93% Hugo

Hugo is the most unlikely film Martin Scorsese would make, and yet, it is one of his best. The technical wizardry is fantastic, and the story being told here is among the greatest of children's stories, one that treats all its viewers with intelligence and inspiration. It is also among Scorsese's most personal films. It's strange that he would make a family friendly epic, shot in 3D in an almost fantasy-like world, but Scorsese's touch is delicate, affirmed, and sure of the film he wants to make.The opening shot of Hugo is of a moving camera swooping along an overview of Paris into a train station wherein lives Hugo Cabret (played exceptionally well by Asa Butterfield). Forget Avatar. If I was ever to be convinced on 3D as a new film medium as opposed a passing fad, this single shot would be the one to do it. It's a glorious shot, well timed, well controlled, and the CGI is blended in firmly with the reality. As we meet and get to know Hugo, we see that he is an orphan living in the train station. He manages to maneuver through a system in the walls that lead to all the clocks, remaining anonymous and resorting to stealing food in order to survive while avoiding capture by the station inspector (Sacha Baron Cohen). One day, he meets Georges Melies (Ben Kingsley), a toy merchant who also happens to be one of the great pioneers of the movies. Hugo loves the movies as they are his form of escape. They inspire him to dream and one day become more than who he is. Hugo longs to find meaning in his life, as well as a place to call his own. He misses his father, who left him a broken automaton that, once fixed, may hold his father's final secret. As his journey unfolds, he develops a great friendship with Isabelle (the talented Chloe Grace Moretz), who he is able to confide in.The first half of Hugo is a technical marvel. It boasts a magical and intriguing children's mystery set to the backdrop of a beautiful train station. Scorsese has also purposely overlit the setting, so that the film won't be too dark when seen through 3D glasses. It's also not a busy 3D; the camera may swoop in and out of areas, but it is a smooth, fluid movement that didn't make me sick in the least. Scorsese has perfect control of this technology.The second half pays a wholehearted tribute to the history of the first movies. Where a film like The Artist examines an early period in film history, Hugo examines what makes cinema so special. Films have the ability to inspire, to help us find meaning in our own lives. In many ways, film helps us live better. Scorsese knows this, and hopefully, Hugo will inspire many kids to follow their dreams.

February 23, 2012

Source: http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/hugo/

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Obama adviser: GOP damaging itself with negativism

Republican presidential candidates Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, left, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, second from right, and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, right, watch as former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum speaks during a Republican presidential debate Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2012, in Mesa, Ariz. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Republican presidential candidates Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, left, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, second from right, and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, right, watch as former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum speaks during a Republican presidential debate Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2012, in Mesa, Ariz. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

WASHINGTON (AP) ? A political adviser to President Barack Obama says Republicans are damaging their chances of defeating him by engaging in "nasty, negative, carpet-bombing" debates.

Robert Gibbs says independent and undecided voters have been "turned off" by the Republican face-offs, saying the give-and-take among candidates is entirely too negative.

Gibbs tells CBS's "This Morning" Thursday that the GOP continues to dwell on social conservative subjects when "the emerging issue of this campaign is going to be strengthening this economy and putting people back to work."

The former White House press secretary, now an adviser to Obama's re-election campaign, says the Republican hopefuls are "offering very little in the way of a positive vision" for the country. He says Wednesday night's Arizona debate was full of "negative distortions" about policy positions and candidates.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/89ae8247abe8493fae24405546e9a1aa/Article_2012-02-23-GOP%20Campaign-Democrats/id-f9f023a977d747ab8dc7e4cf83e5cf0a

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KY Senate Panel Approves Expanded Gaming Bill | BloodHorse.com

Updated: Wednesday, February 22, 2012 7:22 PM
Posted: Wednesday, February 22, 2012 2:52 PM

Photo: Anne M. Eberhardt

Gov. Steve Beshear and Sen. Damon Thayer at the hearing to discuss the expanded gaming bill.

An amended bill that would authorize a constitutional amendment on allowing up to seven casinos in Kentucky was approved Feb. 22 by the Senate Committee on State and Local Government and will be sent to the full Senate for consideration.

The vote by the 11-member committee, which is chaired by Republican Sen. Damon Thayer, a co-sponsor of the gaming legislation, was 7-4. All four Democrats on the committee, as well as three Republicans, voted in favor.

Officials said the measure could be offered on the Senate floor as early as Feb. 23-24 in what figures to be a drawn-out process with floor amendments offered.

Before passage, the committee adopted revised language in the bill that removed the original provision that of the seven casinos, five would be at racetracks. Though the stipulation that up to five casinos could be located at racetracks and up to two at non-track locations was removed, the amended bill retained the provision that any of the casinos not at racetrack locations could not be within 60 miles of a track.

The committee vote came after an open hearing in which proponents and opponents addressed the proposed legislation. During the hearing, Gov. Steve Beshear, a Democrat who made expanded gambling a priority in his successful re-election campaign last year, answered questions about the legislation and casinos.

During his presentation, Beshear reiterated that, though he supports expanded gaming, the bill allowing a vote on the issue has support from opponents and proponents of casino-style gaming because it would allow voters to decide the issue. He also said casinos could provide much-needed revenue for programs across the state and help the horse industry remain competitive with other states in which racetrack purses are enhanced by gaming money.

The amendment as passed says gambling revenue would be used for purposes including job creation, education, human services, health care, veterans? programs, local governments, public safety, and support of the horse industry.

Thayer, a horse industry proponent and former racing executive, said after the vote he believes a constitutional amendment is the only way to address the issue. He noted he opposed gaming-via-statute legislation a few years ago.

?I paid the price for that but I was able to look myself in the mirror, and I can look myself in the mirror now,? Thayer said. ?Other states have done (expanded gambling) by statute, but it is wrong. I?m not afraid to give people the opportunity to decide this issue. This is a democracy.?

Republican Sen. Tom Jensen, who voted against the bill, said casino gambling won?t raise enough money for the state, and that it would be diluted by ?earmarking? in the legislature.

?You can?t give us enough money to solve problems,? Jensen said. ?I?m confident in letting the people decide, but (legislators) are better educated than the public.?

Thayer said he believes the public is far more versed on the topic than legislators believe.

The committee meeting, which lasted 2 ? hours before a packed house of proponents and opponents, got lost at times in constitutional debate among attorneys. Representatives of the Family Foundation of Kentucky, which is anti-gambling, said the amendment wording would make legislators breach their constitutional duty.

Democrat R.J. Palmer, the Senate Minority Leader who voted for the bill, noted the Family Foundation in 2009 said it would sue the state if expanded gambling was pursued via statute instead of a constitutional amendment. Martin Cothran, a Family Foundation lawyer, said the organization disagrees with the substance of the current language.

Cothran also said the 60-mile radius clause protecting racetracks gives racing a monopoly on casinos even if the word ?racetrack? doesn?t appear in the amendment language. Beshear said he believes the public wants to see a limit on the number of casinos and have an idea of where they could be located.

Republican Agriculture Commissioner James Comer, elected to the post last November, said the equine industry is a major component of agriculture in the state and must be protected. He spoke in favor of the bill.

?The interest we have is the health of the horse industry, and the domino effect on the agriculture community should it fail,? Comer said. ?This signature industry deserves an opportunity to make its case to the public.?

