The Outrageous Ten! The best!

Why Obama won

2008-11-05T09:53:00.000-08:00

Barack Obama’s sweeping victory as president of the United States sends him to the White House to face what may be the worst national financial crisis since the time of Franklin Roosevelt’s election in 1932.
Obama won on his own terms, strategically and symbolically. He rolled up a series of contested states, from Colorado to Virginia, long out of Democratic reach. And his victory reflected the accuracy of his vision of a reshaped country. Racism, much discussed, turned out to be a footnote, and African-American turnout was not unusually high. Instead, Obama drew his strength from an array of racially mixed, growing areas around cities like Orlando, Washington, Indianapolis, and Columbus on his way to at least 334 electoral votes.
“Even as we celebrate tonight we know that the challenges tomorrow will bring are the greatest of our lifetime: two wars, a planet in peril, the worst financial crisis in a century,” Obama told a crowd of more than 100,000 in Chicago’s Grant Park.
The assembled crowd had been strangely silent through the evening, even as Obama shut the door for McCain by winning New Hampshire and Pennsylvania, and even after his victory in Ohio pointed toward a landslide, seemingly unwilling to accept or believe the impending victory.
Only at 11:00 p.m., when CNN declared that Obama had surpassed 270 electoral votes, did the crowd roar in approval.
"This victory alone is not the change we seek — it is only the chance to make that change," Obama said, standing between two bulletproof glass walls.
McCain, speaking in a somber concession speech outside the Phoenix hotel where he married his wife, declared that he had done what he could.
"I don't know what more we could have done to try to win this election," he said.
Calling Obama "my president," McCain vowed to work with him to help repair a nation facing profound challenges at home and abroad.
"These are difficult times for our country, and I pledge to him tonight to do all in my power to help him lead us through the many challenges we face," McCain said.
After booing Obama's name and offering a few jeers, the crowd came to recognize the history in the evening when McCain paid tribute to the nation's first black president by recalling his own favorite commander-in-chief.
"A century ago, President Theodore Roosevelt's invitation of Booker T. Washington to dine at the White House was taken as an outrage in many quarters," McCain recalled. "America today is a world away from the cruel and prideful bigotry of that time. There is no better evidence of this than the election of an African-American to the presidency of the United States."
For the first time, claps and even a few cheers were heard from the dejected crowd.
Obama’s win came with Democratic gains in the Senate and House, though his broad victory — he swept swing states ranging from Indiana to Ohio to Virginia — was perhaps even more dramatic than his party’s success in congressional races. Obama and other Democratic leaders quickly signaled their awareness of the risk of overreaching, with Obama avoiding any claim of partisan victory, and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid going further.
"This is a mandate to get along, to get something done in a bipartisan way. This is not a mandate for a political party or an ideology,” Reid told Politico.
As grand as the symbolism of Obama’s victory was, it was also a victory for his steady, corporate campaign management. The campaign’s early decision to play on a more ambitious map than other Democratic nominees was the source of his mandate. And the result closely mirrored the PowerPoint presentation his campaign manager, David Plouffe, pitched to sometimes-skeptical audiences of reporters and donors.

McCain’s campaign blamed larger forces for their candidate’s defeat.
“We were crushed by circumstance,” communications director Jill Hazelbaker said after McCain’s speech. “The economic crisis was a pivotal point in this race.”
External factors aside, McCain and his campaign also lagged far behind Obama in every key metric — money, organization, discipline — and failed to embrace Obama's organizational model or the technology it borrowed from the private sector.
Earlier campaigns had celebrated their technological prowess, but in Obama’s cutting-edge campaign, new political technology was implemented and came of age, evidenced by its vaunted fundraising machine and its “Houdini” computer system, which enabled the campaign as late as Tuesday afternoon to identify and bring to the polls a last wave of supporters who hadn’t yet voted.
The coalition Obama assembled proved as modern as the technology his campaign employed.
In his clear-cut victory, Obama became the first Democrat to win a majority of American votes since Jimmy Carter’s 1976 election. He won states just months ago thought to be impregnable to his party, places that just four years ago went for President Bush by double-digits: Virginia, Indiana, and North Carolina among them.
Indeed, Obama won in all regions of the country but the Deep South, piling up big wins in the perennial Democratic bulwarks on both coasts and making deep inroads into New South states, the industrial and agricultural heartland and the fast-growing Rocky Mountain West.
But perhaps most spectacularly, he found victory with a multiracial coalition that has the makings of a formidable political base of power.
If his was the first 21st century campaign, his victory was powered by a new face of America: comprised of all ethnicities, hailing mostly from cities and suburbs, largely under 40 years old, and among all income classes.
As they emphatically proved by obliterating the presidential color line, many of these voters are not guided by traditional cultural attachment to race, religion or region.
What makes his victory so resounding, and so daunting for Republicans, was that he combined support from African-Americans, Jews, and young whites with other key groups. He also reversed President Bush’s advances with Hispanic voters.
Further, and even more worrisome for the GOP, Obama was dominant among self-described “moderate” voters, a 60 percent swath of Americans larger than either self-described liberals or conservatives.
This 21st century coalition allowed Obama to blow out McCain in cities and suburbs where Bush had narrowly won or lost by smaller margins four years ago, and to pull off narrow wins in Virginia, North Carolina, Florida, Indiana and Ohio.
He ran up huge margins in heavily-black cities and counties in each, but was able to edge out McCain thanks to big wins in populous, racially-mixed localities like Northern Virginia's Fairfax County (59 percent), Charlotte’s Mecklenburg County (62 percent), Orlando’s Orange County (59 percent), Indianapolis’s Marion County (64 percent) and Columbus’s Franklin County (59 percent).
The coalition underscored the theme that made Obama famous in 2004, and one that he returned to in his victory speech, citing his support from “young and old, rich and poor, Democrat and Republican, black, white, Latino, Asian, Native American, gay, straight, disabled and not disabled — Americans who sent a message to the world that we have never been a collection of Red States and Blue States: we are, and always will be, the United States of America."

Check the new webpage

2008-11-04T13:05:00.001-08:00

Hello people
I wish that you are alright
this is the address of the new blog, check that for the topics please.
See You on Saturday.

THe New Blog: www.convclub.blogspot.com

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

2008-10-27T14:51:00.000-07:00

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, released on 16 July 2005, is the sixth of seven novels in J. K. Rowling's popular Harry Potter series. Set during Harry Potter's sixth year at Hogwarts, the novel explores Lord Voldemort's past, and Harry's preparations for the final battle amidst emerging romantic relationships and the emotional confusions and conflict resolutions characteristic of mid-adolescence.
The book sold nine million copies in the first 24 hours after its release, a record at the time which was eventually broken by its successor, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.[1]
Contents[hide]
1 Plot
2 Pre-release history
2.1 Right to read controversy
2.2 Spoilers
3 Dedication
4 Movie
5 Text changes
6 Translations
7 Editions
8 References
9 External links
//

[edit] Plot
As Voldemort and his Death Eaters openly wreak havoc throughout Britain, Minister for Magic Cornelius Fudge has been forced to resign following public outcry over his mishandling the situation. Before he leaves office, he pays a visit to the Muggle Prime Minister of the United Kingdom to warn him that events occurring in the magical world are now having an effect on the Muggle world and that things are going pretty badly for the Ministry of Magic at present. The Prime Minister is then introduced to Fudge's successor, Rufus Scrimgeour. At his home in Spinner's End, Severus Snape is sworn to an Unbreakable Vow by Draco Malfoy's mother Narcissa. Although her sister, Bellatrix Lestrange, distrusts Snape, he agrees to protect Draco during his task assigned by the Dark Lord, and complete the mission should Draco fail.
During the summer, Albus Dumbledore enlists Harry Potter's unwitting help to persuade retired professor Horace Slughorn to return to his old Hogwarts post. When Albus Dumbledore comes to collect Harry, an unsuspecting Harry is told that he has inherited all of Sirius Black's (his deceased godfather) possessions, including the house, Buckbeak, and his mumbling, loyal – to his beloved wailing mistress – house-elf, Kreacher. Harry then spends the remaining holiday at the Burrow with the Weasleys and Hermione. To his family's dismay (especially Mrs. Weasley and Ginny), Bill Weasley has become engaged to Fleur Delacour, the Beauxbatons champion in the Triwizard Tournament. Harry, Ron, and Hermione receive their O.W.L. results. To become Aurors, Harry and Ron must take N.E.W.T.-Level Potions as a prerequisite, but their grades in the subject are too low for Snape's advanced class, thus ending their career ambitions. However, Harry is very pleased (and secretly smug) to discover that he was the only one out of the three of them to get an 'Outstanding' in Defence Against the Dark Arts. While in Diagon Alley, Harry, Ron and Hermione spot Draco Malfoy and follow him. At Borgin & Burkes, a dark magic shop in Knockturn Alley, Malfoy threatens Mr Borgin about repairing one item and keeping another safe. Hermione goes in after to try to find out what he was reserving. Suspecting Draco may be a Death Eater, Harry resolves to keep a close watch on him.
As school begins, Snape is unexpectedly announced as the new Defence Against the Dark Arts instructor while Slughorn replaces him as the Potions teacher. Slughorn only requires a minimum "E" grade (Exceeds Expectations) at O.W.L. to take his N.E.W.T.-level Potion classes, making Harry and Ron eligible for the class. Slughorn lends them old Potions textbooks until they buy their own. Harry's copy is marked on the bottom of the back cover, "This book is the Property of the Half-Blood Prince". The talented former owner's notes help Harry excel in the class (as well as learn a few new spells, some even including the dark arts), but the identity of the "Half-Blood Prince" remains a mystery. As a reward for Harry's performance in Potions, Slughorn gives him a small vial of Felix Felicis, a good luck potion.
Death Eater attacks continue throughout the year and may be linked to events at Hogwarts. On the first Hogsmeade visit, Katie Bell, a Gryffindor student, is seriously injured while carrying a cursed necklace through Hogsmeade, apparently while under the Imperius Curse. In another incident, Ron accidentally drinks poisoned mead intended for Dumbledore. Harry reacts by administering the Bezoar he had submitted previously as an assignment to Slughorn. Hermione is so distraught over this that she and Ron, who were feuding mostly over Ron dating Lavender Brown and Hermione's relationship with Viktor Krum, reconcile; Ron soon breaks it off with Lavender. Meanwhile, Harry realises his true feelings for Ginny, although she is now dating Dean Thomas.
Dumbledore privately tutors Harry using his Pensieve to view collected memories about Voldemort's past. Dumbledore speculates that Voldemort splintered his soul into six fragments called Horcruxes to attain immortality, while leaving a seventh piece in his body. Two Horcruxes have been destroyed (Tom Riddle's diary by Harry[HP2] and Marvolo Gaunt's ring by Dumbledore).
When Harry finds Malfoy sobbing in Moaning Myrtle's bathroom, they hurl curses at each other. Harry casts "Sectumsempra" inflicting huge gashes across Malfoy's body. Snape arrives and saves Malfoy. He attempts to re-possess the Half-Blood Prince's Potions book, but Harry hands him "Roonil Wazlib's" (a.k.a. Ron's) copy. Harry receives detention, causing him to miss the Quidditch finals. Nonetheless, Gryffindor wins the Cup, and during the victory celebration, Harry's suppressed feelings for Ginny are revealed when he spontaneously kisses her; Ginny has just broken up with Dean Thomas, and she and Harry begin dating.
Harry reports Malfoy's suspicious behaviour to a seemingly unconcerned Dumbledore. He reassures Harry that he trusts Severus in keeping a lookout. Soon after, Harry learns from Professor Trelawney that it was Snape who passed a prophecy to Voldemort that ultimately led to James and Lily Potter's deaths. Enraged, Harry confronts Dumbledore, but he affirms Snape's loyalty. Dumbledore, meanwhile, has located another Horcrux and asks Harry to accompany him in retrieving it. Distrusting Malfoy and Snape, Harry asks Ron, Hermione, Luna Lovegood, Neville Longbottom and Ginny to patrol the halls while he and Dumbledore are gone and gives them the remaining Felix Felicis potion for luck. Harry and Dumbledore apparate to a secret cave. They aim to retrieve the Horcrux (Salazar Slytherin's locket), by advancing past Voldemort's defences. Dumbledore, however, has been greatly weakened due to the mysterious liquid he had to drink in order to acquire the locket.
Returning to Hogsmeade, Harry and Dumbledore see Lord Voldemort's Dark Mark hovering over Hogwarts. They fly to the Astronomy Tower on borrowed broomsticks and are ambushed by Draco Malfoy. Dumbledore paralyses Harry, who is under his Invisibility Cloak, just before Draco disarms Dumbledore. Draco admits he was behind the school attacks and has helped Death Eaters secretly enter Hogwarts via the pair of Vanishing Cabinets, although Dumbledore discerns that Voldemort has cursed the obviously frightened boy.
As members of the Order and the few from Dumbledore's Army battle Voldemort's followers in the castle below, Death Eaters appear in the tower and urge Draco to fulfil his mission—killing Dumbledore—but Draco hesitates. Snape arrives and a weakened Dumbledore entreats him with an ambiguous plea; Snape casts Avada Kedavra which hits Dumbledore squarely in the chest. The impact hurls his body over the tower wall. Upon Dumbledore's death, Harry is released from the paralysing spell. Harry pursues Snape and Malfoy, as their only way of escape would be to disapparate outside the boundaries of Hogwarts. Malfoy escapes as Snape duels Harry. During the duel, Snape reveals that he is the Half-Blood Prince. Though instructive, the duel was ended by Buckbeak's intervention. Snape disapparates and escapes. Harry recovers the locket from Dumbledore's body, only to discover it is a fake. Inside is a note from someone with the initials R. A. B. who has stolen the real Horcrux.
The school year ends abruptly with Dumbledore's funeral. Professor McGonagall is appointed Hogwarts's interim headmistress and Professor Slughorn replaces Snape as the head of Slytherin House. Hogwarts is rumoured to close down due to the murder of Dumbledore. Harry decides to leave school in search for the remaining Horcruxes. Ron and Hermione vow to accompany him, while Harry ends his relationship with Ginny to protect her from Voldemort. The book concludes as Harry looks forward to Bill and Fleur's wedding and being comforted that "...there was still one last golden day of peace left to enjoy with Ron and Hermione."

[edit] Pre-release history
The record-breaking publication of Half-Blood Prince was accompanied by controversy. In May 2005 bookmakers in the UK suspended bets on which main character would die in the book amid fears of insider knowledge. A number of high value bets were made on the death of Albus Dumbledore, many coming from the town of Bungay where, it was believed, the books were being printed at the time. Betting was later reopened.[2] Other controversies included the "right to read" Potter books inadvertently sold before the release date, environmental concerns over the source of the paper used in the printing of millions of books, and fan reactions to the plot developments and revelations of the novel.

[edit] Right to read controversy
In early July 2005, a Real Canadian Superstore in Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada, accidentally sold fourteen copies of The Half-Blood Prince before the authorised release date. The Canadian publisher, Raincoast Books, obtained an injunction from the Supreme Court of British Columbia prohibiting the purchasers from reading the books before the official release date or from discussing the contents. Purchasers were offered a Harry Potter T-shirt and an autographed copy of the book if they returned their copies before 16 July.
On 15 July, less than twelve hours before the book went on sale in the Eastern time zone, Raincoast warned The Globe and Mail newspaper that publishing a review from a Canada-based writer at midnight, as the paper had promised, would be seen as a violation of the trade secret injunction. The injunction sparked a number of news articles alleging that the injunction had restricted fundamental rights. Canadian law professor Michael Geist posted commentary on his blog;[3] Richard Stallman called for a boycott, requesting that the publisher issue an apology.[4] The Globe and Mail published a review from two UK-based writers in its 16 July edition and posted the Canadian writer's review on its website at 9 a.m. that morning.[5] Commentary was also provided on the Raincoast website.[6]

[edit] Spoilers
The plot detail "Snape kills Dumbledore," along with a list of chapter titles, were leaked on the Usenet group alt.fan.harrypotter as early as 14 July 2005 — two days before the official release date. Weeks earlier, betting patterns on the website "Blue Square" recorded an unusual surge in bets originating in a town where the book was being printed (as pointed out in the Guardian newspaper 24 May 2005).[7]

[edit] Dedication

Wikinews has related news:
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince released
Rowling became pregnant with her third child during the writing of this book, and often joked about them racing each other into the world. For this reason, the book has this dedication:
To Mackenzie,
my beautiful daughter,
I dedicate
her ink and paper twin

[edit] Movie
Main article: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (film)
Box Office Mojo reports that the movie based on the sixth book is scheduled to be released on 17 July 2009.[8] The screenplay was written by Steve Kloves, and David Yates directed the film.[8]

[edit] Text changes
As with Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, the United States version of the novel has slightly changed text from the British version. One particular section has been remarked upon, where the alteration makes the nature of Dumbledore's offer to Draco Malfoy before Snape kills Dumbledore in the Half-Blood Prince explicit. The reason for the editing of the following text has not been explained on the author's webpage, but the British edition is more ambiguous. The text can be found in chapter 27, "The Lightning-Struck Tower". The U.S. text was changed to match the UK version with the publication of the paperback edition.[9] The parts added in the United States version have been highlighted in bold, below:
"[…] He told me to do it or he'll kill me. I've got no choice." "He cannot kill you if you are already dead. Come over to the right side Draco, and we can hide you more completely than you can possibly imagine. What is more, I can send members of the Order to your mother tonight to hide her likewise. Nobody would be surprised that you had died in your attempt to kill me — forgive me, but Lord Voldemort probably expects it. Nor would the Death Eaters be surprised that we had captured and killed your mother — it is what they would do themselves, after all. Your father is safe at the moment in Azkaban […]"(U.S. Edition p. 591)(CND Edition p. 552) [HP6]

