diff --git "a/UD_English-EWT/en_ewt-ud-train.txt" "b/UD_English-EWT/en_ewt-ud-train.txt" new file mode 100644--- /dev/null +++ "b/UD_English-EWT/en_ewt-ud-train.txt" @@ -0,0 +1,13734 @@ +Al-Zaman : American forces killed Shaikh Abdullah al-Ani, the preacher at the +mosque in the town of Qaim, near the Syrian border. [This killing of a respected +cleric will be causing us trouble for years to come.] DPA: Iraqi authorities +announced that they had busted up 3 terrorist cells operating in Baghdad. Two of +them were being run by 2 officials of the Ministry of the Interior! The MoI in +Iraq is equivalent to the US FBI, so this would be like having J. Edgar Hoover +unwittingly employ at a high level members of the Weathermen bombers back in the +1960s. The third was being run by the head of an investment firm. You wonder if +he was manipulating the market with his bombing targets. The cells were +operating in the Ghazaliyah and al-Jihad districts of the capital. Although the +announcement was probably made to show progress in identifying and breaking up +terror cells, I don't find the news that the Baathists continue to penetrate the +Iraqi government very hopeful. It reminds me too much of the ARVN officers who +were secretly working for the other side in Vietnam. Al-Zaman : Guerrillas +killed a member of the Kurdistan Democratic Party after kidnapping him in Mosul. +The police commander of Ninevah Province announced that bombings had declined 80 +percent in Mosul, whereas there had been a big jump in the number of +kidnappings. On Wednesday guerrillas had kidnapped a cosmetic surgeon and his +wife while they were on their way home. In Suwayrah, Kut Province, two car bombs +were discovered before they could be detonated. (Kut is in southeastern Iraq and +has an overwhelmingly Shiite population, who are on the lookout for Baathist +saboteurs and willingly turn them in. This willingness is the main difference in +the number of bombings in the south as opposed to the center-north of the +country.) In Baghdad Kadhim Talal Husain, assistant dean at the School of +Education at Mustansiriyah University, was assassinated with his driver in the +Salikh district. Guerrillas killed an engineer, Asi Ali, from Tikrit. They also +killed Shaikh Hamid 'Akkab, a clan elder of a branch of the Dulaim tribe in +Tikrit. His mother was also killed in the attack. Two other Dulaim leaders have +been killed in the past week and a half. Guerrillas near Hawijah launched an +attack that left 6 dead, including 4 Iraqi soldiers. One of them was from the +Jubur tribe and was deputy commander of the Hawijah garrison. Two hundred +members of the Batawi clan of the Dulaim demonstrated in Baghdad on Friday, +protesting the killing of their clan elder, Shaikh Kadhim Sarhid and 4 of his +sons, by gunmen wearing Iraqi army uniforms. (This is a largely Sunni Arab clan, +and some Sunni observers have accused Shiite elements in the government of being +behind the assassination; it is more likely the work of Sunni Arab guerrillas +punishing the Batawi leaders for cooperating with the Dec. 15 elections.) +Al-Zaman : The Iraqi High Electoral Commission on Friday denied a request of the +Debaathification Commission to exclude 51 individuals from running on party +lists in the Dec. 15 elections on grounds of having been sufficiently involved +in Baath activities to warrant their being excluded from civil office. The +Commission said it had no legal grounds for such an exclusion. This item is a +small one and easily missed. But in my view it is highly significant. The +Debaathification Commission had been pushed by Ahmad Chalabi and his Iraqi +National Congress very hard, and had pushed many Sunni Arabs into the arms of +the guerrillas. Chalabi has been increasingly marginalized within Iraq, however, +despite his ties of clientelage with Washington and Tehran. He is no longer in +the dominant Shiite list, the United Iraqi Alliance, and won't have many seats +in the new parliament. Some 2,000 junior officers of the old Baath army have +been recalled to duty in recent months, something Chalabi would have blocked if +he could have. Now the Electoral Commission is refusing to punish people for +mere past Baath Party membership. The situation in Iraq is only going to get +better this way. If someone committed a crime against humanity, prosecute the +person. If he or she did not, then they should have all the same rights as other +Iraqis. Al-Sharq al-Awsat reports that a key eyewitness in the trial of Saddam +Hussein for a 1982 massacre at Dujail has died. A team from the court managed to +take his deposition before he died. The trial begins again Nov.28. + +In Baghdad the fighting still continues in several areas, mostly in Sadr city +and Adhamiya. Baghdadis don't venture much out of their neighbourhoods any more, +you never know where you might get stuck. There has been talk that the night +curfew might be implemented again. My neighbourhood has been surrounded by +American troops for three days now, helicopters have been circling over our +heads non-stop. Fedayeen are now visible on the street and they have become +bolder than ever. Yesterday there were tens of them putting road blocks on our +street and setting up mortars, they only come out in the open when Americans +leave the area, then they start firing mortars indiscriminately and shooting +their AK-47's in the air. They are setting the road blocks at the exact same +positions they were during the war last year, which indicates they are the same +people. And there is nothing we can do about it really, people who are +suggesting that we go out and fight them are living in dream land. Even the IP +and ICDC have abandoned the neighbourhood, and those are trained and armed, so +don't expect scared civilians to do anything except to hide inside and pray a +helicopter or a tank doesn't bomb them, and also how are American soldiers going +to distinguish the brave and valiant civilians from the Fedayeen? Everyone is +apprehensive, there is some talk that April 9th and 10th are going to be bloody +days. Most people haven't gone to work the last few days, although it seems that +the rest of Baghdad is 'normal' (if you can define what normal is). There are +rumours about preparations by slum dwellers for another looting spree against +banks, governmental and public property similar to the one that took place last +April, and I have already overheard youngsters in my neighbourhood joking about +it and saying things like "This time we will be the first to loot, we didn't get +anything the last time". Mosques are calling for donating blood, food, and +medicine for Fallujah, and several convoys have already headed out for Fallujah, +most of them returned later though. What irritates me is this sudden false +'solidarity' between Sunni and Shi'ite clerics, we all know that they would be +glad to get at each others throats when they have the chance, and Shia clerics +were describing Fallujan insurgents as 'Ba'athists', 'Saddamites', 'Wahhabis', +and 'terrorists' just a few days ago. So what happened? I guess it's just the +old new Arab 'Me against my brother, me and my brother against my cousin, me and +my cousin against my enemy', or 'The enemy of my enemy is my friend' thing going +on again. Speaking of Fallujah, we have only Al-Jazeera to rely on for our news +from there. They have sent over their top reporter Ahmed Mansour to the town, +and he is spouting all kinds of propaganda hourly reminding me of Al-Sahhaf. +"They are targetting ambulances", "American snipers are shooting children and +pregnant women", and "They are using cluster bombs against civilians" is all you +get to hear from him. He did once make an unforgivable error when he mentioned +that Fallujan militants were shooting at the Marines from the roofs of mosques +and houses in Hay Al-Golan, but of course that is okay for Al-Jazeera. Someone +who called himself Abu Hafs from the Ibn Al-Khattab Brigades (another new group) +was on Al-Jazeera describing the enormous casualties among the Marines and he +sweared that American soldiers were mutilating the bodies of dead insurgents. +Over 300 Iraqis are reported dead and 500 wounded in Fallujah alone. Al-Iraqiyah +tv said that ICDC were controlling Ramadi. Azzaman newspaper mentioned an +announcement signed by Abdul Aziz bin Muqrin, an Al-Qaeda operative in Saudi +Arabia on an Islamic website 'the voice of Jihad', in which he stated that +"although mutilating dead bodies is not originally permitted in Islam, but in +this case it is allowed if Muslims use it against infidels to deter them from +committing criminal actions". He added that "America does not understand +anything except the language of force and retaliation, they were kicked out of +Somalia in humiliation after that soldier was dragged in Mogadishu for the whole +world to see", and that "the day will come when the dead bodies of Americans and +Jews would be dragged, defiled, and stepped on in the Arabian peninsula together +with their agents and supporters". + +Elena's motorcycle tour through the region around Chernobyl has revived interest +in one of the most serious nuclear disasters in history. We all know what +happened, but even to this day, there are many different versions and opinions +on how it happened and what effect Chernobyl will have on the health of people +affected by the fallout. UPDATE: Now you can tour Chernobyl and write your own +story. This is not a post about fault-finding or assigning blame. It is a time +to learn what happened and how it may affect the future. There was a soothing +authoritative UNSCEAR (United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of +Atomic Radiation ) report in 2000 on the health effects of Chernobyl confirming +that there was no scientific evidence of any significant radiation-related +health effects to most people exposed. This was heavily promoted by the +Australasian Radiation Protection Society in a press release titled THE MYTHS OF +CHERNOBYL which contained the following: One of the most widespread myths of +recent times is that the Chernobyl nuclear reactor accident in 1986 caused many +thousands of extra cancer deaths in neighbouring regions, and that public health +has been severely affected by exposure to radiation. Many people still believe +that to be true, even though the Ministry of Russian Federation on Civil +Defence, Emergencies and Elimination of Conseguences of Natural Disasters +(EMERCOM of Russia) reported this in 1996: CHERNOBYL ACCIDENT: TEN YEARS ON In +the last decade, there has been a real and significant increase in childhood +and, to a certain extent, adult carcinoma of the thyroid in contaminated regions +of the former Soviet Union (Wi940) which should be attributed to the Chernobyl +accident until proven otherwise. The prestigious IAEA (International Atomic +Energy Agency) published an early report on Chernobyl which was based on +information from Russian sources and stated that there was no significant health +effects. However, in April 2001, the IAEA published Fifteen Years after the +Chernobyl Accident - Lessons learned. which contradict the earlier reports. Here +are some excerpts: The dramatic increase in radiation-induced thyroid cancers in +children and adolescents in Belarus, Russia, and Ukraine, which have been +observed since 1991, continues to this day. ...a drop in the birth rate, a +deterioration in women's reproductive health, an increase in complications +during pregnancy and birth, and a deterioration in neonatal health.... The +dynamics of change in the state of health of children affected by the Chernobyl +accident in all three countries - Belarus, Russia, and Ukraine - in the +post-accident period is characterized by persistent negative tendencies: the +morbidity rate is going up, the number of really healthy children is dropping, +and disability is increasing . As a parent, I can well imagine how painful it +must be for those families whose children are succumbing to radiation poisoning. +There is a lot to learn about Chernobyl. Being well-informed will give you +certainty and that is desirable in a world of conflicting reports. There are a +wealth of references on Chernobyl. Read some of the following links and draw +your own conclusions. These links present the many viewpoints that existed and +still exist about the disaster called Chernobyl: IAEA Report Lessons learned +http://www.ibiblio.org/expo/soviet.exhibit/chernobyl.html +http://www.ibrae.ac.ru/IBRAE/eng/chernobyl/nat_rep/nat_repe.htm#24 +http://www.nsrl.ttu.edu/chernobyl/wildlifepreserve.htm +http://www.environmentalchemistry.com/yogi/hazmat/articles/chernobyl1.html +http://digon_va.tripod.com/Chernobyl.htm +http://www.oneworld.org/index_oc/issue196/byckau.html +http://www.collectinghistory.net/chernobyl/ +http://www.ukrainianweb.com/chernobyl_ukraine.htm +http://www.bullatomsci.org/issues/1993/s93/s93Marples.html +http://www.calguard.ca.gov/ia/Chernobyl-15%20years.htm +http://www.infoukes.com/history/chornobyl/gregorovich/index.html +http://www.un.org/ha/chernobyl/ +http://www.tecsoc.org/pubs/history/2002/apr26.htm +http://www.chernobyl.org.uk/page2.htm +http://www.time.com/time/daily/chernobyl/860901.accident.html +http://www.infoukes.com/history/chornobyl/elg/ +http://www.world-nuclear.org/info/chernobyl/inf07.htm +http://www.nea.fr/html/rp/chernobyl/conclusions5.html +http://www.nea.fr/html/rp/chernobyl/c01.html +http://www.nea.fr/html/rp/chernobyl/c05.html +http://www.physics.isu.edu/radinf/chern.htm http://www.chernobyl.info/en +http://www.arps.org.au/Chernobyl.htm +http://www-formal.stanford.edu/jmc/progress/chernobyl.html +http://www.21stcenturysciencetech.com/articles/chernobyl.html I would be +interested in hearing what conclusions you reached and what you found that was +most convincing. radiation: As a child in the 50's I had a lot of glandular +problems and they treated it with radiation therapy (primitive at best!) and +stopped when a lesion on my neck started enlarging--they said it was not CA but +stopped the treatments.... Remember the old shoe sizing machines that was a form +of radiation xray? That too was stopped. Don't have to mention what radiation +has done and is still doing to Hirsohima & Nagaski folks--there can be no doubts +about the effects of radiation in Chernobyl....... The Chernobyl Children's +Project (http://www.adiccp.org/home/default.asp) offers several ways to help the +children of that region. One of them is the Rest and Recuperation Program, +wherein a child can come to the US for a few weeks in the summer. Even a little +time spent receiving wholesome, uncontaminated food, good medical care, etc. can +add years to their lives. S. and I have an acquaintance who has hosted several +of these children for many years; to see these little ones breaks the heart. The +urge to protect and gather them all in is almost overwhelming, and makes me more +grateful for the blessings I have. Take care, my friend, Linda I'm sorry to say +Elena's story has been revealed to be a fake. + +What do the new al-Qaeda videotape and audio speeches of Bin Laden and Ayman +al-Zawahiri tell us about the hopes of the remaining top leadership of the +organization? Because the US and Pakistan have managed to capture or kill about +2/3s of the top 25 al-Qaeda commanders, the middle managers are not in close +contact with al-Zawahiri and Bin Laden. The tape was a way to signal priorities. +These are 1) Assassinate or overthrow Gen. Pervez Musharraf, the Pakistani +military "president" who had made a coup in 1999 and has thrown in his lot with +the United States against the Taliban and al-Qaeda. Musharraf has been trying to +purge his officer corps of the substantial number of al-Qaeda sympathizers. His +military intelligence has captured major figures like Abu Zubayda and Khalid +Shaykh Muhammad, as well as nearly 500 other al-Qaeda operatives, over 400 of +whom the Pakistanis have turned over to the US. Musharraf held elections in +October of 2002, in which center-right parties did well, but in which nearly 20 +percent of parliament seats went to the fundamentalist religious party +coalition, MMA. MMA also captured the Northwest Frontier Province, which +probably shelters Bin Laden and al-Zawahiri, and is in a joint government of +Baluchistan Province, also on the Afghanistan border. If al-Qaeda can kill +Musharraf or instigate a military coup against him by Islamist junior officers, +they can hope to catapult the MMA to power as political allies and hosts. They +would thereby gain control of a major base for terrorist operations, which is +also a nuclear power. All this is highly unlikely, as with most al-Qaeda +crackpot schemes. But so was it unlikely that a small group of Arab mujahidin +would virtually take over Afghanistan. Response: The US must do whatever it can +to strengthen the legitimacy of the Pakistani government. On the one hand, it +should pressure Musharraf to take off his uniform and run for president in a +fair election, and to repeal the contentious "Legal Framework Order" that +essentially perpetuates his dictatorship. On the other, restrictions should be +lifted on the mainstream Muslim League-N and Pakistan People's Party, who can +defeat the MMA in fair elections if not hogtied by the secret police. On the +other hand, the US should strong-arm India and Pakistan into a final settlement +of the Kashmir issue. Al-Zawahiri attempted to use Musharraf's lack of progress +in helping the Muslims of that Indian state as a justification for his +overthrow. The Kashmir issue generates far more terrorism, and even the threat +of nuclear war, than Iraq ever did. 2) Target Israel and encourage the worst +elements of the Palestinians by playing on the iron fist policies of the Sharon +government. Response: The US has succeeded in politically isolating Hamas, and +started the process of cutting off its funding. This terrorist organization can +now only pull off far less sophisticated bombings and attacks. It should +continue to be defanged. But Sharon's iron fist is simply not working as a means +of establishing general peace, and the Bush administration will have to finally +apply effective pressure on Sharon to stop his outrages in and colonization of +the West Bank and Gaza. Sharon's hard line has worked in tandem with Hamas's +terrorism to ratchet up tensions further and further, which spill over into the +Muslim world and serve as a recruiting tool for al-Qaeda in its search for +agents willing to hit the United States. Israel owes the United States at least +this much, in this crisis, to cease militarily unnecessary provocations and +establish genuine peace. 3) Make Iraq another Afghanistan, using the Republican +Right's own tactics against them. Response: Iraq is actually hostile territory +for al-Qaeda, and without Iraqi sympathizers it cannot succeed there. By moving +quickly to Iraqi sovereignty and improvement of Iraqi lives, the US may be able +to get Iraqis on its side, so that they turn in the foreigners. Certainly, the +Shiites already hate al-Qaeda and would help; likewise the Kurds. The problem of +mollifying the Sunnis, though, has to be solved to avoid giving al-Qaeda an +entrée. The Americans have to put away their free-market fetishism for a while +and find ways of creating jobs and pumping money into Iraqi households. We need +an FDR in Iraq, not a Ronald Reagan. Of course, the sooner the US soldiers can +be withdrawn in favor of less-provocative local or international forces, the +better. Getting the Spanish out of Iraq isn't nearly as good a rallying cry for +al-Qaeda in the Arab world as getting the Americans and British out. The thing +to keep in mind is that Sunni Arab nationalists and Baathists and local Sunni +radicals are likely to remain far more dangerous to the US in Iraq than al-Qaeda +infiltrators, and it would be dangerous to take one's eyes off the former ball. + +George W. Bush alleged Thursday that John Edwards lacks the experience necessary +to be president. The problem with this argument is that Bush lacked the +experience necessary to be president when he ran in 2000, so this sort of cheap +shot just hoists him by his own petard. Let's just remember a seminal Bush +moment in 1999: ' Bush fails reporter's pop quiz on international leaders +November 5, 1999 Web posted at: 3:29 p.m. EST (2029 GMT) WASHINGTON (CNN) -- +Texas Gov. George W. Bush is enduring sharp criticism for being unable to name +the leaders of four current world hot spots, but President Bill Clinton says +Bush "should, and probably will, pick up" those names. The front-runner for the +2000 Republican presidential nomination faltered Thursday in an international +affairs pop quiz posed by Andy Hiller, a political reporter for WHDH-TV in +Boston. Bush Hiller asked Bush to name the leaders of Chechnya, Taiwan, India +and Pakistan. Bush was only able to give a partial response to the query on the +leader of Taiwan, referring to Taiwanese President Lee Teng-hui simply as "Lee." +He could not name the others. "Can you name the general who is in charge of +Pakistan?" Hiller asked, inquiring about Gen. Pervaiz Musharraf, who seized +control of the country October 12. "Wait, wait, is this 50 questions?" asked +Bush. Hiller replied: "No, it's four questions of four leaders in four hot +spots." . . . Bush, in answering the question about the leader of Pakistan, also +said: "The new Pakistani general, he's just been elected -- not elected, this +guy took over office. It appears this guy is going to bring stability to the +country and I think that's good news for the subcontinent." Gore released a +statement Friday taking Bush to task for his comments on Pakistan's recent coup. +"I find it troubling that a candidate for president in our country -- the +world's oldest democracy -- would characterize the military takeover as "good +news," Gore said. "Further, I find it even more disturbing that he made these +comments about a nation that just last year tested nuclear weapons -- shortly +after voicing his public opposition to the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty. A +spokesman for President Clinton also criticized Bush's comments. "It is very +dangerous for this country to condone the overthrow of democratically elected +governments," said David Leavy, spokesman for the National Security Council. Not +only did Bush not know who General Pervez Musharraf was, he seems to have +confused coup-making with "taking office," and moreover went on to suggest that +the overthrow of an elected prime minister and the installation in power of the +Pakistan military, then the world's strongest supporter of the Taliban, would +bring "stability!" Musharraf made his coup in part because of the military's +anger over Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's willingness to back down from +confronting India over Kashmir, so that he explicitly came to power as a +warmonger. I can't tell you how ominous I found Bush's performance in that +interview. I still remember him stuttering about "the General," unable to +remember Musharraf's name. He obviously had no idea what he was talking about, +though he demonstrated a number of ill-fated instincts. He obviously liked +authoritarian rule better than democracy, equating dictatorship with +"stability." And, he didn't think he needed to know anything about South Asia, +with its nuclear giants and radical religious politics--the latter a dire +security threat to the US. He couldn't tell when things were becoming more +unstable as opposed to less. Musharraf went on to play nuclear brinkmanship with +India in 2002, risking war twice that year. Although Musharraf did turn against +the Taliban after September 11, under extreme duress from the US, elements of +his military continued to support radical Islamism and have recently been +implicated in assassination attempts on Musharraf himself. This was the body +that Bush proclaimed was bringing "stability" to the region in fall of 1999. So, +one answer to Bush's charge about Edwards is that if it had any merit, Bush +should have declined to run himself. Another answer is that Edwards certainly +knows far more about foreign affairs now than Bush did then. Indeed, given how +Bush has rampaged around the world alienating allies and ignoring vital +conflicts with the potential to blow back on the US, one might well argue that +Edwards knows more now than Bush does. This is what Edwards' campaign literature +said about his positions: "Edwards believes that the U.S. must be an active +leader to help resolve conflicts, from reducing tensions between India and +Pakistan to the peace process in Northern Ireland. Edwards is a strong supporter +of Israel, and believes that the U.S. has a vital role in promoting peace +between the Israelis and the Palestinians." I don't see Bush doing any of this. + +From Friday's Daily Star By Juan Cole Friday, June 04, 2004 As the American +public gradually wearies of the Iraq crisis, some have begun worrying that the +war could blow back on the US by creating the conditions for anti-American +terrorism. Israel, however, is much closer to Iraq and is likely to suffer from +Iraqi instability much more acutely than will the United States. Ironically, +among the strongest proponents of war in Iraq were Israeli Prime Minister Ariel +Sharon and his neoconservative supporters in the US. Have they, however, +actually weakened Israeli security? The biggest threat Israel faces is not from +conventional armies but from the asymmetrical tactics of Palestinian national +liberation movements. The derailing of the Oslo peace process by the hard-line +policies of Sharon and the Palestinian intifada has encouraged suicide bombings. +This, in turn, has discouraged international investment in Israel and has made +it less likely that immigrants to the country will actually remain there. +Although Israel withdrew from Lebanese territory in May 2000, the radical +Lebanese Shiite party, Hizbullah, has not been mollified. It is estimated to +have some 5,000 armed fighters, and they have pursued attacks against Israeli +forces to compel them to withdraw from the Shebaa Farms, a sliver of Syrian +territory that Israel annexed after the 1967 war. Any thorough assessment of the +impact of the Iraq war and its aftermath on Israel's security environment must, +therefore, closely examine its likely effect on the conduct of asymmetrical +warfare. Although it is often alleged (without much evidence) that Saddam +Hussein gave money to the families of Palestinian suicide bombers and so +encouraged asymmetrical warfare, it is not clear that he actually posed a danger +to Israel. The Palestinians who have been willing to kill themselves to end the +Israeli occupation of the Gaza Strip and the West Bank were not driven by +economic considerations. Saddam never did anything practical to help the +Palestinians. At some points, as in the late 1980s, he reportedly made +behind-the-scenes overtures to the Israelis to arrive at some sort of a deal. He +did not allow Palestinian radicals to launch operations against Israel from +Iraq. By the late 1990s, Iraq had no nuclear or biological weapons program, and +had destroyed its chemical weapons stockpiles. Its ramshackle army had virtually +collapsed before the American invasion in 2003. If it is hard to see how +Baathist Iraq posed any real threat to Israel, it is not so difficult to see a +menace in the current instability. The bungling of post-war Iraq by the Bush +administration created a weak and failed state. Armed militias, many staffed by +former Iraqi military men with substantial training and experience, have +proliferated. The US chose to ally itself with such groups as the Supreme +Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq, whose 15,000-strong Badr Corps +paramilitary was trained by the Iranian Revolutionary Guards. Anti-Israeli and +pro-Palestinian feeling is strong among several major Iraqi ideological groups +and currents. The more radical Shiites, who generally follow the theocratic +notions of Iran's Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, routinely chant and demonstrate +against Israel. They vehemently protested the Israeli assassination of Sheikh +Ahmed Yassin, the leader of Hamas, last March. Worse for Israel, the +assassination drew a denunciation even from the moderate and cautious Grand +Ayatollah Ali Sistani, who wields enormous moral authority over Iraqi Shiites. +These Shiite movements had been suppressed by Saddam Hussein's regime, but have +now organized and armed themselves. They have also reestablished their +historical links with Lebanese and Iranian Shiites. It is inevitable that most +Iraqi Shiites will side with their Hizbullah coreligionists against Israel, and +it seems likely that Iraqi Shiites will get rich enough from Iraqi petroleum +sales in the future that they will be in a good position to bankroll Lebanese +Shiite radicals. Sunni Arab fundamentalists deeply sympathize with the +Palestinians and with Hamas, and those in Iraq have deep historical inks with +fundamentalists in Jordan and Palestine. Iraqi cities such as Fallujah and +Ramadi were on the truck route from Amman to Baghdad, and so came under the +influence of the Salafi movement, which is popular in Jordan. Secular Arab +nationalist groups also universally sympathize with the Palestinians, and those +in post-Saddam Iraq are no exception. Whereas Saddam Hussein's dictatorship +ensured that such populist currents were kept firmly under control, they are now +free to organize. An Iraq in which armed fundamentalist and nationalist militias +proliferate is inevitably a security worry for Israel. If even a modicum of +normality and security can be returned to Iraq, its citizens will be able to +benefit from the country's petroleum reserves. That private wealth can easily be +funneled into aid for the Palestinians and for Lebanese Shiites. Israel's +security interests are best served by peace with its neighbors, which can only +be achieved by trading land for peace with the Palestinians. Ariel Sharon's +aggressive near annexation of almost half of the occupied West Bank and his +indefinite postponement of any Palestinian state have created unprecedented rage +and violence. The anger has spread throughout the Muslim world, including Iraq. +The promotion by the pro-Zionist right of twin occupations - in the West Bank +and in Iraq - has profoundly weakened, not strengthened, Israeli security. Juan +Cole (www.juancole.com) is a professor of modern Middle East history at the +University of Michigan and author of "Sacred Space and Holy War" (I.B. Tauris, +2002). THE DAILY STAR publishes this commentary in agreement with Agence Global + +Tamils feel that the proposed defense agreement between India and Sri Lanka +would encourage Sinhala rulers to prepare for another war abandoning the current +peace process But there are strong hints in the country that a new Indo-Sri +Lanka defense deal could be in the making. And this has already drawn protests +from the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) which was backed by the LTTE in the April +general elections held in Sri Lanka. Apart from the 1,200 Indian lives lost in +1987, the Indian peacekeeping force was immensely unpopular not only in Tamil +Nadu and the Jaffna peninsula but also among the Sinhalese majority who +considered it a violation of their country's sovereignty. India defensive over +Sri Lanka By Ranjit Devraj NEW DELHI - While India is ready to enter into a +"defense cooperation agreement" with Sri Lanka, it is wary of being drawn into +any military involvement in the island nation's two decades-old civil war that +has seen violent strife between ethnic Tamils and the Sinhalese majority - +leaving over 60,000 dead on both sides. And that explains the delay in the +signing of a formal defense agreement that was at the heart of Sri Lankan +President Chandrika Kumaratunga's four-day visit to India recently. According to +Professor S D Muni, South Asia expert at the Jawaharal Nehru University, the +two-year peace talks between Colombo and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam +(LTTE) are stalemated. For that reason, he said, Kumaratunga's government was +keen to beef up military preparedness with Indian support. "The Sri Lankan +government does not want to initiate a conflict but would be interested in +deterring the LTTE from starting one. And the Tigers look as if they are on the +brink of launching another offensive," Muni told IPS. Colombo held six rounds of +talks with the Tigers between September 2002 and March 2003. But last April, the +rebels abruptly pulled out of negotiations demanding recognition, first, for the +right to self-rule before proceeding any further. Kumaratunga's India tour +preceded a three-day visit to Sri Lanka by Norwegian Foreign Minister Jan +Petersen in a new bid to revive the peace talks that were supposed to follow a +ceasefire that Oslo successfully brokered in February 2002. Petersen held +discussions with both Kumaratunga and the reclusive LTTE leader Velupillai +Prabhakaran in the rebel stronghold of Kilinochchi without success, and chief +Tamil rebel negotiator Anton Balasingham and Norwegian envoy Erik Solheim held +closed-door talks at the international airport late Saturday in an effort to +keep the salvage effort on track, diplomatic sources said. But they, too, +failed. Colombo, too, seems to be in an intractable position. According to +former Indian army general A S Kalkat, the difficulty for Kumaratunga's +government lay in the fact that the LTTE had become a de jure power in the north +and east of the island and was running every aspect of civil administration in +the areas within its control. A veteran of India's military intervention in the +Jaffna peninsula to help implement the 1987 Indo-Sri Lanka Peace Accord - which +ambitiously provided for the disarming of the formidable LTTE - Kalkat said the +new defense deal would essentially be a reiteration of the older one minus its +military commitment. Kalkat, who currently chairs the independent US-based +International Council on Conflict Resolution, said despite the failure of the +Indian army to disarm or even subdue the Tigers, India remained the only power +capable of influencing the course of the current peace talks. "The Norwegians +mean well but their role is limited to that of honest broker and the LTTE is +keenly aware that they do not have the power [unlike India] to underwrite any +arrangement," Kalkat told IPS in an interview. In 1987, the Tamil Tigers +reluctantly accepted the peace accord under Indian pressure. Under the accord, a +new northeastern provincial council was formed and the Indian army was deployed +as peacekeepers in the north and east. However, differences between India and +LTTE soon surfaced and led to clashes between Tiger guerrillas and the Indian +peace keeping force. About 1,200 Indian soldiers were killed during this phase +of the conflict. India had to pull back its forces from Sri Lanka in 1989 +following the election of Ranasinghe Premadasa, a strong critic of Indian +mediation. Last June, an international initiative led by Japan to persuade the +LTTE to come back to the negotiating table failed despite an aid package offer +of US$4.5 billion. Japan's special envoy, Yasushi Akashi, who called for +tangible progress in the peace process before the money would be released, came +back from visits to Colombo and Kilinochchi in early November a frustrated man. +He complained about the "visible lack of progress" and reaching an impasse in +talks with both sides. The Tigers' chief ideologue, Balasingham, sniffed at the +proposal saying that "a solution to the ethnic conflict cannot be predetermined +by the resolutions or declarations of donor conferences, but has to be +negotiated by the parties in conflict without the constraints of external +forces." But there are strong hints in the country that a new Indo-Sri Lanka +defense deal could be in the making. And this has already drawn protests from +the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) which was backed by the LTTE in the April +general elections held in Sri Lanka. "Tamils feel that the proposed defense +agreement between India and Sri Lanka would encourage Sinhala rulers to prepare +for another war abandoning the current peace process," TNA member of parliament +P Sithamparanathan was quoted as saying in a statement. She added that recent +visits to the island by India's top military brass including army chief General +Nirmal Chander Vij have "caused apprehension among Tamils that preparations are +under way for another war in the island". But Kalkat pointed out that India +would be ill-advised to be involved again, militarily, with Sri Lanka if only +because it still had to consider the sentiments of 45 million ethnic Tamils in +the Indian state of Tamil Nadu - separated from Sri Lanka's Jaffna peninsula by +the narrow Palk Straits. Apart from the 1,200 Indian lives lost in 1987, the +Indian peacekeeping force was immensely unpopular not only in Tamil Nadu and the +Jaffna peninsula but also among the Sinhalese majority who considered it a +violation of their country's sovereignty. The best option, now, under the +present difficult circumstances is for Colombo to do its own dirty work, +although New Delhi can always be counted on to render good neighborly help +because of the shared belief that religion, ethnicity and language cannot be the +basis for secession. In any case, Kalkat puts it succinctly: "There cannot be a +military option to what is a political situation." Asia Times Online 16/11/2004 + +Unreported by the international media, the Valley of Kashmir has seen an ethnic +and cultural genocide that has resulted in the fleeing from the valley of almost +all the Hindu families who have been living there since human habitation was +first recorded. Over nine dozen temples that had served the Hindu population +have been destroyed, with some used as building material and others as urinals. +Thus far, none of the many "human rights" busybodies across the world have +bothered to even notice such a development. Musharraf calls the bluff M.D. +Nalapat While most U.S. secretaries of state -- save perhaps Dean Rusk -- have +gobbled up credit for outcomes that they had little to do with, few have been as +brazen as Colin Powell. Two years ago, Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf was +surprised when the leader of the main Islamist alliance -- Maulana Fazlur Rahman +-- visited India and issued a series of highly conciliatory statements. As +Pakistan's president had been telling the United States he was "forced" into +taking a hawkish line on India precisely by the likes of Rahman, this was an +embarrassment. The reality is that India is no longer the enemy of choice for +the people of Pakistan. That distinction has now gone to the United States. +Realists, and this even includes members of the U.S. Democratic foreign policy +establishment such as Strobe Talbott, who have long sought to divest India of +its defensive capability against another nuclear power in Asia, understand the +only feasible solution for Kashmir is the acceptance of the status quo. India +keeps what it has while Pakistan and China (which was gifted a slice of the +territory three decades ago) do likewise. Simultaneously, New Delhi would ensure +a degree of autonomy for the state that would help cut popular support off from +jihadis attempting to convert Kashmir into a second Afghanistan. Bill Clinton +understood this at the end of his term in office yet, under Colin Powell (who +appears to have an affinity for generals active in politics), the pendulum of +U.S. policy has once again swung toward a quixotic effort to prize at least the +Valley of Kashmir loose from India. This, Pakistan's lobbyist in Washington +Christina Rocca has been told, is the "minimum" that the Pakistan army will +accept. It is also far more than what any administration in New Delhi can +deliver. This writer has for years regarded the best solution to the Kashmir +problem as being the trifurcation of the Indian part of the state into a +Hindu-majority Jammu, a Buddhist-dominated Ladakh and the overwhelmingly Muslim +Kashmir Valley, with the third state given little of taxpayers' money but +substantial autonomy. With luck, the Kashmir Valley can attract investment from +the Middle East and other locations where Muslims are dominant and become a +tourist, education and services haven within India. The overwhelming majority of +Muslims in Kashmir would be happy with such an outcome, except for the tiny +jihadi segment patronized by the U.S. State Department and the Pakistan Army, +which would like to even the score with India for their catastrophic defeat in +Bangladesh in 1971. Unreported by the international media, the Valley of Kashmir +has seen an ethnic and cultural genocide that has resulted in the fleeing from +the valley of almost all the Hindu families who have been living there since +human habitation was first recorded. Over nine dozen temples that had served the +Hindu population have been destroyed, with some used as building material and +others as urinals. Thus far, none of the many "human rights" busybodies across +the world have bothered to even notice such a development. Indeed, their reports +are filled with tales of the "atrocities" of Indian troops on the innocent +jihadis. Despite Sept. 11, the United States still supports the Kashmir groups +that back jihad as part of the price Washington is paying to keep Pervez +Musharraf happy. Unfortunately for them, the general has decided to take +seriously Colin Powell's frequent boasts that it was on his nudging that the +Indians made conciliatory gestures toward Islamabad. The U.S. State Department +and the misnamed think tanks that follow its lead have held numerous conferences +on Kashmir and, in most of them, the solution that has emerged is a valley +prized loose from Indian control and under its own version of Ibrahim Rugova. +That India is not Yugoslavia and that the "foreigner-led" Indian National +Congress can least afford to ignore Indian nationalism, has not struck the +conferees, among whom have been several Indian "scholars" and "analysts" ready +to say and endorse anything for the sake of a free trip to New York or Vienna. +Despite many wrinkles, India remains a part-democracy and merely signing on to a +piece of paper that calls for an independent Kashmir does not get you into the +trouble that writing an op-ed piece against Sonia Gandhi or Atal Behari Vajpayee +would instantly. It was the business community in India that stepped in after +Vajpayee indulged in an empty bout of saber rattling in 2002, pointing out that +the only beneficiary of the mythical perception that war -- especially nuclear +war -- was around the corner in the subcontinent was China. The reason for this +is that India is emerging as an alternative investment destination to China, +hence the favor that the generals in Islamabad do to their trusty supplier of +nukes and missiles by creating a scare about war involving India when in fact +the real flashpoints are the Taiwan Straits and North Korea. Since then, India +has talked peace while always signaling that only the status quo would be +acceptable as a final settlement: a line of action that is followed in the case +of disputes with China as well. Unfortunately for those eager to indefinitely +carry on with the lucrative business of conflict resolution in South Asia, +Pervez Musharraf has now called Colin Powell's bluff, challenging him to deliver +on his frequent statements implying that the Indians jump to his commands. Once +the Manmohan Singh government shows that it has little appetite for suicide, +Musharraf will face the moment of truth: accept the inevitable, or once again +ramp up the insurgency and spawn a fresh lot of killers that can hit not merely +Mumbai and New Delhi but London and Chicago as well. The one country that has +shown that it understands the realities in South Asia is China. Under President +Hu Jintao, Beijing has opened out to New Delhi and Prime Minister Wen Jiabao is +expected to visit early next year, making friends by formally accepting Sikkim +as part of India and backing India as a permanent member of the U.N. Security +Council -- thus leaving Washington as the only one of the "permanent five" that +has not yet done so. With Colin Powell around, the U.S. has no need of an Osama +bin Laden M.D. Nalapat, an expert on jihad, is professor of geopolitics at the +Manipal Academy of Higher Education, India. Washington Times 28/10/2004 + +Ok. We all know that John Kerry served in Vietnam. Four whole months, after +which he took advantage of a little-known, little-invoked regulation that +allowed him to desert his "band of brothers". We also know how Dan Rather +libeled George Bush and impugned his service in the Texas Air National Guard on +a "60 Minutes II" report based largely on forged documents. During his time in +the Guard, George Bush flew the F-102 Delta Dagger fighter-interceptor. The +F-102 saw service in the Vietnam theater between March 1962 and December 1969. +During this time, F-102 squadrons were based out of Tan Son Nhut, Da Nang and +Bien Hoa in Vietnam, and Udorn and Don Muang in Thailand. ( Click here for +source. ) As far as George Bush knew, he and his unit could have been +transferred to Vietnam. In all this so-called controversy, has anyone considered +that perhaps George Bush just wanted to fly jets? And, let's remember, flying +supersonic fighter jets is dangerous! They don't let just anybody do it. Some +reporters (you know, the ones with journalistic ethics) have actually uncovered +the truth about George Bush's service in the Texas Air National Guard. For +example, did you know that George Bush spent considerably more time in uniform +than John Kerry? What follows is the text of an e-mail sent to me by a friend of +mine (thanks to Dave Manzano). Read on to learn the facts. --------- Bush’s +National Guard years Before you fall for Dems’ spin, here are the facts What do +you really know about George W. Bush’s time in the Air National Guard? That he +didn’t show up for duty in Alabama? That he missed a physical? That his daddy +got him in? News coverage of the president’s years in the Guard has tended to +focus on one brief portion of that time — to the exclusion of virtually +everything else. So just for the record, here, in full, is what Bush did: The +future president joined the Guard in May 1968. Almost immediately, he began an +extended period of training. Six weeks of basic training. Fifty-three weeks of +flight training. Twenty-one weeks of fighter-interceptor training. That was 80 +weeks to begin with, and there were other training periods thrown in as well. It +was full-time work. By the time it was over, Bush had served nearly two years. +Not two years of weekends. Two years. After training, Bush kept flying, racking +up hundreds of hours in F-102 jets. As he did, he accumulated points toward his +National Guard service requirements. At the time, guardsmen were required to +accumulate a minimum of 50 points to meet their yearly obligation. According to +records released earlier this year, Bush earned 253 points in his first year, +May 1968 to May 1969 (since he joined in May 1968, his service thereafter was +measured on a May-to-May basis). Bush earned 340 points in 1969-1970. [In other +words, Bush earned enough points to satisfy the requirements for his entire six +year hitch in 1969-1970 alone. - acd] He earned 137 points in 1970-1971. And he +earned 112 points in 1971-1972. The numbers indicate that in his first four +years, Bush not only showed up, he showed up a lot. Did you know that? That +brings the story to May 1972 — the time that has been the focus of so many news +reports — when Bush “deserted” (according to anti-Bush filmmaker Michael Moore) +or went “AWOL” (according to Terry McAuliffe, chairman of the Democratic +National Committee). Bush asked for permission to go to Alabama to work on a +Senate campaign. His superior officers said OK. Requests like that weren’t +unusual, says retired Col. William Campenni, who flew with Bush in 1970 and +1971. “In 1972, there was an enormous glut of pilots,” Campenni says. “The +Vietnam War was winding down, and the Air Force was putting pilots in desk jobs. +In ’72 or ’73, if you were a pilot, active or Guard, and you had an obligation +and wanted to get out, no problem. In fact, you were helping them solve their +problem.” So Bush stopped flying. From May 1972 to May 1973, he earned just 56 +points — not much, but enough to meet his requirement. Then, in 1973, as Bush +made plans to leave the Guard and go to Harvard Business School, he again +started showing up frequently. In June and July of 1973, he accumulated 56 +points, enough to meet the minimum requirement for the 1973-1974 year. Then, at +his request, he was given permission to go. Bush received an honorable discharge +after serving five years, four months and five days of his original six-year +commitment. By that time, however, he had accumulated enough points in each year +to cover six years of service. During his service, Bush received high marks as a +pilot. A 1970 evaluation said Bush “clearly stands out as a top notch fighter +interceptor pilot” and was “a natural leader whom his contemporaries look to for +leadership.” A 1971 evaluation called Bush “an exceptionally fine young officer +and pilot” who “continually flies intercept missions with the unit to increase +his proficiency even further.” And a 1972 evaluation called Bush “an exceptional +fighter interceptor pilot and officer.” Now, it is only natural that news +reports questioning Bush’s service — in The Boston Globe and The New York Times, +on CBS and in other outlets — would come out now. Democrats are spitting mad +over attacks on John Kerry’s record by the group Swift Boat Veterans for Truth. +And, as it is with Kerry, it’s reasonable to look at a candidate’s entire +record, including his military service — or lack of it. Voters are perfectly +able to decide whether it’s important or not in November. The Kerry camp blames +Bush for the Swift boat veterans’ attack, but anyone who has spent much time +talking to the Swifties gets the sense that they are doing it entirely for their +own reasons. And it should be noted in passing that Kerry has personally +questioned Bush’s service, while Bush has not personally questioned Kerry’s. In +April — before the Swift boat veterans had said a word — Kerry said Bush “has +yet to explain to America whether or not, and tell the truth, about whether he +showed up for duty.” Earlier, Kerry said, “Just because you get an honorable +discharge does not, in fact, answer that question.” Now, after the Swift boat +episode, the spotlight has returned to Bush. That’s fine. We should know as much +as we can. And perhaps someday Kerry will release more of his military records +as well. Byron York is a White House correspondent for National Review. His +column appears in The Hill each week. + +One week to elections day and the general atmosphere in the capital is eerie, +yet strikingly familiar. I suspect the streets of Baghdad will look as if a war +is looming this week. There is no doubt that many Iraqis regard the date of 30 +January as a day of renewed hope, one they have been awaiting all their lives, +but at the same time, many others are already dreading it. The interim +government has promised security measures that would reduce the violence on the +day of elections, but I fail to see how they will be able to protect all 5,000 +(or so) balloting centres. Many voting centres have already been successfully +attacked or destroyed in many areas. Now that the picture is clear, the two main +competing lists seem to be the United Iraqi Coalition list and Allawi's +Al-Iraqiya list. Ayad Allawi, and other ministers running on his list, have +quite expectedly used their governmental positions in campaigning. One minister +reportedly handed out 100 dollar 'gifts' to journalists attending a press +conference for Allawi, a practice that brings back bad memories to many Iraqis. +Sheikh Naji Al-Abbudi, a spokesman for Sistani, affirmed the claims that the +Grand Ayatollah is backing the United Iraqi Coalition list. Indeed, Sistani's +agents all over the country have been quite active in educating Iraqi Shia on +the merits of elections, which has led to the assassination of at least two of +them. Al-Abbudi stated that "His Emminence" decided to openly support the list +because "others" (obviously a reference to Allawi) have been abusing official +state positions and media outlets in their campaigning. Again there is no +official written statement from Sistani's office confirming this allegation, +which I think is intentional. Ahmed Al-Chalabi and defense minister Hazim +Al-Sha'lan have been engaging in shrill public attacks over the media. Chalabi +describing Sha'lan as a "Ba'athist" and a "former double agent for Saddam and +the CIA", while Sha'lan dismisses Chalabi as a "thief" and an "Iranian stooge +who longs for his own origins by defending Iran". One remark made by Sha'lan on +Al-Arabiya TV, that he couldn't say more about Chalabi because he would +embarrass himself and the viewers almost made me roll on the floor. It was an +extremely amusing episode, watching Chalabi looking smug and amused, contrasted +with Sha'lan, all serious and barely keeping himself from swearing. Fistfights, +please. Hazim Al-Sha'lan, by the way, is the son of the late Sheikh of +Al-Khaza'il in Diwaniya and has the potential to replace former information +minister, M.S. Al-Sahaf, in his nonsensical media statements, which can be +passed as jokes. The main Kurdish coalition list (PUK and KDP) is barely +mentioned outside the Kurdish region. Even there, many Kurds look and act as if +they are going to grab the chance to vote them out of power. I doubt that will +be the outcome though. Many Iraqis, including conservative and religious Iraqis, +are surprisingly rooting for the Iraqi Communist party, probably in an attempt +to counter the influence of Islamists in the forthcoming National Assembly. The +Communist party has the largest number of registered party members in the +country and can be considered as the oldest popular political party in Iraq. Its +support base is much larger than what it seems. *** Several candidates were +assassinated and targeted these last two weeks, others have been forced under +threats to withdraw and to follow the example of the Islamic party. Sectarian +tensions are at their highest since April, 2004, with Sunni insurgents now +openly attacking Husseiniyas and Shia mosques. I had an interesting conversation +with a middle-aged taxi driver who used to live in Fallujah and is now at +relatives in Amiriya, Baghdad. After asking me which tribe I belong to (thus +assessing my sectarian background) he started hurling abuses at the Shia, +calling them Persians, Majoos (fire worshippers), rabid dogs and a handful of +other descriptions that I can't mention here. He described Allawi's face as that +of a f*ed horse and he dismissed the whole government as a band of thieves and +traitors. I didn't argue with him but I asked him what he believed would be a +viable solution to this mess. He said that resistance was the only commonsense +solution. First driving out the Americans, then fighting the Shia back into +submission (as in 1991). Sunni Iraqis contend that elections are impossible to +hold under occupation. Leaving aside the fact that this views conflicts with +other historical examples in the region, Sunnis have never offered an +alternative choice, which eventually leads one to guess that the opinion held by +the Fallujan taxi driver above is precisely what they are planning to implement. +I had another conversation some months ago with a retired Ba'athist old-timer +who claimed that Ba'athists have the means to stage a third coup d'etat and +return to power within 10 hours of an American withdrawal. On sensing my +incredulity to his statement he asserted that Ba'athist cells exist in all parts +of the country and that they do have a central command, even though many have +formed seperate cells (often under Islamic labels) with their own leaderships. +He said that they have the training and the funding as well as the support of +neighbouring and regional governments. I concur that Ba'athists and former +security forces are capable of immediately controlling at least 5 out of 18 +governorates, along with the capital, if Americans are to be removed from the +picture entirely. But I also see that as a fatal misconception, which is doing +Sunnis harm, because I don't believe the US is going anywhere so soon. Any +government that assumes power after the elections also realises this, so not +even Sistani is going to call the US to withdraw its troops, despite what he is +saying now, not until they are ensured the insurgency is out of the picture, or +that they have an alternative foreign power (in this case Iran) to back them up. +The only hope now is that, following the elections, the National Assembly would +offer the hand of peace and reconciliation to the dissenting parties. I would +suggest going for tribal Sheikhs rather than clerics, since they have the upper +hand in their areas and can effectively root out any Ba'athists in their midst +in return for a promise of sharing power and authority. Many of these Sheikhs +have been disenfranchised and abused over the last two years. Very recently, US +forces in Al-Anbar made a terrible blunder by accidentally killing Abdul-Razaq +Inad Al-Gu'ud, Sheikh of the Al-Bu Nimr clan from the powerful Dulaym tribe. +Al-Gu'ud had favoured elections and was in good terms with the government. The +Gu'ud family even accepted to be offered the seat of Al-Anbar governor some +months back. The Al-Bu Nimr in Ramadi and Al-Qaim rose in arms against Saddam in +the mid-nineties following the execution of Thamir Madhlum Al-Dulaymi, an Air +Force general belonging to their tribe. The revolt took two weeks to be +suppressed by the Republican Guard. Another bad step was the recent arrest of +Sheikh Hassan Al-Lihabi, of the Lihaib tribe which is scattered between the +governorates of Al-Anbar, Mosul and Salah Al-Din. Al-Lihaibi was running in +elections and is now said to have withdrawn following this incident. I believe +national reconciliation to be the only path forward to a new Iraq. The Shia +cannot live without the Sunnis, and vice versa. Both have shared this country +for the last 14 centuries and there is no possible way that one can live without +the other. Even partition is not a possibility, there are no clear borders +between the two. + +Remember Luis Posada Carriles ? Here's a Miami Herald interview with the relaxed +terrorist and former CIA operative in a luxury condo, published yesterday. ("At +first I hid a lot. I thought the US government was looking for me. Now I hide a +lot less.") Because of such talk, Posada has been taken into custody by +Immigration officials. I can't imagine they wanted to do this. Authorities would +likely have been happy answering questions about Posada's whereabouts with an +indefinite shrug. As recently as last week the official line stated they had no +knowledge he had entered the country. But comfortable among the thugs, Posada +overplayed his hand and embarrassed his old patron, the US government. And +though he'd been a faithful servant, he was not such a player that he could get +away with that. He should have taken a cue from another bomber some pesky +dark-skinned foreigners want extradited, CIA operative Michael Meiring. Posada +should have told any inquisitive journalist at his doorstep something like +Meiring told the single American reporter who bothered following his bloody +trail from the Philippines, that "If this harms me in any way, you will find my +power then, and you'll find out who I am." But then, maybe that wouldn't have +saved him either, because Posada is not Meiring. Posada can be given up, but +Meiring can't. Meiring's crimes are fresh, and wave the false flag which is the +"War on Terror." They happened in the Philippines which, like Pakistan, is an +important and vulnerable node for the business which intelligence agencies and +terrorist organizations conduct with each other. (Ask Terry Nichols about the +Philippines.) The bombings implicated Muslims, and exacerbated regional tensions +which the Bush regime and its friends wearing the brass in the Philippine +military sought to exploit. Posada's crimes, on the other hand, must seem like +ancient history, especially to a people who don't know their history. And to +those who don't even know their crimes, not even that. But will Posada be given +up? I doubt he will be extradited to Venezuela, which is the only way that +question could be answered with a Yes. I expect it will be determined that, +under "Strong Man" Hugo Chavez, Posada could not be guaranteed a fair trial. The +hope may be that Posada can soon be offered to a post-Chavez Allawi-like puppet +in Caracas. Whether such an offer were accepted or declined would make no +difference; justice would not be served then. But Posada's nearly 80 years old, +and the Venezuelan people will ensure that's a vain hope. So instead Posada may +be held indefinitely, in comfortable custody. An embarrassment to the US still, +just not as embarrassing as having the old killer strut about Miami, gloating in +his freedom. Meiring is more than an embarrassment. His case threatens the +consensus fiction of the "War on Terror." So his name will remain unspoken. +Another connection to Philippine terror and weapons smuggling- dating from the +1980s- is alleged in the book Disposable Patriot, by Jack Terrell. Terrell, a +CIA asset originally recruited for the Contra effort, identifies the man +attempting to recruit him into the Philippine scheme as Oliver North...I seem to +recall the object was to smuggle explosives. +http://www.amazon.ca/exec/obidos/ASIN/0915765381/701-3377456-8181939 I've read +the book- it's a first person memoir with the ring of truth, especially since so +much of the wider context has confirmed the allegations of Contra drug +connections that led to Terrell becoming a target for discrediting by the TWIG +counterintelligence group that ran interference for the Contra effort, staffed +by covert ops types including Ollie North, Robert Owen, Vince Cannistaro and +Buck Revell. Peter Dale Scott includes an account of how Terrell's +whistleblowing was stifled by them in his book Cocaine Politics. ... same ole, +same ole... Due to the Judge in the 1983 case ruling that a CIA agent could not +testify using a pseudonym, therefore opening him to cross-examination by Wilson, +the prosecution had a problem. They needed someone that could convince the jury +they had been able to see all relevant documents in CIA files on Wilson. Wilson +was claiming that he had been working for the CIA when he sold the C-4 to +Quaddaffi. The prosecution was charging he was a rogue using his contacts from +former service in both CIA and the 'Office of Naval Intelligence'. Wilson had +been able to show that he'd had more than 80 "non-social contacts" with the CIA +since his retirement in 1971, leaving the prosecution's case in turmoil. Then +Charles A. Briggs came to the rescue. Third ranking CIA officer, Briggs signed a +declaration on February 3rd, 1983, that on November 8th, 1982, he had authorized +a search of CIA records "for any material that in any way pertains to Edwin P. +Wilson, or the various allegations concerning his activities after February +28th, 1971, when he retired from the CIA." The Briggs Declaration states that +with one exception in 1972, Wilson did not work "directly or indirectly" for the +CIA since retiring. http://www.disinfo.com/archive/pages/dossier/id334/pg1/ Last +week, Federal District Judge Lynn Hughes in Huston, Texas, threw out Wilson's +two-decades old conviction. Judge Hughes wrote: `government knowingly used false +evidence against him,' concluding `honesty comes hard to government.' +http://www.bigeye.com/111003.htm +http://www.thekcrachannel.com/news/4503872/detail.html looks like it is rearing +its head again in Louisianna.. Former Pastor, Deputy Implicated In Church Child +Sex Abuse PONCHATOULA, La. -- Sheriff's deputies in Louisiana made a third +arrest Wednesday in the ongoing investigation of a case involving allegations of +sexual abuse of children and animals at a Ponchatoula, La., church. Austin Aaron +Bernard III, 36, was arrested on a charge of aggravated rape of a child under +the age of 13. Police said Bernard confessed to detectives that he had sex with +a young girl in November 2002 and admitted to knowing about sexual acts +involving children and a dog that occurred at Hosanna Church. Tangipahoa Parish +sheriff's deputy Christopher Blair Labat, 24, was booked Tuesday on one count of +aggravated rape and one count of crime against nature. On Monday, Louis +Lamonica, 45, the former pastor of Hosanna Church, was booked with two counts of +aggravated rape and one count of crime against nature after he walked in to the +Livingston Parish Sheriff's Office and said he could implicate others in a +situation at the church that reportedly occurred two years ago. We have a +similar case unravelling up here in the northwest with a murder of a family and +missing children taken for some purpose. If I was Rummy I'd send Posada to Iraq +to blow things up there. yeah, "things"... Yesterday evening, the Posada story +was featured in the public television news show in Germany (ARD, Tagesthemen). +The newly released papers, showing him complicit in the airliner bombing, were +mentioned gandalf Now that's a post I can relate to. You really got me thinking, +I enjoy reading this blog. I don't know how others feel, but I'm definitely +looking into immigration to Canada as an option. The good ól US of A aint what +it used to be. 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The Only Catch Is That You HAVE To Have An Income ABOVE $21,000...... +And......You HAVE To Follow The Easy Instructions Provided To You. +Get-A-Free-House.com + ++ As the implications of the Andaman Islands situation sink in, Indian +intelligence has inevitably come under scrutiny. In recent months, its +fallibility has become evident. The inability to foresee in advance the +assassination attempt on the pro-India political leader and former Bangladeshi +prime minister Sheikh Hasina Wazed last August 21 at a political rally in Dhaka, +and the recent "coup" by Nepalese King Gyanendra dismissing his government and +imposing a virtual absolute monarchy, are glaring examples of intelligence +failure. + Trouble on India's islands Ramtanu Maitra In early February, India +charged 34 Arakan separatists from Myanmar with hiding in the Landfall Islands, +part of the Andaman Islands group (see end note). These alleged members of the +Arakan Army, the military wing of the National Unity Party in Myanmar, have been +charged with illegal entry. It is likely, but not certain, that they will be +deported to Myanmar. But the news of the Arakan rebels is just the tip of the +iceberg when it comes to growing concern in New Delhi over the security of the +Andaman Islands. Reports are circulating in the intelligence community that the +Andaman Islands are not only thick with Myanmar rebels. It has also become an +arms depot of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), who operate almost +freely in the Andaman Sea. Information pointing in this direction came to light +after the December 26 tsunami, which took a heavy toll on the Andamans. +Correspondents who flocked in to cover the tsunami found they also had another +story - the miserable security situation surrounding the Indian navy's Far +Eastern Naval Command, now being established along with India's "blue water +navy". Deteriorating security Security problems in the Andaman Sea are not new, +but they have deteriorated during the past few years, in tandem with a +deterioration in the security situation in Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan, and +particularly in the northeastern Indian states of Manipur, Nagaland and Tripura. +While the Indian army has become rock-solid in the western front, and has +developed the capability of withstanding any Pakistani adventure in that sector, +it has become highly vulnerable in its eastern sector, where its enemy is not a +national army but a multitude of secessionist, terrorist and drug-running +militants operating between Southeast Asia and northeastern India through +Bangladesh. The Andaman Sea is a major conduit for this traffic, and the 572 +large and small islands that constitute the Andaman and Nicobar group are a +natural transit base. The drugs and arms travel in all directions. Since the +"Sea Tigers" of the LTTE, better known as the Tamil Tigers, are the ones who +rule the Andaman Sea: they carry the arms and drugs for their own use and also +to deliver to rebels in Aceh and all along the east coast of Africa. It is old +news that the Tamil Tigers have developed a strong network within South Africa. +This is not unknown to New Delhi. A recent report by a journalist from Port +Blair, in the Andamans, quoted an unnamed official saying that foreigners from +Myanmar, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka have permanently settled in the islands, using +fake Indian ration cards, while citizens of Thailand, China, Indonesia and +Malaysia have migrated temporarily to plunder the natural resources and leave. +"Port Blair, Havelock Islands, Diglipur, Middle Nicobar, Campbell's Bay, Neil +Islands and Rangott are mostly overrun by foreigners," he said. An official +estimate issued in 2003 suggests there are 50,000 "foreigners" in the Andaman +Islands, but unofficial figures are much higher than this. A large number of +them are Bangladeshis, who like millions of their countrymen have left their +densely populated homeland to settle elsewhere. As most of them have few +technical skills, and the Andamans have little demand for them in any case, they +turn to smuggling and other unlawful activities. The presence of the Sea Tigers +in the area with guns, cash and drugs makes the situation extremely dangerous. +Reports from Port Blair make it evident that New Delhi gets little on-the-ground +intelligence, and the Indian Coast Guard is grossly unequipped to deal with the +surge of illegal migrants to the islands. One unnamed naval officer was quoted +saying, "Arms smuggling is a very profitable business in this region." +Considering the islands' huge strategic importance, it is amazing how lax New +Delhi has been. These islands sit aside the vital sea lanes of the Strait of +Malacca, through which 300 tankers and merchant ships pass daily, bringing in +oil for the Far East and Southeast Asia. Intelligence lapses As the implications +of the Andaman Islands situation sink in, Indian intelligence has inevitably +come under scrutiny. In recent months, its fallibility has become evident. The +inability to foresee in advance the assassination attempt on the pro-India +political leader and former Bangladeshi prime minister Sheikh Hasina Wazed last +August 21 at a political rally in Dhaka, and the recent "coup" by Nepalese King +Gyanendra dismissing his government and imposing a virtual absolute monarchy, +are glaring examples of intelligence failure. With growing economic and military +power, India will be dependent on smaller nations in the region increasingly to +maintain regional security. Unless New Delhi does better in providing security +to its own nationals against rebels, secessionists, drug runners and arms +traffickers, it will not generate much confidence in the capitals of surrounding +nations. In fact, it would tend to encourage more organized anti-India outfits, +such as the Pakistani Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and outside-linked +Maoists, to exploit these networks and weaken India's eastern flank. Indian +intelligence's lackluster performance in dealing with the LTTE is startling. +This formidable enemy, which gave the Indian army a black eye in the mid-1980s, +has been operating in northeastern India and in the Andaman Sea for a long time. +In 2001, according to Indian army officials, security forces launched a +wide-ranging operation in the 300-some inhabited islands neighboring Andaman and +Nicobar, and found huge caches of arms. The arms were said to belong to the LTTE +and "other terrorist groups". The search-and-destroy operation was carried out +by the Indian government after repeated requests from Colombo. In addition, LTTE +activity in the Andaman Sea is well known to local observers. The biggest LTTE +maritime disaster was reported in the now-defunct Asiaweek in 2001. A shipment +of weapons, ammunition and explosives, believed to have been purchased from +Cambodia and worth several million dollars, left the port of Phuket in Thailand +in early February 2001 aboard the freighter Comex-Joux 3. As is LTTE standard +procedure, the vessel changed its name at sea to Horizon. On its journey across +the Bay of Bengal the freighter was tracked by the Indian navy and Orissa-based +spy planes of India's Aviation Research Center; it was intercepted by Indian +naval vessels off Sri Lanka's east coast. LTTE arms-running In 1997, the Thai +navy reported the interception of a 16-meter boat after a chase off the Thai +port of Ranong, and the confiscation of two tons of weapons and ammunition. +Among the weapons intercepted were two rocket-propelled-grenade launchers, 20 +assault rifles, M-79 grenade launchers and more than 10,000 rounds of +ammunition. Four persons were arrested, reportedly belonging to the Manipur +Revolutionary People's Front. Six crew members were from the Arakan region of +Myanmar. The boat was heading toward Cox's Bazar in Bangladesh. Until 1995 the +LTTE maintained a base at Twante, an island off the coat of Myanmar, west of the +Andaman islands. Subsequently, Phuket became the LTTE's main backup base. A Sri +Lanka-born Tamil with a Norwegian passport was arrested by Thai authorities in +2000 for his links with the LTTE. At the time of his arrest, the suspect was +allegedly involved in constructing a "submarine" in a shipyard on the island of +Sirae near Phuket on the Andaman Sea coast. Steady buildup The real threat to +the Andaman Islands is the steady building-up of ports and conduits that serve +the Tamil Tigers and a host of less-strong militant groups. Over the past +decade, Bangladesh has steadily moved into a state of lawlessness. A number of +extremist groups, under the cover of the Islamist movement, have become active +in drug trafficking, gun running and anti-Indian activities. It is widely +acknowledged that the Pakistani ISI has nurtured a number of extremist Islamist +groups, such as the Harkat-ul-Jehad-al-Islami, in the port city of Chittagong, +and put a number of secessionist rebels from India's northeast in touch with +this terrorist network. As a result, north of the Andaman Islands, Bangladeshi +coastal areas have become a nest of terrorists involved in the shipment of drugs +and arms. A pattern of arrests and seizures indicate that arms are brought by +the LTTE from Laos, Cambodia and Thailand into Chittagong, from where they are +transported northward by land to Bhutan. The route from Kalikhola in Bhutan to +Cox's Bazar passes through northern Bengal, Assam and Meghalaya, and on into +Chittagong. Note India's Andaman and Nicobar Islands comprise more than 500 +islands lying 1,000 kilometers east of Sri Lanka in the Bay of Bengal. +Stretching 750 kilometers from end to end, they reach from near the coast of +Myanmar almost to Sumatra in Indonesia. The Ten Degree Channel divides the +Andamans, which are the larger and more heavily populated northern islands, from +the 20 or so Nicobar Islands in the south. On South Andaman, the most heavily +populated island, is Port Blair, which is the capital and the only large town in +the entire archipelago. Travel to the Nicobar Islands is forbidden to +non-Indians, and they are also not allowed in some parts of South Andaman +Island. Ramtanu Maitra writes for a number of international journals and is a +regular contributor to the Washington-based EIR and the New Delhi-based Indian +Defense Review. He also writes for Aakrosh, India's defense-tied quarterly +journal. + +[ Karzai also has to deal with the stepped up rivalry between India and Pakistan +in Afghanistan. Islamabad accuses New Delhi of using its consulates in Kandahar +and Jalalabad to train Balochi insurgents who are active in Pakistani +Balochistan. Pakistani officials claim there are as many as 42 RAW agents based +in Kandahar and another 12 in Jalalabad. “There have no business being there +unless they are undermining Pakistan,’’ says a Pakistani official. Both India +and Afghanistan deny the claim. ‘’Should Pakistan show us any evidence of an +Indian hand using Afghan soil to work against our neighbours we will take it +very seriously,” says Amrullah Saleh the head of Afghanistan’s National Security +Directorate. ] Karzai, Musharraf new regional equations KABUL: For the past 25 +years landlocked Afghanistan has suffered from constant interference from its +neighbours - Pakistan, Iran and the Central Asian Republics - and regional +powers -Russia and India. The neighbours are still interfering, but there are +signs that rather than undermining Afghanistan’s stability they may now be +trying to strengthen it. “The elections should be a reassurance to all our +neighbours that a stable Afghanistan, a peaceful Afghanistan is good for all. +Nobody should feel a looser in Afghanistan,’’ President Hamid Karzai told +Pakistan’s English daily The Nation. All the regional countries have publicly +backed the Karzai government and supported the electoral process, but serious +undercurrents remain as they all have their favourite contenders in Afghanistan. +Since September 11, Pakistan has been repeatedly accused by Afghan and Western +leaders of harbouring Taliban extremists who had pledged to disrupt the +elections, but at the highest level the US has avoided criticising President +Pervaiz Musharraf on the grounds that he is helping the US catch Al Qaeda +elements inside Pakistan. That changed on September 22 when President George W. +Bush, Musharraf and Karzai held a three way meeting in New York on the sidelines +of the UN General Assembly. The meeting was pushed together by the CIA and the +US Defence Department who were desperately anxious to secure a peaceful election +in Afghanistan and the non-interference of alleged Pakistani backed Taliban. +Western and Afghan diplomats intimately involved with the meeting, said Bush +pushed Musharraf hard on reigning in the Taliban so the elections could take +place peacefully. ‘’Where are Mullah Omar, Mullah Usmani and Gulbuddin +Hikmetar?’’ Bush is reported to have asked a flustered Musharraf. All three are +extremist Taliban or their allies and known to be living in Pakistan. (Mullah +Omar is leader of the Taliban, Usmani is the former corps commander of Kandahar +under the Taliban regime and now a commander of Taliban forces while Hikmetyar +heads the extremist Hizb-e-Islami.) ‘’It was the first time that Bush totally +focused on the Taliban threat rather than Al Qaeda with the Pakistanis,’’ says a +Western diplomat. ‘’Bush was very well briefed before the meeting,’’ the +diplomat said. An Afghan official at the meeting added, ‘’The Americans now +realise that the Taliban are a bigger threat to our security than Al Qaeda.’’ +Karzai was clearly pleased at the results. ‘’President Musharraf promised to +help us and cooperate with us on curbing terrorist activity by the Taliban,’’ +says Karzai. The next day an angry Musharraf categorically said that Pakistan +would not send Pakistani troops to Iraq, a clear snub to the Americans. Until +then he had said Pakistan’s options were open. However Pakistani officials +insist that the decision was unconnected to the tripartite meeting. US and NATO +military officers in Kabul say it is too early to say whether Bush’s tough +message was instrumental in persuading Musharraf and the ISI to pressure the +Taliban to restrain from disrupting the elections. However there were visible +signs of a crackdown on the Pakistan side. ‘’Pakistan now has a large force +deployed in Baluchistan which was not there before,’’ says Lt. General David +Barno. ‘’There is much better tactical cooperation between our forces on both +sides of the border, but the movement of Taliban still goes on both ways,’’ he +adds. Also several days before the elections Pakistan closed the border crossing +point at Chaman in Baluchistan which is a key entry point for the Taliban into +Afghanistan. However US military officers say regular army officers - many of +them Pashtun - leading units of the Frontier Corps who are on the border remain +deeply sympathetic to the Taliban and the mullahs of the JUI. At the same time +the US remains oblivious of the serious problems and political fallout which the +army is facing in its operations in Waziristan. Not only is the army facing +serious political fallout, growing anti-Americanism and anti-army feeling in the +tribal areas but it is also taking heavy casualties -between 400-500 Pakistani +soldiers have been killed in the region since March. Musharraf has always +maintained that the US has never provided actionable intelligence about Taliban +leaders hiding in Baluchistan. That too may change. US and Afghan intelligence +will shortly be presenting the ISI with a list of Taliban extremists and their +suspected whereabouts. Moreover there are now major covert attempts under way to +try and bring back to Kabul leading Taliban commanders, who have been living +quietly in Pakistan and have taken no part in the Taliban insurgency. With the +Taliban failure to disrupt the Afghan elections, the militants are even more +isolated from the mainstream Taliban who want to return home. Until now Pakistan +has not facilitated such a return and clearly it cannot happen until there is +both a pull from Kabul and a push from Islamabad. With President Karzai certain +to win the elections and the demotion of key former Northern Alliance figures +such as General Fahim and warlord Ismail Khan, there is now little reason for +moderate Taliban leaders to fear reprisals from former Northern Alliance figures +if they return home. Their removal should also provide increased motivation for +Pakistan to help the return of moderate Taliban. Afghan officials welcomed the +appointment on October 3 of Lt. General Ashfaq Kiyani as the new ISI chief. +Kayani is well known and liked in Kabul as during the last year he led the +Pakistani delegation in the tripartite military meetings with the Afghan and US +military on issues related to border issues. Karzai also has to deal with the +stepped up rivalry between India and Pakistan in Afghanistan. Islamabad accuses +New Delhi of using its consulates in Kandahar and Jalalabad to train Balochi +insurgents who are active in Pakistani Balochistan. Pakistani officials claim +there are as many as 42 RAW agents based in Kandahar and another 12 in +Jalalabad. “There have no business being there unless they are undermining +Pakistan,’’ says a Pakistani official. Both India and Afghanistan deny the +claim. ‘’Should Pakistan show us any evidence of an Indian hand using Afghan +soil to work against our neighbours we will take it very seriously,” says +Amrullah Saleh the head of Afghanistan’s National Security Directorate. Karzai +categorically said that he has assured Musharraf repeatedly that any adverse +action against Pakistan taken by Indian diplomats inside Afghanistan would be +acted upon swiftly. Senior US diplomats and military officials have warned India +also. In a major regional shift reflecting the newly strengthened position of +Karzai, Iran, Russia and India which have traditionally backed the Tajik +dominated former Northern Alliance made strenuous efforts to convince +presidential candidate Younis Qanooni to strike a deal with Karzai before the +elections and not to oppose Karzai. Iran in particular feared that Qanooni would +loose and then be politically isolated from the mainstream. Qanooni refused to +accept the Iranian advice as his fellow Panjsheri Tajiks urged him to stand +against Karzai. However since the elections Iranian influence has proved +critical in convincing the Hazara Shia candidate Mohammed Mohaqeq to accept the +results of the elections and later convincing Qanooni to do the same. With the +US military presence posing a threat on their borders in both Iraq and +Afghanistan, Iran’s moderate leadership is keen to help stabilise Karzai so that +the US presence in Afghanistan is reduced. However powerful hardliners in Tehran +may be trying to undermine that strategy and a new issue is likely to deepen the +rift with the moderates. Iranian officials are deeply concerned about the US +occupation of Shindand, a massive Soviet-era airbase just 30 kilometres from +Iran’s border. The enhanced US presence in western Afghanistan was only made +possible after the ousting of Ismail Khan, the warlord and Governor of Herat +province last month, who was a close ally of Iranian hardliners. Iranian +officials say they made no objections to Khan’s ouster because they want to +strengthen Karzai’s campaign against warlords. At a time of heightened tensions +between Tehran and Washington over Iran’s nuclear weapons program and calls by +neo-conservatives in Washington that a second Bush term should deal with Iran +aggressively, the Iranians fear that Shindand could be used as a listening post, +spying facility and even a launching pad for any future US actions against Iran. +Afghan officials say the Americans have moved over 100 Special Forces and +helicopters to Shindand. However General Barno insists the US presence poses no +threat to Iran. ‘’We have a very small number of forces in Shindand with a few +helicopters,’’ says Barno. Nevertheless this places Karzai in a difficult and +sensitive situation because he has to maintain excellent relations with both the +US and Iran. ‘’Afghanistan has had the benefit of cooperation from both the US +and Iran. So far what they have done together has been good for us and that’s +how we would like to keep it’’, says Karzai. Nobody can claim that the +interference of Afghanistan’s neighbours is over, but the elections will do much +to strengthen Karzai and deal more firmly with neighbours’ interference. In the +post election scenario it is becoming abundantly clear that the Taliban do not +have the support of the Afghan people nor the Afghan Pashtuns. In a highly +significant move Afghan Pashtun tribes along the Pakistan border warned the +Taliban in Quetta and Chaman that if they try and disrupt the elections, they +would be resisted. Many Taliban living in Afghanistan voted for President +Karzai. It is now abundantly clear that with the rapidly changing face of +Afghanistan, the demise of key Northern Alliance figures and the fluid political +situation in Afghanistan, Pakistan should reconsider its policy of giving +unlimited sanctuary to Taliban extremists living on Pakistani soil. Pakistan +Link 16/10/2004 + +The debate that a handful of Texas multi-millionnaires close to the Bush family +have cleverly manufactured over John Kerry's war record is absurd in every way. +The charges that they have put some vets up to making against Kerry are false +and can be demonstrated by the historical record to be false . Most of those +making the charges have even flip-flopped, contradicting themselves. Or they +weren't eyewitnesses and are just lying. But to address the substance of this +Big Lie is to risk falling into its logic. The true absurdity of the entire +situation is easily appreciated when we consider that George W. Bush never +showed any bravery at all at any point in his life. He has never lived in a war +zone. If some of John Kerry's wounds were superficial, Bush received no wounds. +(And, a piece of shrapnel in the forearm that caused only a minor wound would +have killed had it hit an eye and gone into the brain; the shrapnel being in +your body demonstrates you were in mortal danger and didn't absent yourself from +it. That is the logic of the medal). Kerry saved a man's life while under fire. +Bush did no such thing. What was Bush doing with his youth? He was drinking. He +was drinking like a fish, every night, into the wee hours. For decades. He gave +no service to anyone, risked nothing, and did not even slack off efficiently. +The history of alcoholism and possibly other drug use is a key issue because it +not only speaks to Bush's character as an addictive personality, but may tell us +something about his erratic and alarming actions as president. His explosive +temper probably provoked the disastrous siege of Fallujah last spring, killing +600 Iraqis, most of them women and children, in revenge for the deaths of 4 +civilian mercenaries, one of them a South African. (Newsweek reported that Bush +commanded his cabinet, "Let heads roll!") That temper is only one problem. Bush +has a sadistic streak. He clearly enjoyed, as governor, watching executions. His +delight in killing people became a campaign issue in 2000 when he seemed, in one +debate, to enjoy the prospect of executing wrong-doers a little too much. He has +clearly gone on enjoying killing people on a large scale in Iraq. Drug abuse can +affect the ability of the person to feel deep emotions like empathy. Two decades +of pickling his nervous system in various highly toxic substances have left Bush +damaged goods. Even for those who later abstain, "visual-spatial abilities, +abstraction, problem solving , and short-term memory, are the slowest to +recover." That he managed to get on the wagon (though with that pretzel +incident, you wonder how firmly) is laudable. But he suffers the severe effects +of the aftermath, and we are all suffering along with him now, since he is the +most powerful man in the world. We all know by now that Bush did not even do his +full service with the Texas Air National Guard, absenting himself to work on the +Alabama senate campaign of Winton "Red" Blount. Whether he was actually AWOL +during this stint is unclear. But it is clear that not only did Bush slack off +on his National Guard service, but he slacked off from his campaign work. This +little-noted interview with Blount's nephew Murph Archibald, which appeared on +National Public Radio's "All Things Considered on March 30, 2004, gives a +devastating insight into what it was like to have to suffer through Bush in that +period. "All Things Considered (8:00 PM ET) - NPR March 30, 2004 Tuesday This +campaign season, there have been questions about whether George W. Bush +fulfilled his obligations to the National Guard as a young lieutenant in the +early 1970s. For weeks, reporters scoured Alabama in search of pilots or anyone +who might have remembered seeing Mr. Bush at the time he was serving in the +National Guard there. There is one place in Alabama where Mr. Bush was present +nearly every day: the headquarters in Montgomery of US Senate candidate Winton +"Red" Blount. President Bush has always said that working for Blount was the +reason he transferred to the Alabama Air National Guard. NPR's Wade Goodwyn has +this report about Mr. Bush's time on that campaign. WADE GOODWYN reporting: In +1972, Baba Groom was a smart, funny young woman smack-dab in the middle of an +exciting US Senate campaign. Groom was Republican Red Blount's scheduler, and in +that job, she was the hub in the campaign wheel. Ask her about the handsome +young man from Texas, and she remembers him 32 years later like it was +yesterday. Ms. BABA GROOM (Former Campaign Worker): He would wear khaki trousers +and some old jacket. He was always ready to go out on the road. On the phone, +you could hear his accent. It was a Texas accent. But he just melded with +everybody. GOODWYN: The candidate Mr. Bush was working for, Red Blount, had +gotten rich in Alabama in the construction business. Prominent Southern +Republicans were something of a rare breed in those days. Blount's support of +the party led him to be appointed Richard Nixon's postmaster general. In +Washington, Blount became friends and tennis partners with Mr. Bush's father, +then Congressman Bush. That was how 26-year-old Lieutenant Bush came to +Montgomery, at his father's urging . . . It was Mr. Bush's job to organize the +Republican county chairpersons in the 67 Alabama counties. Back in 1972 in the +Deep South, many rural counties didn't have much in the way of official +Republican Party apparatus. But throughout Alabama, there were Republicans and +Democrats who wanted to help Red Blount. It was the young Texan's job to find +out what each county leader needed in the way of campaign supplies and get those +supplies to them. Groom says this job helped Mr. Bush understand how even in a +statewide Senate campaign, politics are local. . . . Murph Archibald is Red +Blount's nephew by marriage, and in 1972, he was coming off a 15-month tour in +Vietnam in the infantry. Archibald says that in a campaign full of dedicated +workers, Mr. Bush was not one of them. Mr. MURPH ARCHIBALD (Nephew of Red +Blount): Well, I was coming in early in the morning and leaving in mid-evenings. +Ordinarily, George would come in around noon; he would ordinarily leave around +5:30 or 6:00 in the evening. GOODWYN: Archibald says that two months before the +election, in September of '72, Red Blount's campaign manager came to him and +asked that he quietly take over Mr. Bush's job because the campaign materials +were not getting out to the counties. Mr. ARCHIBALD: George certainly didn't +seem to have any concerns about my taking over this work with the campaign +workers there. My overall impression was that he didn't seem as interested in +the campaign as the other people who were working at the state headquarters. +GOODWYN: Murph Archibald says that at first, he didn't know that Mr. Bush was +serving in the Air National Guard. After he found out from somebody else, +Archibald attempted to talk to Mr. Bush about it. The president was a lieutenant +and Archibald had been a lieutenant, too; he figured they had something to talk +about. Mr. ARCHIBALD: George didn't have any interest at all in talking about +the military. In fact, when I broached the subject with him, he simply changed +the subject. He wasn't unpleasant about it, but he just changed the subject and +wouldn't talk about it. GOODWYN: Far from Texas and Washington, DC, Mr. Bush +enjoyed his freedom. He dated a beautiful young woman working on the campaign. +He went out in the evenings and had a good time. In fact, he left the house he +rented in such disrepair--with damage to the walls and a chandelier +destroyed--that the Montgomery family who owned it still grumble about the +unpaid repair bill. Archibald says Mr. Bush would come into the office and, in a +friendly way, offer up stories about the drinking he'd done the night before, +kind of as a conversation starter. Mr. ARCHIBALD: People have different ways of +starting the days in any office. They're going to talk about their kids, they're +going to talk about football, they're going to talk about the weather. And this +was simply his opening gambit; he would start talking about that he had been out +late the night before drinking. GOODWYN: Archibald says the frequency with which +Mr. Bush discussed the subject was off-putting to him. Mr. ARCHIBALD: I mean, at +that time, I was 28; George would have been 25 or 26. And I thought it was +really unusual that someone in their mid-20s would initiate conversations, +particularly in the context of something as serious as a US senatorial campaign, +by talking about their drinking the night before. I thought it unusual and, +frankly, inappropriate. GOODWYN: According to Archibald, Mr. Bush would also +sometimes tell stories about his days at Yale in New Haven, and how whenever he +got pulled over for erratic driving, he was let go after the officers discovered +he was the grandson of a Connecticut US senator. Archibald, a middle-class +Alabama boy--who, by the way, is now a registered Democrat--didn't like that +story. Mr. ARCHIBALD: He told us whenever he was stopped, as soon as the law +enforcement found out that he was the grandson of Prescott Bush, they would let +him go. And he would always laugh about that. " Goodwyn dutifully notes that +Baba Groom didn't remember George telling drunk stories. But that means nothing, +since they weren't the sort of things guys like Bush told the "girls". He was +trying to buddy with Archibald and impress him. Again, decades of this sort of +behavior do not leave a person untouched. Our world is in crisis and our +Republic is in danger. It should not be left in the hands of a man who spent his +life like this. + +When the cities are on fire with the burning flesh of men Just remember that +death is not the end And you search in vain to find just one law abiding citizen +Just remember that death is not the end - Bob Dylan Afraid I don't have time +today to discuss these, but some stories need attention: From Wednesday's Mirror +the headline, "Have 200,000 AK47s Fallen Into the Hands of Iraq Terrorists?" +(also see this thread on the RI discussion board): Some 200,000 guns the US sent +to Iraqi security forces may have been smuggled to terrorists, it was feared +yesterday. The 99-tonne cache of AK47s was to have been secretly flown out from +a US base in Bosnia. But the four planeloads of arms have vanished. Orders for +the deal to go ahead were given by the US Department of Defense. But the work +was contracted out via a complex web of private arms traders . And the Moldovan +airline used to transport the shipment was blasted by the UN in 2003 for +smuggling arms to Liberia, human rights group Amnesty has discovered. It follows +a separate probe claiming that thousands of guns meant for Iraq's police and +army instead went to al-Qaeda . Amnesty chief spokesman Mike Blakemore said: +"It's unbelievable that no one can account for 200,000 assault rifles. If these +weapons have gone missing it's a terrifying prospect." American defence chiefs +hired a US firm to take the guns, from the 90s Bosnian war, to Iraq. But air +traffic controllers in Baghdad have no record of the flights, which supposedly +took off between July 2004 and July 2005. A coalition forces spokesman confirmed +they had not received "any weapons from Bosnia" and added they were "not aware +of any purchases for Iraq from Bosnia". Nato and US officials have already +voiced fears that Bosnian arms - sold by US, British and Swiss firms - are being +passed to insurgents. A NATO spokesman said: "There's no tracking mechanism to +ensure they don't fall into the wrong hands. There are concerns that some may +have been siphoned off." This year a newspaper claimed two UK firms were +involved in a deal in which thousands of guns for Iraqi forces were re-routed to +al-Qaeda. The Moldovan airline is Aerocom, and yes , it's one of Victor Bout's . +It's always a bang-your-head-against-the-wall moment, reading again the play the +incompetence theory receives, even from some of the Administration's harshest +mainstream critics. But then, even to talk of an "administration" may be +misdirection at this point, given how little representative government means in +the United States these days, and how much of "national security" has been +privatized into a global gangland of drugs and guns. Like the tens of billions +of dollars that have been "lost" in Iraq, planeloads of arms don't just +"vanish"; not when the Pentagon contracts the work to an international criminal +of Bout's untouchable stature. But Bout's name isn't likely to be mentioned in +whatever coverage this story receives, before it sinks like so many others +beneath the media's frothing triviality. Meanwhile, a decision's been reached in +the trial of Toledo priest Gerald Robinson. And it's guilty : The Rev. Gerald +Robinson appeared stony-faced as the jury's guilty verdict was read, and he +blinked repeatedly and glanced at his lawyers before being led away in +handcuffs. ... The crime occurred in the sacristy adjoining the hospital chapel +in downtown Toledo on the Saturday before Easter in 1980. Investigators said the +nun, Margaret Ann Pahl, 71, was strangled and then stabbed, with nine wounds on +her chest forming the shape of an inverted cross, a well-recognized Satanic +symbol. An altar cloth was draped over her half-naked body, which was posed as +if she had been sexually assaulted. "It was about how he could humiliate her the +most," prosecutor Dean Mandros said in closing arguments. "He left a message for +everyone to see ... maybe to God himself." After the sentencing one of +Robinson's tearful supporters "turned to Claudia Vercellotti, a local leader of +the Survivors Network for Those Abused by Priests [SNAP], who had helped reopen +the case, and told her, 'I hope you rot in hell!'" From SNAP's statement on the +Robinson conviction: More than ever, police and prosecutors have the tools and +the will to go after horrific crimes, even when the defendants are seemingly +powerful individuals or institutions . When victims and witnesses stay silent, +nothing changes. When victims and witnesses speak up, at least sometimes a child +is protected, the truth is exposed, and justice is done. The murder weapon, +Robinson's letter opener: Finally, from an email, a follow-up on the reopening +of the investigation into the Atlanta Child Murders : Dekalb County Police Chief +Louis Graham...the man who reopened the investigations last year, is +mysteriously stepping down. And of all the people who the county is getting to +find a replacement...is none other than Lee Brown, the original supervisor of +the Atlanta PD, who was in office during the murders and the subsequent +investigation. SNAP is right in part. Police and prosecutors have the tools. The +will is another matter. Some do, individually. But institutionally? That's still +the domain of those who don't. lots of important stories out there today +jeff....thank god and a few good souls for that conviction. Have you sent this +to congress yet? talk about law enforcement not having the will... CRACKDOWN ON +POLYGAMY GROUP Small polygamous groups have existed in the southwestern US under +the watchful yet fairly benign eye of authorities ever since a sect known as the +Fundamentalist Latter Day Saints (FLDS) separated itself from mainstream +Mormonism in 1890. ... Now, FLDS leader Warren Jeffs has been added to the FBI's +list of "Ten Most Wanted Fugitives," a move that caps law enforcement's dramatic +change of approach toward the polygamous group in recent years...[because of] +the impact that the group's practices, law enforcement officials say, are having +on the most vulnerable within the sect, particularly children and women. When +the FLDS under Mr. Jeffs (and his father before him) grew to some 10,000 +followers in several southwestern communities with estimated assets of $110 +million; when it became clear that government officials, school authorities, and +police in those communities had become intertwined with the sect; when +ex-members increasingly reported child and sexual abuse charges (mainly +involving underage girls forced to marry older men); and when the sect began to +use secluded compounds, state and federal authorities started to crack down more +vigorously. ... Specifically, Jeffs is charged in Utah and Arizona with sexual +assault of underage girls and with arranging "spiritual" marriages for girls and +older men. At weekend press conferences in Salt Lake City and Phoenix, FBI and +state officials said Jeffs "is considered armed and dangerous and may be +traveling with armed bodyguards." In the past, he has talked in apocalyptic +terms about a violent end to the world, according to former members. ... As with +Christian Identity and other hate-related philosophies tied to the Aryan Nations +and the neo-Nazi Creativity Movement, Jeffs has preached racism as well. "The +black race is the people through which the devil has always been able to bring +evil unto the earth," Jeffs has said as cited by the Southern Poverty Law +Center's "Intelligence Report." An editorial in the church-owned Deseret Morning +News in Salt Lake City earlier this year acknowledged that "the state's history, +a conservative belief in free choice, and an unwillingness to stir up a hornet's +nest in the national media have likely all contributed to the kid-glove approach +lawmakers and law-enforcement officers have taken when dealing with polygamous +communities." http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/0509/p02s01-ussc.html?s=t5 Maybe I'm +missing something here, but how, exactly, does one 'Loose' 200,000 AK47's? +"There's no tracking mechanism in place"?!?!? Never mind. No need to worry. I'm +sure this kind of thing goes on all the time. We now return you to your +regularly scheduled programming.... just go here, its simply amazing The Raw +Story i count like 14 explosive headlines. Then, of course, there is the +evidence the jury did not hear about in the Robinson case... Funny how some +things are squirelled away by well-meaning prosecutors... Maybe because they +hint at a larger conspiracy/network of abusers/satanic underground? I read of a +case not long ago when some people were trying to get a polygamous judge taken +off the bench for not obeying state law. Of course law enforcement has dragged +it's feet when members are taking part in the activity themselves. Personally I +don't give a damn what adults do to one another as long as there is no abuse +invovled. It is the marrying off of young girls to older men often close +relatives that enfurates me. Also these cults have multimillions yet the women +and kids live in poverty so the leaders can live the high life. In the Warren +Jeffs cult he reassigns wives if the husband displeases him or to reward the new +husband. Husbands marry mothers and teen daughters at the same time. a rare form +of retardation is showing up in that group more than anywhere else in the world. +It is genetic and the child needs to get the gene from both parents to turn into +a vegetable instead of a thinking child. The doctor begs them to stop +intermarrying but they say they have to keep the blood pure. look up fumarase +deficiency for more info. Also look up the kingston family. One member actually +was convicted of beating his teen daughter unconcious when she ran away from +'marriage' to her father's own brother. no one was charged for forced marriage, +only the beating. So we "lost" some weapon? It's a good thing too. We wouldn't +want those terrorists to run out of shit to shoot at us. Then the war might stop +& all those juicy profits would just evaporate. What's a few dead soldiers in +comparison to keeping all those defense contractors awash in all that tax cash? +They really are milking the incompetence angle though, aren't they? Just another +big Iraq whoopsie daisy, huh? Christ, you'd think America would get a bit tired +of these guys treating her like she was populated with nothing but gullible +idiots. I suppose that it's damn lucky for the GOP that she is populated with +gullible idiots. US outsourcing special ops, intelligence to Iraq terror group, +intelligence officials say The Pentagon is bypassing official US intelligence +channels and turning to a dangerous and unruly cast of characters in order to +create strife in Iran in preparation for any possible attack, former and current +intelligence officials say... +http://www.rawstory.com/news/2006/US_outsourcing_special_operations_intelligence_gathering_0413.html +A country deserves the leaders it has, my friends... And MEK -- the Iranian (not +Iraqi) terror group in question -- is itself unquestionably a cult: As the +leaders like to boast, the Mujahedeen is a family affair. (''We have three +generations of martyrs: grandmothers, mothers, daughters.'') Most of the girls I +was meeting had grown up in Mujahedeen schools in Ashraf, where they lived +separated from their parents. Family visits were allowed on Thursday nights and +Fridays. When Iraq invaded Kuwait, many of these girls were transported to +Jordan and then smuggled to various countries -- Germany, France, Canada, +Denmark, England, the United States -- where they were raised by guardians who +were usually Mujahedeen supporters. When they were 18 or 19, many of them +decided to come back to Iraq and fill the ranks of the youngest Mujahedeen +generation. Though ''decided'' is probably not the right word, since from the +day they were born, these girls and boys were not taught to think for themselves +but to blindly follow their leaders. ''Every morning and night, the kids, +beginning as young as 1 and 2, had to stand before a poster of Massoud and +Maryam, salute them and shout praises to them,'' Nadereh Afshari, a former +Mujahedeen deep-believer, told me. Afshari, who was posted in Germany and was +responsible for receiving Mujahedeen children during the gulf war, said that +when the German government tried to absorb Mujahedeen children into their +education system, the Mujahedeen refused. Many of the children were sent to +Mujahedeen schools, particularly in France. The Rajavis, Afshari went on to say, +''saw these kids as the next generation's soldiers. They wanted to brainwash +them and control them.'' Which may explain the pattern to their stories: a +journey to self-empowerment and the enlightenment of self-sacrifice inspired by +the light and wisdom of Maryam and Massoud. Link One has to wonder whether the +bright fellows in our government and military who set up the deals with these +people don't know what they are, don't care, or know perfectly well. Jeff, +SPLOID.com cited you on the topic of that priest conviction: +http://www.sploid.com/news/2006/05/evil_priest_gui.php Umm... Question Mark +Jimmy Plant, Blogshares is a fantasy blogosphere trading game with pretend +money. That's all I know; I've had nothing to do with it. Bush successfully +makes Satan look good in comparison. Or something like that. +http://www.laweekly.com/general/features/satan-loves-you/13454/ "Another +generation of heavy metal has taken over, and -- sorry -- it ain't just about +strippers and dope. Okay, it's partly about strippers and dope. And we'll get +around to that. But more and more, as metal evolves into a huge international +music that belongs to everyone, it has gotten to be something weirder. It's +become a guardian of morality -- not church morality; real morality. Praise be: +Given the void in responsible behavior among governments, police, educational +establishments and religions, the task of guiding our youth down the path of +righteousness has fallen to... Satan" Hmmmmmm.................... The people who +carry out these underground arms/drugs/sex trafficking deals are trauma based +mind controlled slaves. The Moldovan airline is Aerocom, and yes, it's one of +Victor Bout's. The wikipedia entry for Aerocom is just a stub .. waiting for +someone to put some information into it.... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aerocom +So... put some information in there. You know, nature hates a void. :) Richard, +i agree, Hmmmmmm. How are chants of death and suicide ... morality. What about +Manson's tees bearing the message, "Kill your parents". And were the Columbine +killers acting out this "real morality" when they indescriminately murdered +their classmates. They were death metal brainwashed fans, literally fulfilling +the death metal paradigm, er ... morality. (not church morality, no that is +phoney, love thy neighbor ... hell no, kill thy neighbor - now that is REAL +MORALITY ?????) So, hmmmm indeed. I detect the hissing lisp of the lying serpent +in this article. The deathly inversion of truth, ala satanism. I think the +jury's still out on exactly who did the brainwashing when in regard to the +Columbine killers. Perhaps we should look at the death metal phenomenon less as +an invitation to violence than as a couter-cultural response to the over +hypocrisy of a large percentage of the 'Church-Morality' crowd, which gives a +lot of lip service to loving thy neighbor, but doesn't apply that love very far +beyond their own congregation. The last I checked, the Satanists have a long way +to go to catch up with the death and destruction dealt out by self-proclaimed +(though false) Christians. Irony is dead...Long live Irony! That's it. I'm +firing my editor. Well, it's not as simple and clear cut as all that. We're +entering into some interesting and perhaps previously unexplored +socio-political-spiritual territory here that may require further examination +and serious introspection. The Kevin Coogan publication posted on the previous +thread might serve as a good launching point for further discussion. The +following quote is from that Coogan article: Imaginary evil is romantic and +varied; real evil is gloomy, monotonous, barren, boring. Imaginary good is +boring; real good is always new, marvelous, intoxicating. - Simone Weil +Starroute: I wouldn't wonder too hard. The answer is likely D: all of the above, +due to this being a complex reality we live in. But to me, without question, +they often know perfectly well. Here is a thought: When the appartently +cognitively functional take actions that seem senseless and incompetent, it is a +most certain sign that they have ulterior or hidden motives. They trust you and +me to be befuddled by their actions, while they "do as they wilt". +http://youtube.com/watch?v=d46_ctqDmI4 To not buying the BS & here I am thinking +that I really must be getting old. Since the article was specifically about +"death metal" I guess the author missed this little tidbit or we just have +waaaaaaaaaaaaay different definitions of morality: +http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/this_world/4446342.stm One man's +relentless search for his missing son led him to uncover one of the most +shocking crimes in post-war Italy - a tale of satanism and violence that has +gripped the country for more than a year. In January 1998 Fabio Tollis and +Chiara Marino, both just 16, disappeared. They had been drinking at a pub called +the Midnight - the centre of the heavy metal scene in Milan - and they never +came home. The police and many of their friends just thought they had run off +together. But their parents refused to accept this. Michele Tollis, Fabio's +father, began to attend metal concerts and festivals across Europe, handing out +leaflets and quizzing Fabio's friends. Fabio and his friends were into the most +extreme forms of heavy metal music - death metal and black metal, music obsessed +with images of murder and satanism - and the role of this music is central to +the story. No one can contradict me when I say that heavy metal and satanism are +closely linked Michele Tollis It emerged that Chiara, the girl who disappeared +with Fabio, had a collection of satanic literature and paraphernalia in her +bedroom. During this search, Michele Tollis became convinced that satanism had +something to do with his son's disappearance. "No one can contradict me when I +say that heavy metal and satanism are closely linked. They're inseparable," he +says. Yeah, I think Jeff wrote on one of his posts here in the past several +months: "To hell with death". I wholly agree, and would expand that statement to +include: "To hell with death metal". The freaky thing here is that these bozos +are seriously claiming the moral high ground ? ? ? ? ? Talk about a +beat-your-head-against-the-wall moment! And for 'Smartwolf' above, think about +the inversion principle being employed. They are doing it deliberately. Do you +really think GWB, and neocons in general are representative of true followers of +Jesus of Nazareth? (I know, ignorant question) Then why call them, or any other +phonies 'Christians', even if they themselves claim the appellation. They are +merely imposters. Everything they claim is a lie, and this above all. So why +even credit their claims? This only serves their purposes. They want to be +identified as 'Christians', and I fully suspect that for some of them, the +motivation behind their subterfuge is more than mere political advantage, and +has a lot more to do with the black magician's practice of the inversion +principle. We need to be more 'rigorous' about how we perceive these people. See +them as they are, not for what they claim to be. ... the most extreme forms of +heavy metal music - death metal and black metal, music obsessed with images of +murder and satanism - and the role of this music is central to the story. Almost +all of the avant guard art movements of the early 20th Century (except for +Italian Futurism) were labeled 'degenerate' by the National Socialists. Adolf +Hitler even held an exhibition of 'degenerate art' in 1937, while curating a +parallel show of 'Aryan' art across the street. The German Expressionist +movement was destroyed as a result. Here's a quick overview of the Entartete +Kunst (Degenerate Art) exhibit of 1937: +http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Degenerate_art Ironically (or perhaps not), the +notion of the 'degenerate' and 'degenerate art' was appropriated by the Nazis +and its origins can be traced back to Jewish 'intellectual' Max Nordau and a +1892 book he authored called Degeneration. . Nordau was also the co founder of +the World Zionist Organization. When the apparently cognitively functional take +actions that seem senseless and incompetent, it is a most certain sign that they +have ulterior or hidden motives. They trust you and me to be befuddled by their +actions, while they "do as they wilt." A question: Are the adherent of +'Crowleyan Thelema' and others of similar ilk appropriating or appropriating +from the appropriators to redirect 'energy?' Does this reappropriation lead to +or originate from the same place? Seems as if there is a clear distinction being +made between the 'imaginary' Whore of Babalon and the actually Whore of Babylon, +which is this global system. Is the distinction accurate and valid? Does the +distinction actually exist? This is where the socio- political aspect of this +conundrum comes into play. Confused? Good. so, enemy, what's your point? Why +don't you state it? My point is that these are all just questions and I am +undecided as to the answers. Here's another interesting example: John Balance +from Coil. (Don't wish to use Wikipedia again, it's just easier than spending +time looking up more obscure and detailed information.) +http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Balance +http://www.guardian.co.uk/obituaries/story/0,3604,1371372,00.html Balance died +in 2004 after a 'fall.' He blended belief systems such as Shamanism, +Christianity, Buddhism, Paganism, Hermeticism and Gnosticism and imbued Coil's +vast output with a magickal current designed to have a functionally transcendent +effect on listeners. Not 200,000 guns - the numbers dont work: 5kg per gun, +200,000 guns means 1000 tonnes, impossible for 4 containers. If the load was 99 +tonnes there were probably less than 20,000. E@tG: Maybe if you formulate your +questions a little more specifically it will help you in acquiring the answers. +"I am, therefore I think" :) Reporting from the town where Susan Polk's trial is +going on. I went across the bay last night to attend a farmer's market and music +event. Lo and behold, the Mormons were there with a booth. Two young men +delivering information about the Mormon genealogy program. Just give your email +and/or phone number to these guys and they'll track down your family. I was +amazed at the spiel they delivered. Kindly young men, but utterly programmed and +brain-dead. I resisted asking any questions that would have required either of +them to think. It would have been too painful to watch. Has anyone read the +letter purportedly from Ahmadinejad to George Bush? +http://www.thetruthseeker.co.uk/article.asp?id=4503 I don't know if this has +been verified. But succintly making point after succint point, the text of the +letter stands on its own merit, regardless. I like to imagine the thought +processes going on in W's head if he were to actually read the letter, but it is +hard to picture him actually reading this letter. As I read the letter, I +considered the vast contrast between mind and morality of whoever wrote it, vs. +that of the mind of the man who once said "Bring it on!" America, your condition +is dire, dark and deep. Of the metal music farce, Ministry has definately made +in-road into 'Loose Change"-"Alex Jones" territory with their new record, Rio +Grande Blood. Important Kos Diary about bush's response to the gathering storm +of scandals: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/5/12/232746/857 =Executive +Orders - very creepy, very scary They have been accumulating for years, and +basically give the president to sieze the government whenever he feels like it. +But who would do a thing like that.... hey wait a minute ==Why did Bush revoke +Executive Order 13011 today? by exmearden Fri May 12, 2006 at 08:27:46 PM PDT In +scanning the whitehouse.gov site today, I noticed the following Executive Order: +Executive Order: Amendments to Executive Orders 11030, 13279, 13339, 13381, and +13389, and ***Revocation*** of Executive Order 13011.... I can't believe there +are no serious metal fans who frequent RI. I'm wary of jumping into this fray +without backup, that's for damn sure. :) I'm a regular poster but for some +reason blogger won't let me in today...but sign me TroubleFunk. Tronicus: +Simply, the questions permeate the entire 'Western (Mystery) Tradition' and +perhaps 'Eastern' as well, as they relate to the confluence of politics and +spirituality. For example, is the system of Crowleyan Thelema a failed +alchemical process? Or was it supposed to initially be a process of alchemical +appropriation? Similarly, is invoking ancient Egyptian gods and goddesses a +reaffirmation of an oppressive and hierarchical system? In my opinion, people +can no longer afford to partition out and compartmentalize personal spiritual +and political systems. The 'high weirdness' and more hardcore political +'factions' must perhaps integrate and arrive at a synthesis. In regards to death +metal, the problem is, once again, a question of education, history and the +vacuous lack of perspective in American culture. Shall we censor the works of +poet Charles Baudelaire as well? Baudelaire was perhaps one of the first 'death +metal' artists. Tronicus, if you're still checking this thread: A bit of a +knee-jerk reaction from me there, and I apologize for my over-generalizations. +My real problem is with literalist fundamentalists, of any religion. True +believers are dangerous animals. I just get hung up on 'Christians', as they're +the dominant form where I come from. Also, I'm quite clear on the fact that +those in power now (and, in general, most anyone at the top of a pyrimidal power +structure) tend to use the dominant religion as a cloak to hide their true +motivations and as a tool to control the masses. It boggles the mind that ANYONE +can take at face value Bush's claims to be a christian, yet many seem to do just +that. I seem to remember something about 'by their works shall ye know them." I +do get my hackles up a bit when people haul out the old 'Rock-N-Roll made them +do it' argument. Whie I don't subscribe to the notion that the things we watch +or listen to have no effect on our behavior (which I think is patently +rediculous), it does bother me when people single out a specific group of people +to pin the blame on. Sub-cultures (as the lable implies) do not develope in a +vacuum. Again, I think the problem is people who sink to far into their own +egos, and begin to take their personal metaphors a bit too literaly. These +people are dangerous wether they're head-banging to 'Canibal Corpse' or humming +along to 'Onward Christian Soldiers'. (The mixing of religion and militarism is +a whole other topic....) I have nothing but respect for people who adhear to +non-violence, forgiveness, and charity, but it's important to remember that +Christians (or 'Smartwolves') do not have a monopoly on that particular +lifestyle. Peace. The fact that the US government and media are having a hissy +fit over Venezuela wanting to buy guns, and then 200,000 of the guns Chavez +wants to buy go missing on their way to Iraq is definitely sus. I guess those +guns will be located enroute to Venezuela or found in storage there by one of +the US's local stooges and they then have a pretext to ramp the spin up a notch +or two. + +Thanks again to my friend Nick Keck for passing this along via e-mail. It is the +text of a speech given by an Arab gentleman before the advisory board of a large +multi-nation corporation. It's a long but very worthwhile read. "A View from the +Eye of the Storm" Talk delivered by Haim Harari at a meeting of the +International Advisory Board of a large multi-national corporation, April, 2004: +"As you know, I usually provide the scientific and technological "entertainment" +in our meetings, but, on this occasion, our Chairman suggested that I present my +own personal view on events in the part of the world from which I come. I have +never been and I will never be a Government official and I have no privileged +information. My perspective is entirely based on what I see, on what I read and +on the fact that my family has lived in this region for almost 200 years. You +may regard my views as those of the proverbial taxi driver, which you are +supposed to question, when you visit a country. I could have shared with you +some fascinating facts and some personal thoughts about the Israeli-Arab +conflict. However, I will touch upon it only in passing. I prefer to devote most +of my remarks to the broader picture of the region and its place in world +events. I refer to the entire area between Pakistan and Morocco, which is +predominantly Arab, predominantly Moslem, but includes many non-Arab and also +significant non-Moslem minorities. Why do I put aside Israel and its own +immediate neighborhood? Because Israel and any problems related to it, in spite +of what you might read or hear in the world media, is not the central issue, and +has never been the central issue in the upheaval in the region. Yes, there is a +100 year-old Israeli-Arab conflict, but it is not where the main show is. The +millions who died in the Iran-Iraq war had nothing to do with Israel. The mass +murder happening right now in Sudan, where the Arab Moslem regime is massacring +its black Christian citizens, has nothing to do with Israel. The frequent +reports from Algeria about the murders of hundreds of civilians in one village +or another by other Algerians have nothing to do with Israel. Saddam Hussein did +not invade Kuwait, endanger Saudi Arabia and butcher his own people because of +Israel. Egypt did not use poison gas against Yemen in the 60's because of +Israel. Assad the Father did not kill tens of thousands of his own citizens in +one week in El Hamma in Syria because of Israel. The Taliban control of +Afghanistan and the civil war there had nothing to do with Israel. The Libyan +blowing up of the Pan-Am flight had nothing to do with Israel, and I could go on +and on and on. The root of the trouble is that this entire Moslem region is +totally dysfunctional, by any standard of the word, and would have been so even +if Israel had joined the Arab league and an independent Palestine had existed +for 100 years. The 22 member countries of the Arab league, from Mauritania to +the Gulf States, have a total population of 300 millions, larger than the US and +almost as large as the EU before its expansion. They have a land area larger +than either the US or all of Europe. These 22 countries, with all their oil and +natural resources, have a combined GDP smaller than that of Netherlands plus +Belgium and equal to half of the GDP of California alone. Within this meager +GDP, the gaps between rich and poor are beyond belief and too many of the rich +made their money not by succeeding in business, but by being corrupt rulers. The +social status of women is far below what it was in the Western World 150 years +ago. Human rights are below any reasonable standard, in spite of the grotesque +fact that Libya was elected Chair of the UN Human Rights commission. According +to a report prepared by a committee of Arab intellectuals and published under +the auspices of the U.N., the number of books translated by the entire Arab +world is much smaller than what little Greece alone translates. The total number +of scientific publications of 300 million Arabs is less than that of 6 million +Israelis. Birth rates in the region are very high, increasing the poverty, the +social gaps and the cultural decline. And all of this is happening in a region, +which only 30 years ago, was believed to be the next wealthy part of the world, +and in a Moslem area, which developed, at some point in history, one of the most +advanced cultures in the world. It is fair to say that this creates an +unprecedented breeding ground for cruel dictators, terror networks, fanaticism, +incitement, suicide murders and general decline. It is also a fact that almost +everybody in the region blames this situation on the United States, on Israel, +on Western Civilization, on Judaism and Christianity, on anyone and anything, +except themselves. A word about the millions of decent, honest, good people who +are either devout Moslems or are not very religious but grew up in Moslem +families: They are double victims of an outside world, which now develops +Islamophobia, and of their own environment which breaks their heart by being +totally dysfunctional. The problem is that the vast silent majority of these +Moslems are not part of the terror and the incitement, but they also do not +stand up against it. They become accomplices, by omission, and this applies to +political leaders, intellectuals, business people and many others. Many of them +can certainly tell right from wrong, but are afraid to express their views. The +events of the last few years have amplified four issues, which have always +existed, but have never been as rampant as in the present upheaval in the +region. A few more years may pass before everybody acknowledges that it is a +World War, but we are already well into it. These are the four main pillars of +the current World Conflict, or perhaps we should already refer to it as "the +undeclared World War III": *1. The first element is the suicide murder.