Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Syrian regime attacks strategic northern city

BEIRUT (AP) ? Syrian warplanes pounded a strategic northern city with three airstrikes Tuesday as ground troops pushed forward to recapture the area recently taken by rebels, activists said.

The fighting over Maaret al-Numan, which sits along the main highway that connects Aleppo and Damascus, comes as the regime intensifies efforts to retake the area that was seized by rebels earlier this month.

Their presence has disrupted the regime's ability to send supplies and reinforcements to Aleppo, where regime forces are bogged down in a bloody fight for control of the country's largest city.

Syrian troops have been fighting against rebels in Aleppo since July and rebel advances over the past week have added urgency to the battle.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said four people, including three young girls, were killed in the air raids on Maaret al-Numan.

Another activist group, the Local Coordination Committees put the death toll from the airstrikes and ground fire at 19. Discrepancies in casualty tolls are frequent because of restrictions on independent reporting and the chaos on the ground.

The LCC and the Observatory reported air raids on several suburbs of Damascus including the restive areas of Arbeen, Zamalka and Douma.

Tuesday's airstrikes came a day after activists reported the most widespread bombing in a single day since Syria's 19-month crisis began. Maaret al-Numan was among the hardest hit on Monday as well.

Rami Abdul-Rahman, who heads the Observatory, said ground troops were fighting rebels on the southern edge of the city, 80 kilometers (50 miles) southwest of Aleppo.

"The regime wants to recapture Maaret al-Numan because it links Damascus with Aleppo," Abdul-Rahman said referring to Syria's two largest cities. "It is a very strategic city."

Anti-regime activist say more than 35,000 people have been killed since the uprising against President Bashar Assad's regime started in March 2011.

In Damascus, meanwhile, Syrian troops and rebels clashed in the Palestinian refugee camp of Yarmouk, activists said. The LCC and the Observatory said the fighting broke out after midnight, but they had no word on casualties.

Palestinian refugees in Syria tried to stay on the sidelines when the uprising began. But many Palestinian youths have joined the fight as they became enraged by mounting violence and moved by Arab Spring calls for greater freedoms.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/syrian-regime-attacks-strategic-northern-city-112454573.html

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Who's MLS MVP? That's an easy one

Three soccer brains are clearly better than one. So Richard Farley, Noah Davis and I huddled virtually to sort out our ProSoccerTalk picks for Major League Soccer awards.

(MORE: Coach of the Year conversation and choice)

(MORE: Rookie of the Year conversation and choice)

(MORE: Defender of the Year conversation and choice)

(MORE: Goalkeeper of the Year conversation and choice)

Steve Davis: Best for last, eh, boys? But I sense a short conversation coming on. I mean, a guy scores 27 goals and matches the all-time MLS season scoring record ? So if we can all quickly agree on Chris Wondolowski, I?ve got the last ep of Homeland on DVR that I?m dying to watch. I?m going to pour some Jose Cuervo Especial and do a shot every time Claire Danes cries. Man, no one does tears like she does!

Noah Davis: Don?t tell me anything! I?m on the fifth episode of season one. Hopefully this hurricane will give me a chance to catch up with the rest of the world. Or the power will go out, and I?ll sit in the dark for the next 48 hours. I may need some of that Jose Cuervo, Steve.

Oh, and yes, Mr. Smiley for MVP. Couldn?t happen to a nicer dude.

Steve Davis:?He is a good fellow, isn?t he?

Richard Farley: Two spots on the ballot, Steve. Who ya? got No. 2?

Steve Davis:??I?ve got Robbie Keane?next. Not a lot of talk about the guy, but his movement off the ball near goal makes so much happen for Bruce and Becks and the boys. And his numbers [16 goals, 9 assists] are sure bumping into MVP territory.

By the way, according to Alexi Lalas and that famous MVP criteria of his, Kenny Cooper is No. 2. Kenny Cooper, yo! Noah, who is your Dos?

Noah Davis:?Thierry Henry, the man who handed KC all those goals.

Steve Davis: Wait a minute ? I guess I got too distracted by Claire Danes? quivering lip; I don?t understand your (most certainly brilliant and over my head) Henry-KC reference.

Noah Davis: KC is secret code for Kenny Cooper.

Steve Davis: D?oh! Of course. I was thinking ?Kansas City.? And did we get a MVP Dos from Farley? Somebody wake that guy up. He does love a good nap.

Richard Farley: I?m nothing if not predictable.

I put Osvaldo Alonso number two on my ballot, a difficult decision over Thierry Henry. Let me just offer this defense to those who don?t get to watch a lot of Sounders games: People think of Alonso as just a destroyer, but he?s the person that manages Seattle?s game in transition, especially as the Sounders have gone away from using Fredy Montero as much as a number 10 and relied more on Mauro Rosales coming in from the right. Alonso?s the man who makes that connection, and until Christian Tiffert adjusted to MLS over the last month, Alonso was a one man show in the middle.

Also, ever wonder how Seattle ? with a decent but average defensive back five ? finished with the league?s second fewest goals allowed? Ozzie Alonso.

Steve Davis: Hmmm. I?ve got Dax McCarty over Alonso as holding mid on my Best XI.? I sure hope I don?t sit next to Richard at the next ProSoccerTalk pancake breakfast. Talk about tense!

So, we?re all good on Chris ?Wonder Wondo? Wondolowski as our MVP? ?I?ve got to get the engraving going.