Harley-Davidson

2008-10-27T14:32:00.000-07:00

Harley-Davidson Motor Company (NYSE: HOG, formerly HDI[3]) is an American manufacturer of motorcycles based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The company sells heavyweight (over 750 cc) motorcycles designed for cruising on the highway. Harley-Davidson motorcycles (popularly known as "Harleys") have a distinctive design and exhaust note. They are especially noted for the tradition of heavy customization that gave rise to the chopper-style of motorcycle.[4][5]
Harley-Davidson attracts a loyal brand community,[6] with licensing of the Harley-Davidson logo accounting for almost 5% of the company's net revenue ($41 million in 2004).[7] In 2003, the Buell Motorcycle Company became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Harley-Davidson,[8] the same year that Harley-Davidson celebrated its 100th birthday. In August 2008, Harley-Davidson purchased the Italian motorcycle manufacturer MV Agusta.[9] Harley-Davidson supplies many American police forces with their motorcycle fleets.[10]
[edit] Current model designations

2001 883 Sportster Hugger
Sportster With the exception of the street-going XR1000 of the 1980s and the XR1200, all Sportsters made for street use have the prefix XL in their model designation. For the Sportster Evolution engines used since the mid 1980s, there have been two engine sizes. Motorcycles with the smaller engine are designated XL883, while those with the larger engine were initially designated XL1100. When the size of the larger engine was increased from 1,100 cc to 1,200 cc, the designation was changed accordingly from XL1100 to XL1200. Subsequent letters in the designation refer to model variations within the sportster range, e.g. the XL883C refers to an 883 cc Sportster with cruiser or custom styling, while the XL1200S designates the now-discontinued 1200 Sportster Sport.
Dyna models utilize the big-twin engine (F), small-diameter telescopic forks similar to those used on the Sportster (X), and the Dyna chassis (D). Therefore, all Dyna models have designations that begin with FXD, e.g., FXDWG (Wide Glide) and FXDL (Low Rider).
Softail models utilize the big-twin engine (F) and the Softail chassis (ST).
Softail models that use small-diameter telescopic forks similar to those used on the Sportster (X) have designations that begin with FXST, e.g., FXSTB (Night Train), FXSTD (Deuce), and FXSTS (Standard).
Softail models that use large-diameter telescopic forks similar to those used on the touring bikes (L) have designations beginning with FLST, e.g., FLSTF (Fat Boy), FLSTC (Heritage Softail Classic), and FLSTN (Softail Deluxe - "N" is for Nostalgic).
Softail models that use Springer forks with a 21-inch (530 mm) wheel have designations that begin with FXSTS, e.g., FXSTS (Springer Softail) and FXSTSB (Bad Boy).
Softail models that use Springer forks with a 16-inch (410 mm) wheel have designations that begin with FLSTS, e.g., FLSTSC (Springer Classic)
Touring models use Big-Twin engines and large-diameter telescopic forks. All Touring designations begin with the letters FL, e.g., FLHR (Road King) and FLTR (Road Glide)
Revolution models utilize the Revolution engine (VR), and the street versions are designated Street Custom (SC). After the VRSC prefix common to all street Revolution bikes, the next letter denotes the model, either A (base V-Rod), B (discontinued), D (Night Rod), R (Street Rod), SE (CVO Special Edition), or X. Further differentiation within models are made with an additional letter, e.g., VRSCDX denotes the Night Rod Special.
The factory drag bike, the VRXSE Destroyer, uses X instead of SC to denote a non-street bike and SE to denote a CVO Special Edition

[edit] Model families
Modern Harley-branded motorcycles fall into one of five model families: Touring, Softail, Dyna, Sportster and VRSC. Model families are distinguished by the frame, engine, suspension, and other characteristics.

[edit] Touring

Hamburg Police Electra Glide.
See also: Harley-Davidson FL
The touring family, also known as "dressers", includes three Road King models, and five Glide models offered in various trim. The Road Kings have a "retro cruiser" appearance and most models are equipped with a large clear windshield. Road Kings are reminiscent of big-twin models from the 1940s and '50s. Glides can be identified by their full front fairings. Most Glides sport a unique fairing referred to as the "Batwing" due to its unmistakable shape. The Road Glide has a different front end, referred to as the "Sharknose". The Sharknose includes a unique, dual front headlight. Touring models are distinguishable by their large luggage, rear coil-over air suspension and are the only models to offer full fairings with Radios/CBs. All touring models use the same frame, first introduced with a Shovelhead motor in 1980, and carried forward with only modest upgrades to this day. The frame is distinguished by the location of the steering head in front of the forks and was the first H-D frame to rubber mount the drivetrain to isolate the rider from the vibration of the big V-twin. Although all touring models weigh in excess of 800 lb (360 kg)., they are remarkably easy to handle at low speeds and high, and give the most comfortable and relaxing ride of any Harley. The frame was modified for the 1994 model year when the oil tank went under the transmission and the battery was moved inboard from under the right saddlebag to under the seat. In 1997, the frame was again modified to allow for a larger battery under the seat and to lower seat height. In 2007, Harley introduced a the 96 cubic inch motor, as well the 6 speed transmission to give the rider better speeds on the highway.
In 2006, Harley introduced the FLHX, a bike designed by Willie G. Davidson to be his personal ride, to its touring line.[62]
In 2008, Harley added anti-lock braking systems and cruise control as a factory installed option on all touring models.[63]
For the 2009 model year, Harley-Davidson has redesigned the entire touring range with several changes, including a new frame, new swingarm, a completely revised engine-mounting system, 17-inch front wheels for all but one model, a six-gallon gas tank, and a 2-1-2 exhaust. The changes result in greater load carrying capacity, better handling, a smoother engine, longer range and less exhaust transmitted to the rider and passenger.[64][65] Also released for the 2009 model year is the FLHTUCTG Tri Glide Ultra Classic, the first three-wheeled Harley since the Servi-Car was discontinued in 1973. The model features a unique frame and a 103 cid engine exclusive to the trike.[66]

[edit] Softail

2002 Softail Heritage Classic.
Main article: Softail
These big-twin motorcycles capitalize on Harley's strong value on tradition. With the rear-wheel suspension invisible on the bottom of the frame, they are visibly similar to the "hardtail" choppers popular in the 1960s and 1970s, as well as from their own earlier history. In keeping with that tradition, Harley offers Softail models with "springer" front ends and "heritage" styling that incorporate design cues from throughout their history.

[edit] Dyna
Main article: Harley-Davidson Super Glide

2005 Dyna Super Glide Custom.
Dyna motorcycles feature big-twin engines and traditional styling. They can be distinguished from the Softail by the traditional coil-over suspension that connects the swingarm to the frame, and from the Sportster by their larger engines. On these models, the transmission also houses the engine's oil reservoir.
In 2006, Harley-Davidson released a line-up of five Dyna models: Super Glide, Super Glide Custom, Street Bob, Low Rider, and Wide Glide.
In 2008, the "Fat Bob" was re-introduced to the Dyna line-up featuring aggressive styling, including a new 2-1-2 exhaust, twin headlamps, a 180 mm rear tire and a 130 mm front tire.

[edit] Sportster
Main article: Harley-Davidson Sportster

2002 Sportster 883 Custom
Introduced in 1957, the Sportster is the longest-running model family in the Harley-Davidson lineup. They were conceived as racing motorcycles, and were popular on dirt and flat-track race courses through the 1960s and '70s. Smaller and lighter than the other Harley models, contemporary Sportsters make use of 883 or 1,200 cc Evolution engines and, though often modified, remain similar in appearance to their racing ancestors.
Up until the 2003 model year, the engine on the Sportster was rigidly mounted to the frame. The 2004 Sportster had a new frame accommodating a rubber-mounted engine. Although this made the bike heavier and reduced the available lean angle, it reduced the amount of vibration transmitted to the frame and the rider.[67] The rubber mounted engine provides a significantly smoother ride for rider and passenger. For a bike which isn't really thought of for long rides or trips, the smoother ride allows for this opportunity.
In the 2007 model year, Harley-Davidson celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Sportster and produced a collectors' edition called the XL50 1200 Custom, of which only 2000 were made for sale worldwide. Each motorcycle was individually numbered and came in one of two colors, Mirage Pearl Orange or Vivid Black. Also in 2007, electronic fuel injection was introduced to the Sportster family, and the Nightster model was introduced.

[edit] VRSC
Main article: Harley-Davidson VRSC

V-Rod in a gravel driveway.
Introduced in 2001, the VRSC family bears little resemblance to Harley's more traditional lineup. Competing against Japanese and American muscle bikes and seeking to expand its market appeal, the "V-Rod" makes use of an engine developed jointly with Porsche that, for the first time in Harley history, incorporates fuel injection, overhead cams, and liquid cooling. The V-Rod is visually distinctive, easily identified by the 60-degree V-Twin engine, the radiator and the hydroformed frame members that support the round-topped air cleaner cover. Based on the VR-1000 racing motorcycle, it continues to be a platform around which Harley-Davidson builds drag-racing competition machines. The V-Rod has gathered an enthusiastic following in the U.S., Europe and Australia, and an annual Rally at the Kansas City production facility has been organized by Max Millender and the members of a 21,000+ member strong internet discussion forum www.1130cc.com. Bill Davidson has presented Mr Millender with a signed airbox cover to recognize the contribution the forum has made to the VRSC platform which continues to evolve with models like the Night Rod Special (VRSCDX).
In 2008, Harley added anti-lock braking systems as a factory installed option on all VRSC models.[63] Harley also increased the displacement of the stock engine from 1130cc (69ci) to 1250cc (73.6ci), which had only been previously available from Screamin' Eagle, and added a slipper clutch as standard equipment.
VRSC Models Include:
VRSCA: V-Rod (2002-2006), VRSCAW: V-Rod (2007-2008), VRSCB: V-Rod (2004-2005), VRSCD:Night Rod (2006-2008), VRSCDX: Night Rod Special (2007-2008), VRSCSE: Screamin' Eagle CVO V-Rod (2005), VRSCSE2: Screamin' Eagle CVO V-Rod (2006), VRSCR: Street Rod (2006-2007), VRSCX: Screamin' Eagle Tribute V-Rod (2007).

[edit] VRXSE
The VRXSE V-Rod Destroyer is Harley-Davidson's production drag racing motorcycle, constructed to run the quarter mile in under ten seconds. It is based on the same revolution engine that powers the VRSC line, but the VRXSE uses the Sceamin' Eagle 1300cc "stroked" incarnation, featuring a 75mm crankshaft, 105mm Pistons, and 58mm throttle bodies.
The V-Rod Destroyer is not a street legal motorcycle.

[edit] Environmental record
The Environmental Protection Agency conducted emissions-certification and representative emissions test in Ann Arbor, Michigan, in 2005. Subsequently, Harley-Davidson produced an "environmental warranty." The warranty warrants the first and following owners after, that each vehicle is designed and built free of defects in materials and workmanship that cause the vehicle to not meet EPA standards.[68] In 2005, the EPA and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection confirmed Harley-Davidson to be the first corporation to voluntarily enroll in the One Clean-Up Program. This program is designed for the clean-up of the affected soil and groundwater at the former York Naval Ordnance Plant. The program is backed by the state and local government along with participating organizations and corporations.[69]

Tibia (computer game)

2008-10-27T14:29:00.000-07:00

Tibia
Developer(s)
CipSoft GmbH
Publisher(s)
CipSoft GmbH
Platform(s)
Windows, Linux
Release date(s)
January 1997, 2-3 updates per year (currently at version 8.31)
Genre(s)
MMORPG
Mode(s)
Multiplayer
Media
Download only (16 MB) for Linux (approx. 16.7 MB)
System requirements
Windows 95/98/ME/XP/2000/Vista or Linux with libc version 5+, 25 MB hard disk space, DirectX 5 or X Window System installed & Hardware accelerated graphics driver (for Linux), Internet access.

Tibia dungeon with some players and creatures.
Tibia is one of the oldest and most successful massive multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG), first released in 1997. It is a free game which is open to the public, though players have the option to pay a fee in order to upgrade to a premium account, granting special in-game benefits, including additional areas to explore, access to vocation promotions, and extra spells.
There are about 700,000 players, mostly from from The Netherlands, Mexico, Brazil, The United States, Poland and Sweden, distributed amongst some 74 servers located in Germany and The United States.
Game play involves advancing levels while training to improve skill levels, hunting monsters using weapons and magical spells, gathering treasure, doing quests and exploring the Tibia world. Players interact with each other in character for conversation, trade and group battles and partake in guilds for more role-playing opportunities. On most of the game's servers, players are also allowed to attack and kill each other, although there is a system in place to keep hostile actions under control called the skull system. Some servers do not allow such player versus player combat at all, while others encourage it by rewarding experience for kills.
Contents[hide]
1 Vocations
1.1 Paladins
1.2 Sorcerers
1.3 Druids
1.4 Knights
2 Development
2.1 Monsters
2.2 Areas
2.3 Vocation Balancing
2.4 Bug Fixes
3 Magic
4 Support and rules
4.1 Cheating
4.2 Tutors
5 References to popular culture
6 See also
7 External links
8 References
//

[edit] Vocations
Vocations are the name Tibia gives to character classes in the game. Like most games, Tibia allows players to specialize, but only once they have reached at least level 8. When they reach level 8, they go to the Island Of Destiny, where they can obtain information about each vocation.
In the game, there are 4 vocations, each with advantages and disadvantages. Premium players can purchase a promotion for their characters vocation once they have reached level 20 or above and they must pay a one-time fee of 20,000 gold pieces in-game. Once a promotion is bought, it will last as long as the player has a premium account. When the premium account is renewed, the player also regains his promotion. The Promotion gives the character various in-game advantages, as well as allowing players to post on the tibia forums.

[edit] Paladins
The Paladin is the most well-rounded vocation in the game, neither gaining much nor sacrificing much in any area. They are noted for their mastery in the art of distance fighting as evidenced by their ability to gain the distance skill faster than any other vocation. Their distance skill increases twice as fast as melee for knights, but gain shielding at the same rate. The paladin is also noted for having a well rounded selection of spells including the devastating "Divine Caldera"(exevo mas san).
The promoted Paladins attain the title of "Royal Paladin" their mana and health regenerate at a much faster rate.

[edit] Sorcerers
Sorcerers are masters in the arcane arts of chaos and destruction. While they lack in every way when it comes to physical combat, they have many damaging instant spells that other classes lack, eventually giving them the strongest attacking power in the game at the expense of longevity. Sorcerers are particularly noted for their arsenal of destructive spells thereby wielding the most powerful attack and Rune magic in the game eg. "Rage of the Skies"(exevo gran mas vis), "Hell's Core"(exevo gran mas flam), "The Sudden Death"(adori gran mort).
The promoted Sorcerers attain the title of "Master Sorcerer" their mana regenerates at a much faster rate.

[edit] Druids
Druids are popular for their unique healing skills. They are the only vocation able to heal other players with an instant spell eg. "Heal Friend" (exura sio "name"), "Mass Healing"(exura gran mas res). Recent updates have increased their ability with attack spells and runes which make them more useful as part of a group. Druids are noted for their control of the ice and earth magics. Druids are also the only vocation which can or make use the Paralyze Rune,and druids are considerate the most fuckers in meele they even can use a knife lol
A promoted Druid is known as an "Elder Druid" their mana regenerates at a much faster rate.

[edit] Knights
The Knight is most proficient when it comes to melee skills. Their selection of spells is limited and their magic level progresses slower than paladins. They are aren't very effective when dealing with magic and runes. Knights gain more health per level than other vocations and are effective at close-quarters combat with their unparalleled melee damage and shielding.
Typically, knights are designated as the blocker in group hunts for the above reasons. Their unique ability to use the "Challenge"(exeta res) spell to draw aggression toward themselves from nearby monsters further makes this even more evident yet they still possess some attack spells eg. "Fierce Beserk"(exori gran), "Groundshaker"(exori mas), "Whirlwind Throw"(exori hur).
When promoted, they become "Elite Knights" their health regenerates at a much faster rate.
All character classes have support spells and only Druids and Sorcerers can summon. There is no level cap in the game.

[edit] Development
Major updates are released every 6 months by CipSoft. Before game updates, test servers are run to find and repair bugs and glitches within the update. These servers are first available for testing to players that hold official positions such as Tutors, Senior Tutors and Gamemasters. The test server is then usually opened to the general Tibian public. Because no permanent change to a player's character occurs on the test server, it is also an opportunity for players to explore, attack and fight in wars, without their main character on a normal server being affected.

[edit] Monsters
Monsters range from the pitiful rat to the mighty demons who ravage the underworld beneath Tibia. Monsters also drop many different types of "loot" such as: Gold peices, potions, armors/weapons, and ECT...

[edit] Areas
New villages and even continents are added constantly allowing players new places to explore. Such places often include monsters unique to that area and new quests to be completed.

[edit] Vocation Balancing
Each of the four vocations are intended to be equally appealing. To try and accomplish this, the vocations are balanced fairly often, adding features and taking away others in order to remove any bias toward one vocation.

[edit] Bug Fixes
Bugs are also repaired in many of the updates in order to not only fix problems in the client, but to also make it more difficult for cheating programs to be used. Also, Cipsoft even makes fun of the hackers and bugs by having event monsters named after the hacks or bugs for players to kill and that drop unique loot.

[edit] Magic
There are two types of magic:
Instant magic - Are magical syntaxes that once casted will consume some mana in order to produce the desired effect.
Rune magic - Magic that is casted while having a rune in your hand.
Spells can be bought from the guild leader of each vocation (Knight, Paladin, Druid, and Sorcerer) which are located in most of the towns.
The power of spells relate directly to the characters level and magic level, more so the latter. The damage of some spells, such as a knight's Berzerk spell, also take into account the skill level of the character.
Magic wands (for Sorcerers) and rods (for Druids) are especially made for mages. With these weapons, they can use their magic points (Mana points) to attack creatures. These wands and rods need a certain level of experience for mages to handle them, as example, at level 8 you get your first free wand/rod, then at levels 13, 19, 22, 26 and 33 you gain the ability to use sequentially stronger ones.