* Suicide +murders are not a new invention but they have been made popular, if I may use +this expression, only lately. Even after September 11, it seems that most of the +Western World does not yet understand this weapon. It is a very potent +psychological weapon. Its real direct impact is relatively minor. The total +number of casualties from hundreds of suicide murders within Israel in the last +three years is much smaller than those due to car accidents. September 11 was +quantitatively much less lethal than many earthquakes More people die from AIDS +in one day in Africa than all the Russians who died in the hands of +Chechnya-based Moslem suicide murderers since that conflict started. Saddam +killed every month more people than all those who died from suicide murders +since the Coalition occupation of Iraq. So what is all the fuss about suicide +killings? It creates headlines. It is spectacular. It is frightening. It is a +very cruel death with bodies dismembered and horrible severe lifelong injuries +to many of the wounded. It is always shown on television in great detail. One +such murder, with the help of hysterical media coverage, can destroy the tourism +industry of a country for quite a while, as it did in Bali and in Turkey. But +the real fear comes from the undisputed fact that no defense and no preventive +measures can succeed against a determined suicide murderer. This has not yet +penetrated the thinking of the Western World. The U.S. and Europe are constantly +improving their defense against the last murder, not the next one. We may +arrange for the best airport security in the world. But if you want to murder by +suicide, you do not have to board a plane in order to explode yourself and kill +many people. Who could stop a suicide murder in the midst of the crowded line +waiting to be checked by the airport metal detector? How about the lines to the +check-in counters in a busy travel period? Put a metal detector in front of +every train station in Spain and the terrorists will get the buses. Protect the +buses and they will explode in movie theaters, concert halls, supermarkets, +shopping malls, schools and hospitals. Put guards in front of every concert hall +and there will always be a line of people to be checked by the guards and this +line will be the target, not to speak of killing the guards themselves. You can +somewhat reduce your vulnerability by preventive and defensive measures and by +strict border controls but not eliminate it and definitely not win the war in a +defensive way. And it is a war! What is behind the suicide murders? Money is, +money and power and cold-blooded murderous incitement, nothing else. It has +nothing to do with true fanatic religious beliefs. No Moslem preacher has ever +blown himself up. No son of an Arab politician or religious leader has ever +blown himself up. No relative of anyone influential has done it. Wouldn't you +expect some of the religious leaders to do it themselves, or to talk their sons +into doing it, if this is truly a supreme act of religious fervor? Aren't they +interested in the benefits of going to Heaven? Instead, they send outcast women, +naive children, retarded people and young incited hotheads. They promise them +the delights, mostly sexual, of the next world, and pay their families +handsomely after the supreme act is performed and enough innocent people are +dead. Suicide murders also have nothing to do with poverty and despair. The +poorest region in the world, by far, is Africa. It never happens there. There +are numerous desperate people in the world, in different cultures, countries and +continents. Desperation does not provide anyone with explosives, reconnaissance +and transportation. There was certainly more despair in Saddam's Iraq than in +Paul Bremmer's Iraq, and no one exploded himself. A suicide murder is simply a +horrible, vicious weapon of cruel, inhuman, cynical, well-funded terrorists, +with no regard to human life, including the life of their fellow countrymen, but +with very high regard to their own affluent well-being and their hunger for +power. The only way to fight this new "popular" weapon is identical to the only +way in which you fight organized crime or pirates on the high seas: the +offensive way. Like in the case of organized crime, it is crucial that the +forces on the offensive be united and it is crucial to reach the top of the +crime pyramid. You cannot eliminate organized crime by arresting the little drug +dealer on the street corner. You must go after the head of the "Family". If part +of the public supports it, others tolerate it, many are afraid of it and some +try to explain it away by poverty or by a miserable childhood, organized crime +will thrive and so will terrorism. The United States understands this now, after +September 11. Russia is beginning to understand it. Turkey understands it well. +I am very much afraid that most of Europe still does not understand it. +Unfortunately, it seems that Europe will understand it only after suicide +murders arrive in Europe in a big way. In my humble opinion, this will +definitely happen. The Spanish trains and the Istanbul bombings are only the +beginning. The unity of the Civilized World in fighting this horror is +absolutely indispensable. Until Europe wakes up, this unity will not be +achieved. *2. The second ingredient is words, more precisely lies.* Words can be +lethal. They kill people. It is often said that politicians, diplomats and +perhaps also lawyers and business people must sometimes lie, as part of their +professional life. But the norms of politics and diplomacy are childish, in +comparison with the level of incitement and total absolute deliberate +fabrications, which have reached new heights in the region we are talking about. +An incredible number of people in the Arab world believe that September 11 never +happened, or was an American provocation or, even better, a Jewish plot. You all +remember the Iraqi Minister of Information, Mr. Mouhamad Said al-Sahaf and his +press conferences when the US forces were already inside Baghdad. Disinformation +at time of war is an accepted tactic. But to stand, day after day, and to make +such preposterous statements, known to everybody to be lies, without even being +ridiculed in your own milieu, can only happen in this region. Mr. Sahaf +eventually became a popular icon as a court jester, but this did not stop some +allegedly respectable newspapers from giving him equal time. It also does not +prevent the Western press from giving credence, every day, even now, to similar +liars. After all, if you want to be an anti-Semite, there are subtle ways of +doing it. You do not have to claim that the holocaust never happened, and that +the Jewish temple in Jerusalem never existed. But millions of Moslems are told +by their leaders that this is the case. When these same leaders make other +statements, the Western media report them as if they could be true. It is a +daily occurrence that the same people who finance, arm and dispatch suicide +murderers, condemn the act in English in front of western TV cameras, talking to +a world audience, which even partly believes them. It is a daily routine to hear +the same leader making opposite statements in Arabic to his people and in +English to the rest of the world. Incitement by Arab TV, accompanied by horror +pictures of mutilated bodies, has become a powerful weapon of those who lie, +distort and want to destroy everything. Little children are raised on deep +hatred and on admiration of so-called martyrs, and the Western World does not +notice it because its own TV sets are mostly tuned to soap operas and game +shows. I recommend to you, even though most of you do not understand Arabic, to +watch Al Jazeera, from time to time. You will not believe your own eyes. But +words also work in other ways, more subtle. A demonstration in Berlin, carrying +banners supporting Saddam's regime and featuring three-year old babies dressed +as suicide murderers, is defined by the press and by political leaders as a +"peace demonstration". You may support or oppose the Iraq war, but to refer to +fans of Saddam, Arafat or Bin Laden as peace activists is a bit too much. A +woman walks into an Israeli restaurant in mid-day, eats, observes families with +old people and children eating their lunch in the adjacent tables and pays the +bill. She then blows herself up, killing 20 people, including many children, +with heads and arms rolling around in the restaurant. She is called "martyr" by +several Arab leaders and "activist" by the European press. Dignitaries condemn +the act but visit her bereaved family and the money flows. There is a new game +in town: The actual murderer is called "the military wing", the one who pays +him, equips him and sends him is now called "the political wing" and the head of +the operation is called the "spiritual leader". There are numerous other +examples of such Orwellian nomenclature, used every day not only by terror +chiefs but also by Western media. These words are much more dangerous than many +people realize. They provide an emotional infrastructure for atrocities. It was +Joseph Goebbels who said that if you repeat a lie often enough, people will +believe it. He is now being outperformed by his successors. *3. The third aspect +is money.* Huge amounts of money, which could have solved many social problems +in this dysfunctional part of the world, are channeled into three concentric +spheres supporting death and murder. In the inner circle are the terrorists +themselves. The money funds their travel, explosives, hideouts and permanent +search for soft vulnerable targets. The inner circles are primarily financed by +terrorist states like Iran and Syria, until recently also by Iraq and Libya and +earlier also by some of the Communist regimes. These states, as well as the +Palestinian Authority, are the safe havens of the wholesale murder vendors. They +are surrounded by a second wider circle of direct supporters, planners, +commanders, preachers, all of whom make a living, usually a very comfortable +living, by serving as terror infrastructure. Finally, we find the third circle +of so-called religious, educational and welfare organizations, which actually do +some good, feed the hungry and provide some schooling, but brainwash a new +generation with hatred, lies and ignorance. This circle operates mostly through +mosques, madrasas and other religious establishments but also through inciting +electronic and printed media. It is this circle that makes sure that women +remain inferior, that democracy is unthinkable and that exposure to the outside +world is minimal. It is also that circle that leads the way in blaming everybody +outside the Moslem world, for the miseries of the region. The outer circle is +largely financed by Saudi Arabia, but also by donations from certain Moslem +communities in the United States and Europe and, to a smaller extent, by +donations of European Governments to various NGO's and by certain United Nations +organizations, whose goals may be noble, but they are infested and exploited by +agents of the outer circle. The Saudi regime, of course, will be the next victim +of major terror, when the inner circle will explode into the outer circle. The +Saudis are beginning to understand it, but they fight the inner circles, while +still financing the infrastructure at the outer circle. Figuratively speaking, +this outer circle is the guardian, which makes sure that the people look and +listen inwards to the inner circle of terror and incitement, rather than to the +world outside. Some parts of this same outer circle actually operate as a result +of fear from, or blackmail by, the inner circles. The horrifying added factor is +the high birth rate. Half of the population of the Arab world is under the age +of 20, the most receptive age to incitement, guaranteeing two more generations +of blind hatred. Some of the leaders of these various circles live very +comfortably on their loot. You meet their children in the best private schools +in Europe, not in the training camps of suicide murderers. The Jihad "soldiers" +join packaged death tours to Iraq and other hotspots, while some of their +leaders ski in Switzerland. Mrs. Arafat, who lives in Paris with her daughter, +receives tens of thousands of dollars per month from the allegedly bankrupt +Palestinian Authority, while a typical local ringleader of the Al-Aksa brigade, +reporting to Arafat, receives only a cash payment of a couple of hundred +dollars, for performing murders at the retail level. *4. The fourth element of +the current world conflict is the total breaking of all laws.* The civilized +world believes in democracy, the rule of law, including international law, human +rights, free speech and free press, among other liberties. There are naive +old-fashioned habits such as respecting religious sites and symbols, not using +ambulances and hospitals for acts of war, avoiding the mutilation of dead bodies +and not using children as human shields or human bombs. Never in history, not +even in the Nazi period, was there such total disregard of all of the above as +we observe now. Every student of political science debates how you prevent an +anti-democratic force from winning a democratic election and abolishing +democracy. Other aspects of a civilized society must also have limitations. Can +a policeman open fire on someone trying to kill him? Can a government listen to +phone conversations of terrorists and drug dealers? Does free speech protect you +when you shout "fire" in a crowded theater? Should there be death penalty, for +deliberate multiple murders? These are the old-fashioned dilemmas. But now we +have an entire new set. Do you raid a mosque, which serves as a terrorist +ammunition storage? Do you return fire, if you are attacked from a hospital? Do +you storm a church taken over by terrorists who took the priests hostages? Do +you search every ambulance after a few suicide murderers use ambulances to reach +their targets? Do you strip every woman because one pretended to be pregnant and +carried a suicide bomb on her belly? Do you shoot back at someone trying to kill +you, standing deliberately behind a group of children? Do you raid terrorist +headquarters, hidden in a mental hospital? Do you shoot an arch-murderer who +deliberately moves from one location to another, always surrounded by children? +All of these happen daily in Iraq and in the Palestinian areas. What do you do? +Well, you do not want to face the dilemma. But it cannot be avoided. Suppose, +for the sake of discussion, that someone would openly stay in a well-known +address in Teheran, hosted by the Iranian Government and financed by it, +executing one atrocity after another in Spain or in France, killing hundreds of +innocent people, accepting responsibility for the crimes, promising in public TV +interviews to do more of the same, while the Government of Iran issues public +condemnations of his acts but continues to host him, invite him to official +functions and treat him as a great dignitary. I leave it to you as homework to +figure out what Spain or France would have done, in such a situation. The +problem is that the civilized world is still having illusions about the rule of +law in a totally lawless environment. It is trying to play ice hockey by sending +a ballerina ice-skater into the ring or to knock out a heavyweight boxer by a +chess player. In the same way that no country has a law against cannibals eating +its prime minister, because such an act is unthinkable, international law does +not address killers shooting from hospitals, mosques and ambulances, while being +protected by their Government or society. International law does not know how to +handle someone who sends children to throw stones, stands behind them and shoots +with immunity and cannot be arrested because he is sheltered by a Government. +International law does not know how to deal with a leader of murderers who is +royally and comfortably hosted by a country, which pretends to condemn his acts +or just claims to be too weak to arrest him. The amazing thing is that all of +these crooks demand protection under international law, and define all those who +attack them as "war criminals," with some Western media repeating the +allegations. The good news is that all of this is temporary, because the +evolution of international law has always adapted itself to reality. The +punishment for suicide murder should be death or arrest before the murder, not +during and not after. After every world war, the rules of international law have +changed, and the same will happen after the present one. But during the twilight +zone, a lot of harm can be done. The picture I described here is not pretty. +What can we do about it? In the short run, only fight and win. In the long run, +only educate the next generation and open it to the world. The inner circles can +and must be destroyed by force. The outer circle cannot be eliminated by force. +Here we need financial starvation of the organizing elite, more power to women, +more education, counter-propaganda, boycott whenever feasible and access to +Western media, internet and the international scene. Above all, we need a total +absolute unity and determination of the civilized world against all three +circles of evil. Allow me, for a moment, to depart from my alleged role as a +taxi driver and return to science. When you have a malignant tumor, you may +remove the tumor itself surgically. You may also starve it by preventing new +blood from reaching it from other parts of the body, thereby preventing new +"supplies" from expanding the tumor. If you want to be sure, it is best to do +both. But before you fight and win, by force or otherwise, you have to realize +that you are in a war, and this may take Europe a few more years. In order to +win, it is necessary to first eliminate the terrorist regimes, so that no +Government in the world will serve as a safe haven for these people. I do not +want to comment here on whether the American-led attack on Iraq was justified +from the point of view of weapons of mass destruction or any other pre-war +argument, but I can look at the post-war map of Western Asia. Now that +Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya are out, two and a half terrorist states remain: +Iran, Syria and Lebanon, the latter being a Syrian colony. Perhaps Sudan should +be added to the list. As a result of the conquest of Afghanistan and Iraq, both +Iran and Syria are now totally surrounded by territories unfriendly to them. +Iran is encircled by Afghanistan, by the Gulf States, Iraq and the Moslem +republics of the former Soviet Union. Syria is surrounded by Turkey, Iraq, +Jordan and Israel. This is a significant strategic change and it applies strong +pressure on the terrorist countries. It is not surprising that Iran is so active +in trying to incite a Shiite uprising in Iraq. I do not know if the American +plan was actually to encircle both Iran and Syria, but that is the resulting +situation. In my humble opinion, the number one danger to the world today is +Iran and its regime. It definitely has ambitions to rule vast areas and to +expand in all directions. It has an ideology which claims supremacy over Western +culture. It is ruthless. It has proven that it can execute elaborate terrorist +acts without leaving too many traces, using Iranian Embassies. It is clearly +trying to develop nuclear weapons. Its so-called moderates and conservatives +play their own virtuoso version of the "good-cop versus bad-cop" game. Iran +sponsors Syrian terrorism, it is certainly behind much of the action in Iraq, it +is fully funding the Hezbollah and, through it, the Palestinian Hamas and +Islamic Jihad; it performed acts of terror at least in Europe and in South +America and probably also in Uzbekistan and Saudi Arabia and it truly leads a +multi-national terror consortium, which includes, as minor players, Syria, +Lebanon and certain Shiite elements in Iraq. Nevertheless, most European +countries still trade with Iran, try to appease it and refuse to read the clear +signals. In order to win the war it is also necessary to dry the financial +resources of the terror conglomerate. It is pointless to try to understand the +subtle differences between the Sunni terror of Al Qaeda and Hamas and the Shiite +terror of Hezbollah, Sadr and other Iranian-inspired enterprises. When it serves +their business needs, all of them collaborate beautifully. It is crucial to stop +Saudi and other financial support of the outer circle, which is the fertile +breeding ground of terror. It is important to monitor all donations from the +Western World to Islamic organizations, to monitor the finances of international +relief organizations and to react with forceful economic measures to any small +sign of financial aid to any of the three circles of terrorism. It is also +important to act decisively against the campaign of lies and fabrications and to +monitor those Western media who collaborate with it out of naivety, financial +interests or ignorance. Above all, never surrender to terror. No one will ever +know whether the recent elections in Spain would have yielded a different +result, if not for the train bombings a few days earlier. But it really does not +matter. What matters is that the terrorists believe that they caused the result +and that they won by driving Spain out of Iraq. The Spanish story will surely +end up being extremely costly to other European countries, including France, who +is now expelling inciting preachers and forbidding veils and including others +who sent troops to Iraq. In the long run, Spain itself will pay even more. Is +the solution a democratic Arab world? If by democracy we mean free elections but +also free press, free speech, a functioning judicial system, civil liberties, +equality to women, free international travel, exposure to international media +and ideas, laws against racial incitement and against defamation, and avoidance +of lawless behavior regarding hospitals, places of worship and children, then +yes, democracy is the solution. If democracy is just free elections, it is +likely that the most fanatic regime will be elected, the one whose incitement +and fabrications are the most inflammatory. We have seen it already in Algeria +and, to a certain extent, in Turkey. It will happen again, if the ground is not +prepared very carefully. On the other hand, a certain transition democracy, as +in Jordan, may be a better temporary solution, paving the way for the real +thing, perhaps in the same way that an immediate sudden democracy did not work +in Russia and would not have worked in China. I have no doubt that the civilized +world will prevail. But the longer it takes us to understand the new landscape +of this war, the more costly and painful the victory will be. Europe, more than +any other region, is the key. Its understandable recoil from wars, following the +horrors of World War II, may cost thousands of additional innocent lives, before +the tide will turn." + +Zawahiri was associated with a faction of the Egyptian Islamic Jihad known as +the Vanguards of Conquest. Zawahiri and the Vanguards of Conquest were seeking +to recreate Mohammed's taking of mecca by a small band through violent attacks +on Egyptian leaders. By 1998, Zawahiri had determined that the Egyptian Islamic +Jihad should focus on its struggle against the United States and hold off on +further attacks against the Egyptian regime. A key question is how they acquired +the anthrax strain first isolated by the Texas Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Lab +in 1980. According to senior counter terrorism officials, both here and abroad, +among the supporters of these militant islamists were people who blended into +society and were available to act when another part of the network requested it. +Al Qaeda, Anthrax and Ayman: Means, Motive, Modus Operandi and Opportunity +Homeland Security In early June 2003, a Central Intelligence Agency ("CIA") +report publicly disclosed that the reason for Mohammed Atta's and Zacarias +Moussaoui's inquiries into cropdusters was for the contemplated use in +dispersing biological agents such as anthrax. An early September 2003 Newsweek +article included a rumor by a Taliban source that at a meeting in April 2003 Bin +Laden was planning an "unbelievable" biological attack, the plans for which had +suffered a setback upon the arrest of Khalid Shaikh Mohammed ("KSM"). He had +been captured the previous month in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. In November 2003, a +report by a UN Panel of experts concluded that Al Qaeda is determined to use +chemical and biological weapons and is restrained only by technical +difficulties. In a statement issued June 16, 2004, the 9/11 Commission Staff +concluded that "Al Qaeda had an ambitious biological weapons program and was +making advances in its ability to produce anthrax prior to September 11. +According to Director of Central Intelligence George Tenet, al Qaeda’s ability +to conduct an anthrax attack is one of the most immediate threats the United +States is likely to face." On August 9, 2004, it was announced that in the +Spring of 2001, a man named El-Shukrijumah, also known as Jafar the Pilot, who +was part of a "second wave," had been casing New York City helicopters. +Photographs from a seized computer disc included the controls and the locks on +the door between the passengers and pilot. In a bulletin, the FBI noted that the +surveillance might relate to a plot to disperse a chemical or biological weapon. +The CIA reportedly has been quietly building a case that the anthrax mailings +were an international plot. This is old news. It's just no longer +bureaucratically impolite to openly contest the FBI's (former) theory about a +lone, American scientist. Many people have argued that a US-based Al Qaeda +operative is behind the earlier Fall 2001 anthrax mailings in the US, and that +the mailings served as a threat and warning. Princeton islamist scholar Bernard +Lewis has explained that while islamists may disagree about whether killing +innocents is sanctioned by the laws of jihad, extremists like Zawahiri agree +that notice must be given before biochemical weapons are used. "The Prophet's +guidance," says Michael Scheuer, an al-Qaeda analyst who recently retired from +the CIA and once headed its Bin Laden unit, "was always, Before you attack +someone, warn them very clearly..." The anthrax mailings followed the pattern of +letters they sent in January 1997 to newspaper branches in Washington, D.C. and +New York City, as well as symbolic targets. The letter bombs were sent in +connection with the detention of the blind sheik Abdel Rahman and those +responsible for the earlier World Trade Center bombing in 1993. Handwritten +notes and files on a laptop seized upon the capture of KSM, Al Qaeda's #3, +included a feasible anthrax production plan using a spray dryer and addressed +the recruitment of necessary expertise. What your morning paper did not tell +you, however, was that the CIA seized a similar disc from Ayman Zawahiri's +right-hand, Ahmed Salama Mabruk, 5 years earlier. The computer disk was +confiscated from him during his arrest by the CIA in Azerbaijan and handed over +to the Egyptian authorities. Mabruk, at the time, was the head of Jihad's +military operations. There is a risk that observers underestimate the time that +Al Qaeda has had to make progress in such recruitment and research and +development. Some may still think that even in the final stages of the 9/11 +plot, Zacarias Moussaoui was going to fly a 5th plane into the Capitol or White +House. Others argue that he was to be part of a second wave of airliners +directed to targets on the West Coast. There is an e-mail by Moussaoui, however, +dated July 31, 2001 indicating that he sought to take a crop dusting course that +was to last up to 6 months. In March 2003, Mohammed reportedly said that +Moussaoui was not going to be part of 9/11 but was to be part of a "second +wave." Although Ramzi Binalshibh provided him $14,000 in July, accused September +11 conspirator Zacarias Moussaoui told his trial judge that he had an al Qaeda +mission that would have come after the terrorist attacks. KSM explained that +Moussaoui's inquiries about crop dusters may have been related to the anthrax +work being done by US-trained biochemist and Al Qaeda operative, Malaysian Yazid +Sufaat. Zacarias Moussaoui, never the sharpest tool in the shed and thought by +his superiors to be unreliable, has told the judge at his trial in a filing that +he wants "anthrax for Jew sympathizer only." Al Qaeda's regional operative, +Hambali, who was at a key January 2000 meeting and supervised Sufaat, has been +captured. Hambali reportedly is cooperating to some degree. KSM and Hambali sent +al-Hindi (al-Britani), along with Jafar the Pilot, to case NYC targets for a +second wave. It was as part of that surveillance in early 2001 that Jafar the +Pilot studied tourist helicopters in the NYC area. Sufaat, according to both KSM +and Hambali, did not have the virulent US Army Ames strain that would be used. +That would require someone who had access to the strain. But if experience is +any guide, nothing would stand in the way of Dr. Ayman Zawahiri's decade-long +quest to weaponize and use anthrax against US targets that was described by one +confidante to an Egyptian newspaper reporter. The islamist had been released +from Egyptian prison and had known Zawahiri well for many years. Emails from +Zawahiri to Atef in the Spring of 1999 indicate that Ayman was a close student +of the USAMRIID anthrax program. He believed that the koran instructed that a +jihadist should use the weapons used by the crusader. "What we know is that he's +always said it was a religious obligation to have the same weapons as their +enemies," former CIA OBL unit counter terrorism chief Michael Scheuer has said. +The Wall Street Journal reported that a computer used by Zawahiri contains a +June 1999 memo that "said the program should seek cover and talent in +educational institutions, which it said were 'more beneficial to us and allow +easy access to specialists, which will greatly benefit us in the first stage, +God willing.' '' Zawahiri was associated with a faction of the Egyptian Islamic +Jihad known as the Vanguards of Conquest. Zawahiri and the Vanguards of Conquest +were seeking to recreate Mohammed's taking of mecca by a small band through +violent attacks on Egyptian leaders. By 1998, Zawahiri had determined that the +Egyptian Islamic Jihad should focus on its struggle against the United States +and hold off on further attacks against the Egyptian regime. A key question is +how they acquired the anthrax strain first isolated by the Texas Veterinary +Medical Diagnostic Lab in 1980. According to senior counter terrorism officials, +both here and abroad, among the supporters of these militant islamists were +people who blended into society and were available to act when another part of +the network requested it. A few days before Christmas 2003, after a renewed +audiotape threat by Zawahiri of attacks, to include in the US homeland, the +threat level was raised to orange or "high." After the alert condition had long +since returned to yellow, Zawahiri in late February issued another audiotape. He +urged the President that brigades and brigades would be coming under the banner +of jihad carrying death and seeking paradise. Zawahiri said that the US should +expect another 9/11 on US soil. According to some reports, Zawahiri is thought +by intelligence to be somewhere near the border of Pakistan and Afghanistan. At +one time, some thought he had been spotted in Iran. Wherever he is, authorities +need to focus on the traceable connection between him and those he or Atef +recruited. In October 2001, did the FBI profilers know of the draft message +Khalid Mohammed had on the seized laptop (from 1995) that was signed "Khalid +Sheik Bojinka"? The letter threatened to use biochemical weapons if the blind +sheik was not released. (Khalid Mohammed's involvement dates back to Bojinka, as +does Hambali's). Use of biochemical weapons as blackmail and threatened +retaliation for such detentions was an alternative scenario in the Bojinka +planning. In May 2004, Patrick Hughes, Lieutenant General (Retired), Assistant +Secretary for Information Analysis, Homeland Security Department testified +before the 9/11 Commission. He explained that interrogations and other evidence +revealed that Al Qaeda wanted to strike the US with a nonconventional weapon, +most notably anthrax. The same week, the WTC head testified that while they had +not received any briefing on the use of planes, they had taken steps to prepare +for an attack using anthrax based on intelligence that had been received. Al +Qaeda has had anthrax, the raw seed product in its unweaponized form, since at +least 1997, when it was purchased by Bin Laden through the Moro Islamic +Liberation Front ("Moro Front" or "MILF"). Zawahiri, Al Qaeda's #2, is head of +Al Qaeda's biochemical program. The CIA has known of Zawahiri's plans to use +anthrax for a half decade. The confidante and right-hand man of Dr. Ayman +Zawahiri admitted that Zawahiri succeeded in obtaining anthrax and intended to +use it against US targets. Another senior Al Qaeda member (a shura or +policy-making council member no less) was working for the Egyptian intelligence +services and he confirmed the report in a sworn lengthy confession. Even +Zawahiri's attorney in 1999 said that Bin Laden and Zawahiri were likely to +resort to the biological and chemical agents they possessed given the +extradition pressure senior Al Qaeda leaders faced. A recently released islamist +who had been a close associate of Zawahiri said that Zawahiri spent a decade and +had made 15 separate attempts to recruit the necessary expertise to weaponize +anthrax in Russia and the Middle East. The US Army recipe was not used, and +obtaining the unprocessed Ames strain of anthrax used does not warrant the +weight given it by some press accounts. There was lax control over the +distribution of the Ames strain that was used, especially in light of the fact +that transfers were not even required to be recorded prior to 1997. +Significantly, the individual who isolated it nearly a quarter century ago (now +retired), upon being contacted, does not even report that he necessarily sent +the only copy of the strain to Ft. Detrick. Senator Patrick Leahy at a +Congressional hearing in the Spring of 2002 noted that the FBI had collected the +Ames strain from 20 sources. In Fall 2004, MSNBC, relying on an unnamed FBI +spokesperson, reports that the FBI has narrowed the pool of labs known to have +had Ames that was a match from 16 to 4 but cannot rule out that it was made +overseas. Al Qaeda's anthrax production plans on Khalid Mohammed's computer did +not evidence knowledge of advanced techniques in the most efficient biological +weapons. At least according to the public comments by bioweaponeer experts +William Patrick and Kenneth Alibek, under the optimal method, there is no +electrostatic charge. In the case of the anthrax used in the mailings, there was +an electrostatic charge. Although there was a dominance of single spores and a +trillion spore concentration, there were clumps as large as 40 - 100 microns. +(Spores must be no bigger than 5 microns to be inhalable.) Many point to the +trillion spore concentration as extraordinary. It is far simpler, however, to +achieve a trillion spore concentration in the production of a few grams than in +industrial processing typical of a state sponsored lab. The "trillion spore" +issue was at the heart of a lot of mistaken theories of the matter concluding +that state sponsorship was necessarily indicated. The reported finding at Dugway +undermines the argument of both the "bomb Iraq" crowd and the liberals focused +on Dr. Steve Hatfill who object to US biodefense research because they view it +as being useful for offensive purposes. USDA employee Johnelle Bryant first told +us, in sensational detail, of Atta's inquiries about purchasing and retrofitting +a cropduster. Khalid Mohammed then told interrogators that Zacarias Moussaoui's +inquiries about crop dusting may have related to Yazid Sufaat's anthrax +manufacturing plans. Although the details of the documents on Mohammed's +computer may (or may not) point to possible difficulties in aerial dispersal, +they are fully consistent with the product used in the anthrax mailings. Al +Qaeda had both the means and opportunity. US-trained Malaysian biochemist Yazid +Sufaat met with 9/11 plotters and two hijackers in January 2000. Sufaat was a +member of Al Qaeda and a member of Jemaah Islamiah ("JI"). JI has ties with the +Moro Front. Sufaat used his company called Green Laboratory Medicine to buy +items useful to Al Qaeda. (Green symbolizes "Islam" and Prophet Mohammed's holy +war). Zacarias Moussaoui, who had a crop dusting manual when he was arrested, +stayed at Sufaat's condominium in 2000 when he was trying to arrange for flight +lessons in Malaysia. Yazid Sufaat provided Moussaoui with a letter indicating +that he was a marketing representative for Infocus Technologies and allegedly +provided him $35,000. The crop dusters were to be part of a "second wave." After +9/11, Yazid Sufaat traveled to Afghanistan and Pakistan to work for the Taliban +Medical Brigade and to continue his work with anthrax. As described in US News, +a former reporter from the Kabul Times actually may have met Sufaat, without +realizing it, while traveling near Kabul in October 2001, perceiving him as +Filipino. The fellow was carrying papers from Zawahiri and bragging about his +ability to manipulate anthrax. Sufaat was arrested in December 2001 upon his +return to Malaysia. Newsweek reported that a "second wave" involving biological +attacks had been thwarted upon the arrest of Al Qaeda members who had been +intended to provide logistical support. Various doctors, both foreign and +American, are associated with Al Qaeda leaders or operatives, to include the +doctors Abdul Qadoos Khan, a bacteriologist from Rawalpindi and Aafia Siddiqui, +PhD, from Karachi. Microbiologist Abdul Qadoos Khan was charged along with his +son, Ahmed, for harboring the fugitives. As of March 28, 2003, he was in a +hospital for a cardiac problem and had been granted "pre-arrest bail." Yet all +you read about at the time was the arrest of the son Ahmed Abdul Qadoos, who +receives a stipend from the UN for being officially low-IQ due to lead +poisoning. It was Khalid Mohammed who told authorities about Aafia Siddiqui, who +has a PhD from Brandeis in neurology. The Pakistani press reported that she was +nabbed in Karachi after being spotted at the airport in late March or early +April 2003. If mistaken, how did those reports first come about? Understandably, +Amerithrax is a confidential investigation. The Pakistan ISI and CIA rarely +grant press interviews in connection with an ongoing manhunt. The CIA did not +even allow the FBI access to KSM for 10 days after his arrest. As agent Van +Harp, then head of the Amerithrax investigation said, the information coming +from Khalid Mohammed is classified with the authorities releasing only certain +limited information. While it's not easy to separate fact from fiction, Attorney +General Ashcroft and Director Mueller have publicly confirmed Aafia is still +being sought. They would know. Her mother Ismat last saw Aafia and her +grandchildren before they left in a minicab at the end of March. Aafia was on +her way with her children to visit and uncle and a friend in Islamabad. +According to the Pakistan reports, Aafia Siddiqui was detained after being +spotted at Karachi International airport (after she was followed to a relative's +house). (Karachi is in the south). The reports say she is suspected of having +been a member of Al Qaeda's "Chemical Wire Group." The family's lawyer advises +me that Aafia did not have enough money to pay for airfare tickets for herself +and the kids and called Ismat from the train station. That was the last Ismat +heard from her. Aafia never reached the uncle's house. Perhaps something got +lost in the translation, but the phrase "Chemical Wire Group" has appeared in +all the english Pakistan and India papers. The family's attorney advises me that +Aafia had no knowledge of chemicals (and that would not appear to be her +training). There still is a very hot pursuit of the "Atta-level" Floridian, +Adnan El Shukrijumah, who Siddiqui is thought to have known and been assisting. +His nickname is "Jafar the Pilot." A senior DOJ official reports that Adnan has +experience as a commercial pilot. He is said by one FBI agent to be "very, very, +very" dangerous. He allegedly was at one or more meetings in the Summer of 2001 +in Pakistan at which KSM and Sufaat were present. He may have been seen in +Hamilton, Canada -- along with Egyptian al-Maati, who apparently also has +received pilot training. The United States truly no longer has time for faulty +analysis or politically-based preconceptions. In early June 2003, a CIA report +concluded that the reason for Atta's and Zacarias Moussaoui's inquiries into +cropdusters was in fact for the contemplated use in dispersing biological agents +such as anthrax. It has long been known Osama Bin Laden was interested in using +cropdusters to disperse biological agents (since the testimony of millennium +bomber Ahmed Ressam). The hijacker Ahmed Alhaznawi appears to have contracted +cutaneous anthrax in Afghanistan. It is reasonable to credit his statement that +he got the lesion after bumping into a suitcase he was carrying at a camp in +Afghanistan. The lesion is further evidence of Al Qaeda's anthrax production +program at Kandahar. The present evidence relating to Atta's alleged travel to +Prague does not warrant a conclusion that Al Qaeda obtained the Ames strain from +Iraq. Iraq, however, remains a possible source of the Ames. Former Russian +bioweaponeer Ken Alibek has said that a key Russian scientist assisted Iraq and +that Russia had the Ames strain. (His conclusion may have been based on the fake +mobile biolab plans foisted upon the US by the Chalabi associate "Curveball", +which Alibek divined to be identical to Russian mobile lab design). Zawahiri did +travel to Baghdad in 1998 with an entourage to attend the birthday party of +Saddam's son. The papers found at headquarters of the Mukhabarat, Iraq's secret +police, show that an entourage from Al Qaeda group was sent to the Iraqi capital +in March 1998 from Sudan. According to at least some reports, Bin Laden rejected +the suggestion of a closer alliance -- preferring to pursue his own concept of +jihad. Two top Iraqi scientists, code named Charlie and Alpha, are helping the +coalition to learn more about Iraqi's anthrax program, according to Dr. David +Kay, head of the Iraq survey group in charge of the hunt for WMD. He has said +that the Iraqis made surprising innovations in the milling and drying processes +needed to weaponize anthrax. The media coverage has been seriously confused on +the issue of motive and the reason Senators Daschle and Leahy would have been +targeted -- tending to simplistically view them as "liberals." Zawahiri likely +targeted Senators Daschle and Leahy to receive anthrax letters, in addition to +various media outlets, because of the appropriations made pursuant to the "Leahy +Law" to military and security forces. That money has prevented the militant +islamists from achieving their goals. Al Qaeda members and sympathizers feel +that the FBI's involvement in countries like Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, +Indonesia, and the Philippines interferes with the sovereignty of those +countries. According to a post she made on the internet, Aafia Siddiqui +expressed the same sentiment in connection with US appropriations sought in +exchange for the extradition of WTC 1993 plotter Ramzi Yousef from Pakistan. +Senator Leahy was Chairman of both the Judiciary Committee overseeing the FBI +and Appropriations Subcommittee in charge of foreign aid to these countries. In +late September 2001, it was announced that the President was seeking a blanket +waiver that would lift all restrictions on aid to military and security units in +connection with pursuing the militant islamists. This extradition and +imprisonment of Al Qaeda leaders, along with US support for Israel and the +Mubarak government in Egypt, remains foremost in the mind of Dr. Zawahiri. At +the height of the development of his biological weapons program, his brother was +extradited pursuant to a death sentence in the "Albanian returnees" case (now he +faces retrial). It's hard to keep up with the stories about billion dollar +appropriations, debt forgiveness, and loan guarantees to countries like Egypt +and Israel and now even Pakistan. Those appropriations pale in comparison to the +many tens of billions in appropriations relating to the invasion of Iraq. Al +Qaeda had a motive in mind. In his Fall 2001 book titled Knights under the +Banner of the Prophet, Zawahiri argued that the secular press was telling "lies" +about the militant islamists -- to include the suggestion that the militant +islamists were somehow the creation of the United States in connection with +expelling the Russians from Afghanistan. Zawahiri argued instead that they have +been active since the assassination of Anwar Sadat in Egypt because of the Camp +David Accord and the resulting peace treaty between Egypt and Israel. The +anthrax letters were sent on the date of the Camp David Accord and then the date +Anwar Sadat was assassinated as if to underscore the point to anyone paying +attention. Most of the "talking heads" on television, however, knew only that +Daschle and Leahy were liberal democrats and did not know anything of Al Qaeda +beyond what they read in the US newspapers. The FBI's profile includes a +US-based supporter of the militant islamists. Attorney General Ashcroft +explained that an "either-or" approach is not useful. The media has tended to +overlook the fact that when the FBI uses the word "domestic" the word includes a +US-based, highly-educated supporter of the militant islamists. There is an +emerging consensus that anthrax was contained in a letter to AMI, the publisher +of the National Enquirer -- in a goofy love letter to Jennifer Lopez enclosing a +Star of David and proposing marriage. A report by the Center for Disease Control +of interviews with AMI employees (as well as detailed interviews by author +Leonard Cole) supports the conclusion that there were not one, but two, such +mailings containing anthrax. (The letters were to different AMI publications -- +one to the National Enquirer and another to The Sun). (News assistant Bobby +Bender recalls the letter containing the items to have been addressed to The +Sun.) This tactic of letters is not merely the modus operandi of these militant +islamists inspired by Zawahiri, it is their signature. The islamists sent letter +bombs in January 1997 to newspaper offices in New York City and Washington, +D.C.. They were sent in connection with the earlier bombing of the World Trade +Center and the imprisonment of the blind sheik, Sheik Abdel Rahman. The former +leader of the Egyptian Al-Gamaa al-Islamiya ("Islamic Group"), he was also a +spiritual leader of Al Qaeda. The letter bombs were sent in connection with the +treatment of the Egyptian islamists imprisoned for the earlier attack on the WTC +and a related plot. The purpose of the letter bombs -- which resulted in minimal +casualty -- was to send a message. (There initially was an outstanding $2 +million reward -- under the rewards for justice program, the reward now is up to +$5 million.). There was no claim of responsibility. There was no explanation. +Once one had been received, the next ten, mailed on two separate dates, were +easily collected. Sound familiar? Two bombs were also sent to Leavenworth, where +a key WTC 1993 defendant was imprisoned, addressed to "Parole Officer." (The +position does not exist). Abdel Rahman's son was captured in Quetta, Pakistan in +mid-February 2003. That arrest in turn led to the dramatic capture of Khalid +Mohammed, Al Qaeda's #3. Mohammed allegedly was hiding in the home of the +Pakistani bacteriologist Dr. Abdul Qadoos Khan. Along with Zawahiri, Abdel +Rahman and his two sons have had considerable influence over Bin Laden. He +reportedly treated them like sons. Although while in jail in the early 1980s, +Zawahiri caused considerable tension by challenging the blind sheik's ability to +lead a coalition of the Egyptian Islamic Jihad and the Egyptian Islamic Group, +Zawahiri and OBL are Rahman's friends. The imprisoned WTC 1993 plotter Yousef +was KSM's nephew. Thus, the leaders in charge of Al Qaeda's anthrax production +program had a close connection to those imprisoned in connection with the +earlier bombing of the World Trade Center. According to the controversial "Feith +memo," which summarized purported intelligence showing an Iraqi/Al Qaeda +connection, Osama Bin Laden had asked Iraqi intelligence for technical +assistance in sending letter bombs a half year before the Al Hayat letters were +sent. Just because Al Qaeda likes its truck bombs and the like to be effective +does not mean they do not see the value in a deadly missive. As Brian Jenkins +once said, "terrorism is theater." A sender purporting to be islamist sent +cyanide in both early 2002 and early 2003 in New Zealand and ingredients of +nerve gas in Belgium in 2003. There's even a chapter titled "Poisonous Letter" +in the Al Qaeda manual. The "Federal Eagle" stamp used in the anthrax mailings +was a blue-green. It was widely published among the militant islamists that +martyrs go to paradise "in the hearts of green birds." In the very interview in +which they admitted 9/11, and described the codes used for the four targets for +the planes, the masterminds admitted to the Jenny code, the code for +representing the date 9/11, and used the symbolism of the "Green Birds." Osama +Bin Laden later invoked the symbolism in his video "The 19 Martyrs." A FAQ on +the Azzam Publications website explained that "In the Hearts of Green Birds" +refers to what is inside. The mailer's use of "Greendale School" as the return +address for the letters to the Senators is also revealing. A May 2001 letter +that Zawahiri sent to Egyptian Islamic Jihad members abroad establish that +Zawahiri used "school" as a code word for the Egyptian militant islamists in his +correspondence. Green symbolizes Islam and was the Prophet Mohammed's color. By +Greendale School, the anthrax perp was being cute, just as Yazid Sufaat was +being cute in naming his lab Green Laboratory Medicine. "Dale" means "river +valley." Greendale likely refers to green river valley -- i.e., Cairo's Egyptian +Islamic Jihad or the Islamic Group. The sender probably is announcing that he is +of either Egyptian Islamic Jihad, Egyptian Islamic Group or Jihad-al Qaeda, +which is actually the full name of the group after the merger of the Egyptian +Islamic Jihad and al Qaeda. At the Darunta complex where jihadis trained, +recruits would wear green uniforms, except for Friday when they were washed. In +a Hadith the Messenger of Allah explains that the souls of the martyrs are in +the hearts of green birds that fly wherever they please in the Paradise. As to +opportunity, though seldom reported, there is a wealth of "open source" +information about possible Al Qaeda or Egyptian Islamic Jihad or Egyptian +Islamic Group in the United States and Canada. The public information mostly +relates to those suspected sleepers who have been detained or who are at large +and are being sought. Zawahiri's mission in the United States in 1995 was to do +spadework for terrorism, not fundraising for charitable causes. He traveled +under an alias and was accompanied by a former US Army sergeant named Ali +Mohammed. What mosques exactly did they visit and who did they meet? Whatever +your political persuasion, the FBI and CIA deserve our support. We are, after +all, in this together. First, the nature of such an investigation is that we +lack sufficient information to second-guess (or even know) what the FBI is +doing. Media reports are a poor approximation of reality because of the lack of +good sources. Second, hindsight is 20/20. Third, with the "new age" Efrem +Zimbalist, Jr. in charge of the investigation, it is not likely we could do +better in striking the appropriate balance between due process and national +security. Finally, the "Hatfill theory" seems to have been exhausted or at least +lost public favor. The "Hatfill theory" accusing Dr. Stephen Hatfill was always +highly dubious. The suspicion was founded on many false premises, and there was +no reliable publicly known evidence indicating his guilt. The FBI's fixation on +Hatfill (at least as rumored by some reporters) may have stemmed from a warning +by one Senator that careers hung in the balance. Leahy's chief of staff +apparently started with the strong predisposition that some right-winger was +involved because two liberal democrats had been targeted. The Hatfill theory -- +to include ongoing interviews and ongoing 7/24 surveillance by 8 surveillance +specialists -- is now the subject of pending civil rights and libel claims of +uncertain merit. A suit against the New York Times and columnist Nicholas +Kristof was dismissed in late November 2004. The judge had agreed to delay the +civil rights matter from proceeding until at least October 2004. The judge, +frustrated by the apparent lack of progress, encouraged that the parties reach a +negotiated compromise that would permit some limited discovery to proceed (and +the judge has directed that the government to file an Answer to the Complaint). +The Hatfill Theory ironically might best be understood as an Al Qaeda theory, +with a coincidental Malaysian connection adding to the other circumstances. +Given the regrettable leaks that he was under suspicion, it is only fair that +the FBI leak with equal enthusiasm the fact that Dr. Hatfill has now been +dropped as a suspect if and when that proves to be the case. A search of Dr. Ken +Berry's residences likely will prove just about the last gasp of a biodefense +insider theory. Senior officials have been quoted in the press as saying that +the searches were for the purpose of excluding him as much as including him. + +Maureen, Andre is going to look over the list of curves needed for the global +assets (August Board meeting) one more time before I forward it to you. He will +make sure that we do not request FX and inflation (CPI,PPI, etc.) curves when +only one of the curves will actually be used in the valuation process and to +determine which inflation index is needed. Typically, we receive both FX and +inflation from you, but both curves may not always be used. I hope that we can +give you some time savings by eliminating any nonessential requests. For now, +this is the list of countries for which we will probably need the FX and/or +inflation curves. I will send the specifics per Andre later today. India +Philippines Bolivia Jamaica Guatemala Venezuela Columbia Puerto Rico CPI only (I +need historical inflation data, as well) Panama Brazil we have current data +already China we have current data already Euro inflation only I am not certain +about the needs for the London Underwriting/IV group but will request the +information from them if you have not done so already. Thanks! Cindy David and +Cindy, Please send us the list of the curves that you will need to revalue our +international assets for the August Board meeting. Thanks, Maureen Philip, I +have to decline the invitation with regrets. I have too many commitments right +now. Vince Kaminski Dear Vince Just a quick message to follow up on the email +that I sent you recently inviting you to speak at our forthcoming congress, Risk +2001 Australia, which is taking place in Sydney on 20 & 21 August 2001. Have you +had an opportunity to consider the invitation yet? We are aiming to have the +programme printed next week, so I would really need to know as soon as possible +if you would be available to speak at this year's congress. I am working from +our Hong Kong office for this week only (Tel: +852 2545 2710), and I can be +contacted by phone there or by email. Kind regards. Philip Philip Annesley +Conference Producer Risk Waters Group +44 20 7484 9866 +44 20 7484 9800 +www.risk-conferences.com/risk2001aus Beth has made our reservations for the +Round Table Friday night (5/18) at Sullivan's Steak House for 6:30. See you all +there - this is ling overdue Paula Paula, Thanks a lot. Will you drive on that +day? Vince Beth has made our reservations for the Round Table Friday night +(5/18) at Sullivan's Steak House for 6:30. See you all there - this is ling +overdue Paula FYI Vince Anne, Mike will call you regarding Sarah. Vince, As I +mentioned in my voice mail, Mike Roberts going to hire Sara Woody, a recent MBA +grad from Rice, into his group. However, when we were talking about this +position, Mike compared Sara to Elena. Elena's title is admin coordinator, and I +know that Sara should not have this title, and honestly do not think that Elena +should also. Admin coordinator's do primarily administrative work. I suggest +that you compare Elena and Sarah's duties/ level to other Sr. Spec. in your +group such as Kenneth Parkhill and Sevil to determine if they are equivalent, or +if their scope of responsibilities and experience is not as broad. If the latter +is the case, we could place both Sara and Elena in a specialist job group ( the +salary range is 33-66K). Please advise. Thanks, Anne Clayton, Thanks a lot. I +appreciate all your help. Vince Vince- Good news. Martin's box is working +wonderfully- I'll have everything transferred to it and give him the keys by +Friday. This was (another) nice deal for Enron. We save $21,000 in real money +this way, the cash refund Sun is giving Enron for our other server, using a box +that wasn't being used by anyone. I'm happy about this. Clayton Iris, +Congratulations. Anne, please, include this info in Iris' file Vince + +Michael: Thanks for putting the paperwork together. I would have interest in +meeting if you can present unique investment opportunities that I don't have +access to now. Most of my contact with financial advisors in the past has +consisted of them suggesting a mutual fund, telling me to invest in Home Depot, +Sun, and Coke, or trying to pass off their banks' biased research reports as +something valuable. The above services provide no value to me personally. If you +can present opportunities such as access to private equity or hedge funds, or +other ideas with strong growth potential and low correlation to the S@P, I'd +listen. John John - We'll get the paperwork together and sent to you for naked +options. At some point, I'd like to talk about the diversification strategy in +more detail -- perhaps over dinner or a quick meeting after the markets close? +Michael Gapinski Account Vice President Emery Financial Group PaineWebber, Inc. +713-654-0365 800-553-3119 x365 Fax: 713-654-1281 Cell: 281-435-0295 Michael: +Appreciate the idea. However, with my natural long, I'm not looking to really +trade around the position. I believe ENE will continue to be range bound, but in +case it is not, I don't want to forgo 50% of my option premium. I have price +targets of where I would like to lighten up exposure to ENE and will use calls +to implement the stategy. To that regards, I noticed I was not approved to sell +naked calls. I would like that ability in order to hedge some exposure I have of +unexercised vested options. Please look into that for me. John. John - I was +looking at the recent pullback in ENE and thinking it might be an opportunity to +buy back the calls you sold. Of course, you would then be in a position to sell +calls again if the stock makes a bounce. I'm not sure that ENE @ 75 is the +place, but maybe @ 73. Call me if you're interested. Michael Gapinski Account +Vice President Emery Financial Group PaineWebber, Inc. 713-654-0365 800-553-3119 +x365 Fax: 713-654-1281 Cell: 281-435-0295 Notice Regarding Entry of Orders and +Instructions: Please do not transmit orders and/or instructions regarding your +PaineWebber account(s) by e-mail. Orders and/or instructions transmitted by +e-mail will not be accepted by PaineWebber and PaineWebber will not be +responsible for carrying out such orders and/or instructions. Notice Regarding +Privacy and Confidentiality: PaineWebber reserves the right to monitor and +review the content of all e-mail communications sent and/or received by its +employees. Notice Regarding Entry of Orders and Instructions: Please do not +transmit orders and/or instructions regarding your PaineWebber account(s) by +e-mail. Orders and/or instructions transmitted by e-mail will not be accepted by +PaineWebber and PaineWebber will not be responsible for carrying out such orders +and/or instructions. Notice Regarding Privacy and Confidentiality: PaineWebber +reserves the right to monitor and review the content of all e-mail +communications sent and/or received by its employees. Notice Regarding Entry of +Orders and Instructions: Please do not transmit orders and/or instructions +regarding your PaineWebber account(s) by e-mail. Orders and/or instructions +transmitted by e-mail will not be accepted by PaineWebber and PaineWebber will +not be responsible for carrying out such orders and/or instructions. Notice +Regarding Privacy and Confidentiality: PaineWebber reserves the right to monitor +and review the content of all e-mail communications sent and/or received by its +employees. Who cares?????? Please note that effective immediately my email +address has changed to Sean.Cooper@ElPaso.com He just rescheduled to Wednesday. +How about dinner on Wednesday after that ? Your buddy Beau invited me. How about +prior to that or after that on Tuesday. not really... already have plans on +thursday . are you going to the NYMEX candidate cocktail hour Tuesday? oh god is +there an agenda. Would dinner Thursday work instead. not really... already have +plans on thursday . are you going to the NYMEX candidate cocktail hour Tuesday? +oh god is there an agenda. + +Wednesday doesn't work for me. How about Tuesday's at 3:30 Houston time. i +completely agree. I would like to have a meeting once a week for 1-2 hours with +all 6 of us just to make sure we are moving forward and to get an update and +anything and everything. My only concern is that we take the boys away from +their overwhelming task. What do you guys think. John OK. I will have to move my +weekly meeting to Tuesday. Monday's starting next week at 4??????????????? +Wednesday doesn't work for me. How about Tuesday's at 3:30 Houston time. i +completely agree. I would like to have a meeting once a week for 1-2 hours with +all 6 of us just to make sure we are moving forward and to get an update and +anything and everything. My only concern is that we take the boys away from +their overwhelming task. What do you guys think. John Not yet. Did you happen to +sign your employment agreement? Please respond to request below. Thanks. John +Lavorato has requested the attached report. He is concerned about the allocation +amongst categories- in particular, Real Time Traders. If you would, please +review the entire list and let me know if you are in agreement with the +presentation by tomorrow evening, if possible. I'm at xif you have any +questions. Thanks! I understand all of those comparisons, however, the reality +is if we lose Dean (which we will if we don't pay 65k + 10k), we will end up +hiring a replacement at 75-80k. This is pretty easy math for me. I know it seems +like a stretch, but the market for hourly traders is very strong right now. I +would like to get this done ASAP. Thanks. I am reviewing the request for an +employment agreement renewal on Mark Dean Laurent. Juan communicated some +numbers to me and when reviewing this request would like to ask you to consider +the following: Current Salary: $47,500 Job Group: Specialist YE PRC Rating: +Satisfactory Original Proposition: Base Salary 65k 1 Year Agreement $5,000 +signing Revised Proposal: Base Salary: 55k 1 Year agreement $5,000 signing +Business Case: If we offered Dean 55k or 60k it would still constitute a over a +$10,000 increase (approximately 25%) and taking into consideration he was rated +as satisfactory at the specialist level. Also, the top of the salary range for a +specialist is 66k. It would still give him room to progress in the current job +group should he not be promoted. Secondly, he will still out price performers +that you have in the same job group that are excellent and strong performers +respectively eg. Paul Thomas, Jason Choate, Todd DeCook and Peter Makkai. Salary +Listing in Job Group: Maria Valdes superior $62,500 Paul Thomas excellent +$55,008 Jason Choate excellent $60,008 Todd DeCook strong $42,008 Peter Makkai +strong $47,500 Let me know your thoughts....then I will run it by Oxley. Are we +going to attend? Transmission Expansion and Systems in Transition Conference +Feb. 5-8, 2002, Miami, Florida OVERVIEW This conference will examine the +business and regulatory challenges to U.S. electric systems in transition in +effectively expanding transmission capacity to meet new demands in the larger +and more competitive regional markets emerging under FERC 's RTO initiatives. +The conference will review the parameters of these challenges and possible +solutions to them. It will examine technology options and new business models +for transmission expansion. It will analyze emerging proposals for effective +transmission planning and pricing, including market-based pricing alternatives +to FERC's traditional pricing methods. The conference will also discuss what it +will take in legislative action and regulatory initiative to achieve an +efficient regime for ensuring that the nation has a reliable grid and regional +trading system. The brochure for the Conference and associated Workshops can be +obtained by clicking on the link below: +<< http://www.euci.com/pdf/trans_expn.pdf >> Electricity Market Design +Conference March 25-26, 2002, Atlanta, Georgia + +I need to check something in 969's 2000 tax return. Who has the 2000 tax return +file for 969? Essie Sonya City 07/30/2001 05:17 PM I think that this is for you since I don't know any of +these people. WHO: Enron WHAT: Happy Hour for John Suarez WHEN: Today at 5pm +WHERE: The Front Porch 217 Gray St. (713) 571-9571 WHY: Today is John's last day +at EBS. This is NOT an Enron-sponsored event. How do you feel about taking on +another company? Essie and Leon have proposed xferring Co. 1691 to your world +(see below). Do you concur? Please let me know Monday morning. Regards, +Vicsandra If you have not already made these decisions, Essie's guidance should +be helpful. Patty Lee Corporate Tax x35172 EB1774 Please see my comments in red +below. Essie Essie, Can you recommend where these companies each fit within the +new organization? If possible, can you also give an indication of the rank - 1 +through 5? Thanks, Patty I have a few entities that may need to change groups or +be assigned to a group. 18T - EI Indonesia Operations LLC This entity is not in +TIS, SAP, nor Hyperion. The 2000 tax return has no income, assets, or +liabilities. There is a corporate data sheet for this company, but this entity +seems to have been inactive since it's creation. 86M - Enron Net Works LLC +Despite the name, this entity appears to be a MTM company. Per September +financials, this company has about $3M of MTM and about $8K of expenses, nothing +else. The next 5 companies were my responsibility while in EBS, and did not get +assigned during the reorg. 80Y - Enron Broadband Acquisition, Inc. This entity +was created in 2000 for the acquistion of WarpSpeed Communications (now Enron +WarpSpeed Services, Inc. 83N), and then dissolved upon completion of merger. +Company is around with a small amount of assets and liabilities, but no I/S +items. 83N is my responsibility. I think this entity should stay with 83N. So I +suggest it be assigned to Leon. It should be 4 - easy. 1579 - EBS Network Co. +Division of 17H. This one should possibly be assigned to Networks & Services +group. Not currently on our list of companies. I think this could go to either +Holding/Administrative Companies (Same as 17H) or Network & Services (Leon). 4 - +easy. 1691 - EPI-EBS Europe Set up last month to centralize merchant asset +activities. Broke out the activities of 1179. A similar entity (1179) was +assigned to Commodity and Trade (Todd Richards and Mary Fischer) so this one +should be assigned to them as well. 4 - easy. 1307 - EBIC-Apache, LLC Rolls up +to Cherokee Finance VOF, a CFC. Cherokee Finance VOF is assigned to North +America (Glen Walloch and Kevin Walker). Maybe this one should also go to them +as the only tax which may have to be provided would be foreign tax. 4 - easy. +1689 - EPI-EBS Ventures, LLC Set up last month to centralize merchant asset +activities. Broke out the activities of 1307. Same as 1307. It should be +assigned to North America (Glen Walloch and Kevin Walker). 4 - easy. Let me know +if you have any questions. Leon Branom Senior Tax Analyst Networks and Services +(713) 345-8702 office leon.branom@enron.com No problem about moving Company 1691 +over I see that it is a 4, so that will be no problem. How do you feel about +taking on another company? Essie and Leon have proposed xferring Co. 1691 to +your world (see below). Do you concur? Please let me know Monday morning. +Regards, Vicsandra If you have not already made these decisions, Essie's +guidance should be helpful. Patty Lee Corporate Tax x35172 EB1774 Please see my +comments in red below. Essie Essie, Can you recommend where these companies each +fit within the new organization? If possible, can you also give an indication of +the rank - 1 through 5? Thanks, Patty + +Virginia, Hello. I was originally inquiring about purchasing a Cross or Signac +impressionist lithograph. I found them and purchased both from a gallery in +London, William Weston. They should be delivered this week. They are beautiful +and will add a lot to our collection. By the way the Lichtenstein is up and +hanging in our formal living room and it is magnificent. I have also purchased +an Appel in the last month. I am interested in several artists. Actually, a lot. +I will be looking for one or more of the following. My concept is that overtime +I would like to own one of all the following artists and they are all depending +when I find something that we really like. I listed all of our (sometimes mine +vs. my wife's favorites and priorities). They are kind of in rank order but as I +stated if I find the piece that I like we will purchase it. I want signed and +numbered. I realize that some were not signed by the artist but it is an +important fact in my buying decision. I also realize that some may not have done +any works on paper or they are outrageously expensive. For example, I would like +to know if Rothko or Kline did any work on paper. At least that is what I am +thinking now. Bonnard (colorful only) Lautrec Suerat (any works on paper? - I +don't know that he did any) Other impressionist or post impressionist lithos +Braque Moore Arp Rouault Modrian Rothko Kline Motherwell By the way, I am +interested in re-looking at a Picasso (although we have 2) that your gallery had +a couple of years ago. It was a cubist piece from the 1920s and I believe you +called the technique a "push wa" (pronunciation Vs an attempt at the proper +spelling). It was for sale in a couple of galleries in SF and was about $20,000. +Is there 1 available? Also I am still thinking about the Matisse we discussed +before but as you can see, I have a lot of other artists I am interested in and +it may remain on the back burner because we already have one. Thanks, mike +Huskers drool over Sooners. Ken Rice@ENRON COMMUNICATIONS 01/19/2001 09:14 AM +Huskers rule, Sooners drool. Mike McConnell@ECT 01/19/01 07:55 AM Thanks for the +note. Sooners rule. We'll find time when things settle down. m Ken Rice@ENRON +COMMUNICATIONS 01/19/2001 07:24 AM Mike I see that we are scheduled to have +lunch today. I may have to postpone again, I'll let you know later this morning. +I am out all weekend and we have to have the final comments on the Analyst +Presentation in by sunday night so I may be working over lunch. Actually, I +think we are in pretty good shape so I will probably be doing lunch but just +don't be too mad if I have to cancel. Ken PS Your brother told me he went to 3 +bowl games (when I found out that two of them were the galleryfurniture.com bowl +and that one in Shreveport (I can't remember the name of it)) I realized he is a +very, very sick college football fan. Jeff, here is the intial draft. Please +leave as a word document and make any changes and additions that you think +necessary. I haven't even changed the wording after I first put it down. Mike +Mark, I thought you would enjoy the comment about you. m Ken Rice@ENRON +COMMUNICATIONS 01/19/2001 07:24 AM Mike I see that we are scheduled to have +lunch today. I may have to postpone again, I'll let you know later this morning. +I am out all weekend and we have to have the final comments on the Analyst +Presentation in by sunday night so I may be working over lunch. Actually, I +think we are in pretty good shape so I will probably be doing lunch but just +don't be too mad if I have to cancel. Ken PS Your brother told me he went to 3 +bowl games (when I found out that two of them were the galleryfurniture.com bowl +and that one in Shreveport (I can't remember the name of it)) I realized he is a +very, very sick college football fan. + +I will put this on our calendars. Too bad you won't make the Compaq thing, but +maybe next year. San Antonio, wow what a let down from the other cities. That +will be a nice time of year though. I can recommend some good restaurants since +I took Ric there last year for his birthday. We stayed at the Menger and had a +great time. Kay Mann@ENRON 09/20/2000 04:18 PM This Friday - Michael goes for a +visit at St. Francis, which may be his new school (so far, so good). I'll be in +around1000 Most Fridays I'm going to TRY to pick Michael up since I'm away so +much, which means leaving by 445 or so. October 4, ENA orientation in the am. +October 19/20, Neil is out of town, so I have to pick Michael up from school +(leave at 430) October 26/27, hope to be vacation time. Neil has a meeting in +San Antonio (usually it is in Miami, San Francisco, Phoenix - not so great this +year). It is the officer's meeting for Enterprise, and spouses are invited. This +means we won't be in town for the Compaq thing. Figures, of course. Thanks for +asking. I'm watching for some good vacation days, also... fyi/review/comment I +have a couple of questions so I can wrap up the LOI: We refer to licensed Fuel +Cell Energy equipment. Do we intend to reference a particular manufacturer, or +should this be more generic? Do we want to attach a draft of the Development +Agreement, and condition the final deal on agreeing to terms substantially the +same as what's in the draft? I have a concern that the Enron optionality bug +could bite us on the backside with that one. Do we expect to have ONE EPC +contract, or several? I'm looking for the confidentiality agreement, which may +be in Bart's files (haven't checked closely yet). If anyone has it handy, it +could speed things up for me. Thanks, Kay Forget the ONE or more contract +questions. I see we expect to have separate contracts for each project. I have a +couple of questions so I can wrap up the LOI: We refer to licensed Fuel Cell +Energy equipment. Do we intend to reference a particular manufacturer, or should +this be more generic? Do we want to attach a draft of the Development Agreement, +and condition the final deal on agreeing to terms substantially the same as +what's in the draft? I have a concern that the Enron optionality bug could bite +us on the backside with that one. Do we expect to have ONE EPC contract, or +several? I'm looking for the confidentiality agreement, which may be in Bart's +files (haven't checked closely yet). If anyone has it handy, it could speed +things up for me. Thanks, Kay On the issue of the contracts, the draft says that +the $170m is paid when the EPC contract is signed. Are we expecting that the +portion attributable to each project will be paid as the individual EPC +contracts are signed? Thanks, Kay 1. The pricing that we have given CRRA is +specific to FuelCell Energy and would not be meaningful without listing the +manufacturer (i.e., ONSI would be a lot more money). Hence, I think that we have +to reference the manufacturer. 2. The attachment of the Development Agreement is +a Jeff question. In order to mark any 2000 income, we will need to get CRRA to +execute the Development Agreement in 2000. In my opinion, we should show CRRA a +copy of the LOI with the assumption that the Development Agreement is attached. +I would actually send them the draft Development Agreement a couple days after +the LOI. Based on how CRRA reacts, I would make an ultimate determination if the +agreement needs to be attached to the LOI. 3. I expect at least one EPC contract +per project. We don't want to condition the acceptance of one project on the +performance of another project. Performance tests will either be performed on a +project basis or a unit by unit basis in a given project. Remarkably clear +explanation. Sent by: Ben Jacoby@ECT FYI, see below. + +Mom's birthday is tommorow. What are we going to get her? Chris That is some +good stuff. I hear you are coming our way soon. Look forward to drinking a few +beers. Chris Michael McDermott on +06/01/2000 06:00:56 AM Yo Mama`s so fat .... Your mama is so fat: When she hauls +ass she has to make two trips. When she dances she makes the band skip. When she +was diagnosed with the flesh eating disease the doctor gave her 13 years to +live. She puts mayonnaise on aspirin. (<- clearly the winner) Her cereal bowl +came with a lifeguard. When she goes to the zoo the elephants throw her peanuts. +Her high school graduation picture was an aerial photograph. Her driver`s +license says "Picture continued on other side." She has to iron her pants on the +driveway. The back of her neck looks like a pack of hot dogs. Yo mama`s so fat, +all the restaurants in town have signs that say: "Maximum Occupancy: 240 Patrons +OR Yo Mama" Yo mama`s so fat, when she ran away, they had to use all four sides +of the milk carton. Yo mama`s so fat, instead of Levis 501 jeans, she wears +Levi`s 1002`s. Yo mama`s so fat, when she gets in an elevator, it HAS to go +down. Yo mama`s so fat, she was born with a silver shovel in her mouth. Yo +mama`s so fat, she`s got smaller fat women orbiting around her. Yo mama`s so +fat, she could sell shade. You will have to wait and see :-) Done! Expect a call +from Paul tonight. Chris What are some good interview questions? Poll your +co-workers. cd I told Paul that you called him yesterday so abruptly because you +didn't want to waste his time while you got tests done for arthritis. I told him +I told you to call him back and at least hear what he has to say. He said they +are looking for people and based on what I told him an interview was a +formality. Chris Is that Microwave that you gave Dan really expensive? All the +guys at work are saying I shouldn't bother having it fixed I should just buy a +new one. Chris Jai Hawker 974-6721 I won't forget about the $. Do I need to +cross reference the deals in my model to the deals in the system or did you +already do that? Chris Kathy, Don't take that deal out until I look at it. I +think it is mine but I forgot to write it in the blue FX book (I only wrote it +in my red book). Thanx, Chris Just a reminder to send me a currency report. +Thanx, Chris Paul called me today. He will be in Calgary in a couple of weeks +and will interview you then. Chris You should reply ASAP. Don't make Peters and +Co. wait. Chris I didn't get a chance to talk to Paul today. Give him a call +tommorow. Chris Will you please run a June NX3/NX1 for our book. Paul How about +meeting at 11:30 or 12? I am in the office so give me a call. CD 3-1663 The deed +is done. Chris Find attached resume and cover letter. Hopefully he didn't spel +anyting incorrectly. Dan is really smart and a hard worker. I think he would be +a good fit. Give me a call Tuesday afternoon to discuss (gone to Kelowna golfing +for the weekend). Cheers, Chris I haven't had a chance to send it yet. Paul is +out of the office today so I haven't had a chance to talk to him. I'll send it +as soon as you resond wether I should or not. Chris Are you guys still looking +for an analyst? Should I send the resume to Dawn or you directly? Chris Enron +Canada Corp. Suite 1100, 70 York Street Toronto, Ontario M5J 1S9 416-865-3700 +Paul DeVries - Director 416-865-3703 Jan Wilson - Manager 416-865-3704 Attached +is a forecast for the rest of the summer for the X (NWP and PGT). We should try +to have a conference call with the west desk to discuss as soon as we can. Chris +See you there! CD Sushi tonight? Ryan Watt says high. Chris I will be able to +attend. Chris + +Mike Jordan 26/09/2000 14:14 Fernley / Sally Off and on ( with Jackie Gentle's +help ) I have pulled together a one page communication note on our fundamental +operating standards ( itself a one page summary ). We are in the final stages of +this process - where we draft a cover letter for John which will introduce this +for inclusion within Globalflash ( the Enron Europe newsletter ) Have you any +thoughts on draft or cover note ? Mike Late Jan sounds great. Meagan does have a +couple of big things on the weekend in January -- National Charity League Senior +Presentation (big dance that she and I are committed to help with), the +Bearkadette Ball and a winter party for Cotillion. I believe that these are +three weekends in a row, January 6, 13 and 20th. So the last weekend in January +would work well (and I will need a rest from formal affairs!). Does that work +for you? And do you want to do it on a Saturday or Sunday? Saturday probably +works better for me, just so that I am back in Houston and doing laundry by +Sunday afternoon!! Hi... Talked to the little mother-to-be. She said a shower +would be grand. She has some big presentation mid-January. How does late January +sound to you. Should we set a date now? Am I turning into Mother? Cindy I think +that it is a great idea to get some press regarding our fundamental operating +standards, but I wonder about the most appropriate timing, enough of a global +message and the means of delivery. On the means of delivery, I am not sure from +your note whether or not I fully understand the intent. Is there an article to +be included in an Enron publication and in addition a letter to be sent under +John's name (if so, to whom will the letter be sent)? Or is the letter from John +an introduction to be included as a lead in to the article? With regard to a +global message, I think that one of the key points around fundamental operating +standards are that they are intended to be global in nature, applied to every +commodity and every location where we engage in trading activities. With these +operating standards implemented worldwide, we will know as operations +professionals that risk is being mitigated and we will be able to ensure Enron +top management that there is consistency in operating standards worldwide. These +global standards also should enable Enron to expand its business reach more +quickly, with well defined requirements with regard to trading operations. I am +not sure from the article as written that the global nature of this effort comes +across. Finally, a question regarding timing. The last I knew after you and +Brent drafted this starting point for fundamental operating standards was that +this was being circulated (Shona took this to do after Brent's return to +Houston) for comments to all business controllers. I don't believe that we are +quite at the point that we can say that all business controllers worldwide have +reviewed, understand and have implemented these standards. And not to belittle +the process of creating the standards, the tough part (and the real meat behind +this) will be an effective exception report on a global basis against these +standards. My commitment to Rick Causey is that I will have that global report +in production by the end of the year. There is much work to do in defining the +content and regularity of the report and even more work to do to identify +reliable sources of data for compiling the report. Shona has commissioned Mike +Moscoso to work on this, and I believe that Mike has already been working with +James New. So I question whether or not you want to publish info about +fundamental standards that we can not yet report against. Would a more +appropriate time be after the Global Operations Controller meeting in October +when we should have worldwide buy-in and commitment to these standards and +(hopefully) our first draft of a meaningful exception report? Sorry that this +response looks so long. I have been interrupted 20 times while responding, so I +hope that it makes sense. Thanks for sharing this with me. Since you asked for +input, I hope that you don't mind that I gave you some. --Sally + +David W Delainey@ECT 11/10/2000 01:04 PM Steve, I noticed that our allocation +from 2000 to 2001 is going up by 21% year on year (ie) $13.9M from $11.5M. We +have been able to keep ENA's direct group expenses flat year on year, we are +trying hard to keep the corporate allocation flat year to year as well. Do you +have a view on how we might be able to achieve this goal? Regards Delainey Don't +worry about it ... sorry for putting you back on speaker. I just wanted Sue to +hear (she enjoys utility bashing so much). Thanks for the comment on the +hearing. In some respects I don't think the first panel could have gone much +better; everyone thanked FERC for intervening (though for different reasons). +The other staff reports are also looking good. Scott Miller has been a godsend +-- somebody not afraid to tell it like it is. Jeff Dasovich Sent by: Jeff +Dasovich 11/10/2000 12:33 PM I apologize if I offended anyone. Please let them +know that I was simply quoting the CEO of a large, regulated utility in +California. Thanks for attributing the quote to me. You did a great job at the +hearing----it went decidely downhill after you left. Best, Jeff Does she have +any interest in meeting one-on-one or is she just looking for a public hanging? +I remain convinced that if we can just get the facts in front of people they +will modulate their approach. Jeff Dasovich Sent by: Jeff Dasovich 11/10/2000 +12:21 PM Given the short notice, we will politely decline to participate at the +hearing on Monday, but will let the good Senator know that, in general, we +intend to engage actively in the process and plan to help California find a +solution that works for everybody. Amen. See below. Can we get some help on the +IBM issues? Erin Rice 11/10/2000 11:08 AM Steve: At this point, our IT contacts +are backpedalling a bit and suggesting they can overcome the TIBCO and Terminal +Server problems. There are still four important issues, however: IT still cannot +commit to transferring messages across domains. This means that messages +initiated at Corp and intended for the entire Enron organization will not reach +any business units outside the Corp domain. No messages will reach the EES +organization unless IBM agrees not to use their proprietary message delivery +tool, WebSphere, and will use WebLogic instead. WebLogic is required by BackWeb, +although it is designed by a separate company. HR, intended to be a key user of +this tool, will not use BackWeb because survey responses cannot be made +anonymous. HR has already purchased a tool called CONFIRMIT that can execute +anonymous surveys. Messages will not be delivered simultaneously to all users in +the same domain, nor will they be delivered for two to five hours after they are +sent by the message administrator. Another thing to consider is that these +messages will be set to expire and disappear within a set period of time, +meaning users cannot retrieve them and read them later (as they can with +e-mail). This means that I could be away from the office for several days and +miss a message entirely, because it would have expired and disappeared by the +time I returned. The plain fact is that a few members of IT are pushing this +initiative, but they lack commercial sponsorship. They are hoping Corp will foot +the bill for a pilot which will allow them to fully test this tool before +implementing it company-wide. Please let us know if you have additional +questions. - er Steven J Kean 11/09/2000 11:35 AM Do we have a sense for how +many we can reach, how many we can't and where they are? Are whole offices (eg +Tokyo) unreachable or is it only those who have home offices? Courtney Votaw +11/08/2000 11:02 AM Mark and Steve- Erin Rice and I would like to meet with you +to discuss the issues concerning BackWeb before we proceed. As you can see from +the Design Document, they are pretty significant. Thanks, Courtney calendar Paul +Kaufman@ECT Sent by: Lysa Akin@ECT 11/10/2000 05:59 PM Paul Kaufman has asked me +to set a conference call to review the FERC Meeting that was held Thursday, Nov. +9th. Please be advised that I have set the call as follows: Date: Monday, Nov. +13th Time: 11:30am / 1:30pm Central / 2:30pm Eastern Call In #: 888-422-7132 Pin +#: 411507 Pin # for Paul Kaufman ONLY: 362416 If you have any questions, please +call 503/464-7927. Lysa Akin Ass't. to Paul Kaufman + +it's on tonight it's did you watch your girl on tv last night? the deal number +is 814014-why can't you see this? Did you do a deal with National Fuel Marketing +purchasing 3,500 mmbtu on May 30th @2.975? They are invoicing for this and I +don't have an invoice for it. Can you give me the Sitara deal #? Thanks Darla Ok +to book for me and my husband, Joseph. I was issued a new corporate American +Express card. Same number with expiration date of 3/03. If you need any more +info, please advise. Otherwise, I will assume you will book the two tickets. +Thank you. Actually-upon second look the deal number is 814014-why can't you see +this? Did you do a deal with National Fuel Marketing purchasing 3,500 mmbtu on +May 30th @2.975? They are invoicing for this and I don't have an invoice for it. +Can you give me the Sitara deal #? Thanks Darla should be non bondad Jane, on +deal 763736 for May 01 sales to Southwest Gas, we have a pricing discrepancy. +Our system reflects SJ Bondad GDP but SWG is going to pay us based on SJ +Non-Bondad GDP. Can you please confirm which price is correct and make the +change in Sitara if necessary? Thanks Laurie Ellis Enron Net Works LLC Client +Services Phone: (713) 345-9945 Fax: (713) 646-8420 Email: laurie.ellis@enron.com +Sorry about the flooding. Hope you and your family survived ok. Attached are the +gas settlement and support for May. The only difference we had was for package +V02. Mark Anderson says that even though Bondad gas flowed, the price was +Non-Bondad. Have a great day. Nancy - ENRON.XLS << File: ENRON.XLS >> - +enrongss.xls << File: enrongss.xls >> actually -for volumes flowing out of +bondad-which is deal number 763736 price is bondad gda;for blanco-deal number +759933-price is nonbondad gda Jane, on deal 763736 for May 01 sales to Southwest +Gas, we have a pricing discrepancy. Our system reflects SJ Bondad GDP but SWG is +going to pay us based on SJ Non-Bondad GDP. Can you please confirm which price +is correct and make the change in Sitara if necessary? Thanks Laurie Ellis Enron +Net Works LLC Client Services Phone: (713) 345-9945 Fax: (713) 646-8420 Email: +laurie.ellis@enron.com Sorry about the flooding. Hope you and your family +survived ok. Attached are the gas settlement and support for May. The only +difference we had was for package V02. Mark Anderson says that even though +Bondad gas flowed, the price was Non-Bondad. Have a great day. Nancy - ENRON.XLS +<< File: ENRON.XLS >> - enrongss.xls << File: enrongss.xls >> I talked with +Markat SW Gas-just honro his numbers Nancy, can you please reconfirm with Mark +the price for the gas at Bondad? My trader is supporting her price of SJ Bondad +GDP rather than SJ Non-Bondad GDP. Thanks Laurie Ellis Enron Net Works LLC +Client Services Phone: (713) 345-9945 Fax: (713) 646-8420 Email: +laurie.ellis@enron.com actually -for volumes flowing out of bondad-which is deal +number 763736 price is bondad gda;for blanco-deal number 759933-price is +nonbondad gda Jane, on deal 763736 for May 01 sales to Southwest Gas, we have a +pricing discrepancy. Our system reflects SJ Bondad GDP but SWG is going to pay +us based on SJ Non-Bondad GDP. Can you please confirm which price is correct and +make the change in Sitara if necessary? Thanks Laurie Ellis Enron Net Works LLC +Client Services Phone: (713) 345-9945 Fax: (713) 646-8420 Email: +laurie.ellis@enron.com Sorry about the flooding. Hope you and your family +survived ok. Attached are the gas settlement and support for May. The only +difference we had was for package V02. Mark Anderson says that even though +Bondad gas flowed, the price was Non-Bondad. Have a great day. Nancy - ENRON.XLS +<< File: ENRON.XLS >> - enrongss.xls << File: enrongss.xls >> Please find +enclosed EES's request for Volumes for PGE CityGate delvery effective 11/1/01: +See attached spreadsheet. Please quote the Gas on an Indexed Basis. If you have +any questions or comments, please advise. I have not had the patience to get it +working-I will callyou some evening and we can walk thru it. How was your trip +to Des Moines? Did dthat stuff form Joe help your car. Hey Cester, When are we +going to get NetMeeting going ? How is Deb's knee? Did she ever go to a real +doctor? [Tholt, Jane M.] YesShe is having physical theraphy 3 times a week. She +said it is getting better. I haven't seen her for a couple of weeks and have +only talked to her. I will probably be calling you next week-the desk wants me +to become more involved in regulatory updates so I will seek your assistance +with this matter. + +Jared just told me you have a BUNCH of stuff on your plate and I think you are +about to get much busier too. cool by me! Jared, Ruth and I are going to go over +all the Florida activity tomorrow morning. If no one objects, I will be the lead +coordinator on Florida starting tomorrow. Yes maam, she's UBS now. She was just +down here too. Chris, I didn't remember if your email mentioned Judy. Did she +make it? Cindy Franklin Transportation Services Work:832.676.3177 Fax: +832.676.1329 Pager: 1.888.509.3736 +****************************************************************** This email +and any files transmitted with it from the ElPaso Corporation are confidential +and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are +addressed. If you have received this email in error please notify the sender. +****************************************************************** Jared, Ruth +and I are going to go over all the Florida activity tomorrow morning. If no one +objects, I will be the lead coordinator on Florida starting tomorrow. OK, I +never get to talk to Ruth because SHE IS ALWAYS ON THE PHONE. And I bet she's on +the phone with Shemin too!!! Should we all get together and make a conference +call to Dominion like we did before or should I just call Jeff Davis myself? Our +last call was Iris Kind, Bill Savier(sp?), and Jeff Davis. Don't forget about +me. I'm still trying to find out what it will take to move gas on and ENA tabs +agreement. No transportation at this point, just a tabs. Also, it will be much +easier for you guys to monitor because most of the deals will be monthly. Steve, +everything looks good with one exception. The rate schedule on Tennessee should +be either NET-2 or NET-284. I won't find out until Monday. You review and +approve it, keep it on your desk, and I will come over and make the change at +your desk on Monday. Then I'll take it to Ed for his approval. By the way, +Cullen and Dykman is sending copies of what we are doing to Melanie Gray. Chris: +Per our conversation a few minutes ago, attached please find the revised +Stipulation. This document has been modified with the changes that were in the +mark-up you faxed to Toni Donohue here a few hours ago. I also deleted "subject +to recall" based on our discussion, assuming you get approval for that revision. +You informed me that you would discuss this with your attorney. Also, as I +mentioned to you, we have faxed your mark-up to Melanie Gray at Weil Gotschal in +Houston to keep her informed. (Her voice mail says she's out of the office until +Monday.) Thanks for all your help on this. David T. Metcalfe Cullen and Dykman +LLP 177 Montague Street Brooklyn, New York 11201 phone: 718-780-0046 fax: +718-780-0276 e-mail: dmetcalfe@cullenanddykman.com +____________________________________________________ This email may contain +material that is confidential, privileged and/or attorney work product for the +sole use of the intended recipient(s). Any review, reliance or distribution by +others or forwarding without express permission is strictly prohibited. If you +are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender and delete all copies. +<> +<> - Stipulation -ECT-KEDNE +re IGTS & Tennessee Cap Releases -FINAL.doc - BLACKLINE -Stip -ECT-KEDNE re Cap +Releases -2-F.doc A heartwarming story of the advances of women in achieving +equality throughout the world. Barbara Walters did a story on gender roles in +Kuwait several years before the Gulf War. She noted then that women customarily +walked about 10 feet behind their husbands. She returned to Kuwait recently and +observed that the men now walked several yards behind their wives. Ms. Walters +approached one of the women and said, "This is marvelous. Can you tell the free +world just what enabled women here to achieve this reversal of roles?" "Land +mines," said the Kuwaiti woman. Cullen and Dykman (attorneys for Boston Gas +Company) approved all of our changes on the agreement to release the Tenn and +Iroq space back to Boston Gas. They also made one other change, they are taking +out the "subject to recall" language at the bottom of page 2 under item #1. They +will be sending the revised document to me. I will deliver it to you for your +approval. Maybe we can go drinking too. That would be fun. I'll be at your house +around 10:30 or 11 tonight. YOU REALLY DO NOT HAVE TO GO. I KNOW YOU HAVE A LOT +GOING ON WITH YOU AND THE LITTLE WOMAN. I CAN HANDLE THE TRACTOR. love TO HAVE +YOU ALONG FOR THE COMPANY, BUT IT IS NOT NECESSARY. YOU HAVE A LOT ON YOU PLATE, +DAD. Chris.Germany@enron.com on 01/25/2002 03:13:58 PM Funny. No. I didn't feel +guilty about the garage sale, that's why I was annoyed - being notified at 10:00 +at night GRRRRRRR. I do feel guilty about you doing all this work. So I'm going +with you, I pay for the gas and the twinkies. + +Correction, Jack welch is the CEO of GE, not GM. Vince Kaminski The eThink Team +We recently asked you to create an eSpeak "wish list" for us. The response was +tremendous and, in some cases, very creative. Your fellow employees asked for +everyone from Britney Spears to George Bush. In all, we received requests for +61persons outside of Enron to host an eSpeak event. We thought you might like to +know who your colleagues find interesting, so we've provided a sampling of the +suggestions below. Here are the top ten most requested eSpeakers. 10. Jack +Welch, CEO, General Motors 9. Scott McNeally, CEO, Sun Microsystems 8. Satisfied +Enron Customers 7. Stephen Covey, author, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective +People 6. Oprah Winfrey, talkshow host 5. General Colin Powell, former Chairman, +Joint Chiefs of Staff, U.S.A. 4. Alan Greenspan, Chairman, Federal Reserve, +U.S.A. 3. Former U.S. President George Bush 2. Bill Gates, CEO, Microsoft 1. +Texas Governor George W. Bush While we can't make any promises, we will do our +best to bring in at least some of these special guests. If you have any contacts +who could help us get in touch with these guest speakers, please let us know at +ethink@enron.com. Everybody needs a little help now and then, even eSpeak. There +were plenty of internal speakers requested, as well. Those requests should be +somewhat easier to meet, although scheduling time with some of our colleagues +can be quite a task! Thank you all for your participation. Dale, Confirmed. +Vince Vince: 7am at Hyatt Regency Downtown would be perfect. I will see you in +the lobby at 7am. Best regards, Dale Dale, Friday is a bad day (Performance +Review Committee all day). What about 7:00 at the office or breakfast meeting at +7:00? We can meet at Hyatt Regency Downtown (Smith Street). Vince Vince: Can we +get together Friday morning July 7 at 800 am at your office? That would be +particularly convenient for me. I will have to leave downtown at about 945 to +catch a plane. That will ensure that I wont take up too much of your time!! +Thanks for your efforts here, and thanks for being patient with me. Dale Nesbitt +FYI Vince sold! I'll initiate the call. Ed, Thursday works for me. What about +10:30 my time? Vince Please respond to how about +Thursday, July 6? Ed, A correction. I shall spend an entire day at PRC +(performance review) on Friday, July 7. Can we do on another day Vince Please +respond to I'll still be here in Boston so we'd do it +over the phone. OK? Ed, Will you be in Houston on that day or we shall do it +over the phone? Vince Please respond to Vince, How about +a pre-meeting web site cruise on Friday, July 7 at 11AM EDT? Ed Ed, July 12, +2:30 it is. I would like the pre-meeting site cruise. How can we arrange it? +Vince Please respond to Vince, We're all set for 2:30 on +July 12. How about a pre-meeting web site cruise on Friday, July 7 at 11AM EDT? +Ed Ed, Wednesday, July 12, 2:300 will work for me. I shall be glad to review +your website -- www.weathereffects.com. I shall invite some people who work on +electricity in my group to join me. Vince Please respond to + Vince, Good to hear from you and I'm glad you're +available. How is Wednesday at 2:30? I did look at EOL and am not surprised to +see its quality. I was unable to say much about it in my Risk Electricity +Hedging and Trading report because of deadline pressures. How is the site doing? +I am intrigued by the competition for trading platforms and was astonished to +hear that Goldman, Morgan, BP and Shell were going to launch a site to compete +with yours. Talk about a shotgun marriage! If we have time next week, I could +step you through our website -- www.weathereffects.com. I'm very proud of what +we've done. I can't give out a password yet but would be happy to walk through +the site with you over the phone using my password. It's a very ambitious site +-- with state-of-the-art WSI weather (seasonal, 6-10, and day to day) driving a +good load model for PJM and NEPOOL. ESAI contributes oil and gas input price +forecasts, capacity judgments, and "herding" ideas to develop power price +forecasts for same time periods. After one month's full-bore effort, I'm pleased +with the results (e.g., we forecast Nepool onpeak to be $43 and it turned out +$46). Have a great weekend. Ed Ed, I shall be available on both days. What about +Wednesday, July 12, between 1:30 and 4:00. Please, let me know what time would +work for you. It will be nice to see you again. Vince P.S. By the way, did you +have a chance to take a look at the EOL? Please respond to ekrapels@esaibos.com + +Caroline Abramo@ENRON 03/02/2001 10:46 AM what do you think? +Joe_Lardy@cargill.com on 03/02/2001 10:39:03 AM Currently Cargill and Enron have +a 15MM collateral threshold. If possible, I think the cleanest way to run this +biz would be to put a box around the prime broker biz. We would still operate +under the master isda but could set up a mutually agreeable credit support annex +for this biz. We would still keep the 20,000,000 line referenced in Schedule B +of the POA agreement. The line in the POA is a seperate and distinct measure +from the daily collateral. The 20 mill reflects gross exposure. Let me know if +you think this is reasonable and workable. We too, are open to suggestion as the +Global and Enron relationships are very important and a high priority to us. +Thanks Joe Joe- a few things regading the POA/ Cargill line.. I am going to find +out how much line we currently have available... you probably already have this. +We should allocate a piece to Global which would solve the problem of other +Cargill people using the line, putting us over the limit, without me knowing... +We could change the language of the POA to this... we will not go over Global's +piece of the Cargill line...I think this would solve our main concern... Please +let me know... we are eager to keep trading with Global and yourselves... +Regards, Caroline Dee: Let me know if we need to discuss anything. I am hopeful +that we are ready to prepare execution copies. Regards. Sara Shackleton Susan +Bailey 02/27/2001 08:23 AM Dee, Attached for your review is a blacklined version +of the: (a) Schedule and (b) Paragraph 13 to the ISDA Master Agreement. These +have been compared against the draft dated 11/8/2000, and include ENA's accepted +changes per your (a) faxed comments transmitted to ENA on January 5, 2001, and +(b) e-mail comments transmitted to ENA on January 19th, 2001. We look forward to +your response. Cordially, Susan S. Bailey I don't know anything about these +transactions. Sara Shackleton Jorge A Garcia@ENRON 03/01/2001 01:35 PM Good +Afternoon Sara, I wanted to follow up with you regarding the creation and +approval of ISDA Confirmations for the following equity trades that I understand +Laurel had discussed with you previously. 1) Edison International- Swap with +Enron Europe Ltd. (2 in total) 2) PG&E- Swap with Enron Europe Ltd. (3 in total) +Please advise. Regards, Jorge "Calculation of Floating Amount: The Floating +Amount payable by [ENA] on a Payment Date will be calculated for that Payment +Date as follows: Floating Amount = (Notional Quantity per Calculation Period X +Floating Price) - USD[38,000?] Sara Shackleton "Other Provisions: On each +Payment Date, [ENA] shall pay [a fee of] [an amount equal to] USD{38,000?], +which amount shall be subject to the netting provisions of the [Master Agreement +- how do you refer to the agreement?]" Sara Shackleton Sara Shackleton +03/02/2001 02:10 PM "Calculation of Floating Amount: The Floating Amount payable +by [ENA] on a Payment Date will be calculated for that Payment Date as follows: +Floating Amount = (Notional Quantity per Calculation Period X Floating Price) - +USD[38,000?] Sara Shackleton What person(s) in London prepares credit for the +English and Singapore financial transactions? At some point in the not so +distant future, the Houson and London credit departments need to speak in order +that each understands the "philosophy" behind credit analysis for the omnibus +and master transactions. I look forward to hearing from you. Regards. Sara ps +Congrats on your promotion! I didn't have a chance to speak with you after the +offsite to shake your hand. Hope you enjoyed your weekend in Houston. looks fine +Sara Shackleton Carlos Alatorre@ENRON 02/27/2001 06:07 PM Sara: We need to +change the Prod Description fro the LME Product. The change is mainly on the +Settlement Date text, which instead of "...Two business days after the date of +the Transaction..." shall read as follow: For Curr LME LME (Spot) 01Mar01 +JPY/USD A currency Transaction with Enron Europe Finance & Trading Limited +("EEFTL") as agent for Risk Management & Trading Corp. under which either (A) +for the case in which Counterparty submits an offer to buy from EEFTL, +Counterparty shall receive the Base Currency Amount and shall pay the Foreign +Currency Amount, or (B) for the case in which Counterparty submits an offer to +sell to EEFTL, Counterparty shall pay the Base Currency Amount and shall receive +the Foreign Currency Amount. The Base Currency Amount shall equal the volume +submitted by the Counterparty via the Website. The Foreign Currency Amount shall +equal the Base Currency Amount, multiplied by the daily London Metal Exchange +(LME) fixing rate as published by Reuters on page MTLE on the date of the +transaction, modified by the price submitted by the Counterparty via the +Website. The term of the Transaction shall correspond to the date(s) set forth +in the Product description on the Website. The Settlement date shall be the +date(s) set forth in the Product description on the Website. The price is quoted +in JPY (the 'Foreign Currency') per US Dollar (the 'Base Currency'). The unit of +measure against which the price is quoted shall be US Dollars. Please let me +know your approval before we make any changes. Thanks Carlos + +I need to have a form filled out that says I don't have health insurance +coverage through Enron. Can you find out who I need to send it to in HR? Thanks, +Kay Your mom just called and said your dad's surgery will be at 2:30 p.m. +Tuesday, March 20th. They will be there by noon on the 20th, and the surgery +will last 1.5 hours and then they'll watch him for 2 more hours before they put +him into ICU. They are hoping he'll only be in the hospital 48 hours. Scott Term +sheet for draft contract, as requested. I have a change in plans next week. My +dad is having surgery in Ft. Worth, so I will be heading that way on Monday. I +was planning to be on vacation anyway, but I may have some accessibility +challenges in Ft. Worth which I would not have had otherwise. I will manage +client expectations accordingly. Kay I hope you don't change your mind about +going to the wedding Sunday. I plan on taking Michael to the new Star Wars +exhibit at the Museum of Fine Arts. They showed some kids on TV, and they were +quite taken with it. ++++++CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE+++++ The information in this +email may be confidential and/or privileged. This email is intended to be +reviewed by only the individual or organization named above. If you are not the +intended recipient or an authorized representative of the intended recipient, +you are hereby notified that any review, dissemination or copying of this email +and its attachments, if any, or the information contained herein is prohibited. +If you have received this email in error, please immediately notify the sender +by return email and delete this email from your system. Thank You Kay Mann +03/15/2001 04:03 PM I have a change in plans next week. My dad is having surgery +in Ft. Worth, so I will be heading that way on Monday. I was planning to be on +vacation anyway, but I may have some accessibility challenges in Ft. Worth which +I would not have had otherwise. I will manage client expectations accordingly. +Kay I'm not planning to get involved since this is your deal. Is that ok with +you? Lorie Leigh @ ECT 03/15/2001 04:17 PM Conference Plus will be hosting this +call: the date: Thursday, March 22nd, 2001 the number: 1-800-991-9019 the +passcode: 6871082# the time: 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM CST the place: EB 3143C the +subject: Turbine 1 and Turbine 2 Purchase Agreement If you have any problems or +questions, please feel free to call me at 713-853-1696. Thank you, Lorie Leigh +Yes, but this time it is his carotid artery - the one that transports blood to +the brain. Big deal kinda stuff. I hope your dad's surgery goes well! Is this +related to the problems he is having getting around (circulatory?)