text:
On raising a son on the autism spectrum, progressive politics, pop culture, and coffee addiction.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
I write about this tentatively, with trepidation, and with the knowledge that I am edging closer than I'd like to the part of Bud's life that might best be kept private. But you all have too much wisdom, too much understanding, too much to offer to allow me to hold it back. So I offer it out:
Bud is struggling at school.
At the core, I think this is separation anxiety. It starts in the evening as we get ready for bed, usually just as a series of points of information: "I was upset at school today. I missed you at school today. I don't want to go to school tomorrow. I'll miss you at school." By morning, the points become more insistent: "I don't WANT to go to school. I CAN'T go to school. School is scary. I'm sad at school. I'll miss you. We'll miss each other."
The tears begin as we don our coats. The ride to school is iffy, but we often get a reprieve if I've remembered to bring my iPod or if the stars have aligned and "Free and Easy" is playing on the radio. Then the anxiety begins again as we pull into the school yard: "I'll miss you. We'll miss each other. I don't want to go to school." By the time we get to the classroom, Bud's tears are flowing. Sometimes they last a few minutes. Sometimes, like today, they transform into keening and wailing that builds and builds throughout the morning until he lays his head on the table in exhaustion and falls asleep for forty-five minutes in the middle of the noisy, bustling classroom.
Bud's dad and I have talked about it: it doesn't take a PhD in developmental psychology to figure out what's going on here. From Bud's perspective, his dad disappeared suddenly and he's worried that while he's not looking his mom might slip away as well. We've both tried to send consistent messages: "Dad loves you even though he doesn't live with you. You are going to see Dad again. Mom is not going away. You will always live with Mom." And I've tried every approach I can think of to address Bud's fears and tears in the moment: acknowledging his feelings; agreeing that we'll miss each other and assuring him that we'll see each other at the end of the day; focusing on the happy reunion we'll have at supper time; reminding him of the people and things he enjoys at school; working with the teacher to have an important job waiting for him when he arrives at school; using a different doorway to mix up the "drop-off script"; arriving a little early; arriving a little late; bribing him with a snack in exchange for a tear-free drop-off; and even employing a tough-love approach that left us both worse off than we'd started out.
The good news is that we've finally made it to the top of a very long wait list, and Bud has an appointment with a child psychologist next week. My hope is that she will be able to help us help him process what he's experienced, talk about what he's feeling, and work through the things that are getting in his way. I hope I'm not being unrealistic - but, frankly, if I am, please don't tell me. Unrealistic expectation might just be what's getting me through these difficult mornings right now.
But there must be a strategy I haven't tried - some magical mix of words and actions that will make all the difference for Bud and help him to feel safe and secure and confident again. But what does it look like? What else can I try? How can I help him manage the fears and the tears and the overwhelming emotion of I miss you, I miss you, I miss you?
What else is there? What am I missing?
34 comments:
Could you set up a way for him to communicate with you while he's in school? Say, at 10 o'clock, he gets a break, goes on the computer, writes you an email. And at noon, he checks to read your response. Or he gets access to a cell phone to text you a message two times per day.
School was really scary for me at first. I cried a lot in kindergarten and first grade, because I thought my mom would never come back to pick me up. (My dad left to work abroad when I was two.)
- January 22, 2008 8:45 PM
- Jordan said...
Ooh, I like that email idea. I was thinking, could he hold something small of yours in his pocket, something you give him when you separate and he gives you back at the end of the school day?
I'm so glad you'll get to see a good child psychologist soon and I hope that will be really helpful for you all. Your explanation makes a lot of sense; it's possible that it's a fear that time will heal for Bud. This change is still relatively new in his life.
- January 22, 2008 9:06 PM
I think what you've been doing and the psych visit sound good. Other ideas: a social story/picture book that he keeps at school, with a photo of you picking him up at the end; something of yours that he can keep at school (something like a scarf, a pen or something that is special to you?). Hope things improve.
- January 22, 2008 9:09 PM
- Daisy said...
I don't think you're unrealistic. Counseling may help. Meds for anxiety might be part of the solution, but not the whole thing. Time and maturity (sorry, the two things you can't wait for) will help, too.
On the one hand, it's great that Bud is expressing himself.
- January 22, 2008 9:33 PM
- kristina said...
I was going to suggest photos to in some sort of schedule----you could get a special notebook, or small photo album, or a little "day planner," and have a visual schedule so Bud will know he can "check in.
And/or maybe just a photo of you, and of Bud's dad, and his grandparents?
What does his teacher suggest? What kind of school activities might he be most engaged in to keep his thoughts on something else than all that "missing"----for Charlie, doing something like playing the piano or a puzzle has been helpful, as these provide concrete tasks that require his thinking (so he thinks less about whatever is worrying him).
But most of all, it's really, really, really great that Bud is trying to tell you about how he feels, about emotions that would be tough for anyone at any age to handle and speak of. I used to try to get Charlie to "forget" about what was bothering him by not mentioning it; now I just go and talk about it and how he feels bad or sad because things are different than they were.
Big hugs and high-5's to your boy and to you.
- January 22, 2008 9:34 PM
J had a hard time settling in to bible class after being traumatized at swimming lessons. We went through the same "I miss you script." He then started school and his teacher used a picture schedule in a flip book. His bible class teacher made the same type of schedule but used polaroids of all the activities that J does in class. The very last picture is of him and I standing at the door smiling. We now remind him before every class that when he stays and behaves that mommy always comes back with a smile.
And honestly, not the most popular suggestion, but he is on a very small dose of anti-anxiety medication. It has helped in all the "scary" situations that he was never able to get through before. You can email me if you want to know what he is on.
- January 22, 2008 9:35 PM
- Bella Mundi said...
I don't know if you talked about this in any other blogs, but have you tried social stories? I teach students on the spectrum, and I find that sometimes (sometimes!) they really help to alleviate anxiety. You could make one for going to school and one for the new living situation.
Maybe an incentive chart, for so many good drops and Mom will visit or call you at school or something like that.
Good luck!
- January 22, 2008 9:49 PM
- neil said...
I wonder if it's only separation anxiety? We had M in a mainstream school two days and an autistic school the other three, with the idea being that she would eventually go mainstream. After two years and two totally different teachers, we decided that mainstream wasn't going to work and placed her back in the autistic school fulltime.
The thing is, that M herself was telling us she didn't like the mainstream school and didn't want to go anymore, but we had no trouble getting her to go to the autistic school. We later discovered a few things that had been going on, but the bottom line was that the school just wasn't really prepared for special students, even though they say they were and we think that this perhaps was why she didn't like it; she also has friends at the autistic school, whereas she didn't seem to have any at the other.
I wonder if Bud is not enjoying some aspect of his school experience and his way out is simply not to leave you, thus avoiding the experience? If he is social and not making friends, that would be really hard for instance.
- January 22, 2008 9:53 PM
- Niksmom said...
Oh this makes my heart ache for BOTH you and Bud! Some great suggestions and even the Neil's question is good. The thing that struck me as I was reading is that you are trying so many *new* things to try to change the script. Is it possible this is actually heightening the anxiety b/c all of a sudden the things Bud once *knew* wouldn't change have changed? It may have no basis in reality at all but the question was there so I wanted to toss it out to you.
I am sending you and Bid oodles of soothing, mom-n-me forever vibes! And hugs and love, too!
- January 22, 2008 10:33 PM
- Stimey said...
A friend of mine sleeps with her daughter's shirt the night before school so it will smell like her the next day and her daughter can have that.
I totally sympathize. My guy also resists going to school a fair amount of the time. It's really hard (emotionally) to make them go when they don't want to.
- January 22, 2008 10:47 PM
I do know that one of my daughter's friends [aged 8 and typical] attended a weekly counseling session for the children of separated couples which was able to talk about freely.
I suspect that an independent caring adult who understands and is used to dealing with children will be very beneficial for most children.
As for our children, I can't really see why, with a little sensitivity they might not be just as helpful.
It sounds to me as if you're already doing all the right things - nothing jumps out as being missing and I think you're right on the money as the cause of his insecurity.
I also hope that the psychologist proves to be part of the solution.
I'm also with anonymous - I gave the boys a laminated photograph to carry with them at all times. I put five check boxes on the back and we'd mark them off together when I picked them up from school.
Best wishes
- January 22, 2008 10:48 PM
How about making picture schedules for both of you that he can take with him to school, so not only can he see that you will be picking him up at the end of the day, he'll be able to follow your progress during it and it might give him a more solid idea that you just don't disappear when you drop him off.
- January 22, 2008 11:24 PM
- Marla said...
I agree with Neil that looking into school might be a good idea. When M was having a hard time in school our evenings were very difficult and showed itself in similar ways. Possibly it could be a mix of the two.
When we moved once we laminated a bunch of pictures a little bit bigger than wallet size and then put a hole punch on the corner and put them on a larger metal ring that she could carry with her. When her anxiety was high she could look at the photos of loved ones and feel more secure that she would see them again. Just an idea that worked for M for a while.
- January 22, 2008 11:26 PM
oh, MOM-NOS! my heart is breaking for you and for Bud. i know this will pass and i have complete confidence in you, in all that you do with and for Bud. i have complete confidence in Bud, in him moving through this difficult and painful and scary transition. i am amazed by how well he is expressing himself though you have reported countless times when he's done just that, expressed his own truth and an even bigger truth about life.
it may be that there is nothing you're missing. it's just a matter of time, of Bud finding out as the days grow to weeks and months, that you are THERE, you will always be THERE, he can go away and come back and THERE you will be.
my brother was away for 4 months on business and even though he came back here and there for visits, when he returned for good, his daughter would not let her mother, my brother's wife, out of her sight. she clung to her night and day, as if to say, this one's not getting away if my life depends on it.
in other words, it makes perfect sense. it doesn't make it any easier or less stressful or less painful. the child psychologist is a phenomenal idea. i have a feeling that will help tremendously.
you've gotten some great suggestions here. my thought may be too much, but what if you have notes that you leave in the school for Bud to find thru-out the day? you could partner with the teacher on it, bring in a poem or a picture of the two of you or a clue that he needs to bring home and complete the puzzle with you. maybe something that goes on through the week and so at the end of the week, he and you have solved something together that required pieces or clues that only he could find at school in different places at different times, or maybe at the same time, something he can look forward to and count on, something he can do on his own but that he's to share with you when you are reunited.
or maybe there's a way to eat lunch with him ? once or twice a week? that may not be possible with your work schedule. hmm. just trying to brainstorm...
i am reminded of when fluffy has a hard time in RDI and the suggestion is made to fall back to an objective already mastered, to help him feel competent, secure. i don't compare RDI activities to the enormity of what you guys are going through right now, but it may help to make the going to school routine VERY consistent, calm, reliable. so he doens't have to exert any extra energy there, so there are no surprises.
sending my best thoughts to both of you. xxxx
- January 22, 2008 11:28 PM
I will repeat a lot of what has already been said. A polaroid picture schedule worked well for my son with the final photo of him sitting in the car heading home as the last photo. But what I thought was separation anxiety turned out to be issues at school. Issues that school staff didn't see, grasp or understand. A third party (outside of school therapist) observer during the school day was really helpful in helping interpret my sons school day and picking up on some things that we were able to change. I also have learned that my son can take what appear to be 2 steps backward as he is heading into one giant leap forward. His anxiety over one thing happens shortly before a spurt of language, maturity, motor skill strength and development.
Be proud of yourself for all the wonderful support and love you give to your son. Follow your gut.
- January 22, 2008 11:46 PM
