link, Andrea Cera, Christophe Kihm, Madeleine Van Doren.
Special Thanks to Richard Campagne, Matthieu Chéreau, Alain Fleischer, José Honoré (Musée du Jacquard), Joelle Pijaudier, Pascal Pronnier, Blandine Tourneux.
A Le Fresnoy, Studio national des arts contemporains, à Tourcoing Production
16:9 is an intercreative sound installation. Using a wireless, portable, and easy to use interface, sounds can be mixed and freely spatialized on a speaker canvas of several square meters by painting with colors on a handheld touch screen.Through the specially developed interface, the virtual painter is able to move freely in front of the canvas to interact with the acoustic painting in a tactile and playful way. 16:9 offers a projection screen for a user-generated audio painting.
Sixty-four independent speakers installed as a pattern in a large white field comprise the projection screen. Adapted to the architecture of the space, the speaker matrix is designed to be hung on a wall like a painting. The array of speakers offers a precise placement and radiation of sound. Realistic depth effects as well as great freedom in sound positioning are easily attainable and form the basis for the intercreative audio painting. In 16:9 urban sounds are used to produce the different sound/color textures in real-time (while exploring the city in which the installation is shown the composer seeks out unique sounds that are characteristic of this urban space). Out of taken recordings, the composer creates sound/colors that are later the base for a synesthetic virtual painting. By changing the character of these sounds or colors over several degrees of abstraction it is possible to experience a synaesthetic urban situation.
In 16:9 the visitor is integrated in the installation as the source of action. Without action no sound will appear on the canvas. Because the decision of how to mix and place a color depends on the visitor, the result will always be a unique interpretation. The installation will no longer only represent an idea thought out by the artist. In a creative process the painter is able to reflect his thoughts into the installation.
Sponsored by Apogee, der Senatsverwaltung für Wissenschaft, Forschung und Kultur, Wolf and Elisabeth Teige, Dipl. Ing. Folkmar Hein, Thomas Seelig, Michael Hoeldke, and Dipl. Ing. Manfred Fox. Very special thanks to our producer Catherine Mahoney in New York, Dipl. Ing. Osswald Krienke from Digital Audio Service in Berlin, Hanjo Scharfenberg/ Galerie Rachel Haferkamp in Cologne and Apple Computers.
The focal point of this installation lies in the relationship between the visitors and an abstract audio visual world, the intersection between the space of a person in a room and an imaginary geometrical and acoustical space.
Processes: an abstract world is created in real-time by the means of generative drawing and electronic sounds. The evolution of the visual and acoustical processes depends on interaction with the visitors but is also partly autonomous, using information gathered from various sources on the net. The images represent an imaginary space in which relationships between entities are visible. It's a shifting scenery with a strong graphical look; like a painted film.
Interaction: the interaction gives the visitor the opportunity to interact directly with the process by means moving in the installation. The interactive system observes the exhibition space with a camera and then extracts information from the visitor's movements and behavior to control sonic and graphical processes.
Media: two layers of media appear in the installation: one consists of prepared footage and audio-recordings from urban and architectural spaces. The other is images and sounds from the actual gallery space. These are mixed, modified, and projected as fragments and textures into the imaginary space.
Space: the installation space is modified in such a way as to guide the visitor's attention from the actual to the imaginary space. Two images - one large, one small - are present, as well as an immersive surround sound system. A semitransparent screen divides the space, creating a path, which the visitor can take, from an "outside" with a single view to an "inside" where all elements of the installation are present.
Interactive installation that enables a synchronous expression sound and light.
Audiences can simultaneously control sound and a three dimensional light object, which appears in a cylindrical display. By moving handheld control device in the air, audience members can experience harmonious expression of sound and light. Once the audience member swings his arm up, the light object and sound emerge in space. When swings his arm up again, the light object vanishes without a trace.
The Audio Shaker explores our perceptual understanding of sound. Anything sung, spoken, clapped, whistled, or played near it is trapped inside, where it takes on an imagined yet tangible physicality.
Sounds caught in this void are transformed, given weight and permanence, reacting directly to the shaker's movements, subtle or violent. Shaken sounds have to settle down before becoming still and silent, behaving more like fluid than transient energy.
The linear timescale of sound is broken, a conversation is split into words and mixed up in the shaker, and can be poured out separately, tipped out in a simultaneous splash or added to and shaken up further.
Put simply, it is a tactile container to capture, shake up and pour out sounds. Creating a rich, intuitive experience that is purposefully open to interpretation and imagination.
Sonobotanics is still a widely unknown science; it studies plants whose life experience is predominantly in the auditory domain.
Institute for Predictive Sonobotanics
Foundation for the Auralisation and Computation of Transient Objects
Since the 1970's Dr. Hortensia Audactor has carried out the core research in this area. Despite difficulties encountered in the publication of her results, she has collected a substantial body of research about the growth patterns, communication behavior, and other characteristics of these plants.
Recently, the field of Predictive Sonobotanics has been founded, attempting to create models of the plants with the aim of predicting the behavior of sonobotanic plants and to gain a deeper understanding of the subtleties in sonobotanic plant behavior.
In the exhibition models of the Periperceptoida Dendriformis Sensibilis and the Periperceptoida Dendriformis Imaginaris are presented.
Immersive interactive environment that makes use of small spherical electronic interfaces in an audio installation.
Transduction.2 happens in a space where five balls (the spherical interfaces) lie spread about here and there on the floor. The visitors just have to pick them up to trigger spatial sound diffusion and to interact with Transduction.2's immersive environment. By manipulating the interfaces, users trigger the creation and the distribution of sounds.
Sounds in Transduction.2 are only produced when an interface is being moved. The distribution of the sounds is determined by the position of the interfaces in the space. The sounds "follow" the interactors as they move in the space. The system also allows users to "throw" sound from one speaker to another by simply making a movement to throw the spheres toward the chosen speaker. Interactors can control the volume of the sound according to their position in the space.
Transduction.2 uses three types of sound: sound samples, sound produced by algorithms, and live sound introduced by the interactors in the system. They are sounds from natural elements (waves, wind, rocks, seagulls), from human activities (laughter, foot steps, kids on a swing), and from objects (gears, rolling trains, paper folding). Interactors have the possibility of introducing sounds into the system via a miniaturized microphone inserted into one of the interfaces. This allows interactors to input spoken words, breathing, music, rhythms or any other sound proposition. By moving the interface, they modify the sound they have input in real-time. These modifications are created using the same structure as the one used for the sound algorithms. The input of live sounds allows users to influence Transduction.2's sound environment in a very personal way and open up to the creation of unique sound performances.
Ubisense, a company based in Cambridge (England) and Denver (USA) developed the Local Positioning System (LPS) used in Transduction.2. For more than two years the creator of Transduction.2 has been a part of their research network.
From Thursday, 1 to Saturday, June 17, 11am-7pm / IRCAM


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As we mentioned earlier in the week, SageCircle has been nominated to be part of PRWeek's 10th Anniversary PR blog competition. Just getting nominated is a honor and we hope we can use this competition to highlight the value of PR and AR cooperating and collaborating. But we need your help! Please visit the PRweek page and vote for good old SageCircle.
It is super easy and does not require registration or anything else to vote. A couple of clicks and you'll be finished.
To vote:
- Visit the PRweek 10th Anniversary page www.prweekus.com/Tenth-Anniversary/section/404/
- Scroll down to the blog competition section where you will see four voting boxes with pie charts
- SageCircle is in the lower left box
- Click on "Sage Circle" to vote
Time is of the essence. The voting bracket that SageCircle is in will only be up for a couple of days. The previous bracket was suppose to be up through tonight, but they jumped the gun and put our bracket up a day early, so there is no guarantee that you will be able to vote for more than just today, so please visit now.