[edit] Support and rules
The Tibian support system is based on a hierarchy of ranks, from lowest to highest: Tutor, Senior Tutor, Gamemaster, and finally Customer Support. Retired gamemasters and long-term tutors may also - with prior invitation by CIPsoft - choose to adopt the title of Senator.

[edit] Cheating
Sharing accounts, selling accounts and using any and all non-official programs such as "Bots" for playing Tibia is considered cheating and may result in harsh bans and instant account deletions for a second offense within 6 months. If your account has been banished or scheduled for deletion, CipSoft propagates that the only recourse is to either create a new character, or if you feel the punishment was not correctly warranted, contact Customer Support directly.
The most frequent form of cheating today is in the form of using "Cave-Bots", which hunt for players without any input, and sharing accounts with one or more other people, allowing for much faster and constant experience and skill gain. Cipsoft has performed various polls on the official website, suggesting future implementations to lessen cheating, but so far, few public announcements and updates have been made on the issue. Screenshots and/or videos, called "TibiaCams", once were used as incentive to investigate cases of severe or otherwise game-altering cheating, though this practice has been unofficially stopped. The reason for this is that the screenshots or videos can be manipulated to show false information.

[edit] Tutors
The role of tutor encompasses a number of duties, including: Answering Questions from the in-game Help Channel and on the Help forum; checking the tutor forum and in-game channels regularly; reporting bugs and bad names.
Following 3 months of active tutorship without a bad/false name/bug report, a tutor is automatically promoted to the position of senior tutor. In addition to the tasks of a tutor, this title brings with it a number of further duties: moderation of the public forums and ability to report inappropriate statements from the public in-game channels.
Eligibility for the tutor position is determined by the outcome of an online multiple-choice test on the official website. All subject matter for this test is game-related and can be found in the guide section of the official website. However this test is only available to players whose accounts fulfill certain conditions. "Tutor Guide". Retrieved on 2008-07-03.

House of Fabergé

2008-10-27T14:09:00.000-07:00

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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"Fabergé" redirects here. For other uses, see Fabergé (disambiguation).
The House of Fabergé is a jewellery firm founded in 1842 in Imperial Russia famed for designing elaborate jewel-encrusted Fabergé Eggs for the Russian Tsars[1]. Since January 2007 the Fabergé brand has been under the ownership of Fabergé Ltd[2].
In 1842 Fabergé opened for business in a basement shop in the capital’s fashionable Bolshaia Morskaia. Later in that year Gustav married Charlotte Jungstedt, the daughter of Carl Jungstedt, an artist of Danish origin. In 1846 the couple had a son, Peter Carl Fabergé, popularly known as Carl Fabergé.
Contents[hide]
1 Early years
1.1 Launch of Fabergé
1.2 Carl Fabergé
2 Rise to Prominence
2.1 The Imperial Easter Eggs
2.2 Other Fabergé Creations
2.3 Continued Expansion
3 After the Revolution
4 Post-World War II
5 Fabergé in the 21st Century
6 Fabergé Jewellery Today
7 External links
8 References
//

[edit] Early years
The Fabergé family can be traced back to 17th century France, then under the name Favri. The Favris lived at the village of La Bouteille in the Picardy region of northern France. However, they fled the country during or shortly after 1685 because of religious persecution. An estimated fellow 250,000 Huguenots, as the movement of French Protestants was known, also became fugitives[citation needed].
Papers in the Fabergé Family Archives reveal that during the family's progress eastwards through Europe the family’s name changed progressively from Favri through Favry, Fabri, Fabrier and then to Faberge without an accent. At Schwedt-on-Oder northeast of Berlin in the second half of the 18th century a Jean Favri (subsequently Favry) is known to have been employed as a tobacco planter. By 1800 an artisan called Pierre Favry (later Peter Fabrier), had settled in Pärnu in the Baltic province of Livonia (now Estonia). A Gustav Fabrier was born there in 1814. By 1825 the family’s name had evolved to Faberge.
In the 1830s, Gustav Faberge moved to St. Petersburg, the capital of Russia, to train as a goldsmith under Andreas Ferdinand Spiegel, who specialised in making gold boxes. Later he continued his training with the celebrated firm of Keibel, goldsmiths and jewellers to the Tsars. In 1841, his apprenticeship over, Gustav Faberge earned the title of Master Goldsmith.

[edit] Launch of Fabergé
In 1842 Gustav Faberge opened his own retail jewelry. The addition of the accent may have been an attempt to give the name a more explicitly French character, appealing to the Russian nobility's francophilia. French was the language of the Russian Court and the urban nobility, and closely associated with luxury goods.
In 1842 Fabergé opened for business in a basement shop in the capital’s fashionable Bolshaia Morskaia. Later in that year Gustav married Charlotte Jungstedt, the daughter of Carl Jungstedt, an artist of Danish origin. In 1846 the couple had a son, Peter Carl Fabergé, popularly known as Carl Fabergé.

[edit] Carl Fabergé
Carl Fabergé was educated at the Gymnasium of St Anne’s. This was a fashionable establishment for the sons of the affluent middle classes and the lower echelons of the nobility, providing an indication of the success of his father's business. Gustav Fabergé retired to Dresden in 1860 leaving the firm in the hands of managers oustide of the Fabergé family while his son continued his education. The young Carl undertook a business course at the Dresden Handelsschule. At the age of 18 he embarked on a Grand Tour. He received tuition from respected goldsmiths in Germany, France and England, attended a course at Schloss’s Commercial College in Paris and viewed the objects in the galleries of Europe’s leading museums.
Carl returned to St Petersburg in 1872 aged 26 years. For the following 10 years, his father’s Workmaster Hiskias Pendin acted as his mentor and tutor. In 1881, the company moved to larger street-level premises at 16/18 Bolshaia Morskaia. Following Pendin’s death in 1882, Carl took over the running of the firm. Three other significant events happened that year. He was awarded the title of Master Goldsmith. Agathon Fabergé, his younger brother by 16 years, joined the business. While Agathon’s education was restricted to Dresden, he was noted as a talented designer that provided the business with fresh impetus, until his death 13 years later.

[edit] Rise to Prominence
Following Carl’s involvement with repairing and restoring objects in the Hermitage Museum, the firm was invited to exhibit at the Pan-Russian Exhibition in Moscow. One of the Fabergé pieces displayed at the Pan-Russian Exhibition was a replica of a 4th century BC gold bangle from the Scythian Treasure in the Hermitage Museum. Tsar Alexander III declared that he could not distinguish Fabergé’s work from the original. He ordered that specimens of work by the House of Fabergé should be displayed in the Hermitage Museum as examples of superb contemporary Russian craftsmanship. In 1885 the House of Fabergé was bestowed with the coveted title "Goldsmith by special appointment to the Imperial Crown" beginning an association with the Russian Tsars.

[edit] The Imperial Easter Eggs
Main article: Fabergé egg

The Moscow Kremlin egg, 1906
In 1885 Tsar Alexander III commissioned the House of Fabergé to make an Easter Egg as a gift for his wife, the Empress Maria Fedorovna. Its ‘shell’ is enamelled on gold to represent a normal hen’s egg. This pulls apart to reveal a gold yolk, which in turn opens to produce a gold chicken that also opens to reveal a replica of the Imperial Crown from which a miniature ruby egg was suspended. Although the Crown and the miniature egg have been lost, the rest of the Hen Egg as it is known is now in the collection of Victor Vekselberg.
The tradition of the Tsar giving his Empress a surprise Easter Egg by Carl Fabergé continued. From 1887 it appears that Carl Fabergé was given complete freedom as to the design of the Imperial Easter Eggs as they became more elaborate. According to the Fabergé Family tradition, not even the Tsar knew what egg form they would take: the only stipulation was that each one should contain a surprise. The House of Fabergé completed 54 Imperial Eggs for Alexander III to present to his Empress and for Nicholas II to present to his mother, the Dowager Empress Maria Fedorovna and his wife the Empress Alexandra Fedorovna [3]. Of these, 42 have survived. The Eggs for 1917 were never completed, but have been discovered in recent years.

[edit] Other Fabergé Creations
The House of Fabergé also stocked a full range of jewellery and other ornamental objects. There were enamelled gold and silver gilt, as well as wooden photograph frames; carved hardstone figures of people, birds and animals; vases of flowers crafted in hardstones and precious metals, some perhaps enhanced by precious stones; gold and silver boxes; desk sets and timepieces[2][citation needed]. Quality was assured by every article made being approved by Carl Fabergé, or in his absence by his eldest son Eugène, before it was placed into stock. The minutest of faults would result in rejection.

[edit] Continued Expansion
The House of Fabergé won international awards and became Russia’s largest jewellery firm employing some 500 craftsmen and designers. In the early 20th century the HQ of the House of Fabergé moved to a purpose-built four storey building in Bolshaia Morskaia. Branches were also opened in Moscow, Odessa, Kiev and London. From England, the company made annual visits to the Far East.

[edit] After the Revolution
The House of Fabergé was nationalised by the Bolsheviks in 1918. In early October, Carl Fabergé left St Petersburg on the last diplomatic train for Riga. The revolution in Latvia started in the middle of the following month and Carl was again fleeing for his life to Germany, first to Bad Homburg and then to Wiesbaden. The Bolsheviks imprisoned his sons Agathon and Alexander. Initially Agathon was released to value the valuables seized from the Imperial family, the aristocrats, wealthy merchants and Fabergé amongst other jewellers. He was re-imprisoned when the Bolsheviks found it difficult to sell this treasure at Agathon’s valuations. With Europe awash with Russian jewells, prices had fallen. Madame Fabergé and her eldest son Eugène avoided capture by escaping under the cover of darkness through the snow-covered woods by sleigh and on foot. Towards the end of December 1918 they had crossed the border into the safety of Finland.
Meanwhile Carl Fabergé was in Germany and became seriously ill. Eugène reached Wiesbaden in June 1920 and accompanied his father to Switzerland where other members of the family had taken refuge. Carl Fabergé died in Lausanne on September 24th 1920. His wife died in January 1925. Although Alexander managed to escape from prison when a friend bribed guards, Agathon did not succeed in making his escape from the USSR until 1927.

[edit] Post-World War II
The Fabergé Family remained scattered following the Revolution[1]. Both Eugène and Alexander settled in Paris and established Fabergé & Cie, which traded in and restored objects made by the House of Fabergé as well as general jewellery. After World War II, they learnt that during 1937 in the United States, Sam Rubin had established Fabergé Inc and was manufacturing perfume under the Fabergé name. It was later discovered that he had also registered the Fabergé trademark for jewellery. Unable to afford protracted and expensive litigation, the Fabergé Family settled out of court for US $25,000 in 1951[1], with the stipulation that the Fabergé name was to be used solely in connection with perfume. Sam Rubin sold Fabergé Inc. in 1964 for US $26 million. The company passed through various hands until Unilever purchased it in 1989 for US $1.55 billion [1]. Unilever soon discovered that it could use Fabergé trademarks in connection with jewellery. The company registered the Fabergé name as a trademark across a wide range of merchandise internationally and granted licenses to third parties to make and sell a range of products under the Fabergé name.
In 1989, Fabergé Inc. appointed the Pforzheim jeweler Victor Mayer as the exclusive worldwide Fabergé workmaster. The company produces heirloom-quality Fabergé jewellery and Fabergé eggs. Fabergé expert Geza von Habsburg writes in his 2005 publication[1] "Today Fabergé (Workmaster Victor Mayer) has recaptured its place among the most successful international jewellers, continuing a famous tradition of German craftsmanship reaching back through the centuries."
In 2004 German based jeweller Mohr Time in conjunction with Fabergě Workmaster Victor Mayer secured the licence to produce a high end line of Fabergé wrist watches.

[edit] Fabergé in the 21st Century
On January 3rd 2007 Unilever sold its entire global portfolio of trademarks, licences and associated rights relating to the Fabergé brand. The new owner is Cayman Islands-based Fabergé Limited, which is majority-owned by a consortium of investors advised by Pallinghurst Resources LLP, an investment advisory firm based in London and chaired by Brian Gilbertson, the former CEO of BHP-Billiton plc, the world's largest mining company[2].
The new owners have two aims for Fabergé. The first is to restore Fabergé as an exclusive luxury goods brand dedicated to Fabergé’s heritage by focussing on the highest standards of design and craftsmanship. The second is to create a supplier of individually branded Fabergé gemstones which guarantees exact provenance and ethical sourcing of the stones.
Fabergé Limited has recruited a specialist team from the luxury goods sector in order to achieve these objectives. Mark Dunhill, the former President of Alfred Dunhill Limited, became Fabergé Limited's CEO on November 1st 2007[1]. Sarah and Tatiana Faberge, the last direct descendants of Carl Fabergé, have been employed by Fabergé Limited to advise on Fabergé style and history[1][2].
The first step in securing a supply of gemstones will involve the use of emeralds from the Kagem mine in Zambia. The Kagem mine is now owned by Gemfields Resources plc, another investment that is majority owned by investors advised by Pallinghurst Resources LLP, since the reverse takeover of Gemfields took place in June 2008.
Pallinghurst Resources LLP have also alluded to the possible creation of a diamond brand in conjunction with Russia's Alrosa in the future. The idea involves deploying the Fabergé brand name on the best quality diamonds produced by Alrosa. Alrosa accounts for 97 percent of Russia’s diamond production and 25 percent of global diamond output. In 2005, the group sold $2.86 billion worth of core products, including $142.6 million worth of diamonds.

[edit] Fabergé Jewellery Today
On November 27th, 2007 The Rothschild Fabergé Egg was auctioned at Christie's (London) in £ 9,000,000. The Rothschild Fabergé Egg became the highest price ever paid for a Russian jewelry item, as well as the most expensive jewelry clock in the world to date[4].

Hack (technology)

2008-10-20T14:39:00.000-07:00

Hack has several meanings in the technology and computer science fields. It may refer to a clever or quick fix to a computer program problem, or to a clumsy or inelegant solution to a problem. The term is also used to refer to a modification of a program or device to give the user access to features that were otherwise unavailable, such as DIY circuit bending. The general media also uses this term to describe the act of illegally breaking into a computer, better described as cracking.
Origin of term

All of the modern meanings seem to be rooted in its widespread use as slang throughout the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), starting in the 1960s. There, the original meaning of "hack" was a quick, elaborate and/or bodged solution students devised for a technical obstacle; it was used with hacker, meaning one who discovers and implements a hack. The word itself comes from the German word meaning "someone who makes furniture with an axe",[1] implying a lack of finesse in a "hack"; it is believed by many in the hacking community that the reason for this is because programs too large to run on the limited computer resources of the time had portions "chopped" or "hacked" out in order to be reduced to a more reasonable size.
See: MIT hacks
Over time, the meaning of the word there was expanded, perhaps through contact with the amateur radio community. It came to mean either a kludge, or the opposite of a kludge, as in a clever or elegant solution to a difficult problem. In the term "hack value" it also acquired a meaning of anything that was simultaneously fun and clever.
The initial hacker community at MIT, particularly those associated with the Tech Model Railroad Club, applied this pre-existing local slang to computer programming, producing the variant which first came into common use outside MIT.

[edit] History
The term "hack" was first used by US university computing center staff in the mid-1960s. The context determined whether the complimentary or derogatory meanings were implied. Phrases such as "ugly hack" or "quick hack" generally referred to the latter meaning; phrases such as "cool hack" or "neat hack", to the former. In modern computer programming, a "hack" can refer to a solution or method which functions correctly but which is "ugly" in its concept, which works outside the accepted structures and norms of the environment, or which is not easily extendable or maintainable (see kludge). The jargon used by hackers is called Hackish (see the Jargon file). This should not be confused with "1337" or "leetspeak."
In a similar vein, a "hack" may refer to works outside of computer programming. For example, a math hack means a clever solution to a mathematical problem. The GNU General Public License has been described as a copyright hack because it cleverly uses the copyright laws for a purpose the lawmakers did not foresee. All of these uses now also seem to be spreading beyond MIT as well.
On many internet websites and in everyday language the word "hack" can be slang for "copy", "imitation" or "rip-off."
The term has since acquired an additional and now more common meaning, since approximately the 1980s; this more modern definition was initially associated with crackers. This growing use of the term "hack" is to refer to a program that (sometimes illegally) modifies another program, often a computer game, giving the user access to features otherwise inaccessible to them. As an example of this use, for Palm OS users (until the 4th iteration of this operating system), a "hack" refers to an extension of the operating system which provides additional functionality. The general media also uses this term to describe the act of illegally breaking into a computer, but this meaning is disputed.
The term is additionally used by electronics hobbyists to refer to simple modifications to electronic hardware such as a graphing calculators, video game consoles, electronic musical keyboards or other device (see CueCat for a notorious example) to expose or add functionality to a device that was unintended for use by end users by the company who created it. A number of techno musicians have modified 1980s-era Casio SK-1 sampling keyboards to create unusual sounds by doing circuit bending: connecting wires to different leads of the integrated circuit chips. The results of these DIY experiments range from opening up previously inaccessible features that were part of the chip design to producing the strange, disharmonic digital tones that became part of the techno music style.