I read your blog a lot and find it very useful and comforting, with a healthy (and much appreciated) dose of humor. My son G just turned 8 and from reading your blog, it seems like G and Bud are similar in many ways -- especially in their love for all things Teletubbies. G's father and I split up about 3 years ago when G was about 5 1/2. It was difficult for him and a lot of his anxieties surfaced at, or about school, just like Bud. At the time, he did not have enough speech to communicate his feelings well and could not have expressed what Bud is telling you. Thus, with G it all came out in behaviors -- mainly at school. It was a very hard time. I still remember him saying over and over "I want Daddy. . . " and then crying. So believe me, I understand. You feel like you need to fix this and yesterday was too late.
Unfortunately, I can't offer you a magic strategy because I never found one. What I did find - and I can say this with the benefit of being on the other side of what seems like a very dark and long tunnel -- is that with time, G got through it. The behaviors went down. He regained confidence about his place in the world. He became comfortable with the new world he was living in where he and Mom lived in one place and Dad somewhere else. He adjusted. I just had to give him time to get there.
Bud will get there too. Keep on doing everything you are doing. The fact that Bud is expressing how he feels like he does is so wonderful. The picture ideas are great - I did something similar - we made G a "Daddy book" with favorite pics of them doing different things that he could look at whenever he wanted. (In fact, he still looks at it). We also got that computer program where you can video conference and Dad would send videos, or even read a book to him. That was (and is) very helpful. This will get better.
My thoughts and prayers are with you both.
- January 23, 2008 12:33 AM
Mom NOS, what about Aromatherapy? This may seem way off base, but if both you and Bud applied the same essential oil or lotion to your wrists each day, it may help to induce calm, as well as link you together. You "inhale" each other when the going gets rough at school or at work, reminding Bud that "relief" is a short time away. You could experiment at home with different oils that calm you both. I like the smell of lemon when I am afraid. Sucking on a peppermint calms my breathing as well.
Bud adores the security of home, aches for it. All of the above suggestions give him little doses of his safe place while time passes and he learns to deal with his huge stress. Hooray for Bud for speaking his fear aloud !
- January 23, 2008 7:57 AM
- Drama Mama said...
Incredible suggestions. I love the email - and the aromatherapy.
I was wondering if switching up the scripts is too much right now? Miss M needs everything very consistent during hard times.
Two things I'd do when she was like this in preschool: A squirt of my perfume on both of us (I think Anon's aromatherapy is better here for Bud) and I'd kiss the her with lipstick on a part of her body where it wouldn't wear off so quickly - forehead? -
It greatly relieved her. Now, you might not wear red lipstick.
Scarf and hats of mine worked too.
Laminated card with a message/mantra from you?
I know that YOU, if anybody, will see Bud through.
Best wishes.
- January 23, 2008 9:36 AM
- SUS said...
These seem like interesting suggestions. I like the photo books and the stories and the laminated photos. I was going to suggest notes as well.
My dad always drew different cartoons and such on our lunch bags every day. Sometimes this got me over the hump of a difficult day.
- January 23, 2008 10:32 AM
- Ange said...
You've gotten great suggestions. Not much I can add except my thoughts are with you and Bud.
- January 23, 2008 1:14 PM
So many creative and thoughtful suggestions here, it must be asked: could Bud be "playing" you a lttle? Playing on your feelings of guilt, loss, whatever complex feelings we Moms have?
Follow through with all your appointments and supports but keep that tiny question in your mind: could this kid be manipulating me? All humans manipulate and ordinarily I am not fond of the label applied negatively, but NT kids learn it like a craft. Why not Bud?
- January 23, 2008 1:19 PM
- Robin said...
What wonderful ideas! My only suggestion is that instead of thinking of a snack for a tear-free drop-off as a "bribe", think of it as positive behavior modification. Use it as much as both of you need it until you can slowly expand the requirements for the reward or phase it out.
My favorite book was "The Explosive Child" by Ross Greene. It was the best guide to dealing with feelings that seem to build uncontrollably (he calls it "vapor lock")
Wishing you both peace.
- January 23, 2008 1:38 PM
- Harvest Moon Farm said...
Well, there's homeschooling....
I am NOT being unsupportive here. I can tell that you are doing everything within your power to give Bud what he needs. I know that homeschooling isn't a viable option for everyone. And I know that not every parent is cut out to homeschool their child, particularly their child with special needs.
But you did ask "What else is there?" And, well, there's homeschooling. A lot of parents of kids with ASD who never in a million years dreamed they'd be homeschooling their child, and who had to totally rearrange their lives to make it even possible, have found that homeschooling is the solution that works for them.
In any case, I hope you find a solution that works for you, Bud, and your entire family! Hopefully this really is just abandonment worries due to the changes of this past year and the psychologist will be able to help Bud work through them.
- January 23, 2008 2:34 PM
Did you know that January 21 is supposed to be the "bluest" day of the year? Between holiday-let down, messed up resolutions, sad weather, we are in the midst of hard times all around. I feel it and I know Pete feels it too. I'm so sorry you have hit such hard patch w/ Bud right now.
You have gotten some excellent suggestions, many I will try myself! Pete is having a hard time in different ways but has behaved in the past in the exact ways you are dealing with now. Time was the only thing that got us through.
I have access (yay!) to a behavior specialist at our district of whom Pete is actually quite fond. So for now, that is the route that I'm going to go ... hoping that the pre-existing relationship between the two of them will allow Pete to open up a bit.
(((HUGS))) and best wishes from karen in ca
- January 23, 2008 3:41 PM
- MOM-NOS said...
THANK YOU for all of this. This is a goldmine of wisdom. It's interesting to me that it's always the posts that make me feel the most vulnerable - the ones for which I almost hit "delete" before I hit "publish" - that turn out to be the ones I'm most glad I wrote.
Some thoughts:
1. Manipulation is ABSOLUTELY part of the equation here. Bud is sticking with this particular script, in part, because it's effective. The difficulty is teasing out which part is genuine emotion and which part is acting (Bud is a BRILLIANT actor - and I am not being sarcastic here), and then figuring out how to address the real needs without enabling the less functional behaviors.
2. The school environment - or, at any rate, SOMETHING about the school environment - is also absolutely part of the equation. The "I'll miss you" is new (post-holidays), but the "I don't want to go to school" is not.
3. Aromatherapy is a VERY intriguing idea. I remembered when I read it that when Bud was in preschool I used to use essential oils on the soles of his feet at bedtime, and when I forgot he'd remind me.
4. Karen, I had no idea that Jan 21 was the bluest day of the year, but late January is ABSOLUTELY the bluest time of the year for me. You'd think that by now I'd remember that it was coming, but I forget every year until I find myself bursting into tears for "no reason" (which happened a week ago), and then remember... January. It's interesting to know that it's a larger phenomenon.
So much good stuff here. So much to think about. So much to try.
An update from this morning:
I gave Bud a shiny rock and told him it was his "Miss You Rock". I also chose a shiny rock for myself. We clicked our Miss You Rocks together in the morning and promised to click them together again at night, and we kept them in our pockets so we could rub them when we missed each other. Bud called me after school today to tell me that he was upset at school and that he rubbed his Miss You Rock. So that's something. That's a start.
- January 23, 2008 3:53 PM
- mommy~dearest said...
That's an awesome start! Maybe you could give him a "mission" while he's at school? Something silly, like a report on what color socks his teacher had on, or what she ate for lunch? Just an idea- I am in no position to suggest school or miss-you advice as my child screams bloody-murder and has meltdowns at the thought still.
- January 23, 2008 4:08 PM
Recently, one of the students I have in my class has begun to experience true anxiety. Now, my kids are slightly older than Bud; grade 6 if you recall, but anxiety is anxiety regardless of the cause ~ rational or irrational. And while we are working to establish possible triggers, our goal is to provide Jr. with the most secure and understanding environment possible. One of the strategies we are using is a 10 minute instant messaging break. This allows for Jr. to "chat" with one of his folks (sometimes mom, sometimes dad) and share the positives of the morning. An immediate response is exciting and we have even been able to use his expertise of MSNing to share with the other kids.
For my own anxiety (which we have emailed and discussed previously), I know that aromatherapy is a very clear and grounding center for me. Before I had my surgery, I snuggled with a few items of the kids and Quark and I was able to process the rest of the stress somewhat rationally.
Music is such an integral part of Bud's life, I wonder if using the technology we have out in the vast world of speech pathology, adaptive communication devices and of course good old MP3 or Ipods, would allow for Bud to have a loving conversation on a device, playable on demand to regulate his feelings. In the good old days of tape recorders, we used to have a tape of my singing lullabies to the kids for when we were out past their night time routine. The sitters loved it, and the kids were calm.
I hope things with the psychologist go well and that he/she has more suggestions. Although having read the posted comments, I find it hard to imagine there being better ideas out there.
Best wishes!
- January 23, 2008 8:40 PM
- Eileen said...
Brian will tell me how when he is at school he misses me and gets sad. The other day he reminded me of the Kissing Hand book that his teacher read to the class last year in Kindergarten and when we were at his Back To School Night the teacher had us moms put on lipstick and kiss the paper hands the kids made. They kept their Kissing Hands in their desks just incase they needed a kiss or a reminder of how much their moms loved them. This reminded me of you and Bud's "Miss You Rock". I like the idea of a Miss You Rock and I might just have to steal it to use with Brian.
Hugs to you and Bud, I know you will get through this together. Thinking of you on this end of January. {{{HUG}}}
- January 23, 2008 9:44 PM
- GFCF Mommy said...
I am dealing with a similar situation induced by anxiety at school. My son's problem and his way of expressing it are different, I know the cause of his anxiety and it is something horrible that occurred at school. But I wanted you to know I got some good ideas from everyone here that might work for my son too.
I really appreciate you opening up. I kind of did the same thing on my blog a few days ago, though I too worry about crossing the line of privacy. Anyway, thanks for sharing and thanks to all the readers for their great comments. You never know who you might help!
- January 24, 2008 4:47 PM
You are missing nothing. You are the world's greatest Mom and parenting is the world's hardest thing to do. It is what it is.
- January 25, 2008 11:41 AM
When my son was in 1st grade, he started having messy accidents within an hour after coming home from school. It stopped the day after school got out for summer break. It turns out that his first grade teacher, who was so congenial with me, and good friends with the sped teacher, was being abusive to him at school. He couldn't tell me. As a matter of fact, he isn't the one who told me. It was some of his classmates who told me years later about how she had treated him.
It's not a pleasant thing to have to think about, but abuse happens in many different ways. I hope it's not the case with Bud, but is it something you have considered? Would he know how to tell you if a teacher or schoolmate was being mean to him?
- January 25, 2008 11:45 AM
I'd like to echo Harvest Mom and offer homeschooling for your consideration, if you have any way of supporting yourself without working full-time. I am an attorney and have put my career on hold. My husband and I have "down-sized," our lifestyle so that I can school our 6-year-old, PDD-NOS son at home, and it has been a really good thing for him.
I truly would not have meddled here, but Bud's anxiety sounds exactly like my son's when he went to school. Bud's statements and behaviors about school are almost identical to my son's. From the bottom of my heart, I did not at the time, and do not now, think that my son was being manipulative when he was expressing how very sad and scared he was to go to school. My son, and other spectrum children his age that I've met, are guileless.
I guess the messages I want to get across are:
(1) That homeschooling was an excellent option for us in a situation very similar to yours.
(2) That I truly believe that spectrum kids, on average, tend not to express their feelings as a means of manipulation.
(3) That I am one of those parents that Harvest Mom said would never have imagined themselves homeschooling. I am professional, secular, and not opposed at all to school, except as it makes my son despondent.
(4) I am available to discuss this further, if you like. firstname.lastname@example.com
I feel SO MUCH for you, your partner, and your boy. I admire you alot and know you will make a good path, whichever way you choose.
- January 25, 2008 11:00 PM
- MOM-NOS said...
Unlikely Homeschooler, thanks so much for your thoughts and ideas. It's great to hear that homeschooling has been so effective for your son and your family!
I'm a single parent, so we are dependent on the income from my job. So, while I imagine that wouldn't make homeschooling impossible, it does make it a challenge I'm just not up to right now.
One other interesting thing. I do know that many (most?) kids on the spectrum are not purposefully deceptive or manipulative. Bud is not one of those kids. Perhaps that's one of the qualities that adds the "NOS" to his PDD, but trust me on this - it's one area in which Bud often looks downright neurotypical.
- January 26, 2008 7:55 AM
Is there anything/anyone he DOES like at school. I'm thinking build on that.
If you (Bud) were to do your favorite thing at school - what would it be?
If you (Bud) could DO anything at school - what would do?
I'm thinking here...
- January 29, 2008 6:34 PM


