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Protect Your 401K
Checked your 401K lately? Going back to about a year ago many of these retirement accounts have shrunk by 30%, some even more. What Happened?
You have been putting money in for years and your employer may have been contributing to your plan also. It is not supposed to get smaller. You are planning to spend that money some time in the future when you decide to quit working. Along with your Social Security payments you should be able to maintain your current lifestyle. But not if your 401K and IRA keep going down and down.
The is no shortage of bad news when mutual funds such as Fidelity Magellan is off more than 30% and Janus 20 is down 63% and I could go on and on. Now you have a sharp pain in your stomach when you read your statement and when you call your broker he gives you the old song and dance about being in there "for the long haul, don't sell". It is not his money.
If you have your 401K with your employer who has a "professional manager" please don't blame the boss. He is at the mercy of that "professional" too who is slowly having you all go broke. These money manglers are taught the three great myths of Wall Street - Do Research, Buy and Hold, Dollar Cost Average. These doctrines have been promoted for so many years that they have become conventional wisdom. You don't need anyone to tell you they do not work. All you have to do is examine the results.
Buy and Hold is the greatest killer of profits. I know. Almost every broker will never tell you to sell when your stock or mutual funds starts declining yet every professional trader will have that as his first rule: have an exit strategy when your investment starts to either lose money or take away profits you have made. If you had been an owner of Janus 20 when it went from 40 to 94 and had a planned exit strategy you would have sold out near 80 to protect your profit. Now it is trading about 35 and after 2 years you have a loss instead of doubling (and keeping) your money.
How can you protect yourself against this type of loss? Don't rely on your broker or financial planner. They have too many clients to be able to watch your money. I said your money. You are the only one who cares. And if you don't want to take an interest in protecting it then you will be eating dog food instead of steak at age 65.
As the mutual funds go up in your 401K or IRA you must take a few minutes once each week or at least once each month to check the price. As you saw the $40 fund advance you set a mental stop-loss value of from 7% to 15% and when it goes down to that price you must immediately transfer those funds either to a different fund that is still advancing or to a Money Market account. It is that simple and there is nothing complicated about it.
If you don't protect your retirement account no one else will. Start today.