Companies take different attitudes towards such practices, ranging from open acceptance (such as Texas Instruments for its graphing calculators and Lego for its Lego Mindstorms robotics gear) to outright hostility (such as Microsoft's attempts to lock out Xbox hackers or the DRM routines on Blu-ray Disc players designed to sabotage compromised players).
[edit] Computer security hackers
Main article: Hacker (computer security)

In computer security, a hacker is someone who focuses on security mechanisms of computer and network systems. While including those who endeavor to strengthen such mechanisms, it is more often used by the mass media and popular culture to refer to those who seek access despite these security measures. That is, the media portrays the 'hacker' as a villain. Nevertheless, parts of the subculture see their aim in correcting security problems and use the word in a positive sense. They operate under a code, which acknowledges that breaking into other people's computers is bad, but that discovering and exploiting security mechanisms and breaking into computers is still an interesting activity that can be done ethically and legally. Accordingly, the term bears strong connotations that are favorable or pejorative, depending on the context.
The subculture around such hackers is termed network hacker subculture, hacker scene or computer underground. It initially developed in the context of phreaking during the 1960s and the microcomputer BBS scene of the 1980s. It is implicated with 2600: The Hacker Quarterly and the alt.2600 newsgroup.
By 1983, hacking in the sense of breaking computer security had already been in use as computer jargon,[15] but there was no public awareness about such activities.[16] However, the release of the movie WarGames that year raised the public belief that computer security hackers (especially teenagers) could be a threat to national security. This concern became real when a gang of teenage hackers in Milwaukee, Wisconsin known as The 414s broke into computer systems throughout the United States and Canada, including those of Los Alamos National Laboratory, Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and Security Pacific Bank. The case quickly grew media attention,[17][10] and 17-year-old Neal Patrick emerged as the spokesman for the gang, including a cover story in Newsweek entitled "Beware: Hackers at play", with Patrick's photograph on the cover.[11] The Newsweek article appears to be the first use of the word hacker by the mainstream media in the pejorative sense.
As a result of news coverage, congressman Dan Glickman called for an investigation and new laws about computer hacking.[18] Neal Patrick testified before the U.S. House of Representatives on September 26, 1983 about the dangers of computer hacking, and six bills concerning computer crime were introduced in the House that year.[19] As a result of these laws against computer criminality, white hat, grey hat and black hat hackers try to distinguish themselves from each other, depending on the legality of their activities.

Global Warming

2008-10-20T14:32:00.000-07:00

Global warming is the increase in the average measured temperature of the Earth's near-surface air and oceans since the mid-20th century, and its projected continuation.
Global surface temperature increased 0.74 ± 0.18 °C (1.33 ± 0.32 °F) during the 100 years ending in 2005.[1][2] The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) concludes "most of the observed increase in globally averaged temperatures since the mid-twentieth century is very likely due to the observed increase in anthropogenic greenhouse gas concentrations"[3][4] via an enhanced greenhouse effect. Natural phenomena such as solar variation combined with volcanoes probably had a small warming effect from pre-industrial times to 1950 and a small cooling effect from 1950 onward.[5][6] These basic conclusions have been endorsed by at least 30 scientific societies and academies of science,[7] including all of the national academies of science of the major industrialized countries.[8][9][10] While individual scientists have voiced disagreement with these findings,[11] the overwhelming majority of scientists working on climate change agree with the IPCC's main conclusions.[12][13]
Climate model projections summarized by the IPCC indicate that average global surface temperature will likely rise a further 1.1 to 6.4 °C (2.0 to 11.5 °F) during the twenty-first century.[3] This range of values results from the use of differing scenarios of future greenhouse gas emissions as well as models with differing climate sensitivity. Although most studies focus on the period up to 2100, warming and sea level rise are expected to continue for more than a thousand years even if greenhouse gas levels are stabilized. The delay in reaching equilibrium is a result of the large heat capacity of the oceans.[3]
Increasing global temperature is expected to cause sea levels to rise, an increase in the intensity of extreme weather events, and significant changes to the amount and pattern of precipitation, likely leading to an expanse of tropical areas and increased pace of desertification. Other expected effects of global warming include changes in agricultural yields, modifications of trade routes, glacier retreat, mass species extinctions and increases in the ranges of disease vectors.
Remaining scientific uncertainties include the amount of warming expected in the future, and how warming and related changes will vary from region to region around the globe. Most national governments have signed and ratified the Kyoto Protocol aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, but there is ongoing political and public debate worldwide regarding what, if any, action should be taken to reduce or reverse future warming
Effects of global warming

Sparse records indicate that glaciers have been retreating since the early 1800s. In the 1950s measurements began that allow the monitoring of glacial mass balance, reported to the WGMS and the NSIDC.
Although it is difficult to connect specific weather events to global warming, an increase in global temperatures may in turn cause broader changes, including glacial retreat, Arctic shrinkage, and worldwide sea level rise. Changes in the amount and pattern of precipitation may result in flooding and drought. There may also be changes in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events. Other effects may include changes in agricultural yields, addition of new trade routes,[95] reduced summer streamflows, species extinctions, and increases in the range of disease vectors.
Some effects on both the natural environment and human life are, at least in part, already being attributed to global warming. A 2001 report by the IPCC suggests that glacier retreat, ice shelf disruption such as that of the Larsen Ice Shelf, sea level rise, changes in rainfall patterns, and increased intensity and frequency of extreme weather events, are being attributed in part to global warming.[96] While changes are expected for overall patterns, intensity, and frequencies, it is difficult to attribute specific events to global warming. Other expected effects include water scarcity in some regions and increased precipitation in others, changes in mountain snowpack, and adverse health effects from warmer temperatures.[97]
Increasing deaths, displacements, and economic losses projected due to extreme weather attributed to global warming may be exacerbated by growing population densities in affected areas, although temperate regions are projected to experience some benefits, such as fewer deaths due to cold exposure.[98] A summary of probable effects and recent understanding can be found in the report made for the IPCC Third Assessment Report by Working Group II.[96] The newer IPCC Fourth Assessment Report summary reports that there is observational evidence for an increase in intense tropical cyclone activity in the North Atlantic Ocean since about 1970, in correlation with the increase in sea surface temperature (see Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation), but that the detection of long-term trends is complicated by the quality of records prior to routine satellite observations. The summary also states that there is no clear trend in the annual worldwide number of tropical cyclones.[3]
Additional anticipated effects include sea level rise of 180 to 590 millimeters (0.59 to 1.9 ft) in 2090-2100 relative to 1980-1999, [3] repercussions to agriculture, possible slowing of the thermohaline circulation, reductions in the ozone layer, increased intensity (but less frequent)[99] of hurricanes and extreme weather events, lowering of ocean pH, and the spread of diseases such as malaria and dengue fever. One study predicts 18% to 35% of a sample of 1,103 animal and plant species would be extinct by 2050, based on future climate projections.[100] However, few mechanistic studies have documented extinctions due to recent climate change[101] and one study suggests that projected rates of extinction are uncertain.[102]
Global warming is expected to increase the potential geographic range and virulence of tropical diseases.[103] Climate change could cause a major increase in insect-borne diseases such as malaria throughout Europe, North America and North Asia.[104]

Mara Salvatrucha

2008-10-20T14:28:00.000-07:00

Mara Salvatrucha is a Hispanic gang that originated in Los Angeles and spread to Central America and other parts of the United States. Mara Salvatrucha is therefore composed of many loosely-connected gangs or factions of the same name, known as "cliques." The gangs' names are commonly abbreviated as MS[1], Mara, and MS-13, and are composed mostly of Salvadorans, Hondurans, Guatemalans, and Nicaraguans.
Their activities have caught the eye of the FBI, who in September 2005 initiated wide-scale raids against suspected gang members, netting 660 arrests across the country.[1] In the United States, the gang's strongholds have historically been in the American Southwest and West Coast states. Membership in the U.S was believed to be as many as about 50,000 as of 2005.[2] MS-13 criminal activities include drug smuggling and sales, black market gun sales, human trafficking, auto thefts, home invasions, assaults on law enforcement officials, and contract killing.[3]
Former gang member Brenda Paz said that MS is well structured, with multiple leaders, and that the gang's goal is to become the top gang in the United States.[1]
History
The Mara Salvatrucha gang originated in Los Angeles, set up in 1980s by Salvadoran immigrants in the city's Pico-Union neighborhood.[4] There is some dispute about the etymology of the name (see below: Etymology). The most common belief is that Mara refers to the Spanish word for gang; it is suggested that Salvatrucha refers to the Salvadoran guerrillas, the source of much of the gang's early manpower.
Originally, the gang's main purpose was to protect Salvadoran immigrants from other, more established gangs of Los Angeles, who were predominately comprised of Mexicans and African-Americans.[5] For this reason, the gang initially allowed only Salvadorans to join, but later allowed other Central Americans to join as well.
Many Mara Salvatrucha gang members from the Los Angeles area have been deported either because of their illegal status in the United States, or for committing crimes as non-citizens, or both.[6] As a result of these deportations, members of MS-13 have recruited more members in their home countries. The Los Angeles Times contends that deportation policies have contributed to the size and influence of the gang both in the United States and in Central America.[6] Salvadoran authorities report that approximately 60% of prison inmates serving prison terms for gang-related crimes there have either fled prosecution or have been deported from the United States.[6]

[edit] Publicized crimes
On July 13, 2003, Brenda Paz, a 17-year-old female, was found murdered on the banks of the Shenandoah River in Virginia. Paz was killed for informing the police about Mara Salvatrucha activities. Four of her friends were later convicted of the murder.[7]
On December 23, 2004, one of the most widely publicized MS-13 crimes in Central America occurred in Chamelecón, Honduras when an intercity bus was intercepted and sprayed with automatic gunfire, killing 28 passengers, most of whom were women and children.[8] In February 2007, the courts found Juan Carlos Miranda Bueso and Darwin Alexis Ramírez guilty of several crimes including murder and attempted murder. Ebert Anibal Rivera was held over the attack and was arrested in Texas after having fled.[9] Juan Bautista Jimenez, accused of masterminding the attack, was killed in prison. According to the authorities, he was hanged by fellow MS-13 inmates.[10] There was insufficient evidence to convict Óscar Fernando Mendoza and Wilson Geovany Gómez.[9]
On May 13, 2006, Ernesto "Smokey" Miranda, an ex-high ranking soldier and one of the founders of the Mara Salvatrucha, was murdered at his home in El Salvador a few hours after declining to attend a party for a gang member who had just been released from prison. He had begun studying law and working to keep children out of gangs.[11]
On June 4, 2008, in Toronto, Ontario, police executed 22 search warrants, made 17 arrests and laid 63 charges following a five-month investigation.[12]
On June 22, 2008, in San Francisco, California, a 21-year old MS-13 gang member, Edwin Ramos, shot and killed a father and two of his sons because of alleged "mistaken identity" for rival gang members.[13]

[edit] Illegal immigration and human smuggling
According to The Washington Times, MS-13 "is thought to have established a major smuggling center" in Mexico.[14] There were reports that MS-13 members were ordered to Arizona to target border guards and Minuteman Project volunteers.[15][16]
In 2005, Honduran Security Minister Oscar Alvarez and the President of El Salvador raised alarm by claiming that Al-Qaeda was meeting with MS-13 and other Central American gangs to help them infiltrate the United States. FBI agents said that the U.S. intelligence community and governments of several Central American countries found there is no basis to believe that MS-13 is connected to Al-Qaeda or other Islamic radicals, although Oscar did visit Central America to discuss the issue.[17]
Robert Morales, a prosecutor for Guatemala, indicated to The Globe and Mail that some Central American gang members seek refugee status in Canada. Superintendent of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police integrated gang task force, John Robin, said in an interview that "I think [gang members] have a feeling that police here won't treat them in the harsh manner they get down there."[18] Robin noted that Canadian authorities "want to avoid ending up like the U.S., which is dealing with the problem of Central American gangsters on a much bigger scale".[18]
On the southern border of Mexico, the gang has unleashed violence against migrants.[19]

[edit] Etymology
There are various possible explanations for the name Mara Salvatrucha. Some sources state the gang is named for La Mara, a street in San Salvador, and the Salvatrucha guerrillas who fought in El Salvador's bloody civil war.[20] Additionally, the word mara means gang in Caliche and is taken from marabunta, the name of a fierce type of ant. "Salvatrucha" is a portmanteau of Salvadoran and trucha, a Caliche word for being alert, usually entailing preparedness for crime or abuse from police.

[edit] Gang markings and hand signs
Many Mara Salvatrucha members cover themselves in tattoos. Common markings include "MS", "Salvatrucha" the "Devil Horns" the name of their clique and other symbols.[21] A December 2007 CNN internet news article stated that the gang was moving away from the tattoos in an attempt to commit crimes without being noticed.[22]
Members of Mara Salvatrucha, like members of most modern American gangs, utilize a system of hand signs for purposes of identification and communication. One of the most commonly displayed is the "devil's head" (formed by extending the index and little fingers of the hand while tucking in the middle and ring fingers with the thumb), which forms an M when displayed upside down. This hand sign is similar to the same symbol commonly seen displayed by heavy metal musicians and their fans. Founders of Mara Salvatrucha borrowed the hand sign after attending concerts of heavy metal bands they liked.[23]

Second World War

2008-10-20T14:19:00.000-07:00

World War II, or the Second World War,[1] (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including all of the great powers,[2] organized into two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis. The war involved the mobilization of over 100 million military personnel, making it the most widespread war in history. In a state of "total war", the major participants placed their complete economic, industrial, and scientific capabilities at the service of the war effort, erasing the distinction between civilian and military resources. Over 70 million people, the majority of them civilians, were killed, making it the deadliest conflict in human history.[3]
The starting date of the war is generally held to be September 1939 with the German invasion of Poland and subsequent declarations of war on Germany by the United Kingdom, France and the British Dominions.[4][5] However, as a result of other events, many belligerents entered the war before or after this date, during a period which spanned from 1937 to 1941. Amongst these main events are the Marco Polo Bridge Incident, the start of Operation Barbarossa and the attack on Pearl Harbor and British and Dutch colonies in South East Asia.
The Soviet Union and the United States emerged from the war as the world's leading superpowers. This set the stage for the Cold War, which lasted for the next 45 years. The United Nations was formed in the hope of preventing another such conflict. The self determination spawned by the war accelerated decolonisation movements in Asia and Africa, while Western Europe itself began moving toward integration.

The Nazis were responsible for the killing of approximately six million Jews (overwhelmingly Ashkenazi) as well as two million ethnic Poles and four million others who were deemed "unworthy of life" (including the disabled and mentally ill, Soviet POWs, homosexuals, Freemasons, Jehovah's Witnesses, and the Roma) as part of a program of deliberate extermination planned and executed by the Nazi Germany. About 12 million, most of whom were Eastern Europeans, were employed in the German war economy as forced labor in Germany during World War II.[204]
In addition to the Nazi concentration camps, the Soviet Gulag, or labor camps, led to the death of citizens of occupied countries such as Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia, as well as German prisoners of war (POW) and even Soviet citizens themselves who had been or were thought to be supporters of the Nazis.[205] Sixty percent of Soviet POWs died during the war.[206] Richard Overy gives the number of 5.7 million Soviet POWs. Of those, 57% died or were killed, a total of 3.6 million.[207] Some of the survivors on their return to the USSR were treated as traitors (see Order No. 270).[208]
Japanese prisoner-of-war camps also had high death rates, many were used as labour camps. The International Military Tribunal for the Far East found the death rate of Western prisoners was 27.1 percent (for American POWs, 37 percent),[209] seven times that of POW's under the Germans and Italians[210] The death rate among Chinese POWs was much larger; a directive ratified on August 5, 1937 by Hirohito declared that the Chinese were no longer protected under international law.[211] While 37,583 prisoners from the UK, 28,500 from the, Netherlands and 14,473 from United States were released after the surrender of Japan, the number for the Chinese was only 56.[212]
According to a joint study of historians featuring Zhifen Ju, Mark Peattie, Toru Kubo, and Mitsuyoshi Himeta, more than 10 million Chinese were mobilized by the Japanese army and enslaved by the Kōa-in for slave labor in Manchukuo and north China.[213] The U.S. Library of Congress estimates that in Java, between 4 and 10 million romusha (Japanese: "manual laborer"), were forced to work by the Japanese military. About 270,000 of these Javanese laborers were sent to other Japanese-held areas in South East Asia. Only 52,000 were repatriated to Java, meaning that there was a death rate of 80%.[214]
On February 19, 1942 Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066, interning thousands of Japanese, Italians, German Americans, and some emigrants from Hawaii who fled after the bombing of Pearl Harbor for the duration of the war. 150,000 Japanese-Americans were interned by the U.S. and Canadian governments, as well as nearly 11,000 German and Italian residents of the U.S.
Allied use of slave labor occurred mainly in the east, such as in Poland,[215] but more than a million was also put to work in the west. By December 1945 it was estimated by French authorities that 2,000 German prisoners were being killed or maimed each month in mine-clearing accidents.[216]

This is the result of the feedback

2008-10-13T11:28:00.001-07:00

Hello my friends
This week we will talk about four completely different topics ,based on the feedback I obtained
from last session.I am sure that it will make all pleased.
here are the topics...

Saikano

2008-10-13T11:18:00.000-07:00

Saikano, known in Japan as Saishū Heiki Kanojo (最終兵器彼女, Saishū Heiki Kanojo?, lit. "She, the Ultimate Weapon" or "My Girlfriend, the Ultimate Weapon") is a manga, anime, and OVA series by Shin Takahashi, creator of Iihito and Kimi no Kakera. Saikano was originally serialized in Shogakukan's Big Comic Spirits magazine.
A live-action movie adaptation was released in Japan on 28 January 2006 with Aki Maeda starring as Chise.[1]
Many of the locations used in Saikano can be found in Otaru-shi, west of Sapporo. The train station, "Hell's Hill", the Asahi Observation Hill, and the school all exist within the city.