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Chemical mode of action Insecticides are materials designed to kill or otherwise control insects. Most traditional insecticides accomplish this by interfering with the nervous system of the target insect.
Many insecticides that grounds managers use are in the organophosphate chemical class. For example, chlorpyrifos, diazinon, isofenphos, malathion and trichlorfon are all organophosphates. Other familiar insecticides, such as bendiocarb and carbaryl, are in another well-known chemical class, the carbamates. Insecticides in both of these classes affect insect nervous systems in the same way.
Nerve cells in all animals (including insects and humans) carry impulses from the point of stimulus (for example, touching a hot stove) to the nerve center (the brain) or from the nerve center back to the muscles, to signal a response (move the finger off the hot stove).
Nerve cells do not actually touch each other. When an impulse (a tiny electrical current) gets to the end of one nerve cell, it must jump across a gap, the synapse, which separates that cell from the next. The gap contains acetylcholine (ACh). Molecules of ACh carry the impulse across the gap to the receiving cell, to which they attach themselves. When this happens, the receiving cell sends out a new impulse, continuing the process. After the ACh crosses the synapse and reaches the receiving cell, molecules of another compound, cholinesterase (ChE), attach themselves to the ACh and remove it from the membrane of the receiving cell. This leaves the cell in its original state, able to receive another impulse (see diagram, page C 4). All of this happens in a tiny fraction of a second, but a nerve impulse must pass through hundreds or thousands of cells and gaps before it reaches its final destination.
Organophosphates and carbamates interfere with this process by tying up the ChE, and so we call them cholinesterase inhibitors. When ChE is unavailable to pull the ACh off the receiving cell, the ACh stays attached, providing a constant signal for the cell to keep sending an impulse. This muddles the message the nerve cells send. When this happens, the nerve system is unable to distinguish between real and "imagined" impulses.
While humans and other mammals are sensitive to these chemicals in the same manner as insects, the effects usually are much less severe on larger animals. This is because response to exposure usually relates directly to dose. Larger body size often means that a plant to which you have applied an insecticide is not likely to hold a dose great enough to be toxic to larger animals. However, enough toxin is present to kill the target insect. This is not always the case, however, so respect these materials and always heed warning statements on insecticide labels.
Symptoms of overexposure in humans include headaches, muscle twitching, difficulty breathing or swallowing, sweating and other problems related to muscle control. Fortunately, the effect on the nervous system from overexposure to carbamates and organophosphates is reversible, at least up to a point. If a person is suffering from over-exposure to one of these insecticides, staying away from these insecticides for a time gives the body a chance to recover. In extreme cases, a physician can administer an antidote that overcomes pesticide poisoning.
The synthetic pyrethroids also affect insect nervous systems. However, these appear to affect the nerve cell at a different point. Imidacloprid (Bayer's Merit) represents another insecticide class, the chloronicotinyls. Imidacloprid blocks the receptor sites to which ACh attaches, preventing its removal. Most other traditional insecticides also attack the insect nervous system in some fashion or other. In all of these cases, nerve impulses are unable to travel normally from cell to cell.
Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) insecticides, which are effective larvicides, use bacterial toxins to kill insects. Various strains of Bt are available for control of a variety of insect pests, and these use a mode of action different from other insecticides. The toxins in Bt insecticides paralyze the gut and rupture cells in the stomach lining of insects that ingest the poison. The insects cease feeding and soon die.
Insect growth regulators Manufacturers are developing new approaches that affect the target insect differently and also are much less likely to be toxic to mammals. One approach is the use of insect growth regulators (IGRs). An IGR interferes with the ability of an insect to develop normally.
IGRs can interfere with the development of an insect in two ways. One is to disrupt the normal molting process. As insects feed and grow, they must shed their skin periodically. This process involves several complex interactions that must proceed smoothly. Chemists have identified compounds that prevent the insect from shedding its skin properly or from forming the new skin at the right time. Both of these processes are critical for normal molting, and an insect eventually will die if it is unable to molt properly. The chemicals that affect the molting process, such as diflubenzuron (Uniroyal's Dimilin) and a new compound, halofenozide (RhoMid's Mach 2), are much less acutely toxic to mammals and other vertebrates. This is because vertebrates do not have a process comparable to molting.
Another kind of compound, as long as it is present, signals the insect that it is not yet time to molt to the adult stage. These IGRs naturally are present in immature insects, such as larvae or nymphs, but usually disappear at the end of the last immature stage. Entomologists often refer to these chemicals as juvenile hormones because they keep insects in a juvenile stage.
Juvenile hormones usually are specific to one insect species or to closely related species. Chemists have identified the juvenile hormones for several different kinds of insects. Development of these materials into commercial products is ongoing, but a few that are useful to grounds-care managers already are available. One example is Novartis' Enstar, which controls whiteflies, aphids and other pests on ornamentals.
Because IGRs are specific to the target species, they help preserve beneficial insect populations. Further, because of their low mammalian toxicity, IGRs are becoming popular alternatives in settings where exposure to pesticides is more difficult to avoid, such as greenhouses. Note, however, that IGRs do not kill target insects immediately; do not expect to see dead insects the day after you apply an IGR. Instead, they have a long-term debilitating effect. It may be 2 or 3 weeks before you notice any effect on the target population.
How insects encounter insecticides Insects may encounter insecticides in several ways. Perhaps the most common way is by direct contact. In this case, insecticide residues remain on the surface of the plant you have treated. The insect comes in contact with the material as it walks across the treated surface. The insecticide enters the insect through its feet and then makes its way to the site of action (for example, nerve cells or hormone sites). If the insect is present at the time you apply the insecticide, the spray also may cover the insect and penetrate its body directly.
In some cases, an insect will feed on a treated leaf surface. The insect ingests the insecticide and absorbs it through the stomach lining. In this case, the insecticide is able to attack the site of action more quickly than when the insect simply walks across the treated surface. Ingestion usually is more toxic to the insect than direct contact, so an ingested insecticide will induce a more severe response than the same amount of material an insect encounters through direct contact, but there are exceptions.
Often, an insect will experience both contact and ingestion, thereby getting a double exposure to the insecticide. For example, sod webworms or cutworms usually come in contact with insecticides as they move from the thatch to the surface to feed and also consume some of the treated turfgrass. The combined effect of contact and ingestion proves difficult for the insect to overcome.
Some insecticides change to a vapor quite readily. These materials, fumigants, enter the insect's breathing apparatus. These kinds of products are useful in enclosed areas where the vapors can remain concentrated, such as greenhouses or storage bins, but usually do not work well in open landscapes. However, some insecticides may create a bit of fumigant activity at the time an insect is moving across the treated surface.
Contact vs. systemic insecticides As we just discussed, target insects walk across or feed on the plant material to which you have applied the insecticide. Insecticides that work in this manner are contact insecticides. They remain where you applied them and do not move on or inside the plant. Most traditional insecticides are primarily contact materials.
A few insecticides have systemic qualities. This means the plant absorbs the material, which then translocates (moves via the vascular system) to other parts of the plant. Certain fungicides and herbicides are systemic, as well.
Some products translocate upward. In this case, material taken up by the roots can move up into above-ground parts. Other materials translocate downward; pesticide entering the leaves moves to lower regions of the plant.
One common turf and ornamental insecticide, acephate (Valent's Orthene), has systemic characteristics. These qualities make this product particularly effective for controlling insects, such as aphids, which suck plant juices. If the plant tissues contain acephate, the aphids will ingest the insecticide directly when they feed.
Imidacloprid (Bayer's Merit) is another systemic insecticide. Root systems of turfgrasses and ornamentals take up this material, and it then moves into the stems and leaves. The value and convenience of such performance is obvious.
Final thoughts Many kinds of insecticides are available that affect insects in a variety of ways. The careful landscape manager will use various methods of control to reduce the chance of insects developing resistance to one particular approach. Insects that develop the ability to break down one insecticide often can use the same mechanism to break down other insecticides of the same chemical class. So keep in mind the chemical class and mode of action of each insecticide and avoid the temptation to keep using the same approach repeatedly. Insects adapt quickly and soon can become resistant to a product.
Consider using some of the new approaches, such as IGRs. Many scientists believe that, because these materials relate so closely to natural processes that insects require to survive and grow, insects are less likely to develop resistance to these materials.
Attack the insect at different levels by using different chemical classes--nervous system toxins, stomach poisons or growth regulators. However, it also is important to take advantage of different routes of entry. If you have been relying on contact insecticides, consider products that work through ingestion. Similarly, while systemic insecticides have many attractive features, avoid the temptation to rely on them alone. Be sure to use contact products, as well.
Use an application technique suitable for the material you are applying. For example, ensure root-absorbed insecticides make it well into the root zone when you apply them. You usually accomplish this by watering the treated area immediately after application or by using sub-surface application technology.
Finally, remember that insecticides usually are most effective against certain stages of the target insect. Typically, these are the small immature stages. Sometimes, however, the adult stage is the target. Read the product label for this information and ensure that the proper stage is present when you make the application.
Keeping these points in mind will help turf and landscape managers obtain the best possible performance from insecticides.
Dr. Patricia J. Vittum is associate professor of entomology at the University of Massachusetts--Amherst
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Adenomatous polyps are a type of abnormal growth in the colon.
While most colon polyps do not cause any problems, adenomatous polyps are
thought to be the source of most colorectal cancer.
Adenomatous polyps usually grow very slowly. It may be years
before they turn into cancer, if they ever do. They usually are discovered
during a routine sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy and are removed. Having adenomatous polyps in the colon means that you will need to be screened for
colorectal cancer more often than a person who has no polyps.
Last Revised:
August 27, 2012
Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:
E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine & Kenneth Bark, MD - Surgery, Colon and Rectal
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The Business of "Fear" Brings in $8 Billion a Year
by Amy Lignor
There are aspects of Halloween everyone knows about. From the scary boogeyman to the haunted houses set up in cities and counties from sea to shining sea, the world certainly
understands that the "frightening" is also the "entertaining" when it comes to All Hallows Eve. What most may not know, however, is the fact that Halloween is a billion (yes, BILLION) dollar industry. People are more than happy to spend their money on a "macabre" experience, and because of this, there are many companies getting in on the action.
The beloved TV show, "Shark Tank," actually made one of their biggest deals ever with a company that's all about Halloween (Ten Thirty One Productions). Mark Cuban, one of the popular sharks, decided to invest two million dollars for a 10% stake, making the company's valuation twenty million dollars. This Halloween-themed live entertainment company's mission was to stage the best and most unforgettably frightening haunted hay rides imaginable. Starting in Los Angeles, the company has expanded to other parts of the country, including NYC. For between thirty to fifty-five dollars per ticket, depending on the customer's choice of hay ride, visitors enter a world that literally is scary as all get out.
For some people, a "hay ride" on the scary side would not exactly fall into a business worth twenty million dollars. But Ten Thirty One has gone on to prove that twenty million may just be a pittance considering what they're bringing in now. They have expanded into other events and are looking into expanding into other holidays; however, Halloween is still their foundation. A foundation that is solid, yet makes others shake to their very core.
And this is not the only entrepreneur who is taking advantage of that love of fear that apparently lurks in the soul of a whole lot of people. There are even small companies and businesses that are striving to take a bite of that $8 billion dollar industry. From setting up scary attractions to selling costumes to online adventures, there are new names on the Halloween horizon that are just starting to grab press.
Try, Room Escape Adventures. This company offers visitors one hour to escape from a room where a zombie, who is more than starving, just happens to be chained to a wall. A buzzer goes off every five minutes while you're in there and, with the buzzer, the chain shackling the zombie is released another foot from the wall. While you stand in fear hoping to get out before that chain comes free, you must take the clues given and solve a puzzle in order to escape and avoid becoming dinner for the undead.
HauntWorld is the largest global database for all Halloween resources and activities. With a website and a magazine, HauntWorld offers members of the haunted house industry a place where they can get together, talk and share their ideas when it comes to what's "in" each and every Halloween.
The Horror Dome is all about providing props, masks, and animatronics in this here 21st century for any attractions that are looking for something horrifying; as well as simple homeowners who really like to spend money in the month of October to make their house the scariest and coolest one on the block.
There is even a landmark in NYC called Halloween Adventure. Operating year-round, this store is all about costumes, and not only Halloween enthusiasts love the place. And when it comes to actual scary empires, for twenty years SpookyWorld (a company that owns the very popular Nightmare New England) operates all different types of attractions in the state of New Hampshire.
Although St. Nick and his team of reindeer still hold on to first place with families when it comes to everyone's "favorite" holiday, the spooky spirits are definitely gaining ground on the happy guy in the red suit.
Fear has become an entertaining way to make a whole lot of money for entrepreneurs. Makes sense when you think about it. After all, the type of fear they're selling doesn't hurt anyone…as opposed to what's happening in real life.
Source: Baret News