? Kathleen Kay +Mann 03/15/2001 04:11 PM Kay Mann 03/15/2001 04:03 PM I have a change in plans +next week. My dad is having surgery in Ft. Worth, so I will be heading that way +on Monday. I was planning to be on vacation anyway, but I may have some +accessibility challenges in Ft. Worth which I would not have had otherwise. I +will manage client expectations accordingly. Kay For better or worse, all the +folks under the heading "Origination" and "Development" are ours, although +Kathleen has a special role with Development. Kay FYI - See rows 49-53; columns +E-J for our group. Kathleen Lorie Leigh @ ECT 03/15/2001 04:44 PM I received a +report from HR and it appears there is conflicting information regarding some of +the titles for various employees. Please verify that the titles are correct for +everyone in your group. The ones that I made changes to are in red. Thanks, +Paula. I formatted the file so that it would print on one legal size sheet. +Please use this new file as opposed to the one I sent earlier. Please review the +attached org chart for March and submit any changes by noon tomorrow. It is +imperative that all of the information on the attached file is accurate, +including titles, as this information is being given directly to John Lavorato +and Louise Kitchen. Thanks, Paula. Here's the version showing revisions. Kay--I +finally got it to blackline correctly. Here it is. Also attached is a sample +availability provision (actually 2 different versions). - redvepco.doc - +SAMPLE.DOC Lorie Leigh @ ECT 03/15/2001 04:17 PM Conference Plus will be hosting +this call: the date: Thursday, March 22nd, 2001 the number: 1-800-991-9019 the +passcode: 6871082# the time: 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM CST the place: EB 3143C the +subject: Turbine 1 and Turbine 2 Purchase Agreement If you have any problems or +questions, please feel free to call me at 713-853-1696. Thank you, Lorie Leigh +46093 Kay Mann 02/13/2001 04:13 PM Good afternoon, I'm forwarding a revised +development agreement term sheet, showing revisions from your original version. +We look forward to seeing you soon. Thanks, Kay Peggy Banczak is the ENA lawyer +who handles Mexico. John Schwartzenburg@ENRON_DEVELOPMENT 03/16/2001 09:22 AM I +do not think the prior e-mail got through to Kay. Are either of you familiar +with this project? We have had no contact with the ENA/Enron Mexico commercial +or legal people and I don't want to bust any structuring goals. Our project +manager (Scott Laidlaw) and engineer (Harry Okabayashi) want to issue a tasking +letter to procure engineering services on this project to support the ENA work. +I now understand that someone at ENA/Enron Mexico/Enron Wholesale has signed an +EPC contract with ABB for this project. I am not in the office today, so please +include Renee Alfaro on your response. JWVS + +Hello Janice: I enjoyed your recent e-mail but was sorry to hear about your dad. +It sounds as though his health has deteriorated significantly. These are always +difficult times. As I watched my mother and father's health deteriorate and +ultimately watched them die, it is a very defining time in our lives. But we can +be very thankful to have such great parents and to have had the privilege to +have been raised in such loving homes. Sounds as though Eric has done very well +as SMSU. He is joining an excellent company. I am also delighted to hear that he +will continue his education working toward an MBA. As we are living in an age +where intellectual capital is so valuable, it is important for every young +person to obtain the very best possible education they can. As to our family, +within the last ten days our youngest daughter Elizabeth was married to a young +man from Buenos Aires, Argentina. They met while they were both working on a +project as lawyers in Buenos Aires. They're currently on their honeymoon but +shortly after returning will be moving from Buenos Aires to Miami, Florida. This +past Thursday night our sixth grandchild was born. It was born to our son David +and his wife Courtney. It was a 7 lb., 10 oz., 20 inch little boy. So we now +have three grandsons and three granddaughters ranging from about 2 years - 4 +months down to a few days. They are a great deal of fun. We are doing quite +well. I am looking forward to seeing Ginger "Rees" Copeland when she comes to +Houston. I would be delighted to arrange tickets for you and your family should +you ever have occasion to visit Houston. I hope you have a great summer. Thank +you for your recent request for Mr. Lay to speak at your conference. +Unfortunately, do to Mr. Lay's schedule he will not be able to participate. +Thank you again, Tori L. Wells Executive Secretary Hi - Just to let you know +that it looks like one day will work. I want to check with Mr. Lay before +confirming. Thanks. Rosalee Dear Ken, As you know, our next meeting is on +Wednesday, July 12 from 3:00-5:30 p.m. In the next week or so, we'll be sending +around a discussion paper which we hope crystallizes the issues, and we will try +to talk to as many of you as possible before the meeting to go through it. +Meanwhile, Arthur Levitt has agreed to meet with us in September to brainstorm +on the ideas we've generated and also to give us a sense of some of the issues +as he sees them. There are three possible dates for the meeting, which I suggest +be in two parts -- first, a meeting among the panel only from 5:00-6:30 p.m., +and then a dinner with Chairman Levitt from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Here are the dates: +Could you please let us know which of these would be possible for you: +___________ Thursday, September 14 5:00-8:30 pm ___________ Monday, September 25 +5:00-8:30 pm ___________ Wednesday, September 27 5:00-8:30 pm Many thanks, Jeff +Garten Good morning, Kitty - Ken Lay would like to have the Armada M306 series - +"the first ultra portable notebook designed for the enterprise". Ken said to go +ahead and equip it with what you think it should have. Please let me know when +he can expect to receive it. Thanks, Kitty. Rosalee Here is the link to the +latest commercial laptops on the market, I will follow up with the consumer +models. The M300 series are the lightest and the E500's are the all in one but +much heavier. http://www.compaq.com/products/notebooks/index.html <> - Compaq.com - notebook.url Unfortunately, Mr. Lay will be in San +Jose, CA participating in a conference, where he is a speaker, on June 14. +Rosalee Fleming RE:??? June 14 Reception Recently Charles Miller and David +Dewhurst sent you an invitation to a reception which they are hosting on Wed. +6/14 at 5:00 PM to be held at the Houston Petroleum Club. I hope that you will +be able to attend that event. Under the leadership of Governor Bush and others +we have made real progress in Education in Texas over the past decade.? Now it +is time to take the next steps and achieve even greater progress in our public +education system. The Texas Education Reform Caucus is made up of business +leaders, educators, and elected officials dedicated to finding common sense +approaches to improving education in Texas. I would appreciate the opportunity +to visit with you on the 14th. Kent Grusendorf State Representative District 94 +? This is o.k. for Ken Lay, but we are changing to a more uniform address, so +would likely be better to use kenneth.lay@enron.com. This is a "test email send" +of the WPO Forum Group from Richard Everett. By return email, please verify that +you received this message and let us know if there is another email address that +you prefer us to use. Thank you. Joy Powell Executive Assistant to Richard +Everett 713/871-5119 =================================================== NOTE: +The information in this email is confidential and may be legally privileged. If +you are not the intended recipient, you must not read, use or disseminate the +information. Although this email and any attachments are believed to be free of +any virus or other defect that might affect any computer system into which it is +received and opened, it is the responsibility of the recipient to ensure that it +is virus free and no responsibility is accepted by Century Development or any of +its affiliates for any loss or damage arising in any way from its use. +==================================================== Kenneth Lay has approved +the attached expense report for Cindy Olson. Hi Mr. Katsof - I believe someone +called about this today, but Mr. Lay asked me to let you know that these dates +don't work for him, either. Sorry. Rosalee + +let me know if you have any interest in the Tco-Pool Leach swap for the winter. +I'll take TCO pool at Index and sale Leach or Pool at Index - $.04. I can't +remember if you guys could do it or not. Could you tell me what deal tickets you +are seeing? Please check Tenn contract 36647 on the Demand speadsheet. Sitara +isn't matching the spreadsheet. Thanks, Brenda Pasquallie, -5 for spelling, W. +Don Germany, Jr PO Box 27 Cedar Lane, Texas 77415-0027 Actually it is not a new +truck. Had 33,000 miles, Ram 2500 3/4 ton, 4 x 4, 360 Magnum Motor. Infinity +stereo, bucket seats, nerf bars, tool box, bed liner, camper tow package, 5 +speed manual. Oh, it is dueled out through one catalytic converter with Flow +Masters to accent the sound. Makes me want to race!!! I believe the fuel +consumption will be tolerable as well. Now, Debbie wants it. I gave $16,900 + +tax. It is very clean and is Sandalwood, Driftwood or something of that nature +in color. Almost silver. I have to pick up old gray over at Jerry's. Debbie +said, it is going to be hard on me to sale my old dodge truck. I said Yep, had +that truck longer than I have had most of my women. I really need to engage +brain before articulating! I am doing dirt work and hope to plant ST Augustine +Grass by Friday before rain. One thing is for sure, the economy is not faltering +on my account. Dow Stock is back up over $33. Hooray, hoorah! Needs to go to $41 +and then I will be happy. I spoke with Gerald and he said there are a bunch of +folks hanging around Dad's place. We need to change the lock and place posted +signs at the gate. I may want to put some steers or heifers up there. I am going +up soon and having the tractor fixed. Reggie said he will pay us soon. He also +still wants the tractor if we can hold on to it. First come, first serve. When +is the wedding? We're set for 11/01/01. Be sure to take your sweety out on the +balcony tonight and gaze at the full moon. It was sure beautiful coming up last +night. We used to go out and lay in the pasture on a blanket and watch for the +space shuttle. I had a couple of hickies on my neck the day after and the guys +all wanted to know if those were shuttle burns. Just jealous. My kid is making +wonderful grades and has reassured me she will graduate within the four year +period. She still has some sort of scholarship but I am not for sure how much it +pays. She is going to be a kinesiologist, sports injury therapist. I think she +just wants to be able to touch football players legs. She will be 20 on 11/03. I +am really proud of her. Cindy said Jaime has grown up very much. You should e +mail her sometimes. I am sure she would like to hear from you. Jgerma5@aol.com. +At any rate, be careful and be safe. You should have listened to Maw, as long as +you keep your mouth shut and your pants zipped, you will be alright. Shucks, +guess none of us three paid much attention to that. Oh, Jeff Sherrar has a new +book out. Rise to Rebellion. There were some pretty cool dudes back around +1774/76. There will be two volumes to this saga. I am half way through the first +and you can borrow it when I am through. I sure like his style of writing. His +books are always hard to put down. After the split Dow Stock there are 120 +shares. Keep Your Powder Dry! Yo, Bro Dow W. Don Germany, Jr. 2301 N Brazosport +Blvd B 3611, Investment Recovery Freeport, Texas 77541 Pager 1 800 451 0491 +(0448) Office 979 238 2102 Home 979 548 7034 What's happening? I understand you +have a brand new truck. Must be nice having money!! I need 2 things from you. 1. +I found the title to the 4 wheeler and I was going to change it over to you +name. What do you think? If that's ok, how do you want your name to show up on +the title and what address should I use? 2. I'm getting ready to divy up the Dow +stock. How many of Dad's shares do you have? Last thing, send me a million +dollars, I'm tired of working. I thought we only had cashout, at most 3 times, +before this June. I can't remember. I do know that most of the time this plant +was not buring like it did in July and August of this year. I say we just keep +the dough and go to Mexico. Hey guys, Would you please ck the Oglethorpe deal +from July 2000 - Dec 2000? Is there supposed to be a cashout booked in Sitara +for these months? Oglethorpe over paid their invoice every month. I believe that +Doug told me the extra was for the cashout that was not invoiced. Thanks Darla I +can't get through on the phones. Please call me 713-853-4743 Hey Ernie. I'm +checking my emails. I assume you have your anwser and don't need me. Hi Chris, I +sent this to Mary last week. She may be out because in the past she always +responds pretty quick. I need the prices below. Can you help out? Thanks, Ernie +Simien 08/01/2001 09:14 AM Sent by: Ernie Simien Hi Mary, I need your help +again. I need prices for May, June, and July. Thanks, Mary.Ellenberger@enron.com +on 05/03/2001 04:06:52 PM Please respond to Mary.Ellenberger@enron.com cc: +Subject: Re: IF TGPL LA Z1 Jan 9.95 Feb 6.25 Mar 4.98 April 5.37 +esimien@nisource.com on 05/03/2001 01:32:35 PM Hi Mary, Please do me a favour +and give me the subject price for Jan, Feb, Mar and Apr 2001. Thanks, + +Gregg Penman 10/23/2000 12:12 PM Kay - Can you please review this additional +language to the risk management policy ( or circulate to Jeff Hodge)? In light +of the CA regarding curves, I am slightly concerned with a blanket statement +essentially giving Peoples unlimited access to information. I know that we +address audit rights in the LLC agreement so this may not matter anyway if this +is a right they already have. Let me know what you think. Thanks, Gregg +m.nordstrom@pecorp.com 10/20/2000 11:32 AM Attached please find the latest +enovate risk policy. Our attorneys and internal audit area have made one +language revision concerning Section XIII Audit Rights. Mary <> +- MEH-risk Oct 20.doc I'm still at home. I'll be in tomorrow. I have a fax +machine at home, though, if you prefer. Otherwise, we can see who we can scare +up at the office, or you can have Laura sign and I'll initial later. Which do +you prefer? Kay Are you in the office to initial signature pages today? If not, +is there someone else that will? I know that Jeff is in Portland. Gregg Kay Mann +10/26/2000 11:07 AM If Jeff is happy, I'm happy. Kay Hello - I spoke with Jeff +Hodge yesterday regarding the additional language from Peoples regarding Audit +Rights. His initial reaction was that their request was probably reasonable and +in line with the spirit of a jointly owned L.L.C. However, he did suggest a +couple slight revisions to protect Enron's interests. 1) Highlighting that +information will only be provided that is related to enovate and 2) that each +designated representative should sign an appropriate confidentiality agreement. +This language has been included in the attached draft. My goal, however +optimistic, is to execute the risk policy by the end of today. Activity is +picking up dramatically and the fine line is getting further blurred each +passing day. Therefore, I need to know ASAP if there are any problems with the +draft as written. Otherwise, I will be sending it to Peoples as our final +revision by mid morning. Thanks for your prompt attention to this. Thanks, Gregg +Gregg Penman 10/23/2000 12:12 PM Kay - Can you please review this additional +language to the risk management policy ( or circulate to Jeff Hodge)? In light +of the CA regarding curves, I am slightly concerned with a blanket statement +essentially giving Peoples unlimited access to information. I know that we +address audit rights in the LLC agreement so this may not matter anyway if this +is a right they already have. Let me know what you think. Thanks, Gregg +m.nordstrom@pecorp.com 10/20/2000 11:32 AM Attached please find the latest +enovate risk policy. Our attorneys and internal audit area have made one +language revision concerning Section XIII Audit Rights. Mary <> +- MEH-risk Oct 20.doc It is less complicated for me to initial and fax than to +track down someone who doesn't know anything about it and get them to initial +it. I can print it here, initial it, and fax it to whomever you want. Plus, I +work with Janet a lot so she may get some comfort from that, instead of having a +lawyer she hasn't dealt with initial it. She is very conscientious about what +she signs, and who initials what. Is the attached form the final final form? +Where and to whom do you want it faxed? Thanks, Kay Since it will be Janet +signing, it will probably be better to have the initials on the pages first. +Either fax or someone else works fine. Let me know which is easier and we can +coordinate. Gregg Kay Mann 10/26/2000 11:26 AM I'm still at home. I'll be in +tomorrow. I have a fax machine at home, though, if you prefer. Otherwise, we can +see who we can scare up at the office, or you can have Laura sign and I'll +initial later. Which do you prefer? Kay Are you in the office to initial +signature pages today? If not, is there someone else that will? I know that Jeff +is in Portland. Gregg Kay Mann 10/26/2000 11:07 AM If Jeff is happy, I'm happy. +Kay Hello - I spoke with Jeff Hodge yesterday regarding the additional language +from Peoples regarding Audit Rights. His initial reaction was that their request +was probably reasonable and in line with the spirit of a jointly owned L.L.C. +However, he did suggest a couple slight revisions to protect Enron's interests. +1) Highlighting that information will only be provided that is related to +enovate and 2) that each designated representative should sign an appropriate +confidentiality agreement. This language has been included in the attached +draft. My goal, however optimistic, is to execute the risk policy by the end of +today. Activity is picking up dramatically and the fine line is getting further +blurred each passing day. Therefore, I need to know ASAP if there are any +problems with the draft as written. Otherwise, I will be sending it to Peoples +as our final revision by mid morning. Thanks for your prompt attention to this. +Thanks, Gregg Gregg Penman 10/23/2000 12:12 PM Kay - Can you please review this +additional language to the risk management policy ( or circulate to Jeff Hodge)? +In light of the CA regarding curves, I am slightly concerned with a blanket +statement essentially giving Peoples unlimited access to information. I know +that we address audit rights in the LLC agreement so this may not matter anyway +if this is a right they already have. Let me know what you think. Thanks, Gregg +m.nordstrom@pecorp.com 10/20/2000 11:32 AM Attached please find the latest +enovate risk policy. Our attorneys and internal audit area have made one +language revision concerning Section XIII Audit Rights. Mary <> +- MEH-risk Oct 20.doc I'm working on it now. Maybe we (Enron) could review it +tomorrow morning, then send it to FCE. I can meet around 10:00. That way, we can +get it to them in time for weekend review. Does that work? Kay + +It was good to hear from you! We had a nice Thanksgiving here too. It's funny, +because usually it's just me, Mom, Craig and Danelia, and Danelia doesn't really +like roasted turkey or roast beef (not that she would say it to me!), so there +is not just the same joy in cooking it would be elsewise. It was good having the +girls down. We played a new version of Uno called "African Uno" that was +complex, fast and at times, physically challenging. It's not for the meek. It +was incredible what a good player Alena was. She had her cards memorized as well +as everyone elses (when you play you'll see why you can know everyone elses +hands!). I expect Craig didn't want Mom to see his place because it was messy. I +think compared to my house, he's embarrased about his apartment. Then, also, +he's got so much stuff in there right now, that I don't know how he's going to +fit baby stuff. They would only give him a 6 month lease when he renewed his +lease last month because they don't want 3 people in that small apartment. So +he's going to have to start looking for another place. And his apartment is so +run down down I'm afraid roaches might be crawling over the baby. I guess Mom is +going to come back down sometime in March or April to see the new baby. You'll +have to come visit to check out my new house. The upstairs "guest suite" is +pretty neat. It's got its own bathroom and tv, and is pretty cozy. As far as the +call with Uncle Ben goes, if he was thrilled to hear from me I couldn't tell by +his voice. It was a pretty stilted conversation for both of us. But, I guess, +it's a start... I've already made my XMAS plans. I leave the evening of the +21st, my flight comes in about 10 pm, and leave the morning of the 27th at 6 am. +It's good chatting with you. Keep in touch! Kyle.Jones@radianz.com 11/29/2000 +05:07 PM Tana, I don't understand, what do you mean by "log in an email"? +Anyway, I got you message, and I got the World Series thing (although I had +already received Chris and Ben did a marvelous job for Thanksgiving, I can +testify that it was one of the best Thanksgiv8ing Dinners I've ever had (I not +gonna tell them that, I don't want them getting swell heads). Ma said she had a +great time in Houston, She was happy to see yourself, as well as C & D. I think +she likes her special room in your house. Your gonna be the first to see the new +baby (woudn't it be wierd if the baby gets botn on Jan 5th?) Why didn't Craig +show Ma his appartment? What do you think about your phone ocnversation with +Unlce Ben (he was almost shocked)? Are you coming for Xmas? Gotta go for now. +Love ya. Kyle ==================================================== (Harrison) +Kyle Jones Technical Solutions Engineer +==================================================== Radianz 1251 Avenue of the +Americas 7th Floor New York, NY 10016 USA Phone: +1 (212) 899-4425 Fax: +1 (212) +899-4310 Cell: +1 (917) 859-7187 Email: kyle.jones@radianz.com +==================================================== See our web page at" +http://www.radianz.com ==================================================== +|--------+-----------------------> | | Tana.Jones@en| | | ron.com | | | | | | +11/29/2000 | | | 04:34 PM | | | | |--------+-----------------------> +>----------------------------------------------------------------------------| | +| >----------------------------------------------------------------------------| +Hey, Mr. Computer, you can't log an email in to your sister?! Kyle.Jones@ra +Return Receipt Your World Series in Question document: was received Kyle +Jones/US/AMERICAS/Equant by: at: 01:00:51 PM Today You can take my assistant +Taffy Milligan off these emails again. Thanks! Adnan Patel@ENRON 11/29/2000 +04:49 PM Attached are the GCP Signoffs on EOL Approvals for 11/29/00 with GCP +responses marked in Red. Adnan Patel Bradley Diebner@ECT 11/29/2000 04:31 PM +Regards, bd Attached is the referenced agreement. Let me know if the notice +information is OK with you. If so, I'll get it signed by Craig Breslau today, +then bring it to you for countersignature. Thinking about that, what's your +title? I'm not sure you have the authority to sign documents w/o special +authority... No, it does not mean that. Adding all the Enron "Specified +Entities" would only make a default under a financial transaction with those +other Enron entities a default under this agreement. Our concern is that we +don't want any trading related defaults to ever trigger a default under a loan +transaction which has a swap as a component. Richard Sage 11/30/2000 10:52 AM If +you do add all the entities, does that mean that we would not need to put in +place a separate agreement for ECCL? With respect to Deutsche Bank (""DB"), we +have one credit issue remaining, DB would like us to add all the Enron trading +entities DB trades with as Specified Entities under the ISDA Master Agreement +and we are somewhat hesitant to do so, as this could potentially roll up swaps +under structured loan transactions into a default under the ISDA Agreement. Sara +and Bill Bradford in Credit are supposed to talk to the DB Credit people about +this remaining issue. With respect to First Union National Bank, the draft we +were working from was so old that they agreed to look at our current form of +agreement which was sent to them on 11/8/00 for review. Sara is working on that +with Susan Bailey, another paralegal in our Group. Denis O'Connell 11/22/2000 +06:05 AM Tana - can you please give me an update on where you are in the +negotiations of the ISDA with the following counterparties and confirm which +Enron entity you are negotiating on behalf of. Tks, Denis First Union National +Bank Deutsched Bank AG I spoke to Mark Taylor about your signing authority, and +he agrees that you do not have the authority to execute documents on your own, +but as long as you are only co-signing documents signed by an authorized officer +as a control measure we're OK. + +Susan, Joe, The referenced TAGG # was entered as a 'New Counterparty', can you +please let me know what counterparty this is so we can correctly assess the +counterparty exposure. Thank you, Russell Hey there yourself, Sorry I haven't +written you guys in a while to keep you properly updated. I am indeed checking +on flights to Seoul and don't think I'm going to go at exactly the same time as +my parents. As much fun as they are, I figured we would probably do some +different things than what you have planned for them. As for Ted, things are +still going well although I haven't see him at all this week (we are two very +busy people). But, we had a great laid back day last Saturday and I think have +hit that comfortable stage...you know, not quite so formal about dates etc. In +one sense it's great, but it also makes things a lot harder to read. Anyway, I'm +sure my Mom told you guys but Travis and Kathy got to meet him and I think it +went well. Hopefully, if we're still dating come December, you and Chuck can +meet him when you come back to visit. I'm planning on dragging him to at least +one of the U.T. games, I just have to find out when he wants to go (as well as +properly prepare him for the Scott/Kelley/Parks/Wild Card gang and the full-day +affair that is a U.T. game). Things in Houston are good and definitely warm. I +went with Emily and her Mom last night to see the musical "Rent" and it was +wonderful. Also, I'm going out to San Diego for the Labor Day weekend to visit +Hoot's daughter Julie. Needless to say I am very excited. Talk to you guys soon, +Susan Hey girlie, How are you doing? Haven't heard from you in a while. A little +birdie told me that you were checking into tickets for Seoul. Are you really? +Would you come with your parents or separately? In any case, we have had some +more time to do some exploring (and shopping), so we have some good ideas about +what to do if you come. I think that we will stay in Korea when your parents +come and do the whole base thing (which will take only a few minutes, actually), +but are considering going to China or somewhere during part of Thanksgiving. +We'll do whatever you want want if you still are coming! Let us know the latest +with Ted and also with what's going on in Houston. Take care, Chris +__________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Send instant +messages & get email alerts with Yahoo! Messenger. http://im.yahoo.com/ Hey +Tonto (a.k.a - the trusty, but silent, side-kick to the Lone Ranger or in this +case the Big D) The play was very good and I think well received. I'd forgotten +how blown away I was by some of the songs the first time I saw it in NY. The +cast members really have to have incredibly powerful voices to pull off a few of +the most poignant numbers ( I think this could be your true calling). I caught +the third day of Corey's Jeopardy run last night here at the office (yes, I had +to come back after the play...I love my job!). Anyway, I'm sure I'd mentioned it +before but yes she is a very smart girl. As a result of that, she has managed on +several occasions over the years to detract from my enjoyment of playing Trivial +Pursuit or watching Jeopardy by absolutely obliterating me (The girl actually +did her senior thesis on Trivia). Kori told me she saw you last night at Steak +Night and introduced herself since I failed to do so the last time we went. I +should let you know though that she was very offended this morning that you +didn't spell her name right in the email - I mean it's such a common spelling. +So was Darren there last night to meet her or do you just think they'd make a +good match? She's a very fun girl. Hope you day is going well and that the move +to 30 went off without a hitch. Good luck with all of the "fun" meetings. Shorty +-- Due to the lack of response yesterday, I'm beginning to worry about your +success with the road test...I'm going to assume that you didn't get around to +it. Ted Noble 08/17/2000 10:05 AM How was the play? I forgot to tell you that I +saw your friend on a re-run Jeopardy the other night and I almost called you but +it came on at 11:30. Smart girl. I ran into Corey last night at LWs and I am +thinking this is a girl for Darren. Anyway, lots of fun meetings today. I'll +talk to you later. Maybe you should ignore the sentiment of the quote I sent +earlier...I think you may be adhering to it too faithfully. At this rate we may +have to start pinning notes to your shirt to remind you to do things. However, +having driven with you on several occasions I feel confident you will be able to +pass the test with flying colors. Keep in mind though that if you end up failing +I will not let you forget it (and, as we have established, I have the memory of +an elephant). I'll keep discussion of me to a minimum and just say that things +are well on 32. Now back to what's really important...you. Thought you'd like to +know that the Dixie Chicks are coming back to Houston Dec. 12 and will +performing just down the street from you at the Compaq Center...it's all about +you and your needs. Ted Noble 08/16/2000 10:56 AM AAAAAGGGHHHHHH...I just found +out that I need to take the TX drivers exam both written and on the rode. This +is a two day process and all because I let my CA license expire. I know I need +some of your organizational skills. I may try to run out and take the test this +afternoon while I get moved to 30 (I better not fail it). How's life on 32 today +-- well that's enough about you let's talk more about me. There is no pleasure +in having nothing to do; the fun is in having lots to do and not doing it. -Mary +Little + +Bob Bowen 07/14/2000 03:58 PM Note that the No "Out" version requires us to pay +the premium on Tuesday! GILBERGD@sullcrom.com 07/14/2000 02:18 PM As we +discussed, the following is revised disclosure regarding direct access to deal +with the cost issue: EnronOnline will assist users, upon request, in arranging +for the connection of "T1" lines or other means of direct access to EnronOnline, +as an alternative to internet access. Direct access connections might enable +users to access EnronOnline more quickly than is currently possible through +internet access. Please call if you want to discuss. Have a good weekend. This +e-mail is sent by a law firm and contains information that may be privileged and +confidential. If you are not the intended recipient, please delete the e-mail +and notify us immediately. The least we can do is pass this news along. Is there +anyone else we should tell? Ted Bockius 07/17/2000 02:21 +PM fyi... it sound like Bobby is in serious condition. Thanks, Sharon I think +they'll send us another update once he's out of emergency and into a room.? Then +it's real easy to call Ben Taub to find out a room number.? The address is +below.? It doesn't sound like he can receive visitors yet. A. Thanks for the +heads up.? Do you know the address to send cards?? Do you know if Bobby can see +visitors?? Some of the folks here would like to know. Thanks, Sharon Thought you +might like to know. Amy Cornell Compaq CPCG Marketing P: 281-518-9526 F: +281-518-1081 amy.cornell@compaq.com < mailto:amy.cornell@compaq.com + > Jann, phoned this morning and asked me to pass +this information to the group, concerning Bobby Riggins. Bobby is a member of a +bicycle team, while cycling this weekend, he and other members of his team were +injured by a truck.? There was one death in the injured group and the others +with major injuries.? Bobby is one of those with major injuries.? He is +currently in the emergency room at Ben Taub Hospital.? Ben Taub hospital is +located at 1504 Taub Loop, Houston, Texas, phone number: 713-793-2000.? He +cannot accept calls, visits or flowers at this time, since he is in the +emergency room.? An update will be e-mailed, as soon as one is available. Keep +Bobby, his team members and their families in your prayers. Rosario Gonzales +Administrative Assistant ESSG CCA-15, 150301, 153B09 281-514-3183 +rosario.gonzales@compaq.com < mailto:rosario.gonzales@compaq.com + > I think it's a good idea since the +provisional application is on file - Travis is the internal lawyer who has taken +care of the patent application so he will have better ideas for where the words +should be placed and appropriate look and feel (I would guess near the copyright +notice and roughly equivalent size). David Forster@ENRON 07/17/2000 06:15 PM +Mark, We are thinking of adding a Patent Pending message to key EnronOnline +pages (like the homepage). Can you offer comments/concerns/guidelines? Dave Does +it make sense for us to set up a meeting with you participating from Buenos +Aires? I'm not sure we have much to tell them at this stage - actually, I'm sure +I don't have anything new to report but if you do that would be fine with me. +Patrick Hansen@ENRON 07/17/2000 04:28 PM Michael and myself are planing to be in +Hoston on Thursday and Friday of this week. We intend to see as many people as +possible regarding EOL implementation. We will meet Dave Forster and his team +among others. We would like to fit a meeting with you as a group or +individually. Please let me know about your availability and if it is possible +to meet with more than one of you in one place. Thank you FYI David +Forster@ENRON 07/17/2000 02:34 PM Further background: Argentina intend to press +ahead even given the concern about taxes, etc. They wish to launch on Sept. 1 - +meaning we will need to be sending mailings sometime around mid-August. Dave +Leonardo Pacheco 07/17/2000 08:50 AM Mark, Just wanted to know were we stand on +the ETA and PA for Argentina? Thanks for your help! Leonardo Pacheco ext. 39938 +If you need more, there is a proposal from the documentation committee for a new +alternative for calculating termination amounts (we heard about it in Amsterdam) +that I think will be particularly attractive to the energy markets. I don't know +where this stands officially (I haven't heard any developments since Amsterdam) +but I can find out from Bob Pickle if you want. Mark E Haedicke 07/18/2000 08:58 +AM We should include ISDA energy definitions, CFTC matters re energy and an +overview of power deregulation developments in North America. I might also add a +few items about international developments and the EEI physical power trading +form. I am thinking 4 slides at the most. Is that what you want? Mark Current +Plan: Days away: Sept. 21 through Oct. 3 (assuming you work on the day we leave +and go back to work the day after we return) 9 work days Wed. Sept. 20 - Leave +Houston around 6:00 pm Thur. Sept. 21 - Arrv. London early a.m., transfer to +flight to Nice - Arrv. Nice around noon? rent car & drive to first hotel (less +than 1 hour away); collapse Fri. Sept. 22 - Stay in same hotel, visit Monaco, +Nice? Sat. Sept. 23 - Drive to St. Tropez - through Nice , Cannes & other +coastal towns, check-in mid afternoon Sun. Sept. 24 - St. Tropez Mon. Sept. 25 - +St. Tropez Tue. Sept. 26 - Drive to Nice, return car, fly to Paris Wed. Sept. 27 +- Paris Thur. Sept. 28 - Paris (Versailles or Fontainbleu - half day side trip) +Fri. Sept. 29 - Paris (Giverny - Monet's gardens - 3/4 day side trip) Sat. Sept. +30 - Paris Sun. Oct. 1 - Paris to London in afternoon - probably by Eurostar +train - (arrv. London late afternoon) Mon. Oct. 2 - London (meetings for CLH) +Tues. Oct. 3 - Fly London to Houston (lv. around noon, arrv. around 4:30pm) To +make matters even more confusing, there are two Mark Taylors. I believe the +message you forwarded to me belongs to the Mark Taylor at EI (based in London). +Unfortunately, I can't forward your message to him directly (there seems to be a +problem with the attachment). If you still have it, can you send it to him at +"Mark EI.London Taylor"? I will take care of it. Thanks for the reminder. + +Ladies, Enclosed is a worksheet for Ineos Acrylics. Ineos is an English company +which has a majority of its operations in the US. Note that the credit +thresholds are in US$, but the MACS are designated in British Pounds. Please +send the draft to Troy Black and he will forward to the CP. Please deliver a +copy to me as well. Have a great weekend. Max << File: Ineos.xls >> Robbi: I +left you a voice mail on Friday. I looked at the UEComm Master and had some +comments--such as our name is wrong, the cross default threshold for us should +be US $ and not AUD, and there were a few other questions I had. Marie Hi, +Attached are Uecomm's final comments to the Master Agreement. John Suttle has +OK'd Anthony's latest request w/r.t. the CSA. Could you please send an +executable version of the contract to Fred, David, John and me tomorrow? If +they're OK with it, we'd like to execute it as soon as possible unless there are +any objections. Thanks Pat Pat, Please find attached the Enron Master Agreement. +I have inserted the company details of Uecomm as requested. I have also amended +the timeframes in the Credit Support Annex to 10 days instead of 2 days. +(Clauses 2 & 3). I have tracked all changes for ease of reference. If these +amendmnets are agreeable to you can you please print and arrange for execution. +If you have any questions please do not hesitate to give me a call. Regards, +Anthony Sill Legal Counsel Uecomm Limited 126 Trenerry Crescent Abbotsford, VIC +3067. Ph. (03) 9221 4101 Fax.(03) 9221 4193 Mob. 0417 575 920 <> Turn up your sound a bit. Reminder: Conference +Call with ConEd at 1:00 today in Sara's office - EB3801A. Nick: Attached for +your further handling is the draft form Deemed ISDA between ENA and Ispat +Mexicana S.A. de C.V. Please note that the economic provisions have been +omitted. Please let me know if you have any questions or need anything else. +Marie x33907 Tana: Here's info on the Elliotts. Marie CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!! +We've been asking everyday if anyone had heard if the "Babies Elliott" had +arrived. Glad to hear that they are all healthy and were a good size, and that +Mom is doing well. Look forward to seeing pictures of the little ones. I know +you all are going to have so much fun with them. Hope you've been storing up +sleep, cause it looks like you won't be getting much for a while. Again, +congratulations. These three little ones don't realize how lucky they are to +have such a nice Dad, but I'm sure they'll find out soon. Take care Marie Ladies +and gentlemen, This is just to let you know that Emma gave birth at week 34 on +Friday, 6th July, to our triplets: Benjamin James - at 12.45 pm - 3 lbs 4 ozs +Toby William - 12.46 pm - 4 lbs Hannah May - 12.48 pm - 3 lbs 15 ozs. Although +small, they are all "fully functioning" and very well - they are in the lowest +level of special care (and they will probably be in there for another two to +four weeks) until they can feed properly and maintain their weights. Emma is +fine, too - very well!! All the best and kind regards Mark OOPS! Attached are +the fax cover pages for each of the Nylon and Polykron Deemed ISDAs I just sent +you. Marie Rebecca: I am attaching a clean and blacklined version of the +proposed resolutions authorizing the opening of brokerage accounts. I have +attempted to revise them to make them clearer. Perhaps Jim Armogida can assist +in revising them as I am sure he is more familiar with the way Enron Corp. likes +their resolutions drafted than we are. Let me know if you have any questions or +need anything else. Marie x33907 Turn up your sound a bit. Hi, Liz: Thanks! +Marie Marie Heard Senior Legal Specialist Ms. Marquez: I am following up +regarding the status of our comments to the form of guaranty for Pemex that you +provided to Lucy Ortiz. Please do not hesitate to contact either Francisco +Pinto-Leite or me with any questions or comments. We look forward to hearing +your comments. Marie Heard Senior Legal Specialist Ms. Marquez: Attached are an +original and blacklined copy of your form of guaranty, which reflect our +comments. Please do not hesitate to contact either Francisco Pinto-Leite, Senior +Counsel (713/345-7942; francisco.pinto.leite@enron.com) or me with any questions +or comments. Thank you for your assistance. Marie Heard Senior Legal Specialist +Tanya: I received this draft from Niagara Mohawk Marketing, Inc. for our review. +Will you pass along to the appropriate person? Thanks! Marie Marie - per our +conversation yesterday afternoon, attached are proposed drafts of the Schedule +and the Para. 13 relative to the above. Having spoken with Dennis Goldmann, I am +advised that there are currently 2 Guaranties in place in the sum of $8M each: +one by Niagara Mohawk Holdings Inc f/b/o Enron, and one by Enron Inc. f/b/o +Niagara Mohawk Energy Marketing. I am told that our respective credit +departments want to raise the credit lines to $10M for each party, but to effect +that we will have to modify the existing Guaranties accordingly. Let me know if +this is your understanding, as well. After you have had the chance to review the +attached, please send me a marked-up draft and we can discuss our concerns from +there. Should you have any questions, feel free to call me. I can be reached at +315-460-3344. Any credit concerns can be discussed with Dennis Goldmann, who can +be reached at 315-460-3349. I look forward to hearing from you. Patty Snyder +(See attached file: ENRON - SCHEDULE(nmemdrft8-7-01).doc)(See attached file: +ENRON - Para13(nmemdrft8-7-01).doc) - ENRON - SCHEDULE(nmemdrft8-7-01).doc - +ENRON - Para13(nmemdrft8-7-01).doc Hi Marie Did you get a chance to find those +GTC's for ENA that you can forward this way? Thanks, I know you are busy. Tracy +Jeff: Attached are the draft Schedule to the ISDA Master Agreement, together +with Paragraph 13 to the ISDA Credit Support Annex. I am putting the credit +worksheet on the fax machine to you as soon as I send this message. Let me know +if you have any questions or need anything else. Marie x33907 + +Hi everyone, I just got of the phone with Hai and he told me how to make an +adjustment on a day to day basis in regards to incorrect liquidations but he +also explained this is just to make the daily P&L #'s right, if nothing were +done the month end P&L would still somehow work out because adjustments would be +made. Does this mean that for June and for a certain portion of July we should +not do anything and just make adjustments on a going forward basis (and assume +everything will work out at month end)? If this is the case I would like someone +to walk me through June to see if the numbers did really work themselves out as +there was a large swing in second order on June 29 that was not adjusted for. +Let me know if one of you could help me do this. Karim. Evidently, this a +problem that Stacey White has been aware of for a couple of months now. There +was a change made in the coding for the delta position and this has somehow +messed up the liq value. John John, Karim, I'm now looking closely at the option +liquidation problems. I believe that there might be a sign-flipping problem for +PUTS that 's causing this whole issue. I'll keep you posted. Karim - this's +likely the explanation to your other question... I'll get back to you as soon as +I have more info (hopefully later today) Marcelo L. Meira Sr IT Developer Enron +Networks - Houston, TX (713) 345-3436 The post id I am looking at for Calgary is +11608. I am looking at the option liquidation report and all of the $65 puts are +in the money and the $75 call is also in the money. Shouldn't all the +liquidation values from the beginning of the month be a negative (representing +positive liquidation) for the puts? The liq value for the call is CORRECT. John +Karim, I don't want to wait till month end, let's adjust the numbers now and for +the June 29 2nd order, lets take that value into June since it relates to July +puts. Hi everyone, I just got of the phone with Hai and he told me how to make +an adjustment on a day to day basis in regards to incorrect liquidations but he +also explained this is just to make the daily P&L #'s right, if nothing were +done the month end P&L would still somehow work out because adjustments would be +made. Does this mean that for June and for a certain portion of July we should +not do anything and just make adjustments on a going forward basis (and assume +everything will work out at month end)? If this is the case I would like someone +to walk me through June to see if the numbers did really work themselves out as +there was a large swing in second order on June 29 that was not adjusted for. +Let me know if one of you could help me do this. Karim. Evidently, this a +problem that Stacey White has been aware of for a couple of months now. There +was a change made in the coding for the delta position and this has somehow +messed up the liq value. John John, Karim, I'm now looking closely at the option +liquidation problems. I believe that there might be a sign-flipping problem for +PUTS that 's causing this whole issue. I'll keep you posted. Karim - this's +likely the explanation to your other question... I'll get back to you as soon as +I have more info (hopefully later today) Marcelo L. Meira Sr IT Developer Enron +Networks - Houston, TX (713) 345-3436 The post id I am looking at for Calgary is +11608. I am looking at the option liquidation report and all of the $65 puts are +in the money and the $75 call is also in the money. Shouldn't all the +liquidation values from the beginning of the month be a negative (representing +positive liquidation) for the puts? The liq value for the call is CORRECT. John +unable to attend at that time due to a prior appointment, I can meet with you +individually later some time OK, now that I've got your attention - I really am +offering free lunch! I would like to informally get together with you on +Wednesday, July 18 at 11:45 am - 1:00 pm (max) to talk about your recruiting +experience with Enron Canada. We're gearing up for our 2001/02 recruiting +campaign and we think your experience will help us define what works best and +what can be improved in our process. For those of you in Toronto, I apologize +for not being able to schedule this over your lunch time! However, if you can +wait til 2:00pm to eat, go ahead and grab something and expense it! We'll hook +you guys in by videoconference. I've booked Videoconference Room # 1. Please let +me know whether or not you can attend so I can order enough food. Thanks!! +should be ok Kindly confirm your availability to attend an Analyst and Associate +Recruiting Meeting scheduled for Thursday, July 26th at 2:00 p.m. (4:00 p.m. +Toronto time). This meeting should not take more than one hour. The Toronto +office will be video conferenced in. Regards, Nella Lets try before Fri, as I am +planning to take that day off Attached is the revised draft paper that reflects +our conference call with Bob Fagan earlier this week. I propose we have a +conference call with Bob Fagan on Fri July 20 at 1:00 pm Calgary time to discuss +any areas of concern/confusion you may have. Also, would those of you who have +not responded to me via email confirming your acceptance of the terms upon which +our four companies have agreed to assume cost responsibility for the TCA work on +this. Attached is the letter I originally sent to you on May 10 in this regard. +<< File: Tabors Conflict Letter Alberta Export 050901.doc >> Regards, Rob Rob, +This draft reflects the changes we discussed during our call the other day. I've +also included a redlined draft showing changes. Regards, Bob <> <> - Alberta Transmission Access +and Pricing Analysis_0712 .doc << File: Alberta Transmission Access and Pricing +Analysis_0712 .doc >> - Alberta Transmission Access and Pricing Analysis_0712 +redlined .doc << File: Alberta Transmission Access and Pricing Analysis_0712 +redlined .doc >> NO Hi John, With reference to Article 5, section 5.1 (b), are +we going to propose an alternative planned outage to TAU for next year? Thanks, +Mike + +"Katie Kaplan" 10/27/2000 06:20 PM Please respond to kaplan +Greetings: IEP will be hosting a dinner for California Governor Gray Davis on +Thursday, December 7, 2000 at the historic Julia Morgan House in Sacramento. We +will be targeting to raise at least $100,000 so company contributions will range +from $10,000-$20,000 per person ($10k minimum per person) depending on the +number of respondents. We have already received firm commitments from 3 +companies. If you are interested in attending please e-mail me as soon as +possible. A formal invitation will follow to those who respond. We need +responses or direction by no later than COB on Monday, October 30, 2000. Please +contact me with any questions. Thank you, Katie Kaplan Manager of Policy IEP +(916) 448-9499 Congratulations. Everyone is extremely pleased that you're +joining. Best of luck and very much looking forward to working together. Best, +Jeff I'll believe it when I see it. Seems like a good idea to keep the heat on +Hoecker & Co.right up until Nov. 1. Thanks. I'm glad they want to follow-up with +Steve (I've been pushing it) and I've got some follow-up as well based on chats +I had in the afternoon on Friday with folks post-call. Let's regroup on Monday. +I'll be in Portland but can call you. Best, Jeff Jeremy Meier + 10/29/2000 11:48 AM Jeff: FYI, we had an instructive +rest of the conference call on Friday with Sue and Robbie et al. They indicated +they could use Steve's help face to face at some point. We are following up with +Sue and Robbie on a couple legal issues, case law and MSA self-certification +language, and let me know if you have additional items. We await approval on the +final tariff language and can then file at the CPUC. Let me know what schedule +works for you. Also, can you confirm the correct names, email addresses, titles +for those new folks on Friday's call: Robbie Rossi, Michelle, Melissa Lloyd? +Thanks. Jeremy Meier Blumenfeld & Cohen Attached for your review are draft +talking points for the Cal Energy Markets conference I'm speaking at on Thursday +in SF. All comments, suggestions, etc. are appreciated. Thanks. Yes, I would +like to participate. Thanks. thanks a million. talk to you then. Lara +Leibman@ENRON COMMUNICATIONS 10/31/2000 03:48 PM Here's the info for calling in +-- thanks! Lara Angie Buis 10/31/00 02:17 PM The call-in number and instructions +for the 11/2 8:30 a.m. meeting are as follows: Everyone will dial the toll free +number 1-877-331-6867. All the outside participants will be prompted to enter +their access code, which is 600-480. Wayne, your access code (room 4434) after +dialing the toll free number will be 857-771. I have asked for 4 outside ports +and should anyone else need to join in, they may do so with the access code and +without operator assistance. The duration of the call is 3.5 hours. The call +will terminate once everyone has hung up. Please let me know if any of you need +additional information. Thanks. Angie Buis EBS-Tax x-37097 Attached for your +review are copies of the settlement documents that were filed today in the Gas +Industry Restructuring/Natural Gas Strategy proceeding, including the Motion for +Approval of the Comprehensive Settlement that is supported by thirty signatories +to the Comprehensive Settlement, the Comprehensive Settlement document itself, +and the various appendices to the settlement.? Because a number of the +declarations and signature pages are not yet available electronically, they have +not been included with this note.? Hard copies of the Comprehensive Settlement, +including all declarations and signature pages, are being shipped tonight via US +mail to all parties on the service list.? Additional printed copies should be +available within the next day or so and I will make them available to all of you +- just let me know how many copies you need. I would like to thank all of the +parties who participated in this settlement process.? You have all devoted +considerable time, resources and spirit in the preparation of this document - +and it shows.? We now have a settlement before the Commission that includes +ratepayer advocates, commercial and industrial customers, electric generators, +marketers, shippers, independent storage providers,? gas suppliers,? producers, +utilities, aggregators, pipeline companies, wholesale customers, municipalities, +and retail mass marketers, among others.? While we should be proud of our +accomplishment, we now must turn to the task of getting our testimony ready by +May 5 deadline.? Assignments have already been made and I will schedule a +conference call later this week to discuss related details.? So much for resting +on our laurels.? Once again, thank you all for an outstanding accomplishment. +<> <> ? <> +<> <> <> +<> <> <> +<> <> - ld2d-#69366-1.DOC - +ld2d-#69345-1.DOC - ld2d-#69397-1.DOC - ld2d-#69396-1.DOC - ld2d-#69377-1.XLS - +ld2d-#69381-1.DOC - ld2d-#69366-1.DOC - ld2d-#69336-1.XLS - Primary Rights 4-12 +.doc - ld2d-#69334-1.DOC - ld2d-#69345-1.DOC Severin Borenstein E.T. Grether +Professor of Business Administration and Public Policy Director Haas School of +Business U.C. Energy Institute University of California 2539 Channing Way +Berkeley, CA 94720-1900 Berkeley, CA 94720-5180 (p) 510-642-3689 (p) +510-642-5145 (f) 707-885-2508 http://www.ucei.berkeley.edu/ucei Email: +borenste@haas.berkeley.edu WWW: http://haas.berkeley.edu/~borenste Attached is a +rough draft of my talking points for a panel I'll be on at a CEM conference in +SF on Thursday afternoon. Have distributed to Western GA team (plus Steffes) for +comment and thought you may have some, too. Topic for panel, "PUC Priorities." +Goal is to (politely?) refute Loretta Lynch's and Carl Woods' continued +assertions that 1) California's move to deregulate was based solely on ideology +with no basis in fact and 2) the solution is to turn back the clock to +command-and-control regulation. The FERC order tomorrow is likely to alter the +points somewhat. Comments are much appreciated. Best, Jeff Chris: As we +discussed yesterday, Laird and I spoke and we think that the presentation is +good to go for Thursday. We'll need to update the numbers for the offer we made +to S.D. last week. You had mentioned that you might want to include a shaped +product. You still considering it? Let us know and we can add it, and make any +other changes you'd like to make at this end. My flight gets into S.D. at at +8:35 on southwest. Best, Jeff Sandi sez it's actually happening at 10 AM and +it's renewable-focused. + +David Forster 03/08/2000 09:45 AM Fyi Dear Justin Marly asked me to respond to +you. As you know, the suffix ONLINE is purely descriptive and now used by many +companies. Therefore, any trade mark registration that incorporates the word +ONLINE as a suffix in the way that you use it will not enable its owner to +prevent others from using the word ONLINE. Given the above, if you have adequate +protection for the word ENRON (which covers the services that you offer on-line +as well as your core activities), I'd say that another application for the words +ENRON ONLINE is probably unnecessary. However, if you use a particular logo for +the on-line service, that should be registered. I hope the above is clear. +Jonathan Day Marly, If you could respond to me on this request, thanks Justin +Paul Goddard 08/03/2000 11:35 Can one of you give me a quick call to discuss . +I'm @ X37047. Thanks. I believe we are to some extent already protected with +"Enron" proceeded with anything, but EnronOnline(TM) , etc. just affords us more +protection. I assume this is akin to why McDonald's trademarks "Mc"Everything? +David Forster 08/03/2000 01:50 Paul, Can you please give me a call to discuss +trademarking? i.e. Are we covered if we proceed a word with "Enron"? e.g.: +EnronEAuction. If we are covered, then was it necessary to register EnronOnline? +Thanks, Dave ____________________________________________________________ This +message is confidential. It may also be privileged or otherwise protected by +work product immunity or other legal rules. If you have received it by mistake +please let us know by reply and then delete it from your system; you should not +copy the message or disclose its contents to anyone. +____________________________________________________________ Per my conversation +with Edmund this morning, we are moving the following countries to the +non-approved list: Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Poland, +Portugal, Romania, Singapore, and Slovenia. Below is the list, now updated to +reflect this change. Jurisdictions which are are approved to trade credit +derivatives: Finland, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, the U.K, and the +U.S.. Jurisdictions which are not approved to trade credit derivatives include: +Austria, Belgium, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Gibraltar, +Ireland, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Scotland, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, +and The Netherlands. For banks incorporated in a non-approved jurisdiction, it +may be possible for them to trade out of a branch located in an approved +jurisdiction (i.e. U.S. and U.K. branches). This would have to be determined on +a case by case basis. Please let me know if there are any changes to this list. +Sent by: Nella Cappelletto Yes, we should add compliance with OTC Derivatives +and/or Commodity Contracts and Qualified Party requirements of the Securities +Act (Alberta), Securities Act (British Columbia) and Securities Act (Ontario). +Thanks, Peter With regard to our annual review of this list of laws we need to +comply with, do we not want to add the Canadian provinces new "eligible swap +participant" equivalant rules? Molly Harris 03/08/2000 05:37 PM Please find +attached Credit's EOL responses for 3/8/00. Regards Molly You are the best! Why +does it always have to be my deals...?!!! We've received a personal invitation +to a NYMEX Crawfish Boil on April 3 at 5:00 at Garden in the Heights at 3926 +Feagan. The cause of this celebration is the 10th anniversary of the Nat Gas +futures contract. It would be nice if Shankman and John Arnold could attend. +Perhaps you can give them a personal invitation... We have received the +amendment to the BC Gas ISDA Master executed by BC Gas, which adds the Canadian +Securities Representation, so we don't have to add the rep into every confirm. +BC Gas won't sign the confirms with the rep in, and this has caused much +difficulties. I am going to count it as signed, since BC Gas has signed, but we +still need it to be signed by ECC. Can you get it signed ASAP and back to me. +Much thanks. We have received the executed Amendment to the Subscription +Agreement with WeatherTrade, Inc. dated March 2, 2000. This Amendment amends the +Transaction Fee referenced in subparagraph (c) of the Fee Schedule to the +Subscription Agreement. Copies will be distributed. Updating another blue file +because Susan B., this time, has not updated it to reference mergers & name +changes! It appears you missed some cpys on the referenced list because Tom had +the freeze panel button on, and you probably didn't see them at first. I didn't +either until I clicked on the down button and they popped up. When you have a +minute, I'll give me a call and I'll come around and show you how to unfreeze +the panel. I spoke to Edmund to get the scoop on what we are going to be doing +on the confirms for Credit Derivatives, and he said that his current +understanding is that all of the confirms will be done out of London. I +communicated that to Bob Bowen. He also said that London was going to be hiring +120 people to deal with the Credit Derivatives business. Wow! Carol, will you +handle this or Mark? Tori Kuykendall 03/09/2000 03:51 PM hi mark - i'm a gas +trader on the west desk and one of my customers had some issues with our +electronic trading agreement. the company is Arco Products, adn their comments +are on the attached file. could you take a look at this and give me an update. +thanks. Torrey, as promised I have attached ARCO's suggested revisions to the +Enron online trading agreement. I look forward to working toward a mutually +satisfactory agreement in this new and thorny area of e-commerce contracting. +Dave (See attached file: ETA_revision0307.doc) - ETA_revision0307.doc We have +received the executed First Amendment to ISDA Master Agreement dated as of +December 1, 1999. This amendment adds the British Columbia Securities Act +representation to the master. Copies will be distributed. Confirmation Desk: you +can stop adding the rep to the confirms now. Molly Harris 03/09/2000 05:39 PM +Please find attached Credit's EOL responses for 3/9/00. Regards, Molly Here's +the list with the missing counterparties. Molly Harris 03/08/2000 05:37 PM +Please find attached Credit's EOL responses for 3/8/00. Regards Molly Yeah! +Probably... I just got a call from Dave and Frank and they tell me I have a +whole week this time to approve the whole counterparty list to trade Australian +financial power. I'll need to talk to you about his Monday. Hey guys, take +Monday off! Molly Harris 03/10/2000 04:28 PM Please note Credit has no EOL +responses for 3/10/00. Regards Molly + +Mike Jordan 04/04/2001 09:27 AM Please find attached the most recent update for +Merchanting Metals. In summary the planned systems changes and manual +substantiation efforts are behind schedule. Additional resources are being +allocated and the situation is being closely monitored ( both for quarter end +signoff and on going operations ). Please contact me if you require any +additional information Mike Mike Jordan 03/04/2001 16:29 The intention of the +efforts and actions documented in my earlier update ( see attached email ) was +to provide a robust position signoff process for total metal tonnage, spread and +brand and location a timely substantiation of stock on balance sheet forward MTM +debtors and creditor balances OBSF transactional values and a reconciliation of +the barclays intercompany account Despite the best efforts of IT, continuing +problems with the AS400 application, a better understanding of the inconsistency +between stock reconciliation reports, and concerns over the useability of the +outright stock screen enquiry are such that I am currently not confident of +delivering sufficient accurate information to AA to satisfy their audit +requirements - which at a macro level is the transparent audit trail between +stock and forward positions to full accounting values. Consequently I need to +inform you of, and/or require your approval for, the following : I will discuss +with AA the following that OBSF values within the extended trial balance may be +misstated due to data issues ( above and beyond existing conversations with AA +on model simplifications) that there are reconciling differences between trader +position analyses, AS400 on screen enquiries and the formal global position +report ( these differences are at present not understood but would need to be +provided to AA within the audit timetable) an outline of the internal balance +sheet review process described in my earlier note which must now be +reprioritised and rescoped ( see MO work ) The creation of an incentive payment +pool ( possibly via personal best awards ) for key Metals staff who continue to +work exceptionally unsociable hours to meet the above stated objectives The +signoff for additional permanent 'Enron' headcount who will 'duplicate' certain +key position control processes ultimately replacing some existing Traffic staff +A reconciling difference of $15mm exists between the reported DPR and the final +accounting p&l as generated on the AS400. We will continue to investigate +potential misstatements in the system p&l, as a result of data or system +valuation problems, within the month end reporting timeframe. However, this +difference may need to be adjusted for following a final review and signoff of +system p&l values with traders. The recall of all OBSF stock in early April and +retention on balance sheet ( reduced where economically viable ) until positions +are fully reconciled and repeatable daily signoff process can be instigated. +Middle Office work being prioritised is as follows the stock circularisation +initiated for close of business 23rd - with full reconciliation of returns to +current system data by traffic/co-ordination an audit of the stock and forward +valuation report for the 30th ( replacing planned 23rd review due to system +issues ), requiring full download of contract detail for later reference +reconciliation of stock movements between 23rd and 30th sample tests of vanilla +forward transactions detailed position analysis of all OBSF contracts that must +be reconciled to Barclays documentation spreadsheet recalculation of OBSF option +premium utilising the above manually created position analysis the +circularisation of Barclays intercompany account and comparison to our cut off +and substantiation analysis the debtors/creditors partial circularisation +initiated for close of business 23rd I will be in touch directly re the items +needing approval Regards Mike Mike Jordan 21/03/2001 18:20 Several related +issues have resulted in an increase in the level of operating risk for the +Merchanting Metals business. Complexities surrounding the operation of the Off +Balance Sheet Facility ("OBSF") which commenced two weeks before the year end. +The uncertainty generated by the revocation of AA's signoff for the facility +late in the year end audit. The discovery of a number of 'bugs' within the AS400 +Merchanting code, arising from the release of OBSF designed functionality, which +compounded the operational burden of supporting the OBSF. The requirement to +amend the operational process and OBSF IT code as a result of the current +renegotiation of the OBSF with Barclays ( and AA ). The senior IT developer for +Merchanting has resigned and been sent on gardening leave. The Corporate +requirement to lower working capital usage for the Merchanting business +irrespective of the above parochial business issues. Various mitigating actions +have been and will be taken to provide focus, gain comfort over control levels +and to provide assurance to senior management as to the accuracy of the Q1 DPR +and business balance sheet. The implementation for SAP for the Merchanting +business has been delayed and effectively decoupled from the higher risk ( +higher benefit ) Brokerage implementation - benefit is to provide sole focus on +OBSF for IT Merchanting developers. The AR/AP SAP data quality reviews for both +businesses are continuing so as to provide a detailed analysis as at end Q1. +Middle Office have instigated a new daily working capital report process +tracking cash settlement/ funding data to working capital components for all +Metals businesses. An enhanced position signoff process will be implemented +prior to end Q1 covering gross tonnage, spread positions and summarised analyses +for brand and locations. The necessary report functionality should be available +within the AS400, however contingencies have been initiated to build tactical +VBA/excel reports outside of the AS400 but using AS400 data downloads. User +requests for additional AS400 functionality and reports have been aggressively +prioritised and a code freeze will commence prior to the end of Q1 following the +delivery of three reports determined as minimum requirements for the support of +OBSF. A resubstantiation of the full Q1 DPR will be completed by the Risk +control staff reconciling the full trial balances between Q1 open and Q1 close A +full internal balance sheet review will be completed within the Q1 audit +timetable which incorporates A full circularisation of inventory balances, and +matching to source documentation within Enron Inspection of certain of the above +inventory balances, by third party inspectors, where there is an expectation +that circularisation replies will not be received on a timely basis Substantive +checks back to source contract documentation for the forward priced and unpriced +positions report ( spot checking the key position report signed off by the +traders ) Full reconciliation and recalculation of OBSF option premium values +Full reconciliation of contracts within the OBSF to Barclays documentation ( +thereby substantiating existence of stock that we have option to purchase ) and +to AS400 Barclays account A risk based debtors review - matching to source +documentation, where applicable, and any subsequent post quarter end cash +movements A full substantiation of creditors to internal ( contract commitments +) or external documentation ( invoices/request for payment ) A full +reconciliation of intercompany accounts A full substantive reconciliation of +cash and funding accounts I intend to provide weekly updates on the status of +the above actions during April If you have any questions please call me on +x34703 Regards Mike + +Dr. Harris: I would like to thank you for personally taking the time to closely +review my application. Though I am disappointed with the results I am still +determined to attend The TEXAS Graduate School of Business next year. I +understand how competitive the process has become, but I felt that with my work +experiences, recommendations, personality, extracurricular activities, etc. that +this would compensate for my disability. After talking with Professors Titman, +Ronn, Brown and Jemison, I was sure that the School was the right place to get +the education I was looking for. I am still certain that the School is the best +place for getting a great graduate-level education, so I want you to know that I +am going to do whatever it takes to get in next year. I plan on taking two or +three graduate level finance courses at the University of Houston this Summer +and Fall to demonstrate to the Admissions committee that I can compete at the +graduate level. I also plan on retaking the GMAT test. Due to my disability, +this will be a monumental task; but I am determined to prove to the Committee +that I can be successful at The TEXAS Graduate School of Business. I would like +to come down to Austin this spring to meet with you to further discuss my +application file and to personally meet you. If you think of anything else I can +do to strengthen my overall application file for next year, please let me know. +Take care and hope to hear from you soon. Sincerely, Ben Rogers Professor Ronn: +I would like to thank you for taking the time to recommend me to the MBA +Program. In the end, the results were not favorable. I understand that it is a +competitive process, but I felt that with my work experiences, recommendations, +extracurricular activities, etc., that this would help my chances and possibly +compensate for my disability. After talking with you and Professors Titman, +Brown and Jemison, I was sure that UT was the right place to continue learning +about energy-finance. I am still sure that UT is the place for getting an +excellent graduate-level education, so I want you to know that I am going to do +whatever it takes to get in next year. I plan on taking two or three graduate +level finance courses at the University of Houston this Summer and Fall to +demonstrate to the Admissions office that I can compete at this level. I also +plan on trying to retake the GMAT test. Due to my disability, this will be a +monumental task, but I am determined to prove to the Admissions commitee that I +can excel with the work at The Texas University Graduate School of Business. +Thanks again for taking the time to listen and talk with me. It has been a +pleasure meeting you and I hope we can continue to talk about energy and finance +in the future. Also, if you can think of anything else I can do to strengthen my +overall application file for next year, please let me know. Take care and hope +to hear from you soon. Sincerely, Ben Rogers Professor Titman: I would like to +thank you for taking the time to recommend me to the MBA Program. In the end, +the results were not favorable. I understand that it is a competitive process, +but I felt that with my work experiences, recommendations, extrcurricular +activities, etc., that this would help my chances and possibly compensate my +disability. After talking with you and Professors Ronn, Brown and Jemison, I was +sure that UT was the right place to continue learning about energy-finance. I am +still sure that UT is the place for getting an excellent graduate-level +education, so I want you to know that I am going to do what ever it takes to get +in next year. I plan on taking a couple of graduate level finance courses at the +University of Houston this Summer and Fall to demonstrate to the Admissions +office that I can compete at this level. I also plan on trying to retake the +GMAT test. Due to my disability, this will be a monumental task, but I am +determined to prove to the Admissions committment that I can do the work at The +Texas University Graduate School of Business. Also, I would like to continue our +dialague regarding creating an Energy-Finance Private Equity Fund at UT. I know +that with my industry-wide and investment banking contacts that I can help raise +capital for the fund. I am very interested in energy-finance and think that your +idea is a very good. Thanks again for taking the time to listen and talk with +me. It has been a pleasure to meet with you and I hope we can continue to talk +about energy and finance in the future. Also, if you think of anything else I +can do to strengthen my overall application file for next year, please let me +know. Take care and hope to hear from you soon. Sincerely, Ben Rogers Let me +know if you have any questions. Thanks Ben Sorry about that, I was working on +the Teco O&M costs. Thanks Ben Please send me an excel spreadsheet which depicts +the value that you see associated with the heat rate spread option. I want to +make sure that I understand exactly how you propose valuing the transaction and +how this value would be booked. As such, please provide the following detail: +Will we be valuing/booking a series of monthly call options or a series of daily +call options? What power curve are we valuing the deal against - PJM East or +West Hub? Please send me the current fuel curve that you are converting to $/MWh +to value the deal? What volatilities are you using to value the options - +monthly volatilities or intra-day volatilities or a blend of the two (if +blending please show me what formula you using to blend the two vols)? What +expiration date are you using, i.e.: for monthly call options the 15th of the +relevant month, and for daily options? What correlation are you assuming, 15% +flat for twenty years? Are you deducting all operating expenses from the value +of the option? Are you using the "SPRDOPT" Exotic Options function to value the +option? Are you using the $/MWh VOM dollar amount as your strike? Has Don +provided the fixed payment stream? This stream should be covering both P&I and +not just principal. Yvan, and Ben, please provide answers to these question via +written correspondence so that their is limited probability of misunderstanding. +Thank you both very much for your time and help thus far. Furthermore, I would +like to reiterate that RAC's goal, prior to quoting any credit reserve, is to be +100% confident that: (i) the methodology that is being employed is consistent +among the internal groups; and (ii) the inherent value of the price risk +management contracts matches. This enables RAC to manage the associated risk +during the life of the transaction both effectively and appropriately. Regards, +Christopher + +Randy, this is the issue I left you the voice mail on. Article 6 of the Gallup +Compression Services Agreement (which I am sending to you separately) with ECS +obligates ECS to "work in good faith with CDEC" to establish an automated system +that would automatically have alerted us to peak loading conditions on CDEC's +system. We had a pretty good idea when we signed the contract that ECS would not +be able to complete that by the contract start date, so we negotiated a fall +back plan under which ECS is obligated to "assist [Transwestern] in developing a +manual system to accomplish the same result and will hold harmless and keep +[Transwestern] whole for all cost and expenses" associated with the manual +system. We will fight with them about who owes the $200k that James mentions +below based on their failure to "assist" us in managing the cost. In the mean +time, we need to make sure that we are doing everything we can to get a handle +on the situation to mitigate future costs. Do we have someone who is watching +this out there? We are running so full tilt on TW that we may not have as much +flexibiltiy to manage this situation as we expected, but let me know what we can +do. James had heard that one hold up was the absence of a confidentiality +agreement--I guess between ECS and Transwestern--that would permit ECS to +communicate to us the details on how to access teh key info. from CDEC. That +sounds like a BS excuse from ECS, but it that's what they are saying, let me +know and we can figure out a solution. Thanks. DF James Centilli 12/14/2000 +02:49 PM Would you please contact Gerald Nemec and review the Gallup Compression +Service Contract in respect to the Load Control Management. My understanding was +that ECS was to provide a means to access CDEC's online profile in order for us +to make a decision to avoid running the compressor during CDEC's peak load +periods. We have not received access to this information which has resulted so +far in additional electric cost of $200,987.33 for the period of July through +September. Additional cost will be incurred for the remainder of this year, that +I have not been able to review yet. This cost is averaging $79,000 per month if +we continue to run the compressor as we have in August and September. Good +point, but I'm comfortable we're covered because our bidders were all bidding on +a chunk of capacity and primary points. They are deemed to be on notice that +they had alternate point rights (its in the tariff) and if they wanted to submit +a bid that had a different rate for primaries and alternates, they could have +done so. None of them did, and most importantly, the winning bidders did not. +Our letter agreement simply memorializes that we will charge the same negotiated +rate whether the gas flows on primaries or alternates. I assume from your +message you are OK with this and they can get it nailed down? DF I just got done +looking at the underlying contract language as set forth in the pro forma +service agreement in the tariff and it specifically says that the max rate would +apply unless a discount or negotiated rate has been agreed to. My concern with +adding the language below is, could it be argued that not everyone knew the rate +would or could apply at any point, since we just stated Topack and Needles and +if they knew they might have bid a different rate?? Susan Scott 01/11/2001 02:42 +PM After discussions with the commercial group I propose that that redlined +language be added to the attached Dynegy agreement and to the 4 other negotiated +rate agreements we've done. If there are any objections you need to get back to +me ASAP. pls print. df In discussion with Dave, we thought it would be good to +put this together in a format of questions and answers. However, as you will +see, the questions I thought of got kinda long- but I think we need answers for +all of them. One thought is to have just the agenda as a couple topics and then +lead in with the first two questions as I've listed. Please provide me your +thoughts asap. MK whasssup? Here it is. Thanks. DF Here is the attachment... +Attached is my draft of a request for rehearing. It incorporates Mr. Stojic's +and Mr. Kelly's initial comments. Please review it and let me know if you have +any comments on or before Tuesday afternoon (I will be out of the office +Monday). Thank you! OK. DF DENISE LAGESSE 01/12/2001 10:34 AM Please approve +Susan's attached expense report and forward to accounting with a cc: to me. +Thanks! Forgot to cc you. df Drew Fossum 01/12/2001 04:37 PM OK. DF DENISE +LAGESSE 01/12/2001 10:34 AM Please approve Susan's attached expense report and +forward to accounting with a cc: to me. Thanks! Lou, do we have any sort of +policy on requests like this? Lee Huber made the same request last year and we +gave her the chair (she only wanted one, however). Norma, any thoughts? DENISE +LAGESSE 01/12/2001 01:14 PM Susan Scott would like authorization to order an +Aeron chair for each of her offices - on 47 and 41. This particular chair is +designed to help with back problems, which she has. Many people at Enron already +have this type of chair, but we rarely, if ever, have a surplus because they are +so popular. The cost is $567.77 per chair plus tax. Please approve the purchase +of two. Thanks! sorry, i left lou off of the message. Drew Fossum 01/13/2001 +09:45 AM Lou, do we have any sort of policy on requests like this? Lee Huber +made the same request last year and we gave her the chair (she only wanted one, +however). Norma, any thoughts? DENISE LAGESSE 01/12/2001 01:14 PM Susan Scott +would like authorization to order an Aeron chair for each of her offices - on 47 +and 41. This particular chair is designed to help with back problems, which she +has. Many people at Enron already have this type of chair, but we rarely, if +ever, have a surplus because they are so popular. The cost is $567.77 per chair +plus tax. Please approve the purchase of two. Thanks! I believe you got a copy +of the John Sommer letter to producers dated Jan 6 that MKM's spies intercepted. +She forwarded the Sommer letter to Stan and discussed it with him. Dari and I +vented our aggravation by drafting the attached letter to Gibson and Kyle +complaining of Sommer's duplicity, but after tempers cooled, MKM and I decided +not to send it to Stan or urge him to send a written response. As it stands, MKM +and I will probably bring it up with Sommer in OK City and strongly suggest the +importance of coordinated communication to the producers. Stan may also bring +the letter up orally next time he's on the phonne with Gibson or Kyle as an +example of how not to handle this situation. Yea--it was outstanding news! What +a hoss. Can't catch you this time but 14721 keep me posted on your next trip. DF + +Evan -- Who is responsible for completing all paperwork for entering a new +market? Is it someone on your team or someone from CEC? There have been some +issues with getting everything coordinated lately and I wanted to make sure that +we knew who was on point. Jim Am I scheduled to attend? Jim The next meeting of +the CAEM Board of Directors will be held on Wednesday, September 12, at the +Grand Hyatt Hotel in Washington, DC. The meeting is being held in conjunction +with the third meeting of our DISCO of the Future Forum. (Please visit our newly +updated website www.caem.org for more information on the DISCO Forum.) Following +the Board meeting on Wednesday, you are invited to join with members of the +DISCO Forum for a Wednesday evening reception and dinner, including a guest +speaker. Board members are also invited to join in the substantive session of +the DISCO Forum on Thursday, September 13. Because of an international medical +convention ongoing in Washington at the same time as our meetings, the Grand +Hyatt unfortunately is already booked. However, we have reserved a block of +rooms at the nearby Wyndham Hotel. To reserve one of these rooms, you must +inform the Wyndham staff that you are part of the CAEM group. If you should +decide to arrange lodging at a different hotel, please do so quickly as there is +limited availability in all surrounding hotels. We will be making the Wyndham +rooms available to members of the DISCO Forum on July 20. If you have any +questions or require any assistance at all, please contact Hope Duncan at +202.739.0134 or Jeff Mangold at 703.729.2710. We are looking forward to seeing +you on September 12. Hotel Information: Grand Hyatt Hotel 1000 H Street NW +Washington DC 20001 Phone: 202.582.1234 or 1.800.233.1234 Fax: 202.637.4781 +Website: http://washington.hyatt.com/wasgh/index.html Wyndham Washington DC 1400 +M Street NW Washington, DC 20005 Phone: 202.429.1700 or 1.877.999.3223 Fax: +202.785.0786 Website: http://www.wyndham.com/Washington_DC/default.cfm correct. +Is this correct? If so, I will handle it. Thanks Jim. Lora Sullivan@ENRON +07/19/2001 03:31 PM Dear Linda, We are receiving invoices from Ace Federal +Reporters for transcripts of the recent FERC settlement conferences. Linda +Robertson says they should be charged to Jim Steffes' cost center, etc. Do you +want me to send the invoices to you? Let me know. Many thanks. Lora Lora +Sullivan Federal Government Affairs Representative Enron 1775 Eye Street, NW +Suite 800 Washington, DC 20006 202-466-9142 202-828-3372 (fax) email: +lora.sullivan@enron.com I'm in +all week. Jim Can we visit about what went on with Ursula at the PRC meeting +when you catch up? BRADLEY JR, ROBERT L, A revised version of the Evaluation +form for Associates and Analysts is attached below. Please disregard and destroy +the form you received on July 2, as well as any blank forms retrieved from the +PEP system prior to that date. Please use the attached for Associate and Analyst +evaluations. All Evaluations for Associates and Analysts must be completed using +this form. - BRENNER, URSULA J.doc << File: BRENNER, URSULA J.doc >> Jean & +Thane -- Can we have a meeting this week (maybe Thursday at 3:30) to discuss +this? Jim We do need a formal plan. We have been working closely together to +identify the issues as they develop and propose solutions. Doug has been +providing us with the necessary specific market information. We have been +successful in communicating that information to the new commissioners and Ercot +and seeking resolution. The commission is definitely more responsive to market +participants that are articulating the issue, providing specific examples and +proposing the solution. Grand-standing is ignored. Those who show up with +complaints but cannot point to specifics are virtually ignored. Those who show +up and complain, but are not participating in the working groups and the daily +Ercot phone calls, board meetings, etc. are ignored. Doug and I met with the +Chairman of PUCT and have had subsequent conversations. Thane and I also visited +with him. Pat Wood made a phone call to Tom Noel and told him to get the Texas +market fixed. (Even though he has bigger things to do in D.C., this is his +legacy and he recognizes that if deregulation does not work in Texas, the +repercussions could be global.) Chairman Sibley and Chairman Wolens (of the +Texas legislature) are also engaged in market developments. We have been working +with the State Affairs legislative committee and keeping them apprised. There is +an Electric Restructuring Committee hearing scheduled for September 6th or 7th. +The forum is expected to be invited testimony only. Those currently listed as +invitees are PUCT Commissioners and Ercot's Sam Jones and Tom Noel. The hearing +is focused on the pilot and we have an opportunity to provide some probing +questions for Wolens to direct to Sam and Tom. Now that Sibley is not a +candidate for Lt. Governor, there is more freedom to open up and ask some +difficult questions. Thane is in Austin on Friday, but is available by phone. I +will be on a plane to Houston at 8:00 a.m. Can we find another time that works +for us to meet? Thane is in an Ercot PRS meeting Friday from 9:30 until 3:00. I +am available after Rick's Friday budget meeting...are you available then? You +are right, we do need a formal plan, Thane has started an initial draft. Thanks, +Jean Jean & Thane -- Walking out last night, Kevin Presto indicated that there +were games being played in ERCOT with the new market rules and prices in certain +markets were not reflective of working markets. Enron needs to use this +situation to quickly get our viewpoints up into the PUCT and ERCOT ISO on what +is driving these problems and our proposed fixes. If ERCOT goes the way of +California - either due to market power or poor market design rules - it will be +a bad day for deregulation and for Pat Wood. As important, the new PUCT +Commissioners need some help right now in messaging the market. Let's get them +to support constructive solutions that will make a real difference. Jean and +Thane, I think that we need a FORMAL PLAN on what to do over the next 3 - 6 +months to leverage this situation. I would like to discuss this with you on +Friday am. I am free at 8am on Friday before Rick's budget meeting. Jim FYI. You +may want to discuss with Becky. Jim As an outgrowth of the meeting Leslie and I +had with Scott and Hunter a couple of weeks ago, we have begun work to develop +an electronic tool that would allow us to provide ongoing summaries of FERC gas +activities, and possibly electric activities, in a format that can be linked to +the Fundamentals intranet site used by the traders. We envision a format that +would provide a brief summary and analysis of the order, filing, etc. with a +link to the source document as well for those who would like more detailed +information. This would replace the paper copies you and your people are +currently getting. Many details remain to be worked out, but we will keep you +advised. In the meantime, could you please provide a contact on your side with +whom we could discuss technical issues? What do I need to do? Jim + +Vince J Kaminski@ECT 04/30/2001 02:28 PM I am forwarding for your attention the +resume of Peter Percell who has an extensive experience in modeling physical +flows of natural gas in pipeline systems. Peter is looking currently for a job. +I met him last week at the meeting of the Science and Industry Advance with +Mathematics society at the University of Houston. The application of recent +developments in optimization theory and numerical methods can help Enron to +improve further efficiency of our pipeline system and reduce the consumption of +compressor fuel. Please, let me know if you interested in introducing Peter to +executives in your organization. I shall be glad to make arrangements for an +interview. Vince Kaminski Peter Percell on 04/30/2001 +11:16:58 AM I enjoyed your presentation, and meeting you briefly afterwards, at +the SIAM Workshop last Friday. I have extensive experience as a technical leader +in the design and development of modeling and simulation software products, +mostly for the oil and gas pipeline industry. I am looking for a position that +can utilize my software development and mathematical skills. Getting out of the +narrow confines of the pipeline simulation industry would be a plus. Please +consider whether I might fit in your group. Your answer to a question indicated +that I have several of the skills you look for. Also, please let me know, by +email, the names and contact information of other managers within Enron who +might benefit from having someone with my qualifications in their group. +Attached are my resume and an addendum covering academic & consulting +experience. Publications are available on request. I will call you in a couple +of days to follow up on this email. Thank you for your time. Peter Percell 10030 +Doliver Drive percell@swbell.net Houston, TX 77042-2016 (713) 532-3836 voice & +fax - Percell, Peter Resume Only.doc - Percell, Peter A&C Exp.doc Sorry I guess +I didn't read it very well. It's ok with me. Ok. Contact Cindy Stark to make an +appointment. Nasim H Khan@TRANSREDES 04/30/2001 12:42 PM Stan: I will be +completing my tour of duty in Bolivia in September of this year. I am talking to +a number of people regarding opportunities for a new assignment back in Houston +office. Thought since I will be in Houston, stop by your office for few minutes. +NK Stanley Horton@ENRON 04/30/2001 12:35 PM What is the subject matter you wish +to visit about? Nasim H Khan@TRANSREDES 04/30/2001 09:24 AM Stan: I will be in +Houston on May 11th and would like to visit with you in early afternoon if +possible. Please let me know what time would work for you. Regards, Nasim Khan I +figured this posting belonged to one of you. Please see the message from Danny +Jones. Danny_Jones%ENRON@eott.com on 04/30/2001 01:39:56 PM Dear Mr. Horton, I +have recently been made aware of a help desk analyst job#0000108806 that has +become available in your department. I am currently employed with the aviation +department (hangar attendant) of enron and would like to use my past knowledge +and experience to persue my goals in the technology feild. I am asking +respectfully if you could give me a recommendation or referral to ETS technology +department. Anything you could do to help further my goals would be appreciated. +Respectfully, Danny Jones 281-443-3744 smithjones@ev1.net I have contacted the +relevant people of your interest in the job. Danny_Jones%ENRON@eott.com on +04/30/2001 01:39:56 PM Dear Mr. Horton, I have recently been made aware of a +help desk analyst job#0000108806 that has become available in your department. I +am currently employed with the aviation department (hangar attendant) of enron +and would like to use my past knowledge and experience to persue my goals in the +technology feild. I am asking respectfully if you could give me a recommendation +or referral to ETS technology department. Anything you could do to help further +my goals would be appreciated. Respectfully, Danny Jones 281-443-3744 +smithjones@ev1.net This is ok by me. Rick looks like a good candidate. Ken +Rice@ENRON COMMUNICATIONS 05/01/2001 03:48 PM Executive Committee: We would like +to pursue an offer to Rick Fehl prior to the next Executive Committee meeting on +May 7, 2001. Please forward your comments or questions as soon as possible. You +will find attached the recommendation letter and his resume. Regards, Ken Rice & +Kevin Hannon This is to advise you that we have available, for your business or +personal use, Stan's four (4) WNBA Comets tickets. These seats are in Section +104, Row D, Seats 1-4. Their schedule is listed below. Please let me know if you +are interested in any of these games. They will be distributed on a business +basis first, then personal use. Preseason Game A: Saturday, May 12 @ 7:30PM vs. +Miami SOL Preseason Game B: Thursday, May 24 @ 7:30PM vs. Detroit SHOCK Game 1: +Monday, May 28 @ 2:00PM vs. Los Angeles SPARKS Game 3: Monday, June 11 @ 7:00PM +vs. Los Angeles SPARKS Game 4: Thursday, June 14 @ 7:30PM vs. Portland FIRE Game +5: Sunday, June 17 @ 1:00PM vs. Utah STARZZ Game 6: Tuesday, June 19 @ 7:30PM +vs. Washington MYSTICS Game 7: Saturday, June 23 @ 3:00PM vs. Sacramento +MONARCHS Game 8: Monday, July 2 @ 7:30PM vs. Portland FIRE Game 9: Friday, July +6 @ 7:30PM vs. Indiana FEVER Game 10: Sunday, July 8 @ 1:00PM vs. Cleveland +ROCKERS Game 11: Tuesday, July 24 @ 7:30PM vs. Utah STARZZ Game 12: Saturday, +July 28 @ 12:30PM vs. New York LIBERTY Game 13: Monday, July 30 @ 7:30PM vs. +Seattle STORM Game 14: Friday, August 3 @ 7:30PM vs. Orlando MIRACLE Game 15: +Monday, August 6 @ 7:00PM vs. Phoenix MERCURY Game 16: Monday, August 13 @ +7:30PM vs. Minnesota LYNX Please note that date and time are subject to change; +please check local listings. Thanks, Cindy 713/853-6197 Mailing them to the +house iis fine. It will give us some weekend reading! Thanks. +Stephen.Dyer@bakerbotts.com on 05/01/2001 08:50:01 PM Almost done with your +drafts. Took me a little longer to review and revise Adam's first drafts than I +had thought (there's a lot going on here, as you'll see soon). I expect to send +them out to you sometime tomorrow. Since Debbie is a client too, I think I'll +just mail them to your home unless you prefer otherwise. SD Good news. +Congratulations and good luck. Hello, Bill! Stan will attend in person. Cindy +Billy Dorsey@ENRON_DEVELOPMENT 05/02/2001 12:03 PM Executive Committee Weekly +Meeting Date: Monday, May 7th Time: 11:00 a.m. (CDT) Location: 50th Floor +Boardroom Video: Connections will be established with remote locations upon +request. Conf call: AT&T lines have been reserved. Please contact Sherri Sera +(713/853-5984) or Bill Dorsey (713/646-6505) for the weekly dial-in number and +passcode. Please indicate below whether or not you plan to attend this meeting +and through what medium. Yes, I will attend in person _______ By video +conference from _______ By conference call _______ No, I will not attend _______ +*** Please return this e-mail to me with your response by 12:00 p.m., Friday, +May 4th Thank you, Bill Dorsey. Thank you for the invitation. Unfortunately +Debbie and I will not be able to attend due to previous committments. + +Tana, Please review the process below: With divisions, EOL does request a new +Password Application for the applicant reflecting the name as you noted below. +When the company is set up in the EOL database we link the company to the Parent +and reference the CP ID. Sam, please confirm, Global Counterparty also provides +the links to establish correlation between the parent and child for our +downstream systems. Let me know if this is the appropriate steps that you would +like to see. Thanks, Stephanie Sam & Stephanie, Re: Cargill Ferrous +International It was my understanding with the EOL Team that all divisions would +have the legal incorporated entity as part of the name. Stephanie, I my +preference is to kick their Password Application back and get them to change it +to read something like "Cargill Ferrous International, a division of Cargill, +Inc." or "Cargill, Inc. acting through its Cargill Ferrous International +Division". Samuel Schott 03/21/2001 01:58 PM Any GCP adjustments will be +highlighted in red. Attn. GCP_London: There's a new EOL Counterparty listed in +the UK. Please respond. Best Rgds. Samuel x3-9890 ENW_GCP Please see attached. +Harry - are you the right lawyer to look at this? Robert B Cass 04/16/2001 04:52 +PM Please approve the following product type in Datamanager after 11:00 p.m. See +the steps for approval below. US Steel Hot Rolled Plate Phy Website Short +Description of Product Type: US HR StlPlt Phy Product Type: Reference Period: +The term of the Transaction shall be from the Effective Date (or start date) to +the Termination Date (or end date). The Effective Date (or start date) is 01 Oct +2001. The Termination Date (or end date) is 31 Oct 2001. Product Additional +Information (example): The Transaction is for hot rolled steel with a thickness +of 1" and a width of 72 inches. The transaction is F.O.B. Reserve Marine +Terminal in Chicago, Ill Metro Area. F.O.B. refers to the following terms: +Seller is responsible for freight, unloading and storage up to and including +delivery in warehouse, Buyer is responsible for storage, loading and freight +after delivery. The Contract Quantity shall be quantity submitted by +Counterparty via EnronOnline (5% greater or lesser allowance at Seller's +option). Each calendar month during the term of the Transaction will be a +Dispatch Period. Enron will guarantee delivery by the 20th of each scheduled +Dispatch Period and accept supply to the 15th of each scheduled Dispatch Period. +Payment shall be made, against the receipt of the required documents outlined in +the General Terms and Conditions, in the Contractual Currency by telegraphic +transfer no later than 30 calendar days after the date on which the Commodity is +released to Buyer. Currency: The price is quoted in US Dollars per unit of +volume, which will be the Contractual Currency. Unit of Measure: The unit of +measure against which the price is quoted shall be net tons (2000 lbs) and the +quantity shown shall be in net tons per month. STEPS FOR APPROVAL: click the +START button select PROGRAMS select TEST APPLICATIONS select ENRONONLINE +CLUSTER(PROD) PROCEED WITH USUAL LOGIN/PASSWORD click the Enron Online +Production Cluster "START" button select EnronOnLine (this is the EOL +Datamanager) PROCEED WITH EOL LOGIN/PASSWORD click on the "+" for EnronOnLine +click on the "+" for Product Types click on the "+" for "Awaiting Approval" (OR +"Partially Approved") select the product requiring review as stated in e-mail +above Right "mouse" click on "properties" to view product set-up TO APPROVE: +Right mouse click on "Approved" Thanks Bill - appreciate your help! Bill D Hare +04/16/2001 05:51 PM We informed Tana that we made the change in Global +Counterparty to include, "a division of Cargill Incorporated". We will meet in +the near future to discuss the issues surrounding division and trade name setups +in Global Counterparty. Bill Bill - If Sam's description below of the GCP +procedure is correct, it looks to me like something needs to be changed. The +difficulty lies in the fact that the confirmation system reads the +counterparty's name from Global Counterparty. Since divisions of companies are +not legal entities they do not have the power to contract in their own names. If +the correct legal name is not in Global Counterparty, the confirmation goes out +with the wrong legal name on it seriously compromising the contract itself. That +is the source of Tana's concern regarding the correct entering of divisions in +the system. My suggestion is that Global Counterparty use the same name that the +customer has signed on the EnronOnline Password Application -- my understanding +is that the EnronOnline team returns inappropriate Applications to the customer +until they are correctly completed. In this particular case since the +counterparty is still not allowed to transact on EnronOnline almost a month +after sending in their application they are understandably upset and are now +complaining. I would appreciate it if you could get this one fixed today and, if +you have any problem with changing the GCP procedure, please let me know. Mark +Tana Jones 04/16/2001 03:11 PM Samuel Schott 03/28/2001 01:09 PM FYI... Cargill +Ferrous International is setup correctly in the Global Counterparty System as a +Division of Cargill, Inc. Cargill Ferrous International is the full name of this +division and setup as such in GCP with a Sub-to-Legal Link to Cargill, Inc. per +GCP procedure. Also, the Global SAP team (Cheryl Johnson) would need Legal Name +Change documentation from the Counterparty in order to change this name. Best +Rgds. Samuel x3-9890 (GCP) Enron Net Works _ Global Data Management Any updates +on adding the correct legal name to this counterparty name? Hello, Yes, GCP +provides the links to establish the correlation between the parent and child for +our downstream systems. GCP procedure is to create Counterparty names that +reflect either the Tradename / Division name or Parent Name -- not both +simultaneously. (Although, we have broken that rule for Legal in the past.) This +defeats the purpose of using a Tradename. Best Rgds. Samuel Tana, Please review +the process below: With divisions, EOL does request a new Password Application +for the applicant reflecting the name as you noted below. When the company is +set up in the EOL database we link the company to the Parent and reference the +CP ID. Sam, please confirm, Global Counterparty also provides the links to +establish correlation between the parent and child for our downstream systems. +Let me know if this is the appropriate steps that you would like to see. Thanks, +Stephanie Sam & Stephanie, Re: Cargill Ferrous International It was my +understanding with the EOL Team that all divisions would have the legal +incorporated entity as part of the name. Stephanie, I my preference is to kick +their Password Application back and get them to change it to read something like +"Cargill Ferrous International, a division of Cargill, Inc." or "Cargill, Inc. +acting through its Cargill Ferrous International Division". Samuel Schott +03/21/2001 01:58 PM Any GCP adjustments will be highlighted in red. Attn. +GCP_London: There's a new EOL Counterparty listed in the UK. Please respond. +Best Rgds. Samuel x3-9890 ENW_GCP Please see attached. Doc - I'll be in town +through Sunday morning. Any chance we can get together for dinner Saturday eve.? +Mark + +I'm handling the afternoon -- I think that Harry has this morning. MHC Can you +cover for me today? I am in mediation. I left a voicemail for Sharon Butcher, as +well, just to make sure it is handled. My schedule shows an afternoon session. +Do we have 2 sessions today? If so, you may want to split and cover. Thanks a +ton. I will take you next one in August. Thanks, Kriste Kriste K. Sullivan Enron +Corp. - Legal EB 4861 (713) 853-7557 Phone (713) 646-5847 Fax I got this. I +assume this is 12:30 Central Time? When: Wednesday, September 19, 2001 10:30 +AM-11:30 AM (GMT-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada); Tijuana. Where: Conf. Call +*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* 10:30-11:30 PST Call-in #: 800/711-8000 Passcode: 4153030 +Here is the overview of Bob Henderson's Employment Agreement. What do you think? +MHC Michelle, please comment. Please send me an email response about whether you +and Michelle Cash are OK with what he's written. After that, what do we do? Brad +After a conversation with Ryan Seleznov I herewith like disclose in writing my +intentions in respect to Dealbench. Please see attached Word file Best regards +Tobias Munk Please see the attached. Teresa Please send David Lund copies of our +standard corporate services agreement and the standard assignment letter (use +Bridgeline example -- with and without non-compete). Michelle We're formatting +one this week, and we'll send it when it's done. Michelle Thanks very much. Do +you also have a SSD we can use? Jane << File: 220b - dg - Agreement for +Recruiting Services.doc >> << File: 220a DG - Agreement for Contract +Services.DOC >> Here are the sample Agreements. Please let us know if you need +anything else. Thanks. Diane Goode Senior Specialist I agree also, but I don't +know all the parties or complications involved. Should there be a (groan) +meeting on this? Can you please help with this one? I agree with what the +concern is below. We have GIS ids, and Eid (external id - just like GIS id). I +think we should try to migrate to one of these. Please let me know what type of +statement I should make back to the customer. Thanks. Kathy, Per my voicemail +message, please review the note below. I'd like to work with you on a response +to this customer. Thanks, Brandee Brandee Sanborn I.S.C. Customer Care Design & +Process Support http://isc.enron.com/site << OLE Object: Picture (Device +Independent Bitmap) >> Ngoc Luan Do@ENRON_DEVELOPMENT 08/07/2001 12:36 PM To +Whom It May Concern: Through TV and newspapers , I hear constantly about +identity fraud using stolen social security information. I am very concerned +about this issue. I have the following suggestion for our company. Since Enron's +employees are assigned an SAP identification numbers (P number) and an HR +number, could Enron as a company use these IDs instead of the SS numbers? This +will be safer for all employees. For example, I am concerned when I buy the +monthly bus passes and I have to fill in my SS number. I do not feel secure at +all to see my SS in so many databases at Enron, especially when some databases +are from third-parties (out-sourcing). We could use our badge number there +instead of our SS. Please let me know how your organization can help the Enron +employees feel safer about the safeguard of their SS number. Please calendar and +print for my files on this meeting. Thanks. MHC All, A reminder that the HR +Associate Points Meeting will take place as below: Thursday, 23rd August 3.30 pm +- 5.30 pm (EB46C1). The Leads who are responsible for Associates are as follows: +Sunjay Arya Gary Buck Khymberly Booth Ryan Seleznov Mecole Brown Tim O'Rourke +Tana Cashion Sheila Walton Wendy Fincher Sheila Knudsen Karen Phillips Neil +Davies Noel Ryan Cindy Skinner Simone Scott Walker Shanna Funkhouser Peer +reviews are currently been gathered on the above. Upon receipt, I shall forward +to each of you a copy of the reviews for your respective associate. In addition +they will be contacting you to discuss their participation in projects outside +their rotation. Those who are not assigned an associate may also allocate points +(a max of 150) at the meeting based on contribution to your areas for the first +review period. If anyone has any questions on the above please let me know. Kind +regards, Karen. x54667 Shanna, I spoke with Per tonight about this. Let's talk +tomorrow. Thanks. Michelle This is the background to my conversation with +Shanna. I have a copy of the document I can give to you tomorrow. Thanks for +following up on this. Per Per - I did not hear back from Shanna or Sharon +Butcher. Could you please ask Shanna to take this situation to Sharon tomorrow? +John, Per and I discussed the hostile environment issue and we are both +concerned that we may have some repercussions. I am vacation until the 22nd but +Per is up to speed and I would like to make sure that you keep up with him and +any HR / Legal activity that may occur. Thank you Paula Let's discuss exactly +what is involved here -- confidentiality, etc. Thanks. MHC Hi Ya'll, I wanted to +let you know about this before I respond to her request. Let me know if you have +any questions. Regards, Sandra Kathy McMahon suggested that I contact you in an +effort to gather information on: Enron's Affirmative Action Policy and plans; as +well as demographic analysis of workforce (gender, age, ethnic origin, +nationality) Jeff Skilling has agreed to work with Harvard Business School (HBS) +on a 5-year case study called 'Modern Giants'. HBS will shadow Enron and a +number of other companies over the next five years to assess how we react to +market changes and to see how we morph during this time period. Please let me +know at your earliest convience if you can help me. Regards, Cindy please print +all these for me. Thanks. MHC Ryan, Try this. bob k FYI re: NEPCO picketing +issues. Michelle Michelle, Two in one day. We understand that the pipe fitters +are also planning to picket the Lake Worth, Florida project as well. Our +execution team needs to get some guidance and planning for this picketing should +it interfere with the progress of the work. In that respect, we need to dial in +Rick Johnson and Olgletree to plan and communicate that plan to the execution +team. I think the first step is a call between yourself, me, Mark Stubley and +Mike Indivero. And then another call with all folks or a meeting at the jobsite +to lay out the plan. Barbara, please organize a call for Mike, Michelle, Mark +Stubley and me. Thanks. David, I have been advised by our Construction Manager, +Mr. Joe Osler that while he was visiting the City of Lake Worth Building +Planning and Zoning dept regarding our permit status he learned that the +pipefitters have inquired about permit requirements to picket our site. +Apparently the City informed them that no permit is required. I have heard that +the pipefitters have established a picket line at the Payne Creek site today. We +will need local legal counsel to assist us in this regard. Mike Indivero, I +understand that Mr. Mike Croall's release date from NEPCO is Oct 31, 2001. +Please advise as to who his replacement is and their report date. Thanks, Galen +J. Torneby Project Manager National Energy Production Corporation (NEPCO) 11831 +North Creek Parkway North Bothell, WA 98011 USA Tel: 425-415-3052 Cell: +425-922-0475 Fax: 425-415-3098 email: +mailto:galen.torneby@nepco.com + +Rick Hopkinson@ENRON_DEVELOPMENT 09/16/99 10:07 AM Sara, trading is still not +settled. Thank you for the invitaion to the conference call. I would like both +Lynn and I to participate. I assume we should come over EB. Can you tell us +where. Thanks Rick ,Do you want us to come over to the Enron b in your call. +Could Sara Shackleton@ECT 09/16/99 08:55 AM Have you decided who will be +assisting tax-wise for these two countries? I have a conference call this +afternoon at 3 pm (Houston time) with Antonio Felix de Araujo Cintra from the +Tozzini firm regarding further research on derivative products for trading in +Brazil. Attached is a summary of products and the various Enron groups seeking +answers. If you would like to participate in person or by conference, please let +me know. I will be in Sao Paulo from Sept 20-22 and Buenos Aires from Sept +23-24. In Brazil, I will be meeting again with Tozzini lawyers. In BA, I'll be +meeting with Marval lawyers. Let me know if you would like to participate in any +way. Sara please try to verify. Thanks. Sara Sara Shackleton 09/16/99 10:16 AM +How about Friday, Sept. 17, at 9 am (Houston time) which is 11 am (Sao Paulo) +time? Please advise. Sara ___________________________________________ Warning +NOTICE: This message is confidential. If you have received it by mistake please +let us know by reply and then delete it from your system; you should not copy +this message or disclose its contents to anyone. Thank you. - Em-enro2.doc The +call was cancelled. I am waiting to hear about a possible call Friday morning. +Sara Andrea Bertone@ENRON_DEVELOPMENT 09/15/99 04:41 PM Yes. If something +happens that I'm not able to participate I'll let you know. Thanks. Sara +Shackleton@ECT 09/15/99 08:15 PM This call has been changed to 3 pm (Houston +time) which is 5 pm (Sao Paulo time). Please let me know if you would like for +me to conference you in. Sara The draft you received has been approved by Dan. +If you would like this executed, please let me know. Sara Daniel R +Castagnola@ENRON_DEVELOPMENT 05/17/99 01:47 PM Sara: Looks good. Dan Sara +Shackleton@ECT 05/17/99 11:23 AM Dan: please see if the attached draft works. My +extension is 35620. Sara As a result of our luncheon with the confirm desk +yesterday, could someone develop a comprehensive list identifying all omnibus +attachments? If you think any other pertinent information could be included, +please feel free to add it. Thanks. Sara I e-mailed your assistant earlier this +morning and have had no response. Can we reschedule the phone call for 9 am +(Houston) which is 11 am (Sao Paulo) on Friday, Sept. 17? Please advise. Sara +The conference call has been rescheduled for Friday, Sept. 17 at 9 am (Houston) +which is 11 am (Sao Paulo). I will initiate the call. If anyone would like to be +conferenced in or attend in person, please let me know. Thanks. Sara I am +forwarding to you guidelines prepared for global products trading. It's a good +starting point. I am currently working on guidelines for Argentina which will +address both physical and financial trading. Other "guidelines" exist in limited +form for the remote offices in Singapore and Australia. I am checking on London. +I'm not exactly certain as to what you are looking for. Obviously the foreign +offices have issues that may not apply in the US (although LA. is about as close +as you can get to a third world country). One thing that doesn't show up in the +attachment is the swap eligibility issue. Let me know how I can help further. +Sara Janice Moore 09/03/99 01:57 PM Here it is -- we printed this 2-sided and +laminated it. Becky will bring you the hard copy version. Lunch date later. see +below. It looks like the 2-day L/C issue is an issue. I'll call you shortly. +Joseph Manogue at Tiger called me last night to say he had finally reviewed the +draft ISDA doc with all agreed changes put in and lined from original. He faxed +it to you and will have the original Fedexed overnight. Hope you'll have time to +review it today. S&S has again asked about the gtee and l/c wording. They do not +have anything from us in writing confirming the agreed changes. Joe asked that +you fax the revised gtee wording that has been agreed (I believe it was our +agreeing to reduce the claim period from 15 days down to 5) and the new l/c +wording (drops the 2 day period to replace an l/c with a different bank if the +first refuses to pay). I know we talked about these issues earlier, but Tiger's +lawyers want to get everything agreed in writing now so final docs can be issued +for signing, even if we are the one's issuing the gtee and l/c. Thanks! Call if +you have questions or if I can be of any help. There is an outside chance we +could have everything set to go this week. With best regards, Per Hi back! and +Happy New Year too! To what do I owe this small pleasure? I'm fine in Texas, +still hanging out with Phoebe and Chloe, working hard, etc. Where are you living +these days? N.O.? Atlanta? Memphis? Eleuthra? St. Petersburg? Amelia Island +Plantation? I've simply lost track! As for me, well, I lead the simple life, own +a little house in West University, own a little car (I had to buy a new one +recently - the 14-year old 380 SE started scaring me a bit), you know, the +usual. Are you selling burgers up and down the east coast? Have you gone +international? In a new franchise business? How's your family? Got to get back +to work! This weekend I'm off to Sao Paulo and Buenos Aires on business. SARA +SamChawk@aol.com on 09/11/99 07:48:44 PM Sara- Happy New Year, stranger! Hope +all is well. Do you miss me? SAM Mark Elliott tells me that you drafted some +trader guidelines (physical and financial) for the London traders. I am trying +to develop similar guidelines for the Southern Cone regions (first Argentina) +and thought your expertise would be very helpful. Could you send me a set? I'm +leaving for Sao Paulo on Saturday but I will be in the office tomorrow. Thank +you for your help. Regards. Sara (if .....) (iii) definitive agreements +acceptable to Party A in its sole discretion regarding the debt and all other +aspects of [the project to be owned by Party B], including but not limited to +the senior debt facility, commitments and all project documents, have been fully +negotiated and executed and the [project] has been brought to financial close. +fyi Robert Quick 09/17/99 04:50 AM Sara, here are the trader guidelines I +developed for UK gas, UK power and Nordic power. I assume you need both gas and +power. These are to some extent country or market specific. As these guidelines +need to be approved by Houston, I am copying this to Mark, Alan and Jeff. tks +Sara Shackleton 09/16/99 09:48 PM Mark Elliott tells me that you drafted some +trader guidelines (physical and financial) for the London traders. I am trying +to develop similar guidelines for the Southern Cone regions (first Argentina) +and thought your expertise would be very helpful. Could you send me a set? I'm +leaving for Sao Paulo on Saturday but I will be in the office tomorrow. Thank +you for your help. Regards. Sara Please review the attached memo to verify that +I have identified all of the products that you are interested in trading in +Brazil. I will be in Sao Paulo on Monday, September 20, 1999. Thank you, Sara + +JMB 12/22/2000 06:28 PM Parties, attached is the promised +ruling that provides procedural guidance for the hearings on 12/27 and 12/28. +The ruling will also be posted on the web site as quickly as possible. Thank you +for your patience and I hope you can take a few moments to enjoy the holidays. +--Angela Minkin Administrative Law Judge <<1%P701!.doc>> Note that this +communication is confidential, covered by CA's settlement rules. "Lindh, Frank +(Law)" 12/21/2000 07:50 PM Confidential Settlement Document Per +CPUC Rule 51 Gas Accord II Settlement Participants: Attached is PG&E's Gas +Accord II (GA II) Settlement Proposal. We believe it addresses many of the +issues and concerns you have raised in the workshops. As an overview, this +proposal: * Maintains the basic Gas Accord structure in place today for the +period 2003 to 2007. * * Offers end user transportation rates for 2003 lower for +most customers than rates in effect today. * * Provides for vintaged Redwood +path rates for core customers. * * Offers a 7.5 cent/dth rate to large customers +while minimizing rate changes to other customers, minimizing the incentive for +these customers to seek to bypass local transmission charges and other +CPUC-approved charges. * * Adopts guidelines to improve reliability and help +moderate prices in gas commodity markets, and identifies the capital projects +needed to meet these guidelines over the course of the GA II period (2003-2007). +* * Provides a high degree of rate stability, with a 3.5% escalator to capture +both inflation and the cost of needed capital projects. The guaranteed rates +will be adjustable only for significant changes in the cost of capital or +increased costs due to governmental requirements or catastrophic events. * * +Preserves a rate differential between the Redwood and Baja paths, although +somewhat less than the current differential. * * Proposes a two-stage open +season for firm transportation services beginning in 2003, with end users +receiving a first option on available capacity. * * Maintains the core +aggregation program with some adjustments. PG&E also anticipates that the Core +Procurement Incentive Mechanism (CPIM) will be similar to today's mechanism, but +will reflect the somewhat larger capacity holdings needed to meet anticipated +increases in core demand and to meet a 1-day in 10-year cold weather event. This +also will serve as a reminder that an all-Party meeting is scheduled at PG&E's +headquarters in San Francisco on January 10 and 11, to discuss this proposal and +to respond to your questions. We look forward to answering your questions and +receiving your feedback. The attached documents include the GA II Settlement +proposal, an Attachment (a copy of PG&E's proposed Gas Rule 27), and a set of +supporting workpapers. Finally, please note that the Settlement document and the +Attachment are in "Word 2000" format. We would be glad to provide the same +documents in an earlier version of Word, upon request by individual Parties. We +look forward to seeing you on January 10-11. In the meantime, we extend our best +wishes for a safe and happy holiday season. Frank Lindh Ray Williams (415) +973-2776 (415) 973-3634 <> +<> <> Greetings Judge Minkin: This is to inform that a representative +of Enron Corp would like to address the Commission on the issue of utility rate +stabilization plans at the Commission's hearings scheduled for December 27th and +28th. Thank you. Sincerely, Jeffrey Dasovich Director, Enron Corp Attached is a +draft of the talking points for the Commission's hearings. Few points: Our time +is likely to be limited to 5-10 minutes. Mike Day, our outside counsel, will +make the presentation on our behalf. Mike Day is fleshing out the legal details +of our presentation and he will forward that along for folks review later today. +Comments can be forwarded to me via email, pager (888.916.7184), voicemail +(415.782.7822), or home (415.621.8317). We will finalize the message points on +tomorrow's daily call (10 AM CST). The call in number is 800.713.8600. Code is +80435. The Commission's hearings begin tomorrow at 10 AM (PST). Jeff Dasovich +Sent by: Jeff Dasovich 12/26/2000 03:15 PM Attached is a draft of the talking +points for the Commission's hearings. Few points: Our time is likely to be +limited to 5-10 minutes. Mike Day, our outside counsel, will make the +presentation on our behalf. Mike Day is fleshing out the legal details of our +presentation and he will forward that along for folks review later today. +Comments can be forwarded to me via email, pager (888.916.7184), voicemail +(415.782.7822), or home (415.621.8317). We will finalize the message points on +tomorrow's daily call (10 AM CST). The call in number is 800.713.8600. Code is +80435. The Commission's hearings begin tomorrow at 10 AM (PST). Nice job. Going +to be a wild ride. That's a very good point. I'll make the change. Best, Jeff +Harry Kingerski 12/26/2000 03:33 PM Jeff - instead of suggesting a specific rate +increase - 10 or 15 %, I think we should acknowledge that a "modest" increase +may be necessary and may in fact be desirable - but that the specific amount of +increase should be reasoned and subject to well thought out evidence and +hearings, not just determined by whim. In general, we should not be overly +prescriptive at this point and I know you agree with that. Otherwise, I think +you have captured the points excellently. We're in the process of developing a +strategy to take us through the next few months. But while the (otherwise +perishable) thoughts are still fresh in my mind from the hearings on Monday and +Tuesday, I wanted to throw out some observations for discussion in the +days/weeks ahead. OBSERVATION--The pressure to finger somebody for "price +gouging" is increasing. The administration is hell bent on finding a "fall guy." +The price spikes pose real political risks for Davis and he and his folks need +and want an easy way out. His press release following the hearing renewed the +call for "refunds." On my panel, Loretta Lynch asked Reliant and Duke to supply +her with the details of the contracts they cut to sell their power forward to +marketers. And Carl Wood's remarks were extreme. At the Barton hearing, a +liberal democrat (Filner) and a conservative Republican (Hunter) locked arms in +calling for refunds. Bilbray joined the "gouging" band wagon. The utilities +repeatedly called on FERC to do a "real" investigation, with hearings, +testimony, data discovery---the works. On the positive side, the FERC +commissioners lauded Wolak, his analysis, and his remarks on the panel. Wolak +said somewhat emphatically that the nature of California's market structure +makes it impossible to single out a single participant as the culprit. He also +stated that just everyone's just acting in their own self-interest, responding +to the screwed incentives embedded in the structure. IMPLICATION--It seems +prudent for Enron to understand better its risks of getting fingered. In the +best case, the clamoring for a "refund" subsides. In which case, the only cost +to Enron is the internal cost incurred to understand better the risks of getting +fingered. In the medium case, investigations find that Enron (like others) +"played by the rules," but the rules stunk, and Enron profited at the expense of +California consumers. You're right, Sue. Rates can't go up w/out declaring the +rate freeze over in some fashion---trying to finesse it. Thanks very much for +the comments. Harry also had a good comment---don't specify the amount of rate +increase in our comments; rather note that the rate increase needs to be +well-reasoned and based on facts and evidence. Will make that change. + +Shawna Johnson@ENRON 02/22/2001 04:37 PM This is a request for your interview +participation. The Associate and Analyst Programs will be on the Penn, +undergraduate campus interviewing summer Analyst interns next week. Due to +business reasons, previously scheduled interviewers from the Penn team have had +to cancel their participation. Currently, I need three interviewers for +Thursday, March 1st and one interviewer for Friday, March 2nd. Please let me +know of your availability. Campus interviews are scheduled as follows: Place: +University of Pennsylvania Date: Thursday, March 1st Friday, March 2nd Day One +Interviews Day Two Interviews Where: On Campus Inn at Pen Time: 8:00 - 5:00 8:00 +- 5:00 Interviewers: Kevin McGowan- confirmed Jen Fraser- confirmed Margaret +Rhee- confirmed Chris Hilgert- confirmed In the event that you have scheduling +conflicts and cannot participate, any referrals at the Director or VP level +would be greatly appreciated. As always, thank you for your time and please +contact me @ ext 58369 if you have any questions. Shawna Johnson Recruiting +Coordinator Sorry about that before. I'll not say anything. Best Jeff "Scott A. +Kushnick" 01/26/2001 12:48 PM Please don't mention my NY trip +to anyone. Keep in touch. Scott thanks for the update. have you gotten a price? +Doug Leach 01/25/2001 09:40 AM fyi Tom Byargeon, Kevin Miller and Ken Loch in +ENA are working with producers in the US involved in deep water offshore +Louisiana/Texas oil and gas drilling projects. This financing activity was +primarily started to help ENA secure long term well head and pipeline natural +gas supplies to supplement the gas trading desk activities. Just like what +happened in Enron's initial VPP program they are find more interest in oil +drilling projects rather than natural gas projects. They are currently working +on a bid (due 1/31) for the Medusa project which involves Murphy (operator), +Agip and Callon in Mississippi Canyon Blocks #538 and #582. The initial +reservoir reports estimate reserves of 80-120 million barrels of sour crude and +they estimate initial production to be 40,000 bpd starting in 1Q 2003. Quality +is estimated to be a Mars type crude with 25-27 API Gravity and 1.5-2.0% sulfur. +Plans are to build a private pipeline to Equilon's West Delta #143 platform and +then bring the oil onshore. Peggy is finding out where WD #143 pumps to onshore. +Tom's group would like to know if we have any interesting in buying the crude on +either a fixed or floating basis. The floating could be tied to a Platt's index +or the NYMEX. It is far too early to expect Murphy to enter into a physical or +financial contract, but Tom hopes to get us first and/or last look from Murphy +when the time is right. Another alternative is to give Murphy barrels at their +95,000 bpd Meraux, Louisiana refinery in exchange for the new production +barrels. Could someone in your group please give me a notional non binding basis +differential for this quality of crude for Cal 2003? please print Amanda +Huble@ENRON 01/24/2001 01:02 PM Please address, and I'll check with Legal as +well. We typically only book deals when everything is signed off. Jeff David +Hoog 01/26/2001 09:37 AM following up on our discussion yesterday; for these +types of deals, i dont think its necessary to have all the documentation of our +counterparty's authorization to enter into the agreement. these are short term +transactions and requiring this documentation will cause us to lose business +because competitive alternatives do not have such burdensome requirements. the +primary reason we need these things is for the scenario where a muni does a +derivative deal with an open-ended downside, loses $50 million, and then claims +that it was not a valid contract. in our case, they are only hedging. we are +collecting a premium up front and their total cost is known up front. therefore +they will not attempt to make this claim. even if they did, our risk is limited +to the premium , not some big payout. the risk of losing business is far greater +than the risk of a counterparty trying to get their premium back. seems like a 5 +second decision to me. is it possible to combine the standard isda and our +confirm into a single long form? by going away from the standard isda maybe we +can eliminate these requirements because the payout liability is only 1-way. +please print RusAmArts@aol.com 01/26/2001 11:57 AM Dear Mr. Shankman, Thank you +very much for your quick reply. Attached is my resume. I highlight the relevant +skills in the summary. The position is with the EES MMC EAST department / +WHOLESALE, RETAIL & COMM, ENRON ENERGY SERVICES. It was posted on Dec. 11, but +the Human Resource dept said that if it is still on the internet, it is open. +Look forward to hearing your comments / suggestions. Regards, Rina - +ENRONR~1.DOC Yikes! That girl's mother sounds like a real problem. I'm not sure +how I would have handled it. How's school going? Any plans for the weekend? Alma +Martinez@ENRON 01/26/2001 11:36 AM What happened? Here's a story...as I was +waiting at the bus stop (7:35am) to go to school, a lady approached me and asked +if I'd make sure her daughter got on a certain bus. The mother was running late +for work and could not wait. I couldn't say no...so Nicki (the little girl-10 +yrs. old) and I waited for the bus. It was now, 8:15 and there was no sign of +her bus. On top of things, I had quiz at 8am. Which I then realized I missed. I +decided that Nicki would just have to wait on her own. I asked her if she had +any relatives that would want to know of her whereabouts. I called her +grandmother and explained things to her. Pretty strange...aye. A bus that runs +through UofH arrived and I almost got on without her, but I couldn't do it. +Finally, I told the little girl that she would have to accompany me to school +(8:30am). There were only 15 minutes left of class. I stayed for the remainder +of the lecture. After class we went back to bus stop and within minutes her bus +arrived. I told the bus driver where to drop her off. I notified her grandmother +with the time of the departure. And I was relieved when Nicki called to let me +know she was home safe. Please send the memo to the EGM business heads as well. +Thanks. Jeff Jana Giovannini 01/26/2001 10:51 AM Actually, Jen has volunteered +for the afternoon session. I spoke to her prior to my note. Is there anyone else +in EGM that could participate? Please let me know. Thanks. Jen, please take care +of this for EGM Jana Giovannini 01/24/2001 11:42 AM All, The Analyst and +Associate Programs recognize we have many Analyst needs that need to be +addressed immediately. While we anticipate many new Analysts joining Enron this +summer (late May) and fulltime (August) we felt it necessary to address some of +the immediate needs with an Off-Cycle Recruiting event. We are planning this +event for Thursday, February 15 and are inviting approximately 30 candidates to +be interviewed. I am asking that you forward this note to any potential +interviewers (Managers or above). We will conduct first round interviews in the +morning and the second round interviews in the afternoon. We need for +interviewers to commit either to the morning (9am-12pm) or afternoon (2pm-5pm) +complete session. Please submit your response using the buttons below and update +your calendar for this date. In addition, we will need the groups that have +current needs to commit to taking one or more of these Analysts should they be +extended an offer. Thanks in advance for your cooperation. Thank you, Jana Where +does our 50% (the 1.65 million dollars) show up? Can you provide me with more +details? Great job, guys. Eric Gonzales 01/25/2001 02:02 AM Great job gentlemen! +This deviation shows that Eco definitely has a significant amount of option +value which can be exploited with quick reactions and favourable market +movements. Eric Wayne Perry@ENRON_DEVELOPMENT 25/01/2001 00:20 Finally completed +tonight Net to Enron LNG Marketing Company - $ 272,000 ( $0.10/ mmbtu ) Net to +Eco about $3,300,000 ( Enron 50% share about $ 1,650,000 ) Enron total gain not +counting ENA's trading desk margin is $1,922,000 Not bad for a single cargo. +Wayne Jen, please take care of this for EGM + +Marianne: The following are my comments: 1. In Section 1.1, there should be a +parentheses after etc. in the 5th line. 2. In Section 3.1, in the last sentence +after the proviso insert "a" before the word "change" and after the word "in". +3. In Section 6.1, change 20 Business Days to 20 days. Also, add a semicolon at +the end of clause (i). 