Plot
The story begins with Shuji (シュウジ, Shūji?), a high school student in Hokkaidō, walking up to an observatory and reminiscing about his girlfriend, Chise (ちせ, Chise?). He finds her exchange diaries that she purposefully left behind. The whole story is narrated by him through flashbacks while reading Chise's diary. Chise, a fellow student in his class, declares her love for Shuji at the beginning of the series. However, Chise is very shy and Shuji is insensitive. Neither know how to express their feelings very well, but they do indeed have feelings for each other.
One day, while Shuji is shopping in Sapporo, unknown bombers attack the city in broad daylight. He and his friends run for cover, but notice a fast and small flying object shoot down enemy bombers. Separated from his friends, Shuji wanders through the wreckage only to stumble upon Chise. She has metal wings and weapons apparently grafted onto her body. She tells him she has become the ultimate weapon, without her knowledge or consent. However, she is seen by the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) as the last hope for defending Japan from imminent invasion by unknown foreign forces. In the anime, it is not apparent why Chise was chosen to be the ultimate weapon or why the country is under attack. It is not until the OVA episodes were released that an explanation of Chise being chosen is offered: her body had the highest degree of compatibility with the weapon system. In fact, later in the OVA it is mentioned that Chise had been "over-developed" and was so much of a weapon that she would kill anyone regardless of what side they were on. (This fact is punctuated by Chise vaporizing the Special Forces building where she first became the ultimate weapon.)
This story, as suggested by the subtitle "The Last Love Song On This Little Planet", is primarily a love story. The story focuses primarily on Chise's reactions to her increasingly powerful destructive abilities, Shuji's reaction to the same, and the relationship between the two of them.
A number of minor characters who do not necessarily know of Chise's role in the war, have sub-plots that mostly concern everyday people in the context of war: a woman whose husband is constantly away from home, a school boy who joins the army to protect his girlfriend, a girl whose civilian boyfriend was killed in a bombing, and others.

Both the manga and the anime feature a hotly-contested war. Battles are shown through the lives of people on the front, but the diplomatic particulars of the war are not revealed to the audience. A reason is never given as to why the war broke out in the first place, what the war is all about, or what countries the Japan Self-Defense Forces and Chise are fighting against. However, there is speculation about possible foes. For example, in one episode an enemy plane is shot down near the city and the pilot's one or two lines are in near perfect American English. In the manga, Chise speaks to the enemy soldiers, saying that she does not know much English, and later in the series there are certain enemy soldiers that speak French. The OVAs also portray some of the soldiers speaking French. This would suggest that there is an international coalition invading Japan.
However, in the end of both the anime and the manga, Chise remarks that many other parts of the world had experienced "horrendous things", and that "humans have done a lot of damage to this world". This may imply that the invasion was due to the lack of livable land anywhere else other than Japan, which was protected by Chise. This in turn would cause other countries to seek places where people are able to live. On the other hand, Chise could have been referring to her own creation and her part in destroying much of the world. In the manga, Chise does refer to the catalyst for the environmental doomsday, but never states anything specific until the end when she states that an earthquake will strike the core of the planet. Whether the two earthquakes that have occurred previously have anything to do with the chains of events leading to doomsday, has not been ascertained.
The only weapons of mass destruction observed in both the anime and manga was Chise herself, who by the middle of the story had the power to destroy entire cities and did so on a fairly regular basis. In more than one battle over a Japanese city, Chise simply vaporized the city and most of the people in it. Coupled with the comments about how the enemy had nowhere to return to and how Chise has been "working" all over the world, it seems unlikely that the invasion by other nations is simply over territory.
Also troubling is the seeming nonexistence of a nuclear arsenal in the invading coalition forces. No nuclear weapon is ever used against Japan, despite Japan having no nuclear arsenal of its own, and coalition forces willing to inflict civilian casualties through total war. Though an ICBM would have undoubtedly destroyed Chise in the beginning, it is never seen nor mentioned in the series. Some have argued that this is because the invading nations are desperate to capture Chise to study then destroy her for their own safety, or use her or the material she has been transformed into for their own purposes. If the latter is correct, and if the other nations were aware of the inevitable doomsday scenario mentioned by Japan's leaders, then the act of capturing Chise would possibly be seen as the only way to save their own respective nation. Chise, in fact, does reach a point of power where she is able to synthesize voluminous pieces of matter out of thin air, but it is dubious whether or not Japan would have been able to have saved itself, seeing as even Chise was unable to use these structures to stop an enormous tidal wave from annihilating her hometown.

Baseball

2008-10-13T11:10:00.000-07:00

Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The goal of baseball is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four markers called bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot square, or diamond. Players on one team (the batting team) take turns hitting while the other team (the fielding team) tries to stop them from scoring runs by getting hitters out in any of several ways. A player on the batting team can stop at any of the bases and hope to score on a teammate's hit. The teams switch between batting and fielding whenever the fielding team gets three outs. One turn at bat for each team constitutes an inning; nine innings make up a professional game. The team with the most runs at the end of the game wins.
Baseball on the professional, amateur, and youth levels is popular in North America (particularly in the United States), Central America, parts of South America and the Caribbean, and parts of East Asia and Southeast Asia. The game is thought to have originated in England some time before 1755, as noted by William Bray, a lawyer from the period whose diary historians have recently authenticated[2][3][4][5]. The consensus of historians is that it evolved from earlier bat-and-ball games, such as cricket and rounders. Baseball was then brought to North America by British and Irish immigrants. This is contrary to the popular belief that the game was invented in North America during the eighteenth century. However, by the late nineteenth century, baseball was widely recognized as the national sport of the United States. The game is sometimes referred to as hardball in contrast to the very similar game of softball.
In North America, professional Major League Baseball teams are divided into the National League (NL) and American League (AL). Each league has three divisions: East, West, and Central. Every year, the champion of Major League Baseball is determined by playoffs culminating in the World Series. Four teams make the playoffs from each league: the three regular season division winners, plus one wild card team. The wild card is the team with the best record among the non–division winners in the league. In the National League, the pitcher is required to bat, per the traditional rules. In the American League, there is a tenth player, a designated hitter, who bats for the pitcher. Each major league team has a "farm system" of minor league teams at various levels. These teams allow younger players to develop as they gain on-field experience against opponents with similar levels of skill.

Popularity

The majority of baseball's popularity resides in East Asia and the Americas, although in South America its popularity is mainly limited to the northern portion of the continent. Baseball is among the most popular sports in Canada, Colombia, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Japan, Mexico, the Netherlands Antilles, Nicaragua, Panama, Puerto Rico, South Korea, Taiwan, the United States and Venezuela.
Baseball's largest national market is the United States, where it is currently the second most popular sport, behind American football. Baseball was long the most popular sport in the country, and since the 19th century, it has been popularly referred to as the "national pastime." In addition, Major League Baseball has been given a unique monopoly status by the Supreme Court of the United States. This popularity continues with Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig commenting that baseball is currently more popular now than it has ever been.
Worldwide, baseball is estimated to be one of most popular sport, along with Association football (soccer), cricket, field hockey, tennis, volleyball and table tennis. However, in July 2005 the IOC decided to drop baseball from the 2012 Olympics.[41]

Jorge Ramos Interview With Obama and Biden

2008-10-13T11:07:00.000-07:00

Jorge Ramos THANK YOU SO MUCH, LET ME START WITH SOME NEWS, YOU ARE BETTER INFORMED THAN I AM, WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THE BAIL OUT? IS THERE GOING TO BE AN AGREEMENT BEFORE MONDAY? Barack Obama Well... I had a conversation today with Secretary Paulson and the Congressional leaders; I think they are making progress. I hope that we have an announcement that there is an agreement, obviously this is very difficult, we should not have gotten ourselves in this situation in the first place. Now that we're here this is something that could affect all sectors of the economy, and it could be worldwide obviously given the size of the US economy and how interconnected global markets are. So we need to move carefully but we also need to move quickly. I'm confident we are going to get something in place some time very soon. Jorge RamosSENATOR BIDEN, LET’S TALK ABOUT THE DEBATE LAST NIGHT, HOW DID HE DO? Joseph BidenI thought he did great, I thought it became awfully clear about who had the best judgment, Senator McCain, my old buddy, kept talking about judgment , and yet on both the economy and on foreign policy I think it was made clear that his judgment has been very bad; bad in Iraq, bad on the economic policy that he's been supporting the last eight years and so, in fairness to John, he has a very heavy load to carry, I mean to try to defend his record, and defend the last eight years it’s pretty tough, it's a pretty heavy lift. Jorge RamosWHAT DID YOU LEARN ABOUT YOURSELF AND JOHN MCCAIN FROM THE FIRST DEBATE? AND WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE FOR THE NEXT DEBATE? Barack Obama I thought it was a good conversation, I think that American people right now they are not interested in cute lines, they are not interested in, you know, being clever. What they are interested is how are you’re going to solve the serious problems that we are facing right now. It's a serious time, so I think politics is different in this election than it has been four years ago, eight years ago. I think, you know, you've got two wars, you've got the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression, and so they want substance, they want answers, and I think what became apparent yesterday was that on the economy there is a fundamental difference. John McCain wants to continue George Bush's policies. Since the financial crisis he's been trying to flip and you know pretend that he's really mad at the capitalists and mad at the CEOs. But that's not his track record over 26 years. He's been a deregulator; he's been a champion of letting the market do whatever it wants. And I think that on foreign policy what was telling was that his focus continues to be almost exclusively on Iraq. I mean I mentioned the fact that how we have completely neglected Latin America, how China is all throughout Latin America, throughout Asia, throughout Africa, creating relationships with other countries and investing in them and we are not there because all we are thinking about is Iraq . On both foreign policy and the economy I think John McCain is still looking backwards he is still caught up in the past. We need to look to the future. Jorge RamosJOHN MCCAIN TOLD ME IN AN INTERVIEW THAT WE ARE WINNING THE WAR IN IRAQ. DO YOU THINK WE ARE WINNING THE WAR IN IRAQ ? Barack Obama Well, you know, what I will do is I will quote John McCain's favorite military strategist David Petreaus, who said 'I don't talk in terms of victory or winning, because I am a realist I think that's the way we have to approach it. The question is not whether we are seeing some surrender like we saw in Japan after World War II. In these kinds of situations the question is having made a bad decision to go in, can we now create a stable enough situation that we can use the resources in places like Afghanistan that are getting worse, or here at home were we need a great investment and the next president has to make good decisions about what our priorities are and that is going to be one of my priorities is ending this war so we refocus our attention on what is really going to make us safer and stronger... Jorge RamosSENATOR BIDEN ,YOUR SON BEAU WILL BE DEPLOYED VERY SOON TO IRAQ. ARE YOU COUNTING ON BARACK OBAMA TO BRING HIM BACK FROM THE WAR? Joseph BidenNo, I am counting on, he is going to go to do his duty like every other American who is in the military. I am very proud of him. But what I'm counting is not whether we will end this war. This is not a question; we will end this war and look our military has won every single battle, our politicians led by John McCain and George Bush have lost most of the battles. The truth of the matter is John even got it wrong last night; John in election mode said 'my friend doesn't understand strategy and tactic.' Let me remind John the surge was a tactic. What was it for? To provide breathing room, remember that phrase? Breathing room. Why? So there could be a political settlement, the strategic objective was a political settlement. General Petraeus says 'no way out without a political settlement,' everybody says it, John is the only guy that doesn't get it. And Barack laid out a political alternative, a timetable to draw down our forces, replace them with Iraqi forces over 16 months. George Bush is essentially signing on to it. I'm about as Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, to get dropped on my desk at some point an agreement between Maliki, the head of the Iraqis and George W Bush. What's it set? What's it call for? A timeline to draw down our troops. John is the only guy that doesn't get it. Jorge RamosLET ME ABOUT LATIN AMERICA; IT WASN'T MENTIONED IN THE DEBATE. Barack ObamaI mentioned it. Jorge RamosJUST A FEW WORDS, RIGHT? Barack ObamaBecause yeah, I would have loved to have a longer conversation. It wasn't one of the main questions posted by the moderator. Jorge RamosLET ME ASK YOU ABOUT HUGO CHAVEZ, HE HAS EXPELLED THE US AMBASSADOR FROM CARACAS, HE HAS INSULTED THE UNITED STATES LIKE NEVER BEFORE. SO HAVE YOU CHANGED YOUR MIND ON MEETING CHAVEZ? Barack ObamaNo, uh, again. My attitude is that as President I have an obligation, I have a duty if I think it will make the United States safe to be willing to meet with anybody at a time and place of my choosing. Now, Chavez I think has benefited from trying to make himself out as some major adversary of the United States. Often times because the failings of his own country playing to anti-American sentiment has helped to boost his popularity. But if in fact we are more engaged in Latin America, if we are dealing with the people in Latin America with dignity and respect and as equals, and if we say to them, we are not just interested in stemming the drug trade, we are not just interested in the things we are interested in, but we also want to hear from you. How can we make your economy stronger? How can we lift people up? How can we promote democracy, and not assume that simply because somebody like, you know, the President of Brazil has decided to go an slightly leftward way that somehow he must be unfriendly of United States. You know, if we can make a shift in attitudes towards Latin America, that can make an enormous difference and I think will be more effective than isolating Chavez than simply trying to say that he is an adversary, we never talk to him. Jorge RamosBUT ARE YOU CONCERNED, SENATOR BIDEN, THAT RUSSIA WILL BE CONDUCTING MILITARY EXERCISES IN VENEZUELA OR THAT IT'S GOING TO BE HELPING VENEZUELA TO BUILD A NUCLEAR FACILITY? Joseph BidenWell, let me tell you what I'm concerned about. There is no Russian policy; you had a President of United States say he looked into Putin's eyes and saw his soul, you have John McCain with no alternative offer to the newly bellicose Russian attitude toward the near abroad as they call it and this case with Chavez, you have President who doesn't have any energy policy and John McCain that offers none. The only reason Russia is in this position is they are floating in a sea of high-priced oil, they are able to intimidate Europe by threatening to cut off their gas, natural gas coming into Europe through Germany and etcetera, and we have no policy. Look, this administration and John McCain who’s shared the view, there is no policy; they have no Latin American policy, remember what happened the first time that we had a little bit of trouble in Venezuela, what did our ambassador say? Our ambassador for Latin America talked about well maybe we should talked about overthrowing a democratic governor. That helped us a great deal, didn't it, in Venezuela? It helped us a great deal throughout Latin America. I mean, they don't have policy, they don't know what to do. So I am concerned, I am concerned, that if they were to win the election, if this were to continue this policy I think our children's generation is in trouble for a generation because your are not going to be able to pass a law saying well you know we want to change that relationship now, we want change the fact that Korea is a nuclear peninsula, or that Chavez now has been able to, with Russian help, basically overthrow the Colombian government. Or that they've been able to, I mean, you can't change that. So now is a critical moment and we have to be engaged. And I might point out to John McCain and others, you know, the single element, the single best poster boy for the devil was Libya, you know we talked about Libya and Kaddafi and he was a terrorist, he blew up Americans in a plane. What did George Bush do? He made a deal with them. And what was the deal? The deal got away, got rid of the nuclear facilities, and they changed. And so, you know, this idea of John's not talking…he said, he wouldn't even talk with the Spanish leader, Spain is a member of NATO, they are fighting next to our kids in Afghanistan! Jorge RamosLET ME TALK ABOUT MEXICO. AS YOU KNOW VIOLENCE IS EXPLODING IN MEXICO RIGHT NOW. THE SITUATION SEEMS TO BE OUT OF CONTROL AND THE MEXICAN GOVERNMENT SAID THAT IT HAS TO DO WITH DRUG TRAFFIC AND THAT UNLESS THE UNITED STATES REDUCES SHARPLY THE CONSUMPTION OF DRUGS IN THIS COUNTRY THAT VIOLENCE WILL CONTINUE. IS THE MEXICAN GOVERNMENT RIGHT? Barack ObamaWhat is absolutely true that we have to have a partnership and that means that Mexico has to do a better job of preventing drugs flowing north, the United States has to do a better job of preventing guns and money flowing south and we do have to deal with the demand side of the equation. So the emphasis on treatment, making sure that we are taking public health approach to drug consumption in this country is very important, and we have to be mindful that there is a illegal flow south as well. So I'm supportive of the Merida initiative, I think that we have to partner with the Calderon government to recognize that he is trying to do something very difficult which is to root out not just a drug trade but all the corruption that surrounds the drug trade and that is going to require a lot of resources. Jorge RamosSENATOR THE LAST TIME THAT WE SPOKE YOU TOLD ME THAT YOU DIDN'T KNOW IF A FENCE WOULD WORK TO STOP UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS FROM CROSSING FROM MEXICO TO UNITED STATES. NOW IF WERE YOU STILL UNSURE, WHY DID YOU VOTE ALONG WITH SENATOR JOHN MCCAIN TO AUTHORIZE THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE FENCE? Barack ObamaWell, here is what I said that I'm skeptical that…you can't build a fence along a border like the one between the United States and Mexico. There maybe areas were having barriers could actually prevent the kinds of flows into the United States, some of which really dangerous for the potential undocumented worker as well. But what I do think we have to do is to get serious about border security in combination with cracking down on employers like the ones in Iowa that were hiring 13 and 14 year olds to engage in some of the most dangerous work there is, meat packaging and we got to have a system to lift undocumented workers out of the shadows and provide a pathway to citizenship. Now, what we are seeing is because the decline in the construction industry in particular but the economy slowing down generally, that the flow of undocumented workers is slowing and that remind us once again that to the extent we are working with Mexico to relieve poverty there and provide jobs and opportunity. That is going to be the best recipe for us to be able to deal with this thing long term. Jorge RamosSENATOR BIDEN LET ME TALK ABOUT THE NEXT DEBATE, YOU SAID THE FOLLOWING: "HILLARY CLINTON IS AS QUALIFIED OR MORE QUALIFY THAN I AM TO BE VICE-PRESIDENT. QUITE FRANKLY, IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN A BETTER PICK THAN ME". DO YOU REALLY THINK THIS? Barack ObamaHe was just being modest. He is a modest person. What can I tell you? Joseph BidenHillary Clinton is a good friend of mine, a close friend of mine, and there is a, I guess it's in short supply these days, but there is such a thing as being a gentleman and being gracious. Hillary Clinton is very qualified, I think I am fully qualified and prepared to be his vice-president, I hope a value added, and I know I'm as qualified as Hillary and anyone else, but she is a qualified woman. And look there is, you know, there is still room in politics for being graceful. Jorge RamosHOW ARE YOU PREPARING FOR THE DEBATE? WHAT DO YOU THINK IS SARAH PALIN'S GREATEST STRENGTH? Joseph BidenWell, the way that I'm preparing for the debate is making sure that I fully understand what John is proposing. This debate is not about Sarah Palin or me in one sense, it's about my being able to lay out clearly what an Obama administration is going to do and what John McCain will or will not do. To the extent that it is about Sarah Palin and me, I think the voters will determine after the debate is over about how we handled ourselves, whether we seem to be qualified if (God forbid) it ever occurred that we had step up to the office. Jorge RamosLET ME JUST FINISH BY ASKING YOU. IF YOU REALLY THINK THAT LATINOS WILL DECIDE THIS ELECTION? 10 MILLION LATINOS ARE GOING TO BE GOING TO THE POLLS. Barack Obama I think that if you look at the states that are in play: New Mexico, Nevada, Colorado, Florida; those states, there is no doubt that Latino vote can be the swing vote. In the case of New Mexico it's the majority of the vote. Latino vote is going to be absolutely critical in this race. I do think people are going to vote because they've got to make a decision about do we want to continue 8 more years of failed economic policies that have hit Hispanics harder than anybody. Unemployment has risen faster in the Hispanic community, the levels of people without health care in the Hispanic community is higher. Do we want to continue to see the demagoguing of the immigration issue which frankly has come up mucho more out of the Republican side than out of the Democratic side, or do we want a President that is going to be serious about dealing with this issue? On all these things so much is at stake that I'm absolutely confident that they're going to have record turnout in the same way, I think we are going to see a record turnout in the American population generally. Jorge RamosAND LATINOS WILL DECIDE THE ELECTION? Joseph Biden In those state yes and by the way they'll have a gigantic impact in every state. My little state of Delaware… Barack Obama Ohio. Joseph BidenBy the way we are going to do fine in Delaware. My little state of Delaware, one of the few states grew in the whole east coast all the way to Illinois, all the way from Maine to Virginia, we grew over 25 percent in the last 17 years, of that 25% is Latino in my state. Jorge RamosTHANK YOU SO MUCH Joseph BidenThank you Barack ObamaAlways good Jorge Ramos MUCHAS GRACIAS Joseph Biden Ok Barack ObamaDe nada