A big Thanks! to everybody.
PS: There is still time to sign up for the SageCircle Webinar "Introduction to Twitter" (click for info and agenda). You can register by clicking here or visiting www.sagecircle.com/


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TOKYO (Reuters) - China has defied doomsayers who have warned for years that Asia's biggest economy would soon suffer a Japan-style boom and bust. It will continue to defy them for years to come.
At first glance, some major similarities between their economies stack up. Just like Japan three decades ago, China is under pressure to let its currency rise, boost domestic consumption and grow its services industry to cut reliance on exports and investment.
A slide in economic activity for seven straight quarters and a view among analysts that growth could be closer to 5 percent by the end of the decade than the near-10 percent it has averaged for the last 30 years, has revived concerns that Beijing faces a Japan-style battle with stagnation.
But analysts say China is hardly a Japan in the making.
Abundant room for greater consumption and wealth, a slow-rising currency, and steps to cool property markets will leave it in good stead to avoid Japan's fate.
"I know as a matter of fact that policymakers in Beijing have looked a lot at Japan," said Louis Kuijs, a former World Bank economist now at the Royal Bank of Scotland. "Japan often comes up in discussions."
Whether China succeeds in avoiding an economic crash depends on how far it can turn its maturing, export-driven economy into one more geared to services and domestic consumption, a transition the World Bank says must happen well before 2030.
Beijing would also have to replace central planning with a market-driven growth model.
If the transformation struggles though, the biggest risk is that China falls back on the housing market for growth, said Tomo Kinoshita, chief economist at Nomura Securities.
That could lead to a bubble and bust in what is already a frothy market. Sky-high property prices were a major factor behind Japan's economic bust.
Since property accounts for more than 13 percent of economic activity in China and fuels more than 40 industries, it is a tempting crutch for policymakers.
China's usually reticent central bank acknowledged the policy quandary at an International Monetary Fund meeting in Tokyo this month.
It is a "delicate situation", Deputy Central Bank Governor Yi Gang told a financial forum. On the one hand, housing is a crucial driver of growth, but on the other hand it should be kept stable.
The strongest argument why China's economy will avoid Japan's fate is that it has plenty more room to grow. HSBC believes it could be another decade before momentum runs out from Beijing's 1978 big-bang reforms, when China started to open up its economy to market forces.
Despite having grown an average 10 percent for 30 years, China is still years behind pre-bubble Japan.
"If the country is poor and catching up, it can grow out of problems easier," said Kuijs.
China's per capita GDP last year was $5,445, about that of Japan's in 1963, World Bank data adjusted for price changes showed.
When Japan's economy crashed in 1990 and began its "lost decade" of economic stagnation, its per capita GDP was the equivalent of $43,000 in 2011 terms.
"In the medium-term, China is still a developing country and many people will want to have more things - TVs, cars etc," Takehiko Nakao, Japanese vice finance minister for international relations, told Reuters in a recent interview. "China is still at an early stage to bump into a wall of constraint to growth."
Some say Japan's biggest error was to allow an economic bubble to form by leaving interest rates too low for too long. It prolonged the pain by delaying a mop-up of its bad debt.
The yen gets blamed too, again, for different reasons. Those in the West say Japan was too slow to let the yen rise as the country's economy grew quickly.
Beijing, on the other hand, thinks Tokyo erred by caving in to foreign pressure to let the yen rise too fast, too far.
The yen's nominal effective exchange rate, or its trade weighted exchange rate, leapt 57 percent in the three years after Tokyo signed the Plaza Accord in 1985 with the United States, Britain, West Germany and France to push the dollar down and reduce the U.S. trade deficit.
By the time Japan's economy began wobbling in 1990, the yen had retreated but was still up around 30 percent in trade weighted terms in five years.
In today's China, exporters are the loudest opponents of Beijing's long-term plan to let the tightly controlled yuan trade more freely, fearing it will crimp their competitiveness and lead to a Japan-like economic slump.
Indeed, Beijing has allowed the yuan's nominal effective exchange rate to climb at a less intensive pace of 20 percent in the seven years since it revalued the currency against the dollar in 2005.
Beijing now says the yuan is near an equilibrium level, adding to stock phrases that the currency must be "basically stable" and any reform "gradual."
Mindful of criticism that the Bank of Japan over-compensated for a firm yen when it cut rates five times between 1985 and 1989, analysts argue China has been more vigilant on monetary policy too.
It has been more aggressive to raise interest rates when the economy is doing well, but resisted pressure for aggressive cuts when times were bad.
It lifted rates five times between 2010 and 2011 as China's economy recovered from the global financial crisis. When activity cooled this year it reversed policy with two rate cuts, but has held its ground since despite market calls for more easing.
Still, China's house prices are mind bogglingly high, in part because property purchases are one of the few forms of investment available to cash-rich savers in a country where financial markets are underdeveloped.
An IMF paper showed the cost of a 70-square-metre flat in Beijing equaled about 20 annual household disposable incomes in 2010, less than Hong Kong's 24, but far dearer than Tokyo's 10 and the United Kingdom's 4.5. Across China, the average is 4.5.
Fearing a backlash over steep home prices from ordinary Chinese, Beijing has promised not to relent on making it hard or impossible for savers to buy second or third homes to snuff out any bubble.
But some fear Beijing's fortitude won't last, especially if it brings about slower economic growth, a decision made more painful by the cooling of the global economy.
According to Bank of Japan Deputy Governor Kiyohiko Nishimura, China is already nearing a "danger zone" where property bubbles can spark a financial crisis.
Property bubbles in the United States and Japan popped after loans and working-age populations peaked. China's working-age population is close to peaking, Nishimura wrote in a paper in August.
"It is extremely difficult to persuade people who (want to) believe 'this time is different' and are convinced they are now on the foothills of eternal prosperity, just as long as their path is not blocked by some stupid policymaker," he wrote.
Additional reporting Tetsushi Kajimoto and Tomasz Janowski in TOKYO; Editing by Neil Fullick


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Third World Debt Undermines Development
Author and Page information
This print version has been auto-generated from https://www.globalissues.org/issue/28/third-world-debt-undermines-development
Debt has crippled many developing countries. Often based on loans taken out by prior rulers and dictators (many of which various Western nations put into power to suit their interests), millions face poorer and poorer living standards as precious resources are diverted to debt repayment.
Causes of the Debt Crisis
Last updated Sunday, June 03, 2007.
The causes of debt are a result of many factors, including:
- The legacy of colonialism — for example, the developing countries' debt is partly the result of the unjust transfer to them of the debts of the colonizing states, in billions of dollars, at very high interest rates.
- Odious debt, whereby unjust debt is incurred as rich countries loaned dictators or other corrupt leaders when it was known that the money would be wasted. South Africa, for example shortly after freedom from Apartheid had to pay debts incurred by the apartheid regime. In effect, South Africans are paying for their own oppression.
- Mismanaged spending and lending by the West in the 1960s and 70s
In effect, due to enormous debt repayments, the poor are subsidizing the rich.
Read "Causes of the Debt Crisis" to learn more.
The Scale of the Debt Crisis
Last updated Saturday, July 02, 2005.
Total debt continues to rise, despite ever-increasing payments, while aid is falling. For example:
- The developing world now spends $13 on debt repayment for every $1 it receives in grants.
- For the poorest countries (approximately 60), $550 billion has been paid in both principal and interest over the last three decades, on $540bn of loans, and yet there is still a $523 billion dollar debt burden.