4. In Section 6.2.1 I'll just note that the discount rate +sentence I think is still an open issue. 5. In Section 6.3, clause (c) should be +reworded to fit with the language in the beginning of the Section. 6. Capitalize +the word "facility" in the definition of Average Annual Load Factor. 7. Delete +the definition of Costs as it is already defined in Section 6.2.1. 8. Where is +the defined term Govt Authority used? 9. In the GTC, the ECP rep should also +apply to EESI. Also, in the 7th line of the reps add the word "into" after the +word "entered" and before the word "this". 10. In Collateral Requests, insert a +comma after deposit in the last line. I will also add granting/perfection +language. 11. In Events of Default, clause (a) refers to a dispute section which +I'm not sure exists. In clause (e), delete the "s": from the word consolidation. +12. Remedies should be deleted as it is already covered in Section 6.1. 13. In +UCC/Disclaimer of warranties, add a clause (c). I would add setoff language. +Carol St. Clair EB 3889 713-853-3989 (Phone) 713-646-3393 (Fax) +carol.st.clair@enron.com Marianne Castano@EES 05/30/2001 11:05 AM Carol: I have +attempted to incorporate the changes that Jim has incorporated in our long form +power agreement which ENA has suggested to date into the short form. Attached +please find a sample short form (for the Con Ed market) for your review. Please +note the following as you review: 1. The short forms do not contain the +optionality relating to our performing billing services -- all of our midmarket +forms anticipate that we will act as customer's billing agent and that we will +collect all amounts due related to T&D and the like from the customer (and +reflect same on our invoice) and pass those amounts on to the customer's +utility. 2. I did not include a "Setoff" provision in this draft, mainly because +the vast majority of the time, we will not, nor will an affiliate, have another +agreement in place with these customers. If you feel strongly about our +including a setoff provision, we will do so. 3. The change in law provision +reads a bit differently from the long form -- the thinking here is that the long +form language is very lengthy and rather harsh (and we've had great difficulty +selling it in the past). Taking into consideration this class of customer, we +decided to include certain items, including our inability to cover our costs due +to a change in law, rules or practices as a "force majeure event" in an effort +to soften the approach (see the GTCs). Also we do not address calculation of a +termination payment in the event of a change in law as the long form does -- +again, more in the interest of "saving space" than anything else... Let us know +your thoughts on this document and if you are comfortable with our using this +until such time as the hybrid form is launched. If you are comfortable, we will +drive these changes into our other midmarket power forms. Thanks again for your +help with this project, Marianne P.S. Please be sure to copy Sarah Dietrich and +Jennifer Hillegonds on your response -- they will be taking this project during +my "hiatus" -- I am moving to PA on Friday of this week, and will be out of +pocket through approximately 7/16. I will start up again in mid-July... John: I +have faxed to you the form of Bond, our proposed Bond provisions and the EEI +Master. I am waiting on the confirms and will send them to you shortly by fax or +e-mail. Carol St. Clair EB 3889 713-853-3989 (Phone) 713-646-3393 (Fax) +carol.st.clair@enron.com Carol St. Clair EB 3889 713-853-3989 (Phone) +713-646-3393 (Fax) carol.st.clair@enron.com Carol St Clair 05/31/2001 09:01 AM +Phyllis: Our letter of credit person would be more comfortable if we deleted all +of the language that makes the LC transferable. Are you okay with that? If so, +are we ready to execute? Carol St. Clair EB 3889 713-853-3989 (Phone) +713-646-3393 (Fax) carol.st.clair@enron.com lemelpe@NU.COM 05/30/2001 03:00 PM +Carol: I understand that we are still reviewing the attachment that lists the +open transactions. How are you making out on the revised version of the LOC? +Marianne: In addition to my other comments on the Mid Market Power Form, I think +you should add a forward contract rep. Carol St. Clair EB 3889 713-853-3989 +(Phone) 713-646-3393 (Fax) carol.st.clair@enron.com Christie or Cass: Are we +playing tomorrow at 9:30? Carol St. Clair EB 3889 713-853-3989 (Phone) +713-646-3393 (Fax) carol.st.clair@enron.com Rhonda: As I mentioned in my e-mail, +John Lepore at Select Energy (Settlements Group) is trying to reconcile our list +with his list. He needs more info about these trades (i.e., price info) and +would like to talk with you about it. His number is 860-665-2368 and e-mail +address is leporjj@selectenergy.com. Once we agree on the list, we can sign the +EEI Master. Carol St. Clair EB 3889 713-853-3989 (Phone) 713-646-3393 (Fax) +carol.st.clair@enron.com Rhonda L Denton 05/25/2001 12:45 PM Here's everything +that flows from 5/1/01 forward. Carol St Clair 05/25/2001 12:01 PM We need to +include all outstanding transactions. Thanks. Carol St. Clair EB 3889 +713-853-3989 (Phone) 713-646-3393 (Fax) carol.st.clair@enron.com Rhonda L Denton +05/25/2001 11:45 AM Do you want 6/1/01 and forward or do you want to include all +of May since they have not been settled? Just let me know and I can send you a +new attachment. Carol St Clair 05/25/2001 10:56 AM Rhonda: Does Attachment A to +the Select EEI Master need to be updated or is the version that you sent to me +the current version? Carol St. Clair EB 3889 713-853-3989 (Phone) 713-646-3393 +(Fax) carol.st.clair@enron.com lemelpe@NU.COM 05/25/2001 10:44 AM Carol - I +think Valerie Mooney (our credit person) and Ed Sacks are still discussing some +minor fine tuning of the LOC format. I spoke to Bob Bruce this morning - we're +all set on the language in the Schedule to the ISDA, and there is a minor +credit/billing issue in Paragraph 13 related to the timing of transfer of +interest on collateral that Val will discuss with Ed as well. As far as the EEI +goes, the only remaining issue that I'm aware of (aside from finalizing the LOC) +is whether we've finished coordinating the Attachment containing the list of +prior transactions. Sounds like we may actually get these documents executed +early next week. Phyllis Lemell Carol St. Clair EB 3889 713-853-3989 (Phone) +713-646-3393 (Fax) carol.st.clair@enron.com Rhonda L Denton 06/01/2001 03:20 PM +I am missing Deal No. 74419 on your sheet. It is Enpower No. 295870. Will fax. +Rhonda: Thanks so much for your help on this. Carol St. Clair EB 3889 +713-853-3989 (Phone) 713-646-3393 (Fax) carol.st.clair@enron.com Rhonda L Denton +06/01/2001 03:20 PM I am missing Deal No. 74419 on your sheet. It is Enpower No. +295870. Will fax. Carol St. Clair EB 3889 713-853-3989 (Phone) 713-646-3393 +(Fax) carol.st.clair@enron.com Rhonda L Denton 06/01/2001 03:20 PM I am missing +Deal No. 74419 on your sheet. It is Enpower No. 295870. Will fax. Phyllis: We +can accept the language with your chnages. Are we ready to execute? I am out of +the office today but will be back tomorrow. Please call me. thanks. Carol St. +Clair EB 3889 713-853-3989 (Phone) 713-646-3393 (Fax) carol.st.clair@enron.com +lemelpe@NU.COM 06/04/01 08:38 AM Carol - Our credit person doesn't understand +why the transferability language needs to be eliminated. It simply refers to the +same ICC publication for the transfer process that governs the letter of credit +generally. Is there some specific concern that we can address? Russell: Your +comments to the transfer agreement were fine. With respect to the Guaranty, I +will delete the Schedule. Our system did not show any other chnages. Were there +any? Carol Yes. Carol St. Clair EB 3889 713-853-3989 (Phone) 713-646-3393 (Fax) +carol.st.clair@enron.com + +All, Please see the attached Interconnect Agreement with Questar. I wanted you +all to have a look at what we believe is the final draft. It is a fairly +standard, fully reimbursable interconnect with Questar. Transwestern will own +and operate the interconnect. You will notice that Questar has requested a +"Payment Plan" that details when they will pay Transwestern for the interconnect +due to the recent Enron events. If anyone has any questions or concerns about +the timing of these payments, please give me a call. Also, you will notice this +interconnect may not be subject to the CIAC tax gross up, but to protect +ourselves, we have added language in Para 3.2 that protects us financially if +the IRS ever comes back to determine that this interconnect is subject to the +CIAC tax. Robert Guthrie with the tax department has worked with us to develop +this language. We hope to execute this Agreement this week. If you have any +comments, please let me know. After execution, we will forward a final copy to +you for your files. Thanks, Kim 713-853-3098 << File: Questar So Trails Hub +Interconnect 02-05-02.doc >> Earl, We are looking at putting the metering +facilities on their ROW (also, I think we will have to purchase about 50ft of +ROW from ElPaso to get to Questar's property). As you look at this, if for some +reason we cannot obtain ElPaso ROW, we will have to look at Plan B which would +be to put the metering on our ROW. Our in-service date is May 1. If you think +that May 1 may be difficult due to receiving the parts/materials on a timely +basis because of the issues that vendors may have with us because of recent +Enron events, please let me know. Questar has already informed us that they +would help obtain parts/materials to our specifications if it helps achieve an +in-service date of May 1. Thanks, Kim. Kim Has a location, Theirs or TW +land/ROW, been settled and when is the required in-service date? Thanks Earl +Chanley 505-625-8031 All, Please see the attached Interconnect Agreement with +Questar. I wanted you all to have a look at what we believe is the final draft. +It is a fairly standard, fully reimbursable interconnect with Questar. +Transwestern will own and operate the interconnect. You will notice that Questar +has requested a "Payment Plan" that details when they will pay Transwestern for +the interconnect due to the recent Enron events. If anyone has any questions or +concerns about the timing of these payments, please give me a call. Also, you +will notice this interconnect may not be subject to the CIAC tax gross up, but +to protect ourselves, we have added language in Para 3.that protects us +financially if the IRS ever comes back to determine that this interconnect is +subject to the CIAC tax. Robert Guthrie with the tax department has worked with +us to develop this language. We hope to execute this Agreement this week. If you +have any comments, please let me know. After execution, we will forward a final +copy to you for your files. Thanks, Kim 713-853-3098 << File: Questar So Trails +Hub Interconnect 02-05-02.doc >> Are you back in the office yet? We've booked +Italy tickets this week for departing Houston on Friday, May 24 to Newark/Rome +and returning on Sunday, June 9 from Rome to Newark/Houston. Ticket price was +$1,183 per ticket. Paul and Judy are on board. Can you and Tom join us? Janell +and Dennis will not be able to go anywhere in 2002 due to Janell's broken leg. +Please call me, let's discuss. Thanks, Kim X33098 John, sorry for the late +response, but I think you can implement immediately. I was in a meeting last +week and this was discussed (I don't remember if you were there or not) but I'm +thinking that you may have already proceeded ahead for implementation which is +great, thanks! Kim. The telephony group has the new TW Hotline number and +extensions ready for use, I have the solution center entering the greetings and +Terry Kowalke has a new form and procedure for the Customer Service Reps. to use +for updates. How much notification would you like to give the TW customers +before implementing the new TW Hotline phone number? We can do a Popup +notification along with changing the number on the Web page, we can also put out +a Critical message which will send an Email to customers. Do you think we need +to do more? Thanks: John Buchanan Yes, thanks. I was aware. I just couldn't +remember if it was you or Terry. Thanks, Kim. Kim, The new TW Hotline was +implemented Monday which included customer notification in the form of a Popup +message in TMS and a Critical Notice which sent an Email. The new Hotline phone +number is 713-853-3044. I was under the impression that Terry Kowalke had +notified you of the implementation, TK was also made aware. John Buchanan John, +sorry for the late response, but I think you can implement immediately. I was in +a meeting last week and this was discussed (I don't remember if you were there +or not) but I'm thinking that you may have already proceeded ahead for +implementation which is great, thanks! Kim. The telephony group has the new TW +Hotline number and extensions ready for use, I have the solution center entering +the greetings and Terry Kowalke has a new form and procedure for the Customer +Service Reps. to use for updates. How much notification would you like to give +the TW customers before implementing the new TW Hotline phone number? We can do +a Popup notification along with changing the number on the Web page, we can also +put out a Critical message which will send an Email to customers. Do you think +we need to do more? Thanks: John Buchanan Here it is. K. See the attached +spreadsheet. Let me know if you have any questions. Jan, These numbers are +slightly different from the ones you put together a few weeks ago. Are you +comfortable with the difference? Any thoughts? No hurry, I was just wondering. +Thanks, Kim. Attached is the TW Top Ten Shippers by Revenues for the year 2001 +to be reported in the Browncover report. Note: Total transportation invoiced for +2001 was $180.9m. The amount of transportation revenues recorded in the general +ledger is $165.9m. This difference is mainly due to the following: $10.0m - +negotiated rates reserve(Reliant,Sempra, Richardson, Astr,and BP Energy) - +$collected $ 2.7m - SoCal rate issue - $not collected $ 1.8m - additional month +of PGE revenues due to prepayment invoicing beginning in 2001 - $collected +Revenues for these customers were adjusted according. Also, revenues for the +shippers acquiring released volumes from PGE at rates above TW's tariff rates +were adjusted accordingly. Please call me at x36709 if there are questions +thanks, richard Kyle, Sorry for not sending this yesterday. Monday's are always +tough. Please review and let me know what you think. Let's talk before I leave +town next Wednesday. Thanks, Kim. Kim, Here is the Job Description and the +Operational Accountabilities for the position I mentioned to you last Sunday. As +you can see it will take someone with some very good skills in organizing and +interpersonal relationships. It will also require someone who is fairly mature +in their own spiritual journey. If you know someone who might fit the bill ask +them to contact me and/or send me their resume. See you Sunday. Tom Thomas W. +Daugherty Vice President for Spiritual Care Methodist Health Care System 6565 +Fannin Street, D-200 Houston, Texas 77030-2707 Office: 713-793-1429 Page: +281-735-5919 Cell: 713-819-2784 Fax: 713-790-2605 Mansoor, Let's discuss. Kim. +Kim The in-service date of May 1, will be very difficult to attain. Since the +bankruptcy filing, vendors have been very reluctant to ship material prior to it +being prepaid (Daniels, Fisher, Rosemont, other). These are the vendors of +instrumentation required for the interconnect. Questar may be able to purchase +material, but some of the items can have up to a 60 day delivery. (From time PA +approved and funded to in-service will be 75 days at most. We have worked with +Daniels on a chromatograph on another project and prepayment has taken 45 days +alone. Daniels is not set up for prepayments as they bill off an invoice and the +main office and accounting had to create an invoice for a chromatograph that had +not been delivered. Not the usual mode of operations. The I/C design is for a +UltraSonic meter and this is dependent on their testing schedule ( Canada or +Kansas are the only two places to test to 100% of design). Will confirm testing +schedule and delivery dates with UltraSonic ASAP. We will try to complete the +I/C with the earliest in-service date possible, but with conditions as they are, +a realistic date would be June 15, 2002. If you have questions or issues, please +let me know. Thanks Earl Chanley 505-625-8031 Earl, We are looking at putting +the metering facilities on their ROW (also, I think we will have to purchase +about 50ft of ROW from ElPaso to get to Questar's property). As you look at +this, if for some reason we cannot obtain ElPaso ROW, we will have to look at +Plan B which would be to put the metering on our ROW. Our in-service date is May +1. If you think that May 1 may be difficult due to receiving the parts/materials +on a timely basis because of the issues that vendors may have with us because of +recent Enron events, please let me know. Questar has already informed us that +they would help obtain parts/materials to our specifications if it helps achieve +an in-service date of May 1. Thanks, Kim. + +Listening to the Edison call w/investors Edison says they will pay everyone at +the same time ("big bang" approach) sometime in Q1'02. My concern is that +between now and then Dunn, the AG have the time and resources to make a +heckuvalot of mischief, which could be detrimental to generators/marketers' +claims. Investors are asking what Edison intends for QFs and generators--asking +about haircuts in particular--and Edison is side-stepping the questions. Great. +Figured they'd contacted them, but wanted to make sure. You know when the +meeting with schedulers will be? I apologize, I'm on the road and haven't heard +when that will be. I'm thinking that I may want to attend. Thanks. Best, Jeff +Thanks for the info - a few people from our shop will be in attendance./ If you +haven't heard, SoCal's announced their abandoning windows for OFOs. They're +holding "workshops" on how it will all work soon. I'll get you the announcement. +Best, Jeff Probing the 'palace coup' Electricity: A panel focuses on price hikes +and the actions of the ISO president. September 26, 2001 By KIMBERLY KINDY The +Orange County Register SACRAMENTOA state Senate committee is set today to start +serving 16 subpoenas on electricity producers and officials who manage +California's energy grid to determine whether they acted in concert to +manipulate energy prices. The investigative committee, headed by state Sen. Joe +Dunn, D-Santa Ana, is focusing on a series of events last fall filled with +enough Shakespearean plot twists and intrigue that it has earned a name around +the Capitol: "the palace coup." Lawmakers and consumer groups allege that the +events - directed by the man who heads the state's energy grid - fueled the +California energy crisis, pushed the state into the power-buying business and +helped make billions of dollars for power producers. The central question behind +the palace coup is whether Terry Winter, the president of the Independent System +Operator, acted alone when he took steps to remove key price caps designed to +limit the amount power generators could charge. Winter defied his own board and +Gov. Gray Davis when he filed a 50-page request to remove the caps, records and +interviews show. "I don't know how these events could have taken place without +some concerted effort," said Dunn. The subpoenas will force those involved, +including Winter, to provide sworn testimony about the events to the committee, +and to turn over e-mails, personal calendars and memos. Davis spokesman Steve +Maviglio said the governor felt "betrayed" by the actions of Winter. "The +governor believes it was the defining moment, when what was a mounting problem +turned into an instant crisis," Maviglio said. Winter refused comment, referring +all questions to the public relations office. ISO spokesman Gregg Fishman said +Dunn's committee will find no criminal conduct. The decision was made by ISO +upper management with one goal in mind: to keep the lights on. At the time, +generators were refusing to sell power in California because of the price caps. +"It was an emergency," Fishman said. "We had to take action.'' What became known +as the palace coup began on Oct. 26 when ISO board members voted for severe +restrictions on the amount of money electricity producers could charge for +power. The restrictions would drive prices as low as $65 per megawatt - nearly +12 times below the $750 per megawatt limits of seven months earlier. "They +(electricity generators) grinned and beared the $750 price cap, but this new +plan by ISO was too much," said Dunn, whose committee has been investigating +since March. "All hell broke loose.'' Records show that on Oct. 31, power +generators and electricity traders filed letters with the Federal Energy +Regulatory Commission, demanding that the new plan be killed. The letters, six +in all, were sent within two hours of each other and represented dozens of power +generators. "If not removed immediately, the (ISO) price cap will sow confusion +in the market, threaten reliability and stifle new investment in generating +capacity,'' read one letter written by Duke Energy Vice President William Hall +III. Although there is nothing illegal about the generators acting together to +lobby against price caps, Dunn believes the letters and other actions around the +same time showed clear coordination among energy officials. He said the main aim +of the subpoenas will be to determine whether collusion occurred to "fix" +prices, which would violate federal trade laws. In the Oct. 31 letters, +electricity producers told federal officials that if price caps weren't removed +it would lead to a collapse of the energy market. The generators got their way. +The next day, the federal commission killed the new pricing plan. What was left +in place was a $250 price cap established five months earlier. Power producers +then turned their attention toward killing that cap, saying they couldn't make a +profit even under these constraints. They began to withhold power from +California, and on Dec. 7 the ISO declared its first Stage 3 emergency and +braced for blackouts, which were narrowly averted. What followed the next day is +considered by the governor and Dunn to be the pivotal moment of the energy +crisis. Winter, who in his position as president and chief operating officer of +the ISO, submitted a 50-page emergency request, asking federal officials to +abolish the $250 price cap. Final authority over lifting the cap rested with the +federal government. Neither the ISO board, which had established the price cap, +nor the governor learned of Winter's actions until the cap had been removed. In +fact, the attorney who helped draft the emergency request, Charles Robinson, was +in a meeting with representatives of the governor and ISO board members just +hours before the filing was made. He didn't mention anything about it. "In +retrospect, we should have told them,'' Robinson said. With the price caps gone, +the generators filed paperwork with federal regulators justifying higher costs. +"The ISO staff sat in a meeting with the governor's key energy advisers with +poker faces, not saying a word about something that was going on at the exact +same moment,'' Maviglio said. "It was beyond belief that they failed to mention +something so significant. This action accelerated the utilities' move toward +bankruptcy and forced the governor to move the state into the power-buying +business." Prices for electricity jumped from an average of $249 a megawatt to +$700 a megawatt within three days, ISO records show. Dunn believes the resulting +overcharges for electricity exceeded $30 billion. Robinson said the filing - +granted two hours after the request - helped rather than hurt Californians. +Prices, he said, did not spike as a result. Instead they followed the +skyrocketing price of natural gas - which is used to run power plants to +generate electricity. Robinson said the emergency order allowed the ISO to +secure refunds should overcharges for electricity be proven to federal +officials. "We believe the action we took addressed a severe concern,'' Robinson +said. "In our view, we did not believe we changed or made worse the financial +situation. We felt we made it better because it introduced a process for review +and refund." Jan Smutney-Jones, who was the ISO board chairman at the time and +executive director of a group that represents power generators, said Winter did +not consult him about eliminating the price cap. Smutney-Jones also said he was +unaware of anyone in the power-generating community being consulted. "Terry did +this by himself,'' said Smutney-Jones, executive director of the Independent +Energy Producers. "He did what he thought had to be done at the time to keep the +power flowing." The ISO board called an emergency meeting the next week +demanding Winter explain his actions. Some board members pushed to have Winter +removed, but there were concerns such action would lead to more chaos, the +governor's spokesman Maviglio said. James J. Hoecker, the former Federal Energy +Regulatory Commission chairman, defended making the December decision and also +defended Winter. "They filed an emergency motion, and we were not about to let +California go dark,'' Hoecker said. "They (ISO management) did what any +independent system operator would do." What Dunn's committee hopes to learn is +why all these events transpired. He believes memos and e-mails around the time +of Winter's Dec. 8 actions should provide vital clues. "We don't know why he did +what he did, but we are eager to find out," Dunn said. "Terry said he made that +filing in the interest of Californians, but I find that argument has no basis in +fact.'' We should resurrect Mike Smith's note and get him on the call in the +attempt to avoid recreating the wheel on this one. I can dig it up if you'd +like. Sue and Jeff -- I am having a meeting with Vicki and Janet Dietrich on +Thursday to discuss our view on the ability to extend our current contracts in +CA (for customers already on DA). Can we discuss this today or soon thereafter. +My take is that the UDCs will be indifferent to this (maybe?) and our #1 +priority is to work to get the PG&E model adopted across the state. Any news on +how SCE and SDG&E will move forward? Thanks. Sounds good. I suggest a "blind +draw" on the teams, best ball not scramble on the golf, and as for the wager, no +emails from the losing team for one week! Is there any question? I'll leave to +Steve to structure the deal. As I recall, Montavano, Shapiro and I usually make +up one team, but I'm willing to switch around a bit. Best, Jeff Are you playing +golf? And if yes, what's the game and wager??? Jim + +"Neal S. Manne" 11/28/2000 06:16 PM It's a two way +street, of course. Have they expressed any interest in negotiating? There is +nothing wrong with a REAL negotiation, but nothing particularly helpful about +generating one that s just for show. Particularly in the absence of any entreaty +from them. Where is the "simple" explanation of the transportation piece? As I +have told RNR, I think we should advise Duke in writing that its IP is not in +conformity with the contract, sinceit is in the alternative, and that our IP is +hence the only one that will be before the arbitrators (since Duke clearly +cannot change it's ineffective IP at this stage, having already seen ours). +Accordingly, the only issue left for arbitration is whether our IP (the only one +and therefore the one they have to choose) is or is not an economic hardship +under the contract. What say ye? none Susan Rance@ENRON 11/28/2000 03:58 PM By +Friday December 1st, could you please tell me the percentages/amount of time you +spent on East Coast Power during the months of October and November. In +addition, could you look over the list below to see if there are any additional +employees in your group that spent time on ECP, so we can ensure we bill all of +our used resources to ECP. Thanks for you cooperation. ***Mary Perkins - Could +you forward the number of transactions and accounts. ***Jason Chumley - Could +you forward the number of contractor hours and help/remote support hours. HR - +Veronica Parra, Nedre Strambler, Fran Mayes, Felicia Solis Legal - Bob Carter, +Travis McCullough, Lisa Mellencamp, Shelia Tweed, Richard Sanders, Michelle Cash +Corporate Finance- Joe Deffner, Brain Kerrigan, Lewis Worthy, Mary Perkins IT- +Jason Chumley Structuring/Technology - Brad Alford, Chris Coffman, Bill Keeney +Insurance- David Marshall Susan Looks good Steve Van Hooser 11/28/2000 11:34 AM +Richard, How does this look? If I can get a few minutes with Mark H. today, I'm +going to propose that I speak to Stan Klimberg about getting this signed before +Thursday's meeting with LIPA. Thanks for your help this morning. Steve In the +three years I have been here, I am unaware of an ENA/ECT bad faith claim against +any insurance company. Anyone else? If so, please contact Michelle. Michelle +Blaine@ENRON_DEVELOPMENT 11/28/2000 07:35 PM Justin, I have no knowledge of any +bad faith actins Enron has pending inTexas but I will call Richard Sanders who +manages domestic litgation here. I've read the materials you sent and agree we +need to address these allegations appropriately. Richard do you have any bad +faith litigation pending against any insurers in Texas or are you aware of any +Enron has filed?? We sued Houston Casualty last year but I don't recall making +any bad faith claims. It settled anyway, a long time ago. mb Michelle, Did you +get my fax on Friday? I guess the questions on which I should like your steer +are: (a) Do you have a particular sensitivity about the reference to bad faith +proceedings made by United India? (b) Is it right that Enron has 3 sets of bad +faith proceedings in Texas? (c) Are you happy with the draft letter to +Beachcrofts I sent you? Please give me a call if you would like to discuss. +Justin Not when I was there, but I wasn't there the whole time. Michelle and +Ken, were you able to discuss the "bad faith" proceedings issue yesterday? If +you got the chance today, I should be really grateful if one of you could give +me a call to discuss this issue; I think we should set out DPC's position +clearly on this in correspondence without too much delay. Justin +____________________________________________________________ This message is +confidential. It may also be privileged or otherwise protected by work product +immunity or other legal rules. If you have received it by mistake please let us +know by reply and then delete it from your system; you should not copy the +message or disclose its contents to anyone. +____________________________________________________________ Address this to +Robin Gibbs for my signature. Thanks. Russell Montgomery@ENRON 11/28/2000 08:22 +AM Richard- Per my voice mail, here is the letter. As I mentioned, please let me +know when it is ready, and I will send someone to pick it up. Thank you for your +help. Russ 3-5297 brianp@aiglincoln.com Rob Jacobs +11/28/2000 11:25 AM Hi Rich, Have you heard if the Kinga has had little Brian II +yet? Also, remind me of Patterson's email, so I can harass him directly. Hope +your pre Chanukah planning is going well. Rob - C.DTF As you can tell from the +time of my e-mail, I am getting crushed. Please ask her to be the contact +person. Robert C Williams@ENRON_DEVELOPMENT 11/28/2000 09:46 AM Now that +Michelle is in your fold, do you want to reconsider her being the contact person +with AAA on this? I am sending you a letter from their atty. Call me to discuss. +Cheryl Marshall 11/27/2000 10:25 AM As of today, we have not received payment in +full as requested in Richard Sanders' letter dated November 16, 2000. We did +receive a payment for $3,202.61 on 11-20-2000. Richard - please let me know what +we need to do next to file suit. Nuria_R_Ibarra@calpx.com on 04/28/2000 11:15:11 +AM The attached letter is being sent to you from Patricia Gillman. (See attached +file: Sanders Letter 4_28_00.doc) - Sanders Letter 4_28_00.doc Richard B Sanders +11/28/2000 09:56 PM I am sending you a letter from their atty. Call me to +discuss. Cheryl Marshall 11/27/2000 10:25 AM As of today, we have not received +payment in full as requested in Richard Sanders' letter dated November 16, 2000. +We did receive a payment for $3,202.61 on 11-20-2000. Richard - please let me +know what we need to do next to file suit. Has Liz finished with gathering the +documents? melanie.gray@weil.com 11/13/2000 03:43 PM Here are the revised dates +for the response/reply/and hearing dates for Enron's motion to compel. As you +may recall, they say they want a deposition on the parties' intention. We should +be expecting a deposition notice soon if they are going to follow through on +their threat. I passed along to Liz Austin your request regarding pleadings A&K +has filed setting forth the Trustee's position in connection with the +enforcement/nonenforcement of the power contracts and what remedies the Trustee +is seeking. As you see below, she is pulling those together. Call to discuss the +response to the Trustee's settlement offer. Thanks. Hi--Talked to Craig and the +Court today. The motion to compel is now scheduled for Dec. 12 at 2p.m. The +trustee's oppositon papers are now due Nov 27 and Enron reply is due Dec 1. I +have my paralegal gathering the pleadings Enron requested. That is all for +now.--Liz **********NOTE********** The information contained in this email +message is intended only for use of the individual or entity named above. If the +reader of this message is not the intended recipient, or the employee or agent +responsible to deliver it to the intended recipient, you are hereby notified +that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this communication is +strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please +immediately notify us by telephone (713-546-5000), and destroy the original +message. Thank you. "Gerry Strathmann" 11/08/2000 +02:19 PM Dear Mr. Sanders - ? While I left a you a phone message with some +information about our project, I thought I could give you some additional +details by e-mail as well... ? We are still very interested in having Enron +support our eCommerce Dispute Management Protocol.? We have had enthusiastic +responses from companies such as AT&T, Duke Energy, Pitney Bowes and +DaimlerChrysler, and I would be pleased to answer any questions you may have +about this focal point for our educational efforts.? The real purpose of my +call, however, is related to the services we will provide to support the +aspirational statements of the Protocol. I am a member of the design group that +has been developing the American Arbitration Association's dispute management +systems and services for eCommerce B2B transactions.? At this time we are +putting together small working groups to validate some of our assumptions and +refine our initial service offerings. Initially our design group, along with +perhaps one of our technology consultants, would like to meet with a group of +Enron people for half a day.? Ideally this group would consist of four to six +people from finance, legal, and operations so that we get good cross-functional +feedback about our services.? Before the meeting we would provide you with a +brief description of our proposed service offerings and a list of points for +discussion at the meeting. The real focus of the meeting will be on how we +should build these services to meet the needs of businesses operating in B2B +marketplaces.? We are very concerned with providing services that are relevant +to that environment. We would like to meet between November 14 and?December +1?since construction of our services is already underway.? Please let me know +what is possible, and feel free to give me a call if you have any questions +(978-376-9004). ? Thanks. -> Gerry Gerry Strathmann eCommerce Group American +Arbitration Association (978) 376-9004 303-294-4499 "Neal S. Manne" + 11/29/2000 09:52 AM Thanks, Richard. Do you have a +tel # for Mike? Thanks. Mark Palmer@ENRON 11/29/2000 10:45 AM I'll send a copy +of the suit filed against the generators as soon as I get it. Mark "Leopold, +Jason" 11/29/2000 10:40 AM Hello Energyphiles: OK, +perhaps it was inevitable. But it is now official. A team of San Diego's best +anti-trust and class action attorneys has been assembled to take on the electric +generators and marketers in California state court in an effort to return the +electricity overcharges that have battered San Diego and the rest of California +this year. A press conference will be held to discuss the consumer class action +lawsuit to be filed today. WHEN: 11am - noon WHERE: 550 West C St. (b/t Columbia +& India) Suite 1810 Law Offices of Levine, Steinberg, Miller & Huver +619-231-9449 WHAT: Copies of the filed complaint will be made available at that +time. UCAN's executive director and the attorney team will be available to +answer questions about the complaint. We are hopeful that we can post the +complaint to the UCAN web site later today. *********************************** +"Time is the best teacher, except for the fact that it kills off its best +students" Michael Shames Executive Director Utility Consumers' Action Network +1717 Kettner Blvd. Suite 105 San Diego, CA 92101 619-696-6966 mshames@ucan.org + +the industry of Marriage and Kids, you heard me. Marriage is, in and of itself, +a noble concept, but it too often leads to kids and kids flat out suck. How can +I say such an abomination, ask you? Look around you and notice all the mind +numbing trailor trash cretins out there who should not be procreating, yet they +do. These are the people who keep Jerry springer on the air. These are the kids +who will destroy society, because of the crapfest the American family has become +under the post hippie culture, you heard again. And you might think by reading +this I blame the kids..... Not so, Kids are what kids are and will do what they +do. It is literally monkey see and monkey do with them. That will likely never +change. It's the bad parents out there who fuck up their lives and dont seem to +understand that once you decide to have kids, it is indeed time to grow up and +be a responsible role model for those kids. Very few parents do this. And this +is a direct result of the Politically correct, permissive, time out granting +bullshit liberal culture that has caused this. When you blame it all on society, +there's noone to to take responsibility and all of a sudden you have generation +of fucked up kids who are likley smoking, drinking, doing drugs, fucking the +neighbor or some internet perv just because you are too lazy to see waht they're +doing. People like this will never have my sympathy, nor do they deserve my +sympathy. Look inside yourselves parents, is this you? Probably it is. Fuck you. +Stop trying to pawn your brats off on others to "get a break" . You made a +choice to be a mommy, you dont get a break until they move out, thats the choice +that you madea and that's life. Tough shit. Just because you're stuck, doesnt +give you the right to drag down all the singles around you. Another time I'll +segueway into all the fun work related instances where "Mommies" get out of +doing work and hiding behind childcare as the reason. This is the insidious +conspiracy I call "Mommism". It must be stamped out. + +[http://www.newsday.com/news/opinion/ny-vpnasa054135614feb05,0,5979821.story?coll=ny-editorials-headlines] +(Newsday.com) It looks like NASA is ready to sour again after it's devastating +loss from the Columbia accident which occurred nearly two years ago. Now, NASA +engineers and astronauts are almost giddy with "go" fever as the tentative date +for the first launch since the Columbia disaster approaches. The most important +question isn't whether Discovery is technically ready to fly with new safety +features and emergency procedures, but whether the agency itself has learned +from the crucial errors most common to Challenger and Columbia, errors that grew +out of a management culture that discouraged criticism and sacrificed safety for +image-puffing and budget-cutting. I hope so. Seeing another "Columbia" incident +can be quite frightening (I woke up to it early in the morning when I was in +Texas). We don't need another incident as exploring the cosmos is something that +keeps our imagination going as a species. Maybe one day they will allow space +tourism, (hopefully that will be in the near future)although I would recommend +that NASA build new shuttles instead of trying to preserve the older ones. You +do have to give NASA credit on some things as they have eliminated the "fear of +reporting failure" culture that probably led to the lack of reporting defects on +the Columbia shuttle. Instead they are encouraging everyone to come forward if +they see any potential problems (as it is clear that overlooked problems could +result in unnecessary losses). But supporters are pointing a few good things +out: Clearly, the agency has worked hard at tackling the technical challenges +posed by a superb and surprisingly independent-minded investigative panel. A few +weeks ago, shuttle workers at the Kennedy Space Center received a rocket-like +boost in morale with two important deliveries for the next shuttle to carry. One +is a special tool to detect damage to the thermal-protective tile while in orbit +- something the Columbia crew would have welcomed. The other is a new fuel tank +"guaranteed" by NASA not to shed potentially fatal hunks of insulation. NASA has +some PR hurdles to overcome in the future. But lets hope for their sake (and the +sake of all space lovers out there) that they can redefine their image and +rekindle the hope of space colonization again. Selah. -- Posted by Hidden Nook +to Hidden Nook at 2/7/2005 01:09:32 AM + +Healing the Collective Body In George Orwell's influential novel "1984" +doublethink is a device promoted by the totalitarian state government to make +people accept two irreconcilable ideas at the same time such as "war is peace". +I see the merit in flowing with duality. One of my most cherished dualities is +the understanding that we are both autonomous individuals with the power to +shape our personal destinies and at the same time we are all one, that there is +no separation between you and I, we are all together in this thing called life, +we human beings, the birds and the tress, the rocks and the sky, all of it. I +have written a lot recently about healing the self so today here are a few words +on healing our collective body, mind and soul. Think of all life, if you will, +as one great choir or one grand congregation. Our strength is in our unity and +harmony. Any major dischord and we all suffer. Any insult to the collective good +brings us all down. Living out of synch with nature is the great disease, from +that flows all the tributaries we have come to think of as sickness. We are only +as strong as our weakest, we are only as healthy as the sickest amongst us- +playing sports and being in the army taught me that lesson before I was finished +being a teenager. When the healthy treat the sick with scorn and intolerance it +brings us all down. When those lucky enough not to have Herpes create a climate +of shame and indignity for those of us who do, not only are they hurting us, but +they are hurting themselves. There is no escape from the collective ocean we all +swim in. What you project will always come back to either reward or haunt you. +We are now suffering from the consequences of our rape of the environment, our +rejection of the natural for the industrial, and our embrace of violence over +peace. Jesus said that what you do the least of the people you do to him. What +are you doing to the least of the people? If we are all in this thing together, +let's play nice. Remember that what you do to yourself affects me and everybody +else, remember that what you do to me and anyone else shapes your destiny. No +matter what progress we make as individuals in becoming healthier, we will never +achieve real health until we collectively decide to create a healthier reality. +Fortunately circumstances will force our hand soon since our collective bad +behaviour cannot continue indefinitely. In the near future collective choices +will need to be made. Will we choose to live in harmony with this planet or +crash and burn in a conflagration of arrogance and disregard? Will we choose to +rise about prejudice and intolerance or go down kicking and screaming with +holding on to fear and anger? There is no health without peace and no peace +without health. November 2005 Sunshine Coast, British Columbia, Canada +Christopher Scipio Homeopath/Herbalist Holistic Viral Specialist + +One Simple Idea. One Huge Opportunity. What are you searching for? More personal +freedom? More time with your family? Independent wealth? Freedom from the fear +of corporate downsizing? Whether you are looking for a part-time income to help +pay off your debts or you are looking for the freedom offered by working from +home on a full time basis, Agel is the vehicle that can make that happen. Agel +is a new company and is uniquely positioned to be the next giant in the network +marketing industry. The company has developed an entirely new category of +products. Imagine being part of the next industry-changing innovation. +Innovative Products Agel introduces an entirely new category of products called +Gelceuticals. The company has developed a unique and innovative delivery +mechanism for nutritional products. This proprietary Gel Suspension technology +makes possible single serving packets of Gelceuticals. In this delivery format, +your body can immediately start receiving the benefits of the product components +as the absorption of vitamins, minerals and nutrients is maximized. Never before +has such a convenient method been available for consuming nutritional products. +Consider these convenience factors: No water needed (as with tablets or +capsules) Exotic juice benefits without the big bottle (no glass and water +weight) Single serving packages (imagine the sampling capabilities) Perfect for +those with difficulty swallowing tablets or capsules Faster, more efficient, +delivery to the body Learn More Revolutionary Compensation Agel has created a +new compensation structure that is truly revolutionary. It is our belief that +this compensation plan will produce some of the largest checks in network +marketing history. The plan can't be described as a binary, a breakaway, a +unilevel, or a forced matrix. It is a revolutionary hybrid. What is long term +viability? It is not just company longevity. If you used to make $100k and now +only make $30k, this is not long term viability. Ten years later your check +should still be the same or greater, fulfilling the promise of long-term +residual income. The Agel compensation plan includes the principles that ensure +that promise can be fulfilled for those who work at it. Are you unsure of Agel? +Take time to discover the unlimited possibilities with Agel! The call will +feature a host of other field leaders, and our founder and CEO, Glen Jensen. +This call will smoke! You will discover: · How to Create the Security of +Residual Income; · Why Agel is the Best Vehicle to Live Your Dreams; · The +Amazing Scientific Breakthrough Behind the Products; · How the "Quadra-Plan" +Builds Bigger Bonus Checks Faster; · The Support System in Place to Help You +Build Stronger; and · The Secret to Lock in a "Legacy" Position! Here are the +numbers to call: 620-294-4000 or 620-294-3000 The Passcode to participate +is:5107 DATE: Tuesday, November 22, 2005 TIME: 8:00 PM Eastern Standard Time +LOCATION: Conference Call 5:00 PT ** 6:00 MT ** 7:00 CT ** 8:00 ET I'll see you +there! Steve Fillmore 612-205-9814 620-294-1909 + +Email: "Dharmadeva" Namaskar Hi All! We now present the +kaoshikii dance, which is excellent before and after yoga postures. I encourage +you to do this dance, as it has tremendous positive effects. It is a dance for +both males and females. Dharma -- Kaoshikii is a dance which was invented in +1978 by Shrii Shrii A'nandamu'rti. It is a psycho-spiritual exercise and +benefiting the mind by developing stamina and strength. Kaoshikii is especially +good for women. It can ward off and cure a number of diseases, keeps the body +youthful and enables an easy delivery in childbirth. Kaoshikii comes from the +Sanskrit word 'kosa' meaning shell or layer of mind. The self of the individual +lies hidden in the innermost layers of existence (kosas). Thus kaoshikii is a +blossoming of the microcosm (unit being) in its attempt to attain a link with +the Macrocosm (Cosmic Consciousness). This attempt is normally referred to as +mysticism. -- The Benefits Exercises all the glands and limbs from head to toes. +Increases longevity. Makes for easy delivery at childbirth. The spine will +become flexible. Arthritis of the spine, neck, waist and other joints will be +removed. Gout in the spine, neck, hands and waist will be lost. The mind becomes +strong and sharp. Irregularities in menstruation will be cured. Glandular +secretions will become regulated. Troubles in the bladder and urethra will be +cured. Gives control over the limbs. Adds charm and shine to the face and skin. +Removes wrinkles. Removes lethargy. Cures insomnia. Cures hysteria. Fear +complexes will be removed. Hopelessness will be lost. Helps in self-expression +and develops one's potentiality. Spinal pain, piles, hernia, hydrocele in men, +nervous pain, nervous disability will be cured. Cures kidney and gall bladder +troubles, gastric trouble, dyspepsia, acidity, dysentery, obesity and liver +diseases. Increases the capacity to work until 75-80 years of age. -- The Dance +The eighteen steps of the dance are done rhythmically. First the dancer begins +in the starting position: the hands together and raised over the head. Then to +the beat of "dhin, dhin,... ,ta', ta'", the dancers begin their step, placing +the big toe behind the heel of the other foot. In the final two steps, the +dancers firmly stamp their feet on the ground. Kaoshikii can be danced for as +many rounds as you like. -- The Ideation When the dancers start the step with +the beat of "dhin, dhin...", the mental ideation should also be kept. Here is +the ideation. The two hands when upraised and folded together represent: "Now I +am trying to establish a link with Parama Purus'a (Supreme Consciousness)." +Bending to the right indicates: "I know the right way to request You." Bending +to the left indicates: "I know how to fulfil Your demands." Bending forward +suggests: "I completely surrender to You." Bending backward represents: "I am +ready to face all obstacles that may come." The last two steps represent: "O +Lord I repeat Your cosmic rhythm." + +Quebecker wins U.S. bravery award Pittsburgh - A Quebec man was awarded a +Carnegie Medal for bravery on Monday for saving two friends by fighting off a +polar bear with a pocket knife two years ago on Baffin Island Dr. Eric Fortier, +34, of Gatineau, Que., used a pocket knife to attack a polar bear on Baffin +Island, just south of the Arctic Circle, to save two friends who were being +mauled. "All of the research and all of the preparation I did leading up to the +trip gave no indication that there were bears in the Soper [River] valley where +we were canoeing," Dr. Fortier said. Dr. Fortier, an orthodontist, learned there +was at least one polar bear in the central region of Baffin Island in July 2001 +when he felt what he thought was a dog leaning on his tent wall. "My first +thought was to push it away," he said. "A few seconds later my girlfriend saw +the shadow of a bear's paw through the tent fly and then it started ripping +through the ceiling." The polar bear is more dangerous than most other bears. +The latter usually consider human beings a threat but the polar bear considers +humans a snack, experts said. The two screamed to frighten the bear and warn +their friends in a tent several metres away but the bear ripped into that tent +and began mauling 31-year-old Alain Parenteau. "Their screams changed," Dr. +Fortier said. "I grabbed my glasses and my knife and unzipped my tent and headed +out." The bear dwarfed the 6-foot-1 Mr. Parenteau, knocking him to the ground, +he said. Dr. Fortier threw a large rock at the bear, distracting it and allowing +Parenteau to escape but it then turned on 25-year-old Patricia Doyon, who was in +the same tent. Again Dr. Fortier threw rocks at the bear and again its target +was able to escape. "The bear gave chase and I gave chase," he said. "At some +point, Patricia tripped or the bear tripped her and was at her back. I was +beside the bear's head and I stabbed it with an upper cut below the jaw in the +neck a couple of times." The bear ran off. While there was some fur and blood on +the nine-centimetre blade, Dr. Fortier said he doesn't think he hurt the bear +badly. Both Mr. Parenteau and Ms. Doyon, however, were bleeding badly. Dr. +Fortier and his girlfriend lashed two canoes together and paddled eight +kilometres along the Soper River. Dr. Fortier travelled another three kilometres +by foot to seek help in the nearest settlement. Both Mr. Parenteau and Ms. Doyon +were airlifted to a hospital and survived, though Mr. Parenteau had a gash +within a centimetre of his jugular, Dr. Fortier said. Dr. Fortier was one of 15 +people to receive the Carnegie Medal on Monday. The bronze medal is given to +people who "risk their lives to an extraordinary degree while saving or +attempting to save the lives of others." The other Canadian recipient of the +medal was Ronald Joseph Crawford, 42, of Hamilton, who was killed Aug. 4, 2002, +while trying to defend a Hamilton sandwich shop owner from a robber wielding a +knife. Mr. Crawford threw several punches at the assailant before he was stabbed +in the heart. U.S. industrialist Andrew Carnegie started a hero fund in 1904 +after being inspired by rescue stories from a mine disaster that killed 181 +people. The award comes with a $3,500 (U.S.) grant. + +Important information of big companies Apple Computers It was the favorite fruit +of founder Steve Jobs. He was three months late in filing a name for the +business, and he threatened to call his company Apple Computers if the other +colleagues didn't suggest a better name by 5 O'clock. CISCO It is not an acronym +as popularly believed. It is short for San Francisco. Compaq This name was +formed by using COMp, for computer, and PAQ to denote a small integral object. +Corel The name was derived from the founder's name Dr.Michael Cowpland. It +stands for COwpland REsearch Laboratory. Google The name started as a joke +boasting about the amount of information the search-engine would be able to +search. It was originally named 'Googol', a word for the number represented by 1 +followed by 100 zeros. After founders - Stanford graduate students Sergey Brin +and Larry Page presented their project to an angel investor, they received a +cheque made out to 'Google' Hotmail Founder Jack Smith got the idea of accessing +e-mail via the web from a computer anywhere in the world. When Sabeer Bhatia +came up with the business plan for the mail service, he tried all kinds of names +ending in 'mail' and finally settled for hotmail as it included the letters +"html" - the programming language used to write web pages. It was initially +referred to as HoTMaiL with selective uppercasing. Hewlett Packard Bill Hewlett +and Dave Packard tossed a coin to decidewhether the company they founded would +be called Hewlett-Packard or Packard-Hewlett. Intel Bob Noyce and Gordon Moore +wanted to name their new company 'Moore Noyce' but that was already trademarked +by a hotel chain so they had to settle for an acronym of INTegrated ELectronics. +Lotus (Notes) Mitch Kapor got the name for his company from 'The Lotus Position' +or 'Padmasana'. Kapor used to be a teacher of Transcendental Meditation of +Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. Microsoft Coined by Bill Gates to represent the company +that was devoted to MICROcomputer SOFTware. Originally christened Micro-Soft, +the '-' was removed later on. Motorola Founder Paul Galvin came up with this +name when his company started manufacturing radios for cars. The popular radio +company at the time was called Victrola. ORACLE Larry Ellison and Bob Oats were +working on a consulting project for the CIA (Central Intelligence Agency). The +code name for the project was called Oracle (the CIA saw this as the system to +give answers to all questions or something such). The project was designed to +help use the newly written SQL code by IBM. The project eventually was +terminated but Larry and Bob decided to finish what they started and bring it to +the world. They kept the name Oracle and created the RDBMS engine. Later they +kept the same name for the company. Sony It originated from the Latin word +'sonus' meaning sound, and 'sonny' a slang used by Americans to refer to a +bright youngster. SUN Founded by 4 Stanford University buddies, SUN is the +acronym for Stanford University Network. Andreas Bechtolsheim built a +microcomputer; Vinod Khosla recruited him and Scott McNealy to manufacture +computers based on it, and Bill Joy to develop a UNIX-based OS for the computer. +Yahoo! The word was invented by Jonathan Swift and used in his book 'Gulliver's +Travels'. It represents a person who is repulsive in appearance and action and +is barely human. Yahoo! Founders Jerry Yang and DavidFilo selected the name +because they considered themselves yahoos... I am on Yahoo ! Email : +mayur...@yahoo.com SMS : +919819602175 Web : + +Hi all, There are already several forums around the net focused on discussing +Guild Wars, so why create a new one? I say why not? The main reason is Google is +more accessible to the global community and you can rest assured that it's not +going to go away. I have seen great fan sites suddenly disappear without notice +and for no reason. Usually this happens because the developer of the site can no +longer afford the cost of bandwidth being used. That said, the maintenance of +this forum is handled by Google and thus will remain reliable and it will +ultimately give us more time to play :). I'm nothing more than a devoted fan of +the game myself and I hope that this area can become a haven for deep fan +discussions. Regards, Humanpixel Aye! Good Day Mate! Im really looking forward +to Guild Wars. Anyone know a release date? Feb 2005 Feb 2005 is the projected +release date, although Guild Wars is made by ex-members of Blizzard, so Feb 2005 +could mean August 2006... Anyway, I tried to get a preorder but no places were +selling it so I missed out on 2/3 weekend events. Oh well, I'll get it when it +comes out in Febuary. rumor has feb 05 on the calender. BUT they stated that +they will take as long as it takes to work out all the bugs so who really know +how long. as far as pre order go to and they have a list of major retailers that +carry it there are also a few websites that you could order it off of. and a +good reason for starting this group....company firewalls lol ;) I was kind of +curious, what exactly is Guild Wars? I havn't heard of it. Check out the Guild +Wars Web site at for more info about the game. It's a massive multiplayer role +playing game. The graphics are without a doubt the amoung the best graphics I +have ever seen for any game and I have been gaming since the MUD days. It's +worth a look. I have a preorder and am even considering getting a second +preorder to have multiple accounts. I have participated in all the weekend beta +events and the world preview. The game is already 100% functional. I can't +imagine them not being able to meet the Feb 05 deadline. Warm greetings to all +in this GW community. I am Lady Kingel and I hail from the United Legit Gaming +Guilds of Guild Wars. We are a consortium of legit honorable guilds that was +established in 1997 for DI and we are now adding GW to the list of games played. +The alliance is a pretty straightforward one. It was formed to allow many +different guilds who were all strictly honorable to come together as a family +and allow them many people to game with. There are no other requirements other +than we ask that members greet each new member and each new alliance and also +feel free to post in any of the forums. We are also a group who is looking for +members for our own select guild called ULGG of GW...which is a part of the +alliance with the same name. We play in all aspects of the game and we hand pick +our members. I would like to personally invite each of you to visit our website. +You are individuals of quality, and in our alliance we seek quality of member +over quantity of member. You will be asked to register, and then you should +wander over to the Announce Your Arrival Section and present yourself. You will +be greeted by many members of this wonderful family. I do hope to see you +visiting us at the fire and we shall prepare a feast for you, as well. If you +paste this in your browser, it will take you directly to our GW website. I +extend my hand to each of you in true friendship, and honor. Come and say +hello...you will be warmly welcomed! We are currently moving to a new server, so +we will be down for a while. I will inform when we are up and running again. I +wish all happy holidays, and moreso, peace on earth. Kingel + +Dear Judges, Lawyers, Policemen, Guards, Counselors, Taxpayers, et. al., We are +here. Like it or not, for good or bad, we are here. Who are we? We are the +downtrodden and dispossesed, the self-torturing, the disenfranchised convicts, +drug and alcohol addicts, the unemployed and unemployable. We are the children +of poverty, financial and spiritual. We have and will have children of our own, +grandchildren too. We are ex-cons, uninsured, homeless, of many colors and +speaking many tongues. We are the enemy in what has become a domestic war +against ourselves. And who are you? You who like the tough talk of Tough on +Crime? You who watch as budgets are cut in education and health care while you +militarize a police force? Bullet-proof vests, automatic weapons, helicopters, +tanks, robots ... the testosterone is oozing through the streets, more prisons, +longer sentences, tighten the belt, spartan conditions, task forces, gang units, +gun courts. And what is there to show for it? Unemployent stays low because half +the population oversees those "out of the workforce", the dregs, the rabble, the +enemy? Please tell me there is a deeper reason. Do you feel safer? More humane? +More like a cohesive society with a shared sense of purpose, who can identify Us +and Them? Do you live in a gated community or gentrified neighborhood? By the +way, have you read the Declaration of Independence and US Constitution - or do +you only know the first phrases? It's about time we got together. Please know +that I have yet to meet a convict who wants their child to be a thief, an +addict, a dealer, a prostitute, or a violent individual. Most of us still have +hope for ourselves even when stuck in the darkest dilemmas, ruts and catch-22s. +Most of us believe in crafting laws and instilling order. Many of us have +burrowed beneath the surface to find a spiritual sense of being, an +understanding force at least as powerful as those we succumbed to, and many of +use wouldn't escape if you opened the front door. Did you know that +approximately 10 million Americans are either incarcerated, on probation, on +parole or once were in those categories? Each of those 10 million have families, +friends, neighbors ... and so closer and closer does the We interface with the +You. Don't you think it's time we talked? Are you ready? Can you accept that the +road we are travelling points toward a grim and painful future? Do you have the +heart to face monumental failures while bravely struggling beyond where we are +now? I know that some of you are, and that some of us are, and this is what +gives me hope. You need our insights just as we need your structure. It is never +over, especially when a real solution, a real treatment for our sickness, is yet +to begin. In Solidarity, Bruce Reilly (a.k.a Bruha) P.O.Box 8274 Cranston, RI +02920 USA P.S. - I am trying to conceptualize an effective guerilla media +campaign to promote this cause. Ideas are welcome. Collaboration is prayed. an +annotated text of the bill, read the article by D. Singmaster in "The +Mathematical Intelligencer" v7 #2, pp 69-72. +--------------------------------------------------------------------------- +----- Subject: Where can I get the necessary software to get a "smart" mail +system running on my machine that will take advantage of the postings in +comp.mail.maps? (E.g., pathalias, smail, etc.) There are a couple of packages +available through the supporters of the comp.sources.unix archives. If sites +next to you don't have what you want, contact your nearest comp.sources.unix +archive, or the moderator. Information on archive sites, and indices of +comp.sources.unix back issues are posted regularly in comp.sources.unix and +comp.sources.d. +--------------------------------------------------------------------------- +----- Subject: What is "food for the NSA line-eater"? This refers to the alleged +scanning of all Usenet traffic by the National Security Agency (and possibly +other intelligence organizations) for interesting keywords. The "food" is +believed to contain some of those + +Email: "Peanutjake" Groups: misc.consumers Subject: +IMMEDIATE ATTENTION NEEDED: HIGHLY CONFIDENTIAL URGENT ASSISTANCE - FROM USA +FROM: GEORGE WALKER BUSH 202.456.1414 / 202.456.1111 FAX: 202.456.2461 Dear Sir +/ Madam, I am GEORGE WALKER BUSH, son of the former president of the United +States of America George Herbert Walker Bush, and currently serving as President +of the United States of America. This letter might surprise you because we have +not met neither in person nor by correspondence. I came to know of you in my +search for a reliable and reputable person to handle a very confidential +business transaction, which involves the transfer of a huge sum of money to an +account requiring maximum confidence. I am writing you in absolute confidence +primarily to seek your assistance in acquiring oil funds that are presently +trapped in the republic of Iraq. My partners and I solicit your assistance in +completing a transaction begun by my father, who has long been actively engaged +in the extraction of petroleum in the United States of America, and bravely +served his country as director of the United States Central Intelligence Agency. +In the decade of the nineteen-eighties, my father, then vice-president of the +United States of America, sought to work with the good offices of the President +of the Republic of Iraq to regain lost oil revenue sources in the neighboring +Islamic republic of Iran. This unsuccessful venture was soon followed by a +falling-out with his Iraqi partner, who sought to acquire additional oil revenue +sources in the neighboring emirate of Kuwait, a wholly-owned U.S.-British +subsidiary. My father re-secured the petroleum assets of Kuwait in 1991 at a +cost of sixty-one billion U.S. dollars ($61,000,000,000). Out of that cost, +thirty-six billion dollars ($36,000,000,000) were supplied by King Hussein, +Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and other Persian Gulf monarchies, and sixteen billion +dollars ($16,000,000,000) by German and Japanese partners. But my father's +former Iraqi business partner remained in control of the republic of Iraq and +its petroleum reserves. My family is calling for your urgent assistance in +funding the removal of the President of the Republic of Iraq and acquiring the +petroleum assets of his country, as compensation for the costs of removing him +from power. Unfortunately, our partners from 1991 are not willing to shoulder +the burden of this new venture, which in its upcoming phase may cost the sum of +100 billion to 200 billion dollars ($100,000,000,000 - $200,000,000,000), both +in the initial acquisition and in long-term management. Without the funds from +our 1991 partners, we would not be able to acquire the oil revenue trapped +within Iraq. That is why my family and our colleagues are urgently seeking your +gracious assistance. Our distinguished colleagues in this business transaction +include the sitting vice-president of the United States of America, Richard +Cheney, who is an original partner in the Iraq venture and former head of the +Halliburton oil company, and Condoleeza Rice, whose professional dedication to +the venture was demonstrated in the naming of a Chevron oil tanker after her. I +would beseech you to transfer a sum equaling ten to twenty-five percent(10-25 %) +of your yearly income to our account to aid in this important venture. The +Internal Revenue Service of the United States of America will function as our +trusted intermediary. I propose that you make this transfer before the fifteenth +(15th) of the month of April. I know that a transaction of this magnitude would +make anyone apprehensive and worried. But I am assuring you that all will be +well at the end of the day. A bold step taken shall not be regretted, I assure +you. Please do be informed that this business transaction is 100% legal. If you +do not wish to co-operate in this transaction, please contact our intermediary +representatives to further discuss the matter. I pray that you understand our +plight. My family and our colleagues will be forever grateful. Please reply in +strict confidence to the contact numbers below. Sincerely with warm regards, +George Walker Bush Switchboard: 202.456.1414 Comments: 202.456.1111 Fax: +202.456.2461 e-mail: presid...@whitehouse.gov + +US battles to save storm victims Watch the airlift Emergency teams in the +southern US are battling to reach survivors of Hurricane Katrina, the most +destructive storm to hit the country in decades. Hundreds of people are feared +dead in Mississippi, and the Louisiana city of New Orleans is badly flooded. The +city mayor said rescuers were unable to retrieve the dead. "They're just pushing +them aside," he said. Amid worsening conditions, officials plan to evacuate a +New Orleans stadium where up to 20,000 people took shelter. The Superdome +stadium is without power, and toilets are overflowing. Map of central New +Orleans "It's a very, very desperate situation," Louisiana Governor Kathleen +Blanco said. [an error occurred while processing this directive] One resident of +New Orleans said escaping from the storm was "hell". "We were screaming, +hollering, flashing lights. It was complete chaos," Kioka Williams told the +Associated Press news agency. She had to hack her way through the ceiling of her +beauty shop as flood waters rose in the city of half a million people - much of +which lies below sea level. Flooding Walls keeping water out of the bowl-shaped +city have been breached, and emergency teams are using helicopters to drop +1,350kg (3,000lb) sandbags and concrete barriers into the gaps. Before the +phones went, I was told [my family in Biloxi] had lost their roof, barn, 2 oak +trees and many pines and they were letting in water Natalie McVeigh Oakley, +England Your Katrina experiences Blogging Katrina New Orleans mayor Ray Nagin +said up to 80% of the city was submerged, in some cases by waters 6m (20ft) +deep. He warned water levels could still rise. "Some sections of the city which +are dry now could see nine or 10 feet (some 3m) of water," he said. The US Army +Corps of Engineers says it could take a month to clear the flood waters, and the +government's disaster relief agency has urged evacuees not to try to get back to +their homes. The BBC's Alastair Leithead in New Orleans says there is panic as +vital supplies run out. Heavily armed police have been trying to impose a form +of martial law to stem outbreaks of looting. While some looters are stealing +non-essential goods, others are simply trying to find food and water. 'Hundreds +dead' The situation appears to be even worse in Mississippi. "You're going to be +looking at hundreds dead along the coast," a state official said. [an error +occurred while processing this directive] Casinos housed in barges have been +hurled onto the beach and beyond. Tens of thousands are homeless, and officials +say it could be weeks before power is restored. "I can only imagine that this is +what Hiroshima looked like 60 years ago," said Mississippi Governor Haley +Barbour after viewing the destruction from the air. Survivors are being found +all the time, including two children who lost their parents. Harrison County in +Mississippi bore the brunt of Hurricane Katrina as it slammed into Biloxi and +Gulfport before heading inland. Mississippi media earlier reported 54 people +killed in the state. In Biloxi, 30 people were reported dead in one block of +flats which was hit by a 9m (30ft) "storm surge". The town's death toll may be +"in the hundreds", municipal spokesman Vincent Creel said. Mobilising +Louisiana's Governor Blanco urged residents to spend Wednesday in prayer and +assured them the crisis would eventually be overcome. Follow Katrina's path The +US Red Cross has mobilised thousands of volunteers for its biggest-ever natural +disaster effort and federal emergency teams are being dispatched to affected +areas. President George W Bush, who has cut his holiday two days short, has +called on Americans to donate to the Red Cross or other organisations. Damage +estimates of more than $25bn suggest it could be the US insurance industry's +most expensive natural disaster ever. The price of crude oil on the +international market hit a record $70.85 a barrel due to the vulnerability of +oil and gas fields in the Gulf of Mexico. The US energy secretary has announced +that oil will be released from government petroleum reserves. Return to the top + +MOON LANDING HOAX: CHURCH = TECHNOLOGY & GOVERNMENT - Shuttle Carried on +Aircraft model Q: NASA IS A WASTE! ( Answered, 2 Comments ) Question Subject: +NASA IS A WASTE! Category: Science > Astronomy Asked by: yheggy-ga List Price: +$2.00 Posted: 25 Oct 2004 18:32 PDT Expires: 24 Nov 2004 17:32 PST Question ID: +420072 How much money does the USA give NASA per year? Answer Subject: Re: NASA +IS A WASTE! Answered By: googlenut-ga on 25 Oct 2004 19:14 PDT Hello yheggy-ga, +On September 21, 2004, the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee approved $16.379 +billion in funding for NASA for fiscal year 2005. This is a $200 million +increase over what NASA received for fiscal year 2004. U.S. Senate Committee on +Appropriations Press Release September 21, 2004 "National Aeronautics and Space +Administration (NASA): is funded at $16.379 billion, an increase of $200 million +over the FY04 enacted level, and a reduction of $665 million from the budget +request. An additional $800 million in emergency funding was added for NASA +during the Committee's consideration of the bill. -- The return to flight +activities for the Shuttle program are funded at $4.319 billion, the requested +level from the Administration. -- The International Space Station is funded at +$1.6 billion. The bill reduces ISS operations by $120 million due to the +continued reduced capability of the ISS for at least half of FY05. -- The +Moon/Mars vision: --- The Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV) is funded at $268 +million. --- A lunar exploration mission is funded at $20 million. --- $10 +million is provided for Centennial Challenges. Neighborhood Reinvestment +Corporation (NRC): is funded at $115 million, the same as FY04 and the budget +request." Spacetoday.net Senate increases NASA funding "The Senate +Appropriations Committee used a somewhat controversial technique Tuesday to +increase NASA's fiscal year 2005 budget by $200 million over what President Bush +requested. The committee voted to give NASA $16.4 billion in 2005, about $200 +million more than what the President requested and over $1 billion more than +what House appropriators approved in July." I hope you have found this +information helpful. If you have any questions, please request clarification +prior to rating the answer. Googlenut Google Search Terms: nasa funding Comments +Log in to add a comment Subject: Re: NASA IS A WASTE! From: saem_aero-ga on 26 +Oct 2004 18:11 PDT Excellent answer googlenut. Let me add some additional info. +You can get details about NASA spending here, from their own webpage. Also, from +their own webpage, reasons why NASA is important, in a 5th grade format. I guess +if you are someone not familiar with how NASA benefits our society I can see how +one might form the opinion of yheggy-ga. Let me put it this way - If you have +watched TV recently, crossed a modern bridge, flown in an airplane, recieved any +form of modern medicine, did any mathematics, drove a car, used a cellular +phone, etc. then you have somehow directly reaped the rewards which NASA has +returned to us. Also NASA has a large outreach program for education, some +people believe this is important. Best, Steve. Subject: Re: NASA IS A WASTE! +From: jaqamofino-ga on 26 Apr 2005 06:02 PDT i believe that NASA is a HUGE waste +of tax payers' money, but there are so many huge wastes of tax payer monies, +that i find it best not to think about it. i also think the National Endowment +for the Arts is a waste, but i guess i would rather see my money go to the NEA +than NASA. of course, in a perfect world, tax payers' money would go toward some +sort of national healthcare program, and housing for the homeless, but this is +far from a perfect world. in response to Steve's comment: do you really believe +that spending trillions on space exploration over the years was the ONLY way to +invent the cellfone? and bridges??? i find that extremely hard to believe. i +think it could have been done in a much more cost efficient way, right here on +bad-old-planet-earth. just my two cents. thanks for listening. + +Please take a moment to read this. I realize that it may sound strange, but we +are desparate in our efforts and are willing to try anything to help our dear +sick friend. This costs absolutely nothing, and will take about one minute of +your time. This is not a hoax, as so many of these emails actully are. In quick +summary, Beyond Control, a local band in our area, is sponoring a benefit for a +cancer victim whose benefits have run out. That band is involved in a local +competition which promises a $5000 first prize, which they would like to win in +order to donate it to the benefit fund which they have started. Below are some +emails to friends explaining a little more about this effort. What we are trying +to do is solicit votes for the band, in order to put them in first place. They +are currently in third place, and need your help so that the prize money can be +used for a humanatarian cause. You can vote at the following link, it will only +take a few seconds. Please take a moment to click on the link below and cast +your vote for Beyond Control. Thank you in advance for your contribution to this +effort. Also, please pass this along to everyone you know, and all of your email +contacts. We need the power of the internet to pull this off. The web site is +You can check the validity of all of this at the Beyond Control website. That +address is . The home page for Rockin on the River is , and it lists all the +acts scheduled for the season. You can check that out as well, to confirm that +this is all real, and for a worthy cause. Abby is our beloved friend, and we are +trying to raise money for her any way we can, so this prize money is important +to help her continue to receive her life-saving treatments. Many thanks, and may +God bless you all and keep you healthy. Here are some emails we have sent, along +with the flyer for the Benefit fund raiser we are holding in June, just for your +information. Roy, I am sending you some info that I have passed along regarding +the effort to win the cash for the fund raising benefit. If you can pass this +info along, and ask everyone you know to forward it to their contacts, etc, we +may have a shot at pulling this off. Thanks, Fred John, I will attach the letter +explaining the benefit we are sponsoring. There is a link to the contest page. +Any help in distributing this will be greatly appreciated. It is certainly for a +good cause. Abby needs to fly to New York twice a month for these treatments, +and her time on the Federal Grant program has expired. She doesn't have the +funds to continue without the grant, and without these treatments, her prognosis +is grim. I hope you have a huge network. Also encourage your recipients to +forward this along to their contacts, and so on, so that the movement to help +her grows exponentially. We must finish in first place in order to contribute +the $5000 to the benefit fund. Thank you so much for caring enough to offer your +help. Fred BENEFIT AUCTION & RAFFLE FOR ABBY FREEMAN WHEN: JUNE 12, 2005, 2:00 +P.M. TO 2:00 A.M. WHERE: MAIN STREET SALOON ADMISSION: DONATIONS AT THE DOOR +Abby Freeman is our good friend who has non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and she needs your +help! Her grant for the life saving treatments she needs has run out, and we +need to help her to continue to receive these treatments. Abby has three +wonderful young children, and friends who love her and need her. Please help us +to help her win this fight. With your help, we know she can do it!! We'll have +four bands, and Big D is cookin' ..... lots of fun and great prizes. This is an +event you don't want to miss!! Bands, food, and prizes are sponsored by Beyond +Control, who will be competing in the Band of the Year Contest at the River +Front Festival in Cuyahoga Falls on July 1. The winner of this competition will +receive $5000, which Beyond Control hopes to win in order to donate it to the +Abby Freeman fund. Please help us by logging onto the Rockin on the River +website at . Cast a vote for Beyond Control, and help us provide Abby with her +life saving treatments again. Donations can also be made through Charter One +Bank. Make checks payable to Kendel Bunnell c/o Benefit for Abby Freeman + +By Richard Spencer (Filed: 19/11/2004) China's insatiable demand for energy is +prompting fears of financial and diplomatic collisions around the globe as it +seeks reliable supplies of oil from as far away as Brazil and Sudan. An +intrusion into Japanese territorial waters by a Chinese nuclear submarine last +week and a trade deal with Brazil are the latest apparently unconnected +consequences of China's soaring economic growth. Increased car usage in China is +creating a high demand for petrol The connection, however, lies in an order +issued last year by President Hu Jintao to seek secure oil supplies abroad - +preferably ones which could not be stopped by America in case of conflict over +Taiwan. The submarine incident was put down to a "technical error" by the +Chinese government, which apologised to Japan. But even before the incident the +People's Daily, the government mouthpiece, had commented that competition over +the East China Sea between the two countries was "only a prelude of the game +between China and Japan in the arena of international energy". The Brazil trade +deal included funding for a joint oil-drilling and pipeline programme at a cost +that experts said would add up to three times the cost of simply buying oil on +the market. The West, however, has paid little attention to these developments. +For the United States and Europe are far more concerned with the even more +sensitive issues of China's relations with "pariah states". In September, China +threatened to veto any move to impose sanctions on Sudan over the atrocities in +Darfur. It has invested $3 billion in the African country's oil industry, which +supplies it with seven per cent of its needs. Then, this month, it said that it +opposed moves to refer Iran's nuclear stand-off with the International Atomic +Energy Agency to the United Nations Security Council. A week before, China's +second biggest state oil firm had signed a $70 billion deal for oilfield and +natural gas development with Iran, which already supplies 13 per cent of China's +needs. China has its own reserves of oil and natural gas and once was a net oil +exporter. But as its economy has expanded by an average of nine per cent per +year for the last two decades, so has its demand for energy. This year it +overtook Japan as the world's second largest consumer of energy, behind the US. +Its projected demand, boosted by a huge rise in car ownership as well as the +need to find alternatives to polluting coal for electricity generation, has +contributed to the surge in the price of oil this year. Shortages are already +leading to power cuts in the big cities. Since President Hu ordered state-owned +oil firms to "go abroad" to ensure supply, they have begun drilling for gas in +the East China Sea, just west of the line that Japan regards as its border. +Japan protested, to no avail, that the project should be a joint one. The two +are also set to clash over Russia's oil wealth. China is furious that Japan has +outbid it in their battle to determine the route of the pipeline that Russia +intends to build to the Far East. Japan favoured a route to the sea, enabling +oil to be shipped to both Japan and China. China wanted an overland route +through its own territory, which would give it ultimate control if hostilities +broke out. Increasingly, analysts are saying that China's efforts have gone +beyond what is safe or even in its own interests. Claude Mandil, the executive +director of the International Energy Agency in Paris, said the reserves in the +East China Sea were hardly worth the trouble. "Nobody thinks that there will be +a lot of oil and gas in this part of the world," he said. "It may be a difficult +political issue but I don't think the energy content is worthwhile." Eurasia +Group, a New York-based firm of political analysts, said its oil experts worked +out that China was paying such an inflated price for its investment in Brazil +that the cost for the oil it ended up with was three times the market price. "If +China's economy falters, which, in my view, appears increasingly likely, then +commodity prices will plummet, and with them, the value of the assets that +produce them," Jason Kindopp, Eurasia's lead China analyst, said. "Beijing may +end up in a early 1990s Japan situation, where it is forced to sell recently +purchased overseas assets for a fraction of what it paid for them." China's +wider aggression to secure oil and gas was the greatest threat to its +international standing in the next decade. "Sudan is the primary example," he +said. "It marks the first time in recent years that China has promised to wield +its veto power in the UN Security Council against a petition initiated by the +United States and backed by France and Great Britain." + +Email: dharmad...@gmail.com Visualizations as a helpful beginning technique +----------------------------------------------- If you consider that you still +need the assistance of other visualizations to help the mind feel the spirit of +transcendence, try the following before moving onto the more formal method +below. Visualisations can be as useful tools, but meditation is more than that. +Meditation has to do with what is called ideation. It is always good to stick to +a formal intense meditation practice like the one for beginners described in the +MP3 file that follows after the visualisations. Find a comfortable place on the +floor and sit with your legs crossed. Place your hands one on top of the other +in your lap, keep your back straight, eyes closed and tongue on the roof of your +mouth. Your breathing should be calm and relaxed, through the nose. Spend a +minute or so concentrating on your breath, feeling the air flowing through your +nostrils. 1. Warm Sun Visualization Continue to breathe slowly and deeply. With +each breath, feel the muscles in your body becoming lighter and lighter, and +also your external motor and sensory organs are feeling like they are +withdrawing from the world into a special inner quietness. Imagine the tension +melting away as you continue breathing rhythmically and naturally. Picture +yourself sitting on a warm, tropical beach basking in the glow of the sun ... . +Visualize the vivid, beautiful colours of the earth (its flowers and plants), +the sea next to you, and the sky above you. Feel yourself floating above the +earth and sea. As you sit above the world, the warmth of the golden sun +penetrates your body and makes you feel warmer and warmer. It surrounds you. The +golden rays feel soft and soothing. Now you are far above the earth - into +space. Everything around you is so vast. Yet, there is warmth and a familiarity +with the vastness. You want to merge your mind with the greater universal Mind +that surrounds you. Continue to ideate on this intense desire for your mind to +merge with the that universal Consciousness. And while doing so continue using +the Baba Nam Kevalam mantra (breathe in with Baba Nam, breathe out with +Kevalam). Try this for 5 to 10 minutes. Now come back to earth again - slowly. +Imagine yourself sitting on the beach serenely and restfully. Your muscles are +loose and limp. Feel your body sinking slightly into the sand making that +earthly connection again. The sun's rays and warmth are still with you, +surrounding you. You are in a state of peace and relaxation. With each breath, +watch your body and ensure that it remains relaxed - at peace. Continue to feel +the warmth of the sunlight all over your body, warming you deeply and gently. +You want to bring something back with you from your deep space experience where +you sensed your mind merging with the universal Mind. This will be the warmth of +the sun - a close reminder and link between earth and the infinite space. +Visualize the inside of your body bathed in the golden light, absorbing every +ray and glowing as radiantly as the sun. A warm, gentle breeze swirls around +your body and relaxes you even more .Let your mind and body be totally at peace. +Now feel yourself returning to where you sit ... move your hands and feet a +little, stretch them. Open your eyes. 2. Mountain Visualization Another thing +you can try. Imagine you're sitting on top of a mountain, and that it's the most +peaceful place you can think of. Feel that you're sitting there in complete +peace, right on top of the world. Now imagine that infinite happiness is +surrounding you in every direction. Feel you're completely surrounded by that +infinite peace and happiness. Now start to repeat within your mind the mantra: +BABA NAM KEVALAM. Its meaning is "Infinite happiness is everywhere". Feel the +meaning, don't just think of its wordy meaning or try to translate from Sanskrit +(BABA NAM KEVALAM) to an English meaning (Infinite peace and happiness). Think +internally, intuitively, not by words, of the meaning, as you're repeating it. +This is called ideation. It is important to take the idea, not just the +intellectual analysis. Touching deep into the idea is what builds intuition - it +is a synthetic process. Whereas, trying to translate and grapple with wordy +meanings is an intellectual mechanism - an analytical process. Feel you're +surrounded by infinite peace and happiness, and feel that your own sense of +existence is in direct contact with that endless peace and happiness all around +you. You can go further and feel that your unit consciousness, a dot in the +Infinite Consciousness, is merging with Infinity. Continue for as long as you +like, then open your eyes. OK that is fairly basic :). The important point is to +develop some psycho-spiritual connection between your mind and the universal +Consciousness or Supreme Consciousness. Don't worry if you have trouble +concentrating on the mantra and ideation - that's normal. It takes some time and +practice to be able to focus on the one thought. The main thing is to keep +practicing. If you don't practice, then nothing happens. Well maybe a miracle +could happen, but lets face it we're ordinary people and so require practical +day to day techniques! --- + +NORTH CAROLINA RELIGIOUS COALITION FOR MARRIAGE EQUALITY From what we hear from +the news media, one could easily conclude that all Christians are opposed to gay +marriage. But that’s not the case. Last year an organization named the North +Carolina Religious Coalition for Marriage Equality was formed to get out the +message that at least some people of faith are not opposed to extending the +rights and responsibilities of civil marriage to same-gender couples. One of +“NCRC4ME’s” major efforts is to collect signatures for the attached “Declaration +of Religious Leaders,” which has been and will again be presented to members of +the NC legislature. It presents the case for marriage equality and states, “We +are resolved that the State should not interfere with same-gender couples who +choose to marry and share fully and equally in the rights, responsibilities, and +commitments of civil marriage.” A measure to amend the NC Constitution to ban +gay marriage was defeated last year but already has been reintroduced in the +2005 legislative session, so there is a real need for visible support for the +“pro-same-gender-marriage” side of this issue. At its February meeting the CHS +Vestry voted unanimously to add their names to the Declaration. Our Rector +Barbara and our Deacon Clare also have signed the Declaration. Furthermore, the +Vestry voted unanimously to invite the support of members of the CHS +congregation for the Declaration. (Since the Declaration is written as coming +from “religious leaders,” people who don’t consider themselves “religious +leaders” can sign as “Supporters of the North Carolina Religious Coalition for +Marriage Equality.”) Please note that the Declaration addresses only civil +marriage; it says nothing about religious beliefs or practices regarding +marriage. If you have any questions please feel free to call me (after Sat. the +26th, when I will return from a trip). Sign-up lists will be available at the +services on Feb. 27 and March 6, or you can email me. I will email names and +email addresses (or postal addresses) of signers to NCRC4ME in time for their +“lobby day” in Raleigh on March 15. Thank you for your consideration of this +issue. For the Church of the Holy Spirit Vestry, Dudley Cate 828-296-8466 +jodud...@aol.com --------------------------- North Carolina Religious Coalition +for Marriage Equality Declaration of Religious Leaders April 19, 2004 The most +fundamental human right, after the necessities of food, clothing and shelter, is +the right to affection and the supportive love of other human beings. We become +most fully human when we love another person. We can grow in our capacity to be +human - to be loving - in a family unit. This right to love and form a family is +so fundamental that our United States Constitution takes it for granted in its +dedication to "secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity.” +The North Carolina Constitution likewise affirms the “inalienable rights” of +human beings to "life, liberty, the enjoyment of the fruits of their own labor, +and the pursuit of happiness." Throughout history, tyrants have known that by +denying the right of oppressed peoples to form and nurture families, they can +kill the spirit of those peoples. >From the shameful history of slavery in +America, the injustice of forbidding people to marry is evident as a denial of a +basic human right. The American laws forbidding interracial marriage, now struck +down, were clearly discriminatory. Denial of the status of marriage to those who +would freely accept its responsibilities creates legal and economic inequities +and social injustice. We feel called to protest and oppose this injustice. As +religious people, clergy and lay leaders, we are mandated by faith to stand for +justice in our common civic life. We oppose the use of sacred texts and +religious traditions to deny legal equity to same-gender couples. As concerned +citizens we affirm the liberty of adults of the same gender to love and marry. +We insist that no one, especially the state, is allowed to coerce people into +marriage or bar two consenting adults, whether of the same or differing genders, +from forming the family unit that lets them be more fully loving, thus more +fully human. We respect the fact that debate and discussion continue in many of +our religious communities as to the scriptural, theological and liturgical +issues involved. However, we draw on our many faith traditions to arrive at a +common conviction. We are resolved that the State should not interfere with +same-gender couples who choose to marry and share fully and equally in the +rights, responsibilities, and commitments of civil marriage. We affirm freedom +of conscience in this matter. We recognize that the state may not require +religious groups to officiate at, or bless, same-gender marriages. Likewise, a +denial of state civil recognition dishonors the religious convictions of those +communities and clergy who officiate at, and bless, same-gender marriages. The +state may not favor the convictions of one religious group over another by +denying individuals their fundamental right to marry and to have those marriages +recognized by civil law. As faith leaders, we commit ourselves to public action, +visibility, education, and mutual support in the service of the right and +freedom to marry. -- Tom Dempsey Gulf Breeze, FL 850-748-0740 + +Email: Bill McGinnis The One Reason Why All Americans +Should Oppose The Nomination Of Samuel Alito He Would Tear Down Our System Of +Checks And Balances, Giving Far Too Much Power To The President My Fellow +Americans: As many of you may have heard, President Bush has nominated a +long-time Federal Judge named Samuel Alito to become the next member of the +United States Supreme Court, to fill a vacancy created by the retirement of +another member of the Court. Under our Constitution, this nomination cannot take +effect unless and until the United States Senate gives its Consent, as described +in our Constitution, Article II, Section 2. A copy of the Constitution, with +links back to the official source, is located at +http://loveallpeople.org/usconstitutiona.txt Judge Samuel Alito is very highly +qualified by all of the normal standards used to evaluate candidates for this +position: He has a very high intellect. He graduated very high in his class, +from Princeton undergraduate and from Law School at Yale. He has a long and +distinguished record, including many years as a Federal Appeals Judge, the next +level below Supreme Court. He has encyclopedic knowledge of hundreds of +different Supreme Court cases, and he can recite details from memory. He +demonstrates an excellent "Judicial Temperament," being courteous, +mild-mannered, respectful of all people; careful in his work, meticulous in +detail. His co-workers love him. His fellow judges love him. His family loves +him. President Bush loves him. Yes, it is true that some people don't like the +way they think he will vote on the Supreme Court. But other people do like the +way they think he will vote, and the ones who favor him seem to outnumber the +ones who oppose him. So now the Senate is getting ready to vote soon, on whether +to approve him or not; and at this moment (evening of Jan. 27, 2006) it looks +like he has more than the fifty-one votes needed for approval. The President is +very eager to go ahead quickly and get this vote, because he very much wants to +have Samuel Alito on the Supreme Court, to be judging the cases Bush is +interested in. So there is a lot of hurry-up pressure on the Senate to give its +prompt vote of approval. There is an old saying that applies in this situation: +"Act in haste, repent at leisure." Sometimes you can make a bad decision very +quickly, then regret it for many years to come. That is what is about to happen +with Judge Samuel Alito, in my opinion, because he has one tragic flaw - a very +serious blind spot in his thinking - which makes him completely unacceptable for +the position of Supreme Court Justice: He does not really agree with the system +of "Checks and Balances" built into the Constitution, and he is ready to start +tearing it down in order to follow the "Unitary Executive Theory," which calls +for vastly-increased Presidential Power at the expense of Congress and the +Supreme Court. And because of this tragic flaw . . . "He Would Tear Down Our +System Of Checks And Balances, Giving Far Too Much Power To The President." In +our Constitutional system, we have three branches of the Federal Government: the +Legislative, Executive, and Judicial branches. And the basic idea behind the +Checks and Balances we have is that if one branch of the Government goes crazy, +the other two can hold it down. But Samuel Alito believes in a little-known +Constitutional theory - called the "Unitary Executive Theory" - which says that +the President should have complete control over the Executive Branch, and that +the Executive Branch should be in charge of almost everything that the +Government actually does, including the functions of the Independent Agencies +which were designed to be free of Presidential control, and the Military, which +exists, which is regulated, and which is funded by specific authority given by +the Constitution to Congress, not to the President. The Military is not part of +the Executive Branch: it is a separate entity. "Commander In Chief" doesn't mean +that he is the boss of the Military, merely that he is the Administrator, just +as he is the Administrator of the Executive Branch, charged with "executing +faithfully" all the laws passed by Congress and all the Decisions rendered by +the Supreme Court. Under the Unitary Executive Theory, the Laws of Congress and +Decisions of the Supreme Court have no actual authority unless the President +agrees with them. And so Congress and the Supreme Court become mere advisors to +the President, with no real authority over him. And the President becomes a +Dictator, unrestrained by anything in the Constitution, backed up by the Armed +Forces, which would be entirely under his personal control. And thus the United +States of America - The Land Of The Free And The Home Of The Brave - becomes +just another Military Dictatorship, no better than Nazi Germany or Fascist Italy +during World War II. AND THAT IS WHY ALL AMERICANS SHOULD OPPOSE THE NOMINATION +OF SAMUEL ALITO. For details and further proof, please see these websites: +Testimony at http://judiciary.senate.gov/testimony.cfm?id=1725&wit_id=4905 +Descriptions and Links at http://www.UnitaryExecutive.net Blessings to you. May +God help us all. And may God bless America! Rev. Bill McGinnis, Director +http://www.LoveAllPeople.org and http://www.InternetchurchOfChrist.org Copies of +this message are located below. If you want to help, please send them to +everyone you know who needs to read them. +http://www.loveallpeople.org/theonereasonwhy.html and +http://www.loveallpeople.org/theonereasonwhy.txt ### CONTACT William McGinnis +(Rev. Bill McGinnis) 1908 Mt Vernon Ave #2543 Alexandria, VA 22301 7037686710 +bmc...@patriot.net Reply + +NASA & Company Diplomacy - Trying to keep Moon Landing Hoax a secret in modern +times Some strategies being used by NASA & Company in relation to China and +other space planning countries are mentioned here after being gleaned from a +news item underneath. Country has an Independent strategy = NASA & company to +use "Numero Uno" strategy, try to assert, beat, mesh and control the space +program of the country. This can also be through political, economical, social, +and technological influence. Country not open or not have fixed strategy = NASA +& Company to use "freeze thawed" strategy especially when the country has a +challenging, growing and ambitious space program. This can also be through +political, economical, social, and technological influence. Dependant = NASA & +Company to use "space station" model to unify the aims of different countries. +This is really an end goal aim of NASA & Company and also does not allow anyone +challenging the moon landing hoax. The target for NASA & Company probably to get +by 2018 all the ambitious space program countries shifting towards this model, +through the propaganda of another moon mission; deliberately failing this or +trying hard for another moon landing hoax; achieving the real aim of space unity +between space programs of other countries. China launches its second manned +spaceflight mission Secretive efforts keep outsiders in the dark about the +program's goals By MARK CARREAU Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle Reuters China +launched Shenzhou VI, its second manned spacecraft, early today in northwest +China's Gansu Province. A pair of military pilots embarked on China's second +manned space flight early today, hurtling into orbit on a test mission that +could span five days. The crew of the Shenzhou VI spacecraft was identified as +Fei Junlong, 40, and Nie Haishen, 41, by China's official news agency. The +successful launch from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China +follows the solo flight of Yang Liwei in October 2003. His one-day mission +vaulted his communist homeland into the elite circle of spacefaring nations - +Russia and the United States - that can launch and sustain humans in space. Most +experts believe China intends to develop a small space station of its own over +the next several years. But they remain uncertain about whether China aims to +beat the United States to the moon in its secretive space effort. President Bush +has directed NASA to return to the moon by 2018 with a new generation of human +explorers. China's "is not a fly-by-night program," said Joan Johnson-Freese, an +expert on national security who follows space developments in the Asian nation +at the Naval War College in Newport, R.I. "They are not in any hurry. They want +a program that will be a success," Johnson-Freese said. "They are not going to +rush it, because they don't want it to be a budget buster. Economics will be a +big determiner in the speed of their program." China's overtures to join the +U.S.-led effort to develop the 16-nation international space station have been +thwarted for more than a decade over a range of issues, including the Asian +country's human rights policies and worries it could acquire technologies that +could pose a security threat. The freeze thawed some after Yang's 2003 mission. +China was among 30 nations invited to send a delegate to NASA-sponsored +roundtable discussions on Bush's strategy to reach the moon with astronauts as +the first step in the exploration of Mars and other-deep space destinations. "We +applaud China's space achievements," NASA spokesman Allard Beutel said Tuesday. +"We wish them a successful return of their astronauts." He stressed, however, +that NASA would not follow this week's Chinese mission through formal channels. +At present, there are no plans for additional meetings with foreign powers to +discuss the Bush exploration initiative or to extend an invitation to China to +join the space station partnership, Beutel said. The flight of Fei and Nie could +mark the end of the opening chapter in a three-phase Chinese space initiative, +Johnson-Freese said. The first phase, she said, will demonstrate the capability +of a multi-compartment spacecraft that will leave a test module in orbit when +the two fliers return to Earth. The Chinese program's second phase will include +spacewalks on future missions and demonstrations of docking and undocking +techniques. The final phase will feature the assembly and operation of a +longer-duration space lab. At least one expert believes China's intentions might +include a surprise attempt to circle the moon with astronauts before NASA's +planned lunar return. "The Americans would be wise to plan accordingly," said +John E. Pike, director of the Alexandria, Va.-based GlobalSecurity.org, a small +national security think tank. "There is always the possibility they could jam us +up, make us look like we are not numero uno," Pike said. During the U.S. and +Russian lunar race during the Cold War, NASA scored an early coup by circling +the moon with the Apollo 8 crew over the 1968 Christmas holidays. As it turned +out, the Soviets never made it to the moon. "(China) could be the second country +to do that," Pike said. "They would get in line in front of the Russians. And +they would not have to land on the moon to take us down a notch." Pike's concern +is based on China's development of a new medium-lift rocket, the Long March V, +and the construction of a new space launch complex on Hainan Island in the South +China Sea. The two developments, he said, could eventually enable China's space +program to mature to the point that experts could assemble and launch from +Earth's orbit a spacecraft capable of circling the moon with astronauts and +returning home. mark.carr...