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Have a look at our introduction page which will help you navigate the massive network which now has over 47,000 members and 650 local tennis groups.
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What is XSpasm about? Expanding XSpasm System Requirements Login and Registration Issues Posting Issues Membership
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Pay attention to the stories you find it too difficult to tell right now. At one of the greatest times of personal challenge in my life, I stopped keeping a journal—the situation was too awful to contemplate. Those big life-changers may be too much for you to tackle today. But later, I promise, if you can bring yourself to share them in a speech, you'll have the most compelling content and a riveting voice.And that's a lesson we can take again from Elizabeth Edwards, who died this week at age 61 and grew to be a compelling speaker for so many people. She transformed as a speaker over the course of her life, and it appears that her first responses to the troubles she faced--the death of her son, her own cancer, and her husband's infidelity--were deeply private responses.
When she began finding her voice, it was in writing. She shared some of her troubles in Saving Graces: Finding Solace and Strength from Friends and Strangers. When her husband's infidelity was added to her grief and struggle with cancer, she wrote her last book, Resilience: Reflections on the Burdens and Gifts of Facing Life's Adversities It drew from her difficult experiences and talked about managing disappointment--one of the toughest topics you can own up to as a speaker.
And those books helped propel her as a speaker, first in her husband's presidential campaign, then on her own as audiences sought her out to speak about her cancer and later, her husband's infidelity and what it took to overcome them. Along the way, Edwards spoke about many more difficult topics, even using her last speech two months before her death to remind women to get preventive physical exams, and revealing:
I did not take advantage of the tests that we knew we had for breast cancer...Like many women, I made sure my children had their annual check-ups, and I did not have mine.In the end, her ability to speak calmly about her own death made her voice even more clear. Today, she is remembered as someone who has prompted a discussion about what it means to have a "good death" and to face it with dignity.
Later, as this writer points out, Edwards added an epilogue to Resilience as a way of defining herself, rather than letting the events of her life define her. That's the ultimate reason, eloquent women, to find your voice and use it, whether you do so at work or home, in public or privately. And how do you test that? In Edwards' case, this video shares what North Carolina residents thoughts about her. You'll hear the words "strength" and "brave" and "resilience" over and over again -- words that would not have come to mind if Edwards hadn't found her voice and shared it with us. Share your own thoughts in the comments.
Go here to subscribe to Step Up Your Speaking, my free email newsletter that looks at a different speaking topic in depth each month...then become a fan of The Eloquent Woman on Facebook and join the conversation with thousands of other women (and men) about public speaking skills and confidence.