Our choice: San Jose?s Chris Wondolowski

Source: http://prosoccertalk.nbcsports.com/2012/10/30/prosoccertalks-award-conversations-most-valuable-player/related/

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Metro NYC airports are closed due to weather; flights were previously suspended

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Let's Welcome Lisa Bailey-Harper! For Newbie Tuesday

Let?s Welcome Lisa Bailey-Harper! For Newbie Tuesday
As I was scrolling down the posts Sunday afternoon, I saw a post that caught my attention. It simply stated, ?Do You Know Where You?re Going??. Lisa stated that nobody could answer that question except yourself. She talked about having an internet presence, being focused, and not being discouraged. Surrounding yourself with successful people, and learn from those who have made things happened. Well, that?s how I felt about Active Rain. This has been the greatest place for building an internet presence, staying focused on my goals, and having a great supporting community that will not discouraged you.

Lisa Bailey-HarperMeet Ms. Lisa Bailey-Harper, The REALTOR IN YOUR BACKYARD. She has been in real estate for 11 years, and is licensed in two states, Maryland and Virginia. Although she has only been in Active Rain since July 2012, Lisa has already been featured once in the post, ?Never Ever Give Up?. Sort of reminded me of that Winston Churchill bulldog mentality. She has a great attitude toward her business plans and goals, and I am expecting great things from her in our Active Rain community. She is about to break 10,000 points, and I can remember how I felt when I surpassed that first milestone. You will want to come back Friday to check out her Facebook Business Page too.

If you are in the San Antonio area, and you are thinking about buying, selling or renting, Contact your Local San Antonio Real Estate Agent, or visit my website at Homes For Sale in San Antonio.

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Jerry Newman, REALTOR? ????????????????????????????? ???????????
US Army Retired ?????????????????????????????????????????????? ? ? ? ???
Keller Williams Realty ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
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Direct - (210-789-4216
Fax Line (210) 696-9981

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Jerry@JeremiahNewman.com

Your Local Real Estate Expert,Let me Google that for You..

Search For Homes in San Antonio, TX

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Homes Values


???Contact Jerry Newman Today?

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If you enjoy what you are reading, Subscribe to my Blogsto my blogs,Thanks.? Not an Active Rain Member Yet,? Subscribe by Email too. Email Subscription

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Source: http://activerain.com/blogsview/3494924/let-s-welcome-lisa-bailey-harper-for-newbie-tuesday

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Romney faces scrutiny on aid in storm's wake (The Arizona Republic)

Share With Friends: Share on FacebookTweet ThisPost to Google-BuzzSend on GmailPost to Linked-InSubscribe to This Feed | Rss To Twitter | Politics - Top Stories News, RSS and RSS Feed via Feedzilla.

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annesharma48: annual newt day is nov. 3 at tualatin hills nature park

ANNUAL NEWT DAY IS NOV. 3 AT TUALATIN HILLS NATURE PARK

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Newt Day, an annual, family-friendly event offered at the Tualatin Hills Nature Park Interpretive Center, is set for Saturday, Nov. 3, from noon to 4 p.m. With exhibits and activities showcasing everything from newts and trees to mushrooms and woolly bears, Newt Day will help children and adults learn about the cycles that these forest inhabitants go through. Guests can also venture out into the park to find evidence of these plants and animals firsthand.

Admission to Newt Day is $2 per person; children 2 and under are free.

The Nature Park Interpretive Center ? part of the Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District ? is located at 15655 SW Millikan Way, Beaverton. ?This is a great time to get outdoors and experience the changing seasons,? said Elisa Joy Payne, program coordinator at the Interpretive Center.

?Don?t let the rain and the cold hold you back. The newts are out and much more visible this time of year. And the forest is alive with a variety plants and animals to explore.?

For more information, call the Interpretive Center at 503/629-6350. The Tualatin Hills Nature Park, a 222-acre wildlife preserve in the heart of Beaverton, features evergreen and deciduous forests, creeks, wetlands, ponds, and meadows. The park is home to a variety of birds, mammals, and smaller creatures. Its five-mile trails network includes 1.5 miles of paved pathways plus 3.5 miles of well maintained, soft-surface trails.

The Nature Park Interpretive Center ? operated by THPRD?s Natural Resources Department ? features classrooms, a reference library, exhibit area, and nature store. Environmental education classes and activities for adults, children, and school groups are offered throughout the year. Formed in 1955, THPRD is the largest special park district in Oregon, spanning about 50 square miles and serving more than 220,000 residents in the greater Beaverton area. The district provides year-round recreational opportunities for people of all ages and abilities. Offerings include thousands of widely diverse classes, 90 park sites with active recreational amenities, 60 miles of trails, eight swim centers, six recreation centers, and 1,400 acres of natural areas. For more information, visit www.thprd.org or call 503/645-6433.

Source: http://washingtoncountyreview.blogspot.com/2012/10/annual-newt-day-is-nov.html

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Source: http://annesharma48.blogspot.com/2012/10/annual-newt-day-is-nov-3-at-tualatin.html

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The Jusuru Blog: Give the Gift of Encouragement

The Jusuru Blog: Give the Gift of Encouragement

Give the Gift of Encouragement


By Todd Smith

Did you know you have the power to make our world a better place? ?Who? Me? Impossible!? I hear you saying. But it?s true.

In this world of turmoil and strife, with chaos everywhere across our nation and around the globe, there has never been a greater hunger for simple words of encouragement. Excessive stress, lack of control, financial pressure, uncertainty about tomorrow?these are all taking their toll on people?s emotions, health, and morale.