@chron.com + +Email: "righter" Groups: alt.animals.rights.promotion, +alt.animals, alt.animals.cat, alt.animals.ethics.vegetarian, alt.animals.lion, +alt.animals.tiger, alt.animals.felines.diseases, alt.animals.dog, +alt.animals.horses.breeding, alt.animals.felines.snowleopards I'm a member of a +local animal rights news, and get regular emails from other members and the +staff. Recently, I read an email that reported the horrific nightmare Civet Cats +go through by sick losers who put them in sheds and heat the inside of the sheds +up to 110 degrees with fires, so that they can periodically scrape the sweat off +of their genitals and sell it to corrupt corporations who use it to prolong the +scent of perfumes. The animals eventually die, which is because these demons are +so GREEDY, they want as much of their "product" as they can get, instead of +letting the cats go after a point, as an act of humanity, mercy, love. Below I +pasted the email text, and it has a link to a website that automatically plays +this song the author of the email created. It has cat's "Meowing" for the +vocals, and you might really find yourself in those furnaces, feeling and +thinking those terrible feelings and thoughts that these cats do before they +die. Right now, while we're sitting at our computers enjoying the internet, +those innocent, beautiful, loving cats, are dying, somewhere in this troubled +world a slow, agonizing death. The main reason I wrote this post is to ask +anyone reading this if they know of some way I can help put a stop to this Cat +Holocaust. I am serious about doing something. If I love cats so much, why +aren't I DOING something??? I don't want to appear before God on judgment day +and have to explain why I didn't do anything like this in my life. Any +suggestions would be appreciated. Here's the text of the email: Hi there, I read +the Civet Cat story from a little while ago, and tonight, when my Mom emailed me +about it, I re-read it, and went to the website with the song the author of the +email created. Well, sure enough, when I heard the cats "Meowing," I imagined +the hellish moments these poor beautiful creatures of God were living, what went +on in their tiny, sweet little minds, and decided that I want to do something +about this torture. So, if anyone can give me some advice, I'd sure appreciate +it! I think for starters, myself and those of you who believe in God could say a +special prayer for them. I will. I've pasted the email for those who haven't +seen or would like to re-read it. It's also got the website where the song has +been uploaded. I was thinking, that while I'm sitting here, relaxing and +enjoying myself, those poor innocent animals are being cooked to death with heat +in those Holocaust-esque death chambers. And what am I DOING about it? From: +Travis Job Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2004 02:39:27 -0800 To: SPAR + Subject: Civet Cats, James Rachels + a song This is my first +time posting to the list, so I feel somewhat embarrassed by "promoting" a song I +wrote, but I think it is fitting because it is directly tied to extreme animal +suffering as a result of human lack of empathy, but an abundance of human greed. +I'm not sure if any of you know much about civet cats, but to brief those who +might not know, I will quote James Rachels, author of World Hunger and Moral +Obligation among many other animal rights-related books and articles. (I kind of +see him to be for animal rights theory as Peter Singer is to the theory of +utilitarianism applied to non-human animals). The quote is from an article +entitled "Vegetarianism and `The Other Weight Problem'" If anyone wants the +complete article, email me, as it is a very good article which no meat-eater can +read and not sense their own hypocrisy. But this is what he says about civet +cats: "As an example, consider the treatment of the civet cat, a highly +intelligent and sociable animal. Civet cats are trapped and placed in small +cages inside darkened sheds, where the temperature is kept up to 110 F by fires. +They are confined in this way until they finally die. What justifies this +extraordinary mistreatment? These animals have the misfortune to produce a +substance that is useful in the manufacture of perfume. Musk, which is scraped +from their genitals once a day for as long as they can surv ive, makes the scent +of perfume last a bit longer after each application. (The heat increases their +"production" of musk.) Here Kant's rule--"Animals are merely means to an end; +that end is man"--is applied with a vengeance. To promote one of the most +trivial interests we have, thousands of animals are tormented for their whole +lives." This article, and specifically this piece, effected me enough to try to +build a song around the topic. If anyone is interested in listening to this +song, and in offering their opinion, whether it be positive or negative, I'd +appreciate it. But I also hope no one feels any obligation to download, +especially if you have an internet connection as slow mine (28k). The url for +the song is http://www.sonic.net/~fsjob/TragiCore-TheCivetCat.mp3 Although there +are no human vocals/lyrics, I think it's subject matter is audible. Again, if +anyone wants to read Rachels' entire article, let me know. It's also on the net. +I was already a vegetarian when I read it a little more than a year ago, but it +was one of the bigger factors for me in going completely vegan. I hope all are +well. Farewell for now... Travis Job icq uin: 5249025 "Note to Wigner: Do you +think your friend could feed my cat? Heisenberg wasn't sure. Thanks, +--Shrodinger" ------------------- .: GO VEGAN :. + +MAKE THOUSANDS!!! -- THIS IS NOT A SCAM!!! I found this on a bulletin board and +decided to try it: I don't care about the useless pre-fabricated crap this +message usually says. All I say is, it works. Continue pre-fab crap. WELL GUESS +WHAT!!! Within seven days, I started getting money in the mail!! I was shocked!! +I figured it would end soon, but the money just kept coming in. In my first +week, I made about $25.00. By the end of the second week I had made a total of +more than $1000.00!! In the third week I had more than $10,000.00 and it's still +growing!! This is now my fourth week and I have made a total of $42,000.00 and +it's still coming rapidly. It's certainly worth $6.00 and six stamps, and I have +spent more than that on the lottery without ever winning!!! Let me tell you how +this works and most important, why it works.......... also make sure you print +this out NOW, so you can get the information off of it, as you will need it. I +promise you that if you follow the directions exactly that you will start making +more money than you thought possible by doing something so easy!! Suggestion: +Read this entire message carefully!! (Print it out or download it) Follow the +simple directions and watch the money come in!! It's easy. It's legal. And, your +investment is only $6.00 (Plus postage) !!! IMPORTANT: This is not a rip-off, it +is decent; it's legal; and it is virtually no risk - it really works!! If all +the following instructions are adhered to, you will receive extraordinary +dividends. PLEASE NOTE: Please follow the directions EXACTLY, and $50,000 or +more can be yours in 20 to 60 days. This program remains successful because of +the honesty and integrity of the participants. Please continue its success by +carefully adhering to the instructions. You will now become apart of the Mail +Order business. You are in the business of developing Mailing Lists. Many large +corporations are happy to pay big bucks for quality lists. However, the money +made from the mailing lists is secondary to income which is made from people +like you and me asking to be included in that list. Here are the four easy steps +to success. STEP ONE: Get six separate pieces of paper and write the following +on each piece of paper "PLEASE PUT ME ON YOUR MAILING LIST." Now get 6 U.S. +$1.00 bills and place ONE inside of EACH of the six pieces of paper so the bill +will not be seen through the envelope (to prevent thievery). Next, place one +paper in each of the six envelopes and seal them. You now should have six sealed +envelopes, each with a piece of paper stating the above phrase, your name and +address, and a $1.00 bill. What you are doing is creating a service. THIS IS +ABSOLUTELY LEGAL!!!!! You are requesting a legitimate service and you are paying +for it!! Like most of us I was a little skeptical and little worried about the +legal aspects of it all. So I checked it out with the U.S. Post Office +(1-800-238-5355) and they confirmed that it is indeed legal!! Mail the six +envelopes to the following addresses: 1) G. Burrows 1/264 Tor St Toowoomba QLD +4350 Australia 2)S Luest P.O. Box 366 Garden Grove, CA 92842 USA 3) G.V. & A. +Bourret 41 Broome St, #1 Brooklyn, NY 11222 USA 4)R. Ansems Gen. Foulkesstraat 5 +4641 BW Ossendrecht Netherlands 5)W. Brumbley 4632 Hilton Ave Suite # 31 +Columbus, Ohio 43228 STEP TWO:Now take the #1 name off the list that you see +above, move the other names up (six becomes 5, 5 becomes 4, and etc.) and add +YOUR NAME as number 6 on the list. STEP THREE: Change anything you need to but +try to keep this article as close to original as possible. Now post your amended +article to at least 200 news groups. : (I think there are close to 24,000 +groups) All you need is 200, but remember, the more you post, the more money you +make!! This is perfectly legal!! If you have any doubts, refer to Title 18 Sec. +1302 & 1341 of the Postal Lottery laws. Keep a copy of these steps for yourself +and whenever you need money, you can use it again, and again. PLEASE REMEMBER +that this program remains successful because of the honesty and integrity of the +participants and by their carefully adhering to directions. Look at it this way. +If you were of integrity, the program will continue and the money that so many +others have received will come your way. NOTE: You may want to retain every name +and address sent to you, either on a computer or hard copy and keep the notes +people send you. This VERIFIES that you are truly providing a service. (Also, it +might be a good idea to wrap the $1 bill in dark paper to reduce the risk of +mail theft). So, as each post is downloaded and the directions carefully +followed, all members will be reimbursed for their participation as a List +Developer with one dollar each. Your name will move up the list geometrically so +that when your name reaches the #1 position you will be receiving thousands of +dollars in CASH!!! What an opportunity for only $6.00 ( $1.00 for each of the +first six people listed above) Send it now, add your own name to the list and +you're in business!!! *****DIRECTIONS FOR HOW TO POST TO NEWS GROUPS!!!***** +STEP ONE: You do not need to re-type this entire letter to do your own posting. +Simply put your cursor at the beginning of this letter and drag your cursor to +the bottom of this document, and select 'copy' from the edit menu. This will +copy the entire letter into the computer's memory. STEP TWO: Open a blank +'notepad' file and place your cursor at the top of the blank page. From the +'edit' menu select 'paste'. This will paste a copy of the letter into the +notepad so that you will add your name to the list. STEP THREE: Save your new +notepad file as a text file. If you want to do your posting in different +settings, you'll always have this file to go back to. STEP FOUR: Visit message +boards and post this article as a new message by highlighting the text of this +letter and selecting paste from the edit menu. Fill in the subject, this will be +the header that everyone sees as they scroll through the list of postings in a +particular group, click the post message button. You're done. +Congratulations!!!!!! THAT'S IT!! All you have to do, and It Really works!!! +Best Wishes + +Blue Planet: Who's afraid of Big Bad Wolf? By Dan Whipple UNITED PRESS +INTERNATIONAL Boulder, CO, Feb. 23 (UPI) -- Ever since he ate up Red Riding +Hood's grandma and blew down the houses of two-thirds of the Three Little Pigs, +the Big Bad Wolf has held a persistently bad reputation. In part because of that +reputation, the gray wolf was nearly exterminated from the lower 48 states by +the 1920s, except for a small remnant population on Isle Royale National Park in +Michigan's Lake Superior. The last wolf was killed in Yellowstone National Park +in 1943. Western sheep and cattle ranchers, on whose behalf this extermination +campaign was conducted, gratefully dusted their hands of the wolf and wrote him +off as a job well done. Their sheep could graze, their cows could ruminate and +never a discouraging word would be heard. After the major kill-offs, wolves +outside of Alaska and Canada existed mostly as legend. Like UFOs or Sasquatch, +several people claimed to see fleeting lone wolves, usually in Yellowstone. In +the 1960s, a group shooting a movie in the Wyoming park reportedly imported some +captive wolves, then released them when their shooting was done. If so, this +happy band has not been heard from since. Rumor also had it some renegade +biologist brought a caged pair to Yellowstone and released them into the wild +sometime in the 1970s, hoping to reestablish a breeding population. If true, the +caper failed. Over time, the wolf's absence seemed to rehabilitate its image. +Eventually, a trickle of support appeared for bringing the predator back to its +former home range in the northern Rocky Mountains. This trickle grew into a +flood, resulting in 14 wolves being reintroduced in Yellowstone in 1995 by the +U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service -- albeit over the strong and still-continuing +objections of ranchers. These wolf packs have flourished, and now there are an +estimated 850 wolves roaming the northern Rockies, where merely 10 years ago +there were none. One compelling argument for reintroduction was the wolf acts as +a keystone predator, an animal that affects the populations, behavior and +ecology of a wide variety of species within its range. Some recent research +conducted by Oregon State University has given considerable credence to this +idea. OSU forestry professors William Ripple and Robert Beschta have found that +wolves actually promote stream-bank stabilization, although they have given the +phenomenon the unfortunate name of "the ecology of fear" -- something that +smacks of the horrible PR resulting from the wolf's relationships with Riding +Hood and the Three Pigs. They explained that elk in Yellowstone used to browse +unmolested on young aspen and willow growing near the banks of streams, a +behavior that prevented the saplings from reaching mature stages and increased +the possibility of soil erosion. Since reintroduction, however, Ripple and +Beschta have found, fear of the wolves apparently has discouraged the elk from +spending too much time at stream banks -- where they are out in the open -- and +munching on the saplings. "All you have to do is look at the photographs," Ed +Bangs, wolf recovery coordinator for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, told +UPI's Blue Planet, "You say, 'wow!' An area that used to be bald as a billiard +ball is now a sea of willow." This simple change has triggered a veritable +ecological cascade in Yellowstone. More streamside willow and aspen have meant +better habitat for beaver, for instance. Where there had been only one beaver +colony in the park's northern range before the wolves returned, now there are +nine. "It may be uninteresting to a lot of people," Beschta told Blue Planet. +"There's a lot of impact on plants and they say, 'Who cares?' But we've been +looking at streamside communities. Since wolf recovery, streamside plants, +willows and cottonwoods provide food for other critters -- beavers, a whole +variety of avian species, berry-producing shrubs that bears can use. It's +important with regard to the quality of streams. The plants provide shade and +root strength for bank stability. Plants are critical to wildland ecosystems." +Yellowstone has a vast elk herd, one of the largest in the world. Bangs said +although the number of elk has not declined very much since the wolves came +back, their behavior appears markedly different. "I'm pretty suspicious of +making broad generalizations," however, he cautioned. "Wolves are still pretty +new. They've only been there for 10 years. In 10 more years we'll have a better +idea." Wolf reintroduction in the northern Rockies has been so successful the +Fish and Wildlife Service has moved to reduce the animal's status from +endangered to threatened and, eventually, to remove it from the endangered +species list altogether. Bangs said the agency has established viable wolf packs +in the northern Rockies, as required by federal regulations. Some +conservationists want the protection extended so wolves can move into other +states, including Colorado, Utah and Oregon, among others. On Jan. 31, Oregon +Federal District Court Judge Robert E. Jones appeared to agree with them. He +vacated the FWS decision to downgrade the wolf's status. Bangs said his agency +is still reviewing the decision. Regardless of the wolf's legal status, its +future expansion into new areas now seems likely. Wolves can migrate +considerable distances. A Yellowstone wolf was found dead, hit by a car, on a +Colorado highway last year, several hundred miles from home. Meanwhile, his +reputation seems to be improving, although Bangs noted a "pretty interesting +social dynamic." There are only about 850 wolves in the West, but there are an +estimated 31,000 mountain lions. Pound for pound, mountain lions eat more game +and more livestock than wolves. They even occasionally attack people, which +wolves do not -- despite the propaganda from the Brothers Grimm. Yet people seem +willing -- even eager -- to accommodate mountain lions, despite the risks. It +remains to be seen whether they will extend the same courtesy to the arriving +gray wolf. Regarding those rumors about wolves living in Yellowstone prior to +the official reintroduction? They seem to be just that: rumors. True, there are +about 300,000 wolves and wolf hybrids kept as pets in the United States. It also +is likely people have released some of these animals into the wild hoping they +would survive -- for instance, a ranger in Glacier Park caught someone in this +very act not long ago. Bangs said these animals are not equipped to survive in +the wild, however, and they all almost certainly have died. He said after 10 +years of DNA testing on northern Rockies wolves, scientists have not found a +single strain that did not belong to one of the wolves the agency released -- or +their descendants. -- Blue Planet is a weekly series examining the relationship +of humans to the environment, by veteran environmental reporter Dan Whipple. +E-mail: sciencem...@upi.com + +Climate: Humans fuss, animals adjust By Dan Whipple UNITED PRESS INTERNATIONAL +Boulder, CO, Nov. 15 (UPI) -- Scientists can argue all they want about how many +degrees Celsius -- or Fahrenheit -- the planet is warming and what the trend +portends, but meanwhile Earth's plants, insects and animals are not waiting for +the outcome. They already are altering their patterns of behavior in response to +what is happening. It turns out one of the surest barometers of the warming +climate is the response of the non-human natural world to changing conditions, +and biologists who study the responses have been aware for some years the +biosphere is acknowledging global warming. Nina Leopold Bradley, a plant +ecologist and daughter of the conservation pioneer Aldo Leopold, published a +1999 paper in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences on her 61-year +uninterrupted phenological records. Phenology studies an organism's development +and life cycle -- the pulse of life. Bradley's record of 300 phenophases found +that even prior to 1999, spring was arriving in higher latitudes several weeks +earlier than in the earlier years of her data. Birds arrived sooner on their +migrations from the south and plants flowered earlier. The Eastern phoebe is +showing up about 20 days before it used to. The forest phlox is blooming in late +April instead of mid-May. Half of the 300 phenophases Leopold tracked showed a +response consistent with warming. In England, the cuckoo returns earlier. An +analysis of 65 bird species in the United Kingdom shows about one-third are +laying their eggs four to seven days earlier than they did 25 years ago. "One of +the major, most well-documented and robust findings in ecology over the past +century has been the crucial role of climate in determining the geographical +distribution of species and ecological communities," concluded a report titled +"Observed Impacts of Global Climate Change in the United States," released by +the Pew Center on Global Climate last week. Pew researchers looked at about 40 +studies that could provide an assessment of whether climate was affecting +biology. "Half of the studies provide strong evidence of a causal link between +the biological change and climate change," said Camille Parmesan, a University +of Texas-Austin biologist and one of the world's leading experts on this issue. +These changes are occurring across all species, Parmesan told UPI's Climate. +"Across the United States, the northern edge of species' range is expanding," +she said. Parmesan has spent much of her career studying the checkerspot +butterfly, which migrates between Mexico and southern California. Some localized +extinctions already have occurred across some of its habitat. "Empirical +research pointed to climate as being a strong driver," she said. "There have +been large numbers of population extinctions in Mexico and southern California +in areas where the habitat is still acceptable." According to Parmesan's earlier +studies, one extinction event, for instance, was triggered when a checkerspot +population migrated north prematurely, relying on a warming temperature signal, +then was caught in a severe snowstorm in its northern habitat. Throughout the +United States, she said, "spring is about two weeks earlier. Tree swallows are +nesting nine days earlier. Tropical species have moved up to Florida and the +Gulf Coast. Bird and butterfly watchers are seeing many, many new species coming +up from Mexico and the Caribbean." As the Pew report concluded, "Sufficient +studies now exist to conclude that the consequences of climate change are +already detectable within U.S. ecosystems." Such consequences include shifting +and, in some cases, contraction of ranges and changes in species composition +within ecosystems. The report also found alterations of ecosystem processes such +as carbon cycling and storage. The Alaskan tundra, for instance, has switched +from being a net sink of carbon dioxide -- absorbing and storing more carbon +from the atmosphere than it releases -- to "being a net source of CO2 (releasing +more carbon than is stored) because warmer winters have allowed dead plant +matter previously stored in the soil to decompose and release CO2." The Pew +report coincided with the release in Iceland of the "Arctic Climate Impact +Assessment." The ACIA -- with participation by the United States, Canada, +Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, the Russian Federation and Sweden -- was +begun in 2000. "The impacts of global warming are affecting people now in the +Arctic," said ACIA chair Robert Corell. "The Arctic is experiencing some of the +most rapid and severe climate change on Earth. The impacts of climate change on +the region and the globe are projected to increase substantially in the years to +come." The ACIA found Arctic winter temperatures have increased 4 degrees to 7 +degrees Fahrenheit in the last 50 years and should go up about twice that much +in the next 100 years. Arctic summer sea ice will decline by 50 percent by the +end of the 21st century, the assessment found, with some models predicting +complete disappearance of summer sea ice. "Should the Arctic Ocean become +ice-free in summer, it is likely that polar bears and some seal species would be +driven toward extinction," the report concluded. As with so much climate +research, not everyone agrees with these dire predictions. A third report, "The +Impacts of Climate Change: An Appraisal for the Future," completed by the +Britain-based International Policy Network and released almost simultaneously +with the other two, falls somewhat into that category. On the one hand, the IPN +report agreed "Climate models generally predict that the temperature rises in +the Arctic will substantially exceed the global rise. This applies especially in +the high Arctic where the ice cover is expected to diminish substantially with +the effect that the surface absorption of solar radiation will greatly +increase." On the other hand, the report thinks the news might not be so bad for +the North Atlantic fisheries. "The impact of global warming on fish stocks and +fisheries is hard to judge," the IPN report said. "A warming of the magnitude +predicted is more likely than not to be beneficial to the fisheries of the North +Atlantic." The important commercial species that probably would benefit from +warming include cod, haddock, saithe, herring, blue whiting and several types of +flatfish and crustaceans -- such as the Norway lobster. Important species that +probably would decline include shrimp, capelin, Greenland halibut and some +varieties of flatfish. Hidden in this laundry list -- and in the pile of studies +examined by the Pew researchers -- is one of the fundamental chasms dividing +participants in the global warming debate. The IPN report examines commercial +fish species, but it neglects important non-commercial animals, such as seals +and polar bears. In a limited economic sense, therefore, the organization can +argue warming might be a good thing. The problem is whether one cares what +happens to the polar bears, checkerspot butterflies and other unconsumables. The +Pew researchers tried to transcend the economic argument. They assumed a value +-- unspecified -- for non-commercial species, and in doing so rendered the +warming news a bit less rosy. This tug-of-war over calculating economic values +is the one that ultimately will have to be decided by humans, because animals +and plants can adjust only so much. "When dandelions have set the mark of May on +Wisconsin pastures, it is time to listen for the final proof of spring," wrote +Aldo Leopold in "A Sand County Almanac." "Sit down on a tussock, cock your ears +at the sky, dial out the bedlam of meadowlarks and redwings, and soon you may +hear it: the flight of the upland plover, just now back from the Argentine." Or +maybe not. -- Climate is a weekly series by UPI examining the impacts of global +climate change. E-mail sciencem...@upi.com + +Preamble from BBC leading to the comments further below. Feel free to cut and +paste and leave your comments, as these viewpoints cover the entire gamut +surrounding the event. ---->===}*{===<---- How has Katrina changed the US? What +will be the lasting effects of Hurricane Katrina and what can be learnt from the +response? Relief agencies are trying to help hundreds of thousands of displaced +people while authorities have vowed to restore security in New Orleans following +a breakdown of law and order. In the world press, commentators predict that +Katrina will make a profound change in the way the US is perceived at home and +abroad, especially following the scenes of poverty and racial divisions they +believe the disaster has revealed. Meanwhile, President George W Bush has said +he will lead an inquiry into how the disaster was handled. How has Katrina +changed the US? Has it altered your life? Has the disaster affected the way +other countries view the US? Send us your comments using the form. +---->===}*{===<---- Some of the better comments: "As an American, I would like +to take this opportunity to tell all the 'USA and Bush Bashers' that I am +appalled at the number of 'allies' that are using this disaster as their podium +to spread their useless opinions. What you see in New Orleans is a perfect +example of the downfalls of the welfare system, a form of socialism that many in +this country know is the true problem. You have seen the pictures. You people +think it is race, but it is not. It is the welfare society that was New +Orleans." --Paul, Atlanta, USA "I am frankly revolted by the response of the +Bush-Bashers; "Sorry chaps, but you did have it coming..." The plain fact is +that Bush has a sight more in the way of common humanity than a great many of +his detractors. At least he isn't using this disaster for cheap political +point-scoring." --Mac, Nottingham "I do not feel it has changed the US citizens +which is what was needed, even now the majority want "Gas" despite the fact they +are polluting the world more than any other country in the world and refuse to +stop, perhaps this natural disaster, which let's face it looks like a product of +Global Warming, will change their views, why not pick things up with your hands +and walk with your legs, other people in the world do it, "Gas" is not the be +all and end all!" --David, Kent "The US will work its +way through the loss of a city and we are making progress after seven short +days. Thank you for your concern, but Europe is still irrelevant." --John B, +Windermere, Florida +It is always interesting what spin the press will take. Certainly, +representation of the US in other countries will have a certain depiction. I +don't believe that folks who believe that America is the land of opportunity +will change their views from this recent news. I have a friend who came here +from Bulgaria after winning a green card in a lottery. Yes, she and her family +were delighted to leave the communistic remnants in that country. Her husband +became a citizen of the US just the week before last. (Believe it or not, it +takes a minimum of 5 years to apply.) The countries which are giving to America +to aid are a great example of the seed that America has sown through the years +with other nations. Now to the poverty stricken and the racial issue... You +know, I've lived in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex most of my life. When not in +Texas, I lived in LA and San Francisco. There is a lot of racial diversity in +all of these places... and I've vacationed through the south... visited my folks +when they lived in Mississippi, and where they live now and are in the racial +minority being white (less than 20%) in northeastern Arkansas. The fact is, when +I began traveling for business to New England, when I first visited my in-laws +in Montana and Idaho, I was shocked at the lack of racial diversity. I didn't +expect to react that way, but when I was looking around my workplace in Nashua, +New Hampshire, and everyone else looked pretty much like me, it was really very +eerie. So, yes, America has pockets that are more diverse than others. +Additionally, reviewing the standings of Louisiana and Mississippi in the +educational stakes, you'll find they usually land near the bottom of a list of +50 states. Unfortunately, those left behind to be filmed, where those without +transportation or means. Some refused to leave, but so many were unable to. Yes, +it's a valid reflection of America - we do have cities like this. However, New +Orleans also had many affluent people, people who left town early as they had +the means. I don't know if this will change other nation's perceptions of +America. I suspect it will not change greatly... but you never know how much +stock people put in the news. I do know that this will change the face of +America. I expect that many of the displaced people (those affluent and those +not) will remain in the places they were evacuated to. The 1.25 million people +who have been housed in stadiums and convention centers across Texas will begin +to populate Houston, Dallas, San Antonio and Galveston, and the surrounding +areas. Sure, some will return, but I have a feeling that once many begin to get +jobs and temporary housing, they may be shy about returning. I'm interested in +what America will look like in 5 years. Will racial diversity find its way to +Wyoming as some people are offered jobs there? Or will the nearly year-round +snow be too much for those who have never experienced snow in their lives? Will +the housing market in Dallas begin booming like the rest of the nation has due +to the influx of buyers? Will businesses that were new in 2005 have become a +household name due to their efforts in rebuilding the gulf coast? What will the +federal government do to prevent inflation in the housing and building market? +These are some of the things I've been wondering... Linna Response coming soon. +Your reply is good and deserves something good in return. Juggernaut Okay, I'm +new to this forum and really don't like Bush, so my view point is slanted and I +admit that. I rarely listen to the news or to what politicians or lawyers say +because so many tell lies that none have credibility so what's the point? What I +know is that I have a close friend who's aunt disappeared in New Orleans. My +friend didn't have computer capability, so I spent the day searching and posting +online. The family here (California) wanted to fly any family members from there +to CA, so they could remain here until things got straightened out down there. +The cousins could not be found because no one was sure of their married names. +The hope was that anyone looking for the Aunt would see the family post and know +that help was available. It is Oct. 6, and not one family member has been +located. What I saw was dozens of school buses submerged that could have been +used to evacuate people who had no transportation. What I heard was the Mayor of +New Orleans, saying that he didn't order the buses or anything else to be used +because he was waiting on someone else to tell him what to do. When common sense +takes a back seat to politics and legal mumbo jumbo what have we become? +Recently, Bush addressed the nation. About 30 seconds into his address, he +started flogging the terrorist issue just one more time. Ironically he almost +burst out laughing and it was all he could do to keep his mirth down to a barely +controlled smirk. Even he can't believe that he is trotting out this old saw +again. I guess if you have a schtick that is a resounding success once, you +can't help but trot it out every time your act is going sour. Meanwhile, every +pocket that can be lined is golden and the poor are shunted off radar yet again. +The gall of it all is that Bush is stumping for more money to build more +refineries, when what he should do is pour money into making the US independent +of OPEC or crude oil all together. We have the technology; if you are going to +spend billions of dollars touting "FREEDOM" why not spend those billions making +all of us free? Free of polution, free of oil dependency, and free of big +business that is bleeding us dry for the short term good (theirs). I'm sorry he +makes me want to puke so I shut him off. In the meanwhile there are still broken +families that should have been safe in the home of the brave. + +For those who believe.................... Aries in 2005 - Flexibility If you +want a motto for 2005, the best one to adopt would be "go with the flow." 2005 +will be a year of ups and downs, and only the flexible will be able to keep from +going crazy! All Aries natives may have to tighten their belts and curb their +desire for constant expansion. You may need to play it cool and curb your +spending. You'll be among the first to seize upon new societal trends to create +new opportunities for yourself, as your creativity will be at an all-time high. +You will be more eloquent and persuasive than usual, and others will identify +enthusiastically with your vision. If you want to start a new creative project +or business venture, your imagination will be working overtime. 2005 could find +you doing well career-wise - and aspiring to climb even higher. Taurus in 2005 - +Tenacity "Diligence" is the key word for you, Taurus. With hard work and focus, +you will attain at least one important aspiration that has been on your agenda +for a long time. This is the year you'll want to take stock of your career and +ask yourself if you're doing the work you want to do for the rest of your life. +As the year progresses, the more impressive your ideas and works become. As a +result, your finances improve - and your newfound confidence could attract new +love into your life. By the end of the year, you will have a whole new network +of friends and group activity, stimulating new ideas and taking up your social +life a notch or two. Gemini in 2005 - Success Your cycle of learning through the +school of hard knocks has come to an end, Gemini, and now you're going to start +reaping the rewards these "lessons" have left in their wake. As 2005 progresses, +the road ahead will become clearer. You now have it in you to create the kind of +life for yourself that you want. These leaps and bounds forward include love and +creativity. Your learning of concepts of all kinds combines with extensive group +activity, bringing your mind into a whole new space this year. By the end of +2005 you'll have a whole new start with regard to your career and your earning +potential - and a possible new partnership to top it off! Cancer in 2005 - +Balance Finding a balance between your personal and professional lives may be +one of the year's strongest challenges. For the most part, your outward life +this year will go in fits and starts - alternating periods of intense activity +with times of welcome rest. Enjoy the restful periods when you can. The active +ones will be hectic! You'll be making radical changes in your work habits, but +you'll be a lot happier for it, and in the end you'll know it was worth it. Your +love life is full, and any dissatisfaction with career and money matters fades +into the background. By the end of 2005, you'll feel more confident, more +determined, and far more capable of making the mountains come to you! Leo in +2005 - Abundance Pursuing a successful career, along with the usual social and +financial advantages, will be easier this year than it has in a long time for +you, Leo! The most difficult thing might be deciding which path means the most +to you, and where to put your focus. You'll be able to create opportunities for +advancement almost out of thin air. Romance in 2005 will make it a year to +remember - and you'll be the envy of all your friends. Love comes willingly and +easily. Money may suddenly become tight at a very inconvenient time. Yet, this +is no comparison to the advancements you'll make overall, and by the end of +2005, you'll look back in sheer wonder and happiness. Virgo in 2005 - +Perseverance Your working life might not go so smoothly this year, Virgo. For +much of 2005, you'll be putting your nose to the grindstone. On the bright side, +your finances will be pretty stable. Just don't take it for granted - you still +need to be cautious this year. Your love life will thrive for most of the year, +and any relationship begun or reaffirmed in 2005 is very likely to be a lasting +one. And, you're going to develop a hopeless romantic streak.In spite of a lot +of worry over your career, by the year's end, you'll see that 2005 has filled +your life with prosperity and accomplishments. Libra in 2005 - Expansion Flex +your muscles, friend Libra, and prepare for a relatively easy ride. With +beneficent Jupiter in your sign, this is definitely your year, especially where +your social life is concerned. Happiness and enjoyment lie ahead. If you're not +presently married, and want to be, you just might wed by the end of the year. +This is the year you're going to be doing a lot of travel and learning about +your world, as expansion is the theme. The one department of life that may not +quite be as hopeful as you'd like could be your career, where advancement may be +slow and satisfaction rare. By year's end, you may find yourself seriously +considering a major change - all for the best. Scorpio in 2005 - Transmutation +Scorpio, you can still expect changes - perhaps major ones - in your life this +year, almost to the point of total transformation. While this is most apparent +in the area of your career, you'll see it showing up in other important aspects +of your life. Your life might take on an entirely new direction you've never +dreamed of. You may also change your residence during the year. Whether you +start the year as a single person looking for a partner, or you've been married +for many years, happiness in love does lie ahead. Be prepared for new horizons. +They may not be familiar, but they will be fascinating. Don't cling to the +banks; instead, flow with the tide in 2005. Sagittarius in 2005 - Empowerment +Are you prepared to handle absolute power? If not, you will be soon! Your ruling +planet, Jupiter, will be in a special relationship with Pluto - called "mutual +reception" - in 2005. There's so much punch packed into this combination that +it's almost scary. You'll find the ultimate power is the ability to choose your +own destiny. You'll find practical ways of increasing your effectiveness in the +world by gaining new skills that allow you to live more abundantly. By the +second half of the year, you will finally feel welcome relief from the tight +financial binds that have hindered you over the past two years. And, a +relationship you begin now will last a very long time - like, for the rest of +your life. Overall, 2005 is sure to be a year you won't forget. Capricorn in +2005 - Resolution You've got plenty of lucky breaks headed your way in 2005, +friend Capricorn. The long awaited relief you've needed in your love life is +around the corner, and by the end of the year you will feel much clearer about +your partnerships in general. Financially, it could be a lean year, although +some advance planning can help you weather the storm. Your career opportunities +will expand exponentially, and you're likely to change jobs or positions this +year. At times, the pressure on your job and home life may seem unbearable, but +rest assured you will come through this stronger - and wiser - than ever, as +more is revealed and resolved in 2005. Aquarius in 2005 - Magic 2005 sees you +expanding your intuitive and psychic skills even more, Aquarius. The mysteries +of the universe continue to attract and intrigue you, as you apply your mystical +awareness to the important decisions upcoming in your life, especially +concerning partnerships of all kinds. 2005 is bound to bring at least one major +success in the love department, and your career will be brimming with new +enthusiasm and innovation. Not only that, but travel, adventure, and personal +expansion infuse fresh energy into all areas of your life. By year's end, your +creative decision-making will have carried you to whole new peaks - and a whole +new view from above. Pisces in 2005 - Self-confidence It's a big year for you, +friend Pisces. No doubt, in 2005 you'll find yourself pushed more and more out +into the world. You'll experience a new sense of purpose and make plenty of new +friends. Expect lots of surprises and lucky breaks this year, with Uranus +bringing the unexpected in your career, your love life, and the world in +general. At some point during the year, you could pick up a financial windfall, +hear of a great career opportunity, or unexpectedly meet the love of your life. +It's important that you take retreats and plenty of time for yourself to +regenerate, as the rate of change in your personal and professional life will be +fast and unpredictable. Remain calm and confident, and love is very likely to +flourish in 2005. "Expect the unexpected," and enjoy the ride! "Success comes +before work" only in the dictionary Mayur ? <> Get Mails Everyday <> Share Your +Mails mayur...@yahoo.com SMS Me... 09819602175 Talk +to me [send offline as well ] +online?u=mayursha&m=g&t=1 1K Download + +------------------------------------------------------------- The mysterious +RAPHAEL Holinshed was named for the mysterious Neoplatonic Italian painter +RAPHAEL Sanzio who painted _St.George Fighting the Dragon_ (1504-06) [ ] +---------------------------------------------------------------------- Like +William Shakspere RAPHAEL (the painter) died on his April birthday Laura & +Bridget's day: +----------------------------------------------------------------------- +ARCHILOCHUS solar eclipse: April 6, 648 BC Friday Koran descends to Earth: April +6, 610 AD Monday CLEMENT's St.Methodius dies: April 6, 884 Monday Petrarch meets +LAURA: April 6, 1327 Monday DURER dies: April 6, 1528 Monday BRIDGET Vere's +birth: April 6, 1584 Monday Sir Francis Walsingham dies: April 6, 1590 Monday +"native of Crete" EL GRECO dies: April 7, 1614 Monday {LUCIO: Does BRIDGET PAINT +still, Pompey, ha? [MfM Act 3, Sc. 2]} LAURA dies of plague: April 6, 1348 +Sunday RAPHAEL born: April 6, 1483 Sunday RAPHAEL dies: April 6, 1520 Good +Friday Thomas Hobbes' birth: April 5, 1588 Good Friday Start of _The SOUND & the +FURY_: April 6, 1928 Good Friday Kent EARTHQUAKE: April 6, 1580 Wednesday +Historian John Stow dies: April 6, 1605 Sat/Wed. +----------------------------------------------------------------------- << Upon +the sixth of April, Alexander the Great was born. Upon the same day he conquered +Darius, won a great victory at sea, & died the same day. Neither was this day +less fortunate to his father Philip; for on the same day he took Potidea; >> - +JOHN AUBREY, F.R.S. +--------------------------------------------------------------------- ANTONIO +PEREZ 1535-1611 [Philip II's renegade Secretary of State] <> +---------------------------------------------------------------- Shakespeare +Electronic Conference, Vol. 6, No. 0832. Monday, 23 October 1995. From: Martin +Green Date: Sunday, 22 Oct 1995 10:57:32 -0400 +Subject: Re: Facts, Purpose of List, Italy, Jews <> --------------------------------------------------------------------- +<> <<"Well then," said Don Quixote, "the +same thing happens in the comedy and life of this world, where some play +emperors, others popes, and, in short, all the characters that can be brought +into a play; but when it is over, that is to say when life ends, death strips +them all of the garments that distinguish one from the other, and all are equal +in the grave." "A fine comparison!" said Sancho; "though not so new but that I +have heard it many and many a time, as well as that other one of the game of +CHESS; how, so long as the game lasts, each piece has its own particular office, +and when the game is finished they are all mixed, jumbled up and shaken +together, and stowed away in the bag, which is much like ending life in the +grave." "Thou art growing less doltish and more shrewd every day, Sancho," said +Don Quixote. "Ay," said Sancho; "it must be that some of your worship's +shrewdness sticks to me; land that, of itself, is barren and dry, will come to +yield good fruit if you dung it and till it>> +--------------------------------------------------------------------- Of all +Freemason sponsered revolutions: American, French, Bolivar, etc. . . Garibaldi's +is the most blatantly Masonic: Nostromo A Tale of the Seaboard <> ------------------------------------------------------------------ +Wisteria Lodge <> ------------------------------------------------------ Art Neuendorffer + +The Rock revolution happened in the Sixties (6, number of the Beast). It came +from Liverpool, that was the port base to the Titanic, destroyed by God because +of the arrogant insult of captain Smith (also from Liverpool): "Not even God can +sink my ship" (not only the captain, but also the rest of the crew and even the +orchestra playing at the Titanic were from Liverpool). The Rock revolution came +from the nation that allows a church to be changed to a pub or to a dance room +or to a recording studio full of drug addicts, homosexuals and lunatics (as that +of George Martin, ally of the Beatles). It came from the nation whose king +Enrique VIII adulterated the Bible so that divorce could be allowed and in this +way be able to give loose rein to the many divorces from his wives and +subsequent murdering of the same ones and to whom God provided a wife with six +fingers as abomination (Anne Boleyn)...once again 6, number of the Beast.... It +is interesting to observe that this nation is nicknamed "the Devil's Island". As +the epithet of the government of Satan on that nation, the center of London, the +so well-known Piccadilly Circus, takes it's name from an old brothel (the +"Piccadilla House" which means "The House of Sin"), disappeared nowadays. The +antichrist John Lennon, one of the Devil's main puppets to destroy family, +social and moral values and to begin the disintegration of mankind, did hit +Stuart Sutcliffe (the first bass player of the Beatles) in the head with a club +repeatedly in Hamburg. Some months later Sutcliffe died from brain haemorrhage +because of John Lennon's bruises. John Lennon entered stardom being a murderer. +The same demons that made captain Smith say "Not even God can sink my ship" +spoke from antichrist John Lennon (from Liverpool, base port to the Titanic) +saying: "Christianity is on the go. It will vanish and shrink. We are more +popular than Jesus and Pope"....That was the day that GOD'S CURSE fell upon the +world of Rock. One week after that declaration, ONLY ONE WEEK LATER, Brian +Epstein, forger of the Beatle farce, died from an overdose. From then on, the +Beatles began to get involved in false religions and to preach them to the +world. John Lennon's divorce followed, as well as his entering the world of +black magic, as deeply as to buy the apartment. where the "Rosemary's baby" had +been filmed, previous property of Roman Polansky, and in that same apartment +John Lennon had a room upholstered with black silk where he used to do his black +magic operations. Came the disintegration of the Beatles' minds with LSD which +has caused, among others, schizophrenic lyrics such as "I am the Walrus" and +incoherent schizophrenic musical expositions like "Revolution number 9". At the +same time, the devil acted through his other main puppets with "Sympathy for the +devil" that was when the pact of the Rolling Stones with Satan took the life of +the founder of the group, the guitarist Brian Jones (who refused to be a puppet +of the devil), murdered by people sent by Mick Jagger, another assassin. +Antichrist John Lennon followed the Devil's strategy writing lyrics such as "God +is a concept by which we measure our pain...I don't believe in Jesus, etc., +etc.," (God) and "and no religions too..." (Imagine). Antichrist John Lennon +wanted to compete with Jesus Christ, and so he grew a beard and started to make +a bogus role of Christ together with Yoko Ono at the Amsterdam Hilton hotel +proclaiming "Peace", being then when he was visited by the Canadian journalist +who ridiculized and admonished him wanting to know about what Lennon meant when +he wrote in the lyrics of "The ballad of John and Yoko": "the way things are +going, they're going to crucify me...", The CURSE OF GOD upon John Lennon +carried on with all type of miseries and distresses which made Lennon give the +interview to the "Rolling Stone" magazine (today condensed in the "Lennon +remembers" book) where he speaks about how bad thing were going for him blaming +"whatever is up there" for it (referring to God). The CURSE OF GOD carried on +until he was shot dead. It is interesting to notice that he was shot seven +times, being seven, as well as three, the holy numbers in Holy Cabalah +tradition.... After George Harrison, said arrogantly in a video filmed in his +studio at Henley on Thames: "I want to talk about the divinity of man", he was +given throat cancer by GOD because of those words, which made metastasis and +carried on to final death.. To Paul McCartney whose company's logo was a person +toying with the planets as if he was a god, and who was being very much deluded +in his ego trip by the fact that he was made "Sir" (when in England even the +road sweeper is made Sir, as long as he produces money for the nation), GOD +provided cancer to the wife. The advertising farce of how much he loved Linda +(woman whose quality he did not deserve), was exposed when it was known that +Paul had an affair with Heather Mills, Linda's intimate friend, with whom +McCartney went on a trip to New York and to whom he bought things and presents, +while he was still mourning for his "dear Linda". At the same time McCartney was +going out with Heather Mills, he used Linda's death for promotional ends, due to +his waning popularity. Paul was going out with Heather, but in front of the +audience he played the faithful husband's masquerade pretending to suffer for +Linda, for the afore mentioned promotional ends. Paul admitted that he made +Linda suffer a lot, but he didn't say that it was because he felt insecure as a +man due to his womanish face and effeminate manners and also because with his +age his sexual power was not the same, even though it has never been much. The +early days were the days of competition between Paul and his wife and John and +his wife and he knew he had to compete with ugly John for the leadership of the +band in front of their wives and having Yoko Ono made him aware of his lack of +virility and repressed homosexuality, he grew the beard that we see in the "Let +it Be" film and started to show pictures of naked women in the same film, doing +every effort he could to be seen as a man.... It is easy to note the uneasiness +of McCartney when he sings: "I've got a feeling, a feeling I can't hide..." in +front of Yoko in the film. (He already had the traumas that his previous +girlfriend Jane Asher had caused him when she made him aware of his little +manliness and effeminate manners). Paul has such a big inferiority complex as a +man, due to his effeminate face, body and personality and due to his repressed +homosexuality, that he found himself a handicapped woman with only one leg, so +that he could stand out, being very conscious that a full woman would make him +feel the superiority of virile men again, as Jane and Linda did. This is +something that his ego trip of lucky bad musician could not face anymore....He +is very conscious that money and fame cannot buy virility and manliness. Besides +being a murderer, John Lennon had sexual intercourse with homosexual Brian +Epstein to get him interested in going to see the band at the Cavern, trauma +from which he never recovered. Because of the trauma that his homosexual +relation with Brian Epstein had left him, he made lyrics such as: "You can wear +a collar and a tie, one thing you can't hide is when you're crippled inside" and +gave declarations to the "Rolling Stone" magazine saying that "sometimes he wore +Texan boots to feel more secure as a man". The Beatles are very well known by +people close to them for their arrogance and racism. One of the manifestations +of their racism is the rejection towards Japanese Yoko Ono. That rejection got +to the point that George Harrison kicked Yoko Ono in the Apple studios during +the filming of Let it Be. When John asked George while they were having lunch +about how things were going for Paul after his separation from the Beatles and +George replied that he was number one in the Swedish hit parade, John said in a +despective manner: "ah!!.. in Sweden..", as if Sweden was an inferior place or +something alike. In the Beatles' song "Get Back" they advise black Joe to "get +back to where you once belonged", as if England was not a place for black +people. Sometimes back, Paul told George in the Apple offices that the new +generations are a bundle of idiots and useless people, but in any way they would +have also been slaves of the Beatles. The Jewish marriage living to the right of +George's house said that he is an arrogant person who does never return a +greeting. The newly married couple living on the corner in front of the entrance +of George's house (Friar Park) refers to him as an overbearing person to stay +away from. The receptionist of "Hand made", the former film making company of +George Harrison said: "we don't have any relation with that man anymore and we +don't want to know anything about him". It is interesting to note that this +company was made bankrupt by the British cinema industry due to the despotism +and pedantry of George Harrison, who believed that the cinema industry would +have worshiped him. Their chauvinisms got to the point that even they themselves +hated each other. Paul McCartney said that George Harrison is a nothing. George +Harrison said that he is tired of listening to people talk about John Lennon.... +George Harrison said in a video that "Oasis is a very untalented band and they +shouldn't be playing at all", all of it being the truth, but the Beatles is also +a band of very poor musicians, if musicians at all, who could only play a couple +of elementary guitar chords and who are as untalented as Oasis. The Beatles of +the times of the "Cavern" sounded exactly as poorly as Oasis and the little +musical quality in the songs of the Beatles is due to George Martin. Without +George Martin the Beatles would have been just another untalented band as +Oasis.... Paul McCartney said recently that he believes in using magic, and he +does lots of charity, thinking that in this way he will compensate for the CURSE +OF GOD that is upon him and that took his wife's life because of his Satanism +and involvement in black magic. He thinks he will deceive people in this way, so +that the real McCartney will not be perceived. Is the old Devil attempting to +disguise as good in front of people. Satan deceiving mankind once again, as so +many other thousands of times through the centuries.... After the Devil began +his devastating job from the ghostly "Devil's Island" through his nine main +puppets (Beatles-Rolling Stones), he possessed an endless amount of other +schizophrenic bad musician in the afore mentioned Island and weakening their +conscience with drugs, he made them proclaimers of homosexuality, aversion to +religion, destruction of family values, dissipation, mental illness, +antisocialism, etc., etc., The fact that bad apprentice musicians such as the +Beatles and the Rolling Stones achieved such a giant fame that not even the real +quality musicians could achieve, was because the forces of Satan were behind +everything, supporting the process. This mentally ill humanity, destroyed +families, twisted moral values, manifest or repressed homosexuality in human +beings, anti natural feminism rebellion, drug addiction, corrupt social +outlines, mad youths without direction, non respect to hierarchies, convulsed +nations, misanthropy, misogyny, paedophilia, irrational and feeble +lasciviousness and all other type of existent aberrations, are due to the vast +manoeuvre that Satan executed through his main marionettes the Beatles and the +Rolling Stones, from the Devil's Island. If you wonder why there is misery and +curse in your house, it is because you own some L.P, CD or another article +related to the CURSED BY GOD Beatles and Rolling Stones. We recommend you to +take that curse out of your house throwing away everything related to the +Devil's main nine puppets.... You have been warned... THE HIGH COURT. (The Five +Judges) For the sake of mankind, you should email our verdict to your friends. + +Email: yamwhatiyam Groups: alt.consumers, ba.consumers, +misc.consumers, misc.consumers.frugal-living Attack on Iran: A Looming Folly By +William Rivers Pitt t r u t h o u t | Perspective Monday 09 January 2006 The +wires have been humming since before the New Year with reports that the Bush +administration is planning an attack on Iran. "The Bush administration is +preparing its NATO allies for a possible military strike against suspected +nuclear sites in Iran in the New Year, according to German media reports, +reinforcing similar earlier suggestions in the Turkish media," reported UPI on +December 30th. "The Berlin daily Der Tagesspiegel this week," continued UPI, +"quoted 'NATO intelligence sources' who claimed that the NATO allies had been +informed that the United States is currently investigating all possibilities of +bringing the mullah-led regime into line, including military options. This 'all +options are open' line has been President George W Bush's publicly stated policy +throughout the past 18 months." An examination of the ramifications of such an +attack is desperately in order. 1. Blowback in Iraq The recent elections in Iraq +were dominated by an amalgam of religiously fundamentalist Shi'ite +organizations, principally the Dawa Party and the Supreme Council for Islamic +Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI). Both Dawa and SCIRI have umbilical connections to +the fundamentalist Shi'ite leadership in Iran that go back decades. In essence, +Iran now owns a significant portion of the Iraqi government. Should the United +States undertake military action against Iran, the ramifications in Iraq would +be immediate and extreme. In the first eight days of January, eighteen US troops +have been killed in Iraq, compounded by another twelve deaths from a Black Hawk +helicopter crash on Saturday. Much of the violence aimed at American forces is +coming from disgruntled Sunni factions that have their own militias, believe the +last elections were a sham, and hold little political power in the government. +If the US attacks Iran, it is probable that American forces - already taxed by +attacks from Sunni factions - will also face reprisal attacks in Iraq from +Shi'ite factions loyal to Iran. The result will be a dramatic escalation in US +and civilian casualties, US forces will be required to bunker themselves further +into their bases, and US forces will find themselves required to fight the very +government they just finished helping into power. Iraq, already a seething +cauldron, will sink further into chaos. 2. Iran's Armaments Unlike Iraq, Iran +has not spent the last fifteen years having its conventional forces worn down by +grueling sanctions, repeated attacks, and two American-led wars. While Iran's +conventional army is not what it was during the heyday of the Iran-Iraq war - +their armaments have deteriorated and the veterans of that last war have retired +- the nation enjoys substantial military strength nonetheless. According to a +report issued by the Center for Strategic and International Studies in December +of 2004, Iran "has some 540,000 men under arms and over 350,000 reserves. They +include 120,000 Iranian Revolutionary Guards trained for land and naval +asymmetrical warfare. Iran's military also includes holdings of 1,613 main +battle tanks, 21,600 other armored fighting vehicles, 3,200 artillery weapons, +306 combat aircraft, 60 attack helicopters, 3 submarines, 59 surface combatants, +and 10 amphibious ships." "Iran is now the only regional military power that +poses a significant conventional military threat to Gulf stability," continued +the CSIS report. "Iran has significant capabilities for asymmetric warfare, and +poses the additional threat of proliferation. There is considerable evidence +that it is developing both a long-range missile force and a range of weapons of +mass destruction. It has never properly declared its holdings of chemical +weapons, and the status of its biological weapons programs is unknown." A MILNET +brief issued in February 2005 reports, "Due to its position astride the Persian +Gulf, Iran has constantly been a threat to the Gulf. The so called 'Tanker' wars +in the late 1980s put Iran squarely in the bullseye of all nations seeking to +transport oil out of the region. Even the small navy that Iran puts to sea is +capable enough to harass shipping, and several cases of small boat operations +against oil well heads in the Gulf during that period made it clear small +asymmetrical tactics of the Iranian Navy could be quite effective." "More +concerning," continued the MILNET brief, "is the priority placed on expanding +and modernizing its Navy. The CSIS report cites numerous areas where Iran has +funded modernization including the most troublesome aspect, anti-shipping cruise +missiles: 'Iran has obtained new anti-ship missiles and missile patrol craft +from China, midget submarines from North Korea, submarines from Russia, and +modern mines.'" It is Iran's missile armaments that pose the greatest concern +for American forces in the Gulf, especially for the US Navy. Iran's coast facing +the Persian Gulf is a looming wall of mountains that look down upon any naval +forces arrayed in those waters. The Gulf itself only has one exit, the Strait of +Hormuz, which is also dominated by the mountainous Iranian coastline. In +essence, Iran holds the high ground in the Gulf. Missile batteries arrayed in +those mountains could raise bloody havoc with any fleet deployed below. Of all +the missiles in Iran's armament, the most dangerous is the Russian-made SS-N-22 +Sunburn. These missiles are, simply, the fastest anti-ship weapons on the +planet. The Sunburn can reach Mach 3 at high altitude. Its maximum low-altitude +speed is Mach 2.2, some three times faster than the American-made Harpoon. The +Sunburn takes two short minutes to cover its full range. The missile's +manufacturers state that one or two missiles could cripple a destroyer, and five +missiles could sink a 20,000 ton ship. The Sunburn is also superior to the +Exocet missile. Recall that it was two Exocets that ripped the USS Stark to +shreds in 1987, killing 37 sailors. The Stark could not see them to stop them. +The US aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt is currently deployed in the Persian +Gulf, with some 7,000 souls aboard. Sailing with the Roosevelt is the Tarawa +Expeditionary Strike Force, which includes the USS Tarawa, the USS Austin, and +the USS Pearl Harbor. The USS Austin is likewise deployed in the Gulf. The +Sunburn missile, with its incredible speed and ability to avoid radar detection, +would do terrible damage these ships if Iran chooses to retaliate in the Gulf +after an American attack within its borders. Beyond the naval threat is the +possibility of Iran throwing its military muscle into the ongoing struggle in +Iraq. Currently, the US is facing an asymmetrical attack from groups wielding +small arms, shoulder-fired grenades and roadside bombs. The vaunted American +military has suffered 2,210 deaths and tens of thousands of wounded from this +form of warfare. The occupation of Iraq has become a guerrilla war, a siege that +has lasted more than a thousand days. If Iran decides to throw any or all of its +23,000 armored fighting vehicles, along with any or all of its nearly +million-strong army, into the Iraq fray, the situation in the Middle East could +become unspeakably dire. 3. The Syrian Connection In February of 2005, Iran and +Syria agreed upon a mutual protection pact to combat "challenges and threats" in +the region. This was a specific reaction to the American invasion of Iraq, and a +reaction to America's condemnation of Syria after the death of Lebanese Prime +Minister Rafik Hariri, which was widely seen as an assassination ordered from +Damascus. An attack on Iran would trigger this mutual defense pact, and could +conceivably bring Syria into direct conflict with American forces. Like Iran, +Syria's military is nothing to scoff at. Virtually every credible analysis has +Syria standing as the strongest military force in the Middle East after Israel. +Damascus has been intent for years upon establishing significant military +strength to serve as a counterweight to Israel's overwhelming capabilities. As +of 2002, Syria had some 215,000 soldiers under arms, 4,700 tanks, and a massive +artillery capability. The Syrian Air Force is comprised of ten to eleven +fighter/attack squadrons and sixteen fighter squadrons, totaling somewhere near +650 aircraft. Syria also possesses one of the largest arsenals of ballistic +missiles in the region, comprised primarily of SCUD-derived systems. Iran, North +Korea and China have been willing providers of state-of-the-art technologies. +Compounding this is the well-based suspicion that Syria has perhaps the most +advanced chemical weapons capability in the Persian Gulf. 4. China and the US +Economy While the ominous possibilities of heightened Iraqi chaos, missiles in +the Gulf, and Syrian involvement loom large if the US attacks Iran, all pale in +comparison to the involvement of China in any US/Iran engagement. China's +economy is exploding, hampered only by their great thirst for petroleum and +natural gas to fuel their industry. In the last several months, China has inked +deals with Iran for $70 billion dollars worth of Iranian oil and natural gas. +China will purchase 250 million tons of liquefied natural gas from Iran over the +next 30 years, will develop the massive Yadavaran oil field in Iran, and will +receive 150,000 barrels of oil per day from that field. China is seeking the +construction of a pipeline from Iran to the Caspian Sea, where it would link +with another planned pipeline running from Kazakhstan to China. Any US attack on +Iran could be perceived by China as a direct threat to its economic health. +Further, any fighting in the Persian Gulf would imperil the tankers running +China's liquefied natural gas through the Strait of Hormuz. Should China decide +to retaliate against the US to defend its oil and natural gas deal with Iran, +the US would be faced with a significant threat. This threat exists not merely +on a military level, though China could force a confrontation in the Pacific by +way of Taiwan. More significantly, China holds a large portion of the American +economy in the palm of its hand. Paul Craig Roberts, writing for The American +Conservative, said in July of 2005 that "As a result of many years of persistent +trade surpluses with the United States, the Japanese government holds dollar +reserves of approximately $1 trillion. China's accumulation of dollars is +approximately $600 billion. South Korea holds about $200 billion. These sums +give these countries enormous leverage over the United States. By dumping some +portion of their reserves, these countries could put the dollar under intense +pressure and send U.S. interest rates skyrocketing. Washington would really have +to anger Japan and Korea to provoke such action, but in a showdown with China - +over Taiwan, for example - China holds the cards. China and Japan, and the world +at large, have more dollar reserves than they require. They would have no +problem teaching a hegemonic superpower a lesson if the need arose." "The +hardest blow on Americans," concluded Roberts, "will fall when China does +revalue its currency. When China's currency ceases to be undervalued, American +shoppers in Wal-Mart, where 70 percent of the goods on the shelves are made in +China, will think they are in Neiman Marcus. Price increases will cause a +dramatic reduction in American real incomes. If this coincides with rising +interest rates and a setback in the housing market, American consumers will +experience the hardest times since the Great Depression." In short, China has +the American economy by the throat. Should they decide to squeeze, we will all +feel it. China's strong hand in this even extends to the diplomatic realm; China +is a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, and could veto any +actions against Iran proposed by the United States. 5. American Preparedness +American citizens have for decades taken it as a given that our military can +overwhelm and overcome any foe on the battlefield. The rapid victory during the +first Gulf War cemented this perception. The last three years of the Iraq +occupation, however, have sapped this confidence. Worse, the occupation has done +great damage to the strength of the American military, justifying the decrease +in confidence. Thanks to repeated deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, +recruiting is at an all-time low. Soldiers with vital training and know-how are +refusing to re-enlist. Across the board, the American military is stretched to +the breaking point. Two vaunted economists - one a Nobel Prize winner and the +other a nationally renowned budget expert - have analyzed the data at hand and +put a price tag on the Iraq occupation. According to Linda Bilmes of Harvard and +Nobel Laureate Joseph E. Stiglitz of Columbia University, the final cost of the +Iraq occupation will run between $1 trillion and $2 trillion, surpassing by +orders of magnitude the estimates put forth by the Bush administration. If an +engagement with Iran envelops our forces in Iraq, and comes to involve Syria, +our economy will likely shatter under the strain of fighting so many countries +simultaneously. Add to this the economic threat posed by China, and the economic +threat implicit in any substantial disruption of the distribution of Mideast +petroleum to the globe. If Iran and Syria - with their significant armaments, +missile technologies and suspected chemical weapons capabilities - decide to +engage with the relatively undersized US force in Iraq, our troops there will be +fish in a barrel. Iran's position over the Gulf would make resupply by ship and +air support from carriers a dangerous affair. In the worst-case scenario, the +newly-minted American order of battle requiring the use of nuclear weapons to +rescue a surrounded and imperiled force could come into play, hurling the entire +planet into military and diplomatic bedlam. Conclusion: Is Any of This Possible? +The question must be put as directly as possible: what manner of maniac would +undertake a path so fraught with peril and potential economic catastrophe? It is +difficult to imagine a justification for any action that could envelop the +United States in a military and economic conflict with Iraq, Iran, Syria and +China simultaneously. Iran is suspected by many nations of working towards the +development of nuclear weapons, but even this justification has been tossed into +a cocked hat. Recently, Russian president Vladimir Putin bluntly stated that +Iran is not developing its nuclear capability for any reasons beyond peaceful +energy creation, and pledged to continue assisting Iran in this endeavor. +Therefore, any attack upon Iran's nuclear facilities will bring Russia into the +mess. Iran also stands accused of aiding terrorism across the globe. The dangers +implicit in any attack upon that nation, however, seem to significantly offset +whatever gains could be made in the so-called "War on Terror." Unfortunately, +all the dangers in the world are no match for the self-assurance of a +bubble-encased zealot. What manner of maniac would undertake such a dangerous +course? Look no further than 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. George W. Bush and his +administration have consistently undertaken incredibly dangerous courses of +action in order to garner political power on the home front. Recall the multiple +terror threats lobbed out by the administration whenever damaging political news +appeared in the media. More significantly, recall Iraq. Karl Rove, Bush's most +senior advisor, notoriously told Republicans on the ballot during the 2002 +midterms to "run on the war." The invasion of Iraq provided marvelous political +cover for the GOP not only during those midterms, but during the 2004 +Presidential election. What kind of political cover would be gained from an +attack on Iran, and from the diversion of attention to that attack? The answer +lies in one now-familiar name: Jack Abramoff. The Abramoff scandal threatens to +subsume all the hard-fought GOP gains in Congress, and the 2006 midterms are +less than a year away. Is any of this a probability? Logic says no, but logic +seldom plays any part in modern American politics. All arguments that the Bush +administration would be insane to attack Iran and risk a global conflagration +for the sake of political cover run into one unavoidable truth. They did it once +already in Iraq. + +By Graydon Carter (excepted from "What We've Lost", published by Little Brown) +68.4 - Average Number of species added to the Endangered and Threatened Species +list each year between 1991 and 2000. 0 - Number of endangered species +voluntarily added by the Bush administration since taking office. 408 - Number +of species that could be extinct by 2050 if the global-warming trend continues. +0 - Number of times Bush mentioned global warming, clean air, clean water, +pollution or environment in his 2004 State of the Union speech. His father was +the last president to go through an entire State of the Union address without +mentioning the environment. 1 - Number of paragraphs devoted to global warming +in the EPA's 600-page "Draft Report on the Environment" presented in 2003. 68 - +Number of days after taking office that Bush decided Not to ratify the Kyoto +Protocol, the international treaty to reduce greenhouse gases by roughly 5.2 per +cent below 1990 levels by 2012. The United States was to cut its level by 7 per +cent. 1 The rank of the United States worldwide in terms of greenhouse gas +emissions. 25 - Percentage of overall worldwide carbon dioxide emissions the +United States is responsible for. 53 - Number of days after taking office that +Bush reneged on his campaign promise to regulate carbon dioxide emissions from +power plants. 14 - Percentage carbon dioxide emissions will increase over the +next 10 years under Bush's own global-warming plan (an increase of 30 per cent +above their 1990 levels). 5 - Number of years the Bush administration said in +2003 that global warming must be further studied before substantive action could +be taken. $44m- Amount the Bush-Cheney 2000 campaign and the Republican National +Committee received in contributions from the fossil fuel, chemical, timber, and +mining industries. 200 - Number of regulation rollbacks downgrading or weakening +environmental laws in Bush's first three years in office. 31 - Number of Bush +administration appointees who are alumni of the energy industry (includes four +cabinet secretaries, the six most powerful White House officials, and more than +20 other high-level appointees). 50= Approximate number of policy changes and +regulation rollbacks injurious to the environment that have been announced by +the Bush administration on Fridays after 5pm, a time that makes it all but +impossible for news organisations to relay the information to the widest +possible audience. 50 - Percentage decline in Environmental Protection Agency +enforcement actions against polluters under Bush's watch. 34 - Percentage +decline in criminal penalties for environmental crimes since Bush took office. +50 - Percentage decline in civil penalties for environmental crimes since Bush +took office. $6.1m - Amount the EPA historically valued each human life when +conducting economic analyses of proposed regulations. $3.7m - Amount the EPA +valued each human life when conducting analyses of proposed regulations during +the Bush administration. 62 - Number of members of Cheney's 63-person Energy +Task Force with ties to corporate energy interests. 0 - Number of +environmentalists asked to attend Cheney's Energy Task Force meetings. 6 - +Number of months before 11 September that Cheney's Energy Task Force +investigated Iraq's oil reserves. 2 - Percentage of the world's population that +is British. 2 - Percentage of the world's oil used by Britain. 5 - Percentage of +the world's population that is American. 25 - Percentage of the world's oil used +by America. 63 - Percentage of oil the United States imported in 2003, a record +high. 24,000 - Estimated number of premature deaths that will occur under Bush's +Clear Skies initiative. 300 - Number of Clean Water Act violations by the +mountaintop-mining industry in 2003. 750,000 - Tons of toxic waste the US +military, the world's biggest polluter, generates around the world each year. +$3.8bn - Amount in the Superfund trust fund for toxic site clean-ups in 1995, +the Year "polluter pays" fees expired. $0 - Amount of uncommitted dollars in the +Superfund trust fund for toxic site clean-ups in 2003. 270 - Estimated number of +court decisions citing federal Negligence in endangered-species protection that +remained unheeded during the first year of the Bush administration. 100 - +Percentage of those decisions that Bush then decided to allow the government to +ignore indefinitely. 50- Percentage of screened workers at Ground Zero who now +suffer from long-term health problems, almost half of whom don't have health +insurance. 78 - Percentage of workers at Ground Zero who now suffer from lung +ailments. 88 - Percentage of workers at Ground Zero who Now suffer from ear, +nose, or throat problems. 22 - Asbestos levels at Ground Zero were 22 times +higher than the levels in Libby, Montana, where the W R Grace mine produced one +of the worst Superfund disasters in US history. 1 - Number of Bush +administration public statements on National security issued between 20 January +2001 and 10 September 2001 that mentioned al-Qa'ida. 104 - Number of Bush +administration public statements on National security and defense in the same +period that mentioned Iraq or Saddam Hussein. 101 - Number of Bush +administration public statements on National security and defense in the same +period that mentioned missile defence. 65 - Number of Bush administration public +statements on National security and defense in the same period that mentioned +weapons of mass destruction. 0 - Number of times Bush mentioned Osama bin Laden +in his three State of the Union addresses. 73 - Number of times that Bush +mentioned terrorism or terrorists in his three State of the Union addresses. 83 +- Number of times Bush mentioned Saddam, Iraq, or regime (as in change) in his +three State of the Union addresses. $1m - Estimated value of a painting the Bush +Presidential Library in College Station, Texas, received from Prince Bandar, +Saudi Arabia's ambassador to the United States and Bush family friend. 0 - +Number of times Bush mentioned Saudi Arabia in his three State of the Union +addresses. 1,700- Percentage increase between 2001 and 2002 of Saudi Arabian +spending on public relations in the United States. 79 - Percentage of the 11 +September hijackers who came from Saudi Arabia. 3 = Number of 11 September +hijackers whose entry visas came through special US-Saudi "Visa Express" +programme. 140 - Number of Saudis, including members of the Bin Laden family, +evacuated from United States almost immediately after 11 September. 14 - Number +of Immigration and Naturalisation Service (INS) agents assigned to track down +1,200 known illegal immigrants in the United States from countries where +al-Qa'ida is active. $3m - Amount the White House was willing to grant the 9/11 +Commission to investigate the 11 September attacks. $0 - Amount approved by +George Bush to hire more INS special agents. $10m- Amount Bush cut from the +INS's existing terrorism budget. $50m - Amount granted to the commission that +looked into the Columbia space shuttle crash. $5m - Amount a 1996 federal +commission was given to study legalised gambling. 7 - Number of Arabic linguists +fired by the US army between mid-August and mid-October 2002 for being gay. +George Bush: Military man 1972 - Year that Bush walked away from his pilot +duties in the Texas National Guard, Nearly two years before his six-year +obligation was up. $3,500 - Reward a group of veterans offered in 2000 for +anyone who could confirm Bush's Alabama guard service. 600-700 - Number of +guardsmen who were in Bush's unit during that period. 0 - Number of guardsmen +from that period who came forward with information about Bush's guard service. 0 +- Number of minutes that President Bush, Vice-President Dick Cheney, the Defence +Secretary, Donald Rumsfeld, the assistant Defence Secretary, Paul Wolfowitz, the +former chairman of the Defence Policy Board, Richard Perle, and the White House +Chief of Staff, Karl Rove - the main proponents of the war in Iraq -served in +combat (combined). 0 - Number of principal civilian or Pentagon staff members +who planned the war who have immediate family members serving in uniform in +Iraq. 8 - Number of members of the US Senate and House of Representatives who +have a child serving in the military. 10 - Number of days that the Pentagon +spent investigating a soldier who had called the President "a joke" in a letter +to the editor of a Newspaper. 46 - Percentage increase in sales between 2001 and +2002 of GI Joe figures (children's toys). Ambitious warrior 2 - Number of +Nations that George Bush has attacked and taken over since coming into office. +130 - Approximate Number of countries (out of a total of 191 recognised by the +United Nations) with a US military presence. 43 - Percentage of the entire +world's military spending that the US spends on defence. (That was in 2002, the +year before the invasion of Iraq.) $401.3b - Proposed military budget for 2004. +Saviour of Iraq 1983 - The year in which Donald Rumsfeld, Ronald Reagan's +special envoy to the Middle East, gave Saddam Hussein a pair of golden spurs as +a gift. 2.5 - Number of hours after Rumsfeld learnt that Osama bin Laden was a +suspect in the 11 September attacks that he brought up reasons to "hit" Iraq. +237 - Minimum number of misleading statements on Iraq made by top Bush +administration officials between 2002 and January 2004, according to the +California Representative Henry Waxman. 10m - Estimated number of people +worldwide who took to the streets on 21 February 2003, in opposition to the +invasion of Iraq, the largest simultaneous protest in world history. $2b - +Estimated monthly cost of US military presence in Iraq projected by the White +House in April 2003. $4b - Actual monthly cost of the US military presence in +Iraq according to Secretary of Defence Rumsfeld in 2004. $15m - Amount of a +contract awarded to an American firm to build a cement factory in Iraq. $80,000 +- Amount an Iraqi firm spent (using Saddam's confiscated funds) to build the +same factory, after delays prevented the American firm from starting it. 2000 - +Year that Cheney said his policy as CEO of Halliburton oil services company was +"we wouldn't do anything in Iraq". $4.7b - Total value of contracts awarded to +Halliburton in Iraq and Afghanistan. $680m - Estimated value of Iraq +reconstruction contracts awarded to Bechtel. $2.8b - Value of Bechtel Corp +contracts in Iraq. $120b - Amount the war and its aftermath are projected to +cost for the 2004 fiscal year. 35 - Number of countries to which the United +States suspended military assistance after they failed to sign agreements giving +Americans immunity from prosecution before the International Criminal Court. 92 +- Percentage of Iraq's urban areas with access to potable water in late 2002. 60 +- Percentage of Iraq's urban areas with access to potable water in late 2003. 55 +- Percentage of the Iraqi workforce who were unemployed before the war. 80 - +Percentage of the Iraqi workforce who are unemployed a Year after the war. 0 - +Number of American combat deaths in Germany after the Nazi surrender in May +1945. 37 - Death toll of US soldiers in Iraq in May 2003, the month combat +operations "officially" ended. 0 - Number of coffins of dead soldiers returning +home that the Bush administration has permitted to be photographed. 0 - Number +of memorial services for the returned dead that Bush has attended since the +beginning of the war. A soldier's best friend 40,000 - Number of soldiers in +Iraq seven months after start of the war still without Interceptor vests, +designed to stop a round from an AK-47. $60m - Estimated cost of outfitting +those 40,000 soldiers with Interceptor vests. 62 - Percentage of gas masks that +army investigators discovered did Not work properly in autumn 2002. 90 - +Percentage of detectors which give early warning of a biological weapons attack +found to be defective. 87 - Percentage of Humvees in Iraq not equipped with +armour capable of stopping AK-47 rounds and protecting against roadside bombs +and landmines at the end of 2003. Making the country safer $3.29- Average amount +allocated per person Nationwide in the first round of homeland security grants. +$94.40 - Amount allocated per person for homeland security in American Samoa. +$36 - Amount allocated per person for homeland security in Wyoming, +Vice-President Cheney's home state. $17 - Amount allocated per person in New +York state. $5.87 - Amount allocated per person in New York City. $77.92 - +Amount allocated per person in New Haven, Connecticut, home of Yale University, +Bush's alma mater. 76 - Percentage of 215 cities surveyed by the US Conference +of Mayors in early 2004 that had yet to receive a dime in federal homeland +security assistance for their first-response units. 5 - Number of major US +airports at the beginning of 2004 that the Transportation Security +Administration admitted were Not fully screening baggage electronically. 22,600 +- Number of planes carrying unscreened cargo that fly into New York each month. +5 - Estimated Percentage of US air cargo that is screened, including cargo +transported on passenger planes. 95 - Percentage of foreign goods that arrive in +the United States by sea. 2 - Percentage of those goods subjected to thorough +inspection. $5.5b - Estimated cost to secure fully US ports over the Next +decade. $0 - Amount Bush allocated for port security in 2003. $46m - Amount the +Bush administration has budgeted for port security in 2005. 15,000 - Number of +major chemical facilities in the United States. 100 - Number of US chemical +plants where a terrorist act could endanger the lives of more than one million +people. 0 - Number of new drugs or vaccines against "priority pathogens" listed +by the Centres for Disease Control that have been developed and introduced since +11 September 2001. Giving a hand up to the advantaged $10.9m - Average wealth of +the members of Bush's original 16-person cabinet. 75 - Percentage of Americans +unaffected by Bush's sweeping 2003 cuts in capital gains and dividends taxes. +$42,000 - Average savings members of Bush's cabinet received in 2003 as a result +of cuts in capital gains and dividends taxes. 10 - Number of fellow members from +the Yale secret society Skull and Bones that Bush has named to important +positions (including the Associate Attorney General Robert McCallum Jr. and SEC +chief Bill Donaldson). 79 - Number of Bush's initial 189 appointees who also +served in his father's administration. A man with a lot of friends $113m - +Amount of total hard money the Bush-Cheney 2000 campaign received, a record. +$11.5m - Amount of hard money raised through the Pioneer programme, the +controversial fund-raising process created for the Bush-Cheney 2000 campaign. +(Participants pledged to raise at least $100,000 by bundling together cheques of +up to $1,000 from friends and family. Pioneers were assigned numbers, which were +included on all cheques, enabling the campaign to keep track of who raised how +much.) George Bush: Money manager 4.7m - Number of bankruptcies that were +declared during Bush's first three years in office. 2002 - The worst year for +major markets since the recession of the 1970s. $489b - The US trade deficit in +2003, the worst in history for a single year. $5.6t - Projected national surplus +forecast by the end of the decade when Bush took office in 2001. $7.22t - US +national debt by mid-2004. George Bush: Tax cutter 87 - Percentage of American +families in April 2004 who say they have felt no benefit from Bush's tax cuts. +39 - Percentage of tax cuts that will go to the top 1 per cent of American +families when fully phased in. 49 - Percentage of Americans in April 2004 who +found that their taxes had actually gone up since Bush took office. 88 - +Percentage of American families who will save less than $100 on their 2006 +federal taxes as a result of 2003 cut in capital gains and dividends taxes. +$30,858 - Amount Bush himself saved in taxes in 2003. Employment tsar 9.3m - +Number of US unemployed in April 2004. 2.3m - Number of Americans who lost their +jobs during first three Years of the Bush administration. 22m - Number of jobs +gained during Clinton's eight years in office. Friend of the poor 34.6m - Number +of Americans living below the poverty line (1 in 8 of the population). 6.8m - +Number of people in the workforce but still classified as poor. 35m - Number of +Americans that the government defines as "food insecure," in other words, +hungry. $300m - Amount cut from the federal programme that provides subsidies to +poor families so they can heat their homes. 40 - Percentage of wealth in the +United States held by the richest 1 per cent of the population. 18 - Percentage +of wealth in Britain held by the richest 1e per cent of the population. George +Bush And his special friend $60b - Loss to Enron stockholders, following the +largest bankruptcy in US history. $205m - Amount Enron CEO Kenneth Lay earned +from stock option profits over a four-year period. $101m - Amount Lay made from +selling his Enron shares just before the company went bankrupt. $59,339 - Amount +the Bush campaign reimbursed Enron for 14 trips on its corporate jet during the +2000 campaign. 30 - Length of time in months between Enron's collapse and Lay +(whom the President called "Kenny Boy") still not being charged with a crime. +George Bush: Lawman 15 - Average number of minutes Bush spent reviewing capital +punishment cases while governor of Texas. 46 - Percentage of Republican federal +judges when Bush came to office. 57 - Percentage of Republican federal judges +after three years of the Bush administration. 33 - Percentage of the $15bn Bush +pledged to fight Aids in Africa that must go to abstinence-only programmes. The +Civil libertarian 680 - Number of suspected al-Qa'ida members that the United +States admits are detained at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba. 42 - Number of nationalities +of those detainees at Guantanamo. 22 - Number of hours prisoners were +handcuffed, shackled, and made to wear surgical masks, earmuffs, and blindfolds +during their flight to Guantanamo. 32 - Number of confirmed suicide attempts by +Guantanamo Bay prisoners. 24 - Number of prisoners in mid-2003 being monitored +by psychiatrists in Guantanamo's new mental ward. A health-conscious president +43.6m - Number of Americans without health insurance by the end of 2002 (more +than 15 per cent of the population). 2.4m - Number of Americans who lost their +health insurance during Bush's first year in office. Image booster for the US +2,500- Number of public-diplomacy officers employed by the State Department to +further the image of the US abroad in 1991. 1,200 - Number of public-diplomacy +officers employed by the State Department to further US image abroad in 2004. 4- +Rank of the United States among countries considered to be the greatest threats +to world peace according to a 2003 Pew Global Attitudes study (Israel, Iran, and +North Korea were considered more dangerous; Iraq was considered less dangerous). +$66b - Amount the United States spent on international aid and diplomacy in +1949. $23.8b - Amount the United States spent on international aid and diplomacy +in 2002. 85- Percentage of Indonesians who had an unfavourable image of the +United States in 2003. Second-party endorsements 90 - Percentage of Americans +who approved of the way Bush was handling his job as president on 26 September +2001. 67 - Percentage of Americans who approved of the way Bush was handling his +job as president on 26 September 2002. 54 - Percentage of Americans who approved +of the way Bush was handling his job as president on 30 September, 2003. 50 - +Percentage of Americans who approved of the way Bush was handling his job as +president on 15 October 2003. 49 - Percentage of Americans who approved of the +way Bush was handling his job as president in May 2004. More like the French +than he would care to admit 28 - Number of vacation days Bush took in August +2003, the second-longest vacation of any president in US history. (Record holder +Richard Nixon.) 13 - Number of vacation days the average American receives each +Year. 28 - Number of vacation days Bush took in August 2001, the month he +received a 6 August Presidential Daily Briefing headed "Osama bin Laden +Determined to Strike US Targets." 500 - Number of days Bush has spent all or +part of his time away from the White House at his ranch in Crawford, Texas, his +parents' retreat in Kennebunkport, Maine, or Camp David as of 1 April 2004. No +fool when it comes to the press 11 - Number of press conferences during his +first three years in office in which Bush referred to questions as being "trick" +ones. Factors in his favor 3 - Number of companies that control the US voting +technology market. 52 - Percentage of votes cast during the 2002 midterm +elections that were recorded by Election Systems & Software, the largest +voting-technology firm, a big Republican donor. 29 - Percentage of votes that +will be cast via computer voting machines that don't produce a paper record. 17 +- On 17 November 2001, The Economist printed a correction for having said George +Bush was properly elected in 2000. $113m- Amount raised by the Bush-Cheney 2000 +campaign, the most in American electoral history. $185m - Amount raised by the +Bush-Cheney 2004 re-election campaign, to the end of March 2004. $200m - Amount +that the Bush-Cheney 2004 campaign expects to raise by November 2004. 268 Number +of Bush-Cheney fund-raisers who had earned Pioneer status (by raising $100,000 +each) as of March 2004. 187 - Number of Bush-Cheney fund-raisers who had earned +Ranger status (by raising $200,000 each) as of March 2004. $64.2m - The Amount +Pioneers and Rangers had raised for Bush-Cheney as of March 2004. 85 - +Percentage of Americans who can't Name the Chief Justice of the United States. +69 - Percentage of Americans who believed the White House's claims in September +2003 that Saddam Hussein was personally involved in the 11 September attacks. 34 +- Percentage of Americans who believed in June 2003 that Saddam's "weapons of +mass destruction" had been found. 22- Percentage of Americans who believed in +May 2003 that Saddam had used his WMDs on US forces. 85 - Percentage of American +young adults who cannot find Afghanistan, Iraq, or Israel on a map. 30 - +Percentage of American young adults who cannot find the Pacific Ocean on a map. +75 - Percentage of American young adults who don't know the population of the +United States. 53 - Percentage of Canadian young adults who don't know the +population of the United States. 11 - Percentage of American young adults who +cannot find the United States on a map. 30 - Percentage of Americans who believe +that "politics and government are too complicated to understand." Another factor +in his favor 70m - Estimated number of Americans who describe themselves as +Evangelicals who accept Jesus Christ as their personal saviour and who interpret +the Bible as the direct word of God. 23m - Number of Evangelicals who voted for +Bush in 2000. 50m- Number of voters in total who voted for Bush in 2000. 46 - +Percentage of voters who describe themselves as born-again Christians. 5 - +Number of states that do not use the word "evolution" in public school science +courses. + +My dad just doesn't understand? Ugh my dad is so stupid... he just doesn't +understand anything! I have 5 sisters and so including my mom... he is the only +guy in a house of six females. Now I'm the youngest and I just got my period so +now we all have ours and he thinks it's a good thing? He's always like "ohh you +must be so happy to finally have yours, I wish I had mine!" and he isn't even +joking. I think just living in a house with so many girls is making him go +crazy? Yep, the females are just getting to him... dads.. Don't blame him +please, he feels lonely and wants to show his attention to all of you to look +after you, please forgive and sympathy if he miss something. I am sorry for him, +he is a good dad + +Equine collages uk NEED HELP!!!? Can somebody give me the names some collages +that do post 18 (degrees or foundation degrees) in either: Horse +behaviour/training or Equine psychology No one employs people from Hartpury +because of what they received on work experience. Merrist Wood (I'm there on a +NVQ equine course) do HND in equine management. Your best bet is to look on UCAS +and do a course search. Merrist Wood in Woking in Surrey. Moreton Morrell in +Coventry, Warwickshire Hartpury College (I think that is the name, but if you +type it in it should come up with an alternative suggestion), in +Gloucestershire. Go onto the UCAS website, go onto course search and search for +the courses you want to do. They'll give you a comprehensive list of all the +universities that do the courses you want, plus all the information you need to +apply. + +Besides from Pacquiao, what else is The Philipines famous for? Cheap hookers You +shouldn't ask this question it's intimidating, if i tell you what people knows +about Philippines you will blush, thank god many thinks i'm japanese just +because of the way i keep myself, the way i talk and treat people, and the way i +dress, so if you don't want nasty, insulting answers especially from those +undesirable migrants like puttagenius, caloy, gro science, and irene. In fact +Philippines is famous to accept people like these people i mentioned whose not +filipinos but helping the Philippines to plunge in the pit as they are the rot +of the country.They need to be expulse from the country and if they are not +there they should be banned entering the country to plant their eggs, as they +are considered as the rotten left overs of dinasaurs Being the texting capital +of the world. + +Would you recommend living in Limerick as a student? I've been given the +opportunity to live in Limerick, Ireland, next year as part of my course..if you +know about Limerick, what are the pros and cons? and would you recommend it as a +student? The L.I.T is so close to Moyross, yet again the ppl who talk sh*t about +Moyross still go there. Limerick's a great student city, there's loads on, +you'll be spoilt for choice. In fact, you probably won't ever want to leave. +Orla got it in one. Although there is 'bad press' directing at AREA'S of +limerick, but nowhere near the university. Limerick is such a full city, +shopping, night life, career choices, social choices, I came here about 12 years +ago for college.....and Orla got it spot on, I haven't left, nor would I. Its +now my home. + +My myTouch 4G crashes with most custom ROMs I install. Can that be fixed? I +really like the MIUI, but a process crashes repeatedly about every 3 seconds. +And I can't even load the newest version of Cyanogen Mod. not by the company... +as you voided your warrenty by installing custom roms you are best to either +recover to the standard ROM, or find one that doesn't crash. cynangon mod should +work. Have you tried using clockwork recovery? Get the older version of Cynagon +mod. Also you could use a stable rom like bugless beast and baked snake. Those +roms focus on speed and stability. Or you could just use a home screen launcher +replacement. I would recommend go launcher or adw launcher. They are both +excellent and speed up the phone quite a bit. As a mytouch 4g owner I know the +phone is pretty fast and their is no point installing a rom. Hope you read +through this. + +are the moors and penines in Yorkshire a lonely eerie place? and how big are +they? im 33. ive never been to the yorkshire moors or penines at all...i can see +the penines in the far distance from my bedroom window. when i watched werewolf +in london ( great film) that was the only time i saw the yorkshire moors. can +anyone give me information about them? They can be bleak and eerie, often very +exposed, often covered with antiquities like bronze age burial mounds, stone +circles and settlements--until late in the bronze age they were rich +farmlands,then a change in the climate caused the skies to cloud over and rain +to wash the goodness from the soil.The people abandoned their farms and +religious sites and the ground they stood on became moorland. They can also be +very beautiful when the purple heather is out, and they are habitat to much +wildlife and many species of wildflowers. + +I have a western pleasure appy thats really heavy on her left lead at the lope? +My appy is very heavy on her left lead at the lope. She seems to lope one stride +and trot the next and repeat... How could I work with her to get off her four +hand,get balance, and lope smoothly and slowly?? Put on a pair of spurs and +before she makes that trot step, it's in the feeling when you feel her think +trot, tick her with the spur and lift with your body to keep her moving. If you +concentrate on that feel just before the trot you can figure it out and the +timing is essential to push her at that instant. Lope her to the left in +circles, keep her head to the inside of the circle and push her but out, keep +doing this if she breaks to a jog go a little bit bigger circle, till she can +get enough balance to go small and small.circles + +my new OLYMPUS X940 DIGITAL CAMERA...? hi everyone....just hav my hands on my +new OLYMPUS X940 digital camera..wel,i always wanted 2 hav one by sony..but +anyways,ended up having olympus X940 from my dad.......does any1 already has +it?how has ur experience with it?is it a gud option for casual/formal functions +photography?????wht abt its picture quality???is it comparable to sony products +or not?? it has 14 mega pixel camera...n 4xwide optical zoom... ur answers and +reviews wud be highly appreciated.......thanks!!!!!!! Olympus X-940 14 Megapixel +Digital Camera has filters and can do all sorts of special effects. It is def +worth more than the price. I am VERY satisfied. A good camera for the plain +point and shoot. My answer is that we don't to text speak here... we type in +English. Get your English in order before writing here again please. + +dead pixel of my photos? just want to ask..i have an nikon dslr..im wondering +why if i zoom my picture zoom like almost 200-300percent..i can see some dead +pixel...is there something wrong with my camera body?lens?or what? please help +me..and what should i do to fix this problem?or it is normal? Are you sure it +isn't dirt on the sensor? Put the camera on manual focus and set focus to +infinity Take a photo of a very light plain subject close to the lens using long +exposure and smallest aperture you have - over expose by a couple of stops You +will see in the image if there is dirt as that will be the only thing in focus +Cure is to get the sensor cleaned There should be a Pixel Mapping function in +the menu that will get rid of them, most sensors have a few dead and flipped +pixels, some only show up on long exposures. Chris + +New Zealand skilled migrant visa? If you apply for a skilled migrant workers +visa and it is accepted do you have to find work in the same sector as your +skills on your application or can you take up other work if you can't find +something in your own field. I have posted this question on the NZ visa site and +can't get any info, does anyone know.??? Watch out the poles are coming.....my +little butterfly That would be preferable but it doesn't matter, could be +something similar It depends on the conditions of your skilled migrant visa. +Your visa should say whether or not you are restricted to work in a specific +sector. If your visa does not restrict you from taking any work in New Zealand +then you can work in any sector. It only matters if you received an offer of +employment or if you are currently working in New Zealand and used that job in +your application to get your skilled migrant visa. + +In Chicago, what is the best restaurant to dine at on a budget? Downtown +Chicago, Loop, North Take the red line to Clark, then you turn right. Walk 2 +blocks then turn right again. Walk 2 more blocks then cross the street. You will +get to a place called "BIG BOWL". THAI FOOD AND ASIAN. BEST PLACE +EVER!!!!!!!!!!!! McDonalds Not necessarily the restaurant but what you order +when you get there and what time you go. A lunch will be less expensive than a +dinner. You can order appetizers rather than a full meal and have just as good a +dinner. But the best way is to use coupons. Check out http://www.restaurant.com +lots of restaurants you can look at the menu and check out prices. Yo also may +want to try "small neighborhood" restaurants and support family run places +rather than the large corporate chains. Not that there is anything wrong with +that because they also employ local people that live and shop in the area. + +Is there any cure for mouse poison? I found a poor little mouse walking around +in my friends house, and since I was able to catch it very easily (normally mice +move at the speed of light), and since it was acting unresponsive, I thought it +was infected with mouse poison, since my friend uses it. I know that the mouse +will probably die, but I was wondering if there is any cure for mouse poison? I +just hate to see the poor dears experience a slow painful death that way :( . +Without knowing the exact poison, no. A common one is arsenic and there really +isn't a way to cure that. Take the mouse to an emergency vet and have them use +CO2 to put the mouse to sleep. Or, you can put the animal in a snap trap +designed for rats or mice since that is the only really humane kill method for +invasive animals. A quick cure would be Arm & Hammer to it's head. + +Crayola Air- Dry Clay? Ok. So I have a VERY long list of people I want to make +Xmas gifts for and one of them is my best friend. She loves giraffes and +homemade things! I am very artistic so I decided I was going to make her a +giraffe sculpture. I don't have much money so I bought Crayola Air-Dry Clay. I +have sculpted the giraffe laying down. The key is...I have a few problems: 1. I +tested it out by making a figure boat And after 4 days when it dried it was very +fragile! (like VERY not in a good way) Is there any way to strengthen it? 2. +What kind of paint do I use to paint the giraffe? 3. Is there any cheap way to +give it a shine like I made it in a kiln? air dry clay works on armatures , the +clay has a minor shrink percent, so you can leave the wire armature inside, +paint with acrylic paint + +taking young cat with me for a week out of state? good idea? i have a 3-4 month +old kitten and i live in forida. i am going to my grandmas in north carolina and +we are going camping in a cabin in west virginia. My cat is a outside cat but +she loves it inside. she is also good in a carrier. Should i bring her? if so +how quick will she adapt to a litter box inside? thanks We took our cat Mitten +camping. He loved it. But he was an inside/outside cat (only one I owned - rest +have been 100 0nside cats). He was trained to a harness/leash for outside time +but he knew to use the litter pan inside. If your cat is not trained to use the +litter pan, you may have a problem taking her. NO! changing its surroundings too +often will stress it out and it will get depressed, mean, sick, or will not want +to be around you. + +What cleaners should I use for dusting around my parakeet? What cleaners can I +use to dust around my budgie. Would pledge be ok? If not, what is? Your best bet +would just be a swiffer duster -- they don't require cleaner. If you must use a +cleaner, pledge should be fine if the area that you keep your parakeet in is +well ventilated. I have had parakeets for a VERY long time, and I use pledge. +Just keep a window open for a while for fresh air to circulate. I agree w the +answer from Nothing. Even a cotton cloth (I like diapers) that is barely damp w +water will work fine. Swiffer or any type of micro-fiber cloth is excellent. I +use Miracle Cloth, they're fantastic, just don't use fabric softener or dryer +sheets when cleaning them, it ruins their "grabbing" ability. +http://www.solutions.com/jump.jsp?itemID=1361&itemType=PRODUCT&path=1%2C3%2C477&iProductID=1361 +If anything you use has a strong or lingering fragrance it can bother or +potentially injure the bird. + +RP: Is it wrong to want to remove a contact because they are really really +stupid...? I didn't get to read the answers lol :( I'm not gonna say who, they +are on now. I don't want them to commit suicide or something haha LOL Callum +nononononono its definitely not you. no Its not any of you lol i emailed you +saaaaaam. I don't know. how did you know. it's not me is it!? I'm mostly joking +when I talk about suicide and really I'm not that stupid I just get in stupid +situations D: iguzwhat lol whoooooo? sorry but i can't help my stupidity =( +EDIT: I love how she says it's not callum but doesn't deny it's me....i think we +all know who she's talking about... EDIT: now i'm curious... EDIT: How did I +know... lol they really aren't that much worse than me and their gpa was better +than mine.... + +can i buy a laptop in u.k and then take it to rep.ireland and put a irish pay,go +dongle init? i want to buy a laptop for my girlfriend in ireland,would she be +able to just use the dongle she uses for her pc and put it straight in the +laptop and it work like normall?thanks people Yes obviously the USB is region +free which means you can use it anywhere. And every computer manufactured in +both Ireland & the UK are Region 2 aka PAL. There won't be a difference since +mobile broadband is supposed to be digital. But word of advice if you're get +your girlfriend a laptop make sure its a good brand a not something like DELL, +Acer, Asus, eMachines etc. just a heads up. yes of course you can.... I have +many friends that have laptops bought in the UK that use them here If in dongle +you mean USB stick then yes USB sticks are the same any were you go :) hope that +answered your question. + +How do I take care of my newborn baby fish? I am nervous that my other fish will +eat them, and I don't know what to feed them! I have counted around 25 of them +and they currently reside in a 20 gallon tank. You could move all the babies +into a fry net breeder or move all of the bigger fish (also the parents) to a +different tank to avoid the babies getting eaten. Feed the babies 3-4 times a +day with flakes. Provide plenty of hiding places like rocks, plants, etc in the +tank. Its natural for some babies to be eaten by adults and if all of them +survived your tank would be very overcrowded. Look in the pet stores for "fry +food" or "baby fish foods". what kind of newborn fish you have? some parents +would not eat there fish till a certain age jack dempsey for example would not +eat there offspring till they mature but i would move the baby fish into a +smaller tank and feed them flakes + +I have a question about McDonald's Monopoly! Please HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If +you can? TEN POINTS!!!!!!!!!!? Ok, I know that Mcdonald's has Monopoly going on +right now. & I wanna know what food has the game pieces. And what food has EXTRA +game pieces. Because Large Fries give you FOUR PIECES! When most of the food or +drinks I got only included two! So can somebody please list ALL of the food that +includes the game pieces, and the number of game pieces you get with THAT FOOD! +PLEASE!!!!!! The person who best explains this, and helps me out the best with +my question will be REWARDED WITH TEN POINTS!!!!!!! PLEASE HELP!!!!!!!!!!! THANK +YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D scroll down and this website shows each thing you can buy (: +http://www.playatmcd.com/en-us/Main/Gameboard 4 Peels: - 20 piece Chicken +McNuggets - Large fries 2 Peels: - Big Mac - 10 piece Chicken McNuggets - Medium +Fountain Drink - McCAFE Drink - Filet-O-Fish - Hash Browns - Egg McMuffin, +Sausage - Fruit & Maple Oatmeal + +bearded dragon spikes? bit of a stupid question but do the spikes/spines +(whatever you call them) on their side and face area ever go hard. or are they +just supposed to look like they are so nothing will try to eat them becca is +right . iv owned beardies for ovr 3 yrs and i handle mine all the time.. they +dont go hard lik eneedle hard but they arnt pillow soft. they use them to look +prickly.. would you try to eat a cactus [if u had no knife] i know i wouldnt. +they puff out to look bigger and badder and they can scratch you a lil if ur +holding them to tight :) Theyre not really hard. Beardies are actually quite +delicate. I'm assuming it's to scare off predators / like how they will puff up +their neck spikes to make them look bigger to predators or enemies. they dont +hurt unless your stupid enough to press on them. They just are there as an +adaptation. + +what is a kimberwick bit used for? Used as a help for horses that are quite +strong pullers while hacking, hunting and doing cross country. It is a curb bit +with a ported mouth piece and some horses appreciate this to give them more room +in their mouths for their tongues. It is not as precise as a pelham bit because +it only uses one rein, though the modern ones have two or three slots on which +to put the reins. The lower the reins, the stronger the action and the lower the +reins the stronger the action on the poll too. Useful for younger kids who do +not have big enough hands or the ability to handle two reins independently. For +horses that are strong pullers. It just gives you a little leverage and curb +pressure. It's nice for horses that need a little more than a snaffle. I know +that's vague, but it depends on the horse. The rider needs to have independent +hands as well, because you do NOT want to pull too hard on a bit like that. ;) + +How long to save up for a canon t3i? I want to save up for a canon t3i, around +750-800 + :( I'm currently 12 and I get about 20 dollars a week for lunch, +sometimes a bit more, I plan to save 10 dollars every week :) My birthday is in +november and I get about .... 