After the committee vote, racing industry officials indicated they weren?t surprised by the 7-4 margin even though a casino bill never before cleared a Senate committee in Kentucky.

?We?re pleased with the outcome,? said Patrick Neely, executive director of the Kentucky Equine Education Project. ?We applaud Gov. Beshear and Sen. Thayer for their leadership on the issue. This is extremely important?it?s the first time an expanded gambling bill passed a Senate committee.

?Now we have to work to get 23 votes in the Senate so it can go to the House of Representatives.?

?We need a discussion of what?s going on in the state,? Churchill Downs president Kevin Flanery said. ?The testimony was very enlightening. This was only one step, but an important step.?

Should the General Assembly pass the constitutional amendment, and voters approve it in November, enabling legislation would be required for things such as casino locations, license fees, a bidding process, and revenue splits.

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Source: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/67600/ky-senate-panel-approves-expanded-gaming-bill

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Edwards wins pole for season-opening Daytona 500

Carl Edwards gives a thumbs-up in his car after his qualifying run for the NASCAR Daytona 500 auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Sunday, Feb. 19, 2012, in Daytona Beach, Fla. Edwards won the pole (AP Photo/Terry Renna)

Carl Edwards gives a thumbs-up in his car after his qualifying run for the NASCAR Daytona 500 auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Sunday, Feb. 19, 2012, in Daytona Beach, Fla. Edwards won the pole (AP Photo/Terry Renna)

Greg Biffle, right, talks with a crew member after his qualifying run for the NASCAR Daytona 500 auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Sunday, Feb. 19, 2012, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Terry Renna)

Jimmie Johnson's car goes through a second NASCAR inspection after his car failed an initial inspection for the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway, Friday, Feb. 17, 2012, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Reinhold Matay)

Marcos Ambrose, left, stands by his car on pit road after his attempt to qualify for the Daytona 500 auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Sunday, Feb. 19, 2012, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Carl Edwards walks out to his car along pit road prior to qualifying for the NASCAR Daytona 500 auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Sunday, Feb. 19, 2012, in Daytona Beach, Fla. Edwards won the pole for next Sunday's race. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) ? Carl Edwards fell bitterly short in last season's bid to win the NASCAR championship.

He's starting 2012 out front.

Edwards, who lost the championship last season on a tie-breaker to Tony Stewart, won the pole for the season-opening Daytona 500, beating teammate Greg Biffle for the top starting spot during a windy Sunday qualifying session at Daytona International Speedway.

Edwards turned a lap at 194.738 mph ? the fastest pole-winning speed since Jeff Gordon's lap of 195.067 mph in 1999. Biffle was second at 194.087 to give Ford and Roush Fenway Racing a sweep of the front row.

"It's so neat to come down here and to be so fast and to really have fun qualifying here," Edwards said. "These are the best race cars we've ever had at Daytona. Coming down here I didn't even consider the pole, so this is huge."

Biffle was not as thrilled.

"I'm a little disappointed," Biffle said. "I hate the wind. I guess if you're out sailing, it's good. It was singing down the back, but coming down the front I just got a big gust of wind coming off of (turn) four ... I knew I didn't have it."

Edwards and Biffle were the only two drivers to lock down their starting positions in Daytona's unique qualifying format. The rest of the starting order for next Sunday's race is set through Thursday's twin 150-mile qualifying races.

But only four starting spots are up for grabs.

NASCAR guarantees starting spots to the top 35 teams from last season, three spots go to the fastest drivers in time trials not already locked in and one spot goes to a previous NASCAR champion. The drivers who earned starting spots in qualifying were defending race winner Trevor Bayne, Tony Raines, David Stremme and former NASCAR champion Terry Labonte.

Clint Bowyer, making his debut for Michael Waltrip Racing, was 22nd in qualifying but had his time thrown out when his car failed inspection. NASCAR said Bowyer will have to start last in Thursday's qualifying race, but that's the only penalty his No. 15 team will face.

Scott Miller, vice president of competition for MWR, said he doesn't think starting in the back is too big of a blow for Bowyer.

"As far as the 150 goes, you're going to be to the front and to the back of that thing," Miller said. "Our competitiveness and our ability to go win the 150 hasn't changed any."

Danica Patrick was 29th in qualifying, but is guaranteed a spot in her first Daytona 500 based on a business deal Stewart Haas Racing made with Tommy Baldwin Racing. Patrick goes into the season with the points Dave Blaney earned for Baldwin last season, and gets into the 500 because it was a top-35 team last year.

"To say I wasn't nervous at all is a lie," she said. "Of course I was, a little bit. I want to do a good job."

She watched Saturday night's exhibition Budweiser Shootout from the spotter stand, and is anxious to run in the qualifying race Thursday to get a feel for the pack racing. NASCAR made significant tweaks to the rules package during the offseason to break up the two-car tandem and return racing to the fan-preferred pack.

"I'm not completely unfamiliar with the pack," she said.

Edwards, meanwhile, is eager to race and put 2011 behind him once and for all.

His loss to Stewart in the championship race was gut-wrenching, and despite holding his head high and demonstrating how to lose with dignity, he's been unable to move forward because of the intense attention on his defeat.

"It seems like every media question and all anybody says is, 'How great would it have been to have one more point and how did you deal with that this offseason?' Edwards said. "I think this is nice to come here and show everyone that, hey, it isn't just talk. Everybody at Roush Fenway went back and worked hard and kept their heads down and dug.

"This is very special. It's not a driving accomplishment. This is a team accomplishment, this pole."

It gave Roush his first sweep of the Daytona 500 front row, but marked the third time in 12 years Ford drivers have taken the top two spots. It also comes on the heels of Ford's victory last month in the prestigious Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona sports car race.

"What a way to start the season," said Jamie Allison, director of Ford Racing. "Our Fords are fast."

Edwards won his pole without crew chief Bob Osborne, who missed the weekend events at Daytona after the death of his father. Chip Bolin filled in for Osborne, and helped Edwards to his first career pole at Daytona.

"We felt like this was the best crop of superspeedway cars we had brought to the race track in a long time," Bolin said. "Our entire organization was really confident. Bob has built this program on steady, calculated moves and we just tried to execute the plan that he expected us to do here and here we are."

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/347875155d53465d95cec892aeb06419/Article_2012-02-19-CAR-NASCAR-Daytona-500/id-0b6356879a224adcaf1da5129ce668ad

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Onion: The GOP's New 'Mystery Candidate' (Little green footballs)

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Source: http://news.feedzilla.com/en_us/stories/politics/top-stories/201709046?client_source=feed&format=rss

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The Engadget Interview: Duracell President Stassi Anastassov on future battery tech (video)

It's 2012, and we're connected to the web every second of every day. And then, near the end of each daily cycle, it all stops. "My battery is dead." Is it really your battery that's become depleted? Of course it's not, though it certainly feels as though it might as well be. Stassi Anastassov experiences that daily setback just like you and I and the rest of the world. But the Duracell President and long-time Proctor and Gamble executive is in a position to find a way around it, and that's exactly what he plans to do. We sat down with Anastassov in our New York City office to chat about the past, present and future of battery tech, and we even had a chance to meet the Duracell Bunny (yes, that furry hare was property of the "Trusted Everywhere" company long before it made its move to Energizer). So how does P&G plan to transform the portable power industry, and what's that Duracell Powermat joint venture all about? You'll find the answers to those questions and more in our interview just past the break.