Debt kills. Some 11 million children die each year around the world, due to conditions of poverty and debt.
Read "The Scale of the Debt Crisis" to learn more.
The Heavily In-debt Poor Countries Initiative is Not Working
Last updated Thursday, August 30, 2001.
The Heavily In-debt Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative set up in 1996 by the rich nations through the IMF and World Bank calls for the reduction of external debt for the poorest countries through write-offs by official donors.
The IMF and World Bank have actually admitted that the HIPC initiative is backfiring in some cases and are confirming warnings that debt-relief advocates were making even before the scheme was launched. Difficult, and sometimes unfair conditions, are often associated with the initiative.
Read "The Heavily In-debt Poor Countries Initiative is Not Working" to learn more.
Debt Cancellation and Public Pressure
Last updated Saturday, July 09, 2005.
As well as the admissions by some heads of international financial institutions such as the IMF that their various schemes are not working (as mentioned above), there have been some additional positive actions and decisions. The Jubilee 2000 initiative, for example, has been very beneficial here to raise awareness.
Various G8 Summits have seen promises of billions in debt-write off, but almost hardly are carried out, or contain a lot of spin. For example, a lot of debt relief promised may include moneys previously announced for such purposes, thus creating an impression of enormous write-offs. Bilateral debt relief also does not typically release actual money to be used for other purposes. Multilateral debt relief, however, could.
Read "Debt Cancellation and Public Pressure" to learn more.
Debt and the Global Economic Crisis of 1997/98/99
Last updated Wednesday, April 25, 2001.
The structural adjustment measures, global, unregulated free markets and lack of protection for emerging economies all contributed to the global economic and financial crisis in the late 1990s.
The Progress of Nations, 1999 report by UNICEF, suggests that debt is killing children. It is pointed out that as countries are diverting resources away from social provisions to repay debt, those most affected are the poor, especially women and children. UNICEF's 2000 report says 30,000 children die each day due to poverty. That is just under 11 million children each year.
Read "Debt and the Global Economic Crisis of 1997/98/99" to learn more.
Debt and the Effect on Children
Last updated Tuesday, July 04, 2000.
Read "Debt and the Effect on Children" to learn more.
Debt and the Environment
Last updated Friday, August 24, 2001.
At first glance, it may seem like separate issues, but environment issues and poverty/debt are very much related. Basically, the more the developing countries stay in debt, the more they will feel that they need to milk the earth's resources for the hard cash they can bring in, and also cut back on social, health, environmental conservation, employment and other important programs.
Responding to environmental disasters is also made more difficult when the affected countries are in severe debt. Examples include Honduras and Nicaragua, where Hurricane Mitch devastated large parts of those countries, as well as Mozambique and Madagascar where floods have made hundreds of thousands of people homeless.
Tackling debt-related issues would also therefore indirectly help address environmental and other issues as well.
Read "Debt and the Environment" to learn more.
G8 Summits: Empty promises each year
Last updated Monday, August 25, 2008.
The G8, is made up of the seven most powerful economies of the world, (United States, Japan, Germany, France, UK, Canada, Italy) and Russia. Together they form a very powerful and influential (though informal) group of nations. For example, they accounting for almost 50% of the votes at the IMF and World Bank. At their annual summits they attract a lot of criticism, increasingly now in the mainstream, for failing the world's poor. This section introduces the G8 with an overview of recent summits and their outcomes.
Read "G8 Summits: Empty promises each year" to learn more.
Third World Debt and Disaster Recovery
Posted Wednesday, December 29, 2004.
When poor countries face natural disasters, such as hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, and fires, the cost of rebuilding becomes even more of an issue when they are already burdened with debt. Often, poor countries suffer with many lost lives and/or livelihoods. Aid and disaster relief often does come in from international relief organizations, rich countries and international institutions, but sometimes poor countries are still paying millions of dollars a week back in the form of debt repayment.
Read "Third World Debt and Disaster Recovery" to learn more.
Poverty Links for More Information
Last updated Monday, April 28, 2003.
Links to other sites discussion issues on trade, the global economy, poverty and other related issues.
Read "Poverty Links for More Information" to learn more.
Trade, Economic Links For More Information
Last updated Wednesday, July 25, 2001.
Read "Trade, Economic Links For More Information" to learn more.
Online Sources:
(Note that listed here are only those hyperlinks to other articles from other web sites or elsewhere on this web site. Other sources such as journal, books and magazines, are mentioned above in the original text. Please also note that links to external sites are beyond my control. They might become unavailable temporarily or permanently since you read this, depending on the policies of those sites, which I cannot unfortunately do anything about.)
Author and Page Information
- Created: Monday, July 20, 1998
- Last Updated: Sunday, June 03, 2007
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featuring Willie Reed, Mance Lipscomb, Funny Papa Smith, Blind Lemon Jefferson and Lil' Son Jackson
The state of Texas has had a major presence in the Blues, from the earliest days of the recording era right on up to the present day. So many tremendous Blues musicians have hailed from Texas, i.e. Blind Lemon Jefferson, Lightnin' Hopkins, T-Bone Walker, Freddy King. This DVD focuses on the Country Blues guitarists who first defined the Texas Blues sound and who put Texas on the map as a prime location in Blues Country.
In this DVD lesson you'll have an opportunity to learn from the music of the greatest of the early Country Blues singer/guitarists, Blind Lemon Jefferson, Texas sharecropper and songster Mance Lipscomb, the almost forgotten Otis Harris, ace lyricist Funny Papa Smith, the spectacular and under recorded Willie Reed, and the Post-War master Lil' Son Jackson. This is powerful and challenging guitar music, and the technique building that will result from learning to play these songs will take your blues playing to a new level.
A detailed tab/music booklet is included as a PDF file on the DVD. This includes all the lyrics to the songs as well as transcriptions of the guitar playing. The original old recordings of all the tunes is also included.
Titles include: WILLIE REED Dreaming Blues, MANCE LIPSCOMB Tell Me Where You Stay Last Night and Rocks and Gravel Makes a Solid Road, OTIS HARRIS You'll Like My Loving, FUNNY PAPA SMITH Fool's Blues, BLIND LEMON JEFFERSON That Crawlin' Baby Blues, LIL' SON JACKSON Groundhog Blues
118 minutes - Level 3 - Detailed tab/music PDF file on the DVD
Review: This is part of a series of "geographical" blues lessons by John Miller. This review covers them all. John Miller is a gifted instructor. Many artists are gifted players, but they do not all possess the gift of teaching. John Miller's teaching is a slow, methodical breakdown with anticipation of student struggles. His demeanor is humble, quiet, respectful, and enthusiastic for the music. With judicious use of the pause button, it is as close as a student can come to face to face lessons with a master.
The series highlights some of the lesser known blues songs of regional greats from long ago. The songs are wonderful to learn to sing, but for me, they are, almost to a song, terrific for acoustic solo playing. Each region has its specifics but they are perfectly suited for instruction to the Intermediate guitarist (late beginners should collect John's DVDs) as well as the Advanced guitarists who need to learn new songs.
Each geographical region has its unique songs, and John's teaching is consistent throughout. "Texas Blues" is currently my favorite, but this changes as I go from DVD to DVD. Jackson Blues, Texas Blues, Memphis Blues, Atlanta Blues as well as Theory and Chord instruction DVDs are all 'must haves' for those who learn from DVD lessons. - Peter Hyatt/Amazon Customer Review
Review: Interesting obscure songs that are intermediate level. I couldn't find any sort of "preview" online so I took a chance and just ordered it. It is a winner. The instructor, John Miller, is a quiet guy. I like that he comments on the various phrases as he is in "teaching the song mode". Sometimes its a bit fast but that is what the DVD pause is for. In addition to the songs being played by Miller you also get the original song recordings. Not sure how useful that was to me since I couldn't always make out some of the songs. Maybe my hearing is just shot.