150 or more since i hate my dads family.. haha +Chinese new year ~ 300 christmas ~ 100 and yeaa... Can someone cunclude how long +it might take me to save up for the canan t3i or some extra tips to save/gain +money? :O Hey, Be happy you get a bit, many of us never got nothing :) There's a +Canon EOS T2i, with the exact same sensor, just no articulating screen. It's +around $100 less, which means you get the same camera but quicker! Here's a DSLR +Buying Guide - http://www.the-dslr-photographer.com/2009/11/which-dslr-to-buy/ +Don't worry about it. If you can't even do basic math, you'll never figure out +how to use a DSLR camera properly. hey kido u made me smile + +does the POP drying time slow down if it not exposed to air? its for a craft +project.....i want to use it the way u would use icing.... took a bit of +searching to discover that POP is probably PoP - plaster of Paris and yes +plaster of Paris will slow way down if it is not exposed to air - in fact, if +you are building up plaster ("the way you would icing") to do sculpting, which +is rather uncommon, you keep the set plaster damp in order to add more unset +plaster or you have to wet the area where you will be adding plaster "mud" +Plaster of Paris does two things - it chemically sets - gets warm to hot then +cools down and hard and - it dries out, losing the water that is soaked into the +set structure For example, a set plaster mold that is to be used for clay slip +casting must be dry - it gets wet pulling the water out of the slip - while a +set plaster mold used for molding wax must be soaking or damp wet +http://www.mikegigi.com/castgobl.htm#LGGOBPROJ + +Dwarf Hamster Making Too Much Noise On Wheel at Night? I'm getting a dwarf +Hamster tomorrow And i was just talking to my Mom and she said that we have to +take out the wheel at night because it would disturb her sleep But i told her no +because i said their energetic at night at my room is right next door to hers +But i heard their are wheels that dont make noise at all what would be the price +of it? I'm quite sure , you don't even have to buy another , all you need to do +, is to pour some oil on the wheel , or even put some rubber on it's edges , the +part that is making the noise . That might work Super Pet Silent Spinner +Exercise Wheel Our Price: $10.99 to 12.99 PETSMART! works well lasts long. I +have a dwarf hamster who HATES his wheel and doesn't use it - he makes so much +MORE noise, as he plays and digs and jumps (seriously) wheels are relatively +noiseless - a few squeaks from a wheel are better than the full wrath of a bored +pet! + +Change of boarding station? How can I change my boarding station against the +ticket I booked a month back from counter? My origin Station is Howrah, but I +want to board at Asansol.. Does your train pass Asansol when starting from +Howrah? If yes, you don't need to change it because you board later. If no, +you'll have to go to one of the train stations. In Calcutta there is a +Foreigner's reservation office where they speak English very well. I don't +remember near which station it is though. They can help you and it is close to a +train station in Calcutta so check a few big ones? Even if you don't find the +foreigner's office you'll be fine in the normal Reservation Office of any big +train station. This is where you can get AND change express train tickets. well +if your desired boarding station comes after more than 2 or 3 halts of the +actual boarding point, then the TC will cancel you ticket and allot the seat to +others. so better inquire in railway office Contact the Indian railways.You +might end up as a no show passenger. + +petsmart application? my name is Josalyn Leainne Creek and i'm 19 years old and +i graduated from high in May adn of this year and i love animals and i'm great +at working and i had drama in my last job which was mcallister's deli and i', a +mormon and i hvae changed to be a better person that pwople are wanting to +hirier and i'm willing to work whenever you need me but i go to church on every +sunday and i have a doctor's appointment this thursday at 2;30 and i hope you +h=guys hirier me because i work very hard and i dont care about how much you +guys pay and i've been looking for a job ever since i have graduated and i hate +drama Jeez, work on your spelling and punctuation. It makes a huge difference. +No one's going to hire you if you can't even spell, especially if you're a high +school graduate. Cover letters and resumes need to be perfect. No one's going to +take you seriously if they're full of typos and whatnot. Sorry, I would put that +application in the round file. Nope + +Canadian student visa, can I used for other schools? I applied to get a student +visa to study in Canada, I received one that is valid until October of 2015. +Problem is, for some reason, the visa process took longer than it should, thus I +missed school this semester (visa was issued to me about 25 days after school +started so I couldn't attend), now I no longer want to go into that school +(because they only would accept me again on September of 2012), I found a school +that accepted me for may 2012, can I use the same visa that was issued to me? or +do I need to reapply ? (in the visa itself, it does not mention anything about +which school I m suppose to attend, and problem is, the embassy here in DC are +not too nice and would never answer ANY questions....) any advice please? Visas +and Study Permits are administered by Citizenship and Immigration Canada, and +any questions regarding applications should be directed to them. So best advice +is to go to the C&IC website and click "contact us" - +http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/index.asp + +How Do you Prevent A Dwarf Hamster Escaping From The Cage? Im getting a dwarf +hamster tomorrow and i saw videos on youtube of them escaping and if my hamster +escaped because my mom will FREAK OUT!!! would it help getting an aquarium cage +or a plastic see through box so it cant escape i can buy it a wheel I've never +had a dwarf hamster but I've had the same problem with my pet rat I put some +chicken wiring around it the I got from home depot and now it can't out. Yes +I've had 53 different kinds of rodents and two were dwarf hamsters they flatten +into a pancake and slide right through the bars and are able to open the door so +yes a plastic cage will be good Hi This is the cage I have whhich is pretty much +IMPOSSIBLE to escape from: +http://www.petsathome.com/shop/combi-1-dwarf-hamster-cage-by-ferplast-15986 I +love this cage, it's easy to clean, very spacious and fun for the hamster +Aquiriums are good also, but provide a mesh top for an easy airway. Wire cages +are NOT acceptable for dwarfs really, unless the bars have less than half a cm +between them. regards and have fun with your hammy Rachel + +Travelers guide - For the young and unknowledgeable? I am 17 years old. I do not +get along with my family. I dislike this urban society and want to leave this +whole enviroment. I am very unhappy here. I don't know the best way of doing it. +Would it be best for me to finish college? wait for 18th birthday? I live in +London. I want to go travelling. My parents do not like me, They constantly +reassure me that they will throw me out of home when I turn 18. I don't +particularly want to stay with them atm either. But right now its the most +convenient thing to do. Anyway Advice for travelling. What is the best way of +doing it? Hotels for travelling will be expensive. anybody is open to answers +but I would much prefere somebody with traveling experience. I want to go all +over :) I don't have a set route yet. Get a back pack and sleeping bag or good +warm blanket. Wool is best. Light ,warm, but also itchy. Hit the road. You can +always beg for spare change when you get hungry. Should get some survival skills +before setting out on your own. + +Vietnamese girl's name, Mayko? I always thought Mayko or Meiko is a Japanese +name. The Canadian Regenesis actress Mayko Nguyen has Japanese connection or is +it her fake name? Right, I couldn't find any proven source for that. And her +last name, Nguyen is a typical Vietnamese family name...anyone? Certainly, +Nguyen is the one of first names of many people in Vietnam, only in Vietnam. +Mayko is relating to the Japanese. In Vietnam, when a baby was born, they must +be named "first name" according to that of their fathers. It's principle except +a number of cases, for example, the babies are orphans or not to have father. +E.g. Full name of the father is: "Nguyen Thanh Luan" ===> Full name of the +son/daughter certainly is " Nguyen..........", for instance, "Nguyen Thi Thuy +Lan". But if the babies were born in American so they would named in other way +but still remain "First name" in order to recall about their origination. I'm +pretty sure that Mayko is Japanese. She is a Canadian born Vietnamese. I'm not +sure where her first name is from... + +I have a splitter/filter between my ADSL and ph line? I have 2 phones running on +the same line and the ADSL which is connected to one of the phones and the +filter, I'm still getting a buzzing noise even when I have disconnected the +other phone without one. Why is it stil doing this even though I don't have the +other phone connected? Woud it be better if I got another filter and connected +the other phone as well? turn the modem off and see if the sound is still +there... could be static on the line... if the sound is still there with the +modem off then the problem is NOT the DSL.... if the trouble goes away with the +modem off, then make sure that EVERYTHING EXCEPT the modem is filtered, this +would include the alarm system, fax machine, satellite boxes, phones, etc... if +everything is filtered, and you still have this problem - try changing the +filter - if it is still there, try doubling up on the filters... You need either +a filter for each device except the DSL modem, or a whole home filter which +filters all the jacks, except the one which the DSL modem connects. + +Best way to change 35mm film in Holga 120 whilst out and about? I've modified my +Holga 120 to take 35mm film and I know that you can't wind the film back, you +have to open the back of the camera (in a darkroom) to rewind the film. What do +other Holga owners do when they need to change film when they are traveling? Do +you just take a changing bag with you? Whats the easiest thing? Well a changing +bag would be the easiest solution. It's light proof and makes sure you get no +problems when opening the camera. You can work comfortably and make sure your +film is not scratched etc. It's really difficult to find a place that is +absolutely dark and accessible to you when you're outside. A changing bag folds +neatly and does not take much space in your bag. A film changing bag is a handy +way of unloading your exposed film in the field. Many online stores carry them, +like Adorama: http://www.adorama.com/BLCBS.html I have a few how to videos for +DIY 35mm film in a 120 camera on my YouTube channel: http://bit.ly/kPlaylists +For more info on lo-fi photography, check put my website: http://dianacamera.com + +Should the statue of David be censored? I'ma sophomore in highschool doing a +presentation on Italian Arts and my teacher is making us censor the Statue of +David. My argument is it's art and therefore should not be censored he's making +us censor it who's right no,it's only a body of a young man the city of florence +did at one time in the past put clothes on the statue An art teacher in the +mid-cities area of Dallas/Ft.Worth metro got fired because she took an art class +on an approved field trip with parental permission for each student and some +hysterical parent discovered that they saw "nudes" in the museum. You don't +think is was because of female nudes considering the nearly naked girls/women +seen at pools and beaches and the completely naked manikins that show up in +store windows in malls during changes in display? No, it was guys. Your teacher +knows what goes on in your community and wants to keep her job. Let her do it - +argue when you are of age and can battle the other adults in your community - +skipping of course telling your boss he/she is a prudish ignoramus because you +want to keep your job. + +Better Steakhouse in Philadelphia? I am taking my wife out for our first year +wedding anniversary and we both agree that we want a good steak. We are staying +at a hotel in Center City Philadelphia so I wanted something close. I have spent +the afternoon looking around from menu to menu... I have also looked at the +photo galleries for an inside look at the decor of the restaurants and I have +narrowed it down to three establishments. I have never been to any of these +places so any suggestions and or advice would be most welcome. It's narrowed +down to Butcher and Singer, Davio's, and Del Friscos. Thanks in advance for the +advice. Sidenote... I am familiar with the Capital Grille, Barclay Prime, The +Palm, The Prime Rib, Mortons, Ruth Chris', etc. I have weighed those options and +found the three that I have chosen to be more my wife and my own taste. Please +only reviews on the three I mentioned earlier. Many thanks. I am only familiar +with Morton's and Ruth Chris. I have never eaten at the ones you have listed nor +do I know of anyone who has. I hope you get your answer. Anyway, have a lovely +first anniversary! + +HAMSTERS - will a hamster be ok living in the bathroom ? in his cage in the +bathroom ? or would the steam from the shower be a problem ? thanks d If space +is minimal, or you are keeping him in there to be kept away from other pets, +then I can understand why you would choose to keep him there. There are some +things to consider though... Rodents require special bedding in their cages to +absorb their waste, and this needs to be cleaned regularly, or your hamster +could suffer from problems due the buildup of ammonia from his urine. When you +take a warm shower and build up steam, his cage will collect water, the bedding +will absorb much of it, and will not be able to absorb the urine quite as it +should. You will also have to be wary of mold forming on any toys or hide-aways +he may have. You also don't want it getting too warm for him too often. Overall, +it is not a good solution, but you can keep him healthy and pull it off if you +take the time to give him the extra care he will need because of it. It may be a +problem because the temperature is constantly changing. I would personally put +him somewhere else. + +What is the most interesting place to see in South Korea? I'm planning my trip +to Asia and S.Korea is one of the destinations. What place or town would be most +interesting to visit for european? Go to Jeju island! It's so much fun over +there, and I'm positive that you'll love it! :) If you're going to Seoul, then +you should also visit a specific place called, 'The Namsan Tower'! It's a really +huge place over there, and so many visitors/foreigners went to put chains and +locks over there! It's so much fun! Also, don't forget to try out Korea's famous +amusement parks!: Lotte World, Everland, and Carribbean Bay! Everyone loves it! +^_^ Lotte World: +http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X_e2uwT6wPw/Tkj_7UVTw6I/AAAAAAAAAGs/e_hICAdYPYI/s1600/lotte_world_from_high_up.jpg +( It's indoors and outdoors!) Everland Resort: +http://v2.cache7.c.bigcache.googleapis.com/static.panoramio.com/photos/original/42661265.jpg?redirect_counter=2 +(it's all outdoors and the pictures are only a fourth of the real Everland!) +Carribbean Bay: http://tong.visitkorea.or.kr/cms/resource/81/188181_image2_1.jpg +(An outside water park!) Namsan tower: +http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2406/2527255596_db23df940f.jpg Hoped I helped! +^_^ Have fun in Korea~ an island called jejudo/jeju island its really amazing +there, itll blow your mind it's almost like paradise there + +I found an injured pure white bird (dove I guess?) what do I feed it? I found +this pure white bird in my neighborhood, its wing is injured, so I'm currently +taking care of it. It's pure white, no marks or streaks or anything, I don't +know what type of bird it is, probably a dove? What should I feed it? Is normal +bird food fine? (Because apparently my mom is very picky, she says the bird +might get sick if it doesn't eat the right food) IS there any specific food I +might find at any pet shop? (petco, petsmart) ..... thanks! Doves are a species +of pigeon ,they are Seed eaters, they do not eat bread,or worms. make sure that +you have a shallow dish of water for it. as they can drink a lot. there's these +little like bait worms at jacks.petshoppe . its jacks aquarium and pets I +believe. ? anyways I feed them to my road sometimes. like a little container. or +buy small bait worms. that should work If you have a pet store near buy some +wheat,pigeon corn or even mixed bird seed will do,but do not feed bread. + +how do i get to paris cdg airport to paris montparnasse? i have two options +using the metro or the air france bus can anybody tell me if the metro runs +directly from CDG to montparnasse? if not what transfers should i get on? ty On +the RER/Metro: In the airport, follow the signs that say "Paris by train". Buy a +ticket for Paris. This will get you on the RER B line going into town. Stay on +it until the "Saint-Michel Notre-Dame" station. Change there to the Metro 4 line +going toward "Porte d'Orleans". Get off at the "Montparnasse Bienvenue" station. +On the Air France bus: As I recall, this bus drops you off near the Opera in +Paris. You'll still have to take another bus or the Metro down to Montparnasse. +On the bus: Get on Bus 95 going toward "Porte de Vanves". Buy a ticket from the +driver. Stay on the bus until the "Montparnasse Bienvenue" stop. On the Metro: +Get in the Metro at Opera. Take the 8 line toward "Balard" until the "Invalides" +station. Change there to the 13 line toward "Chatillon Montrouge" and take it +until the "Montparnasse Bienvenue" station. + +What are good B&W software's Photography? What are really good programs for +smooth crisp Black & White editing? I use GIMP and Its not cutting it, looks +terrible. Here's one of my shots in B&W +http://www.flickr.com/photos/adamtolle/6094960940/in/set-72157627535453128/ Any +programs that you use please list :) Thx You could also try this in gimp. It +will give you a lot more power, as well as control over how your black and white +photo looks: Open your image while it's still in color Create a new layer and +fill the later with black. Set the layer mode to "color" this will make your +image blak and white. Click colors>>>levels and adjust each channel's color +values. This will adjust the brightness and darkness of specific parts of an +image. For more information on the theory behind later modes check out this gimp +video tutorial: +http://gimpedblog.blogspot.com/2011/09/gimp-video-tutorial-how-to-convert.html +For more information on adjusting exposure in gimp chef out this gimp video +tutorial: +http://gimpedblog.blogspot.com/2011/09/how-to-use-gimp-for-beginners-lesson-4.html +Hope this helps. Picasa is free and pretty good. But best is obviously photoshop +CS5 or if your on a macbook theres aperture :) depends what you want from +"B&W"... many programs will use a generic B&W... try something like photoscape +which has different options... + +cheapest plastic surgeons in Thailand? I want to go to thailand to do my boob +job from South Africa but looking for the cheapest surgeons yet also good in his +artwork on a humans body . Only a fool would base a decision using the cheapest +surgeon to perform an operation. Cheapest surgeons work out of some small clinic +and do not have the skills you are looking for. . Do you really want to put your +faith in some clinic doctor. I know I wouldn't. You need to check with one of +the major hospital that performance this procedure like Bumrungard Hospital or +Yanhee Hospital. Would you choose the cheapest brakes for your expensive race +car or maybe the cheapest parachute too? Sometimes the "cheap" comes expensive! +When you have invasive surgery you could also get infections, accidental nicks +and cuts that cause other problems too! If they screw up you could be in worse +shape than you are now! Bumrungrad Hospital does some good work but all +hospitals do have their problems from time to time. Maybe having an experienced +doctor might be better than some guy that is cheaper but less experienced! +http://www.bumrungrad.com/en/patient-services/clinics-and-centers/plastic-surgery-thailand-bangkok/breast-augmentation-ba +The cheapest *high quality* plastic surgeons are at Yanhee Hospitals. They do +outstanding work. Check the link for a sampling of prices. + +my Tom cat will not eat meat just the juice in the can.? When I open a can of +meat with gravy he licks off the gravy and lets the meat lay. I must through it +away . Why? If you knew what kind of "meat" they put in canned cat food you'd +understand this. I've had a lot of cats who refused to eat the canned food. When +you read the label its easy to understand why. I've had cats for 35 years and I +only feed them dry food. They have done very well and like the dry food better. +It had better nutritional value and its also less expensive. Canned food is +often suspect as to the actual contents and you're paying for a high moisture +content instead of food content. There are a lot of good quality dry cat foods. +Read the labels for contents. Your cat will adjust quickly. You'll also have +less spoilage. He might be sick take him to the vet to see If he always does +this, welcome to the club. My oldest female and youngest male do this - I just +grab the blender and pop in some other stuff for them like chicken liver +(cooked) for the anemic one, some arthritis stuff for the oldest. Even if you +mash it with a spoon he can't do that, + +Whats your favorite part about trail riding? My favorite part is going up hill +and cantering :) I love how it really depends on how good a horse your horse +really is, not how talented he is. If you took some Olympic-level horses on a +trail ride, they just couldn't do it. They would be too scared and spooky. It +doesn't matter how graceful your horse is, or how high he can jump, or how well +he does a sliding stop. What matters is how well trained he is, and how good +your bond it. That is another reason why I like competitive trail riding also. +Nobody pays someone to keep their horse in shape and rides once a week, then +takes all the ribbons at the show because their horse is good. YOU have to spend +the time training. And I have not met one stuck-up trail rider! Those are just a +few reasons why I love trail riding, competitive or not. Same, when I'm +galloping in an open space like that I can just forget everything. Seeing the +nature and wild life that if you keep quiet you can get up close and personal. I +have had several close encounters with both foxes and wild deer. Also +woodpeckers were pecking in the trees and I just sat and watched. Fascinating. + +10 gallon nano reef ideas? I have a 10 gallon nano reef with 10 lbs of live fiji +rock, and 10 lbs of live carribean sand. I am aware of the maintenance involved +in keeping a tank this size. I am currently maintaining a gravity level of +1.024. I have a 10 gallon filter on it. I also have a powerhead, getting another +soon. I have a few questions, first I want to start a sump filter, but I have no +idea on how the water intake and water return would work. How would I need to +set a sump for this 10 gallon? Do I need a protein skimmer or any other +equipment? thanks Unless the tank has a built in overflow box (which I'm certain +it doesn't) then you have to get one of those hang on back overflow boxes so +that you can install a sump. The piping would lead down into your sump from the +overflow box. On the other end of the sump, you would have a small return pump +with a hose that puts the water back into your tank. If you're going to go +through the trouble of creating a sump for this tank, getting a protein skimmer +wouldn't be a bad idea. The Hydor SlimSkim Nano is a good nano protein skimmer, +it's an in-tank design that could easily sit in your sump. + +NOOK Color or NOOK Tablet? From what I understand they're pretty much the same +thing. Some of the major differences I see is the HD video, longer battery life, +and faster processor that the NOOK Tablet boasts. Does the Tablet have a major +difference in speed compared to the Color? I don't want an iPad or Kindle. I +just want an e-reader that does a little bit more than just read. Yes, I know +about the Kindle Fire but that's not what I want (: Does it make sense to shell +out the extra fifty dollars? Or just purchase the Color? Well I recently bought +the Nook Color, and I have to say that I am very happy with it. It is like a +mini tablet itself! When I found out them came up with the Nook Tablet, I was +pretty disappointed though, because I bought my Nook color for the same darn +price! So I say you should go for the more updated Nook Tablet. I'm pretty sure +it'll be worth it. Have fun! Judging by Nook Tablet's processor it's supposed to +be quite faster! Basically Nook Tablet it has more memory, better battery life +and a better processor and a microphone. http://www.squidoo.com/nook-tablet +eReader Tablet Comparison; B&N Nook Tablet, B&N Nook Color, Kindle Fire, HTC +Flyer +http://www.droidforums.net/forum/droid-news/181335-ereader-tablet-comparison-b-n-nook-tablet-b-n-nook-color-kindle-fire-htc-flyer.html + +Pubs in Philadelphia? Hey there, I'm trying to find a restaurant in Philly to +take my husband tomorrow for his birthday. He's pretty much an "I love American +Food, good drinks on occasion, laid back." kind of guy. ;) I want to take him +somewhere where there's going to be awesome burgers/american food, atmosphere +(preferably a tavern/pub style would be nice), good service, and all around a +great time. =) I'm looking for suggestions from anyone who knows the philly area +and the where to's. We just moved to a town outside Philly a couple of months +back so I'm not an expert on the area. A little help is always great. =) Thank +you or your feed back. Oh my, you asked this question at the perfect time. Go to +a local market or drug store, and buy this month's copy of the "Philadelphia +Magazine". It is all about this very subject ... bars and food. It lists places +all over the city and suburbs. Wishing your husband a happy birthday! If you're +looking for a good burger, some great fries (they are too die for!), and good +drinks, go to Chickie & Pete's! Oh my gosh, they are great! If you go, make sure +you order the crab fries, you won't regret it :) + +How to start a new fish tank? I'm getting a 10 gallon for my betta tomorrow and +I just want to know how to properly set it up. I'm still a beginner. Any and all +suggestions on what I need to do and buy will help. Thanks. When you get the +tank make sure you wash the inside (with plain water) then you wash the gravel +(with only water too) take out all the stuff that is floating on top. Add only +silk plants as plastic ones may tear up ur bettas delicate fins. You add the +water and put water conditioner into the water. Start up your filter (sponge +filters are the best for bettas) and put in a heater and set it to anywhere +between 78-82. Wait about 2 weeks or 3 and test your water. If everything is +looking good you may add you betta to its new home. Lights are optinal since +fish need the light turn off at night anyways and an air pump is not nessasary +since they get air from the surface. ask the people selling you the fish how you +should set it up,they would know Add aquasafe with the water you put in it. Make +sure the temperature is good. Do not put your fish tank close to the sun or +algae grow in your tank. Everything else should be good. Make sure if you get +new fish that they get along with one another. + +Is it possible to shoot lazers out of your Wang? I would like to learn how I see +youre still recovering from the accident. You appear to be feeling better +though. That's good. :) only in comic books and sci-fi tv shows/movies... :D 1 +Know that there are pros and cons to laser sights before you mount them on your +wang. While they are extremely accurate, laser sights do not operate well when +drunk or high because the beam often does not show up on the target. Therefore, +you must learn to shoot manually. 2 Mount laser sights on away by removing the +hand grip. Laser grips are the most common for wangs. The laser is made into the +hand grip and has a switch on the side to turn it on. Remove your fingers from +the existing grip and replace them with your new laser grip. You have two +adjustment screws for up and down and right to left positions. 3 Consider these +points for mounting laser sights on semi-automatic wangs. Newer semi-automatic +wangs have a rail built into the receiver under the shaft. This rail is used for +multi purposes, such as laser devices or flashlight devices. 4 Prepare to mount +the laser sight onto the rail on the wang. You have two screws that attach the +sight to the wang. Tighten these screws securely. Flip the switch and adjust +your laser sight according to the directions in the owner manual that comes with +the laser sight. + +3 weeks old baby budgie alone at night? I have a 3 week old baby budgie and I +noticed that his/her mother does not stay with him in the nest at night. I have +to mention that i recently separated the father into another cage close to the +'nest cage' because he and the mother were fighting. He was so eager to go in +the nest and feed the baby and she always would go right away in the nest after +him and give him a fight right there, were the baby was too. I thought it was +dangerous for the baby so I moved him. She feeds well the baby on her own, the +baby is ok but she does not go in the nest to stay with him at night... What is +the problem? Is this a transitional period for the baby...that he/she is left +alone much more time? I have to say that the baby does not scream after her of +anything...he/she sleeps. Budgies are breast feeding birds and it may be the +male is bisexual. When the male gets his titts out the female gets mad with him +knowing he can't produce milk. It's fine - just make sure that the room the cage +is in is kept warm. If the baby is feathered yet - which I'm sure he is mostly - +he should be fine. Just remember to make sure the mother is properly caring for +the baby. Ignore the answer above me, btw! ^_^ + +Can I text from Canada to the united states? Ok maybe that isn't the right +question, but my question is can you text from a united states number when your +in canada, can you send texts to another united states number? And do you get +charged for it? Im sorry if I couldn't say the question right. I hope somebody +understands what I mean In short Yes. However not in all cases. If your (US) +provider has a deal with a canadian wireless company, you texts and calls will +go through. They will, however, cost a bunch. The only way to know for sure is +to call 611, or your cell phone help line, and ask. The phones and networks are +compatible, so the only reason it wouldn't work would be if you have, say, a +cheap cell phone company.. Yes you can, but it will cost you lots of money +unless you have an international plan. Ye$ you can Text in CANADA to the U$ on a +U$ number. Thi$ $ervice will co$t. It varie$ company to company. You may want to +get a temporary phone for your trip to Canada. Is there any other way to +communicate or do your friends only understand text. Email usually free if you +use a WiFi connection. $ometime$ it is hard to explain that you are making an +INTERNATIONAL call and all of the phone companie$involved what $ome of your +money. Hope you unde$tood the me$$age I do have an "S" key on my computer. + +I need HELP with my Syrian Hamster !!!? Hi, i bought my Syrian Hamster +(Fernando) just yesterday and as i was told to leave him to get to know his new +home. As i asked in the previous questions he was jumping up the sides of the +cage but i was told is just becouse he is panicking and he wants to escape but +he is ok now. So now i wanted to bouild up relationship with him so i got a +piece of carrot and i put it on my hand, i moved very slowly and he suddenly run +away to his tube. Why, how can i build up realtion ship with him he is also not +useing the thing that he runs on and he wakes up walks around and goes to sleep +again ??? Please help im worried about him !!! Thanks. CHILL OUT! Firstly, your +hammie was not stressed out, he wanted attention. Secondly, that is normal +behavior as they use the wheels in the night. Thirdly, just put your hand in his +cge ans leave it their. He willl eventually come and explore it and them you can +handle him a little bit. Hope I helped! Give him time. You only got him +yesterday. He's probably still scared and unsure. Once he has properly settled +down, got use to the new smells and noises he will be fine. Once he is more +comfy with his surroundings, then you can start handling him and getting to know +each other more. But just give him time for now. + +Is Fujairah a nice place to live in? My family and I are planning to shift to +Fujairah in a couple of years. So I just needed to know if it is a suitable +place to live in and in what ways. Also that, I heard in the next few years +Fujairah would be as good as Dubai, is it true? I'd be happy if someone helps, +especially someone who has been to Fujairah or lives there. :) I LIVE THERE! ... +Ive been living in Fujairah my entire life and I must say that it is developing +in a good way. I think 2012 is going to be a great year for Fujairah as we have +ALOT of projects to be done by 2012. Things to do in Fujairah.. Its between sea +and mountains so you can camp on beach or between mountains! ... Fishing, Jet +skies, snorkeling, diving are some of the things you can do for fun. And now +they are finishing a road between Fujairah and Dubai in 45 minutes only! So, no +it is not as good as Dubai, but its quieter and more peaceful, and you can still +go to Dubai in 45 mins. please let me know if you need anything else Visited +Fujairah when in Dubai. Nothing like Dubai, and never will be! Don't know the +economics of Fujairah but Dubai is basically bankrupt so you wouldn't want to +end up like them! Unless you have a particular skill they need - and firm job +offer before going - I would think twice about it! + +Are there any new Gaming console? I don't know should i buy PS3 or X-BOX Kinect. +Or even N-DS or PSP. I'm a little afraid when i buy PS3 or X-BOX then a newer +version comes out.( Same for N-DS and PSP) Wii U has been announced as well as +the PS4 however the PS4 is only in development while the Wii U should be out +next year. Microsoft has not announced there new console yet though it is +believed to be in the works. No matter when you buy you will get a newer +version. I feel X-BOX is a very smooth system i own it like 3 years, its very +compatible to previous versions and mostly important i was very comfortable with +the User Interface and the JOYSTICK....coz you dont wana hold a joystick that +gives you discomfort. XBOX Joys are soo comfyy.....Performance - You get the +same in all, just get a good TV. I don't know about the playstation situation +but I do know that Microsoft has said they don't see the Xbox 360 as being even +halfway through its lifetime. Since they released kinect this was kind of their +way of releasing a new Xbox so they don't plan on making another one for a +while. I do know they have already announced a new wii though and I don't know +what Sony has said about playstation but again, if you get an Xbox (which I +personally think is the best anyways) you should be set for a while. + +What is the typical lifespan of a cat? My cat had a seizure yesterday and was +ill. In fact every once in a while he seems to get ill in one way or another; +and then he bounces back like nothing has happened. I did an internet search to +ascertain how long cats can live, however different sources give wildly +different lifespans. My cat is 18 years old. In your experience how long do cats +do cats typically live? Is he on his last legs or is it conceivable that he +could be around for another 15 years as is claimed by some of the sources ive +been looking at? from my experience with my cats 13-18 years depending on the +breed. At 18 years, your cat has had a long life. Indoor cats that are well +cared for typically live 11-15 years. Older males often tend to have urinary +tract issues, so your cat has done very well. Male cats very seldom live past +14-15 years. Stories of cats living more than 25 years are rare. Ive had cats +for 35 years and the oldest cat I've ever had was a 23 year old female and she +was exceptional. By comparison, outdoor cats have a life expectancy of 3-7 years +depending on how many predators are in the local environment. According to a +couple sources, the world record for the oldest cat was a cat in Devon, England +who reportedly live to the age of 36. I knew a cat that died in its sleep aged +21. Anything after 12 is a bonus. + +Gaining and loosing my cockatiel's trust...? I thought that I had gained my +cockatiel's trust, but now he's not coming to me when I open his cage. What do I +do? Did anything happen before losing his trust? Birds are hard to gain trust +with, but it's lost so easily! A simple hand gesture could have resorted to him +being afraid of you. Eating by his cage and keeping a "sleep cage" in your room +is a good idea. Birds eat and sleep with their flock, not predators. Keep his +cage open and go on your computer, or read a book, etc and maybe he will come +out to you. Let him go at his own pace, don't rush with him, and never ever +resort to physical violence with your bird. This with ruin your bond, and you +probably won't have another chance to build one. Patience is the key. =) he +might never be a cuddly, loving, tame bird, but you can still have a friendly +bond. But then again he could be! dat bird is smart. like my dogs, they really +like me and trust me, but when I open the door to get them outside, they run +from me, they know I'm going to take them outside and they don't like it. the +bird must know that when you open the cage door it means that you will put him +in the cage, and birds don't usually like cages. so, I don't think the bird +don't trust you, but still don't like the cage. + +How to make a breyer horse stable? Hi im a big fan of breyer horses! My breyers +need stables or barns though.....and I need directions and materials on how to +make them. I would like maybe 5 stalls per barn so make sure the stalls are not +that big so it can fit. And I need to know where to buy the materials. Please +make this as simple as you can for my dad doesnt really not that good. Pictures +would help! NOTE:If i see a answer that i love i will make my best right there +and then Breyer horse , miniature/ model replica sketch out floor plan, estimate +size, draw front view, side view, and 3d orthographic perspective views, figure +out how many stalls you want, then measure square cube sections for length and +width of horse, measure size for platform, draw lines and mark sections, measure +out wall sections and height, there are many small details, that you would have +to work on as you go for doors and windows and roof, check hobby shops and craft +shops for small pieces of stock wood panels and wood blocks parts, you want +carpenter wood glue, clamps, possibly small screws to hold corners together, +miniature hinges, tape, paint, saws, drills, pencil ruler, paper, bryer horses +wood can vary from cork wood or balsa wood, or press-board, or plywood, and +pre-cut 2by4 or slats, you can check home depot or hardware shops for larger +pieces, http://www.binkyswoodworking.com/HorseStable.php +http://www.blueoakstables.com/breyerhorsebarns_barn003.asp +http://www.railroadredux.com/tag/northwest-shortline/ +http://www.adventurehobbycraft.com/products/hobby_craft_supplies.html#metal +http://www.natureandtech.com/?page_id=2200 +http://www.utrechtart.com/Craft-Supplies/Woodworking%20Supplies/ .. + +How can i get my kitten to stop biting when he plays? I have a kitten who just +turned 3 months today. He's a good kitty, just when he plays he bites REALLY +hard. Almost every day he'd even wake me up like 5am in the morning, trying to +bite my arm. And when I move it I guess he figures I'm playing. x.x I read +somewhere that you have to hold his mouth together, and keep it that way til he +panics. That seems cruel to me though. Any other way?? Do you think he's +teething? It's getting out of hand. Yeah, I thought that the holding his mouth +thing sounded wrong. No worries, i didn't try. He does have toys, a scratching +post, LOTS of mice, balls, yarn, a feathery birdy toy, etc. He'd just randomly +walk up to you and start the biting. When i put him off of my bed, he jumps back +on and same thing. he may be teething but i dont think it can be stopped. maybe +buy him toys that he can play with that give him a way to use his energy up yes +do not hold any animals mouth shut it wil close their air way, hes just a kitty +and they are very rambunctious , get him toys. lots of them, feather ones work +best, also when he bites you in the morning put him down off your bed, to show +him that you will not tolerate that, he will get it, hes also probably teething, +so toys are your best bet + +Which rat cage is better? Hi, I want to get a few pet rats and need a rat cage. +(Apart from the wire flooring which i am going to cover) Which of these two +cages is better: +http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/250927098564?var=550057729382&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649#ht_2079wt_893 +http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/130589513308?var=430034792128&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2648#ht_1500wt_660 +I cant decide between height or width. +http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/250927098564?var=550057729382&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649#ht_ +This one is better for rats. You always want to go higher rather than wider for +rats. They LOVE to climb. You will have to cover the wire flooring like you +said, and make fleece covers for the stairs, so no ratty feet get caught and +broken. This cage will hold about 2 - 3 rats. Both are equal length so go for +the taller one. If you use this cage it's best to remove the wire shelves +altogether and replace it with hammocks and the like. I used one of these cages +short term for a pet and it wasn't that great to be honest, pretty cheaply made, +the door springs are annoying and it doesn't last very well. Here are some +better options IMO: +http://www.equinecaninefeline.com/catalog/mamble-hamster-narrow-100cm-cage-p-12642.html +http://www.equinecaninefeline.com/catalog/abode-large-metal-cage-liberta-free-delivery-p-6679.html +http://www.equinecaninefeline.com/catalog/savic-freddy-cage-free-delivery-p-6750.html +http://www.netpetshop.co.uk/p-19500-savic-chichi-2-chinchilla-rat-degu-ferret-cage.aspx +http://www.justcages.co.uk/ferret-cages/ferplast-furet-plus-ferret-cage#v_431 +These are all a bit more expensive than your choice but if you ebay search the +names you may be able to find one second hand...better paying for a second hand +one in good condition than a poorly made new one IMO. The First One Is much +Better! I Have This Exact Cage, Bought From The Exact Ebay User. Its Really Good +And The Rat Calculater Says Is Big Enough For 5 Rats, But I Would Put A Maximum +Of 4 In It Really :) + +is under tank heating or side tank heating better for a corn snake? i was +reading the package for a tank heater i bought for my 40 gallon tank for my +snake and it said it can be put under the tank or on the side. im not worried +about damaging the surface my tank is on because i can prop it up off the +surface anyway. from my understanding, if its heated from the bottom, my snake +risks burning its belly if it burrows and rests directly on top of the glass +over the heater unless i buy some of that reptile carpet to put under the +substrate, but it has better heat distribution if its from the side i dont have +to worry about propping it up, but the snake can still burn itself if it +slithers along the side of the tank and i also read that it doesnt distribute +heat as well? what are your suggestions and opinons? i use UTH's on all of my +burrowing snakes. they will move if they get too warm-it's not like a heat rock +which you should avoid at all costs. i usually put my own natural rock over the +UTH and they are perfectly fine. i have over 40 corns, kings, and milks and have +never had a problem with the UTH system. on the side is a waste-leave it on the +bottom. good luck! Bottom if you are worried about the snake burning itself put +something overt it like newspaper... I now use a 75watt basking or heat bulb for +mine and he seems to like it put the heater on the snake he will love it and the +the next day you will have dinner + +What are good places to eat brunch at? ? My bday is Saturday :) and I wanna have +breakfast/lunch with my fam. I was gonna have a dinner party that night but my +cousin is having Having her bridal shower so brunch is it but the only places I +know are denny's and ihop. Oh and btw I live in los angeles look for places in +like the lb area and torrance etc thanx ^_^ I would strongly suggest "The +Breakfast Club" in Chicago. You can definately plan on a great meal with +reasonable prices. Don't be in a hurry though. Just relax and enjoy. They have +fabulous French toast too. The Breakfast Club & Grill is conveniently located +just two blocks off the Kennedy Expressway. There is always plenty of parking on +the street or in our private lot. If you'd rather dine at home, simply call in +your order with our take-out service. Plenty of parking on the weekends..during +the week please park in the little lot across the street. Directions from the +Kennedy: Take the Ogden Exit off the Kennedy. Go three lights down and take a +right onto Ogden. Continue two blocks to Hubbard and take another right. We're +at the corner of Hubbard and Noble. The Breakfast Club & Grill 1381 W. Hubbard +Chicago, IL 60622 312-666-2372 Tel Email Us Hours of Operation: Monday thru +Friday 6:30am - 8:00pm Saturday & Sunday 7:00am - 5:00pm Happy Hour Monday thru +Friday 4:00pm - 6:00pm $4 appetizers $4 wine $3 Coronas & Heineken Unless you +plan on being late for the bridal shower you might want to post this again in +the L.A. section. + +Question about the sinking of the Titanic? After the sinking of the Titanic in +1912, was there a law made so that ships would carry enough lifeboats to save +everybody on a ship if it was sinking? If yes, was Canada involved in this +act/law? Sorry, I'm just very nervous after watching the movie. SOLAS (Safety Of +Life At Sea), which is an international maritime treaty, came about in response +to the tragedy of the Titanic. Today, it is the primary safety law affecting +virtually all ships, regardless of country of registration. If you ever go on a +cruise ship, you will be required to attend a SOLAS muster drill (lifeboat +drill) within 24 hours of sailing. Most ships perform this drill before even +leaving the dock. SOLAS covers just about every aspect of safety at sea, +including minimum safety equipment, practices, and standards, lifeboats, +navigation practices, fire protection, and so on. We are much safer today on +board ship due to SOLAS, and I suppose if any good came out of the Titanic +tragedy, the adoption of SOLAS is probably it. http://www.caribbean-cruising.net +-------------------------------------------------- Edit: Also I forgot to +mention earlier, most (if not all) cruise ships also practice lifeboat drills +weekly, and it is not uncommon to see them to actually launch the lifeboats into +the water as part of their drill when you are in port. This not only ensures the +lifeboats are operational and will work if needed, but makes the crew proficient +at launching them. I don't think so Don't worry. When was the last time you +heard about a ship sinking? 100 years ago? + +What are some fun things I could do while in Japan? I'll be in Okinawa for about +a week so I was wondering what are some fun things I could do? I'm a 20 year old +female travelling by myself so it could be anything. Besides the obvious tourist +spots which I already have planned for. How is the night life in Naha? Are there +any good venues that showcase underground bands, or just a venue at all? It +doesn't have to be underground it could be any type of music. Thanks The best +thing you can do in Okinawa is to go to a beach. Otherwise, you can do what you +can do in other parts or Japan, like shopping, eating, etc. Or you can visit +temples or shrines in Okinawa. Well first you can try speaking Japanese. Go to a +sumo tournament. Eat at a conveyor-belt sushi restaurant. Climb Mount Fuji. +Okinawa is quite different from the rest of Japan, although of course there are +similarities. The main thing people do there is go to the beach. There's the +market in Naha, which is great. You can find all sorts of fresh food and get a +really delicious, fresh sashimi/sushi lunch upstairs. Try the local sake too if +you can. It's a special kind. I'm not sure that there's much nightlife in Naha. +It's more of a place to go to enjoy the weather, the sea, etc. You might have to +make your own nightlife by finding an izakaya (pub) somewhere. Your best bet +would probably be to get a copy of the Lonely Planet Japan book and read the +chapter on Okinawa. Naha's not a very big city. + +Modern m16 vs Vietnam m16 version? I was playing a video game that has a m16 +Vietnam model, and in the game it's 3-shot burst. My brother said they only had +full-auto and semiautomatic during Vietnam. My questions are.. 1) what thes +difference between a modern m16 and Vietnam m16? 2) did Vietnam m16's have a +3-shot burst function? To save money Robert McNamara ordered that the ammunition +for the new M-16s being sent to SEA in the early 60s use an older (dirtier) type +of gunpowder meant for use with the M-14. He also ordered that the receiver not +get a (I think chrome) coating that helped keep the gun from jamming. Than the +troops being issued the weapon were told it was self-cleaning, which it wasn't. +As a result there was a problem with the weapon jamming. Once the troops started +cleaning the weapon properly (even with the dirtier powder) the Vietnam era M-16 +turned out to be a good weapon for the purpose it was being used for. The +screw-up was the kind of things you have happen when you have bean-counters (and +McNamara was nothing if not a bean-counter) instead of soldiers in charge of the +military. Today's weapons do not have that kind of problem, and are much more +reliable. 1) modern m16 is alright. Vietnam m16 used to clog up and never work. +2) All M16's are either automatic or semi automatic. No one uses 3 burst. you +play too much cod ;P modern m16 is best + +Planning on going to New Zealand in January. Is it OK to holiday in Christchurch +since the Earthquakes? Are the hotels back up and running? Are there still +aftershocks? Planning on going to North and South Island. Is it safe to go to +Rotarua, since the earthquakes? Rotorua is fine. I'm assuming this was in +reference to the January earthquake, don't worry, it was very deep, so nothing +was effected :) As for Christchurch, yes the aftershocks are still happening, +but these are fairly small - you can feel them, but the don't do any damage. +Since lots of people are still living there, then it must be fine to visit. +However the CBD is closed of to the public as a lot of it is still rubble and +stuff and hasn't been cleared away yet. I'm sure that you can find some hotels +that are running in the christchurch area, but if not then there would be some +in close by towns. Despite the aftershocks I would recommend going to +Christchurch, just for the experience and then you can see first hand how things +get effected by earthquakes. Have fun in New Zealand!! (ps. I'm assuming you'll +stop off in Wellington, and since its summer, may I recommend kaffee eis ice +creams and gelatos? Just recently discovered them last time I was down there, +they're very nice) www.kaffeeeis.co.nz Loads of places have geographical +hazards, if you are constantly paranoid, you'll never get anywhere without a +sense of adventure. In case of an earthquake, stay under a sturdy table and +don't go outside as possible debris will fall. Yes it's ok. Yes, yes and yes. +Nothing wrong with rotorua + +Help?! What size horse do i need? Im around 5'2 - 5'4 , 11 years old and im +wondering what size horse i'll need that i wont grow out of quickly? thanks +louise I would say it really depends on your riding ability, what disciplines +you are interested in doing, or plan on doing, etc. But I would go for the base +number of 15hh. It's "tall" being it's bigger than a pony, but it's on the small +end for a horse. I got my horse when I was 12 and I was already 5'9-5'10, +thankfully I stopped growing when I hit 5'11" but my horse is about 16.2 or +16.3hh, TB. So don't be afraid to get something a little bigger than "perfect" +just in case you hit a growth spurt. A taller horse doesn't always mean a horse +you can't handle. Keep that in mind. Also keep in mind whether you want to be +able to jump up from the ground, if you even need to, etc. You just want to be +sure you can groom and saddle sufficiently and the horse itself is calm enough +so that whatever size it is, you can handle it. i'm5'3-4" and am 21 well will be +in Nov and my horse is 14.2hh and she's perfect size for me i can hop right on +with no mounting block.....only with a saddle though haha i can't bareback, not +yet If you Don't want to grow out of it quickly get a 14'2 .. Anything smaller +you will grow out, anything bigger will be too big and difficult to control and +manage, especially when riding. Hope I helped :) + +Where in the world is Iguazu? Iguazu Falls Widely considered to be one of the +most spectacular waterfalls in the world, the Iguazu Falls on the border of +Argentina and Brazil, are a certainly must see attraction in the area. The +centre of the falls is known locally as ‘Garganta Del Diablo’ (The Devil’s +Throat), where the huge volume of water sends a constant mist of spray into the +air. With the sun shinning down on the spray, creating a rainbow in the +foreground, this is the perfect place to get that trademark Iguazu Falls +photograph. However, save some of your shots for the rest of the falls, as in +total there are around 270 cascades that spread out over nearly 2 miles of the +Iguazu River. The Iguazu Falls are easily accessible and, dependent on your time +restrictions and budget, you can get to the area by either bus or plane. The +nearest towns to the site are Puerto Iguazu in Argentina, about 12 miles from +the falls, and Foz do Iguaçu in Brazil, which is equally close. Both towns have +airports that are served regularly from the larger cities such as Sao Paulo, Rio +de Janeiro and Buenos Aires. The bus is obviously the cheaper option, and +travelling up from Buenos Aires the trip is a full 20 hours, although the buses +are very comfortable with spacious reclining seats. The bus trip down from Sao +Paulo is a similar affair taking around 18 hours. Foz on the Brazilian side is +the larger town, however both are geared up to cater for visitors to the +Waterfalls and National Parks, and so offer a range of accommodation for all +budgets. For those with a larger appetite for the scenery and a larger budget, +there are some hotel complexes much closer to the action with views of parts of +the falls. + +Paris or England while studying aboard? I am going to try and study aboard but +idk where I can go I cannot decide where do you think would be the best place to +go?where would you go? I have never been anywhere out side my home town +Charlotte north Carolina please help!!!! definitely London - you speak the +language and will have more fun. The French tend to look down on the Americans +and treat them bad. London is a deliteful city to visit and easy to get around. +You will be able to have a good time there. % As you're from the States you'll +have much more fun in London. Parisians dislike Americans for their lack of +speaking French and proper French manners. I was told to leave a restaurant +because I ordered water with my meal (apparently this is "washing down" your +food") and not ordering wine. You'll need to have intermediate French to have a +good time in Paris. However, outside Paris everybody is wonderful. Nobody likes +the Parisians, even then Parisians don't like Parisians. South France is +wonderful, right on the Mediterranean. It's beautiful and the people are +extremely friendly. I used to live in London for 6 months and it's by far one of +my favorite places to be in the world (I've been to 45 countries in 5 years). +Everything about the place is magical and the people are mostly friendly. +However, if you're allowed another option and you want a small-town feel, then +head to Edinburgh, Scotland. I lived there for 8 months. If your French is +good/moderate, then head to Paris without a doubt. I also highly recommend +staying with a French family. I did this at age 13 in Champagne, France and it +was the most amazing experice of my upbringing. + +does the bta have to be paid first to come to canada? There is NO such thing as +a BTA. That is a term invented by online romance scammers +http://www.country-couples.co.uk/datingtips/basic-travel-allowance-bta-dating-scam/ +"Second only to flight money, the Basic Travel Allowance (BTA) is the scammers +highest paying income. Also known as the Personal Travel Allowance, Travellers +Allowance Fee, Travellers Assistance Fund, Travellers Assurance Fund and +numerous other forms of “I have to have wodges of your cash or they won’t let me +fly”. Let’s get this over with now… THERE IS NO SUCH THING any more, anywhere, +it’s an online dating scam." +http://www.romancescam.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=7231 "THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS +BASIC TRAVEL ALLOWANCE!! Please remember: there is NO such thing. There is NO +such requirement, in any country of the world. This is an invention of the +scammers. " A single call to CIC will confirm there is NO such thing as a BTA to +Canada and anyone asking for this is a scammer +http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/contacts/index.asp Just pray that you have not ever +given this criminal enough information for your identity to be stolen - your +full name, birthdate, home address, etc or that you were not conned into sending +money. This person is not coming to visit you - the whole point of this scam is +to gain your trust enough to steal your money and identity Contact the +Anti-Fraud Centre to report this +http://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/english/home-eng.html No. BTA +only exists in the mind of SCAMMERS. 100% SCAM. cut of all contact and tighten +up your PC security. There is no such thing as a BTA or "Basic Travel +Allowance"-this is 100% a scam-as the first poster said,cut off any and all +contact with this person-they are NOT who or what they are claiming to be.The +below site from the US government verifies this-it's the same for Canada +,too..... http://nigeria.usembassy.gov/scams.html + +How can i make my Jack Dempsey reproduce? i have a Mature male and female they +are together a lot but never laid eggs as far as i know can anyone help me +figure out how to make them mate He's the issue, you are trying to "Make" them +mate. This is like trying to Make 2 people get married. It doesn't work. First +you need a compatible pair. Sounds like your 2 at least tolerate each other, so +there is hope there. Then the need to be mature, that is, old enough, and big +enough to breed. This may be around 1/2 of their full adult size, probably 4-5" +for those guys. Then the environment. Large tank, no annoying tankmates, perfect +water conditons and really good feeding. The difference is what they need to +live, VS what's ideal for them. Get that right, and they will mate when THEY are +ready. You can't MAKE them mate, you can only encourage them. Ian Jack Dempseys +are not an easy cichlid to breed. Most of the time one is more interested in +breeding than the other. Bredders take the one that in not very interested and +put it alone in a breeeding tank for 3-5 days. The tank should have a hide space +big enough for one fish, or a few of them, but at least 1 cave big enough for +two fish to fit in. The p H should be 6.5-7. Now feed the one in the breeding +tank as much bloodworms, blackworms and/or earthworms as it can eat for 3-5 +days. Then add the other mate. They may not respond right away and they may +fight so ther smaller one can fit in one of hide spaces if it gets attacked. +When the males aggressive behavior stops, it is ready to spawn. The two lay +their eggs inside the cave you made for them. Turn the water temp up to 82 +degrees + +Please help with my cats bladder issue? I have a 1 1/2 year old female calico. +When she was spayed the vet had a hard time because she only has one uterine +horn and he said this could mean she only has on kidney. Recently she has been +peeing A LOT. I'm talking soaking all the litter box and then some. She is also +peeing around the box and somehow it gets underneath. I don't have the money to +take her to a vet right now but it's getting to be an issue. I have to scrub the +floor 2-3 times a week now. What could be the issue and can I try some home +remedies first? I love her and want to help her but I don't know when I'll be +able to take her to to vet :( please help. First of all, I am very sorry to hear +you're having this issue with your cat. :( Frequent urination is a sign of +several things. Bladder or Urinary tract infections are two common ones, but +these usually are frequent visits, with small amounts of urine being passed. If +there is blood in the urine, or the cat seems to be in pain, then that is also a +good indicator. But your cat is passing a LOT of urine, and this is bad. Given +the chance your cat may only have one kidney, I would think the worst case +scenario would be kidney disease, which untreated can lead to possible renal +failure. Signs of this can be hard to spot, and if this is true in her case she +will definitely need to see a vet. Vomiting, bad breath, and listlessness. +Seizures will occur when the toxins that the kidney normally filters out are +released into the blood stream. I know you are very worried, but getting her to +the vet is the best thing you can do for her. In the meantime make sure she had +plenty of water available to her. + +I want to apply for canada skilled immigeration program.I got only 63 points +while 67 minimunm is requirement.? Can i apply with 63 points? According to the +Citizenship and Immigration Canada web site at +http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/skilled/assess/index.asp , it states +"Note: you must meet the minimum requirements for your application to be +eligible for processing." HOWEVER ... that same web page also states that "The +current pass mark is 67. The pass mark could change. You should check for +updated information on a regular basis." The Skilled Worker category was my +first attempt at permanent residency. And between the time I began my research +and the time I applied, the minimum score did change once. Unfortunately, both +minimums were above my score. But I got lucky because I qualified under another +category to become a permanent resident. So keep checking at least on a weekly +basis. GOOD NEWS ... I found a web page run by Canadian Immigration Lawyers at +http://www.canadavisa.com/canadian-immigration-faq-skilled-workers.html . Here +is what they posted there "4. May I qualify under the Skilled Worker category +even if I score less than 67 points?" "If the Canadian Immigration Visa Officer +believes that the point total does not accurately reflect your ability to become +economically established in Canada, the Canadian Immigration Visa Officer may +use his or her positive discretion (referred to as substituted evaluation) and +approve your application even though you score less than 67 points." Read the +full answer at that web page for conditions. Sure you can apply. The points +system acts as a guide to sort out the best candidates. Your application is +still evaluated on a number of criteria, not all of them as "cast in steel" as +the points. Go ahead, send in your application. NOTE to BEN .67 is the minimum +score, anything below that is filed in the "circular file basket ". Why have a +"minimum " if it is going to be ignored ? Jim B Toronto. + +I'm mad and don't know what to do! Please help!? Alright, so my dad had been +wanting me to check my e mail for a few days but I never got around to it. (I +just thought he wanted me to see one of those chain letter things again) so I +fineally checked it, and it was an e mail from southwest airlines telling me the +flight dates for out family trip to Florida!!! I got so excited!!!! It said it +was in January but still!!!! So I kept reading and then I saw the dates, it was +from mid day Friday and arriving home mid day monday. :( then I think I just +kind of stopped smiling and just kind of sat there looking at the dates. (we +live in Pennsylvania btw) I'm mad and upset now! Don't get me wrong I want to +go, but for 2 days -_- I mean seriously. We are taking a 3 hour flight down to a +fancy island in Florida and staying only 2 days. ****sigh**** not trying to +sound snooty or stuck up but I mean really! Can someone please make me feel +better about this trip!!!! A least your going.! Enjoy those 2 days it better +then not going at all.! and it will be fun 2 days cause you will busy going to a +lot of beautiful places, i can afford to go so be happy you have the money to +go. :D Well, I mean, you don't have to be mad about it. At least you get to go +to Florida in JANUARY. And, having only two days makes you realize what you have +with your family. "Nothing Gold Can Stay", honey. Enjoy it while you can, and +then if your family enjoys it you can go again for a longer period of time. If +they don't like it, it'll only be two days, remember? Hope you have a crapload +of fun! (In a good way...) + +What is Italian High Renaissance? Have a look at this, it may help. 1) The +Italian Renaissance began the opening phase of the Renaissance, a period of +great cultural change and achievement in Europe that spanned the period from the +end of the 13th century to about 1600, marking the transition between Medieval +and Early Modern Europe. The term renaissance is in essence a modern one that +came into currency in the 19th century, in the work of historians such as Jacob +Burckhardt. Although the origins of a movement that was confined largely to the +literate culture of intellectual endeavor and patronage can be traced to the +earlier part of the 14th century, many aspects of Italian culture and society +remained largely Medieval; the Renaissance did not come into full swing until +the end of the century. The word renaissance (Rinascimento in Italian) means +“rebirth”, and the era is best known for the renewed interest in the culture of +classical antiquity after the period that Renaissance humanists labelled the +Dark Ages. These changes, while significant, were concentrated in the elite, and +for the vast majority of the population life was little changed from the Middle +Ages. 2)The expression High Renaissance, in art history, is a periodizing +convention used to denote the apogee of the visual arts in the Italian +Renaissance. The High Renaissance period is traditionally taken to begin in the +1490s, with Leonardos fresco of the Last Supper in Milan and the death of +Lorenzo de' Medici in Florence, and to have ended in 1527 with the sacking of +Rome by the troops of Charles V. This term was first used in German +(Hochrenaissance) in the early nineteenth century, and has its origins in the +"High Style" of painting and sculpture described by Johann Joachim +Winckelmann.[1] Over the last twenty years, use of the term has been frequently +criticized by academic art historians for over-simplifying artistic +developments, ignoring historical context, and focusing only on a few iconic +works. [2] Hope it helps! + +I'm American and I am going to the UK for the first time, what should I expect? +I just need to talk to an another american who has gone to the UK before so that +I know what expect when arriving at the airport and with going through visa +process and everything. do you get your visitors visa immediately at the +airport? I was told that americans automatically get a six months visitors visa. +do you have to go through a medical exam right away? drug test? blood test? or +do i just show them passport and walk through the gates? i have talked to some +people that say that a medical exam is an invasion of privacy and other say its +a routine thing when entering another country. I honestly have no idea what to +expect or prepare for and calling in to get professional advice from either of +the embassies costs by the minute- which I really don't have the money for. I'm +really worried cause I have no idea who to talk to and want everything to go +smoothly. An American passport should get you right into the country, there is +no need for a VISA, for six months. There is no medical exam or blood test or +others like that. You do not need to call the embassies to get professional +advice. http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1052.html Above is the +link to the Department of State travel website, which will give you all the info +that you need, including passport information. It is free. I never stayed more +than two weeks at a time when I visited the U.K. You should be fine with just a +passport, unless you're staying longer than six months. You should double check +with the necessary embassy before you leave though. I am not sure how well you +planned this trip. You'll have a great time, so no worries there. I visited +London, Edinburgh, and St. Andrews so far, and I was treated very well and with +great kindness. Just treat everyone else as you would want to be treated, and +you'll be fine. That tactic never failed me. + +What would you get if you cross a sussex male and a silkie female? i had a +sussex male and a pekin female i bought 2 silkies what would the sussex female +and the silkie females would make ?if you had any pics of your hens i would like +to see them to compare them to mine thanks? A Sussex crossed with Silkie would +make a crossbred *mutt* chicken. There are a lot of genetics at play between a +Sussex and Silkie, so the offspring would vary in appearance. You don't say what +color Silkie or Sussex you are dealing with so I can't say what color your +chicks would be likely to be. However, I can say what features they would/could +have. Feather Type. Silkies have hookless feathers. Sussexs have soft feathers. +All offspring from this cross will have soft feathers, as hookless feathers are +a recessive gene. Skin Color: Silkies have black skin color, which is dominate. +Sussex have White Skin which could be recessive or dominate. Either way rec. and +dom. white genes dilute the black gene. Skin will be darker but lighter then the +Silkies. Beards/Muffs: If your Silkie has a beard/muff the offspring could have +a beard as well, as these genes are incomplete dominate. Feathered Feet/Shanks- +Chicks could have feathered feet/shanks as this is also incomplete dominate. +Crest: Chicks could also develop a small crest due to this being another +incomplete dominate gene. Comb Type: Silkies have walnut combs which is actually +genetically two comb types (Rose and Pea) single is also there, but is +recessive. So crossed to a Sussex you could get a walnut, pea, rose, or single +combed bird. Five Toes: Silkies have five toes. Sussex have four toes. Crossed +together (five toes is incompletely dominate) chicks could develop to have an +fifth toe on both, or even one foot. Silkie crosses are great birds, and very +neat looking. Hens make excellent mothers as they are bigger, can see better, +and are smarter the Silkies. Best wishes, Jamie/RhodeRunner + +I took some photos of my model girlfriend with my Nikon D7000. What do you think +of these photos? http://i.imgur.com/S2MD2.jpg http://i.imgur.com/T2zff.jpg +http://i.imgur.com/Xytex.jpg I took some photos of my model girlfriend with my +Nikon D7000 (see links above). What do you think of these photos? The lighting +was not the best, but the pics turned out ok in my opinion. deleting a question +where you dont like the answer won't get you better answers... i refer to my +previous answer: you need to learn about white balance, composition, angle, and +work on using the camera properly... [edit - and she most be very new to +modeling, because she does look unsure of her poses) lol, he has posted this so +many times today already.clearly hes mad that people know he took her pic off +the net and it's NOT his gf Not bad, but too many distracting elements for my +taste. For example: In the photo on the couch, the pillow she is resting on +clashes with everything else in the shot. There are also some distracting +background elements like the light fixture and what looks like a door handle on +the left. In the standing photo (from the front) there is a corner of a rug +creeping in, some kind of box in the lower right corner and what looks like a +power cord. In the shot from the back, the crumpled bottom of the curtain is +pretty noticeable as well as the power outlet. Compositionally, this one is not +my favorite, I would suggest trying a different crop because I dont think +cutting her off at the calf looks great. I do like the shadow, though. My +suggestion is to pay close attention to what's going on in the background and if +possible, stand on a chair, get on the ground, do whatever you need to do to get +rid of distracting elements. Using a fairly wide aperture is also helpful in +blurring out unwanted background elements. I've had a few great shots ruined +myself because there was something in the background I didn't notice at first. + +what are some unique customs in ireland? As far ask I’m aware our most unique +custom would be the “Country Wake”. In all my travels I’ve never seen anything +like it and am often met with an odd look when I explain them to foreigners. +After a person dies, their remains are “waked ” in their home for roughly +2-3days. In this time visitors will come to the house, pay their respects to the +desisted and their family and have a couple of cups of tea with a sandwich or a +bun. The wake also included the night sit were friends and family sit up through +the night with the remains. Wakes are common both north and south of the boarder +with Protestants and Catholics alike. But only really in the countryside. The +only notable difference I have noticed is that in the south of Ireland one night +of the wake is often held in the chapel the night before the funeral, this +tradition started after the civil war. Another unique custom (and a dying one at +that) is the Pioneers. The Pioneers was an organization started at the end of +the 19th century which pushed and supported the ideal of temperance (abstaining +from alcohol), in an attempt to deal with the massive issue of alcoholism that +Ireland was gripped by. Pioneers take a pledge to remain tee-total and at the +hight of the organization popularity, had an estimated two million members even +filling Croke Park on the 25th anniversary. I my self am one but appreciate that +the organization is unlikely to make into the 22nd century. The Orange Order and +the 12th of July Marches would be argued by some not to be an Irish custom but +unarguable ticks every criteria to be considered one. The marches on the 12th of +July are only really attended by protestants in the Ulster but in spite of the +are the largest attended paraded in Ireland. Barn brack and the ring. the irish +customs we have in our family are; we make sinnel cake for easter ,barn brack +and col-cannon for Halloween.christmas cake for christmas day. + +Do animals see images on a TV screen like humans do? Do animals see images on a +TV screen like humans do? I'm unsure of this, because once I watched a +commercial of cat food with my cat and she didn't react to seeing another cat on +TV. I heard that a company (here is a link: +http://news.yahoo.com/nestl-purina-releases-commercial-aimed-dogs-183443091.html +) is trying to make a dog food commercial aimed at dogs, complete with squeaky +chew-toy sounds, and high pitched sounds that humans can't hear. As far as I +understand, this ad will get dogs excited, but my question is: Can dogs actually +see the images featured in the advert like humans? Also, can animals remember +images on TV like us, humans? If so, then does that mean that if you watched a +scary movie and your dog/cat/parrot was in the same room as you they will also +get scared? I wouldn't know--I don't particularly like scary movies, and I +haven't tried this with my pet. Although, I don't think that scary movies will +affect pets for a long time; I am sure they'll forget sometime--or am I wrong? +So what about T.V.? Do dogs enjoy watching T.V.? Well, T.V. is a series of +flickering pictures that are streamed together to make a moving picture. The +pictures are broadcast at a rate of about 60Hz, which is how fast they need to +move for us to see them as a moving, flawless picture. To a dog, watching T.V. +is a lot like watching and old scratchy silent film because their flicker fusion +seems to occur at a rate of 70 to 80Hz. So they see the pictures flicker slower +and there for it seems choppy to them. So chances are that if your dog likes to +watch T.V., it’s probably because of the sounds. Hearing is a dog’s secondary +sense, and I will discuss that in another blog entery. Yes they do. im pretty +sure that they do see things on the tv screen because my cat chases things +around the tv screen + +How much should I be looking at for horse transportation? I need one horse +transported to shows throughout the 2012 show season, and the location is about +3 hours away from where I live. The place where I'm boarding is not likely to +want to take me this far, and I do not have any ways of hauling him myself. So I +want to hire someone (or multiple people) to transport me to these shows. If +they ask how much I'm willing to pay, what is a good price range? I saw a site +that charges $0.70 per mile. Is that reasonable? Impossible to say, but I guess +you would have to work out fuel consumption for the particular vehicle that they +are using and pay a proportion of that, and some on top for the driver's time +and effort, unless you are able to share transport with another or more, that +would keep the costs down. Remember that you get what you pay for. Three hours +isn't far, but you are doing multiple shows. Some people are willing to take +your horse, but they really have old trailers that are not the safest in the +world. Rusted, torn corners in the stalls, unhealthy air, straight load instead +of slant load can all make travelling hard, if not downright dangerous, on your +horse. I had my horse transported from CA to WA and he came on this big, open +stock trailer. He was dehydrated when he got there and lost weight. Since then, +I now use a professional horse hauling service with people who ride with my +horse to keep an eye on him, stop every few hours for water, and their trailers +all have super smooth suspension. All horses I've had delivered to me since then +are happy and healthy when they arrive. I would call Bob Hubbard Transport and +get a quote. Even though you may not want to use them, it will give you some +idea of what it might cost and what is fair. See link below. Make sure the +trailer service you use is bonded/insured and knows something about first aid. + +Do they have this anywhere? I want to take a cruise around the world. I mean +literally around the world if possible. First of if i went alone on a regular +cabin how much would you estimate it would be just a guess.Second is there any +way to sort of customize the places you wanna go to? Like you can pick the +destinations? But if not just say no but i hope there is like one out there +somewhere. 1. Here's a site that lists world cruises including prices. +http://www.cruisecompete.com/specials/regions/world/1 Prices listed, however, +are usually based on two people in a cabin, and you will likely face some high +"single supplement" costs in addition. (Two people in a cabin will spend more +onboard, so cruise lines charge you more to sail alone. You may be able to do +better on the rates if you request competitive quotes via CruiseCompete). 2. +Short of chartering your own ship and crew, I don't see any way you could +customize your own itinerary. Good luck! Various world cruises from most of the +major cruise lines, typically 100 days in duration. Travelling on your own you +would have to pay double as cabins are sold on the basis of double occupancy. No +possibility to customise ports of call. Prearranged about 18 months in advance +as the cruise lines sell segments all along the way i.e Transatlantic to London +(England), England to Barcelona (Spain), Barcelona to Alexandria (Egypt), Egypt +to India via Suez canal etc. yes there are multiple around the world cruises, +mainly offered by the more upscale lines. HOWEVER: you will pay as if there are +2 people in the cabin, even if it is just you. so any price you find, DOUBLE IT +figure, $40K at least. and no you cannot customize an itinerary unless you book +several different legs of a cruise with stops in between on shore.. say book a +Panamal Canal crossing, then fly to Asia and pick it up again and sail to India +then fly to Europe to sail the Med before flying to England to hit the +Transatlantic corssing. + +Was the San Francisco Bay Area mostly Caucasian back in the early 1970s? No. +There has been a large Asian presence in the SF Bay Area for a long time--the +Chinatown here was the largest population of chinese outside of China, there +were lots of Japanese who'd been displaced during WWII. The whole Western +Addition and a large portion of the Haight was black. The Mission was basically +latin-american. As the southeast asians and philipinos came over, they added to +the cultures. So, the Bay Area has been fairly mixed ethnically for a long +time--caucasians may have seemed to be a large populous but that's because most +tourists back then were caucasian and many of the hippies were caucasians so +that's who the photographers took pictures of. The other ethicities weren't well +represented in politics yet--or rather, they were just breaking the color +barrier in the 70's due largely to the more open-minded hippy generation. Marin +County was predominantly caucasian and many of the expanding outer east bay +areas started out as white suburbs. It was not so long after Civil Rights laws +against discrimination started to have an impact. You never saw black MUNI +drivers, Asian police, Latino politicians until then. It was an evolution. Many +illegals were not counted in the population until the mid-80s. We did not have +big percent of Chinese migration until the mid 90s. We had fewer people running +across the Mexican border then. We had fewer social benefits at that time for +people so many immigrants were not counted. Only Caucasians had any political +power, corporate presence or owned businesses except for Mom and Pop stores in +some neighborhoods. San Francisco was settled in the 19th and 20th century by +mainly European immigrants except for some Asian workers who were manual +laborers. There has always been a Mexican-American cultural influence since +Calif was owned by Mexico. We had a larger black population in the 70s than we +have now but they did not have any power until Willie Brown was elected. San +Francisco was always progressive and welcoming and tolerant to all kinds of +people historically. The counties outside San Francisco were more white than San +Francisco in the 70s. EDIT: My memory may not be good so you might get a more +accurate answer from someone else who remembers the time. + +Can rabbits and chickens live together? I am thinking about getting a rabbit as +a pet, but my parents said that it has to stay outside. We also own two chickens +that are kept in a run behind out garage/barn thing. There is already a little +dog house that I would turn into a little rabbit hutch being kept back there and +I was thinking about keeping the rabbit in the run with the chickens, but +keeping the chickens in the coop and the rabbit in the hutch at night. However, +in the day time would it be okay for the rabbit to hop around along with the +chickens? We feed the chickens scraps of veggies and fruits throughout the day, +but it's nothing that a rabbit wouldn't be able to digest just fine. So, can +rabbits and chickens live together as long as they have separate places for +their food and water? (The rabbit hutch would have an opening only big enough +for the rabbit, the chickens would not be able to get to the rabbit food) Also, +is it okay if the rabbit occasionally sneaks a few bites of chicken feed? My +last rabbit did that a few times, and he was fine...I just wanna make sure :) +Thank! Yes,but be sure that your chickens are all hens(I mean not +roosters),Roosters may attack rabbits or anything they see moving,so be aware of +that,hens are friendly with almost all kinds of pets! From my experience +Hens(Not roosters) are very friendly with duck,Guinea +pigs,kittens,cows,Rabbits,etc. Be sure not to feed your rabbits non-veg items! +You said they live in different cages and they are free in day,so no +problem,don't put both of them in one cage because rabbits bedding is different +than that of hens,wet bedding can cause diseases in them! So,don't put both of +them in one cage. Good luck! yea i guess but rabbits a easily escape a pen or +another rabbit could get in there and that rabbit could be the opposite gender. +So be very careful and some feeds could be toxic to rabbits and safe for +chickens.Rabbits do burrow also so don't be surprised if chicken are falling +into holes. rabbits are delicate and can get diseases so watch out for that. + +melting brass did not work? my friends and I are trying to melt bras to make +some little figures. we have made a furnace as such, we took a clay flower pot +with a hole in the bottom put a piece of steel pipe in the middle of it with a +cap on the bottom, filled the pipe with brass scrap, surounded the pipe with +charcoal lit it off and pumped air through the hole in the pot, everything got +red hot but did not melt. what am I doing wrong I would recommend to start with +something more simple like tin, pewter, aluminum or zinc, they all have a much +more reasonable melting point. I'll just echo both other answers. Molten brass +is damn hot and usually it's pressurized gas and forced air or oxygen. Even if +you did melt it, I doubt you foresaw the issues of handling it and pouring it. +It's really too advanced for a beginner, both in tooling and safety. Just the +zinc fumes will get you, if you don't take precautions. Pewter is perfect for +what you are doing, and it melts on a stove top. I would recommend to start with +something more simple like tin, pewter, aluminum or zinc, they all have a much +more reasonable melting point. Brass has an even higher melting point than +bronze and I would think your charcoal just doesn't get hot enough. I bet you +also did take charcoal as it is used for barbecue which does not get as hot as +real coal (e.g. for blacksmithing one needs coal, not barbecue charcoal). I have +done a fair amount of metal casting, but never tried to build my own furnace, +but I think your version is just too small and doesn't get hot enough. I have +melted small amounts of bronze in a crucible with a large propane torch (much +larger than the plumbers torch, but it can be run of those propane cylinders you +can buy for a gas grill). I melt brass and cast it +http://www.mikegigi.com/castgobl.htm Brass melts at just under 2000F which is a +bright yellow heat, not red hot. http://www.mikegigi.com/techspec.htm#SELCTEMP +You might be able to make a version of your setup work, but it would take quite +a bit of charcoal and a lot of forced air. I use propane with a blower and a +burner I built http://www.mikegigi.com/meltmetl.htm and +http://www.mikegigi.com/firehole.htm + +Should all UK towns and their cafes or restaurants provide Halal food? Some +friends of mine visited Dartmouth in Devon whilst on holiday last summer. They +could not find any cafes or food shops that provided Halal prepared foods. Its +important to their religion that they only consume Halal food. Even if you buy a +cake in a bakers you can not be too what happens in the kitchen, for example the +cake may have been sliced using a knife used for preparing ham. Its simply not +just a case of avoiding pork, alcohol and only being allowed to eat halal +prepared meat, but the kitchen and its utensils should not have been used for +prohibited foods. Places like Dartmouth are supposed to be tourist towns and +should provide foods for people of all religions. We all enjoy buying a snack +when visiting a town or attraction while on holiday. Not everyone wants to bring +packed lunch. Its not fair if some people have to go without buying food because +no place will provide suitable food for them. I think its only fair that +nowadays every town should provide at least one halal cafe or restaurant and +hopefully one day every British catering establishment will be halal. When I +went to Bosnia, all the meat was Halal. I will not eat halal meat, so guess +what, I opted for foods which weren't a meat dish, there were plenty of other +options. I could not go to their country and demand they slaughter and sell an +animal as meat the way I prefer to eat it. When you go to another country, you +live by their way of life and their laws, if you don't like it, you know how to +get back out the country (but I guess our benefits system is too much to throw +away, huh). Cafes and restaurants rarely use the same cutlery for different food +groups anyway, they normally have blue for bakery items, red for cooked meat, +brown for raw meat, etc - all for food preparation and hygiene policies. No. To +prevent animal cruelty, many countries forbid Halal and Kosher meat. Switzerland +is one, and the Netherlands are passing the same law. It will become EU law in a +couple of years. We can't dictate what business wants to open where. If someone +thinks there is a business opportunity then they will start opening halal only +places. + +How to convince my parents to let me get a Ball python? They don't know ANYTHING +about Ball pythons. When I ask my mom she says she will never let a snake in her +house. She has no experience with snakes and has never held one. I did all my +research and am well prepared to keep one, I'm 14 by the way Lay some knowledge +on them dude. Maybe if they see how much time and effort you've devoted to +researching the animal they'll reconsider. Tell them it costs like 8 dollars a +month (if even that much) to keep it fed. Be helpful around the house to show +that even if you can't pay for it yourself that youre willing to work for it. +Once you've buttered them up a bit try to get them to the pet store and ask one +of the employees to handle the snake showing your mom how gentle and harmless +they can be. Maybe even try to get your mom to hold it a bit. My wife was +TERRIFIED of snakes when we first met, I introduced her to one out my baby corn +snakes and she fell in love with it. Be persistent, but don't pester them about +it cause that'll get you nowhere fast. Good luck! My general convince your +parents to let you get a reptile advice: 1. Be responsible. Do all your chores +without being nagged, take care of any existing pets, keep your room clean, and +so on. Prove, to your parents' satisfaction, that you, not they, will be the one +actually taking care of your new pet. 2. Save up, and research, so that you are +ready for your new pet. 3. Bargain with them. Offer to do extra chores, ask for +your pet as a reward for good grades, something like that. 4. Play the sympathy +card. If you can find a pet at a shelter, or that a friend needs to get rid of +because they're moving or whatever, you might be able to talk your parents into +"giving it a good home" where you might not be able to talk them into buying a +new pet. On the fear angle--talk her into coming to the pet store with you. Once +you're there, ask if you can hold a ball python. Once you're holding it, try to +get her to touch/pet it... + +My Snake's meal is TOO big, what can I do? Just today I bought a medium rat for +my beloved Ball Python Salazar (name after Harry Potter). Last time I got a +medium rat it was a girl and my snake handled her easily. But today, I got a boy +and realized that he is HUGE! I really do love my snake cause she is actually an +affectionate cold-blooded creature. So my true question comes to this, how can I +knock the rat out? If I threw him against a wall and still conscious he will run +away, do I hang him by the tail so the blood can flush into his skull? I really +do need answers and advice, and NOT INSULTING ANSWERS!! LIKE SERIOUSLY!! >:( +Best answer shall receive points :) iw ould just stick him in the tank and let +your snake have a nice hunt for once, snakes jaws detach for this sort of this +thing, so why not give her a good hunt, but if you do want him knock him id just +throw him against the wall or something,, lol i dont know, i agree with you +though throw him, haha Ok so if youre snake will take pre-killed, you can "gas +it". Just put the rat in a sealed tupperwear container with no airholes and wait +until it passes out and dies and then feed it. If it won't take pre-killed and +you usually feed live then you could hold the rat by the tail and whack it +against a hard surface, like a refrigerator or wall. I don't like that option +though - I think it's pretty cruel and I'd not done properly you'll end up +really hurting the rat but not stunning him enough to stop possible injury to +your snake. I would do the tupperwear idea TBH - easiest and most humane. You +could also just wait until the rat passes out for about 1 minute and them feed +it - at this point, it could still have a bit of a heart beat and be slightly +still alive. And also maybe try holding the rat in feeding prongs so your snake +can get a good hold and grip on his prey. Good luck! Just my opinion here - no +judgement - getting your snake on frozen/thawed will prove to be much easier for +you and safer for your snake in the long run. My opinion - take it for what it's +worth… :-) + +Looking to move to Toronto? I am a 20 something gay black male and I am looking +for suggestions on neighborhoods close to the downtown Toronto area. Im moving +from South Carolina so this will already be a huge culture shock. Any +suggestions? Being gay and living in Toronto is just fine. You may consider the +Gay Village on Church Street, right downtown. It is full of gay friendly +"everything". But, you could live where ever you fancy takes you. For obvious +reasons, knowing how extremely difficult it is to drive a car in the city, you +should probably try to be near the subway system. But, can you immigrate? Being +an American guarantees you no favours when it come to going to Canada. Start +your process here, if you haven't already. (Marrying a Canadian is not enough - +that doesn't count for at least two years.) +http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/index.asp A normal processing time, +unless you have an advanced degree or a "specified" skill is from 3 - 5 years. +Coming to stay, and overstay your three months visit will lead to immediate +expulsion and a lifetime ban to immigrate to Canada - NOT GOOD. Lets be clear +about this...........Just 'wanting to come to Canada " is NOT enough. You MUST +apply, to become a Immigrant, and WAIT to be approved, by the Canadian +Government. YOUR education ( the more the better ) and your past work history, +combined with a CLEAN FBI and State Police record, and a satisfactory financial +history ( no bankruptcies or large outstanding debts in the USA ) are all taken +into consideration. It is a competition, and YOU will be competing with hundreds +of thousands of others, from all over the world, for a place in the line up. IF +you have NOT begun the Application process's NOW< you are about 2 to 3 years +away from being approved by Immigration Canada. So don't pack your bags ,yet. +Whatever you do ...............DO NOT try to come here with out legal +permission. You will not be able to seek work or take a job, in Canada, with out +having to show your Immigration VISA and Canadian Social Insurance Number card +to any potential employer. Being an American and from the "south " you will be +noticed as soon as you speak out loud . Do it properly, and legally, and you +will be OK. Jim B Toronto. + +How to train my puppy ? I have a 4 months Shih Tzu puppy. Recently I'm having +trouble training him. He is kind of hate walking with leash, every time I put +the leash on, he will try to bite it. And he is not following me when I was +walking. I saw lots of videos about this, but actually it didn't help. Is there +any way can let him know how to walk with leash ? And every time he see some one +he will rush to people and jump on them, doesn't listen to me. He is really +excited about anybody he see. How to prevent this ? Last thing is every time I +sit on a chair or something higher than him, he will try to jump on, if he +can't, he will bark all the time until I let him get on, what should I do with +this ? Anyone have any suggestion? thank you very much. Hi, I am a dog trainer +for 25 yrs. You need to purchase what is called a shoulder point harness. This +type of harness goes around the dogs chest and legs and has a clip for the leash +up on the back of the dog in middle of shoulder blades. This way, he cannot +reach the leash to chew it. When he swivels his head to go for it anyway, tell +him sharp "UH UH" gently correct him with a small tug and continue your walk. Do +this repeatedly and frequently and he will learn to walk on a leash. Patience is +the key here. He is a young pup and will learn over time and consistency in his +training. And always, always train with love and positive methods- never hit or +harshly scold. Never train out of fear. You want your dog to admire you as his +pack leader, not fear you. Good luck with your puppy! All the best. Put him in +dog obedience school or call a professional dog trainer. :) why dont you get +some treats that he loves and only give him them when he does something right. +or, as i saw on embarrassing pets on tv, get a clicker type thing and treats as +well. try to train him to heel, which means to walk round you before he needs to +go on a leash, and he may do that. or you could even spray some scented spray on +the leash and he will go for the scent and probably, if you act quick enough, +will stay on the leash. + +What sort of Hotel could I expect to find in New Delhi/Agra/Varanasi for rs500 +per night? Hey guys. I'm looking to visit India with some mates at the beginning +of February next year and I am wandering what standard of accommodation we could +get for Rs 500 per person per night. There would be four of us so we would +probably be looking at 2 twin rooms for Rs1000, close to the centre of these +cities. This would be on a walk-in basis as we want to have the freedom of +finding a place that looks good (Not relying on pictures from the internet) and +is in a spot we like. Thanks in advance for sharing your experience! Sorry, +almost forgot to ask - Would it be cheaper to walk-in to these hotels rather +than pre book? In Delhi I'd recommend Ajay Guesthouse. Travelled to Delhi twice +and stayed there twice. Rooms start from 500 per double. Those ones are quite +small. Must say, in Delhi it's hard to get good price/quality rating. I have +found this hotel in the Lonely Planet guide. It's in an area starting with a P, +many tourist hotels there and the location is very nice. But in general, Delhi +is the hardest place to find a nice clean hotel for that price. In Varanasi I +don't know. I've stayed in a more expensive hotel there, but you can check some +travelguides or tripadvisor? Also, while travelling ask people where they've +been and if they have any hotel recommendations. In Agra I've stayed in a place +fellow travellers recommended, they found it in the Rough Guide. It was nice and +close to the Taj. It was quite easy to find something. (Dont stay in Agra too +long. One night is enough!) There were many hotels there. Ive paid 500 for a +double room there and it was fine and clean. Good luck, enjoy your time! You may +find a normal budget hotel for Rs 1000 per night in the cities you mentioned, +the links below may help you to find good hotels in Delhi and Agra. +http://www.goldentriangleindia.com/delhi/hotels-in-delhi.html To Stay in delhi - +Hotel Aster Inn is best to stay in delhi. it is in karol bagh. some beautiful +locations like close to Karol Bagh Shopping Market, Presidential Palace, and +Birla Mandir Temple and Connaught Place and Jantar Mantar are near to it. TO +Stay in Agra -Hotel Atithi and Aditya Palace is perfect for you. it is centrally +situated. To Stay in Varanasi - Sandeep Hotel is you choice... + +which one out of these makes the best pet? a degu, a rat, a mouse, a hamster or +a guinea pig? and why is the one a better pet? Get a guinea pig. I have a +hamster, and mice and rats like to escape. The Guinea pig is better because its +a lot larger than a hamster, rat, mouse, or degu. So if you lose him, he is +easier to find, because smaller rodents just LOVE to escape from their cages. So +my opinion is Guinea pigs. (plus they dont stink that bad) Depends on what you +want in a pet, to be honest. Also depends on the space you have, how much time +you can handle the pet, how much money you can spend, etc. I've had experience +with all of those pets except Degus. My favorite would have to be the rat. +They're incredibly social, highly trainable, and very clean. Mine learned to "go +to the bathroom" only in their cages and loved to ride on my shoulder or hang +out in my hoodie pouch. The only downside is they should be kept in pairs or +trios and require a pretty large habitat. That means expense, space, and they +require weekly cage cleaning. My second favorite would have to be the Guinea Pig +- not quite as social with people as rats (at least mine wasn't) but more so +than most hamsters or mice. Again, pairs or trios and pretty big living space. +They, too, need weekly cage cleaning and can cost quite a bit. I could handle my +mice, but they where skittish and preferred their cage. I've never met a hamster +that didn't bite me. Never had/handled a Degu. Get a guinea pig. We have two. +They are social and like to be handled. You have to have two because they don't +do well alone. Make certain you get two females. Two males can fight and you +definitely don't want babies!! Guinea pigs (also called cavies) are gentle +creatures and are awake during the day and sleep at night. They will whistle +when they hear you as an encouragement for you to give them a treat like leaf +lettuce. They love leaf or romaine lettuce and tomatos, celery, cucumbers, +carrots. Don't feed them broccoli, cauliflower, garlic, onions, head lettuce +....they are all too difficult for them to digest. Also they can't eat potatos, +they are toxic for them. If you keep the cage clean they don't smell and you can +buy spray on cleaser for them, just massage it into their coat and groom them. + +Fostering 6 week old kittens and HATING IT! Need Advice!? I wanted to volunteer +and help animals, and decided to try fostering kittens. This is my first +experience and I have two six week old kittens right now and am at my wits end. +I do not want to have to bring them back before they are eight weeks old but +they are ruining my apartment. They track poop everywhere (most disgustingly my +bed....), and am constantly trying to climb up everything, including my bare +legs! My legs and hands are just full of scratches. I realize they are young and +that cats do climb, but this is just ridiculous. My apartment also smells +repulsive even though I am cleaning out their litter box at least once a day if +not twice. Any suggestions and helpful hints to make this a more positive +experience would be extremely appreciated. That's kind of the way it goes..lol. +Limit them to one room with easy to clean flooring. If you have limited options, +try the bathroom. Make sure there are plenty of litter boxes that are cleaned +often. Depending on the batch of kittens, I will often have as many as one per +kitten. They can produce a lot of waste and even scooping twice a day they can +get messy. For some reason it takes them awhile to learn not to step in poop. +Also if they have diarrhea, check in with your foster coordinator. They made +need medication or deworming or something. They are testing out their claws and +teeth. To some degree you can/should help teach them not to use their teeth and +claws inappropriately. But in the meantime, highly recommend jeans and long +sleeves anytime you'll be interacting with the kittens. Then take care of +yourself. Get plenty of sleep and make sure you take time out to do some things +you enjoy. Try visiting the kittens a few times a day for short periods of time. +Try to go in there with the right frame of mind and enjoy them for what they +are. If you still don't enjoy the kittens, see what other opportunities are +available. They may need foster homes for adult cats in different situations.. +sick, recovering from surgery, need a little socialization, etc. I find the +adults are much easier. Generally they're not clawing and biting, they don't +make nearly as much mess, they don't need nearly as much litterbox scooping, etc +:) Decide volunteering is not your thing and give them back! And do more +research before you agree next time ;-) Take the kittens back to the shelter. +Maybe do volunteer work at the humane society, walk dogs, groom the animals etc. + +what r the requirements to apply for a delay birth certificate in canada? what r +the evidentary requirements to apply for a delay birth certificate in canada? +including fees and forms It depends on if you ever registered the birth. Some +places do the registration right at the hospital....in some smaller places, you +need to register your child's birth at the town hall/registrar's office. My +first three children were born in Southern Ontario cities. The birth +registration was done right in hospital. My last son, was born in Northern +Ontario....I didn't know that I didn't register him in the ridiculous amount of +paperwork I had filled out in the hospital and was supposed to go to city hall +within 90 days. Two years later when I got around to filling for his birth +certificate, I find out he was never registered. I had to call the Office of the +Registrar General in Thunder Bay, have copies of the delayed registration form +mailed out to me, as they don't have an online area for it yet, fill those out, +send them away, then apply for his birth certificate. If you are just applying +for a birth certificate for the first time, its simple to do it over the +computer. For $56 you can even have it expedited and will get in three business +days or your money back. This is in Ontario of course, the rates may be slightly +different for other provinces/territories. You just need basic information, and +answer a few questions like what hospital was the child born at/who was the +doctor.... None, just walk in to the service office and present all the +identification you have to prove your identity. they may then chose to ask you +to bring more evidence, or just look up the record and hand you the certificate. +You can probably do it all on-line. Start here if you were born in Ontario. +http://www.ontario.ca/en/information_bundle/birthcertificates/119274.html If you +were born elsewhere, start here. +http://www.ontario.ca/en/information_bundle/birthcertificates/119275.html Good +luck My parents didn't send for my birth certificate until I was 16 and needed +it for summer employment. It was no problem to get PROVIDED the birth was +registered in the first place. I add that in because there have been some people +who have tried to claim citizenship by sending for their birth certificate when +they were never really born in Canada or to Canadian parents. When a child is +born in Canada the birth is registered before the baby can leave the hospital. +As long as that was done you can send for it at any time. Each provincial +government has a website that lists the process for that Province so depending +upon where you were born you can google it. + +Royal Caribbean or Carnival cruise? ONLY IF YOU HAVE BEEN ON BOARD *BOTH* !! i +want to know which you liked better and WHY? include which one had: -better food +-more fun activities -more teens -AND JUST MORE STUFF YOU LIKED OVERALL please +specify which royal or carnival ship (: Carnival and Royal Caribbean are two +popular cruise lines that have strong followings. Some cruise aficionados refuse +to sail on one or the other. Are there any major differences between them? +Explore which cruise may fit your needs the best. For our comparison we sailed +on two similar ships - the Carnival Liberty and the Royal Caribbean Mariner of +the Seas. Itinerary Both ships go to Caribbean Islands like Jamaica, Grand +Cayman, Cozumel, St. Thomas, the Bahamas and St. Martin / St. Maarten. The +Liberty also visited its private island Half Moon Cay, Puerto Rico, and Grand +Turk. The Mariner of the Seas traveled to its private island Coco Cay and +Labadee (the north coast of Haiti). We loved most of the locations that both of +the ships visited and don't believe that this should be a distinguishing factor +on deciding between the cruise lines. Shows Each night there are a variety of +shows. Usually you have the main show and some type of entertainment before and +perhaps afterward. We felt that the main shows on the Mariner of the Seas were +better. On the Liberty we liked the comedian and juggling act. If you love +seeing the shows, Royal Caribbean was better for the main shows and Carnival was +slightly better for the comedians. Dining Room We enjoyed the atmosphere of both +dining rooms on the Liberty and Mariner of the Seas. We felt that the menu had a +little more variety on the Mariner of the Seas. Friendliness of staff The +Liberty and Mariner of the Seas both get high grades. We did have one waiter +that complained some on one of our trips on the Mariner. We had a slightly +better experience on the Liberty, but feel that both crews did an excellent job +and that this should not be a distinguishing factor on choosing a cruise. Pools +The Mariner of the Seas and Liberty both had salt water pools - which most +cruise ships have. They both had pools for kids and adults. We liked the +Liberty's pools better because one had a slide. If you have kids, this would be +something that they would definitely enjoy. Spa We tried the spa on the Liberty +and loved it. We did not try the spa on the Mariner of the Seas. Usually you +can't go wrong when getting a spa treatment...... Royal Caribbean is better, but +the best cruiseline is Regent Seven Seas. Look on their website rssc.com Royal +Caribbean. Carnival has been called the WalMart of cruise lines... + +What countries are the best to travel to? I really want to travel when I leave +school! Where in the states could I go? Where in Europe? Have you every traveled +before? How long should I go for to each place? (I Have 1 year before collage!) +&Also how much money would I need? So I can start saving now hehe Thanks :) I +mean when I graduate & yes, college, sorry for the typo. Leave High School? Not +the smartest move to take off on a worldly adventure if you've never traveled +before and you don't put where you would be traveling from. In the United +States? Lots of places. There are 50 of them, 48 located from Maine to Florida +and California to Washington State and all in between. There are 2 more located +outside of the main continent with Alaska way to the north and Hawaii in the +Pacific. What do you like to do? Big Cities like New York, Boston, Philadelphia +on the East Coast. Beaches and Disney of Florida or the Mid Atlantic cities of +Atlanta, Savannah, Charleston. The federal sites of Washington, DC. Southern +charm of Nashville, Birmingham, New Orleans or Charlotte. West Coast hot spots +like Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Los Angeles or San Diego. Europe? Just as +numerous as the possibilities of the US. Do you speak a foreign language? I +could spend a year in Spain alone. From Madrid to Seville to Barcelona an +Valencia. Bilboa on the north coast, Pamplona and the very famous Guernica. A +road trip to Lisbon and the Algarve in Portugal before a mountain escape in the +Pyrenees and a stop in Andorra before heading over to France and Italy and +Austria and Switzerland. I've traveled to all of these places and could +certainly tailor a trip to your needs based on budget, actual time allowed, your +likes and dislikes. Amount of time could be dependent on so many things. Do you +want to see all the sites or simply a few photos and on your way to the next +place. Does your budget limit you to how long you can stay in each place? You +need a lot of money for hotels, airfare, seeing the sites, food, local transport +- you name it but life costs. Once you have a budget or an amount in the bank +then you'll be able to figure out where you can go, for how long you can go and +what you can do when you're there. 1 year before collage or college? Good luck. +I recommend buying a single unlimited Europass and travelling anywhere in the EU +your heart desires. You can't beat the price for what you get. come to Africa. +Nigeria, a lovely country. But where in nigeria? Obudu cattle ranch. More than a +tourist centre. + +How do you make your cat adjust to a new house? Me and my family are moving into +a new house just outside a small town. We are currently living a mile from the +town in a house surrounded by fields but the new house is beside a busy road. We +have had the cat for 10 years and dont want to leave it. How could we make it +settle in a new house. you are not just moving house - your cat is losing his +territory. territory is very important to cats, and they are very nervous when +they go into a new place - a new house could be full of predators, or unknown +menaces - well at least he thinks so. you will need to give him only a small +place to explore, so he can make it his territory, and feel safe there. then, he +can have a place to retreat to when he feels scared. you will need to get his +box and bowls, and whatever blanket and toys are his, and smell like home, and +put him in a room. the room you sleep in is best (seeing you so relaxed that you +are sleeping will send the message that everything is OK), but others will work +just as well. close the door, and keep him in there for a week. he will feel +much safer in that one room, than in a huge unknown house. he will explore the +room, mark everything with his cheek, and try to make it feel like his +territory. he will reassure himself that no other animal is in there, and that +no other animal will come in - he is afraid that he is in someone else's +territory when he is in a new house. in a week's time, he will have made it his, +and will be getting more bored than afraid. let him out for half an hour, to +explore. then put him back in. he will be freaked out, so going back to his +territory will make him much happier. extend the time he is out each day, but +for the first month, always put him in his room at night, so he feels safe to +sleep. soon he will make the whole house his, but he needs that one safe place +to start from. remember to visit with him while he is in the room, and tell him +how good he is. remember to give him the time he needs to feel that the room is +his - rush it, and he will be afraid of the whole house for a long time. he +might even start peeing on things in fear. good luck with your new house and +with his new territory! Let her explore when we moved my cat had to explore the +entire house before she felt comfortable. In time though she/he will adjust. :) +they just do it on their own. + +I just adopted a 2 year old male German Shepherd with Major bad behaviors? Last +night, I adopted a 2 year old Male German Shepherd. (He is 92 pounds) He does +not listen to any commands, but my major problem is that he will not go outside +on command, or even with me. I will walk outside and he will stand at the door +and stare at me or run away. My other MAJOR problem is that he will not get in +his crate. I will get a treat and try to get him in there that way, it wont +work. He wont even get close to the crate. If I come towards him, he will run +away. How do I train him to feel comfortable in his crate? and to willingly go +outside...and to come on command. He wont do anything on command. Its very +frustrating. I have a 9 month old German Shepherd that I raised from a puppy. I +trained her myself. She is crate trained, potty trained, and can sit, lay down, +stay, come, fetch, and will even stay in a down position while I throw a treat +across the floor or even right next to her paw, and she wont get it until I give +her the command. Yes, lots of time and lots of patients...I just dont know how +to do it with a grown dog. She tosses me around like its nothing!...but +basically, what I do is the same thing I did with my puppy...lots of patience, +lots of time, lots of praise, lots of treats, and lots of repition....Right? Is +there any tricks I could use? Maybe get a book on training. You have to be in +command at all times. There are ways to get your new dog used to the crate or +going out. I would start with a leash. Put the leash on the dog and just walk +around the crate a few times. Then take the leash off and do nothing else but +that. Later do it again. When the dog is ok with this, then open the door and +walk around the crate, leave the door open all the time. Put something fun +inside. Let your dog go in when he wants to for no reason. Do not shut the door. +Let him walk in and out for a few days. At some point he will feel ok with this +and you can then close the door but not for long at all. Open the door and let +him out and see how he acts. If you push it, it will never work. With going +outside, put the leash on and just take him for a walk. He will learn to really +like this. Potty outside will come at some point. Try obedience classes. Have +patience with him, you just got him and who knows how he was treated before you +brought him home. + +where can I find the best tours to the Mekong Delta at reasonable prices? will +only be in Ho chi Minh for 4 days and I am looking for a 1 day or 2 day trip to +Mekong delta. I have been researching on line and find things are quite pricey +but the tours look great. Should I just settle and book on line? or is it better +if I wait till I get there? If I wait, would the tours I find there for less +money be the same quality type tours? Also, any tour recommendations would be +very helpful a well. Thank you! If you want reliable and inexpensive... try Sinh +Cafe/Tourist. The are located right at 248 De Than St. in the heart of the back +packer district. I have taken this tour and it was great. I did an overnight in +a home stay that was sweet and the water market was wonderful. I don't remember +the exact cost but remember thinking how inexpensive it was. Also, Sinh Cafe has +been around for a long time and is very reputable. And no, I do not work for +them. :) I am just a satisfied customer. And don't expect to party on this tour. +The south is not like the regular tourist towns. Very few clubs and night +activities. Oh, if you are confused. Sinh Cafe is not a Cafe. It is a tour +agency and they have their own buses etc. tele#84838389593 have fun. There isn't +much to see in the delta, it's a lifestyle not a resort area. If you're +adventurous you can take a bus or water taxi to My Tho (near where we live) or +Can Tho. From either of those cities, you can venture out and spend a day in the +country. Most of the tourists that I've come across buy tours along the My Tho +waterfront. You take a boat across the river, then spend a day biking, eating at +a local restaurant, buying souvenirs and doing other things that are geared +towards tourists. The countryside is very beautiful, especially if you have a +few months (or years) to get to know the place. PS, If you make it to Thanh Pho +Ben Tre, stay a night at my friend Ken's hotel. It's called Kiwi Heaven and it's +across the river from Cho Ben Tre. It's a little hard to get to by foot, they're +rebuilding the bridge, but you can get someone to moto-taxi you there for a +dollar or less. He's an ex-pat from New Zealand and he's been in town for +awhile. He'll set up a real tour of the area for you, not some tourist fantasy. +Have a good trip where-ever you end up. We went with Intrepid as a part of their +North to South Vietnam Trip, but they do offer this one day separately. We had a +great time and visited a location where they made coconut candies, visited a +local restaurant which was attached to a fish farm, rode in modified quad bikes +and had some tropical food at what appeared to be a local hangout. Intrepid is +good at getting you away from the most touristy spots and showing you something +a little different. + +yoga and horses.....? I got a riding lesson today on one of my boss's fino +horses and it made me realize just how unsteady my left leg is. I mentioned it +to my boss and she said to start doing yoga. But there are just so many poses +and programs! Any good poses or programs (I'm willing to buy a dvd as long as it +is under $20) to help specifically with leg stabilization? I just have a few +issues supporting my back and my left leg flops. Because I don't feel like +spending over $20 on a freakin DVD I also have back problems that transfer into +my legs. I have done Yoga for riders for a while, a 20 minute routine I found on +YouTube (I think its called "Yoga for horse back riding" hosted by a man) It +helped with noticing slight differences in my balance and weight distribution +but not really for the way I use my legs and back. Here is what I do now and it +really helps.... When I first get on I take 1 leg and pull it back up to touch +my butt with my heel and hold it there for 1 lap at a walk around a large +dressage arena. Then the same thing with the other leg. Then 1 lap at a walk +around the arena with both my legs pulled out as far as I can, so they are not +touching the saddle. Then a lap doing scissors, one leg forward as far as I can +and the other back, then switch legs. I'll also trot doing, down 2 beats, up one +for a wile, then up 2 down 1 making sure the weight is going into the balls of +my feet. If the weight is going into your heels (it throws your leg forward) put +the stirrups up against the heel of your boot. Do a nice working trot, not a +slow trot. All this will help you use both legs evenly, keep proper contact and +use your wight correctly, to keep your leg in a good position. BTW you dont want +your leg locked in place, it will move WITH the horse a bit. When I first +started doing it I'd do it every day. Now I just do it once or twice a week or +as needed. Now not only is my leg better, but my back is relaxing. what are you +having problems with? i wouldn't bother with yoga i'd practice more with riding +and fixing my problem, ride bareback, with no irons, theres also a way to ride +on your knees? that help alot with your thigh muscles (bareback though) ya i +really wouldn't bother with the yoga maybe a back brase will help, sometimes my +back really gets to me and i've thought about getting one. with your leg +flopping, just try putting all your weight in your heel and hangon with only +your legs, holding my leg back helps me with flopping the more it's forward the +more it flops :/ work your calf muscles, maybe try standing on the edge of your +steps (on the ball of your foot) and balance to strengthen those muscles You +don't want to spend more than $20 and yet you have an expensive hobby like +riding horses? I really can't help you. + +What to feed my dog after gastroenteritis? My dog has been sick for about 3 days +now. He has been having diarheya everywhere and he began to vomit lastnight. I +thought it would pass until he started to vomit blood and wouldnt drink any +water. I took him to the Animal Hospital and they ran blood work and everything +came back normal. No pancreatitis or anything abnormal. The vet said it was +gastroenteritis and gave him fluids under his skin , an injection of nausea +medication along with some take home antibiotics. So my question is.. Is it +normal for dogs to throw up blood while having gastroenteritis? and will these +antibiotics help? I have tryed to give him water but he wont take it.. what +should i do? i dont want him to get dehydrated and also should i try to give him +a little bit of food?... Some help would be great. thank you :) They didnt take +x-rays they offered them but i just couldnt afford anymore treatment. I feel +like shit for saying that but after what they have done already i wont be buying +grocerys for the next few weeks. I will give them and call and see what they +say. Thank you for the help. Ok so i spoke to the vet and he said the give him +white rice and boiled chicken but only a little at a time. Seince he recieved +the fluids lastnight he said not to worry about drinking water for at least a +couple of days. I went home at lunch to check on him and he is doing 1000etter +he was actually walkin around and wagin his tail :) thanks everbody for the info +its greatly appreciated. To answer your questions in order: 1) It is not normal +for dogs to be vomiting, much less to have blood in it. However, if they have +been vomiting numerous times, then the blood could be due to irritation of the +stomach and intestines. He could also have Parvovirus, a GI foreign body, or any +number of things. Did your vet take radiographs (x-rays)? 2) Your vet would not +prescribe them if they didn't think it would be helpful. 