Continue reading The Engadget Interview: Duracell President Stassi Anastassov on future battery tech (video)

The Engadget Interview: Duracell President Stassi Anastassov on future battery tech (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 16 Feb 2012 12:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/16/duracell-president-stassi-anastassov/

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Thailand: Iranians planned to attack Israelis (AP)

BANGKOK ? The Iranians arrested after accidentally setting off an explosives cache in Bangkok were planning to attack Israeli diplomats, Thailand's police chief said Thursday, the first confirmation by local officials that the group was plotting terror attacks in the Southeast Asian country.

Police chief Gen. Prewpan Dhamapong said that Thai authorities "know for certain that (the target) was Israeli diplomats."

"This issue was about individuals and the targets were specific," he said. "This was something personal."

Israel is accusing Iran of waging a campaign of state terror against Israeli targets abroad, including an explosion Monday in New Delhi that tore through an Israeli diplomatic vehicle, wounding the driver and a diplomat's wife, and a foiled attempt the same day to detonate another bomb on the car of driver for the Israeli Embassy in the former Soviet republic of Georgia.

Iran has denied responsibility for all three plots, including one uncovered in Bangkok on Tuesday when explosives stored in a house occupied by several Iranian men blew up accidentally.

The Israeli ambassador to Thailand, Itzhak Shoham, declined to comment on the report and said the Israeli Embassy was open and functioning as normal.

Shoham told The Associated Press earlier this week, however, that the similarity of the bombs found in Bangkok and New Delhi had led Israel to believe the plots were linked.

Prewpan confirmed that two homemade "sticky" bombs found at the blast site Tuesday matched the devices planted on Israeli diplomatic cars in India and Georgia a day earlier.

"The type of improvised explosives they used were the same. The type that was attached to vehicles," Prewpan said.

Last month, after police arrested a Lebanese-Swedish man in Thailand with alleged links to Hezbollah, authorities here insisted Thailand was only being used as a staging ground for attacks, but was not the target. The man led police to a warehouse near Bangkok packed with more than 8,800 pounds (4,000 kilograms) of urea fertilizer and other materials that could be used to make bombs.

At the time, Israel and the United States warned their citizens to be alert. The U.S. Embassy said foreign terrorists may have been looking to attack tourist areas in Bangkok and Thai media reported the attacks were aimed at Israeli targets, including the Israeli Embassy.

Thai officials say it is not clear if the two incidents are connected.

Police and investigators are still trying to determine if the Iranians found in Bangkok were part of a larger terror group.

Two of the men were detained Tuesday after fleeing their destroyed house; they have been identified as Saeid Moradi and Mohammad Kharzei. A third Iranian, Masoud Sedaghatzadeh, was detained Wednesday in Malaysia, one day after boarding a flight there from the Thai capital.

Malaysia federal police spokesman Ramli Yoosuf said Sadaghatzadeh was being investigated for terrorism-related activities linked to the Bangkok blasts, but could not say whether he would be extradited to Thailand.

A Bangkok court has approved arrest warrants for all three men as well as an Iranian woman named Leila Rohani who rented the destroyed house. Prewpan said Rohani was being sought for questioning, but was thought to have left Thailand.

All four now face criminal charges including possession of explosives, attempted murder, attempted murder of a policeman and causing explosions that damaged property.

On Wednesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denounced the violence.

"If this aggression isn't halted, ultimately it will spread to many other countries," Netanyahu said in Israel's parliament Wednesday. He convened his Security Cabinet to discuss terrorism against Israel and "Iran's involvement in repeated attempts to attack Israeli targets," his office said.

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast called the allegations baseless and said Israel was trying to damage his country's relations with Thailand and fuel conspiracy theories. Iran has blamed the Jewish state for the recent killings of Iranian atomic scientists.

At least five bombs were identified in Bangkok. The first blew off the roof of the men's house, and Moradi detonated two others. He hurled one at a taxi when its driver refused to give him a ride, wounding the driver and three other bystanders. He threw another explosive as he fled police, and the blast ripped off one of his legs below the knee.

When police searched the men's house in the busy Sukhumvit Road area, a bomb squad found and defused two explosives, each made of three or four pounds of C-4 explosives inside a pair of radios.

The type of explosives suggested they would have been used to target individuals rather than large crowds or buildings, said National Security Council chief Wichean Potephosree.

___

Associated Press writer Todd Pitman contributed to this report.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/asia/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20120216/ap_on_re_as/israel_attacks

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Jason Bateman, Amanda Anka Welcome Daughter #2!

Jason Bateman and his wife Amanda Anka welcomed a baby girl, Maple Sylvie Bateman, on Friday, February 10 in Los Angeles, The Change-Up star’s rep confirms.

The new addition joins big sister Francesca Nora, 5.

The pregnancy was announced by her father, singer Paul Anka, who said, “I’m going to be a grandfather again!” Bateman and Anka, both 43, were married in July 2001.

Congratulations to the whole family!

[Photo: WENN.com]

Source: http://www.thehollywoodgossip.com/2012/02/jason-bateman-amanda-anka-welcome-daughter-2/

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Gene Marks: How Small Business Owners Make Decisions

2002 was not a great year for the Phillies.

The team finished with a record of 80-81 and 21 1/2 games behind the first place Atlanta Braves. Their renaissance was still 5 years away. They were not a team to be counted on. Except for one guy. In one situation. That was lefty specialist Dan Plesac. And the situation? That was when Mo Vaughn, the Mets slugger, came to the plate. Whenever this situation came up, as it did often that summer, Phillies Manager Larry Bowa would bring in Plesac to face Vaughn and only Vaughn. And almost every single time Plesac would get him out. Mostly by strikeout too. Bowa had his facts. Plesac's stats showed that he owned Vaughn. And he proved it every time they faced each other.

Wouldn't it be great if small business owners had these kinds of facts whenever we needed to make a critical investment decision? Wouldn't it be great if every decision came down to a mathematical exercise, a simple calculation of return on investment without any other factors needing to be considered?

Unfortunately, such is not the case in my hometown of Philadelphia, where environmentalists, politicians and the business community have been fighting over whether or not to go forward with a project to deepen the Delaware River. The environmentalists lost the latest round on Monday when the President unveiled his budget proposal, which included $31 million to help fund the project.

To be sure, this is a $300+ million project that will take approximately four years to complete. Funding is also coming from other sources. The aim of the project is to deepen the shipping channel from 40 to 45 feet. 23 million cubic yards of sludge would have to be removed over a distance of 100 miles covering the Delaware Bay to the Port of Philadelphia.

Business leaders and politicians here are thrilled. "This project will have a significant, positive economic impact on Delaware and the region," Delaware Senator Tom Carper said. "Investments like this one are critical to the long-term development of the Port of Wilmington and Delaware, as well as the other states along the Delaware River, to help us continue our economic recovery and to stay competitive. As we move forward with this important economic investment, we need to be good stewards of our environment and protect that resource as well."

Not surprisingly, environmentalists are upset. Delaware Riverkeeper Maya van Rossum said recently that "...facts, law and good policy have been thrown out the window in favor of political whims.The project is an embarrassment and waste of money, and we will continue to work to stop it."