However, there is hope. There is one indispensable ingredient that can transform and inspire individuals, improve life, grow a positive attitude, build self-esteem, and enhance relationships. That ingredient is encouragement.

Albert Schweitzer said, ?Sometimes our light goes out but is blown into flame by another human being.? There are two ways to rekindle that flame, to give the gift of encouragement?by your words and by your actions.

By Your Words?

Your heartfelt and positive words can make a difference in a person?s life, which could lead to a change in the community, nation, and world. Mother Teresa said, ?Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.??

Here are some positive ways to encourage people with your words.

1. Offer praise for ordinary accomplishments. Look for the little things that most people take for granted. Make it personal. Look the other person in the eye, pause, and share your words with real meaning.

2. Show appreciation. Watch for the slightest improvement in someone. Be specific. Avoid clich?s like, ?You?re doing a great job.? Instead tell the person exactly what it is that you appreciate about him or her. Is it their timeliness, work ethic, the way they treat customers or the way they ran the meeting? Perhaps it?s someone?s weight loss, efficiency, or tidiness.

3. Let someone know you are praying for them. I have yet to hear anyone turn down a prayer when needed.

4. Offer words of cheer for someone depressed, discouraged, or overwhelmed. A timely encouraging word can give a person that is ready to quit the fuel to keep going.
5. Honor the person who has reached a milestone. Don?t hide it. If appropriate, express your appreciation publicly.

6. Compliment someone when they aren?t expecting it. Look for something that other people may have overlooked. Tell them what it is and why you think it was worthy of notice.

7. Always say please and thank you. Always means every time, even if it?s their normal responsibility, such as cooking a meal, typing your report, or cutting the lawn.
Remember that kind words cost you nothing, but can accomplish much. King Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, wrote, ?A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.?

By Your Actions

1. Take time out to listen. How many times has someone said, ?I feel better? after talking to you about something, when all you did was listen?

2. Send a card, email, or text telling people you appreciate them. Intentionally written words can be a powerful source of encouragement.

3. Physically help someone in need. It could be shoveling the snow for an elderly couple down the street or helping a co-worker who is running behind.

4. Be kind and considerate. It could be as simple as a smile, opening the door for someone, or acknowledging your co-workers.

Your supportive actions and words of encouragement don?t just enhance the lives of others; they enrich your life as well. The simple act of showing you care strengthens your relationships, builds trust, and increases your influence.

Are you willing to put forth the effort to recognize, appreciate, and encourage others? This may be hard for some of you who desperately need it in your own lives. It?s not easy dishing out encouragement when you are starving for it yourself, but it may be just the thing you need. We should remember the words of George Adams: ?There are high spots in all of our lives, and most of them have come about through encouragement from someone else.?

Let me urge you to answer these three questions?

1. Being honest with myself, on a scale of 1-10, how encouraging am I?
2. How can I become more supportive (in word or deed) of others?
3. What changes am I willing to make to become an encourager?

Your gift of encouragement has the power to change lives!

For more information about Todd Smith visit www.littlethingsmatter.com

Source: http://thejusurublog.blogspot.com/2012/10/give-gift-of-encouragement.html

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How the Nexus 10 Stacks Up to the Competition

Google's Nexus 10 tablet has arrived, designed to serve as Android's flagship answer to the iPad and Surface. But is the thing worth its weight in salt? We compared the Nexus 10 to the other top new tablets to find out. More »


Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/3WhMA2wKt-A/how-the-nexus-10-stacks-up-to-the-competition

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Video: Ship sinking in N.C., rescue of 17 people underway



>> it was. let's go back to al along the jersey shore . al, we understand the coast guard is involved in a situation off hatteras this morning.

>> that's right, matt. we're getting word from elizabeth city , north carolina . the coast guard is involved in a rescue of 17 people of an 880-foot three-masted schooner, the " hms bounty ." it's sinking right now 90 miles southeast of cape hatteras . the "bounty is" is 70 miles east of hatteras and it's taking on water. 70 people are in life rafts and survival suits. a c-130 and coast guard helicopter are on scene pulling people out of the water. they expect the first survivors to make it back to elizabeth cityometime within the next hour, but, again, the " hms bounty ," a 180-foot three-masted schooner tall ship is sinking with 17 people on board. coast guard affecting a rescue right now. just one of the effects of hurricane sandy, and there will be much more like this

Source: http://video.today.msnbc.msn.com/today/49595571/

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Sandy halts some travel from Charlotte | CharlotteObserver.com

Charlotte became a haven in the storm Monday, with a growing number of travelers finding themselves unable to leave the area for destinations to the north.

Hurricane Sandy?s approach to landfall along the New Jersey coast caused at least 19 airports to shut down operations Monday, and rail service to major cities in the Northeast also has been halted.

It means travelers -- those planning to leave Charlotte for the north, and those who are stranded here because connecting flights are canceled -- might not be going anywhere for a few days.

The flight-tracking service Flight Aware reported late Monday morning that more than 7,000 U.S. flights have been canceled Monday, including 139 scheduled to depart from Charlotte-Douglas International Airport. More than 2,700 flights already are canceled Tuesday, including 46 from Charlotte. That number is expected to increase dramatically in the coming hours.

One traveler stuck at Charlotte?s airport, Quentin Walker of New York, said Monday morning, ?They tell me it could be Wednesday before we?re able to fly.?