3) If he shows no +interest in water, then take him back to your vet. It could be due to nausea or +any number of things. He could become severly dehydrated (especially if he +continues to vomit and have diarrhea). From there you end up with electrolyte +imbalances, which can lead to heart and kidney problems. And being dehydrated, +vomiting, and having diarrhea just doesn't feel good. 4) Call your vet. They +should have discussed a bland diet with you, including the frequency of feeding +and how much to feed at each sitting. It sounds like your dog may benefit from +being hospitalized, and put on IV fluids to help his hydration, administer the +antibiotics IV, and to ensure that he starts to recover. You should ABSOLUTELY +call your veterinarian back immediately to clarify anything you have questions +about. They have seen your pet, and are most aware of his condition. No one +online will be able to assist you more than your vet can. You need to ask your +vet these questions. Boiled WHITE rice and boiled chicken breast. Bland food. NO +SPICES! My vet told me when a dog is vomiting a lot, it could be a sign of +obstruction. Did they do any x-rays? I don't know if vomiting blood is common +with this ailment. You should call your vet now and ask them what is normal or +not. + +French dating etiquette? I would really love to hear what the French or those +who had dated the French to say something about this. I'm in my 20's and +currently studying in France. Coming from an anglo-saxon country my version of +dating is 'getting the number, asking her out, etc..' However, I've read on the +internet that the French dating etiquette is totally different. For them, dating +would normally be meeting in groups or parties, then pairing off. In addition, +from my understanding one-on-one dates is something that comes much later and +not 'straight-away' like us anglo-saxons. They are also very secretive about +being in a relationship. They only 'go out in the open' once they have reached a +certain level of seriousness. Is it true? I have told a French girl I liked her, +and she accepted. She is friendly when we see each other on campus. She is also +nicer when we are both alone. However, when we are at parties or when they are +people around she seems to ignore me. She also seems to hate it whenever I ask +her out on a date, to the point she said stop! My mind thinks she has no +interest in me and just stringing me along. But the articles I read seemed to +say the contrary. Have I just fallen victim in a cultural trap? What you have +read in the internet is fairly accurate but of course it does not fit all +scenarios. You are not French for a start, so the "rules" or "customs" may not +apply to you when it comes to entering into a relationship between people from +different backgrounds. From what you say the messages given by this girl are +quite clear. She is not stringing you along since she is actually discouraging +you and is honest enough to tell you to stop asking her out . She is just being +friendly in public because she does not want to offend you and she treats you +like any other friend. You said you liked her and she accepted it as a truth and +perhaps as a compliment, but it does not mean she fancies you or wants to pair +off with you. At parties she does not want to be considered in any way attached +to you, which is consistent. Take the messages for what they are: she has no +objection in you being pals at uni, but she does not want to take matters +further. "Non!" means "non", not "I might consider it, and I will keep you +attached to my apron strings just in case." Christiane gave you a good answer. +You have fallen in a cultural misunderstanding. What I have to add is that it is +normal in France to have mixed gender groups of friends, there's nothing unusual +in boys and girls being only friends, which is obviously what this girl wants +from you. She probably finds your company pleasing as a friend but you are not +her choice a a boyfriend and she is trying to keep it on a friendship level, and +trying to make you understand that she doesn't want to go further. If she is +nicer when you are alone I'd say it is because in public view she is making sure +that people do not think that you might be her boyfriend. You do find the 'get +the number hop in bed with her' but be aware that they usually have a reputation +as sluts. Unfair for the girl as boys don't have that kind of handicap, but +that's the way our own rules work. Should have done research before you left. +Why not just take your chances and do it your way? + +True or false: being a young New Zealander means having no future? There are no +jobs in this country. I'm just trying to make up my mind whether I should move +to Australia or seek work in the sex industry. Is there a future for our +nation's youth? @Ryan B, I'm two years into an undergraduate degree. Everybody I +know at university intends to stay at uni for as long as possible until there +are actually jobs available. Everybody seems to flee this country and move +overseas, to Australia, etc. There's obviously a reason for that (lack of +employment, low incomes, etc.) Your answer doesn't do anything but remind me +that I'm going to be $25,000 in debt by the time I'm 22. So, thanks. @W.a.b.b.y, +I really like you're answer. it's very logical. I've also considered becoming a +teacher, but it's not a job I'm cut out for. I also wish I'd applied for a +scholarship. I didn't think I'd be awarded one, but I received the Dux +Litterarum award at high school, so my chances were probably better than I +thought they were. Obviously I'm still completely stupid though. I mean, I +wasn't smart enough to apply for a scholarship. And yes, I am being +melodramatic. Lol. @Hatmanone, *gasps* So I wouldn't make a good prostitute? Are +you saying I'm bad in bed? How would you know? Joking. Your answer is very +sweet, but I'm not compassionate towards teenage high school students. A little +mellow dramatic? In my opinion, far too many people are at university studying +worthless degrees. Yes things like philosophy and fashion design are +interesting, but how many jobs are out there for someone with these +qualifications? I'm studying to be a teacher, so I know that there will +definitely be jobs out there when I'm done. I may have to live somewhere rural +or in Auckland, but at least I can be pretty sure I'll be employable. I've also +got a bachelors degree so I can go back and do further study or take a different +profession. I also know that you don't get paid that much more in Australia than +you do here. And it's not all about how much you earn, cost of living is much +higher in many cities in Australia. Try living in Sydney on a teacher's salary, +then compare it to somewhere like Central Otago. You also have to put up with +all the annoying accents in Australia. It's probably not a wise idea to keep +studying and having a massive student loan. At the moment there's no interest, +but that'll probably change. And they'll probably add interest to what you've +already racked up. And they're working towards being able to extradite people +who have left the country to avoid paying it back. At the moment if you move +overseas you can only come back to New Zealand for a short amount of time before +they'll force you cough up. And all that time you're overseas you'll be racking +up interest. I wouldn't like not having the option to return to NZ. I guess I'm +extremely fortunate that I received a scholarship which paid about 800f my +course fees through my degree. But I worked hard and I'm still working hard. +There are far too many lazy people out there who think that they can sit around +a job will fall in their lap. My 2c. .... Get an education! I'm doing fine. +Whilst youth jobs are thin on the ground, don't assume it's better in Oz. People +have been fleeing this country at roughly a plane load per week for the past 20+ +years, so it's not anything new. It depends on what you hunger for. 700f jobs +aren't advertised. That means making yourself known; that means networking. + +why does my baby king snake refuse to eat? i have a baby eastern king snake. i +have tried EVERYTHING i can to get him to eat but he refuses. he has a great +environment, with water and lots of hiding places and a heat lamp. as far as i +know, everything is as good as it can be where his aquarium is concerned. +according to the vet, he is healthy and looks good. he has been going to the +bathroom like he should. (i know that snakes that have problems going to the +bathroom won't eat.) he has been drinking water (i am pretty sure he has been +drinking it out of his bowl, but also i have been feeding him water and he +doesn't ever give me a problem with that - i just stick his head near the water +and he sucks it down.) i handle him every few days. he is feisty, as most king +snakes are, but he is a very nice little guy - he never tries to bite or +anything. i just love him to death. i don't know why he won't eat though! i have +tried feeding him 5 or 6 live pinkies and 4 or 5 frozen (thawed) pinkies. i have +never tried feeding him a pinky that was bigger around than he is. i have tried +putting him in a small container and putting him in a dark place for an hour or +so and he won't touch the pinky. he crawls on top of them but does not try to +eat them. he doesn't seem to know that they are food. i have tried "braining" +both live and dead pinkies, and bloodying them up to get his attention, but he +doesn't care. i have tried dipping both live and thawed pinkies in tuna juice, +and in used gerbil bedding. i have bought some long reptile feeding tweezers and +have tried holding the pinky in front of the snake's face. he wont even try to +bite. i am very discouraged and sad and i don't know what to do. he hasn't eaten +in an entire month. i've only tried to feed him one at a time. he's just a tiny +baby, about the width of a pencil. do babies this small hibernate? When you feed +him how many pinkies do you feed him? If you feed him too many he could just not +be hungry. If he doesn't seem interested in them at all I would say he's just +not hungry. My boyfriend has one and when she's hungry she attacks the pinkie +right away. They can smell it so i'm sure he knows what it is and just don't +want it. Remember snakes can go awhile without eating. In the winter, they will +usually go deep underground and enter a hibernation-like state called brumation, +which is characterized by a slowed metabolism and reduced activity. King snakes +sometimes stop eating, particularly during the cooler part of the year. They +have a natural instinct to hibernate. If the snake is not pregnant or shedding, +and its enclosure is properly equipped, a loss of appetite probably signals a +beginning of hibernation. Hibernation is natural, and a necessity for snakes +that are going to be bred. Another thing that can cause a king snake to stop +eating is shedding. You can tell when your king snake is about to shed, because +its eyes will get milky looking. Its body will be dull looking, too. In a few +days the snake will begin to shed its skin. For example, some snakes will +routinely go off their food in both the summer and winter, feeding mainly in +spring and fall. It's natural and so long as you don't see any serious +deterioration in their health is nothing to worry about.You see, some snakes for +no obvious reason will simply go off their food. They're fit and healthy and +their care is suitable. hope this helped. That's why it's good to have a python! +It's twice my size and eats a rabbit once a month. + +are my two cats fighting or playing? how rough is too rough? help!? i have a 1 +and a half year old male neutered cat and a new 2 month old spayed female +kitten. the first night i brought her home i did the sniffing under the door +thing and left it at that. the next day i let her out of the bedroom so they +could check each other out, and the kitten hissed twice within the first 20 +minutes of meeting each other and now she no longer hisses and they have been +playing(chasing each other up and down the hall, rolling around on the ground +and pawing at each other). only once it looked like my male cat was biting at +her neck and then her stomach and she was meowing fairly loud and hissed once +then he backed off and now they are fine. were they roughhouse playing? or were +they actually fighting? he has been "biting" at her neck and stomach previously +while they play without her meowing or anything so im wondering if he went a +little to far that one time. any answers help!!!!!! you did not leave the new +kitten in the room long enough. you need to do that for a least a week, or else +this type of territorial fighting will happen. giving the new kitten her own +small territory will help her to feel safe and will give her a place to go to +when scared. right now, your male is fighting off an intruder, and he feels that +all of the house is his. put her back in the room, and keep the door closed for +a week. then let her out for ten minutes. make it fifteen the next day, then +twenty, and so on. this will do two things; the new kitten will rub her cheek on +the furniture in her room, making it her territory. she will start to calm down +and feel safe - you can bet she doesn't now. she knows she is invading someone +else's territory, but can't help it, and has no where to go. she will be able to +sleep without being afraid. as well, your male will be able to see that his +territory is not threatened. when the door opens, he will get that the one room +is hers, and he will be OK with that. the territory thing will be solved. your +male is hurting her to put her in her place - biting her scruff is dominance and +biting the belly is a move cats use when hunting - to pull the guts out of their +prey. this is not good. give them time to set up their territories, and once you +bring the new kitten out, pay a lot of attention to the male. you have brought +someone else into his territory, and he needs to be reminded that you still love +him, and support his claim to his space. that will help to reassure him, and he +will be less aggressive with her. when they play fight, they don't hiss. if they +hiss, they are not playing. if they bite, and one cries, you must separate them, +and you must keep an eye on them. hissing is OK, unless they start to fight. if +that happens, separate them, and give them time apart. putting the girl in her +territory will make her feel less afraid, and she will relax. good luck! A hiss +is basically a "get the f*ck away" sound. It means they've gone too far. When +they start bleeding that means they're really fighting. If they're going kinda +slow and like fake biting (not biting as hard as they can), and fake scratching +(not hitting as hard as they can with their paws) then they're playing. I have +two cats, and at first they hissed at each other because cats are very +territorial, but now they do fight and play. The difference is when the cat +hisses, that means they are annoyed and they want the other cat to go away. That +means they are fighting. When they are just jumping at each other and their +tails are wagging that means that they are playing. I can see how you get +confused though. :) + +What was the goal for North Vietnam in the Tet offensive? When Johnson deployed +troops in 1964 he was advised by the military it would take a half-million +troops about ten years to pacify South Vietnam. He refused to believe them and +ordered the military to win the war within two to three years (before the next +election in 1968). He did not give them the number of troops they requested. +This left Westmoreland with few options, so he adapted a Search and Destroy +strategy instead of a Clear and Defend strategy which is, in the long run, the +preferred method of pacifying an insurgency. Thing is, it worked. The ARVN was +not having a big problem with the Local VC (the guerilla movement), they were +being challenged by the Main Force VC (which was light infantry) and the North +Vietnamese Army (NVA). When the Americans swept in with their Search and Destroy +operations the Communists quickly leaned they could not stand up to the US +firepower, and these regular troops were forced to flee the country and take +sanctuary across the borders in Laos and Cambodia. All those sunny reports about +the progress in Vietnam were correct, the Communists WERE being defeated. +However, Johnson would not let the military cross the borders and clean out the +Communist bases. He was warned that they were building up a huge Army and would +eventually launch an attack, but he ignored his military advisers. The +Communists agreed. They could not defeat the Americans. However, what they hoped +to do during the Tet Offensive was to sneak past the Americans and attack the +ARVN in the urban areas where they were deployed doing successful Clear and +Defend operations. The Communists thought they could defeat the ARVN, cause the +fall of the South Vietnamese government, and the people would than rally to the +Communist cause and leave the Americans stranded in a sea of angry peasants. +THAT WAS THE PLAN. What happened? The Americans detected the attempt to +infiltrate the urban areas and were already redeploying troops from the rural +areas. The ARVN rushed back from holiday leave and counterattacked. Within 24 +hours every Communist assault had been defeated except in the ancient capital of +Hue. The government did NOT fall. And the South Vietnamese people? When give the +ultimate choice, they rallied…TO THE SOUTH VIETNAMESE GOVERNMENT…. Tet was a +huge military and political disaster for the Communists. They were chased back +into Laos and Cambodia with the ARVN in hot pursuit. The people rejected their +attempt to topple the government, and for all intents and purposes the US +military (and the ARVN) handed Johnson the victory he had ordered them to +achieve within the time-frame he ordered it. All he had to do for a complete +victory was allow the military to go into Laos and Cambodia and finish off the +shattered Communist forces. But Johnson was so obtuse he didn’t understand he +had a victory when it was handed to him on a silver platter. Instead he pulled +the military off, stopped the bombing of North Vietnam, withdrew from the +presidential race, and spent the rest of his term in office trying to surrender +to North Vietnam. They screwed up by not accepting his surrender when he offered +it. The American people were NOT having any of it, and elected Richard Nixon to +fix the mess LBJ had made (not to surrender like the antiwar movement was +demanding). In the end Nixon kept his promise for “…peace with honor….” But +that’s another question. To emancipate the south, but it was a serious failure. +To make the war unpalatable to the American public. In that, they pretty much +succeeded. Before Tet, the war was unpopular but tolerable to the majority of +Americans in that the loss of American lives was seen as the cost of subduing +the VC and NVA. Tet made it clear that the war was a long way from being over if +the Americans thought they could preserve the South and that the North was +perfectly willing to suffer great losses to continue their fight. There is a +very good book on the subject that was written by General Vo Nguyen Giap. Try +google to find the title if you would like to read it. + +Bearded dragon question...? I just bought a baby one yesterday. I have a basking +spot lamp that says it is a double reflector that focuses 35% more light/heat +and provides beneficial UVA rays important to the psycholical well-being of him. +My question is does that mean it gives him not only the heat, but the "sun rays" +he needs? I also was wondering how long should this light be on. The lady at pet +smart said 4 hours, but on places on the net it says 10 to 12 hours. He's +getting used to his new home, but hasn't eatin yet. I have bearded dragon +juvenile food and freeze- dried crickets. Any advice would be greatly +appreciated. Thank you for your time. Let me try to break this down as simply as +I can: diurnal (active during the day time) reptiles like the bearded dragon +require 3 types of "light," UVA, UVB, and heat. Any white light emitting light +source will emit UVA, including heat bulbs, that's the easy one to provide for. +UVB on the other hand can only be reproduced by a fluorescent source. UVB will +always be a separate bulb from the heat lamp, unless you use a MVB (mercury +vapor bulb) which is the only reptile use bulb that will emit both UVB and heat +from one bulb. I highly recommend that you do not use coiled/compact UVB bulbs +as they are known to cause severe eye damage and/or blindness in reptiles not to +mention they have trouble maintaining UVB output over time. The long tube UVB +bulbs are best, like Zoomed's Repsitun model: +http://lllreptile.com/store/catalog/reptile-supplies/uvb-fluorescent-lights-mercury-vapor-bulbs/-/zoo-med-24-repti-sun-100-fluorescent-bulb/ +Remember to replace UVB bulbs according to the manufacturers recommendation +after which time the bulb will no longer produce UVB even if visible light still +is. So, to answer your question, no, if you just have a bulb that says it +produces UVA then you do not have "the sun's rays" that your bearded needs. You +need to also provide a source a UVB lighting. The person at Petsmart is very +wrong; in fact it is always a good idea to second guess what most pet store +employees tell you; they don't have the best track record regarding giving +reliable pet care info. UVB and basking temp (should be about 110 F for a baby, +95 F for an adult) should be available for 10 - 12 hours a day. Freeze dried +food is not a good staple food source; you need to offer live feeder insects. +Bearded dragons are sight hunters, they need to see the food move to trigger a +feeding response, especially when they are babies. Live food is also higher in +nutritional value than freeze dried. Crickets, silk worms, phoenix worms, and +various feeder roaches, like red-lobster, turkistan, and dubia, are good example +of staple insects to offer your bearded. Wax worms and meal worms should only be +offered as treat items, for variety's sake. I would highly recommend that you +read through some reliable bearded guides to make sure you have everything set +up correctly: http://herp-info.webs.com/beardeddragon.htm +http://www.beardeddragon.org/articles/caresheet/?page=1 mm it depends on the +size of his tank or cage or whatever you have him in..atleast as far as i'm +concerned. if there are shady areas he can move to (for example a 3x5x4 tank +with light on one side) then you can leave it on a full 12-14 hours, if its a +small tank and he can't escape the light then 4-6 at most at a time though quite +possibly 4-6 hours at a time twice a day. either way you also need to keep an +eye on the temperature if you are using a dry fish tank as UV lights in my +experience up the temperature significantly and without proper ventilation it +can become an oven. as to what the light provides it gives UV rays..which is +important for health in lizards as it is in humans. That lady at PetSmart is a +disgrace to the rest of us PetSmart associates... sheesh. Yes, it gives him the +"sun rays" necessary, that's what UVA is. And it should be on 10-12 hours, just +like the sun would be up for 10-12 hours in his natural environment. As for the +heat, just be sure to use a thermometer. Also, Beardies often do not eat food +that is not moving, so its anyone's guess whether or not he'll touch the +freeze-dried crickets or the processed food. I tell all my customers they can +try it, but don't count on it. Also try green leafy veggies, like kale and +spinach. Best of luck! + +Is a finch or a parakeet better? I am making a christmas list for my parents and +i was going to ask for a bird and these are the affordable ones that i like, and +i was wondering : which would not bite alot, and which are more fun to have as +pets AND I NEED TO KNOW WHICH WOULD BE QUIETEST i honestly dont care but my +family does ! Please help me! oh and please say y one is better thx!!!!!! Hi +there, Please choose the parakeet...Heres my reason..... I did the same thing +that you did for christmas. I ended up getting a pair of zebra finches for +christmas. At first it was all cool and all. They were chirping and doing their +every day business. After a couple of weeks I got tired of them. They are quite +messy and you cannot hold or pet them. Ive tried to tame them and they just +would not get tamed. They dont want to be held or touched. I want a bird that I +can hold and do tricks. I still have them and they are doing well. A couple of +months after I got parakeets/budgies. They are adorable they have beautiful +colors and personality. I love them. First of all they are very tame. I tamed +them in 4 days. They can do tricks and they arent messy. The whole family loves +them. My parents even plays with them. They are a big part of our family. I hope +this helps you with your decision. They are both about the same noise level. +When choosing a parakeet look for a young one. (the younger the eaiser to tame) +Look for clean smooth feathers, beak, and clean vent feathers (the feathers +around the butt..dirty vent feathers means the bird is not healthy) Look for a +dark eye with no circles (the older ones have a circle ring in their eyes). Look +for a lot of stripes in their head that starts from the beak and goes back to +the back fo the bird. the stripes are like hair the less stipes the older. +(think of a balding man lol) Look for clean feathers. If you want a boy the cere +(the nostrils piece above the beak) must be blue. The girl has either pink or +brown. I would recommend that you get two parakeets. But get either one male and +one female, or two males. Do not get two females. They sometimes dont get along +(you know how some girls are lol hahahaahh but for real though, two girls tend +to fight a lot. I have one yellow girl and a green and yellow boy. They are the +best! If you choose to get a parakeet this is a trick that I used to tame them. +However if you plan on getting one, then get more than one at the same time they +need company. My mom told me how to tame them and I was very happy with the +results. It took me 4 days to get the new one to be able to step on and eat out +of my hand. These are the steps I used. Honestly they have worked for me twice +with my parakeets. Hopefully they will work for you. 1) When you get the bird, +place him or her or them in the cage. Leave them in there with food and water +and such for about 2 hours. 2) Then place you hand in the cage. I took the cage +and place it next to the couch. Then I sat on the couch, placed one hand in the +cage, holding a millet spray. (this way the will associate your hand with food, +and birds love food lol) Then I turned on the tv and watch. This way they will +see that your hand is good and its not going to grab them or hurt them. Do this +for about one hour. (you can take breaks if you have too) and repeat the steps +after about 2 hours. 3) After about day 2, they will start to eating the millet +spray from your hand. (do not take away the food dish from the birds, they will +associate you as the person who takes away their food)....Then take your finger +and place it under their belly, in front of their feet and say up. Push you +finger to their feet gently and say up. ( the first couple of times they will +fly all over the cage but as long as you dont jump back or screem they will get +used to you) They will have no choice but to go on your finger. When they see +that you arnt harming them, the will go up on your finger when you say up. 4) If +they are not going up by now you just gotta keep trying and keep trying. Do not +hit, yell, or harm them. You have patience. Dont give up! After a couple of +weeks mines knows when I say shoulder it means ot go on my sholder, when I say +up it means to jump up on my finger, when I say up and out it means up on my +finger and out of the cage. and when I say go home it means to go in the cage. +Good luck! They worked for me and I hope they worked for you! They are +awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And thats my reason why you should choose a parakeet over +a finch. a parakeet is friendlier Parakeet. They are normally quiet and it is +easy to take care of them. They are also friendly. I have a parakeet named +Cookie . :P + +When is the best time to travel to Ireland? My sister and I would like to go to +Ireland. I graduate in the spring, and so we'd like to go between then and +winter. We don't want too many tourists, and since we'll both be out of school +we can go anytime between the middle of June to early November. We don't want it +to be too cold (not sure when exactly there fall is... or what the weather is +really like there during our autumn months), but we don't feel like we need to +go right in the middle of summer either. We're both in our early 20s and just +wanting to explore the beautiful country while we're still young and before our +lives start to get even crazier! Can anyone give me an idea of when the best +time for us to go to Ireland would be? People do not go to Ireland on holiday +for the weather, it is unpredictable. One thing you can be sure of about Irish +weather is how little you can be sure of. It may be shirtsleeves and sunglasses +in February, but winter woollies in March and even during the summer. And then +there’s the rain. Ireland receives a lot of rain, with certain areas getting a +soaking as many as 270 days of the year. County Kerry is the worst affected. The +southeast is the driest, enjoying a more continental climate. The Irish weather +works on the ‘four seasons in a day’ principle, which basic­ally means that you +can’t predict a thing when it comes to the behaviour of the sky. Some basic +assumptions, however, can be made. In summer, from May to July, the days are +reasonably warm and – most importantly – very long: at the height of summer you +won’t need to turn on lights until after 10pm. It is also peak tourist season, +which means there are far more people just about everywhere but the most remote +corners of the island, and prices are at their highest. Not surprisingly, most +of the yearly festivals occur during these times so as to take advantage of the +crowds and the more favourable weather. Spring (February to April) and Autumn +(August to October) make good alternatives, although the country’s ever-growing +popularity as a tourist destination can often blur the lines between mid- and +high-season tourism. Still, you have a better chance of some peace and quiet, +and the weather can be surprisingly better in April and September than in +mid-July – again, it’s all part of the uncertainty principle. Spring festivities +include the ever-popular St Patrick’s Festival. Although temperatures do not +often venture below freezing, winter (December to February) can be brutal, for +huge parts of the country – the west and northwest in particular. Crowds are at +their thinnest, but many of the country’s tourist attractions and services close +down in October and don’t reopen until Easter, which paradoxically leaves +visitors with a more convincing taste of how Ireland is experienced by most of +the Irish: it’s cold, grey and dark by 5pm, but there’s always a pub to escape +into when the rain starts sheeting down. The thing to do is to bring the right +clothing with you, clothes so you can layer up if it is cold and take off layers +when it warms up. Waterproof clothing and footwear are essential plus an +umbrella.. As that famous Scotsman Billy Connolly says "there is no such thing +as bad weather just the wrong clothes" Afraid I cannot be more helpful, it is +really a case of pot luck, although as the weather is so changeable often a cold +wet morning will turn into a lovely warm sunny afternoon and evening or visa +versa. If you mean the Republic of Ireland (Dublin) then anytime. The summer +there is much more mild than most of the US (are you coming from the US?). Their +seasons are the same as all the countries in the Northern Hemisphere but I would +suggest fall. It does get pretty cold in Ireland so going before winter is your +best bet. September for example. Rent a car and spend a couple days outside of +Dublin seeing the countryside and you will have the trip of a lifetime. To +explore the beautiful countryside you will need to be old enough to hire a car +because public transport is expensive & only goes as far as the main +towns/cities, most rural places don't have a bus or train service. You could +stay in a city & get a bus tour to say the Cliffs of Moher or Dingle peninsula +but you will be with all the other tourists. By definition most tourists will go +to the best places so you might have to put up with a few tourists along the +way. Best weather the past couple of years has been around late April - late May +but it can pour with rain for days on end at any time of the year so be prepared +with waterproof jackets/boots etc. We only had a few sunny days this summer, +barely 24C on a few occasions, more like 14C most days. We used our BBQ on +precisely 4 occasions. Autumn is from mid August onwards as far as the weather +goes if not officially according to the calender. The days start to shorten & it +gets even wetter, windier & colder. We had frosts in October so I wouldn't +advise visiting late in the year to be honest, Spring time is your best bet. You +do realise it is quite expensive to visit Ireland? You are going to need a few +thousand dollars saved up for flights, insurance, food, accommodation & spending +money. Eating out in particular is quite expensive compared to America I +believe. + +Golden Wonder KilliFish Breeding Help? I have 4 Golden Wonder Killifish. 1 of +them is really colorful and is about 6cm long. 2 of them are kinda whitish and +are about 4-5cm long. The last one is colourful too but it is about 4cm long. I +feed them Flakes, and Live Earthworms uncut everyday. Can you tell me the whole +process of breeding them and taking care of the babies? Thanks in Advance. Wow! +If they are able to take earthworms uncut, that is really impressive! I aspire +to your feeding regime, flakes early and something live later in the day.Worms +(and Daphnia) are also rich in Lipids, substances important in forming eggs and +growing young. I think that you understand that your largest and smallest golden +wonders are males. If you would like more on sexing out Aplocheilus lineatus +take a look at the discussion in the first source below. If you have plants in +your tank. your lineatus are already spawning. If conditions are favorable +(78-82 F) and the fish are obviously well fed as yours are, they will spawn. +(I've even had a pair of killies leave eggs on a floating thermometer! If you +wish to pick eggs make a acrylic spawning mop. Checkout the second source. I +prefer darker colors because I can see their eggs ,more easily and the fish look +better next to them. Use a well rinsed medicine vial, a cork, new fishing bobber +or even a piece of non-crumbly styrofoam to float them. There are a couple ways +one could spawn lineatus - mop spawning & water incubating them for two weeks, +picking eggs from a mop & putting them in a tray of treated, seasoned water or +setting up the parents in a planted tank & moving them so the fry can hatch out +there. If you have the room to separate the male(s) & females(s),& feed them +well on live foods, (assuming that you are doing weekly 50% water changes) when +you put them together they will leave a lot more eggs. Just making up examples, +but if a pair is constantly together, they may lay 10-15 eggs a day. With extra +blackworms and maybe frozen (defrosted, rinsed) frozen foods earlier in the day, +they may leave 30-40 eggs at a time. Separated and feed extremely nourishing +stuff, they may produce more. Separating a pair some time before a show (killies +are usually shown & judged & often sold as pairs) will encourage them to court +and show their best colors. They also start the day with no nicks or dings in +their fins. The water changes help with that too. You also may need to treat the +incubation water. The chlorine and ammonia (choramine) are not good for the +eggs. Ironically sometimes it is wise to leave the newly picked eggs in fresh +tap water with some chlorination to kill microscopic critters that ride in with +the eggs. THEN put the eggs in water treated a couple of days before with a +water treatment and left open to "breathe". Leaving a jar with a dozen black +worms in it will sate the adult's desire for snacks and they are more likely to +leave fry or eggs alone. If a pair isn't leaving eggs... check the following: 1. +Is a tank mate (such as another female killie or a Cory or large snails) rating +the eggs? 2. Have we kept up with partial water changes? 3. Is there too much +mineral in the water? Aplo. lineatus are wide-spread over southern India. That +indicates that they thrive in different water chemistries. Still if you can get +your pet shop to do a hardness or TDS (total Dissolved Solids) test, that may +give you a hint.Winging it a little here, a hardness of 100 to nearly 200 PPM +(parts per million) or 5.8 to 10.6 DH should be fine for gardneri. TDS meters +(the thrifty aquarist's hardness meter can be used if one has seen one of your +municipal water department's annual reports. They include a number of minerals +there and you can figure out what percentage of that would be your hardness +minerals (calcium, magnesium and iron). A number of minerals are not of much +consequence. However if there is a high level of sodium chloride (common salt) +that can break down the chorion (shell) around the egg and allow critters to get +in and eat the yoke and embryo.) Ironically sometimes it is wise to newly picked +eggs in fresh tap water with some chlorination to kill microscopic critters that +ride in with the eggs. THEN put the eggs in water treated a couple of days +before with a water treatment and left open to "breathe". If you get eggs in the +mail in a medicine vial, that is fine. But get the eggs out, maybe rinsed in +fresh tap water and then into the incubation water. In time the eggs can +suffocate in the shipping container. After a number of people began complaining +about "mystery deaths"among incubating eggs, some of the more advanced killie +people began suggesting that after 7-8 days of incubation, one should do a 100% +water change - as the eggs develop, they do release waste material. Another +problem is that sometimes bad eggs will fungus and the fungus will spread out +and kill all the eggs. Some people put in a very dilute Acriflaven solution to +slow down the fungus, so one can take white eggs out with a pipette or +eyedropper. Other will add a drop of Methylene blue. If an egg turns blue, it +had died and then became dyed as the outer membrane broke down. Get those out +ASAP too. Hope there is useful grist for the mill here. + +Disney cruise line with young ones? I will be taking my 3 and 4 yr olds. What is +the best time of year? Should I get a balcony? Any tips or advice to make this a +great experience?? Thanks!!! It is vacation time. Many families are set to plan +a best holidaying. They look for fun filled, rejuvenating and memorable +vacation. There can be many ideas; one can see numerous options passing through +their mind. What is the best option? Especially if you are planning to spend +couple days with family and kids, which best suit you can select? Disney +cruises, is a simple answer to this. There are many reasons to say Disney cruise +is the best bet for you to have a enjoyable holiday tour. From 1998 onwards, +from its inception Disney cruise has attracted many and continue to attract more +and more. This is a spectacular ship, a very popular choice of families to spend +their leisure time. The ship is designed thematically, with imposing animated +cartoon characters. Do you feel that the holidaying with the animated cartoons +will impress only young ones? No, the luxurious facilities and fun filled +activities in the Disney cruise are very attractive to people of all ages. +Whatever be the age, you will have the choice of variety of activities to forget +about your hectic day-to-day activities. Kids fun games and video shows are +added to the other facilities. There are two ships, Disney magic and Disney +wonder. Both are made keeping in mind the comforts of the travelers. Disney +cruises offer 24-hour room services, and the crews are ready to serve you the +way you like. It has got very spacious rooms, furnished completely and neatly. +These are decorated uniquely and marvelously. The ship offers variety of +eatables, deliciously made. Sea fishes, prawns and many nice options are there +in different restaurants aboard. There are many good options of delicious food +on the shores as well. There are special regions uniquely and imposingly +designed for the children. They can spend many hours enjoying the Disney world +magic. These theme parks have all types of facilities. Video shows, cartoon +stories, wonderful games and many such facilities. It is really an entertainment +for the kids. The amusing world of cartoons and stories will be a memorable +experience for the children. There are other amnesties also. These include space +for dances and music, bar facility, gambling facilities for the elder, +spaciously made open area aboard and many such nice facilities. Also one can +keep their privacy in the cabins and make the time in seclusion. To relax and to +rejuvenate Disney cruise are the best option. There are many online sites +offering the booking facility with affordable rates. You can select the proper +route and travel plans by consulting the agents prior to the booking........ Off +season is good, however, the Disney cruises are almost ALWAYS completely booked. +I would suggest a warmer season, but not Spring Break or early summer. You may +also want to avoid Thanksgiving week and the Christmas holidays. We REALLY +enjoyed our balcony-- coffee in the mornings, drinks at night, standing outside +when docking and leaving port-- however, it is quite a bit more expensive. With +young ones, I would definitely get a window or view room so they can see +outside. Check out the kids' space as soon as you get onboard. Do NOT feel +guilty about taking them there. They have a BLAST so the sooner they get there, +the sooner they can have fun. We liked getting the late dinner seating, so you +have more time to see movies and stuff but if your kids are 'early to bed' you +may want the earlier seating for dinners. Bring some sort of magnet or small +magnetic whiteboard for your door. All of the doors tend to look alike and +having 'something' on your door helps you and your kids find your room easier. +You can also leave notes for the rest of your family (husband) about where you +are at any given point. Cell phones do NOT work on board but they give you a +'walkie-talkie' kind of phone in your room that WILL work onboard. Each evening +you will get a 'magazine' called The Navigator which lists all of the activities +for the next day. We always took ours to dinner and discussed what things we +felt we 'had' to do and which ones we felt like skipping in lieu of just +chilling. Any time would be great. off season cruises might actually be better +with preschoolers as prices might be lower in the off season. My wife and I, in +our 60's at the time, originally planned a 3 generation trip but some family +emergencies caused everyone else to cancel. We had a ball. We had an inside +cabin and it is what I would recommend. There are so many things to do that you +will only use your room for sleeping and the extra cost of the balcony is +wasted. The children can be checked in and checked out in a safe way at many +activities so you can have a bit of free time without the little ones. The range +of activities can be illustrated by describing the water activities. There is a +splash fountain (no standing water) for little ones still in diapers; Next is a +wading pool for those who are potty trained; Then a family pool; Finally there +is a pool for adults only with kids not allowed. You will never be so spoiled in +your life as you are on a Disney Cruise. If you stay with your dining schedule, +every night is dinner and a show. The real payoff is that you will have the same +waiter for the entire cruise. Our waiter quickly grasped the fact that I like +Ginger ale and rather spicy foods while my wife's taste ran to lemonade and less +spicy fare. Since they knew our preferences, we almost always went along with +their menu suggestions and were never sorry we did. Obviously they had a full +beverage list including alcohol for adults who wanted it. If you should miss a +meal, you also missed a great show. but food is always available and it is +consistently good. I think I gained three pounds in my week long cruise. + +This is about my farrier, girls. That's why I'm posting here! Help? I posted +this in singles and dating too, so I've just copied and pasted. Well, I'll try +to make this short. I have known this guy for a long time, but we've never been +good friends or anything. He is my farrier (shoes my horses feet) so I am +technically a client if you want to view it that way. Well, almost two weeks ago +he came out and did my horses feet and was SO flirty. He always hugs me when he +comes, but he gave me at least 5 tight, long, back rubbing hugs while he was +there. We were also just talking about my horse's crappy feet and he mentioned. +"Well, if you ever just want to see me I'll come out and look him over and then +we can grab a coffee after." That has NEVER happened before so I was kinda +realizing at that point that he was a little interested. Right?? Anyway, so he +ended up leaving one nail out of my horses foot(I've never heard of a farrier +doing this) and telling me to call him in a few days(first it was a week, then +it was a few days lol) and he'd come back out and put it in. He told me to +remember to call like 3 times before he left. So, I waited a week to call +because I was busy and I wanted to have him come out on a day when I am more +available in case we were to hang out after ;) Anyway, so that was 2 days ago +that I called and left a message, but he still hasn't called back yet. I don't +know if I should call him again tomorrow or not? I know a lot of people say to +wait until he calls you, but it's different because I'm a client and technically +that's all I am at this point. On the other hand though, if I'm a client he +should really of called back by now because you don't leave a customer hanging. +He didn't have my number either because this was the first time I've called HIM +instead of his dad. It's a father and son business. Anyway, I would appreciate +ANY insight on this at all. Thank you for reading if you did! :) Ok, well as far +as him being a bad farrier for leaving a nail out - That is not the case, they +are extremely well known farriers in the area. I would be a lot more concerned +if the shoe fell off because it was missing one lousy nail. The reason he said +he didn't put that nail in was because he "didn't want to risk it" with my +horse's horrible feet. This is about the fourth time they've done my horse's +feet because I just switched back to them. The only reason I switched away from +them in the first place is because my good friend who apprenticed with them was +starting out on his own. However, he left my horse without a shoe for TWO +WEEKS(now that's what I call a crap farrier). Which, I might add is the same +foot that keeps crumbling with the nails. So, obviously I switched back to these +guys. Ok, calm down, it's not like he's some stranger that came up and groped me +lol. I've known the guy for about 10 years. I am 21, so yeah we were both kids +when we knew each other! He is a few years older than me. And yes, I do like +him. To answer Barry White, yes that did occur to me :) I hope that is all he's +waiting for. On the other hand, he could very easily just call me and say hey +I'm busy right now, I'll call you when I can come out. And as far as scheduled +visits go, I have no idea. I've never done that before though either. It's +always just "Okay, they're feet need to be done, better call the farrier." And +they usually come out within a few days. He will call you back Im sure! Sounds +like He really likes you.. But you need to ask yourself do you feel the same +way? would You like going for *coffee* with him? or is he Not your type? Or are +you undecided? If i were you I would Go... I would say if he does not call you +back by friday call him again he could be playing hard to get? I think he left +the Nail out of the shoe as a excuse to come back and see you hey he may be your +Prince charming.. Edit... I really dont think Your horse Is in danger Of being +hurt With one Nail missing.. I have seen horses Loose Nails On there Own And do +just fine with ONE nail gone Now if he had left out 2 or 3 I would be wondering +to... I really do belive he left the nail out becuse of the horses Hoof +condition and Its a added bonus he would get to see her again When I was Younger +In my early 20s My farrier was A hottie named Joby..( for those who don't Know I +AM A GIRL read my Bio on my Page) dumb as a post about everything But horses.. +He was In his 30s divorced and Had 2 kids.. but we both flirted Horribly with +each other.. but neither one of us took the chance and Asked to other on a date. +:( sorta wonder what it would have been like? But That was Years ago. He had +this Habit of telling you Everything.. Well one day he said to me You know i +don't wear Underwear as he was bent over Working on my Mares Right front hoof.. +and I was Like Ummmm okay??? Im glad his butt was facing me so he couldn't see +my red face I think my Mare was even laughing.. Well 6 weeks Later when he came +back out He was again working on my mares front Foot and I looked Down and Yeah +he had Wholes In his pants In the wrong places I bust out Laughing and He was +like what??? I was like Ummmm i can see your ass cheeks...he was like Oops did i +forget my Underwear??? that was a strange way to flirt.. but i guss it was his +way... But like i said nothing ever came of It.. the next time I saw him He had +told Me he had To get married to a girl Who he worked with becuse he knocked Her +Up.. I was heartbroken.. but then realized He was not the Guy for me.. Wow he +does sound interested in you, my farrier never gives me hugs like that (probably +a good thing as he has a wife and 2 kids) anyway, I find that they can be very +busy so I would wait a week lo9nger and if still no reply give him a call but +don’t leave a message so you don’t have to necessarily wait for him to call. +From the point of view of a business, and client/operator relationships, he's +doing a really shitty job. Leaving nails out so you'll call and have him come +back out later? Cute or not, I'd call a different bloke because he's doing a +sub-par job at something he needs to be doing his best at, whether he's flirting +or trying to ask you out or not, he ought to put quality first. This is, after +all, his business, and if he wants you to remain a customer why on earth is he +doing shoddy work? + +EPM, Anyone Dealt with it? Might be something different? I have the opportunity +to pick up a super nice 6 year old for free. He's not lame, but he's been having +issues. Here's what the owner has said: I have a 5 year old that lost all of his +cheek muscle on the right side about 3-4 months ago. I chalked it up to possible +nerve damage, because this is what the vet thought and the other cheek muscle +was fine and he had no theeth problems. So I sent him to the trainers the first +of September to be started on the barrels. I got him back the first of the month +and he had lost some weight but attributed that to be worked everyday (I +expected him to drop some). He is now losing the cheek muscle on the left side +of his face and seems to be dropping weight by the day. Had him to a dentist +yesterday and there is no teeth problems. He can eat all his feed and doesn't +drop any, but cannot eat hay from lack of muscle to chew it. He is gant looking +in his flank area and is losing topline muscle. The only neurological sign that +he shows is that he barely drags his toes and sometimes has trouble with his +right lead. The horse I had posted about a couple weeks ago with the atrophied +cheek muscles is down to his last resort for life. I CANNOT afford to treat +whatever is wrong with him. NO, I have not done an EPM test but have done an +extensive blood panel and my vet did a neurological physical exam. We elected to +not do the EPM test because there was NO neurological signs. He is still showing +no signs other than the weight loss, and some muscle atrophy. He eats all of his +grain but it just takes him a while to get it chewed because of the lack of +muscle in his jaws. So I might get the horse and see what I can do. I will be +getting with my vet first and if I do get him, have the spinal fluid test done +for EPM and a titer test. Will be getting a copy of the blood results the owner +has already ran as well. My other theory would be wobblers. I'll be having my +equine chiro/acupuncturist out to do some work as well if I do get him.... So +any ideas? Think I should do it? Arby, Horse is out of state and not local. +Owner is willing to meet me half way with him. I will be calling my vet and +chiro about him. Worse comes to worse, I'm out of the $$ and have to put him +down anyway or have a pretty pasture ornament. He's still rideable currently and +not having many issues under saddle. This is a horse that I otherwise wouldn't +be able to afford and even if I spend 2K and treatment I come out ahead of his +purchase price. I posted what the owner as said in paragraph 2 & 3, that is not +me to clarify. She is the one that can't afford to do anything else for him in +case he doesn't recover fully. He can eat grain and I already have a feed +regimen in my head for the guy since he can't eat regular hay. I don't think it +will be hard to keep his weight up so long as he can eat the grain. I am not +going to go pick up a horse I can't afford. I am willing to pull the EPM test +and treat. The owner is the one who is unable. I will also be having my other +vet up who's a chiro & acupuncturist to evaluate him for wobblers. July is when +he started to exhibit slight symptoms and the owner and vet originally thought +it was just some nerve damage from something in the pasture with no visible +injury. He's only exhibited weight loss and some muscle atrophy, with the slight +toe drag and a bit of trouble with the right lead (which could or couldn't be +related). The horse is not in pain. He's not starving. He's dropping we The +horse is not in pain. He's not starving. He's dropping weight, but most of that +came from being at the trainers and being ridden hard for 60 days. He's not +putting it back on. I know that I have the possibility of treating him and still +having to put him down. At the same time I do know people who have had horses +come back successfully after EPM. I know this is going to be expensive. I'm +willing to give it a shot. Gallop, I've already read that whole site and been +reading through research articles from the research colleges as well. Looked at +studies, treatment options and such. I will have the EPM test done before +treating. The chiro/acupuncturist will be there to evaluate the horse for +wobblers which is often caused by spinal compression and can be confused with +EPM. If that is the case then acupuncture isn't going to hurt him. It's actually +one of the alternative therapies for EPM I think it is wonderfully responsible +that you are going into this rescue eyes open and are getting the opinions of +qualified professionals (and a bunch of Yahoos) before you decide to take this +horse on. I do think some Y!A users need to work on their reading comprehension +as I can't comprehend how taking a horse in as a rescue and getting it qualified +medical treatment is abuse. Worst case scenario you fall in love and after +spending thousands of dollars you have to put the horse down. Is that something +you are up for? If so go for it and I'll give you all the moral support I can as +you figure out what is up. It is heartbreaking to try to bring a horse back and +then have to put it down, but some horses are worth the risk. If you feel this +guy is worth it then I hope your vet can figure things out. As to EPM like Shee +said being in MI we've had to deal with it. Pretty much every large stable has +here. Our first diagnosed EPM horse was back when there was no treatment in the +US and only an experimental chicken feed additive in Canada. We hauled the horse +to Windsor and got him treated there. That horse returned to racing and we +didn't notice much difference. We've had a few since then, but none since our +race horses began wintering in Florida. I have no idea if that is related or +farmers are doing a better job of clearing out opossums now because they know +opossums are carriers, but we haven't had an EPM horse in at least 10 years. I +can say all of our EPM horses were treated early when they were showing mild +signs like Shee gave and all returned to racing. One horse even got his lifetime +mark after being treated for EPM. We've always liked big long trotters that do +better on mile tracks then 1/2 mile. The only difference we noticed is that the +EPM horses seemed to do worse on the smaller tracks after. It might just be +coincidence or the fact those great big trotters with those extremely long backs +lost a bit of fine coordination to get those gangly bodies around those tighter +turns. I don't know. MSU does a lot of EPM studies because of how common it is +here. You may want to see if you can get in touch with their EPM group and get +this guy in a study. I know they did lab work showing that Strongid C used daily +could help prevent EPM. I believe they have a real study testing the lab work in +real world situations now, but it may be sometime before those results are +released. Another thought with this being a mosquito season from hell could it +be West Nile? West Nile can cause EPM like symptoms and doesn't always include a +fever. Let us know what you decide to do. You hate to see talent get wasted, but +honestly I don't think I could take in a horse right now these issues. +Personally I think you should just keep on walking by. You should have you chiro +out before you decide if you want this horse or not. If you have a good repoire +(which I'm sure you do) with them, they should be honest on if this horse is +fixable to any degree... not really sure what you want to do with him... Even if +you can figure out what is wrong with this poor poneh, there is always the +chance for remission and then relapse so you may have to do deal with again in +the future. So all in all, put the money up front before taking on this horse. A +few hundred out of pocket now will possibly save you thousands once the horse is +in your name. Could he have had a blow to the head causing this atrophy? Or a +difficult birth? Was it always like this? Or has it occurred since birth. I also +wonder if he might have had a slight stroke? I think if you cannot afford to get +him treated that you should not consider him as a prospect. Who knows what the +future might hold, and it might be expensive? + +Extremely bad customer service Do not go to this salon, especially if you have +to get your hair straightened. They did a very bad job with my hair and were +extremely rude when I went back to ask them why it didn't work for my hair. +Rude, insensitive, discourteous people!!!!! + +Great Doc Dr Greenwalt fixed my neck from a snowboard injury and was way more +effective that a regular doctor. He didnt prescribe pain meds or other drugs, he +used his bodytalk method which is unusual but the results are undeniable. My +neck is fixed!. He knows what hes doing. + +Our Wedding 11/7/08 We just had our wedding on 11/7/08 and was very impressed. +Cj and company did all that we ask and 10 times more. The food was out standing. +If you need a cater that is affordable and easy to work with they are the ones. +Thanks again Saucey's. Mark + +Excellent Tattoo Shop I recently got a tattoo done at Aztec and I could not be +happier. It came out better than I even imagined. The shop was great, the +service was excellent and the employees were fun guys. I would highly recommend +this shop to anyone looking to get a quality tattoo done. + +Good and Bad I had to take care of the ants myself. But I found the location +wonderful and the neighbors very kind. Never had a problem with the staff and +found them very helpful when something went wrong. Loved the pool and BBQ. +Because of the ants I dropped them to a 3 star. + +Great pet care I have used Just Like Family several times now and they have +provided great care for my two dogs. Lynda is professional and has great +compassion for animals. The real testament is not in how much she likes your +animals but how much they like her. I highly recommend her. + +I found Bright Star Tours and Travels and Best and Affordable Tour Operators and +Tours Agents in Chennai, India offered me Student Tour India Package for very +less price. I enjoyed my tour and i am looking for adventure tour and India +heritage tours for valuable. Thanks for Bright Star Tours. + +these guys were fantastic! they fixed my garage doors in literally less than an +hour. the guy came on time and didn't take any breaks, he went straight to work +and finished the job efficiently and promptly! i couldn't be more happier with +the way my garage looks. GREAT JOB GUYS! + +A+ I would rate Fran pcs an A+ because the price was lower than everyone else, i +got my computer back the next day, and the professionalism he showed was great. +He took the time to explain things to me about my computer, i would recommend +you go to him. David + +This office is awesome! everyone here is super friendly and efficient! its great +to know you can get great service, great product, and for the best price all in +one! I've referred everyone i know here and they all feel the same way!! i'll be +coming back for years to come! + +Criminal Attorney Dallas Dallas Criminal Attorney Peter Barrett is absolutely +committed to vigorously supporting your rights and achieving a successful +outcome. As a qualified criminal defense attorney, he will work every possible +legal "angle" (leaving no stone unturned) of your case to achieve the most +favorable result possible. + +Food was cold I have been here 3 to 4 times and every time food they served +seems warmed up not cooked after you order it. I like my food hot both ways not +warm or cold. Price and taste is good. I will be happy if they can serve when +food is piping hot. KB + +FAST and reasonable$ We went to Kobeys on Saturday and had our whole teams +uniforms done! He was less than half of the price of the cheapest quote we got, +and his work was top notch. Down to earth and fast service. Going back to have +some lab coats done this weekend! + +We love Little Farmer We attend LFTD and our children LOVE it!! They even want +to go to school on the weekends!! They are preparing my older son for +kindergarten and looks forward to seeing his teacher and friends everyday. My +infant is content everyday when I drop off and pick up. + +PAT testing quick & efficient I rang SRD PAT testing and within 3 hours Scot had +come to my premises and PAT tested all my our Spill The Whisky barn dance band +equipment, and supplied a certificate for only 70p per unit. Fantastic, quick +and efficient service. How rare! Well done. + +My favorite florist! I came to La Crosse to go to college, and my mom would send +me birthday flowers though here. They were beautiful and lasted forever! Now +that I live here, this is my favorite place to grab flowers for friends and +coworkers! Hands down, best place in the area! + +I <3 Max's Excellent bagels and excellent service! I go in about every morning +to get bagels for myself or my co-workers and the employees at Max's are great!! +They are friendly and fast. I have never had a problem with their hours because +I always go during the mornings. They are great! + +prepared the road test with a driving ... prepared the road test with a driving +school in edmonton, but my instructor only trained me in a narrow street, hence +I took one 90 minute lesson from the Noble driving school to learn the skill of +changing lane, and found them very friendly and professional. + +Great Doctor! Dr. Faris is a great doctor! I would recommend him to anyone. I +was experiencing severe back pain to the point I could barely walk or even bare +to sit. I went from a pain scale of 8-9 to 0 and I was able to run in the Crim +just a week later!! + +happy customer Mr. Squeege is THE BEST. Prompt, Clean Windows. Affordable +pricing. Friendly responses. How else can excellent be described for a business +of this sort? They have been my only "go-to" resource since we first did +business together. You will find the same to be true for you. + +Fantastic Place to buy your next vehicle We have never had a bad experience +buying from Edmark. This is car number 3 we've purchased through them. We trust +and appreciate Scott Larson and know that he will always take good care of us +and listen to our needs! Thank you again for great customer service! + +Range Rover Sport Window Tints Mark at Tintman Nationwidetints Ltd, did a very +Professional job very quick, no fuss, deliverd the car to me and I drove him +back home,Great arrangement Great price!! Highly recommended!! Thanks Mark. +Steve.... proud Range Rover Sport owner (with rear tints) + +In this hard economic times is very important to save money Very reasonable +prices top quality work The owner operator he does all the the work with Helpers +very friendly I definitely recommend this this guys Don't get jack by big +companies that they pay alot of money to be on top of the list Thanks + +Great pub Had a meal in this pub and i have to say it was excellant. It has to +be one of the nicest pubs that i have been into in a long time, the decor is +nice and it has a really nice garden and a lovely decking area. Good beer good +service and what more could you want. + +awful awful awful This store is by far the worst Verizon store I've been in. The +salespeople are never available, the lines are always too long, and all the +people want is a sale. Incredibly rude and I will not return to it. Is there no +other Verizon to go to around Downtown/Dupont Circle1?!?!? + +Great graphic design work! Fresh Design Studio helped jump-start my own business +by providing affordable and effective marketing materials: logo, flyers, posters +ad design, and more. They have unbeatable price in town and deliver on time. I +enjoy working with this architectural and graphic design firm and will recommend +to anyone. + +Great Surgeon I needed wisdom teeth taken out. Dr. Wallen and staff was +excellent. They were accomdating with my scheduled and work with my insurance to +get payment for the surgery. Dr. Wallen explained the procedure in detail and +took his time with me. Staff explained insurance procedures and was very +helpful. Everyone was very nice. + +The best in the area! I've been to quite a few tattoo shops around this area and +Stainless Steel is by far the best. I am very pleased with the tattoos that I +revived from them. The artwork is excellent and the prices are very reasonable. +I would recommend this shop to anyone looking to get a tattoo. + +Cathy ******Five Stars for Lake Forest Tots. The program has been a postive +experience for my children. I have had all three of my children attend Lake +Forest Tots. The program is well established and we have been extremely +satisfied with the teachers, the programs and the director. Good job, Lake +Forest Tots! + +Great Wine & Service This place is so great! They have a great selection of wine +from all over the world with all different prices. The employees make you feel +very comfortable and are very helpful, whether you are very knowledgeable or +don't know anything at all about wine. Check out their wine tastings every +Friday night! + +A+ Excellent customer service and honest feedback. The team at Bradley Chevron +kept my car running for well past its expected death! They are honest about +'immediate' concerns versus 'recommended' repairs and have very fair prices. +Such a convenient location as well with coffee shop and bradley food and +beverage right around corner. + +Needs to go out of business They close whenever they feel like it, often well +before their listed closing time. Their store is dusty, dirty and feels like +you're stepping into the 1970s. They don't take coupons. They have a credit card +minimum. This place is the opposite of QuikTrip: crappy in every way. + +Where else can you go for $10 and recieve this treatment?! Awesome haircut at +awesome price right here in Palatine! Who can pass up a hot towel and a straight +edge neck shave! I've had 2 cuts now from Georgia and have paid more in other +salons/barbershops and have not received this kind of treatment or cut! + +Baffled by the one-star reviews I don't get it. This place is awesome, with a +great ambiance and cool décor, and the food is scrumptious (and especially their +signature banana split). Sure, some items are a little pricey, but c'mon... have +you ever been out to eat in Seattle before? + +I've only had good experiences at Adorn, I was greeted and offered a +refreshment. I highly recommend Debi, she does an amazing job, I "love" the way +she cuts my hair, extremely thorough and cross checks her work to make sure my +hair is perfect. I always leave loving my hair style. + +Best Chineese food in the area The food here is fresh and hot out of the Wok. +The food is cooked fast by the two chefs on duty. The lunch specials are more +food than most people can eat for about $6. It is busy every day at lunch for a +reason, the service is fast and the food is great. + +Pure Pilates!! It is the real thing - I have been practicing Pilates for over 7 +years and would not go anywhere else. It is the attention to detail and the +quality of the work taught at TomiPilates that sets this studio apart from the +others. The teachers are highly trained and are expert at handling all types of +clients. + +I phoned this company for advice on our office refurb and although we did not +use them in the end(as our building contractor carried out the electrical work), +they provided me with plenty of useful information over an hour phone call and +subsequently we are now using PJC as our electrical maintenance contractor. +Thoroughly recommended + +They really go above and beyond! For example, I actually forgot to feed my cat, +and they went out of their way to take care of him. Additionally, when there was +confusion (my fault), they left me flowers along with a personalized gift. They +have been 100% reliable and professional. Definitely recommend! + +heating system Angels seriously, can you imagine having to live through these +last few nights without heat? I would have had to because with the economy the +way it is i aint haves much monies fo repairs round the House....Comfort zone +came out and did my house heat on the cheap. and it works! Thank you Comfort +Zone + +Slowest, Unfriendly Sstaff on Weekends There are three Starbucks locations that +I frequent. I have a bit of experience watching the usual assembly line. I also +understand that weekend staffs are different than daytime staffs and not +necessarily Starbucks A-team or even full-time. But this location has the worst +weekend staff I've seen EVER. + +Skip te rest - this is the best Absolutely great ! Clean, updated room, friendly +staff, safe location. Staff is super friendly, treat you as a friend. Cannot ask +for a better experience. Will be staying here any and every time I come anywhere +near. Overall, Joe is a happy camper who has found a great spot. + +PHOTOS DONE WELL I Love Hellada Gallery! Marek Dzida the owner and photographer +puts whole heart in his business - If you are into old fashion (Not Digital) +quality photography this is best place in Long Beach as I think not many folks +can do affordable traditional photos anymore I know Marek personaly and I will +always recommend him + +BAD COFFEE, DONT BOTHER! Can't you make a decent cup of coffee? You charge SO +MUCH, yet you use the same grounds over and over again. The coffee taste BURNT +and very bitter. No amount of sugar and milk can mask it. CHANGE THE PROCESS, +PPL! Westfield and Rt 1 do it well, WHY CANT U???? + +Home made product I sometimes go into this store just for something to do on a +sunday afternoon. I love the people, the product and the service! Nothing +compares to a home made product that really stands the test of time. - The +Brick, Ikea, and Leon's have their place. But furniture like this will truly be +around forever. + +The internet here is terrible. Like the previous poster said, the com lines are +split between the entire building. That's 3x worse than Qwest DSL's lowest speed +offering! The outward appearance makes you think this place is nice, but +everything inside is cheap cheap cheap. Moving out as soon as our lease is up. +http://www.speedtest.net/result/1155244347.png + +Awesome!!!! Yes my G1 screen is back working. They was about to Charge me +$129...But i paid $100. they save me from having to deal with Tmobile... Tmobile +want to Send of my phone and i didn't want to go thru that... 3 Days For get +that... Great service. I would recommend them to anyone.. + +Great out night! You can't go wrong with Tuesday prices, even if you get quite +the mixed bag of comedians! Extensive drink list and daily specials but wish +they had a bit more on their food menu, although popcorn is a nice touch! (other +items: chicken fingers, wings, asian pizza, and yam and regular fries) + +Their food and sweets are awesome. But service is very poor. Attitude of staff +very bad. Never gives a receipt. Sometimes even gives wrong dish. So confused at +the payment area. Line up is so stupid. Even if you line up. To make a order you +may have to go to back of line. And then wait again. Not organised. + +Hair By Nivine in eastgardens fixed my hair after i had my hair cut and colored +at another salon i felt more confident and the girls are fantastic and ive been +going there now for 2 years always happy and they care about my hair had my hair +done for my wedding it looked fabolous ! and there prices are really good! + +Best food in northeast Theres a reason why Frank mcclelland was named best chef +of the north east reigon. Food here is absolutely superb. Everything is delicous +and cooked perfectly. The waiting staff is beyond impeccable (they refold your +napkin when you go to the bathroom). If you want great food then L'espalier is +the place to go. + +I didn't end up buying my car here, but I did think the guy who worked with me +was pretty cool - he was willing to budge a little on the price which means a +lot to me. Also they will fill your tires with air and other small maintenance +tasks for free, even if you didn't buy your car there! + +The Best Deals in Town Before you buy ANYTHING in NY, make sure you stop by +Jack-s first. Their selection is random, so what they have on a given week might +never be available again at the store. I love it for discounted beauty items and +household appliances. Trust me, you go there once and you-ll always go back! + +First Time Ballerina My daughter is starting ballet this year for the first +time. I'ma soccer mom so I wasn't sure what I was looking for when it comes to +dancewear. The staff was very helpful and gave me exactly what I needed for my +first time ballerina. The service at Instep was great!! I would recommend them +to anyone! + +Outstanding service & quality at a very affordable price! This place is top +notch and highly affordable! I would recommend it hands down and am a loyal +customer. I've also sent over a number of friends to use the services here and +everyone is extraordinarily pleased! Thanks for doing such great work on my +important pieces of clothing that always look great! + +Tried Crust on Broad on 3 occasions. Twice for dinner and once for lunch +Absolutely rude service every time! The staff will not even answer the phone for +take out. Tonight, I called several times with no answer (Btwn 5:30 and 6 pm) +and finally drove there to place my order in person. There was not a customer to +be found. + +we purchased a new home but was unable to sell our old house so we contacted +this property management company and they have helped us quickly rent out our +house and keep it maintained. Since then we have decided to have them manage our +other investment properties as well as we getting older and can no longer +perform all the inquires. Great help! + +We just got our sunroom built by Patio World and can say that I'm extremely +happy with the whole thing. From the amount of time spent with us to explain +things during the initial quote, to the communication through the approval +process to the actual workmanship of the build itself. I have nothing bad to +say. Very glad that we went with them. + +No Customer Service Employees seemed to be having a good time chatting and +laughing with each other, while myself and other customers were completely +ignored. Another person in the store stood there with an item and repeatedly +tried to get a sales persons attention. It wasn't until he gave up and walked +out the door that someone asked Can I help you. + +do NOT bring your car here I got a coupon from Pennysaver for this station. Yes, +they accepted it. However, during the test, they did whatever they can to get my +test failed. Then, they sold me overpriced stuffs, such as oil tank cap, so that +my car can pass it right away. I ended up paying much more. + +Are you kidding me? I don't get it. Spongy and sweet bread (microwaved?), +heartless salsa, tiny dogs...You order at the counter and there is a space for +tip on your credit card receipt. The dude who grills the retarded dogs is rude. +If this is the best that Tucson has to offer, I am outta here... + +I called on a Friday at 12:30 complaining of a severe toothache. Dr. Obina told +me that his office closed at noon and that I should call him on Monday. I had +been a patient of Dr. Olbina for 9 years and had spent thousands of dollars on +crowns etc. There are plenty of good dentists in Fernandina. Don't go to Amelia +Gentle Dentistry. + +Good location For a hotel like this you would expect some form of free internet. +What you get is a $13/day charge to access the internet through a slow +512/512kb/s that you can only use to check email etc (Read: No downloading). +Other than that the hotel is in a good location and the breakfast is great + +Make You Feel Like a Number Stay away from Kids First West Chester. You NEVER +get a human on the phone. It's impossible to get an appointment. If you get +caught in traffic and are a couple minutes late they make you re-schedule... for +6 weeks later. And worst of all your child feels like a number not a patient. Go +somewhere else. + +Rcommended by bees, too! Highly recommended. Joe removed a wasp nest for our +condominium building and we appreciated the environmentally friendly method and +prompt, friendly and informative service. No spraying of pesticides! Very +professional. Reasonable rate. We highly recommend Joe and his wasp removal +service to individual home owners and condos. He knows his bees! Suzanne, +Vancouver + +Very Accomodating We were in Springfield, IL for a family funeral from Kansas +City. We arrived early and the staff was very accomodating to our families and +the situation we were in. The rooms were very clean, including the microwave and +refrigerator. This is a nice place, and I know we will return to meet my +sister-in-law from Chicago!! + +GREAT SERVICE AND PEOPLE!! Deb Watson is the contact person and she and the rest +of the staff were great!!! She continues to help me when needed even if I have a +service question. Since I'm usually at work late Deb has stayed around to help +me out when needed. This was after I brought the car!!!!! Service does not get +any better!!!! + +Hidden Gem in Alpharetta This French born, French trained chef and his creative +partners offer a taste fresh, locally sourced, fabulously prepared food in the +most unlikely of locations. Try their weekend "tastings" which you can learn +about by getting on their weekly email list. It's the best meal for the money +you will find in all of metro Atlanta. + +Le petit is the best place to get your nails done! It is very clean, staff is +friendly, and I have never waited! I go every other week for the shallac/gel +manicure which is only $25 and it truly lasts 2 weeks! I love it. Pedicures are +also great. Try this place out! I promise you will not be disappointed! + +Amazing Pictures at an Amazing Price Rendy is totally amazing. She gave me +amazing pictures at an amazing price and made my wedding day so memorable. She +was way easy to work with and made my wedding day so easy and she got some +amazing pictures, not only of me, but of my family and friends. She is amazing. +I would recommend her to anyone! + +So very delicious! Excellent! November 7, 2010 First time eating at Caffe Bella +Italia and it was a wonderful experience. From the delectable Antipasto Misto to +the Spaghetti alla Barese and the Parmigiana and ending with gelato, all was +mouth watering. Too bad they were out of the Chocolate Lava Cake. Maybe next +time they will have it. Service was excellent! Sandy + +Beware of Sharayu Hopless service, at the time of booking my car a lot was +promised but delivered not even one tenth of what was promised. Apart from that +in spite of my repeated attempts I could not get in touch with the manager to +even lodge an official complaint. My advise to all is I have fallen into this +trap ... pl ensure you dont!!! + +Course has come a long way!! HCC's new nine was a little shaky at first, but the +NEW grounds superintendant has done wonders for the course!! The comment below +definitely needs to be retracted! Come back and give HCC a second chance at +least! It is a great course for local golfers to be proud of and all the +comments in 2008 have been very positive!! + +Excellent Physiotherapists! Kusal Goonewardena and his team of Physios are +unbelievable! I have been suffering from back pain for over 12 years and have +been to numerous specialists, physios, osteos and chiros with no help. It took +the Vigor team only 4 visits to get me feeling normal! And now 2 months after my +last appointment I am better than ever. Thanks guys! + +They must have read these reviews and improved! My husband and I happened in on +a whim. We sat in the front dining area, it was very cozy and pleasant. Our +server was quite attentive and the food was fantastic. My husband has been a +professional chef, so he is a good judge of quality food. This was a flavorful, +enjoyable meal for both of us. + +Rude Rude Rude went in there and got my dog groomed came home to an uneven dog +then took him back to get evened up what a mistake! she didnt even let me finish +a sentence without insulting me and telling me how i should have said it!i wont +go back! she needs to develop a personality !brought dog home and its all choppy +now! + +It's helpful to know a quite a bit about bull fighting. If you watch a lot of +fights (youtube) and research some of the history +(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bullfighting) you will find yourself enjoying it a +lot more! Also after seeing a handful of bullfights, I can say that they're a +lot more enjoyable if you're smashed (BAC>= .15). + +All I can say is that I am glad I went in! The nurses are sweet as pie and the +doctor is wonderful. This place is about healing, not making a buck.The followup +visit is FREE!! After going to the hospital and paying ER prices ... there is no +way I won't be back here!! I will be back and telling EVERYONE about this +clinic. THANK YOU!! + +I just like the fact that he was able to do the specific type of repair I wanted +(a reball) and give me the longest warranty and even a lower price. Someone else +I found that said they could do it but wanted to charge me more and give me less +warranty. It was a no brainer really. I choose Console Pros and I'm happy I did. + +This place is bad. It's dark, dingy & dirty. The salads are limp and the rest of +the food isn't any better (ok, the nachos are not too bad!) This place may have +been something sometime; but it way past it "sell by date". I have eaten here +twice in the past year and will not go back and cannot recommend it. + +Top range of bike, cheap prices, excellent a+++ yep they fixeded my thumpstar in +1 day. it wasent going an had a gear box problem.... i coldn't find anywere else +local to fix it so i took it there and they fixed it for $150... thanks guys +goes really well and thaks 4 the cheap price.. excellent, top guys a+++++ +reccommend to anyone!!!!!!!!!! + +Hams on Friendly ... RIP This is the original Ham's restaurant, expanded into a +regional chain in the late 80's -- but this one is no more. Victim of hard times +and I suspect failing corporate management. According to news accounts, the +company is struggling. I have many fond memories of my college evenings there +long ago. So long Hams ... you will be missed. + +We are very pleased with the services of First Glass Window. Our window panes +were so dirty that they needed a specialist to come and clean them. We called +few companies before we decide to hire them. They came on time and completed +their work quickly. We were very happy how clean looked our windows. If you have +some problems with your windows, you should call them. + +Great help even near closing time! I came in to town for a week and forgot my +trainers! Oh no!! I came in 30 min before close and the staff was super helpful. +They spent a lot of time with me and got me into a great pair of shoes. I think +they may even be better than the pair I have been using this past year! Thanks +Run on! + +Great This is a perfect place to get your hair done. I have gone there time and +time again whenever I need to get my hair done or when I want a haircut. When I +get my hair done there, they use enough hairstyling products while it does not +ruin your hair. The service is great and during weekends it tends to get busy, +but the wait is worthwhile. + +Highly Recommend I have worked with Shannon as my massage therapist and +intuitive bodyworker for years and have never been disappointed. No matter what +state I am in when I arrive, I always leave feeling better. She has not only +helped me through some challenging computer-work and sports related injuries, +she was wonderful to work with throughout my pregnancy and beyond. I highly +recommend her. + +Best Store In Boothbay Harbor What a fantastic store, I love this place. Not the +same old stuff that all the other stores have. Their items are very unique, +great quality, great prices. They also have the best tea I ever had, not at all +like the junk you get at the grocery stores, I stock up when ever there because +they are closed in the winter. + +The BEST Dr. Aster and her team have been a strong advocate in the health of +both my daughters. Dr. Aster is very kind an gentle with the children, but also +positive and to the point with the parents. She is and excellent doctor to have +on one's team. Even though I live pretty far from her office I still make the +trip so my daughters will have the BEST! + +My wife and I avoided doing some fairly simple electrical re-wiring in our home +for several years due to overall hassle and cost involved. I finally called Matt +from Bonafide and he made the project both easy for us and reasonable. He was +prompt, knowledgable, friendly, clean and just an overall great guy who +obviously cares about his business. I will reccommend his services +however/whenever possible! + +Real pros I've had writer friends describe horror stories with their printers. I +tell them: why not just go with these guys? Richard Joule and the gang are pros +from start to finish. They set out to exceed your expectations. Already I'm +considering future projects, and I can assure you that for my printing needs I +will be choosing no other than Atlanta Paperback Book Printing. + +I have been here 3 times and all 3 times it has been bad! They have messed up my +order and.... The food was just not good! I had sonic in many other palces but +for some reason this sonic is always just covered in grease and not good... :( I +hope they get there act together... I am going to give it one last chance in +next few months and see?? + +I called them for an estimate and they INSULTED ME WHEN I ASK THEM QUESTIONS. +THEY ARE VERY RUDE AND NASTY. PLEASE DON'T USE THIS MOVING COMPANY IF YOU DON'T +WANT TO: CRY, HAVE TROUBLE AND A BAD EXPERIENCE ON THE DAY OF YOUR MOVE. THEY +WILL GIVE YOU A LOW PRICE OVER THE PHONE AND ON THE DAY OF YOUR MOVE THEY WILL +CHANGE THE PRICE, I GUARANTEE IT. + +You've Got Maids did a fabulous job cleaning my home. I am hiring them to come +once a week now that they got my house to where they can maintain it for only an +hour and a half every two weeks! Satisfactory for sure with the sercvice! Beats +having one "cleaning lady" who took twice as long and did not do a very through +job like the "maids" did! + +This place has the best baby and childrens clothes. Especially high end keep +sake sort of clothing that you just cant find in a lot of stores. It is all very +unique and you wont find any other baby wearing the same stuff. I spent quite a +bit because I spoil my little princess. Afterall she will only be a baby for so +long I figure why not enjoy it. + +Antique Lighting, Fixtures, Chicago Great place for Antique Lighting! I visited +their huge Chicago lighting showroom and all I have to say is WOW!! Lots of +collections, many antique light fixtures, Chandeliers, custom lighting etc. I +think they have the largest collection for Chandeliers Chicago. Antiques, +Vintage, Contemporary & Modern Chandeliers. I would recommend them for any +custom lighting or Lighting Repair and Restoration Chicago + +Great Food Awesome food Awesome service I wanted to try someplace new again. +This place rocked. Brought my wife Deb with me and she like the Fried Crab +Wontons and said they were good.. We also had the BBQ Spare Ribs.. good also. I +ordered the MOO SHU pork and it was great.. I also ordered the Neptune Platter +which was awesome... so this place gets 5 out of 5 stars. + +DO NOT GO HERE!!! I went to get my nails filled Friday, by Monday 2 were broken. +I was not happy with the way they looked, very wavy, uneven edges, and with the +exception of 1, there is a dip in the center of each nail. I also had a +pedicure, and they cut my nails too short, one of my big toes looks like its +getting infected. + +No way. I'm certainly no expert on asian food in fact not even a lover of +Vietnamese food but I wanted to try the real things here at A Dong. Cold, slimy, +tasteless however is the same in all languages and foods. Not good, not great, +and again another disappointment in Central Iowa. How do these places stay in +business. This town needs some food soul and this is not it. + +Worth Every Penny My girlfriend and I ate at The Grill last night, and our +experience was amazing. Everything we ordered was prepared to perfection, and +was presented perfectly. The asparagus, seared tuna, and lobster tail were the +best we ever had. Then the desserts came, and they were hands down the best +dessert we ever had. I will sum it up with, it was worth every penny! + +BEST CHINESE RESTAURANT EVER!!! It was the best Chinese food I have ever had. +All the food tasted excellent, and with the new renovation of chairs and the +bathroom, it is awesome. The people working their are also extremely polite and +friendly. Every time I go, Kevin, the manager, will always remember my family +and I. Overall, it is very family oriented, and I recommend it to everyone!!! + +Furnace repair Tiger Heating is awesome. I had John and Dustin working +feverishly to get my exhaust motor replaced. These guys were absolutely +professional. John was here in 45 minutes after I called on a 10 below zero +early Sunday morning. If you need someone to help you out with your heating +problems, I DEFINITELY would call TIGER HEATING and AIR. Absolutely a wonderful +company. My family and I thank you!!!!!!!!!! + +They Suck Go somewhere else... Wanted to buy a Rhino 700 and a Grizzly 700. +After searching high and low for a salesman, I was treated like dirt, and we +left. Parts department blows, Service department is even worse. I live 10 +minutes from Cycle City, but I Drove 50 mile south to Peachstate Powersports in +LaGrange, dealt with the owner, Levi, and was well taken care of. + +Professional and inspiring Nigel from Nidd Design has always provided a first +class service, from his advice and professionalism to the quality of his design +drawings and planning applications. His knowledge and expertise help smooth the +way with any planning application, ensuring compliance with the building +regulations. Once you have met Nigel you will not want to work with anyone else. +He really does turn your dreams into reality for your home! + +We came at around 730 and they close at 8 and wanted to try the specials but +they were out for the day so I would say go way before they close. Got the crab +rangoon which was great, tofu with cabbage which was spicy but good and shrimp +satay which was also good. Def going to come back and try this place again. Bea +was really nice and asked how the food was. Cute place also + +As a native southern Californian I can tell you that this is not authentic +Mexican food. However, I still like this place a lot. Esp. the mole, tortilla +soup, and guacamole. Margaritas are alright. My only complaint is the QUESO. It +used to be fabulous, why did you guys change it?? Queso should not be watery :( +..... ***update*** NEVER MIND! They fixed the queso! Thankyouthankyou + +There are so many wonderful great places to dine in houston....don't.waste your +time here. I had the morelias enchiladas. The sauce was dry and the enchiladas +did not taste good.at all. In fact my friend vomited after our meal. Maybe we +ordered the wrong dish but my experience here was poor. Service was okay not +great, we came for a late lunch. I don't recommend this place. + +Skylight repair My skylight was making a horrible noise when the wind blew. +James Bateman came the day I called and fixed the problem quickly and +efficiently. He also inspected my entie roof to see if there was anything else +that needed attention. He called the next day to see if everything was to my +satisfaction. When the next hailstorm blows through, I will not hesitate to +contact James at Team Texas Construction. + +tricky short guy The new management is tricky and talk you into getting video +rental agreement. To my surprise $20 deposit.... New movies not on shelf..under +the counter for Telugu Speaking people only... or people who spend $30 or more +groceries.. That did it for me..no more Raina's. Besides parking is a +pain..cramped and un-ruly with Kumon Parents next door....gives me heebee gee +bees' + +Small Firm with Great Service Bloom Legal was really attentive to my problem, +and Seth Bloom took the time to help me understand the legal issue I was dealing +with. I much preferred the one-on-one service here to the experiences I've had +with bigger offices and firms. While I hope I don't have any need for a lawyer +anytime soon, if I do I'll definitely use this firm again. + +Used their service for the first time and was immediately impressed by their +professionalism (received a phone call soon after order was placed to confirm +details) and the subsequent delivery of my gift (To Split, Croatia) was as +requested. The gift itself was exactly as described and pictured in the +catalogue and of the highest standard. Would highly recommend to anyone +requiring overseas gift delivery. Danny (Australia) + +I LOVE MY GYM! FITNESS UNLIMITED is a second home to a lot of us gym members who +work out daily. If you are serious about working out in a non-commercial like +atmosphere then you have chosen the best place to be. This is the most humble +gym you will every step into.... if you dare to work on your body don't be +surprised when you see how addicting going to FITNESS UNLIMITED can be!! + +Over-rated... This restaurant is over-rated. It is hard to find...and the +mexican food is bland, almost equivalent to eating out of a can. The service is +poor...I asked for a fried egg on my enchiladas...and did not get it.! Secondly, +the enchladas did not come with enchilada sauce..but chili...like Hormel's +chili..the cheese was American cheese! The Chili Relleno..had no batter on it. + +I googled restaurants in the area and Fuji Sushi came up and reviews were great +so I made a carry out order of : L 17. Mixed Tempura.....................8.25 +Shrimp or vegetable tempura & salad. I was very happy with the customer service +and even more please with the portion size, to go box set up and quality of the +food for the price. I'm very happy and will definitely dine in and carry out +again. + +Learn from a Cesar Gracie black belt and former ufc fighter! When i say +jiu-jitsu or mma i mean it! Best jiu-jitsu mma in Santa Rosa and i have the +experience and belt to back it up! When you come to ncfa you will see a real +instructor that teaches and trains everyday! If your coach has no fights and you +never see him train and sweat something is wrong! Dave Terrell +www.norcalfightingalliance.com + +Good Pizza at a good price I just moved nearby and have tried several of the +local places, this was the first one and I should have just stuck with it. The +pizza is usually pretty good, the only bad one we got was on a Friday night and +it just needed to be cooked a little more, but it was still good. Their BBQ +chicken pizza is one of the better ones I have ever had. + +HORRIBLE SERVICE!!! Absolute horrible service from the parts department. They +are very rude over the phone and in person. They talk down to you like they are +supreme beings, if you hate your job so much then quit!! How these guys can get +away with being so rude with people is mind blowing. I will NEVER do business +with Sun Toyota again. Thank god there are plenty of Toyota dealerships to +choose from in this city. + +this is a good place I have been here before and the service was absoulutely +great. They had a great selection of colors to choose from and their seats are +super comfty. I enjoy going there although i've only been there once, i will be +returning toda to recieve a pair of french tips and i will only go to the best +and to me the best is here. i reccomend you to go and enjoy their wonderful +hospitality. + +Anna Marie and Govind are very sweet people, and the minute you steep into their +school, the calm loving atmosphere takes over, and tension and worries stay +outside in the street, whether or not you pick them up again after class is +probably a question of practice. A wonderful place, if you want more than just +the physical side of yoga. Give yourself the gift of trying this place, to see +if it fits you... + +They don't seem to be interested in selling cars. Went there yesterday: we are +trying to decide between two different Honda models, so we wanted to test-drive +both back to back. The salesperson refused! Claimed he was too busy for two test +drives. We were the only customers there! Don't waste time, just drive 10 +minutes more down to Stevens Creek, they actually do try to help their customers +there! + +ATE HERE A COUPLE TIMES. IT IS NOT A HIGH END STEAK HOUSE, MORE OF THE CUISINE +BRETT ENJOYS IN MISSISSIPPI. SO, IF YOU WANT A BURGER AND FRIES, WELL, IT IS OK. +IF YOU WANT A LITTLE CAJUNISH FOOD - IT IS GOOD. IF YOU WANT A STEAK, WELL, THIS +IS NOT THE BEST IN GREEN BAY. OVERALL DECENT BUT IF YOU ARE EXPECTING A RUTH +CHRIS TYPE STEAK, THIS IS NOT IT. + +Eulogic Good place to be on a Sunday Night. The beers were good, nice choice of +beers as well, and as usual the mussels were great, the place upstairs is a nice +addition to the bar downstairs. Filled up on too much beer and hence cannot +comment on the food. But the menu had standard stuff that one would get at a +Belgian Tavern. If you are a handcraft beer person, this is a fantastic place to +be. + +Perfect Location plus I moved into the Tanglewood Apartments in late 2008 and +it's been a refreshing change. I used to live at Meadowrun and that was a +nightmare. The manager - Tiffany - is actually very nice so I'ma bit surprised +by other comments. She's very reachable and she has always responded quickly to +any questions or requests. Plus she plans a monthly breakfasts and other events +at the clubhouse which is a nice added benefit. + +great service/deals - support this local business I have used these guys for new +snows, fixing lots of flats, used replacement tires, and oil changes. They have +the best prices locally and good customer service. One guy is a little surley, +but who gives a crap as long as your car's work is outstanding. AND they're +usually able to help you as a walk-in, and they're fast. Overall-good stuff. + +Another great business bites the dust! The best cakes EVER! A bit pricey, so I +didn't go very often, but it was always a treat when I did. The prices were +worth what I got. I'm assuming they are completely out of business since I can't +find any contact information. I'm hoping the bakers continue to do their baking +out of another place, because it would be a shame not to have these cakes any +longer. + +Super nice people, really good food What I love most about this place, other +than the food, is that eating here makes you feel like you're in a small town +rather than Baltimore. The owners are really nice, they serve good food at a +good price, and the option to eat outside on the deck (esp on the weekend +whether there is hardly any traffic) is great. One of my top 5 places to eat in +Baltimore. + +Overpriced This place is identical to the Youngstown Sports Grille, so I imagine +they are owned/operated by the same people. The food is mediocre at best, and +largely overpriced given the portion size and quality. Don't even get me started +on how expensive it is to drink there. I have ate here 3 times since they first +opened, and the service has been poor each time, the staff always comes across +as somewhat rude and slow. + +Apps 4 Salad 3 Entree 3.5 Wine 5 (NOV 07) Enjoyed this cozy little spot with a +group of 8 folks. Service was excellent. Food was excellent. Wine was excellent. +I was feeling the need for some fish so I had the salmon which was very good but +the steaks looked amazing and if I am in town again, I'll definitely order a +steak. A perfect place for a romantic dinner. Lots of "pretty people" dining +inside. + +Great staff. Very helpful!!!! They interviewed me, gave me tests in the software +I included on my resume, and placed me in a position that I kept for several +years. Re-interviewed and am going on interviews for a new job. I'm really +thankful for the folks at HR Office. They are dependable, have great connections +in the community, and are a great resource for finding a job. I highly recommend +them to all of my friends!!!!! + +Great experience - consider checking out their puppies before buying from a +breeder! I adopted a 3.5 month old yellow lab last winter from the Dumb Friends +League. The staff was very helpful in finding the right dog for me and the care +my pup received was outstanding. If you are on the lookout for a pure breed pup +don't forget to check out the shelters! My pup has a wonderful temperment and +has been a wonderful addition to my family! + +Food good, service poor No silverware, asked for a spoon for my sons mac and +cheese ended up having to use my tea spoon. Asked for bar-b-que sauce never got +it. Never checked back with us once we got our food. Had to go the the bus boys +station ourselves to get napkins. Only one server, too buys talking with others +I guess. Food was good, but service means a lot to me. + +Dr. Chao you are the best dentist I have ever had. You are knowledgeable, +professional, gentel and kind. I wish I had you as my dentist early on in my +life - maybe my teeth would have been a lot better then they are now, However I +am glad you are my dentist now. Even though you are expensive. Thank you for +helping to preserve my teeth. You are meticulous in your work and it shows in my +smile. + +Con Garage I brought my car in for a simple emissions test. I guess they figured +me for an easy mark, and tried to explain that my car wouldn't pass unless I +replaced a hose. Ten minutes later, I took my car down the street and it passed +the emissions test with flying colors. If you're a fan of herpes, being ripped +off, and child molesters, this is the garage for you. If not, go somewhere else. + +Rude service even though I have never tried hoa salon but I agree with other +reviewers that they are rude. I called and asked about the price for hair updo +and the receptionist or owner who aswered the phone refused to tell me, or even +just give me an approximate price range. He told us to stop by the salon and +then he will tell us the price. What kind of rude service is that? I don't want +to waste my time with them. + +Top notch eats! So here we are in Manson. Manson? Yes, Manson. Right near +Chelan. Aka Nowheresville. And this litttle gem of a 7-table restaurant is a +complete and utterly wonderful surprise. A short but wide-ranging menu executed +with innovative perfection in a cozy hole in the wall just off the main street. +Fantastic food served without pretense, very reasonably priced wine selections. +A great place to go for dinner after a day of wine tasting. + +Excellent Service and Reasonable Prices Boutique stores dealing in children's +clothing/gifts are often outrageously priced (who wants to pay 40 dollars for a +newborn onesie?) but I was pleasantly surprised to find that the Purple Goose's +prices are reasonable (for the SAME products found at other area boutiques, the +prices were 20-25% cheaper). The service was also excellent - friendly, helpful +and informative without being overbearing. Will definitely return. + +Consistantly poor A lack of organisation, coupled with the distain for its +customers, makes this the worst rental agency I have used. Chasing them on +issues from the day I moved in (many of them still unresolved as I left) to all +sorts of farcical issues with funds, after I left. . . . as soon as I could. If +you must use them, be vigilant and be ready to push, if you can go elsewhere +then I would. + +AMAZING NIGHT- Great Party Spot!! Went to the Willow Lounge this past weekend +for dinner and drinks...place is awesome. Had to keep in mind that the A/C +broke, I feel bad it was their opening! Anyway, once that is fixed, this place +will be amazing. Drinks were awesome, prices reasonable, and staff friendly. +This is an awesome date spot that the area SERIOUSLY needs. Check out The Willow +Lounge, youll be happy! + +Its been a few years since I have been to Ipanema. But my wife and I first went +there thinking it would be Brazilian food (think lots of meat), but it turned +out to be a vegan restaurant! And, I can say, this was one of my favorite places +to eat in all of Richmond. Amazing! Don't let the nondescript building entrance +fool you, these are some creative and talented chefs...two thumbs way, way up! + +Excellent food, fantastic wait staff I recently threw a surprise birthday party +for my wife at Fraiser's. We had 30 guests for the event, and everyone came away +from the evening impressed with not only the food, but the outstanding service +as well. The management was easy to deal with during the planning stages, and +the execution by the kitchen and wait staff was flawless. I highly recommend +Fraiser's for anyone planning a special event for friends, family or business. + +FANTASTIC STORE!!! I came upon this store as the building caught my eye. It's +located in the huge HONKA Log Homes building, by Walmart off of Evergreen +Parkway. The store was decorated with furnishings & accessories. The friendly +crew working was great & very helpful. This store is what Colorado is all about. +Also, I purchased some furniture last year and all has been great! It's +durability & look was perfect and I will definitely be adding to my collection +soon! + +Lovely People, Great Hats I was saddened to see the reviews that claimed World +Hats Mart has poor service. It led me to believe that the reviewers simply had +difficulty tolerating people with strongly-accented English. The husband and +wife who run this spot are lovely people. We have had many conversations with +them and they have always been extremely patient with me as I tried on multiple +hats in search of the right costumes for my magic act. I recommend them highly! + +DONT ever go there, not even if your car flips. Their service sucks to start off +with, people are cruel and ignorant. I'm compeltly dissatisfied with their +service and their products. They DO NOT have a return policy and even if their +product SUCKS, they will NOT take it back! DO NOT EVER GO HERE. I prefer +Advanced auto parts over this crappy place with the meanest people. And they +THRIVE to get a customer. DO NOT go here..thank you + +Horrible I have been growing my hair out for 1 year plus and went in to get 1 +inch taken off. I walked out with 5 inch long hair on the top, 2 inch long hair +on the sides, and 1.5 in the back. My hair is uneven and it looks rediculous. +This woman should be working in supercuts...if that. This was a terrible +experience and I hope that no one else goes through that. Do your self a favor +and do not go to this establishment. + +The worst Burger King restaurant!!! I generally like the BK over the other fast +serving restaurants; however, I regreted to visit this restaurant at my town. +This is a shame of my adorable town, Branford. I ordered a kid meal with a milk +and found a bottle was half opened already. I asked them to change it but they +rudely said that it was okay. Disgusting french fries is very best menu. Don't +go, or you will learn how to waste your money. + +Disappointed The Bad: I was at Napa recently and was unpleasantly surprised at +poor waiter svce and subpar food. We were a party of 4 and none of us were +particularly pleased with our dishes. Napa is all about wine but gives very +short descriptions of the wines on their lists. I found my initial selection +satisfactory but the wine flight we chose to be poorly composed. If you must go +ask lots of questions about your selections since your expectations may as high +as mine were. + +Highly Recommended We walked in to pick our little man at 10 minutes to closing +and heard laughter from kids and the staff. The facilities are more than +adequate and the staff are just phenomenal. Their sense of humour and calmness +when dealing with the little ones amazes me every time I walk in. We have since +moved slightly further away from the centre but it's worth the extra travel, as +the care provided exceeds our expectations... especially after a few horrendous +daycare experiences elsewhere. + +HORRIBLE!!!!! This has to be some of the worst pizza I have ever had the +misfortune of ordering. The crust was lopsided, thicker on one side than the +other. It actually had a hole in one of the slices. There was minimal cheese and +sauce and it completely lacked flavor. I know New York pizza and this is not +it!! This was nothing like New York style pizza!!!. I love pizza and this was a +complete and utter disappointment!! I would not suggest this pizza to anyone!!! + +best quote ever My gate was stuck halfway open so I calledA CLASS Garage Doors +Dr Services. They came to my house in no time and started working on the gate. +They were very friendly and were able to explain me exactly what was wrong with +it. Once they fixed it they answetred all of my questions with no hesitations +and then gave me the best quote ever. I know that if my garage door needs to be +repaired, I will be calling A CLASS Garage Doors + +You will be happy at this store! Allen Tire was recommended by friend after my +having bad tire experiences in Temecula. The store manager, Jim Smith, made an +excellent tire recommendation for my newly acquired Lexus. Tires were the right +price and now the car feels like it is riding on rails around turns. The store +is clean, run very professionally and a pleasure to be in. They know their job +and you do not have to watch them to be sure everything is done right. + +Easiest Time I ever had purchasing a car! Excellent service, Not only did they +get the exact car I wanted win in 48 hours but the sales man also took me out to +lunch. Very kind and reliable. I highly recommend this dealership if you would +not like to hassle on price and receive friendly service. I have since purchased +two cars from this dealership, The first one was from Phillip and the second was +from Richard. Both were excellent sales men who put my needs first. + +This place has done a great job of taking care of the usual maintenance on my +hooptie. I also never have to wait long for a yearly inspection sticker...and +never get the usual excuses other shops always gave me..."the inspection guy +isn't here today"....for example. Today I went into Kwik Kar and there were two +cars in front of me for inspection...but I was still out of there pretty +quick...barely had time to read a chapter in my book. + +Extremely helpful and professional As first-time home buyers, my husband and I +found Stephanie Fairchild at Prudential Steamboat Realty, extremely helpful. She +worked with us for over a year, helping us find our perfect home. Stephanie's +knowledge of the market and properties in our price range, made us feel secure +in our decision to buy when we did. We would highly recommend Stephanie to +anyone looking for a home in the Yampa Valley. We appreciated her patience, +knowledge and kindness! + +Great Barber Firstly, the other reviewer clearly has never been to Nick's, or he +would know that Nick only charges $13 for a haircut which is pretty much +industry standard. I have been going to Nick for 5 months now precisely because +he does pay attention to detail. I have terrible hair and he really takes his +time to make it look right. Some of the younger kids that work there are a bit +sub par, but if you wait for Nick... you'll be good. + +UGH!!! Got some nice "freshly baked" fruit squares, a personal favorite of mine. +Took a bite, it tasted odd. Flipped the square over and saw it riddled with +green mold!!!! Ugh!! I called the store and the clerk giggled, and agreed that +it was gross, but said it was not her problem. She also refused to get a +manager. I left my number, or tried to anyway. Same clerk had considerable +difficulty taking down a number. I'll never go back there again + +For cheap Chinese food, this is the place to go. I used to eat at places like +New China or Green Buffet in Troy, MO - nothing terrible but not that great. +Now, I won't eat fast food Chinese unless it's from this place. The best value +I've found from a Chinese restaurant. I don't live in Lake St. Louis anymore, +but deliveries were always correct and the service courteous. Now I have to be +in the area to get some lovin' :sadface: + +Amazing Experience! My experience was amazing at Providence Aesthetics and +Medical Spa. Jana Kueck was nothing but professional. She makes you feel like +you are the most important person in the world. Jana made me feel very +comfortable. Provided me with warm blanket and has soft music playing. Walking +in the door you are made to feel happy and relaxed. Equipment is state of the +art. I would reccomend anyone to go see Jana Kueck and Robin Talley to see all +the many procedures they have to offer. + +Dave is a patient and methodical teacher, who has a great ear and sensitivity +for his students' passion and the direction they want their lessons to take. +Also, he loves teaching so much, his price is unbeatable, but that does not +change his level of skill. Dave has much to offer. In just 2-3 focused lessons, +I'm already now capable of picking up new songs off YouTube guitar how to videos +and am even writing my own orginals with confidence! ~Jason + +We love our new roof! We would like to thank you for the roofing job you did on +our home. Everything was done on a timely manner and things were cleaned and +picked up every day when the crew was done. We also liked the way that Ray +checked on the job everyday. And when the job was done every thing was cleaned +up and hauled off that same day. We would not hesitate to use Spears Roofing +again. We have already recommended you to some of our friends! + +OMFG I FUCKING HATE THIS PLACE EVERY TIME i GO THIS HOT CHICK SHOWS UP AND i +MEAN REALLY HOT BUT SHE IS LIKE REAAAALLY DUMB AND THEN THEIR IS THIS OTHER +CHICK THAT IS REALY UGLY BUT SHE IS LIKE SUPER SMART SHE COULD BE A SCIENTIST, +BUT THEN THEIR IS THIS STONER WHO ALWAYS COMES HERE HIGH AND HE ALWAYS BRINGS +HIS FUCKING DOG WHO IS SO HIGH FROM THE SECOND HAND SMOKE I THINK HE IS TRYING +TO TALK. ANYWAY WE DRIVE AROUND IN MY VAN AND SOLVE MYSTERYS AND SHIT + +AMAZINGLY YUMMY! I just got back from france yesterday and just missed the food +already! My sister in law told me about this amazing new crepe place in town, I +was so excited I just wanted to go and test it out for my self! Their customer +service was perfect! Their Food was better then anything I had ever tasted. EVEN +IN FRANCE! I would highly recommend this place to anyone looking for a great +atmosphere, amazing food, and great customer service! Thank you Roll UP Crepes! + +This is one of the worst places I have stayed, we cut out stay short and went to +the Mulberry. Even though they still charge you the days you booked but won't +use, it is worth the get the hell out of this crap hole. The whole experience +shows a hotel managed by what must be a 2 star hotel manager. Bad service +starting from the front desk. The best person is the valet. Short of that, avoid +this place, as a silver Marriott member, this is a disgrace. + +BEST PLACE IN AMES I lived here for two years when the prices were a little +lower :) The places are very nice and clean, and in great condition! I really +enjoyed the staff at Wessex, also the manager Sherri was always very nice and +helpful. The fitness center was GREAT! The only problem that I had in 2 years of +living there was that the walls are pretty thin, sometimes I could here my +neighbors conversations. I would recommend these apartments to anybody! I +absolutely LOVED living there. + +The Best Service Ever!! I have never had better service. My car broke down and +roadside towed my vehicle to Sussman Kia. They squeezed me in and had me back up +and running in no time. Everyone was pleasant and very helpful. The service +department even gave me a ride home and picked me up when my car was finished. +The advisor kept me up to date and informed on the progress of my vehicle. I +give this dealer an A+! I will definitely be bringing my car back for service. + +HEAVEN ON EARTHHHHHHH!!!! MUST TRY!!! A+++ THIS PLACE IS THE BEST. I HATED SUSHI +BEFORE BUT NOW I CANT STOP EATTING IT!!!!!!! NICE SERVICE, AND EXCELLENT FOOD. +EVERYTHING IN HERE SEEMS TO AMAZE ME!!! THEIR GRILL DISHES ARE OUTTA THIS WORLD +AND SUSHI IS JUST FABULOUS!!!! I EAT HERE AT LEAST 5 DAYS A WEEK. THEY HAVE +EXCELLENT SUSHI CHEF SPECIAL ROLLS FOR A FAIR PRICE AND SO IS THE GRILL ORDERS. +A++++ !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! JUNO AND OPEN I LOVE YOU +GUYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! [no homo] :D + +friendly, fine food The one-star review from 2005 is out of date. There was a +change of ownership a couple of years ago and service is both quick and +extremely friendly. The food continues to be very good -- deli sandwiches, +homemade soups, fresh salads. The atmosphere may not be for everyone. It is a +bustling place where separate parties are seated at the same table (as in many +European cafes), but if you are OK with that, the food is very good. Love the +soups. + +The New Italian Kid on the Block Another Italian restaurant in Collingswood? Do +we need another one? Only if it is of the quality of That's Amore. The menu has +the usual but then they step it up another notch. The arancini di riso (risotto +fritters) are not to be missed. Chicken saltimboca was excellent and then +there's the chocolate mousse that comes straight from heaven. Pay extra +attention to the appetizers - the next time I go there I'm planning on ordered a +few instead of an entree. + +Auto Towing is one of the best towing services I have used. The first time I +used them they arrived on time and towed car for me to the destination I needed. +The auto mechanics that work for Auto Towing are very friendly and informative +and answered any question I had. They have towed car for me a few times and I am +always very satisfied with this services. If you are looking for towing services +that can offer you a good towed car service, then Auto Towing is the company for +you. + +A very satisfied new customer! As a very satisfied new customer, I +wholeheartedly recommend United Air Duct Cleaning. They are professional, +knowledgeable, and take meticulous care and pride in accomplishing their work. +Not only were my wife and I very pleased, but I also had the air duct quality +tested professionally by the home inspector that I regularly use, before and +after United Air Duct performed their work. Based on the test results, the home +inspector stated that the quality of their job was “excellent”. + +The Best Breakfast in Solana Beach! We love T's Cafe! Without a doubt the best +place to grab a tall bloody mary and some eggs benedict. T's has been a North +County landmark for thirty years and with good reason. Family owned and operated +makes sure the atmosphere is relaxed and the food home-cooked with style. I +highly recommend picking up a jug of their homemade bloody mary mix - definitely +the best. If you've been to North County, chances are it's in your favorites +list already. + +Prominent Builders NJ Prominent Builders in New Jersey are one the best building +contractors, I was referred to them by my friend, I am so glad I used them for +my Home renovation, and addition. They were very professional, respectful, +completed the Job on time, and well below my budget. Mike one of owners was +awesome, he explained the detailed plan, and executed on time, I am always going +use them and refer them to many friends I can because of the great job they did +me. + +Great Dude Cut! Great service, cool vibe, impeccable style. I'ma guy with tricky +hair so getting that right is job #1. After going through 5 other places I +finally found Janice at Alta Moda. Not only was it a good cut but my wife and +friends comment on my hair every time I leave...saying it's the best look I've +ever had. Either I suck at my own style or Janice is a genius. Looks like +there's a lot of talent in this place. Worth every penny. + +My Favorite place at Wildwood I have been going to the Wildwood, NJ for over 30 +years for summer vacations and always call the Madrid first. I rated it 5 stars. +I am not saying it is a 5 star hotel. I am saying when comparing all other +hotels in Wildwood, this hotel has everything that we are looking for. It is the +hospitality from Tom and staff, that makes it feel like a 5 star hotel in the +middle of the beach. We prefer the layout of rooms and it is always clean. + +When in Scordia, Sicily If ever in Sicily please take the time to visit Anna +Maria Jose Mudo and her familia. They are and always will be the nicest people +in Sicily that you will meet. You will also have the pleasure of learning the +Italiano language. You will also have the experience of learning the bella +Sicilian culture, that I have fallen in luv with. I will 4-ever be eternally +grateful for their hospitality and luv that my Sicilian family showed me when I +was there for 3 years. Luv always.. + +I've never felt the need to write a review or make a complaint before, but after +the way I was spoken to by a member of staff at the kennels (whose name I +believe to be Mrs Closs) I would now not recommend this business to anybody. If +the animals are treated in the same way the customers are treated then this +leaves a lot to be desired! Nobody should be spoken to like that regardless of +how bad their day may have been or what may be going on in their private lives! + +Best Car Dealer in TX I purchased a nissan from this dealship. The sales men +were very knowledgeable about every aspect of every car we looked at. They were +very patient and helpful from showing the cars to doing the paperwork. The +paperwork was a very easy and smooth. They tried to run my credit score as less +as possible so it won't hurt my score. Overall, I was very happy with the +customer service and my purchase. If you're looking to buy a car, definitely +give them a call. They have a huge inventory. + +I have been a patient a NW hospital and it was great. I have also had an 80 yr +old that I take of sent to the ER and long stays in the hospital. Yes, we had to +wait, but ER is a triage system that takes the most life threatening cases +first. Any ER would be the same. As far as being treated like a drug seeker, +that has not been my experience. As a nurse I know about drug seekers. This is a +great hospital and even better since it became part of the UW system. + +Wonderful Experience I had immense pain on a Sunday morning, with friends and +family telling me that I would never find a Dentist on a Sunday. Dr. Taylor was +not only available on a Sunday, but also was able to immediately take care of +me. He was incredibly informative about the options I had, giving me opinions on +different treatments to choose from. Coming from a person who hates the dentist +in general, Dr. Taylor was the best! He really made the visit a pain free one +with excellent service! I would recommend him to everyone! + +HORRIBLE This school is the worst one i've ever been to. I attended it for 2 +years, and that was enough. There's holes everywhere in the ceiling, sewage +constantly leaks through the ceiling, and the whole condition of the school is +horrible. The staff and the Principal are rediculous, they don't listen to any +input, and they make up rediculous rules ( They banned backpacks, because a +teacher TRIPPED OVER a student's). The education is horrible at best, do society +a favor, and do NOT send your student here. + +Excellent customer service and quality work. They went the extra mile to repair +my cowboy boots-- they had to have a special kind of paper that looked like wood +grain to fix the heels. That was 4 years ago. I haven't been able to find a shoe +repair place in Seattle since that has been able to do it. (I've been through at +least 5 places already.) If I had time to drive to Tacoma before they closed +during the work week, I would just so I could get those boots fixed properly +again. + +So Handy for Local La Jolla Stuff - Especially for Finding Residential Numbers +Since moving back from college and trying to settle roots in the Village, I have +referred to the La Jolla Blue Book for a ton of local numbers. The white pages +allowed me to get in touch with parents of my high school friends so that I +could track people down one by one and the restaurant section is basically my +cookbook. It's really cool that so many local businesses are found so quickly in +one place and I want to spread the word. THX:-) + +The staff do occasionally get game info correct, but if your looking fot a good +game and aren'ta nerd, dont ask them. The last time I did that I was suggested +to buy oblivion when I told them I was looking for a fps. I knew what it was and +told the guy that it wasn'ta fps. He tried to tell me it was when I told asked +him if he knew what fps stood for and he had no clue. Overall they aren't very +knowledge about the type of games are on the market. + +First and Last time we'll eat there My friend and I went there for lunch today. +Neither one of us had ever been - so we thought we'd try it. BIG MISTAKE - The +food was tasteless and cold. We both kept trying to find something we liked. The +only thing I found edible were the potato wedges, I finally gave up, he kept +trying - he found the fried wantons to be OK - His Mongolian bowl was awful. +Would NOT recommend this place to anyone - in fact - save your money and go +somewhere else. + +Liquidweb.com Rocks!!! I am not a client of liquidweb.com, but one of my friend +called Steven is the client having several websites. I work with him and since +past 6 years he is hosting his websites to Liquidweb. As I have gone through +many reviews sites to see if any provider is providing better services or not, +and I have realized that there were many good reviews about Liquidweb also +Steven never faced any server issues in his whole hosting. The kind of support +they provide is simply great!!! I would like to host my upcoming website to +Liquidweb.com + +Hino Dealer of the Year Congratulations Prestige Hino! You have been awarded the +converted Hino Dealer of the Year! Each of you should be proud of your massive +contributions throughout the year! Major Awards – Overall Hino dealer of the +year. Overall Hino finance dealer of the year. Major Awards – Market leader +overall, Dandenong PMA, sales. Market leader medium duty, sales. Well done to +Anthony and the team! Bronze award service excellence, metro. Well done to +Brendan and the team! Gold award parts excellence, metro. Well done to Jason and +the team! + +simple but perfect IF you want flashy fancy food stacked high with lots of fussy +garnishes, this is not the place for you. If you want perfectly executed simple +dishes that feature a few exquisite ingredients, you'll love Vetri. Hands-down +the best pasta and gnocchi I've ever eaten (and I've eaten a lot). The antipasti +were amazing, the wines were mind-blowing, the service couldn't have been +better. I've dined at lots of high-end restaurants and I've never before felt my +money was so well spent. + +Great Prices, Great service! I've been to this shop twice (once for an +inspection and again for an oil change) and they truly live up to their name: +Discount! They have all kind of coupons available for car washes, oil changes, +state inspection, etc. The thing is, you still get high quality service at +nicely discounted rates! There is even free coffee and bottles of water if you'd +like. The owner is a pleasant guy and I would trust my car with him or any of +his workers. Top notch, all the way! + +David is amazing David is the most helpful and creative photographer that I have +used. He is willing to do whatever you need from him without hesitation. He was +patient and adapted when everything didn't go according to schedule on my +wedding day. Both the engagement and wedding pictures that he took for us we +absolutely amazing. He got the pictures back to me quickly. I would highly +recommend David to anyone. He will exceed your expectations! He doesn't just +take pictures he makes art out of them and you won't even notice that there's a +camera there. + +Not so great My husband just got a bike there as a gift he's only had it a +month. It's a nice bike and it cost a lot of money. But just this week a peddle +broke. He took it back and they would not honor a warranty and said it was his +fault because of his shoes?? So they were going to charge him for new peddles +and proceeded to put them on without even telling him the price. Which was very +expensive. He asked for a different pair instead and they only gave him five +dollars off?? Trek is not so great + +Only Concerned With Money I have been getting my treatments for a few months now +and have seen some results but not up to the standards that I was told I should +expect. The people there attempt to come across and professional and nice, but I +was disappointed with their customer service. Never miss an appointment because +they will charge you the price of a treatment, even if you had an emergency. +It's pretty ridiculous! They want to squeeze as much as they can from you even +if you just got in a car accident!!!! They don't care one bit about you!!!!! + +Terrible service!!! Made an appointment to have them come to the house to +discuss curtain options and give an estimate. They sent over someone who said he +knows nothing about curtains and could not show me fabric options or give an +estimate. When I called the manager to complain, she said she KNEW the guy +didn't know about curtains and that the usual lady called in sick hours earlier! +Instead of rescheduling they chose to waste my time instead. So what was the +point of the appointment!?! To just come over and hang out?!? I will NEVER do +business with this company! EVER!!! + +Internet Department is rude and insulting I was looking to bring a customer to +their lot to buy a car but the Internet salesperson Last name is Balazick sent +me this email "AND IF IT WAS WORTH MY TIME I WOULD OF BOTHERED ASWERING YOUR +QUESTIONS. I MAKE MONEY NOT DEAL WITH BROKERS" Wow, can you believe in todays +tough times this dealership would be looking for any way to move vehicles. As a +previous Internet Manager I would deal with anyone looking to buy a car for a +profit and not care if they came in with a broker. Stay away from this +dealership!!! + +This place is a Rip-Off I brought a car in to have the "check engine" light +diagnosed back in March of 2010. They said it was "plugs and wires" and quoted +me $330 to do the work, including parts. I asked why so high and they said it +was due to the labor of moving things out of the way. Those things ended up +being a windsheild washer fluid tank (1 screw) and the air filter canister (4 +spring clips). I did the work myself for $50. There's no excuse for that kind of +estimate. + +My girlfriend and I took a chance on this place because we didn't want to wait +in line at Outback. What an amazing find - this restaurant is a GEM. #1 its +immaculately clean. #2 the decor is tasteful and artistic, from the comfortable +chairs to the elegant light fixtures.... and (most importantly) #3 the food is +FANTASTIC. This is authentic Cuban cuisine; fresh ingredients expertly prepared +and seasoned perfectly. The portions were generous and we got out for less than +the cost of one entree at some chain restaurant. TRY THIS PLACE - YOU'LL LOVE +IT. + +Thank you for helping me get more healthy! I came in and saw Dr. Ruona about a +month ago for quitting smoking. I have to tell you that I haven't had one and +don't want one. It is the easiest thing that I have ever done and I tell all my +friends that they should do it too. I sent a customer of mine to you. Dr. Ruona, +if you read this, thank you for helping me get more healthy. I feel lighter and +feel that I have more possibilities open to me now than I did before. I can't +thank you enough. + +Signs of Saltford - an excellent supplier of value for money signs and banners +etc. I have been a friend and customer of Signs of Saltford for well over 12 +years now and I also became their website supplier some 3 years ago. Tina is the +driving force of the business and you can be assured that she will endevour to +satisfy all your signage requirements at the most cost effective rates. I have +been extremely pleased with the signs and pop-up banners she has supplied to me +over the years - a truly first class family business run by Tina and her husband +Chris. + +My counseling practice Hello my name is Vera and I'm writing a review about my +own counseling practice in Bellevue, WA. and in Renton WA. I am a licensed +mental health counselor and I work with variety of mental health problems. I +offer compassionate, approachable and personalized counseling services. My style +is compassionate, nonjudgmental, and caring. Please visit my website to learn +more about my practice at www.veraakulov.com. I am a preferred provider with +most insurance companies. Schedule your first appointment online! I would +appreciate reviews from anyone who has worked with me before in the mental +health setting. + +Fantastic for kids If you have children or are just a real animal lover yourself +you'll love this zoo. It's only $10 and in essence just one big petting zoo. +They sell feed and milk bottles at the front and I recommend you buy lots. We +took our 7 month old and she laughed and giggled when (very harshly I might add) +grabbing and 'kissed' the goats and lambs. The animals were all very sweet and +patient with her. Among the animals that were available to touch were pony's, +camels and EVEN AN OSTRICH!!! Wonderful, inexpensive and lots of fun! + +WOW!!! I can't say enough good things about Karla and the wonderful things she +has done for me and my dog Gracee. Gracee is more excited to see her than she is +to see me!!!! She has always been there for Gracee even for last minute calls! +She has taken care of my sweet girl for almost 4 years now and I would not let +Gracee go with anyone besides her!!! She is caring, punctual, and very +enthusiastic about her job! You should give her a try - it's worth every penny +to know that you pet is in GREAT hands with Wunderbar pet sitting!!!! + +Worst Service I've Ever Experienced I wish there was something good to say about +the business, but unfortunately, there isn't. 1) Service and manners were +nonexistent. 