The only con is that he knows that you have the TAB so he describes a number of phrases a bit too superficially. I would like to know more of "why" a phrase leading to another works. Its not super important but would be nice to help master these songs and make them your own. The best part and the reason I bought this is the songs are not so well known. Fun to learn something I haven't heard before so that by the time I learn it I haven't worn it out. And its fun to play for friends unknown tunes. So that is a important aspect of this collection of tunes for me. - theRangel/Amazon Customer Review


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"The Italian championship is something special for me," said the new champion. "I dreamed of this jersey which so many snub. Even in the past few years I tried to win it and I've placed among the leaders, this time I went for the win and I won. With two experienced rivals like Scarponi and Rebellin I knew there was no room for error."
Top 10:
1. Ivan Santaromita 6h14.49 alla media di 36.650
2. Michele Scarponi +0.02
3. Davide Rebellin s.t
4. Alessandro De Marchi +0.22
5. Rinaldo Nocentini +0.28
6. Matteo Rabottini +0.32
7. Simone Stortoni + 0.41
8. Enrico Gasparotto +0.44
9. Damiano Caruso +0.50
10. Marco Marcato +0.53
Follow on Twitter: ITALIANCYCJOURN or receive an email when new content is added using the "Follow by Email" button on the right side column. With more than 2,900 stories in this blog the custom search feature (right column) works best for finding subjects in the blog. There is also a translate button underneath the search button.
Stories for the Italian Cycling Journal about rides, granfondos, touring, having a good time cycling in Italy, Italian cycling history, racing, etc. are always welcome. Contact me at firstname.lastname@example.com.


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The eagle offers Hope, Vision, Strength, Power, Freedom, Inspiration & Magnificence. When it rains, most birds head for shelter. The eagle is the only bird that in order to avoid the rain, flies above the clouds. An eagle can identify a rabbit moving almost […]
"One of the main qualities it takes to be successful is energy……it may be the only thing."
Katherine Hepburn
Living with a strong, positive energy is so important to having a healthy, wonderful and successful life.
It requires just as much energy to be positive as it does to be negative; however the impact on your life and on others is mega. Being negative kills and destroys life, relationships and all acts of creation. Being positive nurtures and empowers people, life and relationships.
A negative thought instantly drops all energy and health to your cells in your body like a lead balloon. A positive thought expands your cells and adds energy and vitality to your health and body. It makes you feel like you are flying.
Have you noticed the impact you make when you say something negative? Once you say it, you can never take it back. It is better to remain silent than be negative. Every thing can be said in an appropriate way without having to be negative. When you are teaching others, a little acknowledgement goes a long way. So does encouragement.
How do you feel when you are acknowledged and encouraged?
How do others feel when you acknowledge and encourage them?
Does their energy and confidence grow and increase?
In life there are challenges and obstacles that can appear on your path. By having a strong, positive energy, you are able to navigate the bumps and transcend them. You do not have to take them personally. The higher your energy and vibration, the easier it is to flow through life and go beyond the challenges. If you have a low energy, the challenges usually have greater consequences and it is harder to transcend them and not be affected by them.
As always, life is about making choices, not excuses. You are all blessed with the freedom of choice and the co-creative ability. What do you want right now? What choice do you want to make for your health, family and quality of life and career?
People cannot resist and positive and enthusiastic person.
Have a positive attitude and smile often, it makes a huge difference in the quality of your health & wealth.
Turn your speakers up and enjoy this inspiration:
prosperously yours,
🙂 Lee
The Mega Coach


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Expands Japanese Coverage with Recognized Wide-Format Solutions Provider
Expands Japanese Coverage with Recognized Wide-Format Solutions Provider
ROCK HILL, South Carolina – April 8, 2013 – 3D Systems (NYSE:DDD) announced today that Seiko-I Infotech, Inc. (SIIT), a leading wide-format solutions provider to manufacturers, architects and construction companies, has joined its expanding reseller network. SIIT will represent 3D Systems' complete portfolio of ProJet® 3D printers, full color ZPrinters® and extensive range of print materials through its 11 locations in Japan. As part of its launch, SIIT plans to exhibit 3D Systems' latest portfolio of 3D printers at the Design and Manufacturing Solutions (DMS) show June 19-21, 2013 in Tokyo.
SIIT brings four decades of successful, in-depth consultative 2D design solutions experience. "By combining our powerful 2D design experience with the most comprehensive 3D printing portfolio available on the market today, we plan to provide the best design-to-manufacturing products and tools to our customers," said Takahiro Matsui, Director and General Manager of SIIT.
"We are excited to team-up with a proven and experienced partner like SIIT," said Michele Marchesan, Vice President and General Manager 3D Printing of 3D Systems. "This agreement expands our Japanese coverage with a world-class organization that can deliver superior products, services and support to our customers."
Visit 3DSystems.com to learn more about ProJet 3D printers and full color ZPrinters.
About 3D Systems
3D Systems is a leading provider of 3D content-to-print solutions including 3D printers, print materials and on-demand custom parts services for professionals and consumers alike. The company also provides CAD, reverse engineering and inspection software tools and consumer 3D printers, apps and services. Its expertly integrated solutions replace and complement traditional methods and reduce the time and cost of designing new products by printing real parts directly from digital input. These solutions are used to rapidly design, create, communicate, prototype or produce real parts, empowering customers to create and make with confidence.
More information on the company is available at www.3DSystems.com.
About Seiko-I Infotech, Inc.
Seiko I Infotech, Inc. (SIIT) was established in 2000 through the integration of information-related business divisions at Seiko Instruments Inc. (SII). ?SII, as a wholly owned subsidiary of SEIKO Holdings Corporation (SHD), has become a member of SHD Group as of October 1, 2009.
SIIT designs and develops a comprehensive line-up of innovative and highly reliable LED plotters and wide format inkjet printers utilizing advanced electrophotography and inkjet technologies.
More information on the company is available at:
www.seiko-i.co.jp (Japanese)
www.seiko-i.com (English)


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We oppose Islam, not Muslims. We are against hate, not faith
Eagle wrote:Religion and spirituality are 2 different things, some religions are incompatible with man's inborn spirituality and corrupt it. Other religions provide the right tools to nurture and develop it.
Eagle wrote:87:2"Who creates, then makes complete"
Eagle wrote:20:55,22:5,7:11"And certainly We created you, then We fashioned you, then We said to the angels: Prostrate to Adam".
This verse does not negate the possibility that the whole human race began with a combination of basic elements, evolved into living entities capable to reproduce until one being (Adam) was fully, physically completed and ready to receive God's spirit to become the first vicegerent
Eagle wrote:40:67-8,35:11,32:7-9"and He began the creation of man from dust. Then He made his progeny of an extract of water held in light estimation. Then He made him complete and breathed into him of His spirit. And made for you the ears and the eyes and the hearts; little is it that you give thanks".