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Former Dipset Mgr Big Joe Speaks/ Exposes On The Missing $70K That Involved Dipset! "Them London Dudes Was Right, Thats What Rappers Do. They Rob, Suckers Talk On Camera"
Jumpoff tv reports "At the recent Exxxotica Expo in New York City DJ Manny Norte ran into former Dipset manager Big Joe who gave his version about the missing $70K for the London Show in 2004, where Dipset failed to show."
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The Germany international struggled to live up to his £42million transfer fee after joining the Gunners from Real Madrid last season, though he did end the campaign as an FA Cup winner.
That Wembley win over Hull was followed by World Cup success with his country this summer but still questions persist over whether he can impose himself in the Barclays Premier League.
Ozil, though, told the Daily Telegraph: "The opinions of fans are important to me and I'm happy they have such high expectations of me
I have high expectations of myself
"I'm one of the best players in the world in that number 10 position
Fans, coaches, players and everyone knows that my best position is playmaker
It's different playing on the left
"When I was in Madrid, I often played on the right
I enjoyed that because I'm left-footed and I was able to cut inside to give assists and get shots on target
On the left, it's more difficult."
Manager Arsene Wenger defended the 25-year-old on Friday, likening him to a virtuoso musician and suggesting Ozil's lack of aggression and defensive ability fuels a perception of him as 'lightweight'
Wenger said: "People are very harsh on Ozil because he's a player who is easy with his play
"When you watch his game back the next day you think 'what a player'
Everything he does is intelligent and the timing of absolutely everything he does is absolutely perfect
"He's like a guy who plays music with perfect timing
There aren't many players like that."
Ozil is grateful for the Frenchman's support
He said: "The whole club can be proud to have such a fantastic manager with so much experience, playing with style and doing so many great things for 18 years here
"The boss has always blooded youngsters, and helped make them into some of the best players in the world
That's also why I came here
I wanted to develop myself further."
Having got into the habit of lifting trophies this summer, Ozil is keen for more
"Of course Arsenal can win the Premier League," he said
"We also want to show that we can play better in the Champions League
We have the potential to reach the final."
Source : PA
Source: PA