Mars: Extreme Planet

2008-10-13T10:44:00.000-07:00

Travelers of the Future, Beware! Mars is no place for the faint-hearted. Arid, rocky, cold and apparently lifeless, the Red Planet offers few hospitalities. Fans of extreme sports can rejoice, however, for the Red Planet will challenge even the hardiest souls among us. Home to the largest volcano in the solar system, the deepest canyon and crazy weather and temperature patterns, Mars looms as the ultimate lonely planet destination.
If you dream of going, here's what to expect:
Mars Quick Facts: Learn about the similarities and differences between Mars and Earth, and about the two small moons that orbit Mars.
"Mars" here on Earth: If you want to know what it might be like to spend time in the Martian environment, visit the Haughton-Mars Project, which tested prototype Mars astronaut suits on July 26, 2000 and August 3, 2000. The Haughton impact crater is in the Canadian high arctic, and has a rocky polar desert setting somewhat like Mars--though, of course, nothing on Earth comes close to the extreme conditions on the red planet.
Other places on Earth that can help us understand Mars include:
Death Valley, California, where Ubehebe crater and "Mars Hill" have geologic features similar to those on Mars
Mono Lake, California, which is a 700,000-year-old evaporative lake that compares to Gusev Crater, a basin on Mars where water once was likely
Channeled Scabland in Washington, where catastrophic floods swept through the land much like what happened long ago in the Ares Vallis flood plain where Mars Pathfinder landed
Permafrost in Siberia, Alaska and Antarctica, where subsurface water-ice and small life forms exist
Volcanoes in Hawaii, which are like those on Mars, though much smaller

PHOBOS AND DEIMOS(moons of Mars)
Mars has two small moons: Phobos and Deimos. Phobos (fear) and Deimos (panic) were named after the horses that pulled the chariot of the Greek war god Ares, the counterpart to the Roman war god Mars. Both Phobos and Deimos were discovered in 1877 by American astronomer Asaph Hall. The moons appear to have surface materials similar to many asteroids in the outer asteroid belt, which leads most scientists to believe that Phobos and Deimos are captured asteroids.

Pop Culture Mars
In a time when only the moon and the stars lit up the night sky, fear and foreboding rose whenever a blood-red dot looped its way across an otherwise still sky. Mars, the Red Planet, was a familiar and yet suspicious omen, a symbol for war and aggression for thousands of years.

Mars has remained in the human imagination, and not even the rise of science and technology has interrupted our wary fascination with this neighboring world. Telescopes in the 1880s revealed strange markings on Mars which convinced masses of people that Mars had canals built by an alien race. Were these Martians warlike and should we fear an invasion?
Radio convinced us "yes" when a 1938 broadcast of "War of the Worlds" scared millions of listeners into believing that tentacled creatures had landed on Earth in their war machines. Today, we know that there is no intelligent civilization on Mars, and our imagination turns to our own possibilities on the planet.

The danger of Mars still lurks in our conscience, for Mars today is a hostile world, blanketed in toxic soil and zapped with radiation. And yet, we are on a quest to conquer our fears and make peace with this planet. We begin to brave the hardships because Mars is the only planet on which humans could one day settle, making it a place of hope as well as trepidation.

Politics, Sport, Health and Science

2008-10-06T06:38:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone
This is the third week of this all new conversation club and as you can see here in the blog, my approach is trying to cover all major areas of discussion in order to satysfy the diverse interests
of this club which is not so easy as it may seem first!
After all, here are the articles, I hope you like this blog and the club .
I would be grateful to know your comments and suggestion.
see you all in the club this saturday.
Good Luck
The Mind Controller

Obama Leading McCain in New Ohio, Pennsylvania, Minnesota Polls

2008-10-06T06:37:00.000-07:00

Oct. 6 (Bloomberg) -- Democrat Barack Obama leads Republican presidential nominee John McCain in battleground states of Ohio, Pennsylvania and Minnesota, according to new polls.
Obama, an Illinois senator, leads 49 percent to 42 percent among Ohio voters, according to a Columbus Dispatch poll of 2,262 likely voters released yesterday.
The survey, conducted Sept. 24 to Oct. 3, shows a change from a poll by the newspaper before the parties' nominating conventions, when McCain had a single percentage-point advantage. The state is crucial to the Arizona senator's campaign, because no Republican has won the presidency without carrying Ohio.
Polls in Ohio ``are showing increased support for Barack Obama,'' because voters are paying attention to McCain's support for privatizing Social Security, backing ``job-killing trade agreements,'' and his backing of deregulation of the banking system, Ohio Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown said on ABC's ``This Week'' program yesterday.
A Minnesota poll of 1,084 likely voters published by the Star Tribune newspaper shows Obama leading 55-37 percent over McCain. The poll was conducted from Sept. 30 to Oct. 2.
Republican Governor Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota said the Star Tribune poll is ``notoriously not accurate,'' and said a separate earlier poll found McCain favored by 1 percentage point.
``Minnesota is a Democrat-leaning state, but not so much that it's implausible for a Republican to win here,'' Pawlenty said on ``This Week.''
Pennsylvania Poll
In Pennsylvania, Obama has a 50 percent to 40 percent lead over McCain, according to a Morning Call/Muhlenberg College tracking poll.
The Muhlenberg College poll surveyed 597 likely voters and was conducted from Sept. 30 to Oct. 3. The results of the three state polls were outside the margin for error.
The presidential race in Colorado remains a tie, according to a poll released by the Denver Post yesterday.
National polls also show that Obama is maintaining a lead over McCain.
Obama led McCain 49 percent to 42 percent among registered voters surveyed Sept. 27-29 by the Pew Research Center. In a mid- September poll, the candidates were in a statistical dead heat.
In a CBS News poll conducted Sept. 27-30, Obama led 50 percent to 41 percent among likely voters. The margin increased 4 percentage points from a CBS/New York Times survey a week earlier.

Phelps honored by Baltimore with parade and salute

2008-10-06T06:33:00.000-07:00

BALTIMORE - Michael Phelps was formally welcomed home Saturday with a two-pronged celebration that began with a parade and ended with a fireworks show at historic Fort McHenry.
Phelps was the focal point of the "Parade of Gold", which served as a homecoming for Maryland's Olympic heroes, most notably the swimmer who won a record-setting eight gold medals at the Beijing Games this summer.
An estimated 5,000 people lined the streets of Towson for the parade, according to Baltimore County police.
The festivities then moved to Fort McHenry, birthplace of "The Star-Spangled Banner." Wearing a dress shirt, sports jacket and jeans, Phelps walked onto the makeshift stage to cheers from thousands of people, many of whom arrived several hours before the event.
"There's no better place to be than right here in Baltimore!" he told the crowd.
The "Star-Spangled Salute" started with a recap of Phelps' performance in China and featured a speeches by Gov. Martin O'Malley and Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon. It also included a visit from Phelps' mother, Debbie, who received a big hug from her son.
The ceremony concluded with a fireworks above Baltimore's harbor.
At the parade, Phelps wore sunglasses, jeans, a T-shirt and a brightly colored jacket. He waved to admiring fans from within an open-air military vehicle on a gorgeous autumn afternoon. Those in attendance waited months to pay homage to the Baltimore native, whose haul in China raised to 14 his career gold medals.
Lining the 1 1/2-mile route, many onlookers held red, white, and blue signs. Participants in the parade passed under large American flag strung between the ladders of two fire trucks.
Caroline Dill, 13, was in position with four friends more than three hours before the parade began.
"He's an amazing person because he won eight gold medals and beat Mark Spitz's record," Dill said of Phelps. "Plus, he's from here."
The parade also honored swimmer Katie Hoff — who won three medals at Beijing Games — and Special Olympians and Paralympians.
The city staged a parade for Phelps after the 2004 Games. After his amazing performance in Beijing, the city arranged a two-part affair, at a cost estimated to be $300,000, in anticipation of far bigger crowds this time around.

Workouts for elders work in real world

2008-10-06T06:29:00.000-07:00

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Physical activity programs for aging baby boomers and seniors, developed and tested in research settings, can be successfully implemented on a large scale through community organizations, according to results from the "Active for Life" program.

The program used two lifestyle interventions aimed at older adults: Active Choices, a telephone coaching program, and Active Living Every Day, a group-based program.
"Many programs shown to be effective in research studies are never disseminated more widely and thus, don't impact public health," Dr. Sara Wilcox, from the University of South Carolina, who was involved in the research, noted in a university-issued statement. "This initiative was different because it showed that community-based organizations could put these two programs in place, reach a large number of older adults, and produce meaningful changes."
The Active for Life program was established in 2003 at the Texas A&M Health Science Center School of Rural Public Health with funding from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The goals of the program were to learn how research-based programs need to be adapted for broader implementation in real-world settings.
The Active Choices program is a 6-month program consisting of one face-to-face meeting between a participant and a health educator during which a physical activity plan is generated and activity goals are set. The participant is given a pedometer and exercise log and follow-up telephone pep talks.
The Active Living Every Day program is a 12-week physical activity intervention delivered in small groups with the goal of accumulating 30 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity on most days.
Wilcox and her colleagues looked at data on almost 6,000 people who participated in the programs between 2003 and 2007 at 12 sites. Those in the Active Choices program averaged 65 years of age while those in the Active Living Every Day program were around 70 years old on average.
The researchers report in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine that the programs produced significant increases in total physical activity, as well as increases in moderate to vigorous intensity, in particular.
The programs helped the participants lose weight and feel better about how they looked physically and how their body functioned. Participants in the Active Living Every Day program also reported a decrease in stress and depressive symptoms.
Wilcox said this study is noteworthy because it shows that community organizations and health care networks can partner and successfully deliver research-based programs in their community.
SOURCE: American Journal of Preventive Medicine, October 2008.

3 share Nobel prize for work on AIDS and cancer

2008-10-06T06:20:00.000-07:00

STOCKHOLM, Sweden - Three European scientists shared the 2008 Nobel Prize in medicine on Monday for separate discoveries of viruses that cause AIDS and cervical cancer, breakthroughs that helped doctors fight the deadly diseases.
French researchers Francoise Barre-Sinoussi and Luc Montagnier were cited for their discovery of human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV, in 1983.
They shared the award with Germany's Harald zur Hausen, who was honored for finding human papilloma viruses that cause cervical cancer, the second most common cancer among women.
U.S. researcher Dr. Robert Gallo was locked in a dispute with Montagnier in the 1980s over the relative importance of their roles in groundbreaking research into HIV and its role in AIDS. He told The Associated Press that he was disappointed at not being included in the prize.
Zur Hausen, a German medical doctor and scientist, received half of the 10 million kronor (US$1.4 million) prize, while the two French researchers shared the other half.
Zur Hausen discovered two high-risk types of the HPV virus and made them available to the scientific community, ultimately leading to the development of vaccines protecting against infection.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the vaccine Gardasil in 2006 for the prevention of cervical cancer in girls and women ages 9 to 26.
The vaccine works by protecting against strains of the human papillomavirus, or HPV — including the two that zur Hausen discovered — that cause most cases of cervical cancers. The HPV virus, transmitted by sexual contact, causes genital warts that sometimes develop into cancer.
"I'm not prepared for this," zur Hausen, 72, of the German Cancer Research Center in Heidelberg, told the AP by telephone. "We're drinking a little glass of bubbly right now."
In its citation, the Nobel Assembly said Barre-Sinoussi and Montagnier's discovery was one prerequisite for understanding the biology of AIDS and its treatment with antiviral drugs. The pair's work in the early 1980s made it possible to study the virus closely.
That in turn let scientists identify important details in how HIV replicates and how it interacts with the cells it infects, the citation said. It also led to ways to diagnose infected people and to screen blood for HIV, which has limited spread of the epidemic, and helped scientists develop anti-HIV drugs, the citation said.
"The combination of prevention and treatment has substantially decreased spread of the disease and dramatically increased life expectancy among treated patients," the citation said.
Barre-Sinoussi said that when she and Montagnier isolated the virus 25 years ago they naively hoped that they would be able to prevent the global AIDS epidemic that followed.
"We naively thought that the discovery of the virus would allow us to quickly learn more about it, to develop diagnostic tests — which has been done — and to develop treatments, which has also been done to a large extent and, most of all, develop a vaccine that would prevent the global epidemic," she told the AP by telephone from Cambodia.
Gallo, director of the Institute for Human Virology at the University of Maryland and a prominent early researcher in HIV, said it was "a disappointment" not to be honored along with Montagnier and Barre-Sinoussi.
But he said all three of the award's recipients deserved the honor. No more than three people can share a Nobel Prize.
His dispute with Montagnier reached such a level in 1987 that then-President Ronald Reagan and Prime Minister Jacques Chirac of France penned an agreement dividing millions of dollars in royalties from the AIDS blood test based on the two researchers' findings.
In the 1990s, however, the U.S. government acknowledged that the French deserved a greater share of the royalties. The admission solidified the French position that Montagnier had isolated the virus in 1983, a year before Gallo.
Maria Masucci, member of the Nobel Assembly, said there was no dispute in the scientific community that the French pair discovered and characterized the virus.
The assembly said zur Hausen "went against current dogma" when he found that some kinds of human papilloma virus, or HPV, caused cervical cancer. He realized that DNA of HPV could be detected in tumors, and uncovered a family of HPV types, only some of which cause cancer.
The discovery led to an understanding of how HPV causes cancer and the development of vaccines against HPV infection, the citation said.
Barre-Sinoussi, born in 1947, is director of the Regulation of Retroviral Infections Union at the Institut Pasteur in France, while Montagnier, 76, is the director for the World Foundation for AIDS Research in Prevention, also in the French capital.
Alfred Nobel, the Swede who invented dynamite, established the prizes in his will in the categories of medicine, physics, chemistry, literature and peace. The economics prize is technically not a Nobel but a 1968 creation of Sweden's central bank.
The awards include the money, a diploma and an invitation to the prize ceremonies in Stockholm and Oslo on Dec. 10, the anniversary of Nobel's death in 1896.
____
Associated Press writers Malcolm Ritter in New York and Malin Rising in Stockholm contributed to this report.

China's first spacewalk team returns to Earth

2008-09-28T10:50:00.000-07:00

Three Chinese astronauts emerged from their capsule Sunday after a milestone mission to carry out the country's first spacewalk, showing off China's technological know-how and cementing its status as a space power and future competitor to the United States.
A senior space official said the mission — China's most ambitious yet — took the country one step closer in its plan to build a space station and then to land a man on the moon.
Wang Zhaoyao, deputy director of manned space flight, said the program is looking to launch a new orbiting vehicle and set up a simple space lab by 2011. There are also hopes of sending unmanned and manned space vehicles to perform docking activities with the target vehicle.
By 2020, China wants to launch a manned mission to experiment with technologies that will enable astronauts to take care of spacecraft for longer periods of time, Wang told reporters at a briefing in Beijing after a parachute brought the astronauts' capsule back to ground.
"After we have successfully completed these three steps, we will go to even more remote areas," Wang said. "We believe that as long as we can make further progress on the road of science and technology, China will achieve the target of putting a manned spacecraft on the moon in the near future."
The United States is the only country to have accomplished that feat, putting its first astronaut team on the moon in 1969. But its last human landing was in 1972, and it has since concentrated on unmanned probes.
China's communist leaders, riding a wave of pride and patriotism after hosting the Olympics, face few of the public doubts or budgetary pressures that have constrained space programs elsewhere. Saturday's spacewalk was watched by cheering crowds on huge outdoor TV screens.
State broadcaster CCTV showed the astronauts' return Sunday after their Shenzhou 7 ship's re-entry vehicle burst through the Earth's atmosphere to make a landing under clear skies in the grasslands of China's northern Inner Mongolia region.
The vessel touched ground at 5:37 p.m. after floating down gently while attached to a giant red-and-white striped parachute, marking the end of the 68-hour endeavor.
"It was a glorious mission, full of challenges with a successful end," said mission commander Zhai Zhigang, a 41-year-old fighter pilot. "We feel proud of the motherland."
Zhai, Liu Boming and Jing Haipeng stayed inside the capsule after landing for about 46 minutes to adapt to Earth's gravity before slowly crawling out the narrow entrance.
Outside, the trio cheerily waved to cameras and reporters from Chinese state media before sitting down in blue fold-out chairs. They saluted as they were presented with bouquets of flowers.
Premier Wen Jiabao applauded at mission control in Beijing and shook hands with staff.
"This mission's success is a milestone; a stride forward," Wen said. "I would like to extend my congratulations to the heroic astronauts who successfully completed this mission."
The premier also reiterated Beijing's longtime stance that it is the Chinese people's "persistent aspiration" to develop space technologies for peaceful exploration.
The spacewalk was a key step in mastering techniques for docking two orbiters to create China's first orbiting space station. Tethered to handles attached to the Shenzhou 7 ship's orbital module, Zhai remained outside for about 13 minutes before climbing back inside.
China has relied heavily on homegrown technology, partly out of necessity. It has trouble obtaining such technology abroad due to U.S. and European bans and is not a participant in the International Space Station.
The Chinese program is backed by the secretive military. While Beijing insists it is committed to a peaceful program, analysts point to numerous potential applications for its technology, such as when it used a land-based missile to blast apart an old satellite last January.
China conducted its first manned space mission, Shenzhou 5, in 2003, becoming only the third country after Russia and the United States to launch a man into space. That was followed by a two-man mission in 2005.