This verse literally says the progeny of an entity that originated from clay spread through some "lowly fluid" i.e. the sperm before it was made complete then filled with God's spirit. A period therefore existed when an "incomplete" species reproduced through the sperm-drop before it developped physically into a fully, complete human being i.e. Adam who then received the spirit from God, as in
"and We sent Isa son of Mary afterwards, and We gave him the Injeel, and We put in the hearts of those who followed him kindness and mercy"
As a side note, this concept entirely agrees with the one described in the Hebrew Bible according to which mankind has a proclivity to sin but can overcome it, as exemplified through the story of Cain and Abel in Genesis.76:3,90:8-10,91:7-10"And (by) a soul and He Who proportioned it. And inspired it with its wickedness and its virtue. One has succeeded whoever purified it. And one has failed whoever corrupted it".
76:2-3"We made him a being indowed with hearing and sight, verily We have shown him the way (and it rests with him to prove himself) either grateful or ungrateful".
The root is Ain-B-D and it means slave or servant. Being a 'abd/slave of God is what each pious Muslim strives for and previous prophets all throughout the Hebrew Bible were refered to as God servants, including Moses or David. God Himself calls them51:56"And I have not created the jinn and the men except that they should serve Me/yaabuduni".
Jer29:19,2Kings17:13"My servants, the prophets".
The whole purpose of man is therefore to remain in fear of God, His judgement, and keep His entire commands which obviously is synonimous with worshiping Him with awe.Ecclesiastes12:13-14"Fear God and keep His commandments for this is the whole purpose of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil".
In 22:77 the ritual acts of 'bowing' and 'prostration' are mentioned beside the word a'budu/worship, further indicating that the word encompasses a larger scope than the ritual aspect. Ibada is basically a way of life, the acceptance that in our relationship with God, we are the lowest and He is the Highest, and one way in which it is commanded to be manifested, outside the servitude to God through ritual worship, is the servitude to the humans through acts of empathy and compassion. The Quran delves in great lengths upon that concept, placing it in some cases, ie benevolence towards fellow humans, as of equal importance as ritual worship. So important it is in fact that when defining Himself as the rahman/the most merciful, Allah places that characteristic as being the chief evidence by which His humble servants are recognizable in this world 25:60-77. That concept embeded in the word, that ibada isnt merely ritual worship, but rather something that covers it as well as other intricacies, is reflected in God's instructions to Moses as he was about to be imparted divine wisdom, prophecy, miracles6:162"Say. Surely my prayer and my sacrifice and my life and my death are (all) for Allah, the Lord of the worlds".
20:14"Surely I am Allah, there is no god but I, therefore aAAbudni/enslave yourself to me, and keep up prayer for My remembrance.."
So the rendition of "worship" doesnt capture the entire dimension of the word. Making oneself a slave is a timeless and unlimited condition, while worship is restricted in time. Finally, in order to further understand the intensity of the relation between Allah and a willful servant of His, the verb aliha coming from ilah is the term used to describe the most intense level of love for an entity.36:60"Did I not charge you, O children of Adam ! that you should not serve ('ibadah) the Shaitan? Surely he is your open enemy. And that you should serve ('ibadah) Me; this is the right way".
20:76"the reward of him who has purified himself".
The dwellers of hell, those who would have lost all good share in the life to come are described as expressing two essential regrets for having failed making the right spiritual choices, either they refused listening to the clear guidance being explained to them or did not use their reason to reflect on the higher reality"..so that they might use their reason, they might think...".
67:10-11"And they shall say: Had we but listened or pondered, we should not have been among the inmates of the burning fire. So they shall acknowledge their sins".
These commands establishing a code of life are made in a way so as to not overburden our spirituality and thus intensifying our inherent weaknesses as humans, but rather help us in developping our spirituality smoothly towards purity and inner-peace87:14-5"He indeed shall be successful who purifies himself, and remembers the name of his Lord and prays".
And such commands, if undertaken with the correct spiritual and mental mindframe, facilitate one's spiritual progression towards the ultimate good of the hereafter 92:4-7. As reflected in the4:28,13:28"surely by Allah's remembrance are the hearts set at rest".
Only that guidance and its regular, consistant implementation in life will help us channel our natural inner restlessness and hastiness that would otherwise incline us to failure wenever a moral crisis arises 17:11,21:37,70:19-35. These often described states of inner spiritual weakness are only a natural outcome of an original, untrained spiritual state just as a newborn is physically weak. Only the appropriate training, spiritual or physical can make one overcome the obstacles, abstract or concrete, that come our way. Impatience in itself is not something condemnable, it is even praised when occuring in the context of eagerness to do good 2:133,5:48,etc. God has therefore given man the ability to tilt the balance of spirituality in opposite ways.Psalms119:9"In what manner should a youth purify his way? To observe according to Your word".
The upringing environement is crucial in determining one's spiritual choices and if it is corrupted beyond limits it makes it much harder to positively express our ingrained spiritual cognition. God points how the Queen of Sheba's disbelief was due to her upringing in a corrupted environement, which was not exposed to her and reversed until she was shown spiritual uprightness through the prophet Solomon's example 27:43. It is to avoid this that Nuh prayed God not to leave any of his people alive, once they reached the climax in disbelief and their punishment for which they were warned was decreed, so as to avoid them corrupting and conditionning further generations who would not be able to hearken their ingrained God-consciousness by themselves, unless expressedly shown the way 71:26-7.32:7-9,64:2"He it is Who created you, but one of you is an unbeliever and another of you is a believer; and Allah sees what you do".
but Allah will once again confirm that His guidance is contingent on free, willful acceptance 2:256,18:29 ie He does not compel anyone to believe or disbelieve39:57"Had Allah guided me, I would certainly have been of those who guard (against evil)"
39:59"My communications came to you, but you rejected them, and you were proud and you were one of the unbelievers".
or it will deviate, lose its balance 29:38. This is why special importance has been given to the regular, obligatory daily prayers. 70:22-34 describes the merits and character of those who have been declared as worthy of Paradise, starting with the Prayer and concluding with it.2:153,29:45"Recite that which has been revealed to you of the Book and keep up prayer; surely prayer keeps (one) away from indecency and evil, and certainly the remembrance of Allah is the greatest"
Here it is to be noted how one of the recognizable patterns of the prophets is that they do not merely recite the revelations but apply themselves mostly in purifying and reforming the lives of the people, cleansing their morals and dealings of every evil element, and adorning them with the finest moral qualities. In the HB its states in2:151,3:164,62:2"a Messenger from among themselves, to convey unto them His messages, and to cause them to grow in purity, and to impart unto them the divine writ as well as wisdom".
Rabbinical writings suggest that the second part of the verse is in reference to Moses, providing healing and purification through the revelation imparted to him.Prov13:17"A wicked messenger falls into evil, but a faithful emissary brings healing".
man is naturally guided to the ways of ascent put at his disposal 70:3 raising himself above the mere material form of his existence that in itself does not earn him achievement in the hereafter, ie man's qualifications for Paradise are created not on the basis of the substance of his creation but only on the basis of his merit and excellence40:13"He it is Who shows you His signs and sends down for you sustenance from heaven, and none minds but he who turns (to Him) again and again"
70:38-9"Does every man of them desire that he should be made to enter the garden of bliss? By no means! Surely We have created them of what they know" 53:32"He knows you best when He brings you forth from the earth and when you are embryos in the wombs of your mothers; therefore do not attribute purity to your souls; He knows him best who guards (against evil)".
skynightblaze wrote:3. In another verse, quran says he created man out of nothing. Nothing implies there was no prior state/process before creation of human being i.e He came out of thin air. Also no where does the quran say that initially there was nothing and then...... So dont try that line of argument..