In addition, Amtrak announced that all rail service north of Raleigh has been canceled through at least Tuesday.

As of late Monday morning, these airports that are typical destinations from Charlotte are shut down:

-- Allentown

-- Baltimore-DC area (Baltimore-Washington International, Dulles, Washington National)

-- Boston

-- Charlottesville

-- Hartford

-- Huntington, W. Va.

-- Newport News

-- New York City area (LaGuardia, Newark, JFK, Westchester County)

-- Norfolk

-- Philadelphia

-- Richmond

-- Wilkes-Barre

In addition, airports in Cleveland and Pittsburgh might be forced to shut down operations, with strong winds expected in those areas Tuesday.

US Airways is trying to help travelers by waiving its rebooking fee. It is permitting passengers who cancel flights before Wednesday night to rebook them without a fee, provided the rescheduled flight takes place during the first week of November.

The cancellations in the storm-threatened area are having a ripple effect. They are forcing delays and cancellations around the world, with airlines not able to fly into major eastern U.S. cities.

The schedule changes are making life difficult for travelers, of course.

Eileen Merberg, 50, told the Associated Press she was scheduled to fly from Rochester, N.Y., to New Orleans for an education conference, with a connection in Washington. She said United Airlines sent her an email, saying the Washington flight was canceled, and she was rebooked on a connecting flight through Newark. An hour later, she was informed that the Newark flight was canceled.

So Merberg contacted the education conference and said she couldn?t attend. But then United sent her a note, saying she had been rebooked through Chicago, according to the Associated Press.

She tried calling United but was on hold for 62 minutes until her phone battery died. She recharged the battery and was on hold another 45 minutes before getting a recording, telling her it would be at least another hour before a customer service employee was available.

She hung up, she told the AP.

AMTRAK CHANGES

Amtrak announced a number of changes to its service because of the big storm.

The Crescent runs (Trains 19 and 20) are canceled until at least Wednesday. The Piedmont routes (Trains 73, 74 and 75) are running between Charlotte and Raleigh but not going any farther north.

The Palmetto runs (Trains 89 and 90) also are canceled. And Trains 91 and 92, which begin in Miami, are traveling only as far north as Jacksonville, Fla.

Source: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2012/10/29/3630574/sandy-halts-some-travel-from-charlotte.html

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Tuesday, October 30, 2012

QuickBooks Online is now available in India | Intuit Small Business ...

It?s finally here!
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Easy, convenient and secure business and financial management is now a reality for your small business. Power your business with QuickBooks Online, No. 1 in cloud for small businesses!
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The much-awaited QuickBooks Online, the leading business and financial management software for small businesses, is now available in India. The easy to use product, facilitates quick, data-driven decision making. Currently, QuickBooks Online has 1.3 million users worldwide and is available in 150 countries.
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QuickBooks Online India
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QuickBooks Online helps small businesses organize all their business finances in one place. It is a feature-rich, web based tool that allows users to stay on top of their business finances. The tool provides powerful insights for making decisions, anywhere and anytime ? from an internet connected computer or data plan enabled smart phone.
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? Easily track customers, orders, income and expenses so a small business can always see where it stands.
? Gather tax relevant information in one place to avoid tax-time headaches.
? Use the power of the cloud via a mobile device to track finances while on the move.
? Obtain in-depth business insights with reporting tools that analyse their business and industry trends to help them move their business forward.
? With password-protected login, firewall protected servers, and the same encryption technology (128 bit SSL) used by the world?s top banking institutions, QuickBooks Online has the security elements in place to give you peace of mind.?
? Deal easily with different currencies
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QuickBooks Online continues Intuit?s longstanding legacy of working with customers to understand their needs and build solutions based on their feedback. It is designed to help small businesses take quick financial business designed and is optimized for anytime, anywhere usage.
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Overall, QuickBooks Online focuses strongly on the critical needs of small businesses, by providing a detailed portrait of the business finances in one place so small businesses can focus on their customers and growing their business!
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Source: http://smallbusinessindia.intuit.in/general/quickbooks-online-india/

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Microsoft adds WP8 app to Windows Store just in time for launch

Microsft adds Windows Phone app to Windows Store ahead of WP 8 event

If you're aiming to get your hands on one of the many Windows Phone 8 devices launching later today, it would be nice to be able to sync it with your Windows 8 PC, no? Redmond has you covered in the nick of time, as it's just released the free Windows Phone app to its Windows Store. That'll let you get music, photos, or video over to your computer and back, use Windows 8 apps to share things like searches, automatically save photos or videos taken with your phone to your PC and check your phone's storage to see how it's being used. It'll also let allow you to download phone apps and learn more about your device, while pulling off a trick we've saw first with Apple, then WP7 -- letting you track down your smartphone if it goes missing. You can grab it at the source, then all you'll need is a WP8 (or 7.8) handset -- so stay tuned for our liveblog at 10:00 am PST / 1:00 pm EST to see when that might happen.

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Microsoft adds WP8 app to Windows Store just in time for launch originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 29 Oct 2012 01:42:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ghana's StanChart Jan-Sept net profit up 36 pct

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Breakfast Links for 10/30/12: Trick or Tract, Persecution Perspectives ...

BREAKFAST LINKS 10/30/12:

Adrian Warnock, Patheos: ?I look at your media, your political adverts, your adversarial debates, and I wonder, how long before your nation tears itself apart? Can either of the candidates unite the land??