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DeM Banter: Very nice piece covering so many of the RPA issues that we have debated on the blog as well. We need to get to the strategic level quickly and ponder what the next 5 to 10 years will look like in the robotic war arena and then guide where we are going. Right now it is difficult to see any country with a clear vision of the future guiding the direction of these “tools.” I understand the basic argument is…RPAs are simply a delivery system… I believe there is SO much more going on here… something akin to the way the industrial revolution changed warfare…. we are witness the same inflection point here as well…. I’m not saying its wrong…or right, in a way it is really the natural progression of warfare…especially in light of the Info Revolution, but we need to carefully consider the 4th and 5th order effects. Would love to hear thoughts and debates out there…
March 23, 2013
The precedents the U.S. has set for robotic warfare may have fearsome consequences as other countries catch up.
A slim aircraft glided through Israeli airspace, maintaining low altitude and taking a winding path to avoid detection. It flew over sensitive military installations and was beginning its approach to the Dimona nuclear reactor when it was blown from the sky by the Israel Defense Forces. The plane was pilotless, directed by agents elsewhere, and had been attempting to relay images back home. Whether they were successfully transmitted, Israelis won’t say, perhaps because they don’t know. But here’s what’s certain: It wasn’t American. It wasn’t Russian or Chinese. It was an Iranian drone, assembled in Lebanon and flown by Hezbollah.
The proliferation of drone technology has moved well beyond the control of the United States government and its closest allies. The aircraft are too easy to obtain, with barriers to entry on the production side crumbling too quickly to place limits on the spread of a technology that promises to transform warfare on a global scale. Already, more than 75 countries have remote piloted aircraft. More than 50 nations are building a total of nearly a thousand types. At its last display at a trade show in Beijing, China showed off 25 different unmanned aerial vehicles. Not toys or models, but real flying machines.
It’s a classic and common phase in the life cycle of a military innovation: An advanced country and its weapons developers create a tool, and then others learn how to make their own. But what makes this case rare, and dangerous, is the powerful combination of efficiency and lethality spreading in an environment lacking internationally accepted guidelines on legitimate use. This technology is snowballing through a global arena where the main precedent for its application is the one set by the United States; it’s a precedent Washington does not want anyone following.
America, the world’s leading democracy and a country built on a legal and moral framework unlike any other, has adopted a war-making process that too often bypasses its traditional, regimented, and rigorously overseen military in favor of a secret program never publicly discussed, based on legal advice never properly vetted. The Obama administration has used its executive power to refuse or outright ignore requests by congressional overseers, and it has resisted monitoring by federal courts.
To implement this covert program, the administration has adopted a tool that lowers the threshold for lethal force by reducing the cost and risk of combat. This still-expanding counterterrorism use of drones to kill people, including its own citizens, outside of traditionally defined battlefields and established protocols for warfare, has given friends and foes a green light to employ these aircraft in extraterritorial operations that could not only affect relations between the nation-states involved but also destabilize entire regions and potentially upset geopolitical order.
Hyperbole? Consider this: Iran, with the approval of Damascus, carries out a lethal strike on anti-Syrian forces inside Syria; Russia picks off militants tampering with oil and gas lines in Ukraine or Georgia; Turkey arms a U.S.-provided Predator to kill Kurdish militants in northern Iraq who it believes are planning attacks along the border. Label the targets as terrorists, and in each case, Tehran, Moscow, and Ankara may point toward Washington and say, we learned it by watching you. In Pakistan, Yemen, and Afghanistan.
This is the unintended consequence of American drone warfare. For all of the attention paid to the drone program in recent weeks—about Americans on the target list (there are none at this writing) and the executive branch’s legal authority to kill by drone outside war zones (thin, by officials’ own private admission)—what goes undiscussed is Washington’s deliberate failure to establish clear and demonstrable rules for itself that would at minimum create a globally relevant standard for delineating between legitimate and rogue uses of one of the most awesome military robotics capabilities of this generation.
The wrong question
The United States is the indisputable leader in drone technology and long-range strike. Remote-piloted aircraft have given Washington an extraordinary ability to wage war with far greater precision, improved effect, and fewer unintended casualties than conventional warfare. The drones allow U.S. forces to establish ever greater control over combat areas, and the Pentagon sees the technology as an efficient and judicious force of the future. And it should, given the billions of dollars that have gone into establishing and maintaining such a capability.
That level of superiority leads some national security officials to downplay concerns about other nations’ unmanned systems and to too narrowly define potential threats to the homeland. As proof, they argue that American dominance in drone warfare is due only in part to the aircraft itself, which offers the ability to travel great distances and loiter for long periods, not to mention carry and launch Hellfire missiles. The drone itself, they argue, is just a tool and, yes, one that is being copied aggressively by allies and adversaries alike. The real edge, they say, is in the unparalleled intelligence-collection and data-analysis underpinning the aircraft’s mission.
“There is what I think is just an unconstrained focus on a tool as opposed to the subject of the issue, the tool of remotely piloted aircraft that in fact provide for greater degrees of surety before you employ force than anything else we use,” said retired Lt. Gen. David Deptula, the Air Force’s first deputy chief of staff for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance. “I think people don’t realize that for the medium altitude aircraft—the MQ-1 [Predator] and MQ-9 [Reaper] that are generally written about in the press—there are over 200 people involved in just one orbit of those aircraft.… The majority of those people are analysts who are interpreting the information that’s coming off the sensors on the aircraft.”
The analysts are part of the global architecture that makes precision strikes, and targeted killing, possible. At the front end, obviously, intelligence—military, CIA, and local—inform target decisions. But in as near-real time as technologically possible, intel analysts in Nevada, Texas, Virginia, and other locations watch the data flood in from the aircraft and make calls on what’s happening on target. They monitor the footage, listen to audio, and analyze signals, giving decision-makers time to adjust an operation if the risks (often counted in potential civilian deaths) outweigh the reward (judged by the value of the threat eliminated).
“Is that a shovel or a rifle? Is that a Taliban member or is this a farmer? The way that warfare has advanced is that we are much more exquisite in our ability to discern,” Maj. Gen. Robert Otto, commander of the Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Agency, told National Journal at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada. “We’re not overhead for 15 minutes with a fighter that’s about to run out of gas, and we have to make a decision. We can orbit long enough to be pretty sure about our target.”
Other countries, groups, and even individuals can and do fly drones. But no state or group has nearly the sophisticated network of intelligence and data analysis that gives the United States its strategic advantage. Although it would be foolish to dismiss the notion that potential U.S. adversaries aspire to attain that type of war-from-afar, pinpoint-strike capability, they have neither the income nor the perceived need to do so.
That’s true, at least today. It’s also irrelevant. Others who employ drones are likely to carry a different agenda, one more concerned with employing a relatively inexpensive and ruthlessly efficient tool to dispatch an enemy close at hand.
“It would be very difficult for them to create the global-strike architecture we have, to have a control cell in Nevada flying a plane over Afghanistan. The reality is that most nations don’t want or need that,” said Peter Singer, director of the Brookings Institution’s Center for 21st Century Security and Intelligence and one of the foremost experts in advanced military technology. “Turkey’s not looking to conduct strikes into the Philippines…. But Turkey is looking to be able to carry out long-duration surveillance and potentially strike inside and right on its border.”
And that’s a NATO ally seeking the capability to conduct missions that would run afoul of U.S. interests in Iraq and the broader Middle East. Already, Beijing says it considered a strike in Myanmar to kill a drug lord wanted in the deaths of Chinese sailors. What happens if China arms one of its remote-piloted planes and strikes Philippine or Indian trawlers in the South China Sea? Or if India uses the aircraft to strike Lashkar-e-Taiba militants near Kashmir?
“We don’t like other states using lethal force outside their borders. It’s destabilizing. It can lead to a sort of wider escalation of violence between two states,” said Micah Zenko, a security policy and drone expert at the Council on Foreign Relations. “So the proliferation of drones is not just about the protection of the United States. It’s primarily about the likelihood that other states will increasingly use lethal force outside of their borders.”
Lowering the bar
Governments have covertly killed for ages, whether they maintained an official hit list or not. Before the Obama administration’s “disposition matrix,” Israel was among the best-known examples of a state that engaged, and continues to engage, in strikes to eliminate people identified by its intelligence as plotting attacks against it. But Israel certainly is not alone. Turkey has killed Kurds in Northern Iraq. Some American security experts point to Russia as well, although Moscow disputes this.
In the 1960s, the U.S. government was involved to differing levels in plots to assassinate leaders in Congo and the Dominican Republic, and, famously, Fidel Castro in Cuba. The Church Committee’s investigation and subsequent 1975 report on those and other suspected plots led to the standing U.S. ban on assassination. So, from 1976 until the start of President George W. Bush’s “war on terror,” the United States did not conduct targeted killings, because it was considered anathema to American foreign policy. (In fact, until as late as 2001, Washington’s stated policy was to oppose Israel’s targeted killings.)
When America adopted targeted killing again—first under the Bush administration after the September 11 attacks and then expanded by President Obama—the tools of the trade had changed. No longer was the CIA sending poison, pistols, and toxic cigars to assets overseas to kill enemy leaders. Now it could target people throughout al-Qaida’s hierarchy with accuracy, deliver lethal ordnance literally around the world, and watch the mission’s completion in real time.
The United States is smartly using technology to improve combat efficacy, and to make war-fighting more efficient, both in money and manpower. It has been able to conduct more than 400 lethal strikes, killing more than 3,500 people, in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Yemen, Somalia, and North Africa using drones; reducing risk to U.S. personnel; and giving the Pentagon flexibility to use special-forces units elsewhere. And, no matter what human-rights groups say, it’s clear that drone use has reduced the number of civilians killed in combat relative to earlier conflicts. Washington would be foolish not to exploit unmanned aircraft in its long fight against terrorism. In fact, defense hawks and spendthrifts alike would criticize it if it did not.
“If you believe that these folks are legitimate terrorists who are committing acts of aggressive, potential violent acts against the United States or our allies or our citizens overseas, should it matter how we choose to engage in the self-defense of the United States?” asked Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Mich., chairman of the House Intelligence Committee. “Do we have that debate when a special-forces team goes in? Do we have that debate if a tank round does it? Do we have the debate if an aircraft pilot drops a particular bomb?”
But defense analysts argue—and military officials concede—there is a qualitative difference between dropping a team of men into Yemen and green-lighting a Predator flight from Nevada. Drones lower the threshold for military action. That’s why, according to the Council on Foreign Relations, unmanned aircraft have conducted 95 percent of all U.S. targeted killings. Almost certainly, if drones were unavailable, the United States would not have pursued an equivalent number of manned strikes in Pakistan.
And what’s true for the United States will be true as well for other countries that own and arm remote piloted aircraft.
“The drones—the responsiveness, the persistence, and without putting your personnel at risk—is what makes it a different technology,” Zenko said. “When other states have this technology, if they follow U.S. practice, it will lower the threshold for their uses of lethal force outside their borders. So they will be more likely to conduct targeted killings than they have in the past.”
The Obama administration appears to be aware of and concerned about setting precedents through its targeted-strike program. When the development of a disposition matrix to catalog both targets and resources marshaled against the United States was first reported in 2012, officials spoke about it in part as an effort to create a standardized process that would live beyond the current administration, underscoring the long duration of the counterterrorism challenge.
Indeed, the president’s legal and security advisers have put considerable effort into establishing rules to govern the program. Most members of the House and Senate Intelligence committees say they are confident the defense and intelligence communities have set an adequate evidentiary bar for determining when a member of al-Qaida or an affiliated group may be added to the target list, for example, and say that the rigor of the process gives them comfort in the level of program oversight within the executive branch. “They’re not drawing names out of a hat here,” Rogers said. “It is very specific intel-gathering and other things that would lead somebody to be subject for an engagement by the United States government.”
Behind closed doors
The argument against public debate is easy enough to understand: Operational secrecy is necessary, and total opacity is easier. “I don’t think there is enough transparency and justification so that we remove not the secrecy, but the mystery of these things,” said Dennis Blair, Obama’s former director of national intelligence. “The reason it’s not been undertaken by the administration is that they just make a cold-blooded calculation that it’s better to hunker down and take the criticism than it is to get into the public debate, which is going to be a hard one to win.”
But by keeping legal and policy positions secret, only partially sharing information even with congressional oversight committees, and declining to open a public discussion about drone use, the president and his team are asking the world to just trust that America is getting this right. While some will, many people, especially outside the United States, will see that approach as hypocritical, coming from a government that calls for transparency and the rule of law elsewhere.
“I know these people, and I know how much they really, really attend to the most important details of the job,” said Barry Pavel, a former defense and security official in the Bush and Obama administrations who is director of the Brent Scowcroft Center on International Security at the Atlantic Council. “If I didn’t have that personal knowledge and because there isn’t that much really in the press, then I would be giving you a different rendering, and much more uncertain rendering.”
That’s only part of the problem with the White House’s trust-us approach. The other resides in the vast distance between the criteria and authorization the administration says it uses in the combat drone program and the reality on the ground. For example, according to administration officials, before a person is added to the targeted strike list, specific criteria should be met. The target should be a 1) senior, 2) operational 3) leader of al-Qaida or an affiliated group who presents 4) an imminent threat of violent attack 5) against the United States.
But that’s not who is being targeted.
Setting aside the administration’s redefining of “imminence” beyond all recognition, the majority of the 3,500-plus people killed by U.S. drones worldwide were not leaders of al-Qaida or the Taliban; they were low- or mid-level foot soldiers. Most were not plotting attacks against the United States. In Yemen and North Africa, the Obama administration is deploying weaponized drones to take out targets who are more of a threat to local governments than to Washington, according to defense and regional security experts who closely track unrest in those areas. In some cases, Washington appears to be in the business of using its drone capabilities mostly to assist other countries, not to deter strikes against the United States (another precedent that might be eagerly seized upon in the future).
U.S. defense and intelligence officials reject any suggestion that the targets are not legitimate. One thing they do not contest, however, is that the administration’s reliance on the post-9/11 Authorization for Use of Military Force as legal cover for a drone-strike program that has extended well beyond al-Qaida in Afghanistan or Pakistan is dodgy. The threat that the United States is trying to deal with today has an ever more tenuous connection to Sept. 11. (None of the intelligence officials reached for this article would speak on the record.) But instead of asking Congress to consider extending its authorization, as some officials have mulled, the administration’s legal counsel has chosen instead to rely on Nixon administration adviser John Stevenson’s 1970 justification of the bombing of Cambodia during the Vietnam War, an action new Secretary of State John Kerry criticized during his confirmation hearing this year.
Human-rights groups might be loudest in their criticism of both the program and the opaque policy surrounding it, but even the few lawmakers who have access to the intelligence the administration shares have a hard time coping with the dearth of information. “We can’t always assume we’re going to have responsible people with whom we agree and trust in these positions,” said Sen. Angus King, I-Maine, who sits on the Senate Intelligence Committee. “The essence of the Constitution is, it shouldn’t matter who is in charge; they’re still constrained by principles and rules of the Constitution and of the Bill of Rights.”
Obama promised in his 2013 State of the Union to increase the drone program’s transparency. “In the months ahead, I will continue to engage Congress to ensure not only that our targeting, detention, and prosecution of terrorists remains consistent with our laws and system of checks and balances, but that our efforts are even more transparent to the American people and to the world,” the president said on Feb. 12. Since then, the administration, under pressure from allies on Senate Intelligence, agreed to release all of the legal memos the Justice Department drafted in support of targeted killing.
But, beyond that, it’s not certain Obama will do anything more to shine light on this program. Except in situations where leaks help it tell a politically expedient story of its skill at killing bad guys, the administration has done little to make a case to the public and the world at large for its use of armed drones.
Already, what’s become apparent is that the White House is not interested in changing much about the way it communicates strike policy. (It took Sen. Rand Paul’s 13-hour filibuster of CIA Director John Brennan’s nomination to force the administration to concede that it doesn’t have the right to use drones to kill noncombatant Americans on U.S. soil.) And government officials, as well as their surrogates on security issues, are actively trying to squash expectations that the administration would agree to bring the judicial branch into the oversight mix. Indeed, judicial review of any piece of the program is largely off the table now, according to intelligence officials and committee members.
Under discussion within the administration and on Capitol Hill is a potential program takeover by the Pentagon, removing the CIA from its post-9/11 role of executing military-like strikes. Ostensibly, that shift could help lift the secret-by-association-with-CIA attribute of the program that some officials say has kept them from more freely talking about the legitimate military use of drones for counterterrorism operations. But such a fix would provide no guarantee of greater transparency for the public, or even Congress.
And if the administration is not willing to share with lawmakers who are security-cleared to know, it certainly is not prepared to engage in a sensitive discussion, even among allies, that might begin to set the rules on use for a technology that could upend stability in already fragile and strategically significant places around the globe. Time is running out to do so.
“The history of technology development like this is, you never maintain your lead very long. Somebody always gets it,” said David Berteau, director of the International Security Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. “They’re going to become cheaper. They’re going to become easier. They’re going to become interoperable,” he said. “The destabilizing effects are very, very serious.”
Berteau is not alone. Zenko, of the Council on Foreign Relations, has urged officials to quickly establish norms. Singer, at Brookings, argues that the window of opportunity for the United States to create stability-supporting precedent is quickly closing. The problem is, the administration is not thinking far enough down the line, according to a Senate Intelligence aide. Administration officials “are thinking about the next four years, and we’re thinking about the next 40 years. And those two different angles on this question are why you see them in conflict right now.”
That’s in part a symptom of the “technological optimism” that often plagues the U.S. security community when it establishes a lead over its competitors, noted Georgetown University’s Kai-Henrik Barth. After the 1945 bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the United States was sure it would be decades before the Soviets developed a nuclear-weapon capability. It took four years.
With drones, the question is how long before the dozens of states with the aircraft can arm and then operate a weaponized version. “Pretty much every nation has gone down the pathway of, ‘This is science fiction; we don’t want this stuff,’ to, ‘OK, we want them, but we’ll just use them for surveillance,’ to, ‘Hmm, they’re really useful when you see the bad guy and can do something about it, so we’ll arm them,’ ” Singer said. He listed the countries that have gone that route: the United States, Britain, Italy, Germany, China. “Consistently, nations have gone down the pathway of first only surveillance and then arming.”
The opportunity to write rules that might at least guide, if not restrain, the world’s view of acceptable drone use remains, not least because this is in essence a conventional arms-control issue. The international Missile Technology Control Regime attempts to restrict exports of unmanned vehicles capable of carrying weapons of mass destruction, but it is voluntary and nonbinding, and it’s under attack by the drone industry as a drag on business. Further, the technology itself, especially when coupled with data and real-time analytics, offers the luxury of time and distance that could allow officials to raise the evidentiary bar for strikes—to be closer to certain that their target is the right one.
But even without raising standards, tightening up drone-specific restrictions in the standing control regime, or creating a new control agreement (which is never easy to pull off absent a bad-state actor threatening attack), just the process of lining up U.S. policy with U.S. practice would go a long way toward establishing the kind of precedent on use of this technology that America—in five, 10, or 15 years—might find helpful in arguing against another’s actions.
A not-insignificant faction of U.S. defense and intelligence experts, Dennis Blair among them, thinks norms play little to no role in global security. And they have evidence in support. The missile-technology regime, for example, might be credited with slowing some program development, but it certainly has not stopped non-signatories—North Korea and Iran—from buying, building, and selling missile systems. But norms established by technology-leading countries, even when not written into legal agreements among nations, have shown success in containing the use and spread of some weapons, including land mines, blinding lasers, and nuclear bombs.
Arguably more significant than spotty legal regimes, however, is the behavior of the United States. “History shows that how states adopt and use new military capabilities is often influenced by how other states have—or have not—used them in the past,” Zenko argued. Despite the legal and policy complexity of this issue, it is something the American people have, if slowly, come to care about. Given the attention that Rand Paul’s filibuster garnered, it is not inconceivable that public pressure on drone operations could force the kind of unforeseen change to U.S. policy that it did most recently on “enhanced interrogation” of terrorists.
The case against open, transparent rule-making is that it might only hamstring American options while doing little good elsewhere—as if other countries aren’t closely watching this debate and taking notes for their own future policymaking. But the White House’s refusal to answer questions about its drone use with anything but “no comment” ensures that the rest of the world is free to fill in the blanks where and when it chooses. And the United States will have already surrendered the moment in which it could have provided not just a technical operations manual for other nations but a legal and moral one as well.