Eagle wrote:Obviously the absence of organic life entails it originated from inorganic compounds, which were themselves created like every thing else in the universe that originated in nothingness 19:67. This is a particularity of the supreme Creator, initiating all things out of nothingness, He is 2:117"badeeu/Innovator and initiator of the heavens and the earth" meaning that in His case, contrary to all creative endeavours, He creates without any blueprint, preexisting inspiration, experience, simply through His word "and if HE decreed an order done, He only says be and it is". This is why God is the "best of creators".
skynightblaze wrote:This denies evolution and also contradicts other statements as well.The way its written is completely at odds with basic reasoning skills and scientific community as well unlike what you have been claiming. Merely repeating that its not at odds wont change the fact that it is at odds. Unless quran mentioned that these different ingredients were mixed together , basic reasoning skills would tell us that this is an internal contradiction.
Eagle wrote:All languages inherently accept exceptions unless the statement is clearly absolute, or that no other statements from the same source exist to allow the exlusion. The Quran speaks in several places of different non organic compounds at mankind's origins and in none of these verses does it make at absolute assertion.
skynightblaze wrote:Btw you talk about quran stimulating spirituality by these verses .I wonder what spirituality you find here with these verses.
Eagle wrote:...its spiritual aim, as is clear from the context, includes the humbling of mankind by pointing to the earthly elements and water at its origins, as well as providing an argument for the simplicity of the concept of resurrection.
skynightblaze wrote:Merely hijacking natural phenomenon which were already known and claiming that Allah is behind it does not cut the cake.
Eagle wrote:That is the first objection that wasnt expressed by others previously. The point of these verses isnt that "Allah is behind it". The point is what was quoted above.
skynightblaze wrote:How can anyone think of spirituality without any proven evidence?
Eagle wrote:Spiritual deduction, like scientific deduction isnt always dependent on factual, physical evidence. Only animals need to see a thing physically in front of their eyes to accept its presence. But then, even some animals are capable of mental deductions based on perception, without actually seeing...
manfred wrote:In your country that is the liver though....
manfred wrote:And the point I was raising is that at the time people really did think mental activity originates in the heart, and the Qur'an merely used that idea without questioning.
manfred wrote:Why "understanding heart"? Why not mind/head/brain?
manfred wrote:Show me the bit where is says "from Cyrus's point of view" please.
manfred wrote:Also why would the Qur'an then speak of this place like a real place, with people living there?
Garudaman wrote:manfred wrote:In your country that is the liver though....
lol, liver or heart, depend on the context, sakit hati -> hati = heart, kanker hati -> hati = liver.manfred wrote:And the point I was raising is that at the time people really did think mental activity originates in the heart, and the Qur'an merely used that idea without questioning.
nope as long there's QS. 96:13-16 : viewtopic.php?f=22&t=18238#p238984manfred wrote:Why "understanding heart"? Why not mind/head/brain?
because the sensation of intention is felt in chest/heart!manfred wrote:Show me the bit where is says "from Cyrus's point of view" please.
QS. 18:86. Until, when he reached the setting of the sun, he found it [as if] setting in a spring of dark mud, and he found near it a people. Allah said, "O Dhul-Qarnayn, either you punish [them] or else adopt among them [a way of] goodness."manfred wrote:Also why would the Qur'an then speak of this place like a real place, with people living there?
no its not, unless present people also speak as the sun really set or rise, every time they say sunset or sunrise.
Isn't what the Quran says supposed to be eternal, or is that only when it interferes with your kind of logic??Also why would the Qur'an then speak of this place like a real place, with people living there?
no its not, unless present people also speak as the sun really set or rise, every time they say sunset or sunrise.
QS. 18:86. Until, when he reached the setting of the sun, he found it [as if] setting in a spring of dark mud, and he found near it a people. Allah said, "O Dhul-Qarnayn, either you punish [them] or else adopt among them [a way of] goodness."
manfred wrote:Hi garudaman,
yes I know when you say "sakit hati" you mean something very like "heart broken"...But "hati" is clearly not the heart but the liver.
manfred wrote:So "liver sick" is something you get, perhaps when you learn you girlfriend wants to marry someone else....
manfred wrote:The point it while obviously people in Indonesia know that this is not really a process for the liver, they use it still because that is what their ancestors believed long ago. You also still shout "liver, liver!" to alert someone to danger... it's even on road signs: "hati hati"
manfred wrote:Two things: a) there is not a shred of connection this verse draws to Cyrus the Great.
manfred wrote:b) it does not have he "as if" in the actual text. It says, "He found it (i.e. the sun) setting in a pool of dark water.."
no. its also called "patah hati" just as in english, lol.
manfred wrote:no. its also called "patah hati" just as in english, lol.
Not really like English... "broken liver" makes no sense in English, so we translate it into the equivalent, "broken heart"...
manfred wrote:And the "hati berdebar-debar" is an interesting mixture of metaphors... literally "liver pounding-pounding..." It is a Dutch influence... the "liver" is gradually transforming to "heart"...
manfred wrote:We find a similar process in the West: to the Qur'an the heart was literally the seat of thought and reasoning, as well as emotion. When later it was discovered it was the brain, really, the "heart" concept was not thrown out all together, it became a sort of metaphor...
manfred wrote:As to Cyrus the Great, that is just a theory, and there are some problems with that too. For example, what iron gates his he buold, and where are they?
manfred wrote:And the "setting place of the sun", the muddy pool, is a REAL place in the Qur'an, with people living there. Mohammed also said this, in a hadith.
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Press Statements
Hate speeches in India expose Hindu nationalism's violent and fascist agenda
Coalition Against Genocide, USA / The Milli Gazette Online
Published Online: Apr 23, 2014
Maryland, USA (April 22, 2014): The Coalition Against Genocide (CAG) today condemned statements by senior leaders of Hindu nationalist organizations, collectively known as the Sangh Parivar, openly inciting people to violence against religious minorities. These leaders also claimed that all Indians who are opposed to the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi will be driven out of India into neighboring Pakistan after the ongoing parliamentary elections.
Hindu nationalism, also known as Hindutva, is a supremacist ideology that aims to establish a theocratic Hindu state in India. It is different from the religion of Hinduism which espouses pluralist traditions. The founding fathers of Hindutva visited Mossoulini's Italy to study Fascism and borrowed the concept of religious nationalism from Fascism and Nazism.
In a clear manifestation of the outlines of fascism driving the Hindutva supremacist movement, four senior Hindutva leaders - two from the BJP, another from the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), and the fourth from the Shiv Sena, unambiguously stated their position with regard to the fate of Modi's critics and that of India's 200 million religious minorities.
The season of vitriol was opened by Modi's campaign manager and BJP strongman Amit Shah, currently out on bail for staging fake encounter killings of Muslims and banned by the Supreme Court from entering Gujarat. Shah delivered a speech in a village near Muzaffarnagar, which was the site of a bloody anti-minority pogrom last year. Shah described the elections as an opportunity to seek "revenge" against the minorities. The fact that the Election Commission initially banned Shah and then lifted the ban, opened the doors for more hate speeches to follow.
Shiv Sena MLC Ramdas Kadam while sharing the stage with Prime Ministerial contender Narendra Modi himself, yesterday threatened revenge against Muslims and assured the audience that Modi would "destroy Pakistan in six months of assuming power." It is worth noting that Narendra Modi himself had given a speech in which he stated that "Pakistan will be wiped off the world map".
In a recent public election rally in Jharkhand, Giriraj Singh, a senior leader of the BJP had stated, "Those opposing Narendra Modi are looking towards Pakistan. In the coming days, such people will have no place in India. They will only find a place in Pakistan."
A few days later Mr. Pravin Togadia, a man infamously associated with decades of violent incitement and hate speeches, was caught on camera calling for the eviction of all Muslims from areas where Hindus live. In the same speech he gloated about having used violence to drive Muslim families out of their homes.