World mourns "king of cool" Paul Newman

2008-09-28T10:36:00.000-07:00

Images of actor Paul Newman, who died late on Friday, adorned newspaper front pages around the world on Sunday, his piercing blue eyes vying for attention alongside headlines of the global financial crisis.
Underlining Newman's international appeal, Britain's Independent on Sunday featured his photograph across the whole of page one, relegating the latest news of the country's banking woes to the inside pages.
"Paul Newman: Death of King Cool" ran the caption headline in the Sunday Times above a portrait of the heartthrob and philanthropist, who died of cancer aged 83.
The Observer weekly devoted a two-page spread under the words: "An Actor of True Genius and a Man of Great Decency," focusing on Newman's philanthropy and devotion to his family, as well as on his big screen roles.
In France, politicians lined up to praise Newman, with President Nicolas Sarkozy hailing him as a "Hollywood legend."
"Actor, author, screenwriter, director, producer and philanthropist, he was also a great friend of France and fans of motor racing will remember his successive appearances at the Le Mans 24-hour race," Sarkozy said in a statement.
"The death of a good guy," France's main Sunday newspaper, Le Journal du Dimanche, said in a headline, giving over most of its front page to a photo of the U.S. actor.
Even conservative Muslim Iran, which would not usually concern itself with reporting on a Western film star, marked his death. Two pro-reform newspapers displayed the actor on their front pages while Iran's state media also reported his death.
The Etemad newspaper, published Newman's picture, saying "Fading away the last classic star" and the Kargozaran daily said "End of the blue-eyed boy."
In Germany as elsewhere, news television channels have been showing clips from his films.
"Paul Newman - the Last Hero is Dead" ran a headline on the back page of the mass-selling Bild am Sonntag. A strapline in the same newspaper read: "This damn cancer. Now it has killed the bluest eyes in the world!"
Several obituaries repeated comments he made about his famous good looks.
"I picture my epitaph," he was quoted as saying. "Here lies Paul Newman, who died a failure because his eyes turned brown."
"WHAT PAIN!" SAYS LOREN
The New York Times called him a "magnetic Hollywood titan," and in Italy actress Sophia Loren, who appeared in the film "Lady L" with Newman, called the news "a blow."
"When such important personalities die, one despairs and thinks that, little by little, all the greats are disappearing," she told the Il Messaggero daily.
Israeli actor Haim Topol, who Newman helped to set up camps for children with incurable diseases, called him a "dear human being."
"He busied himself with the professional rather than with PR," Topol told Israel Radio. "His main motto was, 'If you do not exploit your success in order to improve things in the world, then you are really wasting it'."
Paul Leonard Newman, known as "PL" to friends, appeared in more than 50 movies, including "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof," "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" and "The Sting."
He earned nine Oscar nominations for acting and won the best actor award for 1986's "The Color of Money."
A director and race car driver as well as an actor, Newman was also known for his extensive philanthropy. He created Newman's Own food products, which funneled more than $250 million in profits to thousands of charities worldwide.
Newman said his deepest satisfaction came from philanthropy.
Particularly close to his heart were his Hole-in-the-Wall Camps for seriously ill children. Today, there are 11 around the world that have helped over 135,000 kids, all free of charge.
Newman is survived by his wife of 50 years Joanne Woodward, five daughters, two grandsons, and his older brother, Arthur. Newman also had a son Scott, who died in 1978.

McCain, Obama resume campaign fight

2008-09-28T10:29:00.000-07:00

White House hopefuls Barack Obama and John McCain accused each other of playing politics with the financial crisis on Saturday, stepping up their attacks one day after their first presidential debate ended in a virtual tie.
After a high-pressure encounter in Mississippi, where the two candidates clashed sharply on spending and foreign policy, Obama hit the campaign trail and McCain returned to Washington to work on a rescue package for the financial sector.
McCain, an Arizona senator who some Democrats feared would upset delicate negotiations, spent most of the day working the phones from his campaign office rather than joining talks on Capitol Hill.
In remarks delivered by satellite to a group of hunters and fishermen in Ohio, McCain said the debate illustrated his differences with Obama over Wall Street's problems.
"It was clear that Senator Obama still sees the financial crisis in America as a national problem to be exploited first and solved later," he said.
"This is a moment of great testing, when the future of our economy is on the line, and I am determined to help achieve a legislative package to help avoid the worst."
Obama, an Illinois senator, and his running mate Joe Biden, meanwhile, took turns criticizing McCain on the economy and his ties to unpopular President George W. Bush at a rally in North Carolina.
They also made digs at McCain for jumping off the campaign trail on Thursday to join bailout talks, a move some called a political stunt less than six weeks before the November 4 presidential election.
"George Bush has dug us into a deep hole. John McCain was carrying the shovel. It's going to take time to dig ourselves out," Obama said to a rally attended by about 20,000 people.
"You see, I think Senator McCain just doesn't get it -- he doesn't get that this crisis on Wall Street ... hit Main Street long ago," Obama said. "That's why he's been shifting positions these last two weeks, looking for a photo-op, and trying to figure out what to say and what to do."
In Washington, lawmakers were still working on a proposed $700 billion bailout of the financial industry in response to the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression.
McCain spoke to Bush, Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke and congressional leaders, his campaign said.
Obama spoke by phone to Paulson and Democratic lawmakers.
Congressional leaders said they hoped to reach a deal by the end of the weekend so Congress can act on Sunday or Monday.
Several have said they were frustrated with Thursday's theatrics when McCain rushed to Capitol Hill and attended a White House meeting with Obama that ended in acrimony.
"The further presidential politics stays from these negotiations, the better off we'll be and the quicker we can come to a solution," said Sen. Charles Schumer, New York Democrat who chairs the Joint Economic Committee.
BOTH SIDES CLAIM VICTORY IN DEBATE
In the debate both McCain and Obama were optimistic Congress would agree to a rescue plan, but said the huge price tag would limit their agendas as the next president.
Public opinion polls have shown Obama gaining over the past week on the question of who could best lead the country on economic issues. Most polls show Obama holding a slight and growing lead over McCain.
Both camps claimed victory after the 90-minute debate during which McCain, 72, and Obama, 47, repeatedly questioned each other's judgment.
Neither candidate scored any clear blows or committed major gaffes. McCain was on the attack frequently and put Obama on the defensive, but he responded forcefully.
Obama's campaign manager David Plouffe said the exchange showed the Illinois senator had more than passed the "commander in chief" test.
"We think last night we not only passed it, we flew by it," he told reporters on a conference call.
The Obama campaign released a new advertisement called "zero" -- the number of times it said McCain made reference to the middle class during the debate. "McCain doesn't get it. Barack Obama does," the ad's narrator says.
McCain lashed out at Obama for not talking about victory in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.
"I noticed during our debate that even as American troops are fighting on two fronts, Barack Obama couldn't bring himself to use the word "victory" even once," McCain in his remarks to the sportsmen group.
His campaign released an ad criticizing Obama for a 2007 vote against funding for military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. The narrator says Obama was "playing politics, risking lives. Not ready to lead."
Nielsen Media, which measures U.S. television viewers, said about one-third of households in its top 55 cities tuned in, but a final viewership number would be determined on Monday.

tourism ranking

2008-09-28T10:20:00.000-07:00

The World's Top Tourism Destinations
1.France
2.Spain
3.United States
4.China
5.Italy
6.United Kingdom
7.Germany
8.Mexico
9.Austria
10.Russian Federation

some reading practice

2008-08-19T09:02:00.000-07:00

Thomas Edison

Thomas Alva Edison lit up the world with his invention of the electric light. Without him, the world might still be a dark place. However, the electric light was not his only invention. He also invented the phonograph, the motion picture camera, and over 1,200 other things. About every two weeks he created something new.
Thomas A. Edison was born in Milan, Ohio, on February 11, 1847. His family moved to Port Huron, Michigan, when he was seven years old. Surprisingly, he attended school for only two months. His mother, a former teacher, taught him a few things, but Thomas was mostly self-educated. His natural curiosity led him to start experimenting at a young age with electrical and mechanical things at home.
When he was 12 years old, he got his first job. He became a newsboy on a train that ran between Port Huron and Detroit. He set up a laboratory in a baggage care of the train so that he could continue his experiments in his spare time. Unfortunately, his first work experience did not end well. Thomas was fired when he accidentally set fire to the floor of the baggage car.
Thomas then worked for five years as a telegraph operator, but he continued to spend much of his time on the job conducting experiments. He got his first patent in 1868 for a vote recorder run by electricity. However, the vote recorder was not a success. In 1870, he sold another invention, a stock-ticker, for $40,000. A stock-ticker is a machine that automatically prints stock prices on a tape. He was then able to build his first shop in Newark, New Jersey.
Thomas Edison was totally deaf in one ear and hard of hearing in the other, but thought of his deafness as a blessing in many ways. It kept conversations short, so that he could have more time for work. He called himself a "two-shift man" because he worked 16 out of every 24 hours. Sometimes he worked so intensely that his wife had to remind him to sleep and eat.
Thomas Edison died at the age of 84 on October 18, 1931, at his estate in West Orange, New Jersey. He left numerous inventions that improved the quality of life all over the world.

1. Thomas Edison did things in this order:
a.
he became a telegraph operator, a newsboy, and then got his first patent
b.
he became a newsboy, got his first patent, and then became a telegraph operator
c.
he got a patent, became a telegraph operator, and then became a newsboy
d.
he became a newsboy, a telegraph operator, and then got a patent
This is sequence question. The answer is plainly stated in the passage, you just need to figure out the order in which Edison did these things. The third paragraph says that he got his first job as a newsboy on a train. He then got fired from that job. The fourth paragraph says that he then worked for five years as a telegraph operator. After that, it says that he got his first patent. If we read looking only for the details that relate to the question, it becomes clear that the answer is
2. Edison considered his deafness:
a.
a disadvantage
b.
a blessing
c.
something from a priest
d.
a necessity
This is a detail question. The answer is given directly in the text, you just need to be a skilled enough reader to find it. The answer is in the fifth paragraph. It says that Edison was deaf, but that he thought of his deafness as a blessing. It then goes on to describe in detail the reasons why Edison considered his deafness a blessing.
3. Of all the inventions, __________ was probably the most important for civilization.
a.
the vote recorder
b.
the stock ticker
c.
the light bulb
d.
the motion picture camera
This is an inference question. The answer is not directly given in the passage, but we can infer (or assume) which is the best answer from the information given. For the answer you should look at the first couple of sentences of the first paragraph. It explains that Edison lit up the world with his invention of the electric light, or light bulb. The world might still be a dark place if it werent for his invention. These sentences indicate that his invention of the light bulb had a deep impact on the world. There are no statements about any of his other inventions that make such a bold claim. For questions like these, you should also use your own common sense. Think about the inventions mentioned. Look around you. You are probably sitting in a place that is using many different light bulbs. There is probably not a stock ticker, a vote recorder, or a movie camera in the room with you. This simple fact indicates that the light bulb had a more widespread impact on the world than any of his other inventions.'
4. The main idea of this passage is:
a.
Thomas Edison was always interested in science and inventions, and he invented many important things.
b.
Thomas Edison could not keep a job.
c.
Thomas Edison worked day and night on his experiments.
d.
Deaf people make good inventors because they can focus without the distraction of spoken conversation.

1. His mother, a former teacher, taught him a few things, but he was mostly self-educated.
a.
taught himself
b.
born a genius
c.
loved school
d.
thought of himself
2. His natural curiosity soon led him to start experimenting with electrical and mechanical things at home.
a.
experiencing
b.
inventing
c.
making tests and playing with
d.
ignoring
3. He left numerous inventions that improved the quality of life all over the world.
a.
numbered
b.
many
c.
none
d.
modern
4. Sometimes he worked so intensely that his wife had to remind him to sleep and eat.
a.
passionately and with great focus
b.
carelessly and with many distractions
c.
hard
d.
problems

=====================================================================

The Civil War
The American Civil War was a very sad time for the United States. The people of the country were divided into two sides: The North and The South. Each side had its own army. The southern army was called the Confederate Army, and the northern army was called the Union Army. Many people died for both the North and South.The schools for the deaf had many problems during the Civil War. There are many stories about that _____1_____ in history.Some schools for the deaf had to close during the Civil War. The _____2_____ of many were taken over by the Confederate or Union army and occupied by soldiers. The Tennessee School even became a hospital and is now a national landmark.Some schools closed because the teachers joined the war. At the Kentucky School, the superintendent's son _____3_____ to join the Union Army. He died during battle and never returned. Teachers at the Tennessee School also resigned, but they joined the Confederate Army.A sad _____4_____ took place in North Carolina during the Civil War. A 55-year-old man was out walking one day. He was on his way home when a soldier saw him. The soldier _____5_____ the man to stop. The man was deaf and did not hear the soldier's command. The soldier shot the man and killed him.In southeastern states, every school for the deaf closed except one. The Kentucky School for the Deaf remained _____6_____. Its superintendent did not allow soldiers to occupy the school. He told officers from both armies what would happen if they moved into the school. He warned the officers that all of the teachers would resign and the soldiers would have to take care of the deaf students. He _____7_____ both sides, so the Kentucky School for the Deaf was never occupied by either the Confederate or Union troops!

The Civil War YearsCloze Exercise - Level 56
1
There are many stories about that __________ in history.
period
book
spirit
figure
class
2
The ___________ of many were taken over by the Confederate or Union army and occupied by soldiers.
staffs
lessons
buildings
doctors
graduates
3
At the Kentucky School, the superintendent's son _______ to join the Union Army.
meant
tried
pretended
refused
quit
4
A sad ________ took place in North Carolina during the Civil War.
fight
incident
arrest
discussion
disagreement
5
The soldier __________ the man to stop.
forced
promised
begged
paid
ordered
6
The Kentucky School for the Deaf remained __________.
standing
silent
locked
empty
open
7
He __________ both sides, so the Kentucky School for the Deaf was never occupied by either the Confederate or Union troops!
feared
comforted
convinced
angered
escaped

topics for August 9th,2008

2008-08-07T13:39:00.000-07:00

WORK

1. What ratio of work to leisure would be your ideal? Answer using percentages.

2. Are the people in your country famous for working hard or for having a good social life?

3. What jobs would you most and least like to do?

4. What jobs have you done in your life and what did you like and dislike about them?

5. Which age-groups are worst affected by unemployment in your country?
Should people who have never worked before be entitled to unemployment benefit?

6. What are the causes of unemployment and how is the problem solved in your country?

7. Do women in your country have equality of job opportunities? Are they paid as well as men?

8. Are there many migrant workers in your country? If so, what kind of jobs do they do? What are their working conditions like?

9. Do people leave your country to find work in other countries? Where do they go?
What sort of jobs do they get? Are they made welcome?

10. Do workers in your country pay a lot of income tax to the government?
Do people with large salaries pay a much higher rate of tax than other workers? Do you think they should?

11. Do you think that every worker should have the right to join a Trade Union?

12. Do you think that every worker, (including doctors, nurses, teachers, the police,
ambulance crews and fire fighters), should have the right to go on strike?

YOUTH & OLD AGE

1. Are young people generally more selfish than their parents and grandparents?

2. Should adults try to teach young people lessons, such as the dangers of drinking too
much, taking drugs or contracting the HIV virus, or should they leave them alone to
find out about these things themselves?

3. What do you think is the best age to be? Explain your opinion.

4. Most countries give young people rights as they reach a certain age. For example, British people can legally make
love or fight for their country at the age of 16; they can drink, vote and drive a car when they are 18.
Does your country have similar laws? Do you think that any of the age limits need changing?

5. Should young people have to do some form of military or community service by law?

6. Should people of between 60 and 65 be obliged to retire from their jobs in order to
make way for younger workers?

7. Are there many things that the old can teach the young or are they hopelessly out of
touch by the time they reach a certain age?

8. In most countries, compulsory education is targeted at 5 - 16 year olds. Would it
be better to offer it to pensioners who want to learn rather than young people
who prefer not to be in school?

9. In Russia, China and many other countries, there is a tradition of choosing leaders
who are advanced in years. Do you think that older people make better leaders?

10. Many elderly people have disabilities which limit their mobility. Do buses, shops
and public buildings in your country provide easy access for the disabled or are
your towns and cities designed mainly for the young and able-bodied?

11. Should the elderly be expected to pay for residential care out of their own savings or
should appropriate accommodation and nursing be provided by the tax payer?