text: I've set up a Perfect Server with ISPConfig2 and all seems to be working. The purpose of the server is as a testing server for Wordpress, Joomla, and static stuff that I do from time to time. The server will only be used on my local network, and will not be exposed to the Internet. I'm not sure exactly how I need to configure ISPConfig2 to let me do this. For example, I want one 'site' for Wordpress, another for Joomla. I would like to be able to access them from any web browser on my local network, and also FTP files to them from the local network. Is there a FAQ on how to do this, and if so can some kind soul point me to it please? My immediate questions are what IP address do I use for the sites, do I just use the IP address of the server (192.168.1.240)? And what DNS configuration do I have to do to the client machines so they can find my sites? Thanks in anticipation.


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Remember the E-mergency wedding dress? Well, here's a perfect, E-asy solution for your bridal party. How about this clever, unique, gauzy off-the shoulder reversible dress from Belgian designer, Aleksandra Paszkowska that can be worn in 4 colors: red, orange, magenta and rose! Did I mention that it's also under $200 dollars? You're welcome.
(image source: Y-dress, Aleksandra Paszkowska)


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Channel profile viewed 1 time since 11/11/2017.
Ranks are calculated weekly, but Views and Subscribers are calculated daily. This means that you may periodically see a discrepancy in the rank order compared to Views and Subscribers.
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A channel's spider chart is made up of 12 data points. This spider chart demonstrates how Khesari Music World performs against each of the 12 data points. The teal line represents Khesari Music World, and the black line represents the average performance for the 565 channels in the World Music | Official Artists topic.
For the channel to improve, it would help to work on the following metrics, which are areas the channel underperforms its peers.
Subscriber Conversion: This channel's Subscriber Conversion of 3,340 is 75.88% lower than the topic average of 13,296. Video Amigo metrics to focus on for growth are similar to those for driving views:
Total Engagement: The channel's Total Engagement score is trailing the topic average of of 3 by 29.88%. As this is a measurement of all engagement for the channel focus should be on best audience development practices such as asking for likes, posing a question to solicit comments, asking users to subscribe and fully utilizing annotations, info cards and end cards. Video Amigo's Likeability metric will indicate how well liked the channel's content is.
On the other hand, this channel over-achieves its peers when it comes to:
Total Views: This channel's Total Views of 1,200,641,095 is 244.45% higher than the topic average of 348,570,567. All activity starts with views. The more there are, the more opportunity there is to grow by engaging viewers.
View Growth: This channel's View Growth of 14.61% is 711.76% higher than the topic average of 1.80%. All activity starts with views. The more there are, the more opportunity there is to grow by engaging viewers.


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Irving A. Lerch [1]
Even at an altitude of 1000 to 1200 feet, the ground beneath the aircraft moves slowly, the miniature rectangles of houses and tilled fields seem to amble, giving the illusion of remoteness. When he hurtles into the prop-blast, the world of the army paratrooper becomes a violent tumult followed by an unnatural silence until noise from below alerts him to brace for impact with the ground. The whole enterprise passes in a flash, as it must, when exposed like a dangling pendant.
The paratrooper is consumed by petty details: rigging, weapons, ammunition, what waits on the ground, where to assemble, objectives and contingencies. The primitive reflexes—fear, excitement—dominate all thought and action. Forty to fifty years ago, as one moved higher into the military chain, the accoutrements of cruelty spiraled with increasing levels of lethality. The company commander relied on rifles, machine guns, mortars and anti-tank weapons; the battalion employed heavier artillery, and then came the 105 mm howitzers and 4.2 inch mortars of the Battle Group, the 155 mm howitzers of the Division, and the 208 mm cannon of the Corps - ever escalating firepower to include short-range missiles, gunships, close-support fighter aircraft and bombers.
Through the early post-war years, this was the spectrum of weaponry from companies to battalions to battle groups, then divisions and corps. But in the late 50s and early 60s military theorists conceived of a class of tactical nuclear weapons to be placed at the disposal of ground commanders at the corps, army and theater levels (troop levels ranging from 40,000 to well over 100,000). As US strategists began to conceive ground forces for rapid deployment to distant trouble spots; they were consumed by the need to equalize the disparity in manpower and armaments when a lightly armed mobile force was confronted by greater numbers and heavier armaments.
In Europe, NATO units confronted superior numbers of heavily armored Warsaw Pact formations, and a small armamentarium of US (and later French) tactical nuclear weapons was designed and deployed to equal the odds. The complex multi-national command structure overlaying NATO forces assured that these weapons would not be placed at the discretion of any single commander.
By 1960, however, the US had organized a rapid deployment force (called the Strategic Army Corps) consisting of the XVIII Airborne Corps (made up of two parachute divisions, the 101st and 82nd) and an assortment of light mechanized units, air-carrier squadrons and naval elements. It was a given that deployment of this force would be in the face of superior enemy armies in a theater of operations not readily within reach of a WWII type logistical chain, and a whole class of low-yield nuclear weapons was developed for use by commanders. Division artillery batteries with 155 mm Howitzers could be equipped with 10 kiloton warheads as could the larger corps artillery. But most notable was the advent of a small 10-ton yield weapon called the "Davy Crockett" assigned to Airborne Division heavy mortar batteries. The Davy Crockett round weighed less than 50 pounds and was fired by a modified version of the same weapon used for anti-tank service in the infantry companies of the division.
During extensive maneuvers in the Carolinas in the summers of 1961 and 1962 (called "Swift Strike"), the Corps commander (a three-star general in command of between 40,000 and 80,000 troops) routinely incorporated atomic weapons in their mock attacks. At that time, I was a young infantry officer in the 101st, temporarily assigned as liaison with airborne corps headquarters during a Swift Strike exercise in North Carolina. My duties as liaison obliged me to attend the daily corps operations briefings and planning sessions, and I was on hand when the corps commander, a three-star general, approved a plan of attack for the following day. The scenario had the two divisions deployed in a foreign country confronting an opposing force of somewhat larger size, although we had the advantage of large naval and air support units. The objective was to break out of battlefield containment and to move onto terrain more congenial for maneuver and resupply. To do this, the operations staff recommended the use of five tactical nuclear weapons to isolate the battlefield, destroy enemy reserves and immobilize the enemy's main formations. For the referees superintending the exercise, this appeared to pose no serious consequence. The general concurred, the attack went forward, and the exercise umpires unanimously agreed that the corps had won the day.
Almost three months later, a different, more serious scenario would set the entire theoretical construct on its head.
Just after midnight sometime during the third week of October, 1962, at the onset of the Cuban Missile Crisis, a combined planning staff convened at McCoy Airbase, just outside Orlando, Florida. U2s flew in and out on routine reconnaissance missions over Cuba. An emergency military operation was being staged at the order of the President. Successive waves of paratroopers were to assault the missile storage and deployment sites on the island roughly a day in advance of the main seaborne assault. The troop air transport squadrons had been mobilized from reserve units. But this time none of the commanders mentioned tactical nuclear weapons. President Kennedy did not want to provoke nuclear war—or so he thought.
Unknown was the fact that a heavily equipped Russian division occupied the area the XVIII Corps was to assault. But even more dangerous was the fact, subsequently acknowledged by the Russian commander on the ground in Cuba (in a conference in 1990) that he had tactical nuclear weapons and was prepared to use them. There could be no doubt that the airborne troops could have been destroyed on the ground by the heavily armored and entrenched Russians and the follow-on seaborne invasion could have been vaporized.
President Kennedy would have been forced into a nuclear exchange had the invasion gone forward. The strategic game would have played out on the ground with tragic consequences. Unlike the war games in the Carolinas, friendly forces would not rely on nuclear weapons. It was not known that the opposing forces were prepared to use them.
In April, the Pentagon released the Nuclear Posture Review Report, slightly modifying US nuclear strategy as part of the ongoing process of periodic reviews of US arsenals and deployments [2]. In May, the Administration published an inventory of its strategic weaponry. And, of course, this brought condemnation from the political right for compromising US defense, with the left equally livid at the rattling of the nuclear saber.
Unfortunately the Nuclear Posture Review does not address tactical nuclear weapons despite a large and growing international inventory. Russia has an estimated arsenal of 3,000-4,000; the US 1,700-3,300; China about 400; with another 300-400 in the hands of Israel, France, India and Pakistan [3]. The future is unbounded with Iran and North Korea joining the club.
Yet if the use of even small nuclear weapons inevitably brings on incalculable escalation and the danger that loosely secured arsenals are vulnerable to terrorists, how can we afford not to confront the issue? At the time of the Cuban Missile Crisis there were dozens or perhaps hundreds of these weapons, today there are thousands spread over several continents and their whereabouts are often unknown.
For the moment the ominous shadows of nuclear weapons do not obscure the battlefield (although some planners advocated the use of tactical weapons in Vietnam—proposals universally condemned [4]). The risk, however, has been relocated from the war zones to the homeland.
But why do we hold to the fiction that tactical nuclear weapons give our military forces a secure foundation? We learned a vital lesson 46 years ago, clear even to a 23 year-old lieutenant. The existence of tactical nuclear weapons did not afford our forces any security since our enemy was willing and capable of using them, even at the risk of triggering a nuclear holocaust.
The answer is clear and urgent: an international covenant banning the development and deployment of tactical nuclear weapons. This is a better place to begin the draw-down of nuclear arsenals than the excruciating incremental reduction of useless strategic warheads.
Fifty years ago the parachute gave way to the helicopter as combat units prepared for yet another deployment, thus demonstrating that each new innovation in war carries unforeseen costs.
[1] Graduated West Point, 1960; Professor, NYU, retired; Former Director of International Affairs, the American Physical Society.
[2] http://www.defense.gov/npr/docs/2010%20Nuclear%20Posture%20Review%20Report.pdf
[3] http://www.nti.org/e_research/e3_10a.html
[4] F.J. Dyson, R. Gomer, S. Weinberg and S.C. Wright, "Tactical Nuclear Weapons in Southeast Asia," Institute for Defense Analysis, Jason Division, March 1967 (available at http://www.nautilus.org/archives/VietnamFOIA/report/dyson67.pdf)
Irving A. Lerch
1733 Riggs Place, NW
Washington, DC 20009
(202) 462-2511
These contributions haven not been peer-refereed. They represent solely the view(s) of the author(s) and not necessarily the views of APS.