Like most of the business owners I know, these are smart people and dedicated to their cause. But do any of these people really have a clue? I doubt it. No one really knows the impact of their decisions. The data is never complete. The facts are never entirely reliable. No one can really gauge what will happen in the future. The politicians and environmentalists arguing over the Delaware River deepening project are getting a taste of what it's like to be a small business owner.

Because being a small business owner means never believing the data. Why? Because most of the data we get is unreliable. Just this week it was reported that many economists still...after all these years of research...don't have a clue about what they're supposed to have a clue about: the economy. Bill McBride, who writes the respected Calculated Risk blog, questions some of the assumptions used by the government in last week's mortgage $25 billion debt settlement. And one recent (and very critical I'm sure) study found that a third of tweets received are useless. A third? Seems more like 90% to me.

Advocates of the Delaware River Deepening claim that the project will provide a huge boost to the regional economy. They contend that bigger and larger container ships could enter the area, bringing more goods and jobs. Philadelphia could become a much bigger player in the movement of oil. Rather than contaminate the river (as many environmentalists contend), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers believes that the material dredged in the effort will serve to nourish beaches in need of more sand, concluding that "...when complete, the project will provide for more efficient transportation of containerized, dry bulk (steel and slag) and liquid bulk (crude oil and petroleum products) cargo to and from the Delaware River ports. The current estimated benefit-to-cost ratio is approximately 1.64, with net annualized benefits of more than $13 million to the U.S. economy."

Environmentalists aren't buying it. They say the project will cause significant problems. It will affect the freshwater aquifers that supply drinking water to southern New Jersey, not to mention the wintering grounds of the blue crab and other fish and aquatic life. They're concerned that mercury, PCBs and other pesticides buried in the sludge could contaminate the water if dredged. They're concerned that the ocean's salt line will move much further up the river. Van Rossum gives a passionate case against the project saying: "... deepening the Delaware violates our obligation as good stewards of the earth, and threatens the health of our communities. (It) will cost taxpayers $277 million, and according to a nationally recognized expert, will likely lose taxpayer money." Me? I'm worried that the dredging will unleash vicious, pre-historic piranhas which will force Jerry O'Connell to come to town to save us.

Both sides will argue that their numbers are the right numbers. So who's right? What's the answer? Is it a good thing or a bad thing? Will it cost us a ton of money or make us a ton of money? Do we trust these numbers? Is there anything else we should be considering? Will my son get a D in Science?
These are questions that business owners like me face every day. I wish we had it as easy as Larry Bowa did every time Mo Vaughn came to the plate after the seventh inning. But we don't. So let me tell you how a business owner would evaluate this problem.

For starters we'd never trust the numbers. We see that there's a cost of the project of around $300 million. But we make sure to increase that by...oh...about 50%. Because there are always hidden costs. Contractors, employees, builders, technology guys....they never reveal all the costs. Sometimes it's because they genuinely don't know. Other times it's because they're hoping for the best case scenario (otherwise, they'd lose the job). And this is a government project too...so get the red flags ready.

Ask any business owner and I bet they'd estimate the real cost of this project to be at least $450 million...and quite a few of my friends would argue the number should be even higher. I have one client who always doubles any estimate given to him....and he's usually right. That's because he has three daughters and paid for three weddings. He knows all about estimating costs. If we're going to question the government's estimates we should be questioning the environmentalists too. Remember, these are environmentalists, which means most of them more than likely graduated with a liberal arts degree from Bryn Mawr, and not an MBA in mathematics from Wharton. Business owners, before spending their hard earned dollars, would quadruple check these numbers before doing anything.

And then the tricky part: we'd try to figure out the return on this investment over the next five years. Not seven years. Not ten years. Look, I don't even know what I'm having for lunch today, so it's a stretch to go out five. But most business owners I know would accept this approach. Has anyone really proven that shipping will increase to the region? Are there commitments from shipping companies or are these just assumptions made by a bureaucrat in a cubicle wearing a short sleeve shirt and a pocket protector? Where are all these new jobs going to come from? Business owners are lied to twenty times a day. Is someone stretching the truth here too? This is what we're thinking. We don't invest on promises. We invest on facts.

And finally, we take all that analysis, all that research, all that data....and make a guess. Yes, a guess. What, you think we know what we're doing any more than the pocket protector bureaucrat that brilliant expert on the evening news? We're all clueless. The expert just looks better than me in a suit.

Ask any Philly business owner and I'm sure he or she would support this project. And why not? Anything to bring more commerce to the area positively affects us all. And any move by the government to promote demand (rather than tax break gimmicks) is the right thing to do. We respect the environmentalists' concerns and hope very much that they're being addressed as part of the project.

But if we were asked to invest our own money in this project we'd be asking a lot of questions. And then taking a guess. Let's hope that our government representatives are really doing their best due diligence too. But let's also realize that they're just guessing as well. Because this issue, like any business decision, is not like Plesac vs. Vaughn.

Another version of this post appears on The Philly Post.

?

Follow Gene Marks on Twitter: www.twitter.com/genemarks

Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/gene-marks/how-small-business-owners_b_1278329.html

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Espresso Coffee | How to Make Espresso - Seasonal Food and Drink

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Espresso coffee is a small concentrated 1 to 2 oz. shot of pressure-brewed coffee. A perfect espresso is deliciously smooth, with full body, intense aroma with a surface layer of rich dark golden cream called crema. The crema is an indicator of a good espresso.

The more finely the coffee is ground, the slower the espresso comes out. Generally, for the best shot of espresso, it should take about 25 seconds for the water to pass through the coffee.

The Italian tradition is to drink the espresso ?solo? in a single gulp to enjoy the fullest espresso flavor while the beverage is at its peak of freshness.

To learn how to brew the perfect cup of espresso, visit Making Espresso.

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Source: http://seasonal-foodanddrink.com/2012/02/espresso-coffee-how-to-make-espresso/

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Common remote control Smartphone Monitoring ? Monitoring Cell ...

Cellular Mobile phone text managing programs certainly are a forwards considering tactic to keep an eye on and also monitor message as well as cell phone calls, emails, and also text texting. This program equipment records details as well as blogposts which for the internet site to observe plus notice their activity Handyortung. Following the software programs are downloaded, it must always be assessed with an additional cell phone to make certain it is really practical.