Frank Viola, Patheos: ??What is needed in the body of Christ is not restoration. It?s not even revival. What is needed is a revolution?a complete and radical change from top to bottom, a new sighting of Jesus Christ and His church, and a change of both mind-set and practice.?

Elizabeth Scalia, Patheos: ?These are not unreasonable questions, and they?re the questions Brian Williams and Chris Matthews and the New York Times and every other news outlet would ? quite justifiably ? be asking of any other president, particularly if he had an R after his name. And yet, the press will not ask them of Obama.?

Ann Althouse, Althouse: Why Camille Paglia Won?t Vote for Obama This Time

Karen Spears Zacharias, Patheos: ?Perhaps Ms. O ought to consider doing a photo op with Mama? Perhaps she can spend a day at Mama?s bedside, drying my mother?s tears when she weeps over the fact that she wants more time with her family.?

Jonathan Capehart, Washington Post: The Rise of Hate in the Age of Obama

Erin Straza, Patheos: ?Dr. Newberg found that ?in Judeo-Christian prayer, the frontal lobe activates just as it would in normal conversation. To the brain, talking to God is indistinguishable from talking to a person?. For people from other religious backgrounds, their brains did not activate in the same way?. And when atheists were asked to meditate, their brains were not active at all because to them, ?God is unimaginable:??

Joseph Curl, Washington Times: Don?t Throw the CIA Under the Bus

Owen Strachan, Patheos: ?Persecution does afford the chance to suffer with Christ; it may, as well, toughen us up. ?But we should never think that it is inherently good. ?It is not. ?It is inherently evil.?

Dr. Richard Land, Christian Post: The Most Important Election in 150 Years?

Joe Carter, Patheos: ?It?s been more than thirty years since Chick tracts damaged my fragile psyche but it appears that some otherwise well-meaning Christians are willing to subject a whole new generation to this horror.?

Joshua Hawley, Patheos: ?On the contrary, a kingdom-inspired approach to politics would give up trying to Christianize the state altogether. The reason is found in the state?s unique mission. God?s mandates for state and church are distinct, as Romans 13, to take one example, makes abundantly clear.?

Reid J. Epstein, Politico: Team Obama says ?We?re Going to Win?

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Source: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/philosophicalfragments/2012/10/30/breakfast-links-for-103012-trick-or-tract-persecution-perspectives-not-revival-but-revolution/

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Revolutionary Mobile Audio Solution Delivers Over 5 Times the ...

Bangalore : ?A revolutionary embedded algorithm in a new audio system from NXP Semiconductors N.V. boosts the output power of micro speakers by over 5 times, vastly improving the sound quality of mobile devices. By driving over 2.6 watts RMS into micro speakers that have previously been limited to 0.5 W, the NXP TFA9887 IC will give mobile phones, portable music players and tablets much louder sound, deeper bass, and higher sound quality ? without risking speaker damage. With a unique combination of safety features including adaptive excursion control and real-time temperature protection, the TFA9887 monitors speakers through a current-sensing amplifier and enables safe operation while working at near peak output at all times.

?Digital natives have come of age taking poor mobile sound quality for granted. As speakers have become smaller, the quiet, tinny sound we?ve come to associate with mobile devices has got even worse,? said Shawn Scarlett, director of marketing, mobile audio product line, NXP Semiconductors. ?Our new audio system transforms the listening experience, enabling louder, richer sound quality from virtually any mobile device. The improvement is so striking that consumers, handset makers and operators will immediately hear the difference.?

No need to cut bass frequencies

Speaker makers have to balance competing demands for good sound, small size and reliability. As micro speakers have shrunk, phone, media player and tablet designers have been forced to limit output power and sound quality. Amplifiers could easily deliver enough power to destroy the speaker at one frequency, while under-powering it at others. Until now, it has been impossible for system designers to know for sure when it was safe to apply extra power. The rule has therefore been to cut out bass frequencies and limit output power to avoid blowing the speaker ? a common cause of failures in mobiles.

By incorporating circuits that monitor speaker performance and prevent damage, the NXP TFA9887 IC allows designers to break this rule. Adaptive excursion control measures the actual excursion of the speaker membrane to ensure that it never exceeds its rated limit. Real-time temperature protection measures the voice-coil temperature directly to prevent thermal damage.

Boosting audio performance

Because the speaker is fully protected, the system can deliver significant levels of extra power to make the sound louder and better than before. The TFA9887 optimizes the audio signal based on the movement of the speaker, something no other system is capable of, using the full capabilities of the speaker without pushing beyond the limits. An advanced clip avoidance algorithm monitors audio performance and prevents clipping, even when the power supply begins to sag. Bandwidth extension increases the low frequency response well below speaker resonance. And an intelligent DC-to-DC boost converter maximizes audio headroom from any supply level despite battery undervoltage. The TFA9887 automatically adapts to any changes in the speaker ? including ageing, damage to the enclosure, and blocked speaker ports ? helping to optimize performance and maintain the desired sound quality.

The entire system is integrated into a single chip with digital interfaces for portable devices. The IC incorporates NXP?s CoolFlux audio DSP, a high-efficiency class-D amplifier with current sensing, and a DC-to-DC boost converter. The advanced, embedded algorithms require no separate licensing. Additional tools allow designers to customize audio sound quality and choose how to optimize mobile device performance.

Availability

Product samples and demo boards of the TFA9887 are available immediately to qualified customers.

Popularity: unranked [?]