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Fuse Creativity System Project Guide: Fun Party Themes, Idea for Handmade Cards, And More Paper Crafts from Fiskars
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Latest Comments
"Hello, The pattern says chain 23 and DC in the second chain from the hook for 22 stitches across. Hmm. Do you mean in the first chain from the hook? Otherwise, you would have 21 stitches across. Can you please clarify? Also, I think this scarf will be wider than 4 1/2 inches across. Thank you, Lisa"
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"Please send me a good link to this tutorial. The one listed goes to Mountain Modern Life no tutorial there. I also searched on Upcycled Treasure.com still no tutorial. This owl lamp is so cute I would love to know how to make it for my great grandson's nursery"
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"This is a beautiful pattern. Could you please clean up the pattern, Row 7 is very difficult to understand. The way it is written if very difficult to follow. By the comments below this seems to be problematic for most people. could you send me a cleaned up version at email@example.com"
Rustic Wood Frame
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"Looking for a unique DIY gift idea to give this holiday season? Try this rustic wood frame. It is great for parents, grandparents, friends, and so much more. Anyone that is simply blessed will love this wood picture frame to display their pictures. This project is actually easy to make as well. If you have an electronic cutting machine, this frame can be made in under an hour and your gift recipient will love the results. You might just have to make an extra one for your own home."
Primary TechniqueWood Crafts
Materials List
- Rustic board with bark edge
- Dark wood stain
White vinyl
Transfer tape
- Electronic cutting machine
- Clothespins
- Hot glue and glue gun
- Paint brush
- Rag
- Weeding tools
NotesPlease visit Crafts by Amanda for the full tutorial!
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More refinements
$520 per week
Easy Sell Rent - Sydney
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I would like to know if there is any weight associated with a html link (its backlink) when google does crawling/indexing. Will 1,2 & 3 be ever considered as a backlink by Google?
1. 1 // one character link
2.   //blank space link
3. ! //special character link
4. keyword //meaningful word link
I hope my question is understandable and guess this is right forum. I don't know to put it in other words.


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Choose your room
Property Location With a stay at Andrikken Hotell in Andoy (Andenes), you'll be minutes from Whale Center. This hotel is within the vicinity of Bleik Beach.Rooms Make yourself at home in one of the 44 guestrooms. Complimentary wireless Internet access keeps you connected, and cable programming is available for your entertainment.Rec, Spa, Premium Amenities Make use of convenient amenities, which include complimentary wireless Internet access and tour/ticket assistance.Dining Enjoy a satisfying meal at a restaurant serving guests of Andrikken Hotell. Quench your thirst with your favorite drink at a bar/lounge.Business, Other Amenities Free self parking is available onsite.
Useful information:Other names for Thon Hotel Andrikken:
Andrikken Hotell Andenes - Andrikken Hotell
Andrikken Hotel


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Turn the photos you love into personalized photo books, cards, photo gifts, calendars, and home décor
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After purchasing this deal, you will need to visit the website listed on your Groupon voucher to complete redemption.
- $20 for $40 worth of custom photo products from Shutterfly
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Custom Photo Products from Shutterfly
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- Photo books: Choose from an extensive collection of styles for every occasion and personalize with custom features
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Shutterfly's sprawling assortment of customized keepsakes proves that, though time marches on a linear path, there are several ways to retrace its steps. On Shutterfly's easy-to-navigate website, customers upload, preserve, and share personal photographs through electronic and physical displays. Once pictures have been stored in your Shutterfly account, they remain accessible at any point. From there, customers can edit and share their photos through private share sites, email, and social media, instantly building albums for far-flung family members.
The same degree of customization typifies the website's physical products, from prints to customized calendars with the photos you love. The signature photo books collect mementos into a professionally bound volume, where they are surrounded by original captions, themed backgrounds, and creative page layouts for almost any occasion. Cards and stationary frame pictures on envelope-ready paper, whereas calendars sport images for each month and on individual dates such as birthdays. Shutterfly also transforms stills into less traditional photo gifts including iPhone cases, mugs, gift wrap, and adhesive wall decals.
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Promotional value expires 4/30/2016. Amount paid never expires. Limit 1 per account and/or billing address. Minimum purchase required equal to the full offer value of the deal purchased. Taxes, shipping and handling will apply. Not valid on TripPix, Make My Book, personalized postage stamps, prepaid plans, gift certificates, Videograms, cards sent using mailing services, prior purchases, orders place for in-store pickup and purchases made on the Shutterfly apps. See full terms. How is the strike-through price determined?


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I just finished doing my "genealogical" schedule for March, and here is the first part of it - maybe you will be able to join me in some of the events I will attend or read some of the happenings that I will write about.
e-Newsleaf - The e-NewsLeaf celebrates its first anniversary this month!
It is a publication of the Ontario Genealogical Society (OGS) for which I am the editor. It is sent out to the members by email for the months that the print edition, NewsLeaf, is not published. This means that it is sent to OGS members every month except February, May, August, and October.
It usually comes out on the 15th of the month in which it is published. This month, the topics include:
• Establishment of Irish Special Interest Group at the OGS
• Simcoe 25th Anniversary
• Online Obituary Index
• Other news items
Ancestry.ca - This is the first month that I will appear on the Ancestry.ca blog with two articles.
The first one will be about tracking down surnames that have a different spelling in the 1891 Canadian Census, and how I solved a problem of my own.
March 14th - This will be the meeting of the British Isles Family History Society of Greater Ottawa (BIFHSGO), and will feature speaker Sharon Moor. It will start at 10:00 a.m. at Library and Archives Canada in Ottawa.
She will talk about all the different resources that helped her crash through three (3) walls in different branches of her family history.
I am excited already! Sounds like an interesting topic!
March 17th - St. Patrick's Day! In honour of this day, I will attend a meeting of the Ottawa Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society to hear Larry Cotton's talk, "Whiskey & Wickedness".
Larry, a retired teacher, is going to tell us stories about the Temperance Movement and the licensing of taverns in the Ottawa Valley.
The talk starts at 7:30 p.m. in Room 156 of the Library and Archives Canada.
I will be back with Part II tomorrow.