When your robert is certainly activated, the application form permits listening to message or calls. Additionally, this reports the specific daily specifics connected with word texting together with keeps them all. In case the individual gets rid of just about any text wording document, the cellular mobile phone wording supervising software program might have that rescued.This software may hook up through the mobile devices connection to the internet, along with back links considering the keeping track of software. Each and every data is saved which enables it to be observed over the internet. Monitoring products and services are usually desired when a individual seems decreasing in numbers merely by their own wife or even husband?s mistrust. Hoping concerning selecting particular refief, these individuals choose answers by just keeping track of the htc desire inside offending person. Therefore, together with aspire to run into message mail messages that may stand up just like proof. Text message marketing and sales communications tend to be speedy snail mail emails delivered in the cell phone. Unlike long constructed word, it really is segregated by way of example ?I really need you? which frequently in the event that created in common text indicates, ?I accept you.In . little sms sales and marketing communications tend to be applied to connection, that?s in the end receiving acknowledged simply by everybody.The cellular cell phone text message observing software packages are ideal of all mobile phones, all these like Rim, I phone etc cell phone, Symbian centered Operating-system, home windows cell, or perhaps Android operating system. It provides a unknown caller collections recognition. (CLI) your unknown caller personality discloses often the identity while using followed model?s telephone number.Remote mobile cell phone managing, is used regarding following certain phone?s particulars and also obtaining details. This really is successfully made by getting into your cellphone when using software program regarding tracking. By means of with the mobile phone?s information all information will probably be saved to focus on on-line, almost every activity within the cell phone. This notes, the actual cell phone calls, text message information plus electronic mails, that happen to be shipped to and also from your mobile phone.In case the software program is downloaded, it happens to be initialized, nevertheless should be tried out utilizing along with one more telephone to make certain that it really is in working order. Be it stimulated, this robert replies the message or calls in addition to encompasses, allowing for an individual overseeing to listen for each and every factor. As a result of disloyal, many individuals decide on real real truth or even the lowdown to make available they will assurance. Occasionally, driving a car with all the children looking at grown-up porno and even doing drugs may induce one to keep an even more in-depth statement for them. In the market part, you will need to know if your lover is usually accepting your behalf. They?re a several companions, which frequently include remote device smartphone checking out.The actual mobile phone monitoring software packages are right for several cell phones. Like the most recent mobile devices. Phones, specifically with online contacts are employed through checking. The application system works together with internet connections as a way to activate the actual monitoring system. Nearly all seized info is kept in the managing system which in turn permits that it is employed as required. In case snail mail messages and also phone information are generally erased, the actual method will still be capable to dig up the particular deleted snail mail communications. Typically the viewing system includes a (CLI) the particular unknown caller outlines identification, which unfortunately demonstrates the device statistics concerning gotten and also routed data files.Cellular Mobile phone text managing programs certainly are a forwards considering tactic to keep an eye on and also monitor message as well as cell phone calls, emails, and also text texting. This program equipment records details as well as blogposts which for the internet site to observe plus notice their activity. Following the software programs are downloaded, it must always be assessed with an additional cell phone to make certain it is really practical. When your robert is certainly activated, the application form permits listening to message or calls. Additionally, this reports the specific daily specifics connected with word texting together with keeps them all.

In case the individual gets rid of just about any text wording document, the cellular mobile phone wording supervising software program might have that rescued.This software may hook up through the mobile devices connection to the internet, along with back links considering the keeping track of software. Each and every data is saved which enables it to be observed over the internet. Monitoring products and services are usually desired when a individual seems decreasing in numbers merely by their own wife or even husband?s mistrust. Hoping concerning selecting particular refief, these individuals choose answers by just keeping track of the htc desire inside offending person. Therefore, together with aspire to run into message mail messages that may stand up just like proof. Text message marketing and sales communications tend to be speedy snail mail emails delivered in the cell phone. Unlike long constructed word, it really is segregated by way of example ?I really need you? which frequently in the event that created in common text indicates, ?I accept you.In . little sms sales and marketing communications tend to be applied to connection, that?s in the end receiving acknowledged simply by everybody.The cellular cell phone text message observing software packages are ideal of all mobile phones, all these like Rim, I phone etc cell phone, Symbian centered Operating-system, home windows cell, or perhaps Android operating system. It provides a unknown caller collections recognition. (CLI) your unknown caller personality discloses often the identity while using followed model?s telephone number.Remote mobile cell phone managing, is used regarding following certain phone?s particulars and also obtaining details. This really is successfully made by getting into your cellphone when using software program regarding tracking. By means of with the mobile phone?s information all information will probably be saved to focus on on-line, almost every activity within the cell phone. This notes, the actual cell phone calls, text message information plus electronic mails, that happen to be shipped to and also from your mobile phone.In case the software program is downloaded, it happens to be initialized, nevertheless should be tried out utilizing along with one more telephone to make certain that it really is in working order. Be it stimulated, this robert replies the message or calls in addition to encompasses, allowing for an individual overseeing to listen for each and every factor. As a result of disloyal, many individuals decide on real real truth or even the lowdown to make available they will assurance. Occasionally, driving a car with all the children looking at grown-up porno and even doing drugs may induce one to keep an even more in-depth statement for them. In the market part, you will need to know if your lover is usually accepting your behalf. They?re a several companions, which frequently include remote device smartphone checking out.The actual mobile phone monitoring software packages are right for several cell phones. Like the most recent mobile devices. Phones, specifically with online contacts are employed through checking. The application system works together with internet connections as a way to activate the actual monitoring system. Nearly all seized info is kept in the managing system which in turn permits that it is employed as required. In case snail mail messages and also phone information are generally erased, the actual method will still be capable to dig up the particular deleted snail mail communications. Typically the viewing system includes a (CLI) the particular unknown caller outlines identification, which unfortunately demonstrates the device statistics concerning gotten and also routed data files.Cellular Mobile phone text managing programs certainly are a forwards considering tactic to keep an eye on and also monitor message as well as cell phone calls, emails, and also text texting. This program equipment records details as well as blogposts which for the internet site to observe plus notice their activity. Following the software programs are downloaded, it must always be assessed with an additional cell phone to make certain it is really practical Handy orten.

When your robert is certainly activated, the application form permits listening to message or calls. Additionally, this reports the specific daily specifics connected with word texting together with keeps them all. In case the individual gets rid of just about any text wording document, the cellular mobile phone wording supervising software program might have that rescued.This software may hook up through the mobile devices connection to the internet, along with back links considering the keeping track of software. Each and every data is saved which enables it to be observed over the internet. Monitoring products and services are usually desired when a individual seems decreasing in numbers merely by their own wife or even husband?s mistrust. Hoping concerning selecting particular refief, these individuals choose answers by just keeping track of the htc desire inside offending person. Therefore, together with aspire to run into message mail messages that may stand up just like proof. Text message marketing and sales communications tend to be speedy snail mail emails delivered in the cell phone. Unlike long constructed word, it really is segregated by way of example ?I really need you? which frequently in the event that created in common text indicates, ?I accept you.In . little sms sales and marketing communications tend to be applied to connection, that?s in the end receiving acknowledged simply by everybody.The cellular cell phone text message observing software packages are ideal of all mobile phones, all these like Rim, I phone etc cell phone, Symbian centered Operating-system, home windows cell, or perhaps Android operating system. It provides a unknown caller collections recognition. (CLI) your unknown caller personality discloses often the identity while using followed model?s telephone number.Remote mobile cell phone managing, is used regarding following certain phone?s particulars and also obtaining details. This really is successfully made by getting into your cellphone when using software program regarding tracking. By means of with the mobile phone?s information all information will probably be saved to focus on on-line, almost every activity within the cell phone. This notes, the actual cell phone calls, text message information plus electronic mails, that happen to be shipped to and also from your mobile phone.In case the software program is downloaded, it happens to be initialized, nevertheless should be tried out utilizing along with one more telephone to make certain that it really is in working order. Be it stimulated, this robert replies the message or calls in addition to encompasses, allowing for an individual overseeing to listen for each and every factor. As a result of disloyal, many individuals decide on real real truth or even the lowdown to make available they will assurance. Occasionally, driving a car with all the children looking at grown-up porno and even doing drugs may induce one to keep an even more in-depth statement for them. In the market part, you will need to know if your lover is usually accepting your behalf. They?re a several companions, which frequently include remote device smartphone checking out.The actual mobile phone monitoring software packages are right for several cell phones. Like the most recent mobile devices. Phones, specifically with online contacts are employed through checking. The application system works together with internet connections as a way to activate the actual monitoring system. Nearly all seized info is kept in the managing system which in turn permits that it is employed as required. In case snail mail messages and also phone information are generally erased, the actual method will still be capable to dig up the particular deleted snail mail communications. Typically the viewing system includes a (CLI) the particular unknown caller outlines identification, which unfortunately demonstrates the device statistics concerning gotten and also routed data files.Cellular Mobile phone text managing programs certainly are a forwards considering tactic to keep an eye on and also monitor message as well as cell phone calls, emails, and also text texting. This program equipment records details as well as blogposts which for the internet site to observe plus notice their activity. Following the software programs are downloaded, it must always be assessed with an additional cell phone to make certain it is really practical. When your robert is certainly activated, the application form permits listening to message or calls. Additionally, this reports the specific daily specifics connected with word texting together with keeps them all.