Source: http://apnnews.com/2012/10/29/revolutionary-mobile-audio-solution-delivers-over-5-times-the-power-to-micro-speakers/

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Video: Record surges could produce ?worst-case scenario?



>>> the waves churned up here along the chesapeake bay bridge in virginia beach . we're back with a final check on the path of hurricane sandy. weather channel meteorologist mike seidel is? virginia beach , new jersey tonight, where the wind is whipping up. where can we expect the storm to moving in the next few days?

>> reporter: the atlantic now taking over the entire beach here at point pleasant. this morning's high tide was up to there. and lester tomorrow we have two disastrous high tides. by tuesday, this entire coastline is going to be rearranged. take a look at the swirl off cape hatteras , we're still more than 500 miles away from the storm, that winter like jet stream is juicing the storm, that's why we have a blizzard warning on the backside of a hurricane, this is going to take a left jab , an ali jab on new jersey. surge will be at record levels in some spots.

>> mike seidel for us tonight.

Source: http://video.msnbc.msn.com/nightly-news/49590384/

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Men Must Start Family Before 35 | TopNews New Zealand

Men Must Start Family Before 35A recent report showed what a professor at the University of Newcastle in New South Wales has to say about male fertility. John Aitken was of the view that all those men who want to start their family must not wait till the age of 35. It's advisable that they have their children before they reach their mid 30s.

It has been claimed that though men do have the tendency to produce sperm, the quality of those gametes reduces with age, which may even make children susceptible to diseases.

There are chances of men with damaged sperm passing on diseases like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, epilepsy and autism, to their children, thereby making it all the more clear that men must not wait too long to enjoy fatherhood.

"Their sense of family, concepts of fatherhood, genetic heritage and self esteem are strong feelings that are sometimes misunderstood and underestimated", said Chris Skellett, a consultant at Otago Fertility Services in Otago, while speaking on the topic of men and infertility at a Fertility Society of Australia conference held in Auckland this week.

There is dire need to deal with such sensitive issues in the best possible manner as unlike women, men are a lot reserved to share their sexual inhibitions.

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Source: http://topnews.net.nz/content/224870-men-must-start-family-35

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Entertaining | My Blog

Every Tuesday, my cousins will be coming over? my place and we will be playing poker. On the weekends, I will be off to a casino palace together with my colleagues playing poker or blackjack. I just love the sheer feel of taking the risk and waiting for the outcome of the game. But when I moved to a different state, my cousins could not? come over my place anymore and? I have new sets of colleagues, unfortunately, they are not into casino games. I missed playing casino games or should I say, I missed gambling with high stakes involve. I do not want to look loner by going to a casino hall alone and playing by myself. I just want to enjoy the good life by gambling and playing my all time favorite?casino games but with my current situation, it is very inconvenient on my part to travel to a casino palace. I am working very hard each day and I want to relax and unwind to keep my senses and sanity.

I tried playing video games but nothing satisfy like the pleasure I feel whenever I play? casino games. Good thing, I learned from my old colleagues about online casino games. I check out the site they referred to me and it was unbelievable. I can actually do?online casino right at the comfort of my new home. Now I can play casino games as well as other sports betting game online. I actually joined the poker tournament and I got the best game of my life. The online gambling sites I have visited were so amazing and they have customer service were superior. Getting started was easy and there is a game for the beginners as well as the high stake players. Enjoying casino games have never been this conducive.

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Source: http://www.williejamesking.com/2012/10/29/entertaining-2/

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Are Retirement Plans Sold Backward? - 401k Plan Advisors

The 401(k) plan was first introduced in 1981 as a supplement to a defined benefit (pension) plan by a bank seeking additional retirement funds for executives. It has been sold to companies, as a supplement, since then.

Pension

Pension (Photo credit: Frederik Seidelin)

The 401(k) plan as well as all qualified plans, ie, IRAs, Simple IRAs, SEPs, Roth IRAs ?are sold by offering list of top performing mutual funds and requires the investor to choose the right mix This is a huge mistake because it utilizes the three elements that turn investing into gambling and speculating.

The elements of gambling and speculating are stock picking, market timing and track record investing.

Research has proven that investors, with and without brokers/agents, underperform the benchmark indices by a significant amount. Additional research proves that a vast majority of actively managed mutual underperform.

For these reasons I believe qualified retirement plans are being sold backwards. It is a mistake to offer a huge amount of fund choices and expect investors to make the right decisions. It is important to understand that providing too many choices results in poor outcomes..

Since most stockbrokers and insurance agents do not act as fiduciaries to their customers they have a vested interest in keeping money on the move. These Wall Street bullies make money whenever their customers trade from one strategy or asset class to another.

It?s important to remember that investors do not have to know everything about investing but they do need to know the right things.

These qualified retirement plans should be invested like a pension fund.? The pension funds goal is to have sufficient money to fund your retirement. Their strategy is to control risk, so as you age, the risk of your portfolio is reduced.

There is scientific and academic based research to develop appropriate portfolios. Utilizing this free market strategy, anxiety and worry are dramatically reduced.

When investors take a more long term view of their investments the result will be improved performance with less anxiety. When uncertainty is reduced investors will save more and enjoy life.

There are three simple rules of investing?.own equities?..globally diversify?..rebalance.

This message is redundant however, so very important. Following these simple rules will lead to success long term. However, the greatest challenge investors? face is controlling their own emotions. This requires the assistance of an objective advisor or coach. A fiduciary adviser if you will.