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Firefighter files complaint against Kenosha's fire chief
Kenosha's fire chief is accused of conduct unbecoming of an officer.
"The chief's obviously displayed behavior that's not consistent with who our members want to see running the organization," Kenosha Professional Firefighters Local 414 President Jeremy Ryan said.
Ryan filed a complaint against his Chief John Thomsen on Thursday.
Ryan said concerns from members in the past led him to request a hearing with the Police and Fire Commission.
The allegations of misconduct listed in a complaint date back to August 2010 with the most recent in December of 2013.
The complaint claims Thomsen made a number of inappropriate comments unbecoming of an officer.
In May 2013, the complaint alleges Thomsen joked about having sex with a minor, asking if he could still donate blood.
And in July, Thomsen said to firefighters at Station 4, "Why do we have so many fat and bald guys?"
The complaint also said he made comments to firefighters regarding sexual orientation.
"We're saddened at the fact that this document had to go public," Ryan said.
The chief has been with the department since 2006.
Ryan said the union reached out to the city asking them to address their concerns.
"We didn't get any results, and we were forced to take the legal course that we have," Ryan said.
WISN 12 News attempted to contact the chief at his home, but no one answered.
WISN 12 News reporter Toni Valliere contacted Kenosha's mayor, who declined to comment but said he did receive the complaint.
In 2010, the chief was reprimanded by the city for mismanagement of a situation with the division chief.


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UVA varsity athletes arrested
UVA first-years Michael Brown, a varsity football player, and Michael Giallombardo, a varsity soccer player, are off to a bad start. The two were arrested early Tuesday morning and charged with breaking into the Delta Upsilon fraternity house earlier this month and starting a brawl, a felony charge that could land the two in jail.
However, according to Ric Barrick, director of communications for the City of Charlottesville, "The investigation is definitely still pending. According to some investigators, a lot of witnesses haven't been truthful in some of their answers," the Cavalier Daily reports. "[Police] are giving them the opportunity to step up to the plate before they take the process any further; they hope they will take advantage of that."
The arrests, says Barrick, were made after police interviewed Delta Upsilon brothers and others involved in the incident.
4 comments
quote: ââ?¬Å?[Police] are giving them the opportunity to step up to the plate before they take the process any further; they hope they will take advantage of that."
In other words, they are begging people (by intimidation) to assist in the investigation. Whoever made the statement above.... I wonder if they realize how silly it looks? :) /Steve
Hmm... So would being arrested and charged with a "felony" (or convicted of) constitute an Honor Code Violation? And if not why not?
Being charged with, or convicted of, a crime is not necessarily an honor code violation. The honor code only covers acts of lying, cheating, or stealing, so breaking into a house or starting a fight aren't covered. Now, if there are witnesses that have lied to the police, that is an honor code violation.
Thanks for the clarification Todd.
Now one more thought... Shouldn't breaking into a house and/or starting a fight (or doing something that get's one convicted of a felony) constitute an honor code violation? Or does the idea of being "honorable" not extend to violating the law in a way that harms another person?


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CULLOWHEE, N.C. (Sept. 13, 2013) – In line for a 1-0 win until the 68th minute, ETSU settled for a 1-1 draw at Western Carolina Sunday. Freshman Jenny Pöltl (Steinberg-Dorfl, Austria) scored her third goal of the season in the contest.
Pöltl gave the Buccaneers (3-3-1) an early 1-0 lead in the game's 20th minute off an assist from sophomore Hannah Short (Bristol, England).
Short, playing in just her second game since returning from an injury, drew Western Carolina goalkeeper Jenny Lauer out from the goal before passing to Pöltl for the game's first score.
"It was an excellent pass from [Hannah] Short, and a composed, skillful finish from Jenny," ETSU head coach Adam Sayers said.
Short has recorded points in the last two games for the Bucs, scoring a goal in ETSU's 7-0 win over Alabama A&M Friday.
Freshman goalkeeper Anna Yancey (Rosemark, Tenn.) was less than 23 minutes away from recording her third consecutive shutout before Western Carolina's Kelly Pannell tied the game following a corner kick.
Yancey made 10 saves on 34 shot attempts by the Wildcats (4-2-1).
"Western Carolina played with a high tempo and continually delivered the ball forward early upon regaining possession, which put us under pressure in the second half," Sayers said. "We defended well throughout. Both our central defenders and the goalkeeper, Yancey, had particularly good games."
"Our two central midfield players also did well," Sayers added. "[Cecilia] Re has been excellent since she arrived."
With the draw, ETSU extended its unbeaten streak to three matches.
"It was a tough game today," Sayers said. "Both teams had chances to win it."


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All season long, I wanted to see the Reds play in the playoffs in the worst possible way. Looks like I got my wish.
All season long, I wanted to see the Reds play in the playoffs in the worst possible way. Looks like I got my wish.
"Imagination is more important than knowledge." -- Albert Einstein
I'm stunned, I mean not at the loss but how Cincinnati teams find ways to do this to themselves year in and year out.
The Reds I thought were exempt. Their not.
I guess stranger things have happened than the Reds coming back from a 2-0 defecit, but when you consider that if it goes that far, we still have to face Doc again, who will have 2 games in hand, no, not many.
Had the Reds been able to win tonight, I would have like the Reds chances if Cueto could have made it a 2-1 lead on Sunday.
As it stands, Wednesday was a bad beginning, the 5th inning was the beginning of the end and the 6th inning was just the end.
I'm just hoping that the guys can avoid a sweep Sunday and give the homefolks a win. If they can pull the miracle and win three in a row, nobody will be happier than me. Right now though, I'm pissed that they let a huge opportunity slip away fron them with some very sloppy play.
Doesn't mean I still don't love the guys and what they've accomplished this year.
At least I have the satisfaction of knowing that FCB probably tore a labrum this evening patting himself on the back.
Last edited by corkedbat; 10-08-2010 at 09:54 PM.
Youth, which is forgiven everything, forgives itself nothing; age, which forgives itself everything, is forgiven nothing.
Still I never thought I would be watching the Reds play on this date. No matter how embarrassing it was, it still is a great experience.
"Imagination is more important than knowledge." -- Albert Einstein
C'mon guys, it's just 1 game.
This place use to be fun
Let's hand out juice boxes and donuts and do a victory tunnel.
Youth, which is forgiven everything, forgives itself nothing; age, which forgives itself everything, is forgiven nothing.
"Imagination is more important than knowledge." -- Albert Einstein
That was disgusting. Absolutely demoralizing. The Reds absolutely HANDED those runs to the Phillies. The first error on Phillips...I'm not sure it should've been an error as it took a horrible hop. The second one (on Rolen)...pissed me off. It was a real shame because Bronson had it rolling. 2 unearned runs that shouldn't have ever happened. Then 2 hit batters the following inning after Bronson's walk that loaded the bases. Two more gift baserunners. Bruce losing it in the towels/lights and Brandon droping it on the transfer. 2 more "gifts".
I know that Halladay no hit us....but this game hurts MUCH worse. Not only do we lose Cabrera with a oblique re-injury, but the defense simply implodes.
Btw...TBS didn't really show a decent replay, but that play at second base when Rolen went to second and they called the runner safe (when Phillips & Baker argued it)...to me he looked CLEARLY out due to his poor slide. Did anybody else have a better view?
Anyway...I'm ticked off (and I'm rarely mad) and I'm extremely upset for Bronson. He DESERVED a win there. The Reds simply handed the Phillies a win they had no right to. Atrocious.
Okay, I'm better now. I HAD to vent some. *sigh*
Maybe you don't give up a game to "rest" starters when you knew every loss would put you up against the worst possible team to face--the Phillies and their home field advantage? Maybe you don't pitch Volquez in game 1 because he doesn't have the experience or maturity to handle that? Maybe you don't play in the field with your head in your behind? Maybe, maybe, maybe. Maybe this wasn't our year, but it could have been. It just wasn't.
"You only have to bat a thousand in two things; flying and heart transplants. Everything else you can go 4-for-5."
-Beano Cook
Tell me, how many people actually thought the Reds would have a good shot at winning the World Series? You wanna be upset about this game? Go ahead. But, in my eyes at least, things aren't quite as bad as you seem to want to make them. Great year, very promising future. You're going to complain because the championship didn't happen in year 1? Really? Nah, I don't buy that. I'm disappointed about this week, but VERY happy about this year.
"Now that's a real shame when folks be throwin' away a perfectly good white boy like that."
Baseball is cruel. Brutally cruel.
Cruel to the too young, and doubly cruel to the long in the tooth.
Playoffs magnify everything. Before the series began, I wondered if I'd outgrown really CARING. With all of the other stuff in my life, I wondered if Baseball still held it's place.
At least I know I still care.
Get 'em next year, Boys.
"Baseball players are smarter than football players. How often do you see a baseball team penalized for too many men on the field?" ~ Jim Bouton
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