domain: politics


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Gadgets Now Bureau03 Nov, 2020, 11:26AM IST
He has been at the forefront of transforming Microsoft’s fortunes and has really taken the company from strength to strength. From a market capitalisation value of $300 billion in 2014 — the year he was appointed CEO — to joining the $1 trillion club, Satya Nadella has been instrumental in how Microsoft is perceived as a tech company today. So when Nadella talks, one listens and that’s what we did. Here are 9 things that Microsoft's India-born CEO spoke at an event in Bengaluru:
“Do not reinvent the wheel”, he said, while talking about utilising the best technology available. Nadella said that it’s vital to know and understand how to get the best out of the latest tech and making the optimum use of it.
The immense possibilities, said Nadella, that lie in front of people who can use technology will help in shaping the next 10 years or more.
The Microsoft CEO said that it is vital that people reskill all the time. “Gone are the days when you just graduated from college and believed that the education you got will last for entire life,” said Nadella
Artificial Intelligence, as per Nadella, is what will shape the world in the next 10 years. “Every sector, every job, everywhere you go, the world is being transformed by technology,” he said.
Nadella said that it’s important that tech companies and every one who uses tech does so with great amount of responsibility
“The ultimate dream of AI is to have science do AI,” said the Microsoft CEO.
Nadella was categorical when he said that trust is the bedrock of how tech can and will be used. “Consumers shouldn’t just be able to trust those who build tech but those who use it as well.” Be it banks, or anyone who uses tech, he further said, that they should ensure people are able to trust them.
Nadella said that trillions of dollars are lost to cybercrime and it’s vital to build systems and platforms that are strong.
The Microsoft CEO said that it is expected the world will have 50 billion connected devices in the world. “This gives everyone immense opportunity to build and create for a better world,” he said.