Making emotional decisions in your retirement account(s) is the most destructive trait of most Americans.

When plan sponsors provide a pension fund like plan everyone wins.

Source: http://401kplanadvisors.com/2012/10/are-retirement-plans-sold-backward/

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10 Things to Know for Tuesday

Ocean waves kick up along the shoreline in Milford, Conn., Monday, Oct. 29, 2012. Hurricane Sandy continued on its path Monday, as the storm forced the shutdown of mass transit, schools and financial markets, sending coastal residents fleeing, and threatening a dangerous mix of high winds and soaking rain. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)

Ocean waves kick up along the shoreline in Milford, Conn., Monday, Oct. 29, 2012. Hurricane Sandy continued on its path Monday, as the storm forced the shutdown of mass transit, schools and financial markets, sending coastal residents fleeing, and threatening a dangerous mix of high winds and soaking rain. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)

In this Sunday, Oct. 28, 2012 photo. A rebel fighter throws a homemade grenade towards Syrian army troops on the frontline in the Bustan Al-Pasha neighborhood of Aleppo, Syria. Syria's air force fired missiles and dropped barrel bombs on rebel strongholds while opposition fighters attacked regime positions, flouting a U.N.-backed cease-fire that was supposed to quiet fighting over a long holiday weekend but never took hold. (AP Photo/Narciso Contreras).

San Francisco Giants fans celebrate outside PacBell Park on Sunday, Oct. 28, 2012, in San Francisco after the Giants swept baseball's World Series against the Detroit Tigers. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)

Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and stories that will be talked about on Tuesday:

1. SANDY COMES ASHORE, A HURRICANE NO LONGER

Now a "post-tropical" hybrid storm, Sandy came ashore along the New Jersey coastline at about 8 p.m. with gusts of more than 85 mph.

2. DANGER DANGLES ABOVE NYC STREET

A crane atop a 74-story building collapsed in high wind and hung limp above the sidewalk, forcing evacuations on the street and nearby buildings.

3. HOW SANDY RAINED ON THE PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN

Obama switched from campaigner to hands-on commander of the federal response to the superstorm, while Romney curtailed events and urged donations to relief efforts.

4. SYRIAN CEASE-FIRE ENDS IN FAILURE

The death toll during what was supposed to have been a four-day truce exceeded 500.

5. WHAT ECONOMIC THREATS THE NEXT PRESIDENT IS FACING

An AP survey of 31 economists says a weaker European economy and tax disputes in Congress are among the challenges the election winner will have to grapple with.

6. FEARING FOR THE FUTURE, COPTIC CHRISTIANS VOTE ON A NEW POPE

The spiritual leader will have to help the ancient Egyptian church assert its identity and rights amid a rising tide of Islamism.

7. HOW SOCIAL MEDIA COULD IMPACT THE ZIMMERMAN TRIAL

Prosecutors fear that potential jurors could be influenced by social media posts, but a judge rejects a request for a gag order in the racially charged case.

8. MICROSOFT TAKES A BITE AT APPLE

New version of the Windows Phone is meant to compete with the more-popular iPhone, as well as Android devices.

9. NUMBER OF DAYTIME TALK SHOWS SHRINKS A BIT

Anderson Cooper's TV chatfest is ending, victim of low ratings.

10. GIANTS HAVE THE WINNING RECIPE

Stellar starting pitching. Shut-down bullpen. Late-season surge. San Francisco tosses it all together ? and captures another World Series crown.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/3d281c11a96b4ad082fe88aa0db04305/Article_2012-10-29-10%20Things%20to%20Know-Tuesday/id-aeb534de90ff417dbf0212b079812666

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Paranormal Tours In Alton Illinois Part 2

Paranormal Tours In Alton Illinois Part 2

Mineral Springs Mall is one of the oldest and most historic buildings in Alton, Illinois. It was started as Mineral Springs Hotel by two German immigrants August and Herman Luer in 1909. Mineral Springs Hotel was completed on August 1, 1914. It was built with luxurious terrazzo floors, decorated cornices, marble staircases and artistic glass throughout the hotel. It was an immediate success and was even more popular after the mineral pool was opened in the basement.

The hotel was a popular meeting place for politicians, traveling salesmen, civic leaders and socialites. The pool attracted water polo clubs, people for swimming lessons and the claimed healing powers of the mineral water. The water was claimed to have healing powers for the sick and the noted Dr. Furlong of this period in time gave mineral baths and claimed they would heal colds, headaches and sore muscles. It has been reported that Mineral Springs Hotel attracted up to 30,000 visitors in one season.

With this many visitors in the early 1900?s it is surprising that there are not more paranormal activities in the Mineral Springs Mall. There are six known ghosts I have talked about in previous discussion; Pearl, Maria, Gus, Cassandra, William and one that does not have a name. The nameless ghost is known to be wearing a three piece suit or a tuxedo. He has been observed in the mineral pool where Cassandra has been known to be.

There was an art store using the adjoining room to the pool in the basement and one evening a worker heard noise in the pool area, when she went to investigate there was a figure of a man in a suit in the mineral pool. After this siting the store was moved immediately.

There have been others known to have been attracted to the mall, as the energy from visitors on the tours has caused wayfarers to come into the hotel. Most are just passing through and are just drawn by the extra activity and energy in the mall and do not stay. There have also been many orbs spotted on tours and Wayne, the main tour guide, usually has them swarm him when he enters the mineral pool, although I did not observe this on our tour. Some of the resident ghosts have also been known to follow tour visitors when they leave the mall. The guides had noted they then get a call and have to explain to the visitor how to make them return to the mall.