Addressing a gathering in Bhavnagar, Gujarat, Togadia said, "We should have it in us to take the law in our own hands in an area where we are a majority and scare them." Togadia further suggested that another option is to occupy a Muslim's property by force and confound the owner in a legal case that could take years to resolve.
"Messrs. Shah, Giriraj, Togadia and Kadam have given all Indians a chilling reminder of the violent and repressive agenda of the Sangh Parivar organizations and of the Hindutva ideology in general," said Mr. Alex Koshy, a CAG spokesperson.
CAG has called on the Election Commission to impose an immediate ban on any more speeches by these leaders, and also called on the government to initiate criminal proceedings against them for inciting people to violence. "Even before the election is complete, Hindutva supremacists are letting the world know about their intentions," added Mr. Koshy.
In another development that is deeply reflective of the violent payload carried by a potential BJP-led government, four veteran MLAs were replaced in the state of UP, to allow individuals accused of mob violence in Muzaffarnagar to contest the elections as BJP's candidates.
Over the last decade, CAG has called attention to the immense danger posed by the growing prominence of the supremacist Hindutva movement. Although the BJP's Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi can potentially lead his party to power in New Delhi, it bears reminding that the dangers posed by the Hindutva movement to the democratic and pluralistic fabric of Indian society is undeniably real.
Over the last one year, CAG has warned about organizations in the United States attempting to make Modi and Hindutva palatable to the American public. Outfits such as the Hindu American Foundation (HAF), have remained steadfast in defending Hindutva, by serving as apologists for Hindutva violence across India, and obscuring Mr. Modi's role in the 2002 genocide in Gujarat. The organized pogrom of 2002, in which more than two thousand Muslim men, women and children were brutally massacred under Mr. Modi's watch, was masterminded by the very organizations that are now promising more of the same, should the BJP come to power. The threat to India's democracy and secularism posed by Hindutva supremacists was brought to the fore during the recent Congressional hearings on the plight of religious minorities in India. Organizations with global credibility such as Human Rights Watch, The Advocates for Human Rights and the US Commission for International Religious Freedom testified to the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission about the Hindutva organizations' history of repression against religious minorities in India.
Despite overwhelming evidence available to charge Modi with crimes against humanity, a lower court in Gujarat has protected Modi from prosecution by completely ignoring the evidence amassed by lawyers representing victims and survivors, human rights activists, eyewitness accounts, and even whistle-blower testimonies. During this time CAG warned that the real danger posed by Modi is the fact that his entry into the mainstream would endorse and empower the violent extremism of the RSS which he aptly and loyally represents. The HAF has done its part as part of the Hindutva mosaic, by maligning Mr. Modi's critics, and smearing human rights activists as "anti-India."
The uncritical support given by HAF to Mr. Modi and the Sangh is essentially an affirmation of HAF's Hindutva links that CAG had established through its reports, titled "Affiliations of Faith (Parts I and II)." CAG calls upon the HAF to publicly condemn the hate speeches made by Mr. Giriraj, Mr. Togadia and Mr. Kadam, and to take a stand against the Sangh Parivar actively fanning the flames of acrimony and hate against minorities in India.
"There could not be a clearer sign of the danger posed by the Modi-led Hindutva movement to a US-India relationship founded on a shared common democratic culture and pluralistic ethos," said Dr. Raja Swamy, also a CAG spokesperson. "Now that Hindutva leaders have gone public with their agenda, in all its terroristic malevolence, HAF's silence should convince everyone that it represents neither Hinduism nor mainstream Indian Americans of any faith including Hinduism," added Dr Swamy.
US Congresspersons are urged to act decisively to ensure that this chauvinistic movement whose leaders clearly espouse a desire to conduct violent politics of hate and domination, abrogating the principles of constitutional democracy and citizenship, be treated as such, and not as falsely portrayed by the likes of the HAF. By co-sponsoring House Resolution 417, the US Congress can take a principled stand against attempts to subvert India's longstanding secular Constitution.
The Coalition Against Genocide is composed of a diverse group of Indian American organizations and individuals that have come together in response to the Gujarat genocide to demand accountability and justice.
Phone/Fax: (443) 927-9039
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
CONTACT: 1. Dr. Shaik Ubaid Phone: (516) 567-0783
2. Mr. Raja Swamy Phone: (864) 804-0216
1. FIR filed against Giriraj Singh
FULL VIDEO: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/videos/news/Togadias-evict-Muslims-speech/videoshow/34061220.cms
"When Hindu terrorism comes, Pakistan would be wiped off the world map!"
FULL VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIEM-9lkCCk
We hope you liked this report/article. The Milli Gazette is a free and independent readers-supported media organisation. To support it, please contribute generously. Click here or email us at email@example.com comments powered by Disqus


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Fridays with Fred: Spooky, spectral pranks
Halloween 1888. The Owl Club flocks en masse to the college bluff, serenading the stars with mournful night melodies, although distant pistol shots and blood-curdling screams somewhat spoil the effect. At midnight, clans of college boys and college "preps" gather to hurl rotten potatoes at each other, not neglecting to pitch a few at assorted campus edifices.
An ambitious soul steals a ladder from the Northwest Depot downtown, leans it against the Academy and College Chapel (South College) and after one hour of unceasing labor, a lumber wagon loaded with cord wood appears on the roof, its tongue pointing westward ho. Pulled by specters dressed from head to toe in black, the ancient Goodwin House omnibus rumbles across campus to rest on the porch of North College (Campbell Hall) jammed tightly into the door. Goblins carry all of the chapel benches outside and build a convenient pile near Memorial Hall (Logan Museum) while a half dozen wraiths, as a matter of course, carry off the usual quota of doorsteps. A ghoulish huddle of ghosts, staring uncertainly at the decrepit sidewalk on the east side of Horace White Park finally agree that it needs repair, so tear it up. Few wooden sidewalks in the area survive unscathed, but those newfangled concrete walks befuddle even the most scholarly phantom.
From a darkened upstairs window in his house on the corner of Church and Chapin, the "Professor of Dust and Ashes" college janitor John Pfeffer keeps a watchful eye. Before dawn, as the potatoes run out at last, as two or three disconsolate owls fly off, and as Halloween haunters climb exhausted into their clammy lairs, old John emerges, ready to clear all traces of revelry for another year.


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Is it time to recall San Diego Mayor Bob Filner?
Over a spicy Thai dinner, I asked that fire-breathing question to two smart, engaged supporters of Carl DeMaio, the former councilman who lost to Filner in November.
The husband and wife had heard, as I have, the serial recall talk.
Yes, recall him right now, the woman said, expressing withering contempt for Filner's governing style. She'd sign a recall petition in a heartbeat. Probably donate to the recall crusade.
No, her husband said, it's way too early. After just four months in office, the time isn't ripe. For now, civic leaders should try to work with the mayor for the good of the city.
Filner is likely to hang himself with his bullying politics and boorish behavior, the lifelong San Diegan said. Then recall him.
This, it seems to me, is the contour of the dark debate taking place in high-powered business and GOP circles.
When will the iron be hot enough to brand Filner as the next Gray Davis of California politics?
Now or later?
After expressing their views, our friends turned the tables, asking my wife and me our feelings about the Democratic mayor.
I countered with history, not sentiment.
The stage was set for a Filner recall in the June primary election, when party factions on the left and the right succeeded in voting Filner and DeMaio into the runoff, thereby dumping moderates Nathan Fletcher and Bonnie Dumanis.
At that point, San Diego declared perpetual war upon itself.