domain: news


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fall back together
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Sometimes two people have to fall apart to realize how much they need to fall back together.
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I hate this quote. I've learned from experience that almost all men want what they can't have and don't realize how much they love someone till they've lost them. Matt never had to lose me or question our relationship to know how much he loved me. I am truly blessed with a man who is nothing like all the rest :)
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true love is...saying what you really feel. Life is too short, don't miss a moment to tell your loved ones how you really feel. It can be taken away from you in an instant.
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It's just who I am... If I love you at some point I will always love you. There are people who I can't have in my life, I had to walk away, but damn I still love them. Why was I born with this huge heart that gets me hurt so much...
I truely cant and as much as ive tried to hate you that love isnt going anywhere i cant unlove you and i fucking hate it
'Nor would I ever want to. I will always love you no matter what and I will always be there for you.' - Pete to Demi ^_^
They want me to tell you lies, they threaten me and guilt me. The truth is I cannot and will not stop loving you. The truth isn't what they wanna hear so they scare you and lie to you and then try to involve me! I will not engage! I love you without a doubt and I will stand by you and our life plan till the end.
I bother you.You forgot me.I wondered if you love me, unfortunately,now i know.You dont care if tomorrow or in a year from now i am with someone else (if u do its not from love,so no u dont).Its a sad time for me,but hey,its an excellent for u.u are ready to meet other people,maybe u already are.Im not ready yet,but eventually i will be.These should be my thoughts from now on so i can move on as you did.I said i love you, but you don't. Love cannot be forced.Hope you are making the right choice.
I cant unlove you.... no matter what u put me through I will always love u !
The truth is ... I cant unlove you
I can`t unlove you
Love You, Truelove, Life Quote, So True, Meant To Be Quote, True Love Quote, It S True
This is so true.. it always finds you again in some way!! Lol as much as you might not want to admit it (current gf) you know that I'm the first love...otherwise why would he always come looking for me?? Lol..the lies he tells you... but continue dedicating pins about me;) #truelove#firstlove#alwaysinmyheart
I loved you from the start. That will never change. I know we'll always fall into each others arms again and again.
True love quotes, best life quotes, quotations, cute life quote, and sad life quotes.
So true!!! So happy you kept coming back to me!! I love you so much baby!! :'-) <3
don't let a fight discourage you/ So true.
#quotes #lovequotes #cute #truelove #love
bad habits are the best!
It 's true
Let’s face it: Falling in love is easy, but staying in love requires work. Romantic or platonic, her
Sotrue, Truth, So True, Thought, Quotes Sayings, Favorite Quotes, You'Re My Favorite, Sweet Quote
I am not going anywhere- no matter what the circumstances are! This is what I do know.... I am kind, smart, pretty & successful, oh and I love you! I am not the woman who is trying to be your everything because clearly you don't need me to be. Have fun with me, enjoy the moment, confide in me, be my friend and my lover. Then be honest and truthful and in return I'll give you unconditional love. Yes I'm talking to you ❤
Visit www.GagThat.com to check out more of the best quotes & sayings! <3
I thought we could be something, Shiv. I truly did...
WATCH THE VIDEO ITS SO TRUE!!
sweet quote for a card
You're my favorite!!!
True story :)
People need to fight for you!!
Moving On, Sotrue, My Life, Life Quote, Thought, So True, Feel Unwanted, Be Strong
I thought we had something real....but you've shown me that you really DON'T care...so I've got to move on and be happy in my life...
good thought http://www.positivewordsthatstartwith.com/ If you're relationship makes you feel unsure, unhealthy, unhappy, unloved, or you cry a lot. This is not the person for you. Don't feel like you're not good enough. If anyone makes you feel this shitty they are an extremely mean asshole. And will treat anyone the are with like crap.
when people make you feel unwanted life quotes quotes quote life quote Makes me sad. I thought friends, real friends are there and understand your short comings.
When people make you feel unwanted, don't leave to make them feel sad or guilty, they wont. Leave because you no longer have a reason to stay. Sometimes you have to be strong for yourself. What's meant to be will end good and what's not - won't. Love is worth fighting for, but sometimes you can't be the only one fighting. At times, people need to fight for you. If they don't you just have to move on and realize what you gave them was more than they were willing to give you and more then they deserve.
when people make you feel unwanted life quotes #sotrue
This is so true. be strong for yourself
Falling In Love
Falling In Love Quotes, Fallinginlove, Favorite Quote, Pretty Girls, So True, Quotes Sayings, Don'T Worry, Don T Worry, Worry Pretty
falling in love is like jumping off a really tall building: your head tells you "idiot, you're gonna die" but your heart tells you "don't worry pretty girl, you can fly"
falling in love quotes - Bing Images
don't worry pretty girl you can fly
Falling in love - so true!!!!
Don't worry pretty girl...
new favorite quote.
Can T Wait, Truth, My Life, So True, Beautiful Sigmund, Freud Quotes, Let S Hope, Sigmund Freud
One day, in retrospect, the years of struggle will strike you as the most beautiful. ~Sigmund Freud Quote for my classroom?
Sigmund Freud. So True... Like when the boys we 2,4 and 7- I thought they were the hardest days of my life. Looking back now, I treasure every moment.
Sigmund freud beautiful struggle quote
I can"t wait til that 'one day'!!!
If you've found the perfect valentines day card for your perfect valentine, but can't find the right words to express exactly how you feel about him or her, this collection of 25 love quotes is just what you need. I love all of these, but I especially love Marilyn Monroe's quote (the last one)!
Forever Love Quote, Valentine Day Cards, Love Is Quotes, Husband Quote, Valentines Day Quote, Perfect Valentine, Husband Love Quote, Love Life Quote, Sweet Quote
sweet quote, I love my partner beyond words! After 9 years together i fall in love more everyday! First comes love than comes falling in love which is unexplainable!
If you've found the perfect valentines day card for your perfect valentine, but can't find the right words to express exactly how you feel about him or her, this collection of 25 love quotes is just what you need. I love all of these, but I especially love Marilyn Monroe's quote (the last one)! -repinned from Los Angeles County, California marriage officiant https://OfficiantGuy.com #marriagequote
Such a perfect Valentine's Day quote...
love is quotes - Google Search
Sent from dad. It's all about falling in love with yourself and sharing that love with someone who appreciates you, rather than looking for love to compensate for a self love deficit.
Selflove, Falling In Love, Time Quotes Love Relationships, Truth, Love Yourself Quote, So True, Gold Wedding, Fall In Love With, Self Love Quotes
Sent from dad. It's all about falling in love with yourself and sharing that love with someone who appreciates you, rather than looking for love to compensate for a self love deficit. #selflove
Pink and gold wedding with an adorable escort card DIY! #weddingchicks Captured By: Heidi-O-Photo www.weddingchicks...self love. Falling in love love deficit
Absolutely love this quote, fall in love with yourself first before you let someone fall in love with you TRUTH<3
Powerful words... It's all about falling in love with yourself and sharing that love with someone who appreciates you...
Love this so much, gotta fall in love with yourself before you fall in love with anyone else!
It's all about falling in love with yourself. this is so you my luv!! there is truth here!
This is so true! You can't love another if you don't fall in love with yourself first.
"It's about falling in love with YOURSELF" So true! Self-Love, Self-Worth!
It's all about falling in love with yourself ~ Single love
live in the moment
Remember This, Favorite Quote, Reason People, Truth, Life Quote, Past Present Future, So True, Thought
The reason people find it so hard to be happy is that they always see the past better than it was, the present worse than it is and the future less resolved than it will be... This is so, so true...
Wow. So true but never thought about it like that before.
This is one of my all time favorite quotes. So true.
The reason people find it so hard to be happy...
#life #quote #past #present #future #happiness
Trying to remember this #truth
When You Love Someone Quote, Friends Love Quotes, Quotes Friendship Love, Friendship Love Quotes, Grateful Quotes Friendship, No Friends Quotes, Life Without You Quote, Love Friendship Quotes
That's how you know you love someone. I guess, when you can't experience anything without wishing the other person were there to see it, too. -repinned from LA County ceremony officiant https://OfficiantGuy.com #lovequote
May be harder at times then others, but this is very true. You will make it through every obstacle with the right person.
Relationships Include, Truth, Thought, So True, Real Relationships, Relationship Quotes, Relationship Fights, Worth It, Relationship Fighting
Relationships include: Fights, jealousy, arguments, faith, tears, disagreements, but a real relationship fights through all that with love.
....I always hate the pictures that say if he makes you cry then leave..because truth is he will, and you will make him mad..
Real Relationship Quotes About Love - Are you in a toxic relationship? http://savingarelationship.net/toxic-relationship/
Relationships include fights, arguments, faith, tears, disagreements, but a real relationship fights through all that with love. Denver Couples Counseling www.ThriveFamilyServices.com
Relationships include: fights, jealously, arguments, faith, tears, disagreements, but a real relationship fights through all that with love. Relationship Advice you can find here : www.erelationshiptips.com

domain: literature


text:
You will never be my girl
I've been knocked down again, tell me why..
My only friend's up there in the sky
I'm on my on again, in the night
can't find a girl who'll take me tonight
And let me down, I wont care
Don't get on top of me, baby
cause you will never be my girl again
there's no stopping me, lately
you will never be my girl.
So what's it like to be rejected now
the table's have turned and your on the way down
from all those years of pushing me away
you'll listen to everything i have to say
to make you feel that way again
Oh, Im sick of feeling sorry for myself
So, I don't need you anymore!
(c) Copyright 2001 amphibious musicAuthor/Composer: N.Winter
Author/Composer: D. Winter
Composer: G. Collingwood

domain: artistic


text:
Here in California, trees are a beautiful sight all year long and offer a wide range of benefits to a community. But beyond their aesthetic properties and ability to increase property values, trees have ecological and environmental importance. With beauty and benefit, we should plant more trees!
Once the state lockdown restrictions are lifted, consider planting a tree on your patio. Here are five beginner tips to follow.
Step 1: Plant during the right time of year.
The type of tree you are planting determines the time you should plant. As a general rule of thumb, early fall is the best time for Southern California. Your new tree will miss the scorching months of summer and have enough time to strengthen its roots before the cold and rainy months of winter.
Step 2: Choose the right spot and the right tree.
Be aware of power lines. If your tree species is known for being tall, planting beneath overhead power lines will force you to hire pruners each year. While trees and underground power lines easily coexist, having to dig up power lines for maintenance purposes could harm your tree.
After you have the right spot chosen, find the right tree. Research sun, water, and soil requirements. If you’re looking for a tree that offers shade, podocarpus, magnolias, and camphors are great choices for Southern California.
Step 3: Dig the right size of hole.
You want your hole to be just as deep and two or three times bigger than your tree’s seed ball. If the hole is too small, the roots won’t penetrate the soil effectively. And if it’s too deep, your tree could experience growth decline. Once your tree is inserted, backfill the hole with the dirt you removed.
Step 4: Add tree stakes if necessary.
Tree stakes should only be used if your plant is a bare-root tree, is located in an area with strong winds, or has an undersized rootball and a tall trunk. Normally, trees don’t need stakes. In fact, using stakes when not necessary could be detrimental to the tree.
Step 5: Add mulch and watch it grow!
Mulch is material you place over a tree’s soil to help contain moisture, reduce weed growth, and improve the appearance of a tree. It is best to add two to three inches of mulch. Too much could hurt the tree. Once the mulching is completed, water your tree regularly, and watch your baby grow!

domain: agronomy


KA-2H is a 2 seat helicopter.
K4A is currently implementing the «Build and Fly» program, that will enable the first prototype of this model to fly at the end of 2017. Then the KA-2H will go through final Certification process and it will be ready to be sold in 2019.
It is provided with two piston engines working in a parallel way, so that the failure of one engine is never a fatal failure.
It will be the first helicopter:
Provided with two piston engines working in a parallel way. So it will be allowed to fly over built-up areas in Europe and other countries where strict regulations do not allow light helicopters with a single engine to fly over built-up areas.
Able to fly with automotive gasoline instead of the Avio gas, without depending on airports.