In case the individual gets rid of just about any text wording document, the cellular mobile phone wording supervising software program might have that rescued.This software may hook up through the mobile devices connection to the internet, along with back links considering the keeping track of software. Each and every data is saved which enables it to be observed over the internet. Monitoring products and services are usually desired when a individual seems decreasing in numbers merely by their own wife or even husband?s mistrust. Hoping concerning selecting particular refief, these individuals choose answers by just keeping track of the htc desire inside offending person. Therefore, together with aspire to run into message mail messages that may stand up just like proof. Text message marketing and sales communications tend to be speedy snail mail emails delivered in the cell phone. Unlike long constructed word, it really is segregated by way of example ?I really need you? which frequently in the event that created in common text indicates, ?I accept you.In . little sms sales and marketing communications tend to be applied to connection, that?s in the end receiving acknowledged simply by everybody.The cellular cell phone text message observing software packages are ideal of all mobile phones, all these like Rim, I phone etc cell phone, Symbian centered Operating-system, home windows cell, or perhaps Android operating system. It provides a unknown caller collections recognition. (CLI) your unknown caller personality discloses often the identity while using followed model?s telephone number.Remote mobile cell phone managing, is used regarding following certain phone?s particulars and also obtaining details. This really is successfully made by getting into your cellphone when using software program regarding tracking. By means of with the mobile phone?s information all information will probably be saved to focus on on-line, almost every activity within the cell phone. This notes, the actual cell phone calls, text message information plus electronic mails, that happen to be shipped to and also from your mobile phone.In case the software program is downloaded, it happens to be initialized, nevertheless should be tried out utilizing along with one more telephone to make certain that it really is in working order. Be it stimulated, this robert replies the message or calls in addition to encompasses, allowing for an individual overseeing to listen for each and every factor. As a result of disloyal, many individuals decide on real real truth or even the lowdown to make available they will assurance. Occasionally, driving a car with all the children looking at grown-up porno and even doing drugs may induce one to keep an even more in-depth statement for them. In the market part, you will need to know if your lover is usually accepting your behalf. They?re a several companions, which frequently include remote device smartphone checking out.The actual mobile phone monitoring software packages are right for several cell phones. Like the most recent mobile devices. Phones, specifically with online contacts are employed through checking. The application system works together with internet connections as a way to activate the actual monitoring system. Nearly all seized info is kept in the managing system which in turn permits that it is employed as required. In case snail mail messages and also phone information are generally erased, the actual method will still be capable to dig up the particular deleted snail mail communications. Typically the viewing system includes a (CLI) the particular unknown caller outlines identification, which unfortunately demonstrates the device statistics concerning gotten and also routed data files.

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Source: http://euregulations.info/?p=1604

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Skincare Scammers Caught in China | New Health and Fitness

New Health And Fitness.Org - Health Information You Can Use

When it comes to skincare and beauty, there?s always someone out there trying to scam off of people?s insecurities and vanity. Such a thing happened in China, where 11 people are going on trial for fraud charges. They are accused of swindling 80 different woman out of 1.44 million yuan ($228,096 US) by pretending to want them as models for moisturizer and other skincare products, then charging them for made up ?fees?.

Their scam was relatively simple. Four of the suspects were the main perpetrators, and had hired the other 7 to act as if they were customer service representatives for two local skincare lines. After buying the information of various customers, they began calling them. They claimed that they were seeking reactions about the moisturizers and other products that the clients had used. During the phone call, the fake representatives asked if the women would be interested in using a new product and becoming a model for the company. That?s when the scam truly began.

Drawn in by the idea of becoming models, the women listened as they were told they would be paid $50,000 yuen for commercials and ads. Along with that, they had to use the product in order to take ?before? and ?after? pictures. These pictures would then be used in major magazines. The only thing that they had to do was pay ?small? charges for lawyers and other such expenses.

For almost 2 years, this band of scammers suckered dozens of women out of millions of yuan. The worst example was the one who lost 222,500 yuan due to more and more fees added to her charges. Happily, in April of last year, they were finally caught and are now on trial.

The thing to learn from here is that con men do exist. They?re experts at figuring out the weak points in people?s defenses, and beauty is often one of them. If a skincare company calls you, requesting money so that way you can represent them as a model for moisturizer or some other product, it?s most likely someone trying to con you. This is very true if you?ve never met anyone from the company and have had no previous contact with them.

Is there something else you would like to know about skincare? If you want to learn more about skincare tips and how a moisturizer can help you, contact Likewise Skincare now!. This article, Skincare Scammers Caught in China has free reprint rights.

Source: http://newhealthandfitness.org/2012/02/13/skincare-scammers-caught-in-china/

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Asp.net Training in Ahmedabad Gives ... - Education - EzineMark

The IT education field and the various education methods have changed so radically the recent years that if a teacher from the late sixties were able to step into the future and access todays world of education without knowing what has happened, would probably believe he or she had arrived at another planet.
In the world of web development, the choice of which development language to use commonly comes down to two popular choices. Web applications, specifically those relying on back end databases, are typically being created using either Microsoft's ASP.Net language, or the Open Source alternative language of PHP. Reasons why one might choose one over the other can include: The cost of development tools, or availability of such tools, or even ones comfort level with the Open Source initiative. The goal of this article is to provide some perspective on reasons why one might choose one over the other.

ASP.net training in ahmedabad offers ASP.net course in ahmedabad for advanced knowledge in .net technology.

Active Server Pages or ASP has long been an option for creating dynamic web content. Active Server Pages facilitates the ability to use databases such as Access or SQL just to name a few, to create dynamic, feature rich websites. The work going on behind the scenes in serving up the dynamic content is being done at the server level by the Active Server Pages source code. Microsoft has spent a great deal of time and resources promoting their .Net family of programming languages of which ASP.Net is a member. In order to develop with ASP.Net one must obtain the extremely expensive Microsoft Visual Studio Programming Suite. While expensive, Visual Studio is an asset to any programmer due to its vast amount of features.