If the electorate had been different — if, for example, it had been a nonpresidential election year — DeMaio could have won, and we'd be hearing recall threats from union and Democratic leaders outraged over DeMaio's highhanded rule.
In reality, a Filner recall would be a corrosive ordeal requiring 102,000 signatures and a bitter special election.
The possible candidates in a recall election — DeMaio? Fletcher? City Attorney Jan Goldsmith? Councilman Todd Gloria? — would have to walk
a fine line between savaging Filner and promoting their peacekeeping skills.
The danger for Filner's enemies is that the mayor might be ennobled as a martyr.
It would be a nasty mess — but one we may be forced to endure.
When two credible moderates, telegenic Assemblyman Fletcher and familiar DA Dumanis, cannibalized each other's votes in the primary, a partisan plague — and the fever spike of recall fantasies — was all but guaranteed.


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The man who shot and killed 12 people and injured eight others Monday morning at Washington Navy Yard had sought treatment from the VA but failed to show up to health care appointments and evaluations.
According to Veterans Affairs, 34-year-old Aaron Alexis visited an emergency room at the VA Medical Center in Providence, Rhode Island Aug. 23, complaining of insomnia. He was given medication and told to follow up with a primary care provider.
Five days later, he asked for an insomnia medication refill at the VA Medical Center in Washington, D.C. He was again told to follow up with a primary care provider. According to VA records, Alexis said he was not anxious or depressed and had not thought about harming himself or others.
Alexis had enrolled in VA health care in early 2011, and according to VA records, had canceled or skipped scheduled appointments for primary care and claims evaluations examinations.
Obtaining Clearance to Enter Navy Yard
Alexis' mental health came into question when it was revealed he had contacted police Aug. 7 during his stay in Rhode Island, claiming he was hearing voices, wanting to harm him. Police had contacted the Navy regarding the incident, but according to NBC News correspondent Pete Williams, the Navy did not do anything with the report past the receipt of it.
Despite this incident and a couple of other brushes with the law involving guns, the FBI confirmed Alexis had valid credentials to enter the Navy Yard Monday.
Alexis had served as a Navy reservist and was given access and credentials to secret information in 2008. According to documents released by the Department of Defense, Alexis' credentials would have lasted him 10 years without another background check. When he began working as a contractor, he was able to retain those credentials.
According to the Department of Defense, this is standard procedure for the government -- the only way the credentials would have gotten taken away from Alexis, or any other contractor with his clearance, was with a break in employment greater than two years.


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Safe ride
Take escalators, for example. They are everywhere: in office buildings, shopping malls, department stores, train and underground stations.
They usually have pictograms warning of the dangers of improper use, especially when small children are involved. But manufacturers don't just rely on good behaviour to prevent accidents from happening. With the emergence of new technologies in the electronics sector in particular, they have put in place many other safeguards to make their products safer.
Today's escalators are full of switches, sensors, detectors and more. There are switches that stop the escalator if a foreign object gets caught between the steps and the landing.
There are handrail speed sensors that monitor how fast the handrail moves. If the sensor notices a speed difference between the handrail and the steps, it sounds an alarm, pauses, and then automatically stops the escalator.
In automatic-start/stop escalators there are sensor switches that automatically engage the escalator motion when a rider is detected on the first step of the entrance landing platform and stops the escalator when there are no riders on the unit.
There are step demarcation lights, either fluorescent or more recently LEDs (light-emitting diodes). The illumination between the steps improves the passengers' awareness of the step divisions.
Safety comes first
Reliability, safety and performance are of the utmost importance for escalators and all other devices used extensively by a great number of people. One faulty piece of equipment may have disastrous consequences: the escalator won't stop when something gets caught between steps and landing, sliding doors will close when someone is passing through, and so forth.
This is why it is essential for manufacturers to use high-quality and reliable electronic components when manufacturing their products and equipment.
IECQ plays leading role
Electronic component manufacturers and suppliers all over the world have a very powerful tool at their disposal to make sure their component products and assemblies meet the strictest requirements: IECQ testing and certification. IECQ is the IEC Quality Assessment System for Electronic Components.
As a worldwide approval and certification system covering the supply of electronic components, assemblies and associated materials and processes, IECQ tests and certifies components using quality assessment specifications based on IEC International Standards.
The wide range of electronic components covered by IECQ is used in all kinds of technologies, from the smallest device to the very complex equipment. At present, there are eight families of components certified by IECQ:
- active components, including integrated circuits
- electromagnetic components
- electromechanical components
- electro-optic components
- hybrid integrated circuits
- passive components
- printed boards
- wires and cables
IECQ's contribution to a safer and more reliable world can only increase with the development of new technologies and state-of-the-art electronic devices.


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GE 1Q earnings rise on NBC sale; Europe drags
NEW YORK (AP) -- General Electric Corp. earnings rose in the first quarter on increased profit from selling aircraft engines and transportation equipment and the sale of NBC. But results were held back by economic conditions in Europe that were worse than expected.
GE reported net income of $3.5 billion, or 34 cents per share, on revenue of $35 billion. During last year's first quarter, GE earned $3 billion, or 29 cents per share, on $35.2 billion in revenue.
Adjusted to reflect earnings only from continuing operations, GE earned 35 cents per share. That matches what analysts surveyed by FactSet expected. The analysts expected slightly lower revenue of $34.5 billion.
But the performance of the company's core industrial operations were weaker than the company and analysts had anticipated. Sales of industrial equipment and services fell 6 percent and profit fell 11 percent.
GE CEO Jeff Immelt said in a statement that operations in emerging markets and the U.S. performed about as well as expected. But Europe -- which he thought would be bad -- worsened. Revenue from the region fell 17 percent.
"Some of our markets were more challenging than expected," Immelt said on a call with investors.
Immelt said he thought the first half of this year would be difficult, but some customers delayed purchases and revenue came in about $200 million lower than he had hoped. He expects those customers to come back later in the year, and help improve the company's performance.
But that's not what investors wanted to hear. "Investors want to see results now," said Christian Mayes, an analyst at Edward Jones. "They don't like the whole 'wait for the second half of the year' approach."
GE shares dropped 90 cents, or 4 percent, to $21.77 in morning trading Friday.
Europe's struggles hit GE's sales of power generation and water treatment equipment especially hard. Revenue for that division fell 26 percent in the quarter, and profit fell 39 percent.
Profits in the oil and gas segment and GE's tiny energy management division also slipped in the quarter, offsetting profit gains in aviation, healthcare, transportation and home and business appliances.
"It's a big company and it takes a lot to get it firing on all cylinders," Mayes said.
The company's sale of NBC added earnings of 8 cents per share, while profit rose 9 percent at GE Capital, the company's finance arm.
GE is in the midst of shaping itself into a more focused conglomerate that sells and services industrial equipment and appliances. It is shedding divisions such as NBC Universal and shrinking its banking operations. GE sold its 49 percent of NBC Universal to Comcast for $16.7 billion in the first quarter. Earlier this month, GE announced an agreement to buy the oilfield equipment maker Lufkin Industries Inc. for $3.1 billion, as part of a push to grow its oil and gas equipment division.
Orders for oil and gas equipment rose 24 percent in the first quarter. Orders for aviation equipment, powered by a new jet aircraft engine, rose 47 percent.
But GE is not expecting any growth this year from two divisions that make up half the company's revenue -- power and water and GE Capital. That will make growing the company as a whole difficult.
Immelt said the company remains on track for the year, but it will have to aggressively cut costs to meet its targets.
Jonathan Fahey can be reached at http://twitter.com/JonathanFahey .