Hamilton councillors say they're shaken by the saga of a city-subsidized lodging home that failed to remedy serious health and safety problems for three years before its licence to operate was suspended.
“It's an important issue for council to understand,” Chad Collins said of the problem-plagued Burris Lodge, closed Nov. 8 for 60 days by the city's licensing tribunal.
“How many other facilities do we have out there where there is a track record of documented violations? At the end of the day, it boils down to quality of life issues for these vulnerable residents.”
Terry Whitehead said he's asked city lawyers to explore expanding the authority of the tribunal, which he chairs, to give it more clout in cases of long-term noncompliance.
Burris Lodge — one of three for-profit Hamilton residences owned by Moheb Michael of Mississauga — agreed to a statement of facts showing the facility breached health requirements covering TB testing and the safe administration of medications to residents, many with psychiatric or developmental disabilities.
Evidence submitted for the suspension hearing itemized problems with how staff responded to physical or mental emergencies and identified extensive property issues, including bedbugs, mice, unsafe wiring and exposed heating pipes that carried water through the residence at a temperature of 170 F.
In one case, an uncovered baseboard heater in the front vestibule had a defective element that caused part of the unit to melt, and one of the showers had a light socket that wasn't waterproof and was missing a bulb.
The home's approximately 20 residents have been moved temporarily to other Hamilton homes, at the city's cost, although the amount has not been determined.
Hamilton has about 60 subsidized domiciliary hostels — as these facilities are called — that provide accommodation (funded 80 per cent by the province and 20 per cent by the city) to vulnerable low-income adults with a range of special needs. Public health, licencing, fire and housing and social services inspect the homes to ensure standards are being met for everything from food handling to washroom supplies.
“Ultimately, the question we need to ask is how something like this could be so prolonged?” Whitehead said. “Why wasn't it before us earlier on some of these noncompliance issues. We don't have an answer.”
Moheb Michael — who also owns Anka's Rest Home for seniors on London Street South and Balsam Lodge near Gage Park — redirected questions about Burris Lodge. A spokesperson said in an email that “we respect the decision of tribunal and we take public safety of the facility very seriously. The matter highlighted in the show cause hearing dates back to issues that began in 2007 when we first purchased this facility.”
Since then, the management team has been working with the city to upgrade the building — near King Street East and Sanford Avenue South — and ensure all guidelines, codes and policies are met, the email said.
A contractor's Oct. 31 summary of the $130,000 worth of work scheduled, or already completed, provides an overview of the property issues, including severely overgrown grounds housing small rodents that entered the basement through a window that could not be closed. There was also water running into a second-floor bedroom ceiling, broken venting fans in many locations and severe mould throughout the house.
Public health documents itemize complaints by residents, including several about being hungry. One resident complained that all there was for one meal was a bowl of baked beans and a piece of toast.
Robert Hall, director of health protection for Hamilton in public health services, said it is not unusual for inspections to find items of noncompliance in such homes. He said the homes work with the city to correct problems, “but with Burris Lodge, they weren't complying.”
He noted that public health could not use provincial legislation to force compliance at Burris because most items did not fall under the definition of a “critical health hazard” — the benchmark that would enable the issuing of a formal order to comply.


text:
Former Martin Mayor Thomasine Robinson was hospitalized last week following cancer surgery. According to city councilor Charles Justice and Mahendra Varia, Robinson went into Pikeville Medical Center for surgery on January 24 to have a portion of her lung removed.
Justice says that Robinson has been battling cancer for some time. According to Justice, while in the hospital, Robinson developed pneumonia in her other lung and has been moved to the intensive care unit.
Thomasine Robinson was appointed mayor of the City of Martin in 1998, and had run successfully in 2000, 2004, and 2008. Robinson lost what would have been her fourth consecutive term to Sam Howell in November of 2012 by a margin of three votes.


text:
Around the World
US senators unveil Russia sanctions bill after intel report
Several US senators including Republicans critical of President-elect Donald Trump’s skepticism of alleged Kremlin-ordered hacking joined forces Tuesday to introduce sanctions against Russia for interfering in the US election.
Iran Demands ‘Compensation’ for U.S. Breach of Nuke Deal
Iran is demanding further “compensation” from the United States following claims America violated the nuclear agreement by passing new sanctions on the Islamic Republic, according to comments by senior Iranian officials following meetings with the Obama administration in Vienna.
Will The EU Survive 2017? French Presidential Candidate Emmanuel Macron Questions Euro Currency
The European Union's single currency system could be abandoned within the next ten years without significant economic reforms by Paris and Berlin, according to French presidential candidate and former economic minister Emmanuel Macron, who commented Tuesday on Germany's advantageous position in the current scheme.
Kerry to attend Mideast peace conference in Paris
Secretary of State John Kerry will attend a Middle East peace conference in Paris on Sunday, in a move likely to dismay an already angry Israel.
Pope Francis to host Abbas on January 14
Pope Francis will grant Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas an audience at the Vatican on Saturday, the Holy See confirmed indirectly Tuesday by announcing arrangements for media coverage of the visit.
Inside the United States
Taxpayers pay IRS $3 billion in 2015 for Obamacare penalty
Taxpayers forked over $3 billion to the federal government in 2015 because they didn't have health insurance, under Obamacare's individual mandate penalty.
Why Are Police Called Pigs? In US Capitol, Controversial Painting Goes Up And Down
Liberal and conservative lawmakers squabbled Tuesday over whether to hang a controversial social-justice themed painting depicting police officers as pigs in the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington.
Senior House Republican Says Intel Shows Gitmo Detainees Returning to Terrorism
A senior House Republican urged President Obama on Tuesday to 'immediately halt' the transfer of Guantanamo Bay detainees, citing a new intelligence report that found recently released prisoners were returning to terrorism.
FBI's Comey: Republicans also hacked by Russia
Top intelligence officials indicated on Tuesday that the GOP was also a Russian hacking target but that none of the information obtained was leaked.
Jury sentences Dylann Roof to death for Emanuel AME Church massacre
Just a few hours after he told a crowded courtroom 'I still feel like I had to do it,' a federal jury sentenced Dylann Roof to death for carrying out a cold, calculated massacre inside Charleston's Emanuel AME Church in a bid to spark a race war.
Bomb Threats Target 20 Jewish Centers Across U.S.
Jewish centers received multiple bomb threats in at least six states on Monday, according to reports.
Black pastors rally in Washington for AG nominee Jeff Sessions
A group of black pastors Monday criticized African-American opponents of attorney general nominee Sen. Jeff Sessions for demonizing the Alabama Republican, instead characterizing him as someone who shows 'respect and care for people of all races.'