August 2nd,2008,evening class

2008-08-01T14:25:00.000-07:00

RELIGION

1. The universe is controlled by a God who rewards good and punishes wrong-doing.
2. True religion is incompatible with war.
3. There is life after death - for example, heaven, hell or reincarnation.
4. The story of Adam and Eve is not to be believed. Darwin’s theory of evolutionis more credible.
5. It is impossible for the rich to be truly religious. That’s why Christians have Lentand Muslims have Ramadham.
6. It is better to have any religion than to be atheist or agnostic.
7. Do people have free will to choose between right or wrong or are ourchoices determined by hereditary and environmental influences?
8. Are the ten commandments out of date? Which rules do you think areneeded for religion or society today?
9. In Western Europe, church attendance has gone down, while in the Arab worldreligious worship has kept its popularity. Can you explain why?
10. Should women be allowed to become priests?
11. Should divorced men or women be allowed to re-marry in church?

RICH & POOR

1. What kind of aid should the governments of rich countries give to poor countries?
2. "Population control is more important in rich countries than in poor countries sincerich babies consume much more of the world’s resources than poor ones."
3. "Economic Unions made up of rich countries are a form of protectionism whichprevents fair trade with Third World countries."
4. "Economic colonialism where multinational companies provide most of the workopportunities is just as bad as colonialism where poor countries belong to rich ones."
5. "It is right for rich countries to have strict immigration controls to stop people frompoorer countries entering them and sharing in their better standard of living."
6. "Immigration should not be limited to people of similar race and culture. We shouldwelcome the opportunity of a truly multi-racial society."
7. "Everybody should be encouraged to do Voluntary Service Overseas (i.e. to live andwork in the Third World) so that we can understand the problems of poorercountries and make a contribution to help them."
8. Would you like to be an overseas volunteer in a Third World country? If so,which one and how could you contribute to that country’s development?
9. Are the poor poor because they are poor or because they are lazy?

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

1. "Scientific measures should be standardized throughout the world. We should all use the metric system all of the time."
2. "Science is more important than religion in today’s world."
3. What do you think are the main dangers of scientific advances? What laws do youthink we need to protect societies from these dangers?
4. Have computers changed society for the better or for the worse?
5. Are you computer literate? Which software applications do you know?
6. Did you have lessons in Science and Technology at school? Were they well taught?
7. Would you prefer your child to study Arts or Science subjects?
8. Do you think Science will (a) end the world (b) save the world or (c) do neither?
9. Are most scientists in your country working on defence assignments or on non-military projects?
10. Which invention would you most like to have invented?
11. Are there more men scientists than women scientists in your country? If so, why?

Topic for August 2nd,2008,Morning class

2008-07-27T14:48:00.000-07:00

VIOLENCE

1. "There should be strict censorship of films and news bulletins on television

to prevent children from copying violent incidents." Do you agree?

2. "Children’s cartoons such as Tom & Jerry and Popeye teach children the wrong lessons." Do you agree?

3. "Television cameras should not record crowd disturbances during sporting events

such as football matches." What do you think?

4. "Combat sports such as boxing where the aim is to injure your opponent should be

banned and should certainly not be part of the Olympic Games." Do you agree?

5. "Products such as pornographic videos and rap music which give expression to

violence against women should be withdrawn from sale." Do you agree?

6. "In most countries, military training which prepares people for violence against an

enemy, should be replaced by schemes to serve the community." Do you agree?

7. "Nobody should be permitted to own a hand gun for a hobby." What do you think?

8. "Combat knives should be made illegal." Do you agree?

9. "Parents should not buy toy guns or war toys for their children." Do you agree?

10. "Corporal punishment should not be used either at school or in the home." Do you agree?

Topic for July 26th,2008

2008-07-24T10:44:00.000-07:00

TRAVEL

1. How many countries have you visited and which is your favourite country apart from your own? Explain why?

2. Would you like to live permanently in another country? Why or why not?

3. Which is the longest journey you have ever made? How did you travel? What events do you remember on the way?

4. Which is your favourite journey for beautiful scenery? Describe what there is to see.

5. Which capital city is your favourite? How do you like to spend your time there?

6. Do you enjoy touring - travelling from place to place? Describe one of your itineraries?

7. Do you suffer from travel sickness or anxiety in cars boats or planes?
If so, what do you do to overcome these problems?

8. Do you buy travel insurance before going to visit other countries?
What worries would make you take out insurance?

9. Imagine you are an explorer and have the opportunity to make a big journey.
Which continent would you visit? Where would you go? What would you hope to see?

10. Is organised travel the best way of learning about the world?

Topics for July 19th,2008

2008-07-13T09:42:00.000-07:00

TRANSPORT

1. Which is your favourite means of private transport?

2. Do you drive a car? When did you learn to drive? What make of car do you drive?

3. What skills do you need to practise to pass the driving test in your country?

Did you pass your test first time? What do you find most difficult about driving?

4. Which is your favourite kind of public transport -

buses or trains?
ships or planes?

5. How do you usually travel to work or college in your country?

6. How did you get from your home in your country to your host mother’s house?

7. Are you in favour of more road building to create more space for the private motorist

in your country?

8. Do you think that more cycle lanes are needed in your own town or city? What would

be some of the problems in providing more facilities for cyclists?

9. Do you think that more freight should be sent by rail? Why are companies

reluctant to send their goods this way? What needs to be done to change their minds?

10. What transport do you think we’ll be using in 50 years time?

A Word From Me, The Mind Controler

2008-06-28T15:58:00.000-07:00

It has been almost two months that we meet every weekend to share our outrageous points of views. Most of you are really participating in the discussions and for me, as a conductor of this show ,it is truly satisfying.
Here I sincerely wish to thank all of you and encourage you to check these new topics for the next time.
Feel free to publish your ideas here:use this magnificant media and express yourselves.
have a good time
Regards
The Mind Controller

Topics for July 12th,2008

2008-06-28T15:49:00.000-07:00

SOCIETY

1. Should governments use the welfare system to encourage people to live within two
parent families?

2. At what age should a son or daughter be permitted to leave home?

3. Should young people be allowed to buy contraceptives as soon as they reach puberty?

4. Should the age of consent be the same for both gays and heterosexuals?

5. Should gays and heterosexuals have the same right to join the armed forces?

6. Should abortion be available to women on demand?

7. Should euthanasia be available to people in great pain who want to die?

8. Is it possible to pass effective laws against racism?

9. Do you believe in a high tax economy (e.g. Sweden) which distributes money to
education and health or a low tax economy (e.g. the U.S.A.) where people make
private provision for good services?

10. Do you have a vision of a better society? What changes would you make?
11. Do you think genetic engineering should be used to create good citizens?

12. What do you think are the characteristics of a good member of society?

TRADITIONS

1. Do children in your country learn traditional songs which their grandparents also
know? What are these songs about? What instruments are used to play these songs?

2. Does your country have any traditional dances for special ceremonies at different times
of the year? Describe the dances and the traditional dance costumes.

3. In Britain, there is a long tradition of playing cricket and tennis in the summer and
football and rugby at other times of the year. What are the traditional sports in your
country? Is your country still good at these sports? Describe the traditional clothing.

4. Traditional food in Britain includes roast beef and Yorkshire pudding, fish & chips and
haggis while traditional drinks include beer (best bitter) and whisky. What traditional
food and drinks do you have in your country?

5. In Britain, when you are invited to a dinner party, it is traditional to bring a bottle of
wine and flowers or chocolates for the hostess. It is normal to arrive on time, but not
too early. What happens in your country?

6. London businessmen used to wear grey suits and bowler hats. They also carried
umbrellas and read The Times newspaper. What is the traditional image of
business people in your capital city?

7. In very traditional British schools, the pupils stand up when the teacher enters the
room. Teachers used to wear square black hats and long black gowns. It is also
traditional to have school assemblies before morning lessons and to sing a special
school song at the end of term. Do schools in your country have similar traditions?

8. In the British calendar, the traditional ceremonies include Hogmanay (the Scottish
New Year), pancake day in February, dancing on 1st May and bonfire night in
November when we burn an effigy of the man who tried to blow up Parliament.
When are the traditional ceremonies in your country and what happens?

9. Describe a traditional wedding ceremony in your country.

10. Describe the traditions relating to your country’s Royal Family, Centre of Government
or System of Justice.

SPORT

1. Which is more important in sport - winning or taking part? Are you a good loser?

2. Should we always try to keep politics out of sport?

3. What are the most important events in the sporting calendar in your country?
Which of these events do you enjoy most? Why?

4. In Britain, the big events include the Boat Race, the Grand National & the Derby
(horse races), the Five Nations (rugby) the FA Cup Final (football), the Test Match
(cricket) and Wimbledon (tennis). Which of these would you like to see? Why?

5. Is it easy to take part in sport in your country? Which sports do you do and how
often do you take part?

6. Who are your sporting heroes and heroines? Why do you admire them?

7. Should the Olympic Games be held only in Greece or should they change between
different countries? Where would you like to see them held next time?

8. Do you think that boxing is a true sport? Should it be included in the Olympic Games?
Should it be made illegal?

9. Which is your favourite sport to watch and what do you think are the qualities of
a good team or a true champion in that sport?

10. Do people in your country do enough sport or do they prefer to watch TV and play
computer games? How could you encourage lazy people to do more sport?

2008-06-26T14:23:00.000-07:00

Topics for June 21st,2008

2008-06-15T12:49:00.000-07:00

Hello every one
below you can find the three topics for the next class.
Have a great time.

MALE & FEMALE ROLES

1. Belinda Brooks-Gordon, a university psychologist, has done research showing
that men in a top international company categorise women into five groups:
Babes (young and attractive women with little professional credibility)
Mums (considered unattractive and ignored by male traders)
Lesbians (feminists)
Dragons (women considered old or unattractive, rudely treated)
One-of-the-boys (women who behave like men - only they progress)
In your country, do women have equal opportunities in the work-place, for example:
the same pay and promotion opportunities as men? Are they categorised?

2. Is it easy for women to continue their careers after taking time off work
to start a family? Do companies provide crèches or nurseries?

3. Do parents and teachers in your country encourage girls and boys to grow up differently?
Do they play with the same toys? Do they receive the same education at school and university?

4. Do you think women and men should perform the same or different roles?
Are men usually the bread-winners and women usually the home-makers in your country?

5. Are there any "women’s or men’s rights" groups in your country?

MARRIAGE

1. Are you for or against trial marriages i.e. living together outside marriage to test your compatibility?

2. Do you think that marriage should be for life? Should divorce be made easier or more difficult?

3. Why do you think that the divorce rate has become so high in Britain and many other countries?

4. Is it better to marry someone of the same educational, social, cultural and racial background?

5. Is it better to marry someone of approximately the same age? Should the man be older than the woman?

6. How important is the religious aspect of marriage to you? Which aspects are more important, if any?

7. Should it be legal to marry more than one partner at the same time?

8. Should it be legal to marry someone of the same sex? Should marriages between gay and lesbian partners be recognised by the church?

THE MEDIA

1. In Britain, tabloid newspapers, which contain mostly gossip and pin-ups of
good-looking women and men, sell many more copies than serious
newspapers. Do readers in your country have the same interests?

2. Do reporters and photographers respect the private lives of famous people
in your country? How much freedom should the press be allowed by law?

3. Is the media in your country mainly owned by a few large monopolies?
Should the law allow ownership of several newspapers or TV channels?

4. Is there a bias towards any particular political party or interest group in
your country’s media?

5. Which would you prefer (a) TV channels without advertising
paid for by a licence fee (b) Free TV channels paid for by advertising
or (c) Pay-as-you-view TV where you only pay for what you watch?

6. In Britain, there are restrictions on what can be screened on TV before
9 p.m. Do you think that TV programme content should be censored?

7. Should governments act to control the Internet or should it be uncensored?

8. Have you ever used the Internet? What did you use it for?

A word from the mindcontroller

2008-06-11T12:00:00.001-07:00

Hello every one
First of all , I have to apologize for this delay,now you have at least three days to get ready for this class.
Two topic have been discussed: Fashion and Food, but in order to give you a better perspective, I prefered to put the complete list here.
We will talk about other three topics this saturday.
Feel free to write all your opinions,ideas and comments here.
Its a pleasure to be in your class,I wish you enjoy it.
Kindest Regards
The Mind Controller

topics for june 14th,2008

2008-06-11T11:52:00.000-07:00

FASHION
1. Have you ever bought something because it was fashionable? If so, what?

2. Does the fashion industry exist mainly to persuade people to spend money on things they do not really need?

3. Is fashion selfish in a world where many people have not got what they need?

4. Do you think fashion models should be used to sell products such as cars?

5. Some fashion models refuse to advertise products involving animal cruelty
such as cosmetics and fur coats. Would you buy such products?

6. Would you like to be a fashion model if you were offered the opportunity?

7. Is your country famous for any fashion products? Which ones? How are they marketed?

8. Which countries have the best and worst fashions in clothes?

9. Which products advertised on TV in Britain/USA/Australia and in your country represent (a) women’s fashion (b) men’s fashion ?

FOOD

1. "The government should make it more expensive for farmers to use
pesticides and more profitable for them to grow organic food."

2. Which age-group in your country eats most fast and convenience food?
What could be done to encourage these people to eat more fresh food?

3. Should the law limit the number of fast food restaurants in our towns?

4. Should suppliers be permitted to irradiate fruit and vegetables to make
them stay greener for longer on the shop shelves?

5. Do you think you can get all the nourishment you need from a vegetarian
diet? Would you be happy to eat a vegetarian diet for a week?

6. The Hay diet encourages you to separate protein from carbohydrate,
while the Chinese "Ying & Yang" diet encourages balanced eating.
Can you describe any special diets which are followed in your country?

7. Should countries try to grow all their own food or is it better to depend
on trade to meet your food needs?

8. Many people in Britain eat too much sugar, butter and salt. How healthy
are eating habits (a) generally in your country (b) in your own family?

9. Are you for or against genetically modified food?

HEALTH

1. "Governments should provide a first class National Health Service for
everybody so that nobody would want to pay for private treatment."

2. "Most nurses are overworked and underpaid." Do you agree?

3. "People who have damaged their health through smoking or drinking
should be at the back of the queue for expensive treatments."

4. Do people have the right to smoke when children in the same house
or colleagues in the same office have to inhale the smoke?

5. "Everybody should be compulsorily tested for HIV to allow the
authorities to monitor and counter the spread of AIDS."

6. "Alternative therapies should be recognised and licenced under the NHS
to include (a) acupuncture (b) homeopathy (c) aromatherapy & massage
(d) meditation (e) yoga (f) hypnosis and (g) faith healing."

7. "Western doctors prescribe drugs and medicines too freely since they
do not have time to treat patients as individuals." Do you agree?
Do you think other systems such as Chinese Medicine are any better?

HOLIDAYS

1. Do you prefer to book holidays through travel agents or to make your
own arrangements? Describe your best and worst holidays?

2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of TWO of the following
forms of holiday accommodation:
(a) five star hotel (b) budget hotel (c) guest house
(d) bed & breakfast (e) self-catering villa (f) farmyard cottage
(g) ocean liner (h) student family (i) youth hostel
(j) caravan (k) tent (l) canal boat ?

3. Which form of accommodation did you have on your last holiday?
Were you satisfied with it?

4. Which form of accommodation would you prefer for your next holiday
and how many people would you like to accompany you?

5. What are your favourite holiday activities?

6. Has your country been spoilt by tourist developments?

7. A friend wants to get to know your country and is planning a tour.
What advice would you give about places to visit, travel, accommodation,
eating out, shopping, sightseeing, things to bring and souvenirs to buy?

LANGUAGE LEARNING

1. Describe "the good language learner" according to the following criteria:
woman or man
old or young
extrovert or introvert
other characteristics
habits
abilities ( including study skills )
motivation and interests

2. In what ways are you a good or bad language learner?
3. How many languages can you speak and how well can you speak them?

4. "Fluency in a language is more important than accuracy". Do you agree?

5. Are you satisfied with the way languages are taught in your country?

6. Do tourists often try to speak your language when they visit your country?

7. "Every child should learn to speak a second language." Do you agree?

8. Which should be the official world language - English or Esperanto?

topics for may31rst,2008

2008-05-26T11:05:00.000-07:00

ECONOMICS

1. "Low tax, Laissez-Faire, economies are better than ones with large
public sectors." Do you agree?

2. "It is better to be within large economic unions like the European
Community rather than outside them." Do you agree?

3. "Governments should legislate to prevent monopolies becoming too
powerful." Do you agree?

4. "Free trade policies are always better than protectionist ones."

5. "Governments should not subsidize enterprises which are unprofitable."

6. "Countries should try to become self-sufficient in food and basic
necessities." Do you agree?

7. "Giving financial incentives to companies which locate themselves in
underdeveloped regions is a waste of public money. It is better to let
them set up where they want to be." Do you agree?

8. "Introducing the minimum wage will encourage foreign investors to
take their enterprises elsewhere."

EDUCATION

1. Would you prefer to send your child to a mixed or single sex school?

2. Is day school always a better alternative to boarding school?
3. Should rich people be permitted to buy educational advantages by
sending their children to private schools or should all schools be
run by the state?

4. Do you prefer a system where children are put in fast and slow streams
or is it better to create mixed ability classes?

5. Should corporal punishment be permitted in schools?

6. Which system do you favour for measuring children�s progress -
final examinations or continuous assessment?

7. Do the "three Rs" (Reading, Writing and Arithmetic) make up the most
important part of the school curriculum?

THE ENVIRONMENT

1. Does the environment belong principally to the human race?

2. Do your consumption habits destroy the habitats of other species?

3. Do you think that developers should be permitted to build big hotels
and tourist complexes in the most beautiful places in your country?

4. Should the private motorist be made to pay more heavily through higher
road tax, petrol prices, parking fees and motorway tolls?

5. Should cars be banned from city, town and village centres?

6. Are you for or against nuclear power?

7. Does your country need stricter laws to punish noisy neighbours
or discos which play loud music late at night?

8. Are your country�s seas, rivers and / or lakes clean to swim in?

9. What government and private campaigns are there in your country to
protect and improve the environmet.