As with all of Microsoft's products, support and updates are constantly made available for ASP.Net. The shear amount of features that Microsoft packs into Visual Studio, coupled with Microsoft's extensive support make certainly make ASP.Net an attractive solution for any corporation's web development needs, but the cost can be prohibitive, if not impossible to afford for the individual web developer. You should enroll for ASP.net course in ahmedabad when you join ASP.net training in ahmedabad.
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PHP which is in its 5th revision now, is an Open Source web development language that also facilitates the creation of feature rich, dynamic websites that can use databases. Being Open Source means simply that PHP isn't owned by anyone. Just as with Active Server Pages, the work going on behind the scenes of serving up the dynamic web content is being done by PHP at the server level. As with most Open Source products, the resources available to a PHP developer are free of charge. This makes PHP extremely attractive to the independent web developer. There are some commercial quality development suites available from companies like Zend, but there is also wealth of free resources just a Google Search away. Because there is really no corporate entity behind PHP, support and development on PHP is done by the community of its users and developers themselves. Surprisingly this does not seem to adversely affect the ability to find support for PHP.
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All in all, ASP.Net and PHP are both excellent options, offering basically the same functionality. Whether the decision comes down to the cost of initial investment, or the comfort level one has regarding Open Source, or something else entirely, the end result depends upon the mastery of whichever language is chosen.

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Source: http://education.ezinemark.com/aspnet-training-in-ahmedabad-gives-advanced-level-aspnet-course-7d33a90c9569.html

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Obama's '13 budget plan would ramp up healthcare savings (Reuters)

WASHINGTON (Reuters) ? President Barack Obama on Monday proposed more aggressive deficit reductions through savings from Medicare, Medicaid and other federal healthcare programs than the White House put forward just five months ago.

The president's budget proposal for fiscal year 2013 seeks a total of $364 billion in healthcare savings over 10 years, which the White House hopes to achieve by cutting Medicare and Medicaid payments to healthcare providers, raising costs on future Medicare beneficiaries and cracking down on waste and fraud. Medicare is for the elderly and Medicaid is for the poor.

The savings total represents an increase of $44 billion, or about 14 percent, from the $320 billion reduction the White House proposed last September as a special congressional "super committee" deliberated over how to tame the nation's ballooning debt.

Medicare is already facing a modest spending reduction under automatic cuts implemented last fall when the super committee failed to reach its own deficit-reduction deal.

The White House said its new proposals would extend by two years the solvency of Medicare's Hospital Insurance Trust Fund, which finances hospitalization benefits. Government forecasts released last year said the fund would be exhausted in 2024.

The Obama budget plan, intended to take effect when the federal government's 2013 fiscal year begins on October 1, is not expected to win approval in Congress.

But the document lays out in detail many of Obama's campaign priorities as he seeks re-election in November. For the fourth year in a row, the annual U.S. budget deficit is expected to exceed $1 trillion. The White House projects an easing of the shortfall the following year.

Medicare is a hot-button issue for senior citizens who comprise key voting blocs in important swing states such as Florida, Ohio and Pennsylvania.

Republicans started to pounce on Obama's budget proposal before it was released to the public, saying it would do nothing to avoid a future financial crisis for Medicare.

"The president has failed to offer a single serious idea to save Social Security and is the only president in modern history to cut Medicare benefits for seniors," Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney said in a statement on Monday.

The budget also calls for reducing benefits for wealthier Medicare beneficiaries, modifying Medicare deductibles, charging co-pays for home health services and imposing surcharges for private insurance plans that cover Medicare expenses. The changes would affect new beneficiaries beginning in 2017.

The budget also proposes steps to streamline Medicaid's financing and reimbursement policies.

(Reporting by David Morgan; Editing by Michele Gershberg and Vicki Allen)

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/meds/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20120213/hl_nm/us_usa_budget_healthcare

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How to Get Bad Credit Loans

You may have thought that securing a home equity loan with bad credit was going to be difficult? Actually, it is probably the easiest of bad credit loans to obtain.

The trick is knowing where to look and to be open minded about the options of funding that are available. The information provided here will inform you on how to seek out and obtain a homeowner loan for people who have bad credit. Irrespective of whether it is for home renovation or to finance a family holiday, bad credit home equity loans are available if you know where to look.

You will need collateral!

Home equity loans are exactly what they say they are in that they are loans secured on your home. Lenders love providing this type of loan as they provide a win-win situation for them; if you are a good customer and make your payments on time all the time the lenders make there profit and every one is happy; but, if you do not, they get to keep all the payments made up to that point and they also get to repossess your home that they then sell on again and start the cycle all over again!

The loan is covered by collateral that can be either the property itself or the equity of it. This equity has been built up over the years due to increased house prices and any extensive alterations you may have made to your property that will have increased its value.

You will need to know exactly how much collateral you have before applying for any secured loan. Knowing this info will help you secure a better deal with lower interest rates and terms.

Finding the right loan

Finding a bad credit homeowner loan is all about being open minded and considering every option. You should not limit your search to just looking at the big banks and lenders, consult mortgage companies, online lenders and finance offices too.

Every lender will have loans that they may possibly be able to offer you, and your options will increase the grater number you call on; using the internet is a great way to do this as you will save on all the legwork, plus you may well unearth a perfect deal for you that you otherwise would never have found.

The more effort and work you put into this search the better a deal you are more likely to find so it is well worth the effort.

Shopping around for the best deal

Your exhaustive search should have unearthed a healthy shortlist of likely lenders for your bad credit home equity loan. Request quotes from each of the various lenders and information about the various loans that they provide. This will assist you in deciding upon the right loan for your circumstances as well as eliminating those loans that are expensive. This is where a search performed on the internet can provide savings as online lenders often offer the best rates because of their lower operating costs, even for those with a bad credit history.

Choosing the ideal loan

Finding the ideal loan that ticks all the boxes isn?t always easy, in fact it can seem downright impossible however, there will be loans that come relatively close to your requirements and when you are confident that the loan balances as closely with your needs as possible you have found yourself the winner.

When deciding upon the specifics that you want your loan to match, consider not just the interest rates but the term of the loan, penalties, setting up fees, early settlement charge and the cost of payment protection insurance, on your loan.

Finally consider what you can afford to repay, and once you have done all this you will have the best bad credit homeowner loan that fits your specific needs.

If you have personal debt problems, and are considering consolidating your debt, you will need to know what debt consolidation options are available to you. For information relating to these options and other debt related issues go to creditcardconsolidationloanssite.com

Source: http://badcredit.valuegov.com/how-to-get-bad-credit-loans/

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US to hold nuke talks with North Korea

By The Associated Press

WASHINGTON -- A U.S. envoy will hold talks with North Korea on its nuclear program in Beijing next week, the State Department said on Monday.

The American envoy for North Korea Glyn Davies planned to meet Feb. 23 with North Korean First Vice Foreign Minister Kim Kye Gwan, The Associated Press reported.

It would be the first such U.S.-North Korea talks since the Dec. 17 death of longtime North Korean leader Kim Jong Il.

The talks were aimed at restarting multinational aid-for-disarmament negotiations on North Korea's nuclear program, the AP reported.

More from msnbc.com and NBC News:

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? 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Source: http://worldnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/02/13/10397615-us-says-it-will-hold-nuke-talks-with-north-korea

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Embrace The Rain At This Year's Music Festivals ? SHOPPING AND ...