text:
Introduction to Express Care Clinics
When you feel sick or get hurt, sometimes you can’t wait days to see your doctor. That’s where Express Care Clinics come in handy. Think of them as the middle ground between your regular doctor and the emergency room. They are perfect for when you need medical attention quickly, but it’s not so serious that you need to head to a hospital. Express Care Clinics offer a variety of services like treating minor injuries, infections, and providing vaccinations. They’re faster because you don’t always need an appointment, and they’re often open beyond regular doctor office hours, even on weekends and evenings. Plus, they’re usually less expensive than a visit to the emergency room. So, next time you’ve got an urgent health issue that doesn’t quite warrant the ER but can’t wait for your doctor’s appointment, an Express Care Clinic might be your best bet.
Reason 1: Shorter Wait Times
One of the biggest advantages of choosing an express care clinic for urgent medical needs is the shorter wait times. Unlike emergency rooms where you might sit for hours, express care clinics get you seen by a healthcare professional much faster. This means you can get treatment right away and start feeling better sooner. These clinics are designed to handle non-life-threatening issues efficiently, so you’re in and out quickly. With their streamlined processes, you avoid the long wait times typical of traditional ERs and doctor’s offices. This is especially valuable when every minute feels like an hour because you or your loved ones are in discomfort.
Reason 2: Convenient Locations
Express Care Clinics are often more conveniently located than traditional hospitals or primary care doctors. You might find one right in your neighborhood, saving you the hassle of traveling far when you’re not feeling well. This means less time driving and more time getting the care you need when you need it. Plus, with clinics in shopping centers or near other places you might visit regularly, fitting in a healthcare visit becomes much easier. Simply put, the convenience of Express Care Clinic locations is hard to beat when you’re seeking quick medical attention.
Reason 3: Affordable Care Options
The price of visiting an emergency room can make you sweat more than your illness. Express care clinics, on the other hand, offer a wallet-friendly alternative. They’re designed to handle urgent issues without the heavy price tag of a full-blown hospital ER visit. Whether you’re wrestling with a nasty cold or a twisted ankle, these clinics provide care that won’t drain your bank account. Insurance often covers visits, but even without insurance, the out-of-pocket costs are way more manageable. You get the care you need without the financial headache. So, if you’re looking to save some green while getting back on your feet, these express spots have your back.
Reason 4: Wide Range of Services
Express Care Clinics are not just quick fixes for minor cuts or colds. They offer a wide range of services that can surprise you. From treating infections, sprains, and fractures to managing chronic conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure, these clinics have got you covered. Many also provide vaccinations, health screenings, and physical exams. This versatility means you can rely on them for a broad spectrum of health issues, making it convenient to get the care you need without the long wait times of traditional doctor’s offices.
Reason 5: Flexible Hours to Fit Your Schedule
Express Care Clinics know your time is valuable, and life doesn’t stick to a 9-to-5 schedule. That’s why they offer flexible hours, opening early and closing late. This means you can get medical attention before your workday starts or after it ends, without having to rearrange your whole day. It’s about making healthcare fit into your life, not the other way around. Whether it’s a sudden fever in the wee hours or a sprained ankle on a Saturday, you’re covered. No waiting days for an appointment or sitting in an emergency room for hours. Just care, when you need it, on your time.
Understanding the Differences Between Express Care Clinics and Emergency Rooms
When you’re feeling under the weather or have a minor injury, you have options. Two popular choices are express care clinics and emergency rooms, but they’re not the same. Express care clinics handle minor ailments like colds, minor cuts, or infections without an appointment. They’re quick, often cheaper, and you’ll likely be in and out in no time. Emergency rooms (ERs), on the other hand, are for life-threatening illnesses or injuries. Think heart attacks, deep wounds, or anything requiring immediate, extensive care. ERs are open 24⁄7 but can be more expensive and involve longer waits. So, next time you’re in a bind, think about the severity of your situation. A bad cold? Express care might be your best bet. Something more serious? Head to the ER.
What to Expect During Your Visit to an Express Care Clinic
At an Express Care Clinic, you walk in expecting quick, no-fuss medical attention. Here’s the lowdown on what will go down. First, you’ll check in, often digitally, making paperwork a breeze. They’ll ask about your symptoms to figure out how to help you fast. Next, you’re likely to see a healthcare provider sooner than you’d expect. This might be a nurse practitioner or a physician assistant, skilled folks ready to tackle most ailments. They’ll examine you, maybe run some tests right there and then. The idea is to get you diagnosed and treated, quick and clean. If you need medication, many clinics can sort that out on the spot or send a prescription to a nearby pharmacy. The whole point? To patch you up and get you back on your feet without the wait and hassle of traditional ERs. Just remember, for serious or life-threatening issues, the standard ER is where you need to head.
Tips for Choosing the Right Express Care Clinic for You
When picking an Express Care Clinic, you want quick, reliable care without a fuss. Here’s how to choose right. First, check location. You need something easy to get to, especially if feeling crummy. Next, consider their hours. Some clinics are open late or on weekends, offering flexibility for your busy life. Look into the services they provide. Not all clinics handle everything. Make sure they can treat your issue. Don’t forget to ask about wait times. Some places let you check in online or give wait time estimates. Lastly, research their reputation. Online reviews or recommendations from friends can guide your choice. Keep it simple, focus on what matters to you.
Conclusion: Why Express Care Clinics Are a Reliable Choice for Urgent Medical Needs
Express Care Clinics are a solid pick when you’re in a tight spot needing medical attention. Here’s the deal: you get quick service without the long waits often seen at emergency rooms. These clinics are staffed with skilled professionals ready to tackle a variety of health issues, from fevers to fractures. The cost? Generally more wallet-friendly than a visit to the ER. Plus, their flexible hours mean help is there when you most need it, even outside the standard 9-5. With the spread of Express Care Clinics, chances are there’s one close to you, making it a convenient option for urgent health concerns. So, when the unexpected happens, remember these points. Express Care Clinics have got your back with fast, accessible, and cost-effective medical care.

domain: medical


text:
One of the greatest joys you can experience while traveling to remote locations is the ability to present a polaroid photo to the local people you meet who may not be as fortunate to own a camera themselves.
It is often one of the best gift you can give.
There is a truly special and undeniable happiness on the faces of those you present with a polaroid. Camera phones have reached even the most remote places on earth these days so people are usually familiar with seeing their photos on small screens and even on a general camera screen. However, most have never seen a photo being printed instantly.
Polaroids are also one of the world’s greatest “ice breakers”. A change occurs during these moments that surpasses language barriers , cultural differences and nationality. During my experience the photos have created a lot of attention. Ive had entire villages line up for photos and have been made the guest of honor.
On a countless number of occasions I have been invited for endless cups of tea, a glass of pristine whiskey and even accommodation for the night. Not only are you able to bring joy and laughter to others but you have the possibility of changing your position as a tourist to an authentic traveler – interacting with the locals and experiencing a side of their life you would never seen otherwise, all because of a small photo. Just be sure to carry enough film as I’ve had to disappoint a few people when Ive run out.
Locals get very excited!
Over the years I have brought my Polaroid camera with me to Western Sichuan in China, South Russia, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan and Cuba. In each destination it has brought excitement to the locals, even Havana, Cuba´s bustling capital. Presenting these photos always ends the same way … with an unbound number of smiles and laugher. This also saves you from promises to E-mail photos later. For myself, I know such a promise is unfortunately far too easy to break.
So, if you ever travel through any of the places I mentioned and notice a polaroid photo on a wall, its most likely from me.
Traveling with a polaroid camera may come with a few hassles. Other foreign tourists have nagged for photos when I’ve used the camera in more touristy places and in a few countries Ive encountered plenty of turmoil from Customs.
The camera itself is big and bulky and not travel friendly. Ive had packs of films die from heat (Dubai) and cold (Northern Pakistan) even when they were safely packed inside my backpack. Film is also expensive and sometimes impossible to obtain even in well-developed cities.
However, any amount of hassle is well worth it when you witness the smiles, the laughter and the unspoken bond a simple printed photo creates.
So often we take pictures for our own memory but having a polaroid allows those we meet along our journey …. to remember us as well.

domain: geography


Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia
2010 RT - cracked frame!!!
I rode from Sydney to Perth and back again just before Christmas. I put the bike in for a service in Perth and when I got it back, I was having difficulty changing gears. The short version is that the in-board bush that supports that gear selector shaft had cracked where it is welded onto the frame.
Eventually it was impossible to change gears, and I had guy do a patch up welding job on the bottom of it so I could get back to Sydney.
BMW have agreed to provide a new rear frame (I have to pay $1,500 for labour).
The bike was just on 3 years old when it happened with only 70,000km on it . I have had it since new and it has never been in an accident.
I also had to have the final drive replaced at 47,000.
I love riding it, but can't get my head around paying that much for a bike that has these major failures.
Anyways, has anyone heard of the frame cracking like this before?


text:
Miri, Malaysia is a vibrant and exciting coastal city that offers a unique blend of culture, adventure, and natural beauty. Nestled in the heart of Borneo, Miri is a gateway to some of the most stunning landscapes in the world, from towering rainforests and rugged mountains to pristine beaches and crystal-clear waters. The city itself is a bustling hub of activity, with a thriving oil and gas industry and a dynamic cultural scene that celebrates the diverse heritage of the local communities. You can explore the vibrant night markets, sample delicious local cuisine, and immerse yourself in the colorful traditions of the Sarawakian people. For the adventurous traveler, Miri offers a wealth of outdoor activities, including trekking through the jungles of Lambir Hills National Park, diving in the world-renowned waters of the South China Sea, and scaling the towering peaks of Mount Mulu. Whether you're looking for a unique cultural experience or an adrenaline-fueled adventure, Miri is a destination that will capture your heart and leave you with memories that last a lifetime.
Miri, Malaysia is a hidden gem of tourism that offers a wealth of exciting and diverse experiences. Known as the "Oil Town" of Malaysia, Miri is famous for its thriving oil and gas industry, which has brought economic prosperity to the city. But there is so much more to Miri than just black gold! With its stunning natural landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and exciting outdoor activities, Miri is a destination that has something for everyone.
For those interested in cultural experiences, Miri has a lot to offer. The city's vibrant night markets are a hub of activity, with colorful stalls selling traditional crafts, textiles, and delicious local cuisine. You can also visit the local longhouses, where you can learn about the customs and traditions of the indigenous people of Sarawak. Miri is also famous for its exciting outdoor activities, including world-class diving and snorkeling in the clear waters of the South China Sea, and adrenaline-fueled experiences like hiking and mountain climbing.
In addition, Miri is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in Malaysia, including the stunning Tanjong Lobang Beach and Tusan Beach. With its blend of natural beauty, cultural richness, and adventure, Miri is a destination that should be on every traveler's bucket list. Whether you're seeking a relaxing beach getaway or an adrenaline-fueled adventure, Miri has something to offer for everyone.