The Mineral Springs Mall is a very interesting place. I did not feel uncomfortable in this building and actually felt more at ease. Maybe because I knew I was in the presence of lost souls looking for help.

Who knows how many more spiritual residents the Mineral Springs Hotel will attract in the next hundred years?

Source: http://www.streetarticles.com/adventure-travel/paranormal-tours-in-alton-illinois-part-2

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Sandy likely to shut at least two New Jersey nuclear reactors

(Reuters) - At least two major New Jersey nuclear power plants are likely to shut on Monday as Hurricane Sandy makes landfall as a Category 1 storm and more plants could reduce power as the storm triggers precautionary safety measures.

In Connecticut, Dominion Resources Inc already reduced the output of its Millstone 3 reactor from full power to about 75 percent as a precaution due to high water levels caused by Sandy, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) said.

Sandy, centered over the Atlantic Ocean about 175 miles southeast of New York City, was expected to hit near Delaware and south New Jersey later Monday as a Category 1 hurricane with winds of up to 90 miles per hour.

The nuclear reactors in Sandy's current path include units at Public Service Enterprise Group Inc's 2,332-megawatt (MW) Salem and 1,161-MW Hope Creek plants in New Jersey, which were likely to bear the brunt of the storm before it moves inland. Those PSEG reactors combined account for about 19 percent of the state's total electric capacity, although New Jersey also draws supplies from the whole Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland (PJM) power region.

PJM is the biggest power grid in the United States serving more than 60 million people in 13 U.S. Mid-Atlantic and Midwest states and the District of Columbia.

Electricity traders said if Sandy continues on her expected path it was likely PSEG would have to shut the Salem and Hope Creek reactors later Monday, but they were mixed on whether the storm's winds would still be strong enough to force the shutdown of reactors in Pennsylvania and Maryland.

PSEG spokesman Joe Delmar said the company would take the Salem and Hope Creek reactors offline if wind speeds reach greater than 74 miles per hour onsite for more than 15 minutes or the river water level reaches 100 feet. Sandy's maximum winds were at 90 mph earlier on Monday.

The mean river water level at the Salem-Hope Creek site was 89 feet and the site grade was about 102 feet. The highest river level ever recorded was 97.5 feet, Delmar said.

But Sandy was expected to lose some punch as she moves over Pennsylvania and Maryland, crossing near Constellation Nuclear Energy Group's 1,705-MW Calvert Cliffs nuclear plant in Maryland, Exelon Corp's 2,244-MW Peach Bottom, 805-MW Three Mile Island and 2,264-MW Limerick in Pennsylvania, and PPL Corp's 2,450-MW Susquehanna in Pennsylvania.

All U.S. reactors have procedures that require operators to shut the units when hurricane-force winds reach their sites or when floodwaters reach certain levels.

Nuclear power represents about 18 percent of the generating capacity in the U.S. Mid-Atlantic region. One megawatt powers about 1,000 homes.

A few reactors in the area were already shut for refueling or other maintenance, including Exelon's Oyster Creek in New Jersey, PSEG's Salem 2 in New Jersey, PPL's Susquehanna in Pennsylvania and Dominion's Millstone 2 in Connecticut.

Both Salem Unit 1 and Hope Creek were at full power Monday morning and the refueling work on Salem Unit 2 was suspended by 6 p.m. EDT Sunday, Delmar said.

WIND AND FLOOD WATER

Delmar said only essential personnel were required to report to the Salem and Hope Creek site on Monday.

He said PSEG was in Phase 2 of its severe weather plan.

Phase 1 included inspecting, removing and securing objects outside that could become airborne and putting emergency equipment and supplies in place.

Phase 2 of the plan includes visual inspections of equipment, verifying weather tight doors, checking on emergency diesel availability, and ensuring water intakes are prepared for severe weather.

Power companies from North Carolina to Maine have been preparing for Sandy for days and urged customers to be ready for the possibility of days without electricity. More than 700,000 homes and businesses were already without power Monday afternoon.

The Long Island Power Authority, which serves 1.1 million people on Long Island, New York, and others said outages could last as long as seven to 10 days.

IRENE ALSO SHUT NUCLEAR PLANTS

The last big storm to hit the U.S. East Coast was Hurricane Irene in 2011, which made landfall in the Outer Banks in North Carolina as a Category 1 storm. Irene caused billions in property damage as it ran up the coast from Carolinas to Maine.

Irene left more than eight million homes and businesses without power, some for a week or more in the hardest hit areas. It forced many power plants to shut, including at least two reactors, at Oyster Creek in New Jersey and Calvert Cliffs in Maryland.

Several other reactors had to reduce power primarily due to debris in their cooling water intakes and other reasons, like Duke Energy Corp's Brunswick in North Carolina, Dominion's Millstone in Connecticut and PSEG's Salem in New Jersey.

The biggest utilities in Sandy's path include units of Duke, Exelon, FirstEnergy Corp, National Grid Plc, Consolidated Edison Inc, Northeast Utilities, Dominion, PSEG, PPL, Pepco Holdings Inc and Iberdrola SA.

(Reporting By Scott DiSavino; Editing by Maureen Bavdek, Grant McCool and Bob Burgdorfer)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/sandy-likely-shut-least-two-jersey-nuclear-reactors-205753930--finance.html

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