Attending one of Britain?s music festivals during the summer months is an experience like no other and will no doubt be the highlight of many people?s year.

For the majority of festival-goers a sunny experience can create an uplifting mood where spirits are high and the memories of great music with friends in the hot, summer sun will stick in the minds of the happy campers for a long time.

The wet weather can put a damper on those who go unprepared and often return home wet and tired, swearing they will ?never again? venture out into the great outdoors to see their favourite artists. The majority of us however will embrace the wet weather as a glorious part of our festival culture, refusing it will dampen our spirit.

To help those who are looking to stay clear of the wet weather this year, below is a list of the rainiest festivals of the past seven years as well as how to prepare yourself if the weather does begin to turn.

1. Bestival
Surprisingly one of the later summer festivals, Bestival has seen an average rainfall of 36.8mm making it Britain?s wettest festival of recent years.

2. T in the Park
Scotland?s biggest festival event has been entertaining music lovers since 1994 and has become famous for its historical downpours so it?s no surprise the event has seen 31mm of rain in the past seven years.

3. Latitude Festival
The Suffolk based festival has unfortunately seen a large amount of rain for its short existence. Beginning in 2007 the event has already witnessed 31mm of rainfall.

4. Glastonbury ? Somerset
The Glastonbury festival?s weather has become just as famous as the entertainment with some years experiencing downpours on biblical proportions. The past seven years has seen a mixture of heavy flooding and unusual heat waves with 29mm of rainfall falling since 2005.

How to prepare for the wet weather:
- Make sure you are fully prepared before you arrive and take all of the necessary clothing and equipment such as a waterproof jacket or coat and of course wellies.
- Take lots of bin bags and plastic bags. If your tent floods you will have a difficult job to salvage your belongings unless they are well protected.
- If you can camp on high ground. Festivals such as Glastonbury are in a valley and in heavy rain the water streams down the hill leaving the tents at the top away from potential flooding.

Online retailers Ski and Trek specialise in a wide variety of outdoor clothing ideal for the festival season including a brilliant collection of waterproof jackets and coats!

Source: http://shoppingandproductreviewsarticles.info/2012/02/embrace-the-rain-at-this-years-music-festivals/

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Rick Santorum Plans Aggressive Strategy Against Mitt Romney

PORTLAND, Maine ? Rick Santorum is pursuing an aggressive strategy to challenge Mitt Romney in the state where the GOP presidential front-runner grew up.

Santorum said Sunday he could do "exceptionally well" in Michigan, the next state to host a presidential contest, along with Arizona, on Feb. 28, and where Romney's father was governor.

"We're going to spend a lot of time in Michigan and Arizona, and those are up next. And that's where we've really been focusing on," Santorum told ABC's "This Week." He suggested that a strong showing in those contests would make the presidential contest "a two-man race," dismissing current rivals Newt Gingrich and Ron Paul.

Santorum shrugged off his third-place finish Saturday in caucuses in Maine, where he didn't actively compete. He described Romney's recent criticism ? Romney is painting Santorum as a longtime Washington insider who pursued home-state projects ? as "desperate."

"You reach a point where desperate people do desperate things," said Santorum, a former representative and senator from Pennsylvania.

Romney captured Maine, state officials reported Saturday night, ending a three-state losing streak to Santorum. Santorum defeated Romney in Colorado, Minnesota and Missouri on Tuesday.

There won't be another election until Arizona and Michigan and the next debate is 10 days away.

That's an unusually long break in a rapid-fire Republican race that featured six contests in the last two weeks alone. Romney and his rivals now have 17 days to raise cash and bolster their organizations for what's shaping up to be a long slog to the Republican nomination and the right to face President Barack Obama in November.

As Santorum eyes Romney's home state, Romney turns his attention to extending the huge cash advantage he enjoys over his rivals.

He left Maine to attend a West coast fundraiser Saturday night and issued a written statement to mark his victory in the low-turnout contest.

"I'm heartened to have the support of so many good people in this great state," Romney said. "The voters of Maine have sent a clear message that it is past time to send an outsider to the White House."

He's expected to spend much of next week courting fundraisers, while sprinkling in a handful of campaign events. He'll be in Arizona Monday evening.

In Maine, Romney won just a plurality of the vote, suggesting he still has much work ahead to unite GOP voters behind his candidacy.

Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, a prominent voice among some conservatives, said Romney has work to do to convince GOP voters he's moved beyond his "pretty moderate past ... even in some cases a liberal past."

"I am not convinced, and I do not think the majority of GOP and independent voters are convinced," Palin said on Fox News Sunday.

Romney has been focusing increasing attention on social issues in recent days, perhaps with that goal in mind. He has been particularly aggressive in criticizing Obama's recent decision regarding contraception.

On Friday, after three weeks of controversy that pitted the nation's Catholic bishops against the White House, Obama revised his policy. Instead of requiring employers to cover contraception, the policy would now require insurance companies to provide free birth control coverage in separate agreements with workers who want it.

White House chief of staff Jack Lew defended the decision Sunday, noting that there is longer room for compromise.

"This is our plan," he said on CNN's "State of the Union."

The focus on social issues plays well for Santorum, who has long been considered a staunch cultural conservative. Those credentials helped fuel his success last week.

But he wasn't a factor in Maine, where Romney narrowly defeated Paul, capturing 39 percent to Paul's 36 percent of the vote, according to state Republican chairman Charlie Webster. Santorum and Gingrich, who didn't actively campaign in Maine, won 18 percent and 6 percent respectively.

Coming off last week's success, Santorum saw a surge in donations ? reporting bringing in $3 million over the three days immediately after last week's hat trick ? but is unlikely to catch Romney in the money race.

Santorum reported just $279,000 in the bank at the end of December, compared with $19.9 million for Romney. Gingrich had $2.1 million, but is still carrying substantial debt, while Paul reported $1.9 million.

Romney's relative success in Maine ? combined with his victory in the presidential straw poll at the Conservative Political Action Committee conference in Washington hours earlier ? may help enhance his cash advantage, despite some lingering skepticism among some conservatives.

The Maine vote totals reflected about 84 percent of the state's precincts. The contests scheduled for the coming days ? including an entire county that postponed its caucuses because of a snow storm ? will not be counted, according Webster, the state GOP chairman.

"We're not going to even accept the ballots. No one's going to keep track of them," he said, noting that those were the rules established by the party.

Romney's campaign has demonstrated skill and flexibility in winning a big state like Florida and eking out a victory in a low-turnout contest like Maine, where organization and voter contact are essential. Out of Maine's 258,000 registered Republicans, nearly 5,600 cast ballots in the weeklong voting.

But questions about Romney's durability as his party's presumed front-runner persist. Fully 61 percent of Maine voters selected a candidate other than Romney in a state practically in his backyard. And Romney's showing was down considerably from 2008, when he won 51 percent of the vote.

Speaking to supporters in Portland, Paul expressed disappointment that only a portion of the state's caucuses had counted toward the total.

"I wish all the caucuses had met today," Paul said, adding, "It's almost like we could call it a tie."

Romney won 11 delegates and Paul won 10, according to an analysis by The Associated Press. Santorum and Gingrich were shut out.

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Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/12/rick-santorum-mitt-romney-_n_1271516.html

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