domain: travel


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Extraordinary circumstances require extraordinary measures with the caveat that they are affordable.
The R500bn relief package announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa in April was one such extraordinary measure, as was the extension of the R350-a-month special grant to help the unemployed cope with the devastation caused by the Covid-19 lockdown.
Another extraordinary measure would be the extension of the temporary employer/employee relief scheme (Ters) beyond its September 15 termination date for as long as the state of disaster lasts.
The Ters benefit paid by the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) provided a form of wage protection for workers of businesses in distress. Business and labour want payment of the benefit to be extended to at least mid-November when the state of disaster is set to expire and preferably to end-December.
SA is now under level one of the risk-adjusted strategy to control the pandemic and while most businesses can operate normally there are many, particularly in the tourism, hospitality and liquor sectors, which cannot.
Business and labour justifiably argue that if the government is to impose a state of disaster it is only right that it assist those workers who are prevented from earning a living by this measure. These include vulnerable workers such as those over 60 years of age and those with co-morbidities.
The national coronavirus command council, the body charged with the government’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic, decided last week that the Ters benefit would not be extended despite a commitment by the president that it would. Minister in the presidency Jackson Mthembu confirmed this stance at a post-cabinet media briefing on Thursday when he said the government would not deviate from its timeline.
The question of whether the benefit should be extended or not is essentially one of affordability. The UIF has opposed the extension of the benefit on the grounds that it needs to protect its funds to be able to provide unemployment benefits for the large number of workers who have already been and are likely in future to be retrenched.
Business and labour believe it is overestimating these future liabilities, but if the UIF’s view is based on a sound actuarial analysis of its assets and liabilities, then it will have to be taken seriously as a legitimate concern. The pressing needs of the present as articulated by business and labour, however justified, have to be weighed against the projected needs of the future and it is only actuaries who can provide this answer. It is estimated that an extension of the Ters benefit to the end of 2020 would cost about R12bn.
Business and labour believe that the UIF has more than enough funds at its disposal to meet its obligations, having R51bn in liquid assets and R59bn in illiquid assets. By last week the UIF had paid out R51bn in Ters benefits to just more than 1-million companies that applied, disbursing more than 11.5-million payments. This has been a huge and much-needed injection into the economy.
Business and labour argue that if the UIF were to help distressed businesses retain workers now there will be fewer unemployed workers for the UIF to support in future.
Another issue which has roused their ire is the bungled nature of the announcement that there would be no extension while they were in the midst of negotiations at the National Economic Development and Labour Council. The matter should have been handled more sensitively.
Business for SA, the lobby group established to assist the government with its coronavirus response, has questioned the role of the national coronavirus command council in making the decision, noting that ordinarily decisions such as those related to the Ters benefit should be made by labour & employment minister Thulas Nxesi and his director-general based on consultations with the other social partners. Nxesi has been remarkably silent on an issue over which he has jurisdiction.
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Just War Doctrine
In the comments to my post last week, Henry V Times Four, which may be viewed here, and which had four versions of the immortal “band of brothers” speech, commenter Centinel posed a very interesting question to me:
I’ve come to respect your knowledge of history and your insights. I just wanted to get your honest opinion on oneissue. As I understand it, Catholic doctrine would say that wars of aggression are not justified (most of the time). Though I enjoy Shakespeare’s plays, it bothers me that Henry V was fighting a war of aggression – hence, an unjust war.
From Henry V’s point of view, the war was about his (legitimate?) claim to the French throne. But from the point of view of the French peasantry, whichever dynasty sat on the French thronedid not really make any difference in their lives. They were merely caught in the middle; the longer the war lasted, the greater the collateral damage to French civilians. Besides, Henry V already had the Kingdom of England. Hence, it was just pure greed driving Henry V to claim the French throne.
I would appreciate your opinion on this.
Centinel thank you for very kind words and for inspiring a forthcoming post! The more I thought about your question the more complicated my answer became and only a post length reply, which I will attempt to do in the next week, will do it justice. The short answer is that Henry V, by the just war analysis of his day, had a defensible claim to be fighting a just war, while under the just war analysis of our day his war would be unjust. However, there is much more to say than that, and I will attempt to do this intriguing question justice in my forthcoming post.
In answering the question we must first examine how the formulation of the Just War doctrine has changed from the time of Henry V to our time. Continue reading
I wasn’t going to do this, but now I am. A contributor (Morning’s Minion) to a certain blog (Vox Nova), whose views on gun control I previously challenged, took it upon himself to let it all out about “conservatism” – partially, I believe, in response to our exchange. The same themes are there at least, though he does go on (and on) about slavish right-wing support for Israel, an issue on which I am not so enthusiastic. I’ve also made my opposition to America’s interventionist foreign policy known. In doing so I respectfully digress from many of my co-bloggers at The American Catholic.
But there are a number of very broad points made by Morning Minions that are more or less directed at me, and my co-bloggers, and of course conservatives and libertarians in general, and I will answer them here.
Whether as a sign of intellectual curiosity or general aimlessness, I often find myself reading about random subjects late at night. The other night, I found myself reading about Finland in World War II.
It’s an interesting subject. Finland was invaded by the USSR in 1939, at pretty much the same time they occupied the Baltic states and split Poland with Germany.
In the Winter War of 1939-1940, the Finns successfully slowed the Soviet advance, and eventually the USSR agreed to a peace treaty. Finland was forced to cede the parts of her territory she had not yet won back from the Soviets, but 90% of the country’s territory remained intact. This itself was an amazing military feat for such a small country. It’s also interesting in that they essentially out-Russianed the Russians. Just as Napoleon’s and Hitler’s armies bogged down and froze while trying to invade Russia, the Soviets bogged down and froze while trying to attack Finland, which was even better versed in winter warfare than Russia.
We here at TAC are sometimes accused of the sins of being Calvinists, militarists, and even Americans. Someone already dealt with the Calvinist charge, but what about militarism? Is it right for us to be castigated for using the word “citadel” to describe a monastery?
What I want to know is this: why should we listen to people who, to make a grand public showing of their deeply-felt moral opposition to militarism and war, constantly nitpick others, question their faith, and inevitably conclude that they worship a different (and presumably better) God while apologizing for a tradition that has never been shy of using militaristic symbols and rhetoric in pursuit of its own goals? I am of course talking about people who apologize for Liberation Theology, which made images such as these popular in Latin America:
Undoubtedly this too would be a “tendency” that one ought to condemn – if one wants to be consistent with the pacifism one tries to push on everyone else. But wait, there’s more!
Ed Stoddard of Reuters’ religion blog Faithworld carries a roundup of the skirmish between Congressman Patrick Kennedy, the son of the late Senator Edward Kennedy, has claimed that Rhode Island Bishop Thomas Tobin.
In conclusion, Stoddard asks:
This leads to a question about the consistency of views in the U.S. Catholic Church leadership. The Church opposes abortion and therefore liberal politicians who support abortion rights risk being refused communion. The Church supports a healthcare overhaul that would make the system more equitable. So does a conservative Catholic politician who opposes this reform risk being denied communion for ignoring the Catholic social teaching that justifies it?
How about support for capital punishment, which the Vatican says is unjustified in almost all possible cases, or for war? In the build-up to the Iraq war, Pope John Paul was so opposed to the plan that he sent a personal envoy to Washington to argue against it. Did bishops threaten any measures against Catholic politicians who energetically supported that war despite Vatican opposition?
The author’s questions reveal an elementary ignorance concerning the moral issues in question and their relationship to varying levels of Church teaching. While I am disappointed by his answer (Faithworld is generally one of the better and more educational “religion blogs” in the secular media), it is understandable — as even many Catholics find themselves confused on this matter. Continue reading
The idea of supporting the troops is not one where you find a whole lot of argument. Of course in the Vietnam era there are the stories of how hippies used to spit on servicemen, calling them “baby killers”. I’ve heard that scenario repeated so many times, I’m starting to wonder if this reaction was really so widespread, or if it got an urban legend boost at some point. I’m sure this type of thing happened, I was too young to take in the riots, the protests against the Vietnam War to fully appreciate the dynamic of the times. But in any case, we are now pretty much united in the notion that while a given war may be unjust, we don’t blame the average man or woman in uniform. In fact, we seek ways to honor or show respect for them, even if we are seeking to end the conflict in which they are engaged. This is a good thing on the whole. Continue reading
Based on the just war doctrine first enunciated by Saint Augustine, the American Revolution was a just war.
Over at Human Events, Ben Shapiro has an article about how Israel will lose the conflict in Gaza again. His initial premise states that we keep seeing an essentially endless cycle repeated: Hamas strikes Israel, Israel retaliates, the world comes down hard on Israel, Israel retreats and gives Hamas another chance to strike Israel. Elsewhere, the debate about how justified Israel is in its current cycle of retaliations continues heatedly and almost unanimously denounces Israel’s actions.
As a personal opinion, I believe that Hamas, despite claims to the contrary, is directly responsible for its strikes into Israel. I believe that Hamas deliberately hides behind civilian shields in order to protect themselves from retaliation and to milk the public for sympathy when Israeli attacks kill those civilian shields. I believe that Hamas is single-mindedly dedicated to the destruction of Israel, and that Israel is justified in trying to defend herself against Hamas’ attacks.
On December 27th, 2008, Israel launched a series of air strikes on Hamas training camps, headquarters, weapons storehouses, underground missile silos and command-and-control centers in Gaza — the start of an open-ended offensive to stem the increasing barrage of rocket-attacks that have plagued Southern Israel in the past months.
Israeli ambassador to the UN Gabriela Shaleb defended the operation:
“Israel is taking the necessary military action in order to protect its citizens from ongoing terrorist attacks originating from the Gaza Strip and carried out by Hamas and other terrorist organizations,” Shalev said, adding that Hamas “holds the sole responsibility for the latest events.”
Israel, she continued, “has exhausted all means and efforts to reach and maintain quiet and to respect the state of calm… Israel’s response is aimed solely against the terrorists and their infrastructures in the Gaza Strip. It is not intended against the civilian population. Israel is committed to prevent a humanitarian crisis.”
Shalev asserted that “No country would allow continuous rocketing of its civilian population without taking the necessary actions to stop it.”
Commenting on the three-day air assault by Israel on Hamas, Deal Hudson states “Bombing Gaza Won’t Make Israel Safer”. It’s a good post and, if anything, certainly jeopardizes Hudson’s standing as a member of the cabal of “Catholic neocons” beholden to Israel and the Republican Party (see Robert Sungenis and other tirades from the fringe-right). That said, I wish to register some thoughts in reaction, both to Hudson and our fellow critics at Vox Nova:
There was considerable debate among Catholics leading up to the war in Iraq in 2002-2003.
With respect to the election, however, I find myself continually puzzled by references to this or that candidate’s “support for an unjust war” or the existence of U.S. forces in Iraq in terms of an illegal occupation.
Michael Iafrate of Vox Nova condemns the United States for a brutal act of “terrorism” in conducting a strike into Syria against an al Qaeda facilitator.
In typical fashion, Michael likewise insinuates that Sarah Palin approves abortion bombings and alleges that, by virtue of the fact that nobody at American Catholic has yet commented on the story, we are quite obviously racist:
Of course the “pro-life” Cathollic barfosphere, so vocal in the “defense of human life,” remains utterly silent in the face of the Bush administration’s ongoing acts of terrorism. Of course, these weren’t cute white babies who were slaughtered, were they? That explains it.
Michael’s penchant for profanity, libel and general elementary school antics does nothing to enamor readers of his position or the Catholic blog he represents. Yet I think he deserves a response (however meager) …


Groove metal band BornBroken have parted ways with drummer Jonathan Menard and are now in search of a hard hitting, blast beating slayer to take on live and upcoming recording duties for the bands follow up to their debut album ‘The Healing Powers of Hate’ released this past summer.
In a statement released by the band:
“It is with a heavy heart today that we announce that BornBroken and long time drummer for the band Jonathan Menard have decided to part ways.
Jonathan has been part of BornBroken for the past 3 years and was a substantial member of the growth of the band. We wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors and we will remain best of friends with him for years to come.
With that being said, we are currently holding video submission auditions for BornBroken. If you think you have what it takes then we want to see it! Please send all video submissions or inquiries to BornBroken facebook page here. Finalists will be contacted for further auditioning.
BornBroken is not going anywhere; we are not disbanding in anyway. We are currently in the writing process for our next album which will be recorded and released sometime in 2014. Stay tuned cause what we have coming up in the near future for The Broken is going to blow your mind…the best is yet to come..see you in the pit.” – BornBroken
In addition, Jonathan Ménard comments:
‘‘It’s really hard to write these lines, but my association with BornBroken is unfortunately over as we have decided to go our separate ways. However, we are on good terms in ending this adventure together and I would like to thank the band that has given me the chance to be part of a family, life experiences and cherished memories. Thank you to everyone who believed in me and I will never forget BornBroken.’’
BornBroken’s debut album ‘The Healing Powers of Hate’ was released earlier this June. The album was fan voted as Album of The Week (June 10th) on Revolver Magazine, along with debuting #8 on Canadian College Loud Charts, plus being named one of the best unsigned Heavy Metal Bands for June on About.com.
They have also received great admiration from Yell Magazine! quoting ‘This is a debut metal album of epic proportions. If it’s not the Canadian metal album of the year, it’s certainly in the running for Canadian debut metal album’ and TheFrontRowReport.com quoting ‘BornBroken may be the best metal band you probably haven’t heard of. Those who love hard, heavy, angry metal are in for a treat and may find a new favorite in BornBroken.’
‘The Healing Powers of Hate’ is now streaming at the following link: http://soundcloud.com/bornbrokenmusic/sets/thehealingpowersofhate
Recent Live Video – Control – BornBroken w/ new vocalist Matt Bailie (ex-The Catalyst) – Wait for 5:13 of the video for the killer crowd chant! – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VA4RNyEzAPg
BornBroken was formed with one simple mission in mind: Help the masses find a voice, a face, an “X” that marks the spot through the sounds of beating skins, metal strings and broken chords.
After months of writing and hours spent in the studio, BornBroken managed to take every emotion they felt, put it to music, build off of past battle scars and create a record where listeners will feel they are part of the storyline.
On their debut album, The Healing Powers of Hate, BornBroken play out not only what life has given them but also what they want to give back: truth, integrity, perseverance, loyalty and faith in humanity’s struggle for equality.
To order their incredibly designed physical copy plus comic illustrated booklet (pic below), please visit the following link http://bornbroken.bandcamp.com.


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You’re probably thinking “Who even uses phone booths anymore?” But this public art project in Sao Paulo, called All Parade, might make you want to use a public phone.
One hundred artists were commissioned to decorate 100 phonebooths across Sao Paulo. They were given total freedom and the results are incredibly diverse, and mostly kind of crazy.
There are phonebooths that have been made to look like brains, discoballs fish and aliens; abstract creations with bits and pieces seemingly flinging off them; while some are carefully decorated with detailed imagery.
Pretty fun, especially considering most phonebooths just end up covered in discarded chewing gum.
More at callparade.com.br/galeria-de-fotos.


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If you’re a regular reader you will know that so far this blog has mainly concentrated on what the arcades are like now. The shops that are presently trading, the people that currently work there and how the architecture appears today.
This is due to the fact that a) this is a photography blog and as yet I have not perfected the art of time travel and b) I have only lived in Cardiff for 6 years so anything before that is kind of a mystery to me.
I’ve seen a few old photos, but not many. Strangely, a few of the history books I’ve looked through have neglected to mention the arcades at all, while others skim over them.
So now, while I will still continue to post photos from arcade present, as new mini-venture for the project, I’m looking to really explore the arcade past. I want to delve into its history because I know it will be fascinating. About the only thing I know for sure is the building dates of each arcade. But I’ve heard various tales about what it was like back then, and I’m equally interested in what it was like during other periods, for instance during World War Two.
I’d also love to know more about the hidden parts of the arcades, the tunnels, the blocked off passages, the old balconies, anything like that that gives an idea of what it used to be like would be great.
Coming further forward in time I’d also be keen to know what they were like the 60s, 70s, 80s and even 90s before I came here. All of this is within living memory so for that I’d just need to chat to people who’ve been here longer than I have.
I’m also fascinated by the idea of ghost stories, I’m sure there must be some rumours flying around – these are very old buildings after all, so if you’ve heard anything like please do also let me know!
So, I’d ask you, dear people of Cardiff and local history fans to send me your stories, your memories and if at all possible your old photos of the arcades. Also, if you have any memories of shops gone by, that would be great to hear too.
If you have anything you’d like to share please feel free to leave a comment on this post or send me an email – hopefully we can all pull together to create a mini archive that makes it easier for future generations to find all this stuff!

domain: history