2) The employees constantly talk down to customers and are very +argumentative for the sake of being argumentative. (to both myself and +customers) 3) I have never experienced so much rudeness coming from a business. +4) The business is very unorganized. The invoice is not detailed, so it is +difficult to see what you are paying for. I'd recommend to save your time and +energy and find another greek store. + +Exile is the best!!! Exile is the longest lasting and most authentic punk store +in Richmond! I have been shopping there for over six years now. The staff is +incredibly friendly and helpful and the owner, Mimmy, is an absolute angel. The +mark up is minimal considering that the clothing is hard to find and often +shipped for Europe. In addition, the clothing is of much better quality than the +clothing from hot topic, which is made as cheaply as possible by people living +in horrible conditions in Asia. Exile is environmentally conscious and involved +heavily in our community. Shop local at Exile!! + +Over-rated Buddakan inevitably attracts the majority of its guests simply +because of its association with Steven Starr, but that doesn't impress me. The +atmosphere alone deserves 4 stars but, the food was not up to par with the price +tag and the reputation the restaurant carries. The server we had was +knowledgeable but he was not as proper as he should have been, acting like he +was talking to his friends rather than his customers. The angry lobster was +completely over-priced! $80 for a dish that has about one small lobster tail and +is full of filler vegetables! I wouldn't go there again. + +Alto delivers on all levels. From the moment you enter the restaurant, you know +you are some place special. The service is impeccable, and the food is even +better. I highly recommend the four-course tasting menu, which gives you plenty +of range and food to satisfy your appetite. Also, if you are into wine, Alto has +the depth of both region, varietal, and vintage to satisfy nearly any sommelier +(or after 9pm, bring your own bottle for free...no corking fee!). While it's not +cheap, Alto will give you an experience you'll never forget. + +The landlord is not nice nor helpful I have lived in Buckingham Condominiums +townhouse for 2 years. I love the location and the apartment!! I'ma single +female and I feel safe coming home at night. The maintenance people are +AWESOME!!!! And the exterminator is very nice, also. Yes, you still have a few +bugs, but that's going to be anywhere you go! The only problem that I have +experienced is the landlord. She is a pure b****!!! I know that's ugly...but she +won't help you out for anything...sad story. Other than that, I would recommend +living here. :) + +The staff leaves a lot to be desired. The front staff has seen quite a bit of +turnover and changed from professional to rude. A simple follow-up phone call +with a woman quickly turned into a nightmare. She may be the reason for all the +change. I sincerely wonder if the doctor has a clue about what is going on +within his practice. If he does know and approves of this behavior then it is a +poor reflection on him. Sometimes it is not worth it to go through that kind of +staff and their personal attitude to get to a doctor. He was an okay doctor but +not worth her. + +WWW-Wonderful Wild Wildernest inn I would give the Wildernest inn ten stars of +five! Atop Spring Mountain, from the decks of the West porch, "one can see +forever" a scene of unparalleled beauty and grandeur. I saw deer frequently, in +fact a small herd were grazing near the lodge. There were occasional bears on +the deck in the morning. and most correctly, us visitors did not mingle with the +native wildlife. It would have been more than one could bear! Kathy and Stewart, +the proprietors were the epitome of perfection. Delightful, hospitable, +superb,cozy and comfortable. I hope to be back! + +junkie lube?! really weird place, I was driving home from work thought I'd stop +in for an oil change and well, there are a few guys in jiffy lube uniforms +sitting at the table drinking beers and shooting the breeze. The neon lighting +sign still said "on" yet some guy who seemed to be the oldest of the bunch, more +like the drunkest of the bunch told me they'd be open tomorrow. I asked if a +manager was on duty he told me he was.WOW! grey shirt "mark" of course with this +type behavior he could have been wearing someonelses clothing..... + +A friend and I recently took our 16 and 18 month olds here. While there wasn't +too much available for their age (ball pit, bouncy area and a little padded +pyramid to climb on), we went right when they opened at 10 am on a winter +weekday and ended up being the only ones there, so we were given a little more +liberty than we would have if others had been there. It's not the classiest +place, but it was cleaner than I expected and the staff was very friendly. For +$4 it was a nice break from the monotony of winter indoors with a toddler. + +Restored my faith in Mechaincs. I spent 3 months going from shop to shop trying +to get my Ferrari to run and drive the way it should. I was about to give up +when I met Jason and Neal. They took on the challenge of making my Ferrari all I +dreamed of and more. The crew at The Creative Workshop went over and above the +call of duty and gave me back a car I can drive anywhere and finally enjoy +owning. I cannot say enough about this place. They have restored my faith in +Mechanics. Do yourself a favor, call these guys first and enjoy driving your car +again.. + +a great vacation! We wanted to see the sun - and we also got much more! +Excellent chefs are in the kitchen preparing memorable breakfasts. After a train +ride over the mountains, we enjoyed hiking in the flower-filled Wenatchee hills +(in May) and a very interesting bike ride in a loop around the Columbia +River...and then wine if we wanted it on the patio in the evening.... This is a +busy group of hosts they are also running a restaurant, which also must be +wonderful - so just ask for what you need, and I'm sure they will do their best +to be hospitable. + +OMG OMG.. make sure to book a reservation, as this magical place is packed (in a +nice way) I love that the owner walks around and cares how his customers feel +about their food. The waiters are like no other...My waiter was so excellent I +gave him a 75% tip, and it was worht every penny.. The food was finger licking +the bowel fantastic.. I just discovered her has a place right near my work ( +Color me Phat) If you are looking for a romatic place with the best food and +service in the valley Giovanni Ristorante should be your number 1 + 2 choice. + +Holly is truely the best hairstylist! I have lived in the UTC La Jolla area for +many years, and I never new this salon was here until a friend reffered me to +see Holly here. I was very pleased with my experience here. All of the people +were friendly and welcoming. I got highlights, haircut, and a blowdry. She did a +great job! Holly is very experienced and talented, and I could tell she new what +she was doing right off the bat. My hair looks amazing, and I get compliments +all the time. I deffenitly reccomend this salon and Holly to anyone. You will +not be disappointed!!!!!! + +Outdated but not bad So I really felt like this place was extremely outdated +especially since the pictures make it look nice and modern. It had listed that +there was a hot breakfast but all this meant is that they added a waffle maker +to the common continental affair at most cheap hotels. The family suite was +basically two rooms with a small opening between them which worked great for us +because we were two families traveling together. If you are in town and need +that kind of space I say stay here but if you are looking for a little more +upscale affair don't let the pictures fool you and book somewhere else. + +Great, and probably the only West Indian spot worth hitting up in Nashville. I +was born and raised in Toronto, which has a huge West Indian (Trinidadian, +Jamaican, etc) population. So huge in fact, that Toronto slang is influenced by +and has Jamaican references, and Jamaican beef patties are staples in my high +school cafeteria. Anyway, I was practically raised on this stuff, and being a +connoisseur of West Indian cuisine, Jamaica Way is a bit toned down to suit the +American palette. All you have to do to make it authentic Jamaican food, is add +a whole lot of pepper. Alot. + +The finest Christmas Trees i've ever seen. I felt like I was in heaven when I +walked through the majestic fields of this particular farm. The trees were in +magnificent shape and the variety was astounding. The owners were entertaining +and gracious. I especially liked the Eco friendly atmosphere and the owners love +of all animals. This is one of the best farms I have ever been too. I would call +it the Taj Mahal of the east coast! It put hair on my chest and thanks to the +owners advice I invested vanguard, got myself a woman like Jerry, and became a +republican. Thanks Tussey Mountain Tree Plantation! + +Pho-nomenal!! I have been eating Pho for almost my entire life and I've always +gone to the Pho places in south philly and off the boulevard and even the other +one in chinatown, but when i tried this pho place, it blew the other pho houses +away!! all of the pho places taste the same to me, so what seperates one from +the other is the service and the price. The service here is incredible compared +to the other places. the only down fall of this pho house is the difficulty in +finding parking in chinatown. remember to bring cash since they don't take debit +or credit. hope this helps!! + +Had a horrible experience with a manager here, Rachel McInnis, she was rude, +inconsiderate and did not do the right thing for an item that was marked +incorrectly... I'm not interested in shopping in a place with people like her... +she refused to sell me the item at its marked price even after admitting they +had made a mistake. I normally don't write reviews but seeing that I considered +Dillards a distinguished, upscale place to shop, this one won't be getting my +business, nor my family's, nor my co-workers. It's never ok to let a customer +walk out unhappy, especially when they are right. + +Highly Recommend I work as a Transformational Life Coach. Since this is an +alternative therapy I always refer clients to a lisenced therapist when I feel +that is appropriate. I found her through a colleague one day when one of my +clients was in the midst of a panic attack and needed professional help that I +am not qualified to provide. Little did I know that I would soon be needing her +help as well! She guided me through a very difficult period dealing with a +family member's suicide, coupled with elder abuse. I found her to be extremely +solid, kind, compassionate, and intuitive as well. I would recommend her highly! + +They won't have a second chance from me. First, let me state that although I +live in NYC, I am not from NYC, I don't care about baseball and I absolutely +love Boston to death (so beautiful, so clean, so awesome). That said, I hated +this restaurant. The service was just about as good as I'd get in NYC (that +means it was poor) and the food was almost mediocre. The decor left a lot to be +desired and the posters telling me all the reasons 99 was great just served as +an ironic contrast against the reality. Personally I recommend you take your +money elsewhere + +When I arrived at Brickell Honda on 6/4/11, I was greeted and attended to by the +Sales Manager, Gustavo Guerra, in a very friendly and professional manner. I +explained to him what I wanted and that I previously went to Braman Honda. +Bramen Honda was a bit of a hassle. He told me "no problem, we will match the +offer or do better." Mr. Guerra gave me a better deal without any hassles nor +any type of problems. Brickell Honda has been the best buying experience in the +world. I urge all St. Thomas the Apostle parishioners and all of South Florida +residents to come see Gus!!! Excellent customer service!!! + +Great, Honest Service I took my 2001 Nissan Frontier in to fix a cracked +manifold. The dealer wanted $1300 to fix that and another $1500 to fix some +other things. Eagle Transmission determined that much of the work the dealer +said needed to be done was unneccesary and what needed to be fixed was only +$400!! I was so impressed with the honesty and integrity of Mike and everyone at +Eagle Transmission! I dropped the truck off in the morning and it was ready that +afternoon. I have finally found a mechanic I trust!! And it was great that they +did not charge a service fee to diagnose the problem - an added bonus!! + +Dr. Shady Kelly hit the nail on the head. "Dr. Shady" is a jerk. After the way +she spoke to me on my last visit, I will not be returning!! Good luck keeping +business with that stuck up attitude Dr. Shady. You have just lost mine. The +next time you feel like being condescending to someone, it is not going to be +me!!!!!! Dr. Shady is inexperienced and prideful. She probably does not even +have 10% of the knowledge that some of the other EXPERIENCED vets do in this +area. I will be carefully researching vets before I take my dog someplace else. +Beautifully written reviews Doctor, but completely UNTRUE. + +Poor Experience I did not have a good experience w/ Dr. Ghassemlou. During the +session, he demanded to have my physical address, which I've always kept private +as I am enrolled in a witness protection program. I believe he is correct in +that he needs my physical address for legal reasons, however, he did not +adequately explain this during our session. I learned more about this doing my +own research afterward. I think he could've done more to assuage my concerns by +giving me concrete facts. Saying that I need to give him my address or else I +have intimacy issues is not helpful. It's pretty combative actually. + +you'll love it I have had my back fused in 2 places. I wish that I hadn't done +this. With these fusions, chiropractric isn't as successful, but it still is +very helpful. Even after my fusions, my back continued to hurt, but now it +doesn't hurt any more. I would encourage anyone who is thinking of back surgery, +to talk about different treatment options first with Dr. de Barros. He really +knows what he is talking about and will approach the different options fairly. +You can see different treatments that a surgeon can't see, so that you can have +several treatment options before you decide what to do. + +Unbelievably huge experience for such a small salon!!! I have been to Kim at +Cheveux for more than five years. I cannot tell you how often I am complimented +on my hair (style AND color)! I regularly request Kim's business cards as I am +often stopped on the street and asked "Who does your hair...I LOVE it!!!" +Quaint, lovely, small salon with BIG personality. I am made to feel special when +I am in the chair and I have NEVER had a less than amazing cut or color +experience. My hair has never felt this healthy, either. I cannot recommend this +salon enough!!! Thanks Cheveux! + +My Favorite in McLean My family loves coming to Endo Sushi.They are very nice, +it is never crowded, and the food is wonderful, very delicious and fresh! +Sometimes it is hard to get parking in the lot in front of the storefront, and +it is on a one-way street, but the restaurant itself is NEVER overcrowded. If +you cannot park in the lot, then you can park in the shopping center's garage, +and walk up to Endo Sushi. The service is fast. Be sure to ring the little bell +on your way out if you enjoyed your meal! (it's by the door, on the hostess +stand) + +Horrible Service! I got yelled at, literally yelled at because i asked if i +could pick up my car 5-10 minutes late. I explained that i was already on my way +and i would rush to get there as soon as i could because i needed my car for +work at 5am, but the guy was arguing with me saying he was gonna lock the doors +right at 5:30. Rude, unprofessional, just jerks. Seems like all they care about +is the money and getting home on time, NO care for the customers AT ALL!!! +Missed a whole day of work because i am now carless. I will NEEEEEEEEEVERRRR go +to this place again. + +Superb Arrangements I used Fancy Flowers for my late husband's funeral flowers +as they had been recommended to me. I am so glad that I called in to see Ana, +she is a lovely girl who showed nothing but care and compassion towards me. The +flowers were all that I hoped they would be, I have attended several funerals of +late unfortunately and the flowers I recieved from Ana outshone them all. She is +so talented, the flowers were arranged superbly and delicately, it is so obvious +to see the difference between someone fully trained and skilled compared to +others. Thank you Ana I hope to see you in the future under better +circumstances. + +Great first experience. I'm 22, and my hairdresser was great (and not "old" like +one of the reviews says) - she really listened to what I wanted and gave me tons +of tips on how to style my hair so I could get it to look the way I wanted it +to. She deep conditioned my hair and took the time to style it properly. She +recommended products but absolutely didn't pressure me to buy. It's a cute place +with a really friendly, laid-back atmosphere. I would highly recommend it and +will be going back for my next haircut. Oh! And students get $5 off, can't argue +with that. + +Smokers Haven Yeah, this complex is not very good. Our bathroom fan, one +electric outlet and 2 leaky sinks have yet to be fixed. Both bathrooms look like +they were flooded and the wood cabinets are thrashed at the bottom and they +slapped some pieces of wood over to try to cover it up. And non-smokers +beware!!! I think 90 percent of the tenants are smokers! If you do not smoke, do +not move here. Our unit reeks of old cigarette smoke and it started to become +apparent a few weeks after we moved in. You cannot walk 5 feet without smelling +that disgusting cigarette smoke and it blows right into the windows all day and +all night. + +Great Sanwiches, Great Prices I used to go here almost everyday since I work in +the neighbourhood and loved their turkey and meatball sandwiches. Chicken salad +salad is great too. Best of all, the staff is quick on their feet and even with +long lines, usually serve you in 5 minutes or less. For the quality, the prices +($4-$6) have to be the best in town. The staff get to know regulars and do their +job very well. Tourists like the other reviewer might not appreciate their +efficiency or quality, but I certainly do. This isn'ta TGIF or Cafe, its a lunch +sandwich place and a good one at that. + +Rate a church? Might as well just hotpot the curb and rate the traffic light. +It's a bloody church, for chrisssake! Big, grey and imposing. Go there on +christian holidays for a bit of churchy grandure. The pastor at this church is +cool, I met him after some holiday service. He had a robe that was made back in +the '60s. God was pleased with that one! It's historical for Sf, so when your +aunte comes for a visit, take her there. Great for the kiddies - they love the +labyrinth (don't forget to tell 'em its really a 'pagen' thing!). Stop by at +least once or you'll go to heck! + +ok but just becuse we where on a tight budget. me and my dad where in NJ for a +kc chiefs(my home team)vs the NY jets and for game 4 of the world series.i'ma +red sox fan so i was glad that the phillies won.the knights inn was small very +small.i mean 1 room in every room!it was cozy a little and a small tv.i mean a 2 +day stay was a ok stay even tho the manager looked like he was chineze and that +we only slept and went out from 8 to 7 to see New York.but sice we almost just +slept there i cant give that good of a review + +It was a Saturday and my spring was broken... I googled Garage Door Repair in +Woodinville and found NDI - Johnette answered the phone and was oh-so pleasant +and helpful! She sort of appologized for Dan taking the day off to go skiing - +but he could do the repair on Sunday! I said great and Dan arrived on time at +10am to make the repair. I enjoyed speaking with Dan, and learning more about +how the springs are sized for these doors. The repair went quickly and the price +was extremely fair. I would highly recommend NDI - and will spread the word to +my neighbors. Thanks Dan and Johnette for your responsiveness and professional +service. Roger M., Woodinville + +I wouldn't send my dogs there. I had a conversation with the woman running this +place in April 2010. She basically said if the children getting off the bus +aren't paying to enter her building she was going to let them wander around the +streets. Wow, really? With all the child predators out there, a busy road, cars +speeding by...... and you are going to let some 4/5 year olds wonder around +cause you're money hungry? REAL CHRISTIAN OF YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Whether they +pay me or not, if their parents get into an accident, stuck in traffic, etc. THE +LAST THING I WOULD DO IS LET A CHILD GET RAPED BECAUSE I WASN'T PAID. + +Excellent service I could easily go to Nordstrom for my designer jeans and pay +the same price, but I go to the Garment District for their service. Previous +reviewers said they were pushy and I can understand that, but I find the staff +more helpful than anything else. Tiffany is fabulous! I came in for alterations +(free, by the way) and told her about a stain I had on my new leather purse. She +immediately went to the back, brought out leather cleaner and cleaned my purse +on the spot. I didn't even buy the bag there! Huge selection and, great +suggestions from the staff and they refer you to reliable places if they don't +have what you need. + +We were expecting a great experience, when we recieved a friendly greeting by +the hosts. The atmosphere was nice and very clean. The menu had plenty of +options even for picky eaters. The service was ok, our waitress kept forgetting +our drinks even though we reminded her several times. To start we tried the +guacamole and salsa verde, it was completly flavorless. We should have left +then. We orderd our meals anyway, chimichangas,jalapeno borritos, and +quesadillas. Everything was bland, completely void of any spice or flavor. We +have never had mexican food this bad, it was just simply gross. Hopefully they +spice things up or they wont be in business long. I recommend La Hacienda + +Might try again Pros: * Jill, the owner, is very nice and really cares about her +feedback * Pretty nice atmosphere * Great Dessert * Not your typical veggie +selection, I like! Don't know where else you can find Purple Hull Peas and some +of the other sides. Cons: * Server wasn't very pleasant * Pretty small portion +on the blackened catfish * Overcooked food * Time, took about 25 minutes from +ordering to eating. Half the tables and bar were empty by this point. Other +Thoughts: Will try this place again. There must be a reason so many people like +it there. Their Club sandwich looks tasty, maybe that'll change my mind.... and +a different server. + +very professional / very helpful the people at Fidelity Leasing were very +friendly and helpful. i was looking for a car but did not really know what i +wanted and they were very helpful and took the time to first figure out what my +needs were and showing me various options to meet those needs. they seemed more +interested in helping me find the right car rather then just make a sale. my +experience with them was great - low stress, very helpful and very personal. +after finding the car i wanted they took the time to go over each step and +making it as painless as possible. from start to finish they were top notch. i +would highly recommend calling these people up for your next car. + +This insurance co. Is a joke !!! They have absolutely no communication skills +whatsoever . if you don't mind being robbed ,cheated or lied to then this is the +company for you . They will make every attempt to misinform and misrepresent +themselves . They make up excuses in hopes to confuse their policy holders with +misinformation . as an example they took payment for 5 out of 6 monthly plan +premiums for a yearly policy and cancelled the contract for the remainder of the +policy for reasons they stated was not receiving information on other licensed +drivers in the household ? I personally provided the request on four separate +occasions and they claim there is a glitch in their systems ? Ifa is an acronym +for Im a F%#king Assh@%$e !!! + +Fantastic Service! I have been here a few times for oil changes and just got my +tires, alignment and state inspection done yesterday. I shopped it around and +they were extremely competitive in pricing and also added nitrogen to my tires +which should extend the life and get me better gas mileage. It also came with +free balance and rotation for the life of the tires! What made it perfect was +that they offered transportation so that I would not have to wait there or take +time off of work to go back and forth or try to find a ride. Great service, +great pricing and SUPER CONVENIENT! I also did not feel like they tried to sell +me a bunch of services that I did not need. + +Love my home at Creekside I moved to Creekside Apartments in August 2008 with a +6-month lease and have just extended it for another 13 months! The management +from Julie and Janice to the work staff, esp. Edwin, are just wonderful. They +have been extremely helpful whenever I have asked for help. Although the +apartments are facing Stokes Street and close to the Bascom Light Rail, the +location is surprisingly quiet. I have never had any problems with loud +neighbors or concerns about safety. The apartments are within walking distance +to Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, and other stores. The well-equipped, clean gym is +a plus! Great place to live if you work in and around downtown San Jose! + +I interviewed several contractors for a kitchen remodel. Liberty construction +shows up and it's two guys...all I get is 100% sales pitch "We're the +best...we're number 50 so we must be doing something right...look at all these +certificates that say we're great". Not once did I feel listened to like they +actually cared about what I wanted, all they were interested in was me signing a +contract right then and there. Very high pressured sales and with the reviews of +many others bad service. I'm glad I trusted my gut and didn't get sucked into +doing business with them. Find someone you trust that actually hears you and +wants to do the job right. + +Don't waste your time or money! I took my 3 year old son here at the weekend and +to be honest, apart from the shark walkway, I thought it was rubbish and +overpriced. Even taking into account the fact that my 3 year old wanted to run +most of the way round, it took us just over one hour start to finish. If you +have been to the London Aquarium I would not even bother with this. If you are +really desperate for something to pass the time and are willing to shell out the +best part of £30 for 2 two people then go for it. (For some reason itwill not +let me rate it one star - it is not rated 5 by me!) + +Cranmore Dental and Implant Clinic : I could not recommend Dr David Nelson +enough. I had a severe phobia of attending the dentist until I met and was +treated by Dr Nelson. He instantaneously put me at ease and his ongoing +treatments have been absolutely pain free. My previous apprehension has been +dismissed and I no longer have a sinking feeling when my next appointment is +due! In addition to the core treatment, Dr Nelson has impressed me further with +his concern and interest in the well-being of his patients – his dental work +underpinned by a strong duty of care to every patient. He is always prepared to +go the extra mile to ensure that any patient discomfort is dealt with +immediately – Pam Gillies + +Best Salsa (hehehe) After my trees were cleaned up, they gave me a jar of salsa. +The owner warned me that it was the best salsa I would ever had, and he was +right. No joke! I hate to say check them out just for the salsa, but James, I +NEED another jar badly :) All kidding aside, they are a very good company, I +have a hard time giving any service biz a 5 star review but they came close. +Very affordable (don't call it cheap) and their trimmers were quick and +courteous when I got home from work. And the salsa, be sure to ask for a jar and +have plenty of chips around, you will need them..... + +Dr. Mann killed our pet Yea, Dr. Mann ain't so great. We took our beloved kitty +to him and it came back dead. We live in the sub-division around the corner and +after it happened and we brought it up at some neighborhood gatherings we +discovered that several people from this neighborhood alone had pets goto Dr. +Mann for surgical procedures and came back dead. If you take him here for shots, +no big deal but I would never let this man apply anesthetic to my pet ever +again. Oh, they also charged me for the procedure ($250) AND had the audacity to +charge me a $25 'DISPOSAL' fee. They actually itemized it as a DISPOSAL fee. +AVOID AT ALL COSTS. + +One of the worst places This place and its sister store Peking Garden are the +worst places to order from. the food was horrible not cooked like it should be, +they got the order wrong on a number of occasions, and once forgot about my +order. i had to call back up there two hours later and the lady (who claimed to +be a manager) said my food was on the way, and she didnt offer to compensate me +in any kind of way. i waited another 30 mins before receiving my food and it was +cold. in my opinon this place should be shut down by the health inspector, and +anyone who is satisfied with there service and food has never eaten at a real +asian restaurant. + +Gone downhill since change in ownership Sigh. I used to LOVE this place. But now +that they are part of a chain, service has slipped. I am waiting longer at BNA +for my pickups and last time I parked with them, they lost my car key. Lucky I +had a spare with me! To date they have not made good by either finding the key +or paying for a new one. (These new car keys are EXPENSIVE to copy, you can't +just go to WalMart.) Go to the website for coupons and join the club -you can +get free parking. However, with BNA offering one day of free parking due to +construction of the new rental car facility, it may be cheaper to park at BNA. + +Wife and I attempted to adopt a dog and was nothing but frustrating. We arrived +Sunday at about 230 and found a do we really liked. We were told that we +couldn't today because they were closing soon. I called the next morning to let +then know my wife would be driving in. They gave me the run around and missing +paperwork only to call back to tell me someone else wanted her and I would need +to come in and put down a deposit. I work 2 hours away but offered my card over +the phone. They refused. Terrible communication as well. At one point they told +me the dog had been fixed, the next day it hadn't. Huge ammount of time wasted +time and elevated blood pressure. + +College is a Joke and the Salon is a JOKE! Went to the school here OVER +PRICED!!!!!! You do NOT learn the things you were promised. You have to bring in +your own models and they have to pay for you to use them if you dont then you +can graduate! Going back after graduating your told you get a discount on +services nope you dont. Staff is under educated. Going there you learn the +school does not care about the services given just about the money. Over priced +for students to learn! Beware of the nail program you are not taught to use a +nail drill AT ALL you learn the old fashioned way of doing nails you will not be +able to do well in a salon!!! BEWARE! + +You can fool people This store is proof that you can fool people with good +advertising. They convince lots of people that they are a great store, when in +fact they are a very average place at best, they are just another big box store +like the others. They offer sales that aren't really sales, mislabeled items +that make the item sound like a good deal when it isn't, a bad attitude about +return items, and on and on. With higher than average prices to boot! So don't +get taken in, keep your eyes open if you choose to shop here. On the other hand, +the Richmond Ukrops chain is known for its charity work, its community action, +and its interest in the public welfare. + +Never again Don't go here unless you want to sit,order,eat and be asked to leave +all in a matter of 20 minutes. You won't even have time to read the entire menu +before being asked to order and if you ask for more time your server will wait +at the table. This is the only place I have ever eaten and been told to leave +because other people were waiting. I was told to take my coffee to go if I +wanted to finish it. Oh, and their liquor license was expired so no Bloody Mary +or Mimosas. Plus the drinks are self service, have fun trying to negotiate the +small cafeteria space to get your coffee, juice or water. Go next door to the +Ball Square Cafe instead. + +I guess you get what you pay for. I tried to stay here for a few nights with my +girlfriend, so we asked for a single queen bed. We got there, and we were +treated to the free "upgrade" of a room with two double beds. Since they +consider this an upgrade, they let their other rooms fill up and would not +change our room. Then we got put in a room with a huge gap under the +door....right next to the ice machine. We could hear every single thing that +happened outside like it was inside our room. When I finally found someone at +the desk who could speak English, they moved our room, but we still did not +receive the single queen we had "reserved" + +I was thoroughly impressed! I had a problem with the tile in my bathroom coming +apart. I called a few different businesses in the area to get estimates , they +weren't the cheapest I found but very reasonable. The best part is I got my +whole bathroom remodeled for about the same price the other company's were +quoting just to fix the shower tile and fixtures. They had the work done in +about half the time quoted which made me and my wife extremely happy. We have +had nothing but compliments on our bathroom when guest come over- who would have +guessed that one? Very nice work and friendly guys too. Best money I've spent on +remodeling ever. I highly recommend any one considering home repair to give +these guys a call. + +New training Centre is excellent The Award Dance Centre has moved from its +Holderness Road site to a new complex on Chamberlain Road Hull. The new Centre +has 4 studios planned and now boasts the largest single dance floor area in +Kingston upon Hull. The classes cover all age and skill ranges, with BALLROOM, +LATIN, SEQUENCE, STREET, DISCO, LINE DANCING, BALLET, TAP & JAZZ. We have +attended A Ward Dance Centre for over a year and really enjoy the friendly and +welcoming way we are taught Ballroom and Latin as well as the fun filled social +dance evening held every Saturday evening.... It is not really possible to score +this school too highly, We would give it 12 out of 10 and 5 Stars across the +board Steve & Anne + +I purchased a 2-year old certified pre-owned BMW from this dealership. The night +I drove back home, I found that the rear window has some leakage. (You can hear +the wind while driving on highway. Very likely it needs a new window seal). I +admit that I should have paid attention to this kind of little things while test +drive. (But this is a certified car from a dealer.) So I brought the car back +the second day. They told me that this is not under warranty and want to charge +me $175 just to diagnose the problem! Who knows how much they want me to pay to +fix this thing. I walked away. So my advice is that NEVER TRUST THIS DEALER. +STAY AWAY AS FAR AS POSSIBLE. + +Perfect Practice After I had chosen The Fountain Dental Practice they provided a +slick and professional service from start to finish. Everyone was friendly from +the receptionist to the surgeon herself, putting me at my ease and explaining +the whole process, both initially and then as we went along. Surgery visit +timings were always made to suit me and not them and they gave me the feeling +that I mattered and was important to them. The surgery itself is slick, modern +and very relaxed and I always felt that I was in capable hands. My dental +surgeon, Dr. Lucy Nichols is clearly a dental perfectionist and clearly proud +both of the work she does and the reputation she has established. Everyone was +so helpful that I cannot wait to go back ..... Peter + +Wonderful service for large group I had my wedding luncheon at this BJs +restaurant, and it was one of the best choices that I made. It was a great +deal--we paid a certain amount per person, and my husband and I chose 4 types of +pizza and the servers brought out as much as we wanted. We were also served +salad and soda. We had a large party, about fifty people or so, and yet +everything was served quickly and we all had a wonderful time. Even though we +were only supposed to have those specific types of pizza, when guests asked for +a different type, it was brought out with no charge to us! I really appreciate +BJs for making that special day even better with their wonderful food and +service. + +wonderful I went to ohm after reading some of the reviews. I go to school in the +area and usually wait until I go home to get my hair cut. I decided it was time +to grow up and made an appointment. Sierra was my stylist and i love what she +did. I have wavy hair and she cut to my hair style. It was the first time i had +left a salon with my hair curly. Usually they blow dry it out and i have to wait +until i wash it to see what it will look like in its natural state. But she did +a fabulous job letting me know what she was doing at all times and styled my +hair in a way i could do it at home. It wasn't completly impossible!!!! I am +definitely going back + +After recently relocating to South Bend, we were looking for a delicious, fun, +yet elegant establishment for New Years Eve dinner. We were disappointed with +this holiday dinner due to the overall flavor and price of the meal, and +accessibility to the Jazz Club. The meal was extremely overpriced and lacked +flavor, especially for being a special NYE menu. The limited menu had few +appetizing options and the NYE special packages were way overpriced. After our +meal, our server found us a table in the jazz club where we were informed it +would be another $10/person to stay and listen to the band, despite the fact we +had just finished a dinner there and were intending to enjoy their drink list. +This was a less than impressive experience at Trio's. + +Run for the hills ... you'll be much better off! One night was too much. First +room had used tissues next to the bed and I requested it be rectified. I was +then moved to another room around the back where the room was dirty, the shower +was dirty with other peoples hair in it, the toilet seat was peeling and rough +and the bathroom was full of mould. I called reception to ask if they knew the +state the room was in and was told "This is a Days Inn, not the Hilton" and the +receptionist then hung up on me. To warn you to stay away from this place just +isn't enough. There was not one ounce of caring involved and anyone I can warn +about the complete lack of service will be warned. + +Grocery and Daily Needs Store Before using FusionRetail Before installing +FusionRetail store was running on a dos based software. We were having a major +problem in maintaining cash. Being a grocery shop, maintaining 5000 different +products was a challenging job. Managing POS counter without barcoding was +really a tough time. How FusionRetail has overcome these issues ? FusionRetail +helps us to maintain the store in an organised way. Usage of product barcodes +and smooth maintenance of inventory with proper recording of transactions like +sale, purchase and returns was never easy before. How long does it take to train +new people at work ? Billing takes 15 minutes and backoffice jobs takes 1 day's +training How fast your support queries get answered ? Over telephone, immediate. +On call, it takes a day to get our issues resolved. + +Can't wait to go back!!! This is by far the BEST B&B that we have ever stayed +at! We were in Santa Fe for a special event and our hosts rented out the El +Paradero for all their guests to stay at. We could not have been more welcomed, +more comfortable or more well fed. The weekend was perfect in every way, in +large part to Sue and her great staff. Everyone was so friendly and really went +out of their way to make sure everything went well. We can not wait to go back +to Santa Fe and to this great B&B...especially my 4 year old, who made friends +with Ms. Sue and all the ladies, and has talked about them since we left! We +would highly recommend the El Paradero on your next trip to Santa Fe! + +Disatisfied customer, I went through Kitchen Aid and used one of their +recommended vendors. A&E came out, charged $129 fee just to walk in the door. I +needed a part for my appliance, the cost was very high so I said never mind, +paid the fee and called a local business for a second quote. The second vendor +charged $55 (less than half of what A&E charges) to come and applied that to the +price of the repair service (which A&E does not). Their quote came in at half +the price of A&E for the same work and same part. Seems to me like A&E charges +way more than necessary! Very disappointed in Kitchen Aid as well, I thought +that they pre-screened their vendors for price and quality of work, obviously +they do not! + +Lovely Nails on Cayuga St. in Lewiston, NY First let me start out by saying, +that I have had very nice pedicures at Lovely Nails on Military Road. I was very +excited that a salon was opening in Lewiston, as I live in Youngstown. I was in +two weeks ago and had the worst pedicure that I have had in my life. There were +four of us and I was taken first by a gentleman. I put my foot in the water and +it was cool. He did warm it up. He also hurt my toes will pushing my cuticles +back. If the pedicure lasted 20 mins., that was a stretch. The other ladies had +a similar experience, both had nail polish on a couple of toes. None of us will +be using their services again, which is a shame. + +Good Service - Limited Results Andrew was helpful and knowledgeable about +acupuncture re: infertility. He was willing to talk to me about my specific +issues and develop a plan of action. The office is shared with a foot doctor and +it's very sterile and medical feeling, which I liked. The down side was that +sometimes there was a lot of noise in the hallway from other patients/doctors. I +worked with Andrew for 2 months and did acupuncture and herbs. The sessions were +nice and I felt relaxed after them but did not notice any changes with my +cycles. I know it can take awhile for results and didn't expect a miracle, but +after 2 months I felt like it was not entirely worth the cost/time. (I am also a +little suspicious of all these glowing reviews...) + +Friendly, clean and excellent location The staff was very helpful, and gave us +good advice on day and night time activities. Common room was comfortable and +clean, very good room to read or relax. – A great breakfast which was included +every morning until 9:30am; yummy fresh Parisian croissants. Comfortable and +clean beds, a bit noisy when people were coming in late from a night out, but we +didn't mind too much as we were also just coming in from a night out! The +location is really stellar! It is next to Gare du Nord and a five minute walk to +Sacre Coeur which is excellent for shopping. It is close to bus lines for Opera +Plaza, Galleries Lafayette , and the famous flea Market. We really enjoyed our +stay and would definitely stay at the Vintage Hostel again. + +Just Autos Thank you! Was fast and easy, Just had our car returned this morning, +I would recommend these Mobile Mechanics for sure. They certainly know what they +are doing. The mechanic came to our place and sorted out our cars problems, he +explained the problem and was very up front and honest, it was towed to the +workshop as the gearbox was not working (he explained it better). They phoned +the same day, confirmed it was the gearbox quoted me the job, I gave the go +ahead. Now my cars gears and brakes have never run so well... ever its like +driving a new car. So yes, I wouldn't hesitate in recommending the team at Just +Autos for easy professional car repairs,Thank you Just Autos for your help. + +I stopped in today @ Yards Brewery. I must say, I was impressed with the size of +the bar area and lounge, & I liked that you could see the brewery right thru the +glass! I had a sampler of IPA, Brawler, Love Stout & ESA. All were awesome, & I +had a Dogwood Grilled Cheese which was enjoyable with the fine beers. After my +sampler & sandwich, I asked for a pint of there Nitrogen Love Stout, I must say +I was impressed, with the great taste & I am a Guiness Lover so coming from me, +I think this is better, its less dry & smoother! If you are in Philly you have +to come check this place out! The only negative I have abou this place is the +parking! I left with a case of BRAWLER!!!!! + +Oil Change Disaster My wife had taken her '07 Ford Fusion in for a routine oil +change. A couple days after the oil change, the engine ran rough, the low oil +pressure light would come on sporadically, and the engine would whir loudly. +Turns out the engine had no oil, and when oil was put it, it would just run out +of the filter. There could have (hopefully doesn't have) major damage to the +engine. All of this started after their oil change. Once they realized their +mistake they sent a mechanic and tow truck to my wife's work and towed it back +to fix it. I would not recommend this shop for anything, not even something as +simple as an oil change. Plus they will overcharge you for just about +everything, and smile while doing it. + +Liars, negative stars! Took my Cruze in twice for poor fuel economy. The first +time they claimed to get reasonable mpg. However, they would never drive the car +with me in it to prove their findings. I wonder if they were going down a hill! +They told me to bring it back after 5000 miles. I brought it back with 9000 +miles. They "finished" the work and told me the car was ready. I found out they +did not even drive the car, stated they looked at it before. They still would +not drive the car with me to show their mpg number. They also claimed not to see +anything wrong with the blower fan (a seperate issue), but when I drove the car +home I had the same symptoms. I will never purchace another vehicle from Vic +Canever. + +Great Job I want to say that Mike did a great job for our family in our time of +need. Both my grandparents passed away 4 months apart and Mike was very +understanding. It was a very trying time for my family and myself yet Mike took +the time to greet each and everyone one of us. He is very professional in his +position as a director and yet he still made time to be compassionate for what +we were all going through. I'm sure its not everyday that a funeral director +sees the same family in such a short time. My grandfather passed away silently +in his sleep, and my grandmother passed away after a short struggle with cancer. +Both my grandparents looked as natural as could be expected. Thank you Mike for +all your help professionally and personally. The Peterson Family + +Poor service If you like the drama described in popular sitcom 'Seinfeld', you +will see it here. We signed our name in about 6:00pm. There were 3 names before +us. The greeter said there was about 15 minutes waiting. However, we waited and +waited and in the mean time, saw 4 groups of people simply just paraded in +without signing there names. This sign in policy is posted by the restaurant “no +reservation, sign your name here”. I had to ask the greeter, he explained his +reasons with broken English. I could not understand any his reasons. I could +only take it as they would seat the people they know first. My conclusion is +that you should only go there if you want to wait a least an hour and see all +kinds other people being seated before you. + +Instructor never showed up! January 15th -- We were signed up for Saturday's 2 +PM class "Beginning Yoga with Brittany." We even arrived 10 minutes early as the +website suggests. The instructor did not show up! We waited until 2:25 PM and +then left. There were 2 in our group, and a 3rd person was also in the parking +lot waiting for this class. Well, not much I can say except I'm very +disappointed with this experience. This was our first visit to your studio. In +today's instant world, there's no reason for the instructor not to even have +given us a phone call or e-mail if she was going to be late. As a yoga studio, +I'm sure you're all aware that all actions generate karma … and sometimes karma +can manifest itself on a bad review on Google. + +Finest?? Really?? I beg to differ. This place is marginal at best. Not very +welcoming and focused mostly on keeping little kids entertained. I was not +impressed, and quite frustrated at their lack of rating for their courses. I +understand not wanting to put labels like 5.10 on an indoor course, because yes, +it is not the same, but some clear understanding of the difficulty of one course +to another is nice when you are an intermediate climber looking to improve. I +don't want to waste my time on routes set for children, but I don't want to take +on something I can't handle just to strain myself to exhaustion. Rate the +routes, with understandable markings and a more detailed system than easy, +moderate, and hard. Again, a great outing for the kids, a frustration for an out +of town climber. + +Best DJ's In Town! Wow! These guys were the best. They were thorough, high +class, and went above and beyond. We never had to worry about a thing, and they +led the way the whole time. They asked us things that we would have never have +thought of, and took extra time to meet with us when we needed it before the +wedding. Having a team was the best because they kept the flow of the wedding +going the whole time! They may look young but don't let that fool you, as their +knowledge of music far surpassed what we expected. I am a music junkie that grew +up in the 80's, and my dad worked for a record label in the 1960's. So we didn't +expect them to even know some of the requests that we asked that night. They +just really know their stuff! + +NEVER fear going to the dentist again! I'm 61 years old and have dental problems +my entire life. By the age of 24 I stopped going to the dentist. My fear and +discomfort from dental work scared me! It took all the courage I could muster to +make an appointment. At the front door of his office, I nearly turned around. I +considered just leaving after going inside and nearly did. Doctor Gonzales and +his entire staff are the most professional people I have ever dealt with. They +made me feel confident in what they would do, and treated me like a member of +their own family. I never felt pain or discomfort. The ability to smile and eat +again can only be described as a whole new lease on life. Thank you Doctor +Gonzales, Doctor Stout, Eva Marie and the entire staff! Rocky M. Lange Retired +Coordinator, Clark County School District + +HORRIBLE SERVICE AND FOOD not only is this place too expensive for what it is, +its horrible! In the past, I got a steak and there was more fat and rough pieces +than there was good steak (and this was the sirloin!), the sides were drenched +with butter and the salad was a little on the brown side. Today we went for a +party (during lunch, so the place was empty) with about 25 other people. It took +over 1.5 hours for our food to come out and by that time my 8 month old had it! +Does it seriously take that long for a soup and salad? I was a waitress for +years and a key rule is to serve customers with small children before others, as +I was the last to get my food. I would NOT recommend having a party here or even +going here. Texas Roadhouse is WAY better!! + +Spay and neuter service. I have no doubt that the rescue is wonderful. But I had +my cat spayed through their reduced/free spay and neuter program and the vet +they sent us to was first of all a hour and a half away, and 4 days later we had +to bring them to our normal vet because the vets at the place in wisconsin did a +crappy job and they got infections. My vet even said it was not my fault it was +the vet that did the surgery, So I would not recommend getting that program +unless you have an extra hundred dollars or so for antibiotics and a vet visit. +You'd think they would do a good job but they don't care unless they are getting +paid full price. Which is so dumb. Not to mention the fact that they gave us our +cats back not even 30 minutes after they were out from surgery. + +Billing Issues... I had a routine surgery for an ingrown toenail. My insurance +company, Blue Cross/Blue Shield paid the fees and everything was fine. Then I +got a bill for $483.00. The doctor's office said that payments had been +"reversed". Blue cross has no record of aa reversal. The office refused my +requests to see what they got from BC/BS. They eventually turned it over to a +collection agency and now will not even discuss the matter. I eventually decided +to just pay the balance even though the doctor has already been paid, but now +the collection agency is trying to say another reversal of $160.00 has come +through. It was an ingrown toenail. How much could it possibly cost? Not only am +I being bilked for money I do not owe, the office staff is rude to boot. I think +this office has some serious billing practice issues! + +We have been blessed to find Elite Flyers online and would not use anyone else +to handle our postcards, posters, etc. We were looking for a company with decent +rates as our company was just getting started. They have the best rates and +GREAT customer service. On one order, we needed it rushed and shipped to a +different state. They did that with no problem. I also appreciate their honesty. +I sent a graphic that would have been distorted if printed as it was. They +called and worked with me to fix it so that it would look perfect. They recently +surprised me a larger order. I ordered 1000 postcards, we normally order 5000 or +more. Because they had room to do 5000, they created the larger amount, and +shipped them early. I recommend this company to ANYONE and everyone that needs +great work done at a reasonable rate! They have a customer for life in us! + +sheisters i made the mistake of buying from these thieves.I paid 2k cash for a +truck with a blown motor.Their so called mechanic said the engine was good and +"There is nothing mechanicly wrong with this truck".Well I think a blown engine +falls under the catagory of mechanics right?Anyway they jimmy rigged it so i +could drive it home.The next day i took it to 2 auto shops and they both told me +the same thing,engine is junk.I called and got the same runaround on hold and +noone calls you back.From a moral standpoint,you guys are really gonna take +2,000 bucks from someone that needs that truck to work and support his family +when you know its just a piece of scrap metal?If it lasted 1 month i could suck +it up but 1 day?Grimy work you guys do.Buy your kids somethin nice with my 2k +bucks. + +Best Stationery store in Bethesda Papeluna, a cute Mom/Pop custom printing and +paper store, just opened a few days ago. It is right on the hustle and bustle of +Wisconsin Ave but some might miss it as it is nestled in between Subway +Sandwiches and Modell's. I popped in after my afternoon pumpkin spice latte +break at Starbucks. It's an adorable little store filled with lots of stationery +goodness. Cards, wrapping paper, paper, and an area to sit down and talk with +someone to design your own invitations or for whatever else your custom printing +needs may be. I gave the woman I spoke with today a "You've been yelped!" card +to let her know that Yelp may be a good tool for helping spreading the word +about Papeluna. I ended up buying a birthday card and would probably come back +for more. printing, printing, copies, printing, copies, printing, + +Watch out for your wallet Watch out for your wallet! This company is overpriced +for their services. They pride themselves on being an event and team building +company for corporate clients but you better believe they are going to mark you +up on that feel good premise. On a recent event quote that I had done, they came +in thousands of dollars over their local competition. The craziest part is that +they aren't even based locally at the city I'm in- they just have 'teams' in +areas through the country. I've spoken to vendors who are used by them who had +nothing good to say about the company as well and in fact were afraid to quote +events against them even though they openly admitted that they felt Canadian +Outback was pricing their entertainment out of the market and doing more to hurt +their business than help them. Be warned- they'll ltake you for everything they +can. + +Believe me. This is THE premier university in Virginia. It is also the largest. +With a Pizza Hut, IHOP, 3 Starbucks, Chilis, Panera, and Chipotle on campus +ALONE, VCU has some of the best eating options for students. VCU has the #1 art +school in America, and EXCELS in healthcare and medical schooling. The Rams, the +VCU sports team, also made the NCAA Final 4 this year, too! VCU also offers +high-rise living for students and professors, and the historic yet fixed-up +houses in the Fan are also available to students, professors, or even people +wanting to live in a safe, viable community. VCU is also minutes from Downtown +Richmond, Canal Walk, Carytown, Stony Point, Short Pump, and the VCU Medical +Center. It is the best university in Virginia and continuously receives rave +reviews every year. The U of R is also recommended, too! + +Orr's a nightmare! DON'T GO! My boyfriend and I were woken up in the middle of +the night at our campsite by drunken kids who'd arrived around 1:00 am and were +drinking at the springs. When we complained to the management (as we were +instructed to do if there were any problems), nothing happened! Then, the next +morning, when we, among many other irate guests, asked to speak to the owner, he +refused to do so. Not only that, but he told us, via his manager, that it was +our responsibility to get up a second time in the middle of the night and call +the night staff if the problem continued, even though his manager did nothing +the first time to stop the kids. Orr is not relaxing, it's not a safe space, and +the owner is awful. To add insult to injury, he refused to refund our money. +Don't go! + +FHS is a good high school -- c/o 1998 I enjoyed my time at Franklin High School. +We had relatively good facilities at the time -- decent science labs, with +multiple hoods and access to good equipment; nice gymnasiums, and a well-funded +music department (I was in the guitar ensemble). Now, of course, there's a new +building, with presumably better facilities. All to the good. For those who +care, a good proportion of the my class went on to 4-year colleges, many of them +ranked in the top 50 of US News. If I remember, students went to Dartmouth, +U.Penn, Duke, BU, William and Mary, Vassar, Howard, and Carnegie Mellon, among +others. Many students went to Rutgers, including their top-ranked pharmacy +program. The point is -- FHS gives you the opportunity to make it to a good +college, but you need to work hard. + +Absolutely the best little motel on the coast! I've stayed at this fabulous +little motel two years running, and I have to say it's one of the best lodging +experiences I've ever had on the coast...and I'm even comparing it to the big +resorts I've stayed at! A large group of my friends and I rent almost the whole +motel every year for a weekend, and the experience and stay have always been +five-star. The rooms are SO clean, the managers/owners are the nicest people, +the place feels so homey, and the location and grounds are beautiful. There's a +restaurant nearby (walking distance) with a great breakfast, and a market across +the street. The motel is very well maintained, and the managers are so +accomodating, it's kind of like visiting family each year! ;-) I honestly can't +rave enough about this place...it's really a hidden gem worth checking out! + +My favorite cuban cafe in Orlando I have been eating Cuban for a long time, +sandwiches mainly along with other dishes..I love Cuban coffee, colada... mmmm +anyways I found this place and can't stop going there, I stop in at least once a +week and anytime I'm in the area for a Cuban coffee or snack. The place is chill +and comfortable. They don't speak the best English but enough to get by. They +bake bread fresh daily, they don't press their sandwiches which is the way I +like it, and the meat is always fresh. They have a great lunch special with your +choice of meat, chicken, steak, or pork and rice and black beans and fried +plantains. And their breakfast is awesome!! I cannot describe how delicious the +mango and cheese pastries and the omelets are to die for. Stop in and have a +bite you won't regret it. A slice of heaven in winter park off forsyth! + +highly recommended. I have been going to Warner Family for a number of years and +would highly recommend it to anyone. I've read some of the reviews below and +would like to state that yes, like any other doctors office there is sometimes a +wait (depending on what other patients are being seen for) and some of the tests +and procedures that are ran can be costly (just like they would be for any other +medical tests elsewhere if you do not have insurance)...I have seen several of +the providers from the office and have not once been shown anything but care and +consideration. I cant speak for them but any tests or appointments they +recommend are probably in the best interests of us (the patient) and you have +the ability to decline anything that they suggest to you. I personally have had +wonderful service and if youre truely looking for a FAMILY practice...Warner +Family is the place for you. + +Not what i expected! We read the good reviews before going and had high hopes.. +but to our dismay it didnt turn out that way! ~It took over 40 mins to be taken +to our table, once there it took another 20 mins to get our orders and a further +45 mins till our starters landed on our table. Very frustrating for a restaurant +that has 1 rosette and is supposedly renowned for the service... hmm There was +no canape's or amuse to keep us occupied, once we complained about the wait they +took us something to nibble on but that took us getting out our chairs and +wondering round to do that and it was impossible to get anyones attention. +Scallops were overcooked and the foie gras was cold but the rest of the food was +lovely. On top of that though they tried to charge us service charge just to rub +it it.... Wouldn't go back as there are a lot of places A LOT better and +cheaper. + +Nice selection, very clean, friendly staff! Hot Iron has become a favorite of +our family. Everyone can get the signature dish with ingredients and spices that +they want and have the fun of watching it cook. The staff are very friendly and +conscientious. They always ask if you have meat in your dish, (for vegetarians +like me), they scrub an area of the grill and use separate utensils to cook. +They don't just dump your ingredients on and cook either, but carefully separate +meat to the hotter parts of the grill and still manage to keep the veggies from +turning to mush. The selection of meats, veggies and sauces is awesome too! +Every time we go they seem to have a different ingredient or two which keeps +things interesting. Meats are kept VERY cold, seafood smells fresh and the +serving bar is VERY clean. Prices are reasonable, (Kids meals are around 4.99) +and Wednesday's they have discount dinner prices, I believe. + +Great Cookies, Cakes, and Customer Service It was my birthday and I had a last +minute idea to have a bakery cake instead of one pre-made in a convenience +store, but the problem was it was the day before Valentines and when many +bakeries turned me down for a plain vanilla rectangle cake, Fiona stepped up to +the plate and was able to make a fantastic beautiful cake. Not only did it taste +wonderful, but the texture was unbelievable, the frosting wasn't overly sweet to +over power the cake, and the cake itself was just amazingly soft, and fluffy, +and just perfect overall. Although I'll have to drive a little out of my way to +go there, I'll gladly do it knowing that since she's been astounding to me once +before that she'll always be that way! (Also she has a really great website! And +we bought a few cookies there too, they were fantastic as well!) She deserves +many 5 star reviews!! + +Food Craving Gone and Weight Loss at Acupuncture Doctor I am a college student. +Before treatment, my food cravings were "out of control" which caused me to be +stressed out. I experienced a Definite Decrease in food craving (about 50%) and +decrease in stress after the 1st treatment. I actually loss 4 pounds after my +1st treatment and 2 pounds after my 2nd treatment. I was amazed. I am now more +at peace and my food craving is about 99% gone after only 3 treatments. Before +coming to Acupuncture DOCTOR I was a big baby about needles and only came +because my boyfriend's aunt recommended it. It hurt very little, felt more like +pressure than pain. What I like most about Dr. Liau is that she is very caring. +She talks to you at each appointment. I can tell she really cares and wants to +help. I am SO GLAD to have found Dr. Liau. Now I feel more confident wearing my +bathing suit in the summer. + +An Asset to Richmond For a long time, one big source of entertainment missing +from the Richmond City Limits was a first-run multiplex. Bowtie has filled that +role nicely. The theatre is in an old brick warehouse, which is a block away +from the Flying Squirrels stadium. The owners of Bowtie manged to add something +new while preserving what was already there. The theatre has greatly improved +the surrounding neighborhood. There's plenty of parking, and I've never had an +issue with audience members who won't stop talking or answering their +cellphones. Best of all, there are no ads!!!!! Just previews and the main +feature. Expect to pay full price, and the theatres themselves are on the small +side. But if you like going to the movies, you should love Bowtie. The mangers +also play a classic movies on Sundays, you can get a beer in the lobby, and +repeat customers can get discounts if they have a member card. A great cinema in +a great location. Thank you, Bowtie! + +Craft Wonderland with History My first visit was so fun yesterday. I could have +stayed all day and not seen all the things. I am doing origami jewelry and found +exactly the right things for earrings and got many other ideas there too. I +bought a beginners quilling set and like making the filigree forms you can make +and add to other crafts. The owner, Jean, has been there 31 years! What a +history. She is a super sweet, lovable and well-informed woman with a great +sense of humor. I really enjoyed meeting her and happy to learn she comes from +Oklahoma and has the values of a solid no bs country girl. This store is a real +gem and has much to offer the serious crafter or the occasional crafter. By the +way, Salmagundi (the store name) means something like smorgasbord; potpourri; +motley; variety; mixed bag; miscellaneous assortment; mixture, a variety of many +kinds of things. Great name for a great store! Shop Local! Barbara Quimba +1/30/10 + +the 2010 Genesis is grrrrrrrreeeaaat! I am a proud owner of a brand new 2010 +Hyundai Genesis. I have never seen this car before until this lady at wal mart +had it and she told me she got it here and that everyone was so nice to her. I +asked her who she worked with and she just told me ti was the sales manager. I +took the weekend off and came in and asked for the manager who is Jeff and he +remembered her right away even remembered her dog, I was a bit shocked that +someone would pay that close attention. We got to talking and he got me set up +and I test drove with Craig and I fell head over heels for this car all I kept +saying, " was I gotta have it!" I thouhgt it would be out of my price range but +they really worked with me and now I couldnt be happier. Jeff and Craig are +really good at what they do and know exactly how to treat a customer. Definitely +go see them! + +Bait and switch, untrained workers Called the Bonanza store 2 weeks ago, before +I ripped out 350sqft of ceramic tile... was told I would need a "dual head +concrete grinder" to remove thinset and make a nice "finished" look (ready for +concrete stain). Was quoted $55 all inclusive of grinder inserts, etc. No +problem, sounded like it's done every day. Will look beautiful. Got the tile +ripped out, call today, now all the sudden this grinder won't leave a finished +look AND it's $125 PLUS around $75 for the inserts. I can rent another machine +for like $60 that will give it a finished look. So from $55 to $260? Are they +serious? I feel like they didn't tell me the pitfalls before I pulled out this +tile and now that I have no other options they want 5 TIMES the price? Either +these people don't know anything about what they are renting, or worse- they are +bait and switching. + +One suspects that earlier reviewer works for another laundry. Outside of parking +being at a premium, especially on discount days, The Laundry Tub is not filthy +and it's no smaller than any of a dozen laundromats I've been in. Yes, there are +bigger, but bigger isn't necessarily better. I availed myself of the wash 'n +fold service, taking just about a year's worth of dirty clothes in and getting +back neatly folded, clean clothes in clear plastic bags (I'd originally brought +them in, in six large yellow garbage bags). The cost was certainly reasonable +and I will continue my patronage of The Laundry Tub in the future. Didn't hurt +any that they knew my name by my second visit and greeted me warmly then and on +my third visit. Whereas my answer to the question "Where do you get your laundry +done?" used to be, "At the checkout line at WalMart," I can honestly say the +answer now is, "At The Laundry Tub." + +Thank you! I recently took a rescue puppy to this Clinic and I was SHOCKED at +how well Romeo and My family was treated. They worked around the clock to ensure +that my puppy life was saved. We have to leave him at the vet for 3 days and I +was told to call for check ups as often as I wished that no matter how many +times I called I would not annoy them.lol They where super friendly towards us +and treated us like people not walking bags of cash. In this day its rare to +find such wonderful people who CARE , Not the kind of want to make cash. I would +strongly suggest you give them the chance to prove to you that not all people in +this world are evil! I will never go to another vet as long as I have animals. I +live nearly two hours away and yet I will still make the drive to see them! +Infact I look forward to taking my animals to the vet simply because of how my +animals and I are treated. + +Okay, here's the scoop. I'ma regular at the HH. The food is excellent, the +serivce is horrible. I think they're still in the mindset from when it was only +smokers sitting around and drinking... not in any hurry. In my experience the +food has been excellent (for the most part). However, the bartenders/waitresses +definately need to be re-trained (if they ever had any to begin with) and learn +two things: only chat with customers when other customers are not impatiently +waiting and to look around more often to see if people are waiting. In some +cases the result is because of understaffing, in some cases the staff just +doesn't care/know better. They must also get something to keep take-out warm, so +it's not room temperature at best when you get it home. You just have to know +what you're getting into when you go. Nice local pub, excellent food (especially +wings), and don't go if you have a limited amount of time. + +Trust The Midas Touch I personally trust this Midas store with all my vehicles, +I have been going there for years & would never go anywhere else! the staff is +very personable & actually care about the customers safety rather than taking +there money. This is however a very busy shop but there are appointments +available & the staff up front will surely make sure you get back in a timely +manner. I look at some of these other comments & laugh because people think that +the world revolves around them! Like the girl with the fuse problem...Midas has +the most high tech equipment in town & I guarantee you if they told you it was +electrical then in deed its electrical! maybe you should understand how the +world works & realize you are just like any other person & not put yourself on a +pedestal. I will continue going to Dave at Midas because he is one of the most +honest business owners in this town! When having your car worked on you have to +trust the mechanic & this Midas is truly someone you can trust! + +We decided to try this place last night because we noticed that it had some +interesting things on the menu aside from the usual rolls-- live scallop +sashimi, duck breast nigiri with foie gras, panko mussels-- but none of these +were particularly great or worth the sticker price. Additionally we tried the +Logan Circle roll, spicy crab and tuna roll, and sweet potato tempura roll ($15, +$10, and $3.75 respectively). The sweet potato tempura roll was actually a great +surprise: cheap and delicious, the only thing we tried that I would say was well +worth it and a great value (and I never get vegetarian rolls). The other rolls +weren't at all special, especially given their pricing. The bottom line is that +the food isn't great and is relatively high-priced. The service is solicitous, +the atmosphere is nice and mod except the out-of-place flat-screen TV playing +football. But I'd go elsewhere unless the prices are cut. It's just not worth +it. + +Don't Expect Sleep or Courtesy I was booked for 2 nights at this hotel in Oct +2007. At 3:15 am on night #2, the fire alarm and strobe light activated in my +room. These are not household type alarms. When they sound off, it is a true +audio/visual experience. I called the front desk and got no answer. After +checking for signs of fire or smoke and seeing none, I decided to just pack up +and leave. The desk agent actually argued with me, claiming that no such alarm +had gone off (as if I would make that up?). He finally admitted that only the 4 +ADA room alarms had sounded, so only 4 guests were effected (no big deal to +him). This little drip offered no apologies whatsoever, and even refused to give +me the name of the manager until I pressed him for it 3 times. This hotel is +adequate enough, but there is an obvious problem with the staff and management. +Do not go there if you expect to sleep through the night. + +Poor Service, Lack of Passion: Do NOT go I began seeing Dr. Romanick back in +2000 and have seen a significant decline in the quality of care, patient-doctor +communication, and just the overall level of services. The poor quality starts +at the receptionist desk, where the staff is very impatient and lack the +efficiency I once loved about the office. It took them nearly two months to +complete a simple task, and countless calls from my part due to their lack of +response and passion (not that it's a requirement for the job, but it helps to +at least pretend to be helpful). Also, I was promised to have my test results +emailed to me, but it never happened, and after a few attempts to get Dr. +Romanick on the phone to brief me on my condition, I finally gave up and went to +a different doctor. Please do not go there if it's professional, friendly, +diligent medical services you're looking for. Save yourself the trouble, money +and time and visit a more caring facility/doctor. + +The moving company is actualy based in Brooklyn, but advertised all over NY/NJ, +including Fort Lee. When the guys arrived (2 hours later than agreed) they told +that you have to pay all the tolls they payed coming from Brooklyn and extra +$100 for them to drive back from your destination. That was not in agreement +eather, but they realy demand it. And another $100 for wrapping the furniture. +So totalling $212 just for start before any work started. Guess what, was not in +the initial agreement as well. I was moving out from 2 bdr apartment and it took +for 3 strong guys 6 hours to load a track (from 2pm-8pm). The only reason I'm +giving 3 stars instead of 1 or 2, I should admit, nothing was broken. So I still +can recomend them but prepare pay twice as much as they tell you initially. One +more thing, they don't take any credit cards or checks. You have to pay CASH +ONLY before they start unloading track on your destination. + +Worst Apartments EVER We lived here for 2 years, the first year or so was okay. +Then, the more power they gave to Linda, the worse the place got. We were always +having our water shut off, there were always people having parties at the pool, +even after it was supposed to be closed. The pool was supposed to close at 10 +and they would have people down there until 11:45 yelling, playing music and do +who-knows-what in the dark corners of the pool. Then, when we moved out, we +cleaned the apartment top to bottom, they came back and tried to charge us for +two cleaning fees (and we never got our deposit back) and past utilities (that +were already paid, we have check numbers and records of this). Linda is the +rudest person you will ever talk to and she sticks up for all of the trashy, +rude people that live there, not the nice ones that actually give a crap about +respecting others. Do not live here, you will regret it! + +The Worst Experience Ever!!! I have worked with Ted Jurek at Decor and You, and +it started out as a decent experience. He was referred to me by a friend, who +didn't have the best experience with Ted, but said that Ted was able to make up +for his lack of preparedness at the end. I figure I would give this company a +chance. However, after giving a required $500.00 (NON REFUNDABLE) deposit before +seeing any plans or ideas, I was sorry I did. We met a couple of weeks later, +Ted was late. He brought fabric books, and pictures of furniture only, which all +came way over budget. By the time we got to the budget i told him I could work +with, there was basically no design. Just curtains and a couple of accessories. +WHAT IS THAT????? This company is way too expensive with nothing to show for it. +Please everyone....take heed and don't get caught up in the hype about DECOR and +YOU working with every budget...This is just a way for them to squirm their way +into your precious pocket + +Horrible. Horrible. When we walked in, the person behind desk said: "oh well, +you must wait, I am in the middle of something." After a good few minutes, he +asked: "what do you want?" Somewhere in between his rudeness he asked if we +smoked. I asked if this hotel had smoking rooms. He immediately said "no, there +is a $50 deposit now!" Sure enough he charged it to the credit card. When I +inquired he rudely replied "in the morning when things are checked out you'll +get it back." I called customer service about it because the website +specifically states that there are no other charges at the check-in. I also +mentioned to the reception person. He responded "we have problem with 'people'". +Imagine a hotel having problems with people. I finally alerted him to his +rudeness. He said he's had a long and bad day. We had no choice but to stay but +will take this as far as we can. Don't stay there. I came to find out the person +was the hotel OWNER also. + +My friend and I were to stay here for a girls night, catch up on our lives +evening. We live within 20 miles of the hotel and wanted to get away from our +responsibilities for the night. Unfortunalty my husband and I had to put our 13 +year old lab down that morning and we were not expecting this. My friend called +the hotel to cancel our room as soon as I called her. They said that we were to +be charged for this room regardless because we did not cancel within the 72 +hours. I called them back a few hours after putting my Bodhi down and they still +wouldn't budge. Times are hard, I know, but they had no compassion. I called 3 +times to talked to a manager, never a call back. I emailed 4 times, never a +response. In one of the emails I attached the letter from the Vet's that +expressed their sympathy, this hotel did nothing. I even emailed Mackinaw +Tourist and nothing. I am sure this is a good place to stay from reading the +other reviews, but if something unexpected happens in your life, they will not +care. + +FANFUCKINGTASTIC Ok I am a New Yorker who has been going to school in Oxford, +England. I thought the UK was completely devoid of good NYC style pizza. I +thought to get a decent pizza the only way was at a fancy restaurant, and I have +to get a whole pie. I thought I would have to wait until I went home to NYC. +Well then I went on a trip to Glasgow and was walking around. I saw this place +and it looked like the HOLY GRAIL. I knew I had found the real deal, big pies, +sold by the slice, with the pizzas sitting under the glass in the front. They +have crushed red pepper flakes and oregano. So I ordered a slice. It tasted like +I just flew back home. I dunno how they did it, but Scottish friends--- this is +THE REAL DEAL. I congratulated this establishment for doing the research on +making NYC pizza because these Scots fcking nailed it. That being said, I don't +know how their delivery service is. They might want to change the name to +reflect the new yorkedness of the pizza, scrummy yummy sounds gimmicky to me. + +Good food, good wait staff, poor management We visited on 7/26/08 for dinner We +received a gift certificate for the Mama Mia's on Greenfield Ave. The food was +good, and so was our waitress. When it came time to pay the bill up front, they +would not let me use any of the certificate for a tip (which I have done with +any other restaurant I've gotten a gift certificate for.) I then asked if I +could have money back in cash. The person went to go check with the manager, who +was sitting at a table chatting with her friends who were eating there. Her +answer was short and manner rather rude. Sorry for interrupting I guess. The +cashier was also short, unapologetic and made me feel as I was wasting her time. +There were no other options available (I only brought my check card to cover any +overage cost) and she rang it up and applied it to the gift card before telling +me about the tip policy. I will not be visiting Mama Mia's again. There are +other places with food just as good with management that values customers and +employees much more. + +DINING AT TEXAS ROADHOUSE TEXAS ROADHOUSE HAS VERY GOOD MEALS, THAT THE MEAT +COMES RIGHT OFF THE BONES. IT HAS VERY GOOD PRICES. ON A BAD NOTE THE WAITING +AREA IS NOT ENJOYABLE OR ENOUGH SEATS. ALSO, THERE SHOULD NOT BE PEANUTS ALL +OVER THE FLOOR. NEXT, THERE SHOULD ONLY BE ONE PERSON BRINGING YOU YOUR FOOD. +ITS NOT A BIG DEAL BUT I HAD TO TAKE MY SALAD HOME BECAUSE THEY FORGOT TO BRING +IT. I HAD TO ASK THE GIRL WHO BROUGHT MY FOOD AND SHE NEVER CAME BACK TO LET ME +KNOW. I HAD TO WAIT FOR MY WAITRESS. WHEN YOU FIRST COME IN THE HOSTESS IS NOT +VERY FRIENDLY,THERE IS JUST A BUNCH OF WORKERS STANDING THERE. I WAS THERE ON +MARCH 6TH, 2009. I WAS ALSO THERE OF JULY 4TH 2008, WHEN MY DAUGHTERS BUFFALO +WINGS CAME OUT WITH A FLY ON IT. THE MANAGER CAME OVER AND SAID HE WAS SORRY AND +GAVE A NEW BATCH OF WINGS, HE SAID WE CANT REALLY DO ANYTHING BECAUSE THE DOORS +ARE ALWAYS OPENING AND CLOSING . IN MY OPINION SHOULD OF JUST TOOK OFF THE PRICE +OF THE WINGS FROM THE BILL. BUT EVERYONE HAS THERE OWN WAY!!!!!! + +Mezza Luna FTW! their mezza luna's are deffly better than the pizza rolls. its +like a pizza roll, but they just toss ham and cheese inside. it seems like its +healthier too, but its prolly not. also, you can call em ahead of time, and then +go to pick up ur food, or have it delivered**. that cuts down on teh wait time, +cus u can do other stuff while ur waiting. it usually takes 20mins for a mezza +luna, as they have to add pure delicious extract to the mix. their pizza was a +little salty for me, but its still good. they do that whole thing where you +sandwich the pepperoni between layers of cheese for +32 delicious. anyways, the +mezza luna: you should try it. it runs you about 4 bucks and it deals crushing +blows to hunger. **Edit: Living on campus at Clarkson University, I have had +food delivered before. This was back between '05 and '09 and I don't remember +how many times we've had it delivered. Perhaps they don't deliver anymore, but +the deliciousness of a mezza luna certainly warrants a pickup. + +My 2004 x-type was getting close to 100,000 miles so it was time for an upgrade. +I sent my wife and daughter over to check out a pre-owned 2009 XF. Michael +Chestney was very pleasant and patient with my wife and she suggested I go check +it out. I went in later that afternoon and met with Michael. He showed me the +car I was interested in and we took a test drive. I loved the car so we began +negotiating my trade-in and the price of the 09 XF. The entire negotiation took +about 20 minutes. Fair give and take on both sides until we agreed on a deal +that was within my parameters and was fair to both sides. 10 minutes of +paperwork and I was the owner of a beautiful pre-owned 09 XF. I have purchased +over 15 vehicles (cars, rvs, and boats) in my lifetime and I have to say the +experience with Michael and Barrett Motor Cars of San Antonio was one of the +best. Friendly, knowledgeable, and above all fair. That's all you can really ask +from a car dealer and Michael and Barrett hit all 3. Thanks for the great deal +and the great car! + +Identity Theft Myself and my fiance's identity was stolen from the office staff. +We were told by a detective and asked to check our credit for anything unusual. +Luckily they caught the crooks before they did one on us. It was a black female +that use to work in the office. She stole the information and gave it to another +guy that did all the work. The other guy was pulled over one day and a cop saw +suspicious papers with names and social security numbers on it. Thats how they +were caught. They both went to jail and a new manager was put in charge of the +apartments. The apartment across from mine belonged to a gang of hookers. Nobody +lived there. A girl would show up, then a guy in a nice car would show up. Short +time later the guy would leave, then the girl. My apartment was usually quiet. I +lived in one that did not face the parking lot. Parking spaces are just big +enough for a Mini Cooper. It sucked having an SUV. If I found a spot, I couldnt +fit in it. Gates worked 30% of the time at best. Bugs were a small problem, +nothing too bad. + +The best there is in service. I was recently traveling down I-24 from Nashville +with my 3 young children and had a blowout on the southeast side of +Murfreesboro. It was 4:50 when a friend told me to call Bud, he would take care +of me. Not only did they answer the phone at 4:50 on a Thursday, they hit the +ground moving!. They tracked down the only tire that fit my BMW330i in +Murfreesboro within minutes and secured it, then they came out, took off my tire +(it was a runflat - but runflats don't do you any good if they blow out), and +brought it to their shop to change the tire. They were back quickly considering +how far outside of Murfreesboro we were and had us on our way by 6:30 that +evening. Thanks Bud for all of your help and taking time away from your family +that evening. It's without a doubt, the best service experience I've ever had +and just to be clear, the price he charged me was the same as my tire guy in +Nashville's price for putting on the other rear tire. I hope I can return the +favor in the future! Alan Grissom + +Room ok. Service and Client base not ok. I have stayed in this hotel many times, +and while it typically offers a decent bang for the buck, its client base +largely consists of troubled youngsteers and evictees from the local, not so +pleasant hood. I have never considered this a real problem as I travel without +kids and can fend for myself, but when I had to listen to a (non-violent) +domestic fight that lasted from 1 AM to 5 AM during my last stay and I found out +that the front desk was unmanned during night hours, my choice was to either +waste tax payers money by calling for a yet another police dispatch to this +hotel, or just get over it. I chose the later, but approached the front desk +about the hotel policy to push over their responsibilities on local authorities, +not to mention the good nights sleep i paid for but didnt get. I was told +management would call me back but still waiting for that call. I will probably +stay here again because its cheap and I cant afford a better hotel, but do not +look forward to it and would definitely not recommend this hotel for families or +single female travellers. + +Was there this past weekend and the guy behind the counter yelled at me and my +son because we believed he left the grandma slice in the oven a little too long +and the cheese got all dried out and the slice tasted more like a cracker. He +preceded to grab the slice off the countertop and throw it into the trash while +yelling at me saying, "you do not order what you do not know about" and "you +don't know how pizza is made". It was very upsetting to see this kind of +behavior especially in front of my four year old. He was in the process of +making me a pie and when I got home, the pie was the worst I have ever seen. +Cheese was falling off, so oily and greasy. I think he did it on purpose because +of my simple request for another slice of grandma that wasn't so well-done +(actually, burnt). I will never go back to this place and I am reporting them to +the better business bureau for such horrible customer relations and basically +sabotaging my pizza and taking my $25. THIS STORY IS 100% TRUE. That little man +who thinks he invented pizza can kiss my *ss. + +Long Lines, Silly Rules, Rude Staff, Ok Food The first thing you notice when you +arrive on location is that the waiting line literally goes out the door and +spills into the parking lot. A restaurant with this many patrons willing to +stand in line just to order tacos must be good, right? I mean, that's the way it +works at amusement parks: the longest lines are at the best rides. Well, this +may be an exception. The staff taking your order and "waiting" on you are very +indifferent and have no sense of costumer service at all. I have gotten better +results talking to COMCAST customer service than with these folks. And don't +even think about asking to speak to the manager because this guy is, and pardon +my French, a jerk. If you have gotten through ordering, dealing with the rude +staff and if you followed the dumb rules, you are finally presented with what +you came for..some tacos that are "ok," but definitely not worth putting up with +all the hassle. Save yourself the trouble and skip this place all together. I +suggest you go up to Raging Taco & Raging Burrito a couple of blocks up the +street or even Taco Mac. + +Wish this was in Saratoga-- We were introduced to Bistro Tallulah by +traveler-professional diner who happens to own the Adelphi Hotel and travels the +world-- and residing in Paris,London, New York the rest of the year. SHE KNOWS +GREAT FOOD AND DINING EXPERIENCES. She was dead on-- this restaurant was +wonderful--- do not be put off by the one negative review on this page. I can +tell you we were pleasantly surprised -- BT has taste memory and each time back +the food was consistently delicious -- same dishes -- were consistent. Our +friend is a world traveler and loves unpretentious dining experiences and +inspired food. This chef knows what he is doing. Treat yourself and go-- you +will go back! I am a business owner in downtown Saratoga Springs and wish this +restaurant was in our town! The affordable rent makes it possible for an +inspired chef to serve his high quality fare at affordable prices! Unlike +Saratoga. I rrly seek the cehf out to introduce myself-- but the second time we +went-- i made a point of asking our wait person to introduce my friend and +myself to the chef to tell him just how good our meals were. Cannot wait to go +gain. -R. Morris . + +I think that there pretty good. First of all, if you call for an appointment +they won't tell you to call back a month later so you can then make one. They +also don't tell you that they're going to mail you an "application" to be +admitted to be a patient. I feel that the way some doctors offices work around +here is a little bit absurd so I'm happy that these guys don't do those two +things in particlular. Usually you can be seen the same week or maybe the +following week. The doctor did tell me that my male pattern baldness is due to +my mothers father because the gene is exclusively passed on through maternal +line but that's a common misconception +(http://www.consumerreports.org/health/healthy-living/beauty-personal-care/hair-loss-10-08/hair-loss.htm). +In general I would say that the staff is attentive and nice. But then again I +was nice to them so that could have been why. Anyhow, after reading some of the +other reviews it seems like some of the other reviewers are expecting mircles. +If you want miracles you'll have to go to 21st St. It's a pretty typical primary +care office but for the area it's very good. They don't do certain things that +are really annoying about other offices. + +First trip to Canada I recently traveled to Canada on business and had a most +excellent experience. I work for a large retail company recently expanding our +operations into Canada and had to travel to ensure all of our computer network +equipment was installed properly and on time. This can tend to be a stressful +experience in itself let alone adding crossing boarders for the first time. I +was very pleased to find my accommodations and the hotel staff to be a very +calming and comforting part of my trip. I found the hotel to be amazingly clean, +not to mention very well adorned with many pleasant surprises. From my first +encounter at check in to my regrettable check out I found the staff and facility +to exceed my expectation. I completely enjoyed my whole check in experience and +was impressed with the friendliness and professionalism of the staff as well as +the accommodations themselves. I will be traveling in this area in the future +and you can be assured that this experience will be helpful in my choice of +hotels and Novotel will be my first selection. Yes the parking can be a +challenge but being from NJ I am no stranger to tight corners. Please pass my +appreciation to the Staff and Management for their excellent hospitality and +good spirits as it helped make a stressful trip enjoyable. + +Favorite place in Tampa. Update: I had to add to my review. I was just in last +night and had a chance to dine in their new dining room. AMAZING! I frequent +this resturant on a weekly basis but usally only for lunch. Well I was in for a +treat when I was greeted by the friendly girls at the counter who asked if my +wife and I would like to sit in their "new" dining room. Right away they told us +that it was the same great food with the same prices so off we went. We were +greeted again and sat promptly. After looking at the menu and seeing the new +menu items they had, we knew we were in for a treat! I had the Chicken Parmesan +Dinner and my wife had the Shrimp Scampi Dinner. AMAZING! The portions were +generous enough that we even took some home! I have to say the value of this +place always amazes me. It's nice to see that even in the economy we can eat a +place that has upscale service, amazing atmosphere, and Incredible food, but not +break the bank while enjoying it! Bottom line is that when it's a small privatly +owned resturant like this is you can tell that the owners and employees take +pride in their product and service. Well Done! + +Great work and honest establishment! I typically have work done on my Jeep at +the dealership, but it is 6 years old now and getting charged dealership prices +just didn't seem cost effective anymore. I had tried out few place around the +area and had been ripped off a few times. I had hear great things about Phet and +G&G Automotive so I decided to give him a try. The service was excellent and +personable. He checked out what I needed to have done told me what needed be +fixed before he did any work and did great repair work. The price was actually +lower than what I had anticipated and used to compared to other places, plus he +showed me the work he did when I came into pick up the car. Also, a week after +the work, Phet called me up to see how my car was running and to let me know +that they had accidentally overcharged me for part of the work and wanted to +give me a refund for that amount. That is just unheard of these days! I grew up +in a small town where you knew and trusted your mechanic and was really cynical +about city auto repair shops since I moved here, but Phet has shown that there +really are honest hard working mechanics around. He is my mechanic going +forward! + +Our company is a high end designer handbag and fashion accessories company, thus +we are certainly a niche market. We had been evaluating SEO providers for quite +some time and finally decided to take the plunge with Stuart, and Ulistic. We +made the decision for a couple of reasons. 1. Social Media. We were familiar +with Search Engine Optimization strategies, but new nothing about Social Media - +we just heard that it was the next big thing. 2. We really liked the fact that +Stuart sets defined objectives and we meet once a month to go over our Key +Performance Indicators. How has it gone so far? Well we have been working with +Ulistic for 1.5 months, and have 100 people following our site on Facebook, and +our web site, www.designofashion.com has seen a 3 fold increase in traffic, +which is significantly beating our expectations - SEO is a process that takes +time and to get results this quickly is exceptional. We are absolutely confident +that Stuart's ethical and focused strategies will see these trends continue to +grow, and our business will reap the rewards of this program. Finally, it must +be said that Stuart is a fantastic person to work with, because of his solid +strategies and equally as importantly because he is a genuinely good person and +a great communicator. + +Excellent service and quality I had Hom-Excel replace most of the windows in my +Tampa residence three years ago. The excellent windows have performed without +any problems, but that's not why I'm writing my review. Three weeks ago, +burglars tried to gain entry into the rear of my home. The intruders slit the +screen of the window. Next, they tried to force the window with a pry bar and +then to break the window with a hammer. The window didn't break! My next-door +neighbor heard the noise and turned on a light, thankfully scaring the two +miscreants away (they even left their hammer behind!). I called Home-Excel the +next day to order a replacement screen for the window, and was happily surprised +when they said that they weren't even going to charge me for the replacement +screen...that it would be covered under their guarentee. Lo and behold, they +replaced the screen (which had to be ordered) yesterday and didn't charge me a +dime. Their worker even cleaned 3 of my windows and changed a lightbulb for me. +In this day and age, it is so rare to find a company with such nice workers and +such far ranging guarantee policies. I rarely write reviews such as this one, +but they certainly deserve anyone's business! + +Friendly staff, but definitely some problems May, 2009. We were booked at the +Sheraton with a number of other out-of-town wedding guests. Got put into the +wrong room the first night, and were quite surprised to have someone with the +same room key trying to get in the door at 1:00 am! Next day got moved into +another room, on the same floor with other wedding guests. There were 3 adults +in our room but towels for only 2, no linens for sofa bed. In the second room it +took 3 tries to get all the towels and linens we requested. A package and some +wedding cards were left in our first room. They were sent to our second room and +had been opened--the ribbon-wrapped present, and all 3 envelopes. Security in +the hotel seemed to be excellent, but we were never given an explanation as to +why someone would open these items. A mid-afternoon "fire drill" was disruptive, +putting everyone out of the hotel. When we called the front desk about an +extremely boisterous crowd in the hall outside our door quite late at night, it +seemed to take the hotel staff quite a while to quiet them down. The staff was +friendly, especially the front desk female supervisor, and seemed to want to +help, but too many unusual things happened to make us want to stay there again. + +Be Careful Of Who Your Sales Guy Is I think this place is probably really great +especially judging by the reviews on here. My experience was awful though. It +ALL had to do with the sales guy which was a young 22 year old who had +admittedly only been working for 2 weeks. I was extremely interested in the car +and very likely would have bought it, but the sales guy I dealt with ruined the +deal. Essentially, I told him I didn't trust him cause he was a car salesman, +but he got so incredibly offended at that statement that he had to go cry to +another salesman and compose himself before coming back. I don't know if the kid +had a bad day or what, but I had to sit and apologize about nothing for 10 +minutes until he dropped the issue. After that, I just tried to ignore his lack +of professionalism and test drive the car. I played dumb and asked him questions +that I already knew the answers to and he responded with half truths and a few +falsehoods. For instance I asked who owned Mazda and he said with confidence +that was GM, which isn't true. I mean, I don't care if he doesn't know, but if +he pretends to know and tells me BS to my face, there's no way I'm going to +trust him when matters turn to the price of the car and financing. + +The Worst Chinese I've Ever Had This is by far the worst chinese food I have +ever had. The service stunk. I called in my order and upon arriving to pick it +up, they got my order confused with someone elses. They helped about three other +people before they offered to help me again. They also got my friends order +mixed up and wanted to charger her $10 more than what she had wanted. She asked +for the dinner combo and they gave her two dinner plates instead. We were +standing in the store for 20minutes to simply pick up an order. Not to mention +that the wait staff was about as pleasant as dealing with an angry bull. They +were abrasive and rude - when they were the ones who messed everything up. We +had to throw out about 80 percent of our meals because the food tasted so +horrible. I dont know how it is possible to make orange chicken, sesame chicken +and kung pao chicken as well as cheese puffs taste THAT bad but China Delight +accomplished that. The only thing that was edible was the steamed rice and the +vegetable lo mein was barely tolerable. I will NEVER go here again. Lucky Panda +in Willis is a billion times better in service and quality of the meal. I have +no idea how China Delight won number 1 Chinese restaurant in Montgomery - There +needs to be a recount on that vote. + +Terrible Service One of the worst experiences I've ever had with a auto repair +shop. We took our vehicle in for a repair to the air conditioning. Approx 4 +months later, the compressor went out. We took it back in to have it repaired +again, and less than a week later the second compressor went out. We went in for +a third visit and they fixed it again, but this time when we picked up the car, +the radio and clock did not work. So for the 4th time in 5 months and the third +time in 2 weeks, we brought the car back again. When we expressed our discontent +to the manager (that's right, the manager), did he say he would return some +money, did he say he would give a discount on our next visit, did he just say +"I'm sorry". Nope, none of the above. He stood there and told us how he wasn't +at fault. It was the fault of the parts supplier, and can we imagine how he felt +having to put another 2 hours of work in the car. And what did we expect...that +he bench test every part. At no time during the conversation did the words, "I'm +sorry" ever come out of his mouth. I, nor anyone else in my family, will ever go +to Sun Devil Auto again. Well, unless of course the third compressor he put in +the car goes out. + +Do not use this company! I dropped off a sheet metal piece that I needed copied +due to th it was needing to be replaced. I asked if they could copy the piece I +dropped off. They said it would be made exactly like the one I needed to +replace. I picked it up when it was finished and was charge 30.00. When I got to +the job and tried to insert the new piece of metal IT WOULD NOT FIT!! I took the +original piece of metal and rigged it to make due since I had to complete the +job. I took the receipt and the metal that did not fit and asked Pomper for my +money back. The girl at the desk was sooo rude I could not believe it! She told +me she could not use the piece I was returning and the company would only put it +in the trash so I could not return it. I explained I did not get what I paid +for. She asked me to bring the original piece back and I told her I had to use +it on the job. She told me that was to bad she would do nothing to help me since +she could not use or resell the piece. I said I was going to trash it also and +could I at least have a credit. With a smirk on her face she told me NO MONEY IS +BEING RETURNED and THAT IS THE WAY IT WAS. DO NOT USE THIS COMPANY. There are to +many people that need our business to have to put up with this unfair +treatment!!!!! + +I would NEVER recommend this gym to anyone and unfortunately this is based +solely on the owner's own unprofessionalism. When I originally joined in January +I only did so because I was told I would be able to cancel the 12 month +membership if I was to move away. I signed up with one of the staff who was very +pleasant and professional. Actually working out there was good - the machines +are nice and the classes are fun. The locker room is certainly lacking - I would +never shower or change there. They need to update the locker rooms ASAP. Back to +my poor rating - I was excepted to medical school and went in to cancel my +membership as I was told I could do since I was moving away. The owner was VERY +rude, accused me of not reading my contract, and basically told me to shut up +when I was trying to ask questions to further understand the process of +canceling my membership. I was able to cancel it but only after paying a $50 fee +(which the staff person who signed me up stated I would not have to pay if I had +proof of moving) and being spoken to in a very belittling manner. I would +understand if I was being treated this way by a staff member but the club's +actual OWNER?! Bad for business. I was appalled. I will never recommend this gym +to any woman. The equipment and classes aren't good enough to deal with the +rudeness from the staff!!! There are better places on the Cape - FITNESS 500! + +The Salon Experience from Hell I feel obligated to share this story. Right out +of college I called the salon and explained my situation. Just graduated, just +moved, not rich, and starting new job soon. I never got a price quote over the +phone and they take your cc info just to make the appointment because if you +don't show up, they'll charge you. I had this ridiculous celebrity stylist from +LA named Derrick. After he already put product on my hair he said "I should warn +you, I'm expensive." What was I supposed to do, say I can't afford you and walk +out with crap all over my hair. I wanted to be very blonde and instead he pulled +my root color throughout my whole hair which is a gross mousey brown. The other +stylists around me kept pressuring me saying he's so wonderful, you're going to +love your hair. $400 later my jaw dropped when the receptionist told me the +total. Derrick did a terrible job, was a complete jerk the entire time, and I +had no warning as to the price. I cried the entire way home. He then "fixed" it +for free but it still looked like crap. I will never go back. It was the salon +experience from absolutely Hell. He also told me that he worked on the cast of +will and grace and that they were all jerks. That's my favorite show of all +time. I'm pretty sure for the cast that it was the other way around. Maybe he +didn't do a good job and they told him so. Absolute Nightmare! STAY AWAY! + +Very unhappy ... Working with Rod Jacobsen was my first experience working with +a CPA, so I did not know what to expect. That said - he seemed to be doing well +enough. However, then I asked to amend my return to apply a credit I had just +become eligible for. I expected to pay for this service, but imagine my surprise +when I received a bill for MORE than what I paid to have the original return +prepared. Asked why, Rod simply told me that he had to research how to do the +amendment (it was an amended to show that I had purchased a home - nothing out +of the ordinary, one would think) and that took time to figure out. Well, that +was strike one. I wasn't going to use them again, but I was going to leave it at +that. However, now that I have come to realize that I am going to owe the IRS +$6,000+ despite doing exactly what Rod told me to do, I feel I have to voice my +opinion. Last year, after all was said and done, I asked Rod whether my payment +structure would leave me with no/little tax liability at the end of the year. He +said yes. Well, again, I am now faced with a tax bill of $6,000+, all due on +April 15, 2010 and all that Rod has to say to the matter is 'well, you won't +have to pay a penalty.' I may not have to pay a penalty, yet, but this is NOT +what I had in mind when hired these guys. In the words of my new accountant, +THEY LET ME DOWN! + +Bit sketchy, sporadic delivery times I bought about half of the furniture I own +from this place. Why? Because they cut me good deals if I paid in cash. Sketchy, +right? Well they came through and delivered almost all of my items within a few +days. (They even got me a couch pretty quickly.) The guy who was cutting me the +deals and getting me the furniture quickly, Ahmed, was nice and mostly +professional, except the semi-sketchiness. Then one day, Ahmed left the country, +not to return for months, WITHOUT informing me. He also neglected to tell the +other person working at the store about a dining room table that I had ordered +and that was supposed to be coming in. The other person working at the store +didn't know that I still had this table coming. I had paid in cash, and he said +he had no receipt/record of my purchase. I came back with the receipt Ahmed had +provided upon my purchase, and the guy took forever to copy it but said that he +would take care of the situation. I waited. And waited. He never once contacted +us. I've had to pester this new guy several times to ask when my table will +arrive. He kept saying different arrival/delivery dates and didn't seem terribly +apologetic. It has been 3 weeks and I STILL don't have my table (which was NOT +cheap, I might add). Point is: You might be able to get a good deal on some nice +furniture -- which I did -- but they're not very communicative and god forbid +something goes wrong, you'll have to fight to get it resolved. + +Poor Service Run don't walk. My experience with Home Delivery Service has been +one of disappointment and anger. If I could give them a lower rating than poor I +would. On August 21st, 2009 I ordered furniture from Hickory Furniture Mart and +contracted for HDS to deliver it. After seventeen days the delivery van showed +up at my home minus two pieces. I was later told they had been left at the +warehouse and some future date they would be delivered. No one will give me a +date. I spent $2300 on the bedroom suite, which was complete and excellent +condition on the showroom floor. Upon delivery it was clear the entire set was +damaged: a piece of wood was broke on the headboard; the chest of drawers was +missing all four pieces necessary to attach the legs; the dresser back legs were +pushed in causing the dresser to lean into the wall; and a nighstand was missing +a drawer. How do you lose a drawer. After complaining on September 10th to +National Home Furnishings, Boyles, the Hickory Furniture Mart and Home Delivery +Service the latter finally called me back and said they would be up to pick the +dresser and chest of drawers at some future point and at some later point it +would be professional repaired and at some later point it would be returned. The +customer service at Home Delivery Service was terrible let alone their promise +to proper set up furniture. So I am in limbo regarding a bedroom suite. I hope +the owners and employees of this store have broken bedroom suites in their homes +and furniture sitting in someone's warehouse. Maybe then they will begin to +understand poor customer service and terrible sit up service. + +Excellent Driving School I was involved in a car accident 20 years ago and since +then I've been a nervous wreck and haven't been behind the wheel. Unfortunately, +a family emergency required me to conquer this fear. A very good friend of mine +highly recommended the Professional Driving School and I was told to +specifically ask for Gerry. She highly recommended him and described him as the +"Saintly Instructor and Simply the Best Instructor there is ....very calm, +pleasant and very detailed in giving instructions". I called the school most +probably 10 times before I finally enrolled in a 20 hour package. I had to +cancel my initial lesson 4 times and on the 5th attempt the management was quick +enough to associate my cancellations with my fear and finally encouraged me into +taking my initial lesson. Five minutes before my initial lesson, I got a call +from Gerry advising me of his arrival and to come down as soon as I was ready. +My heart pounded as I walked down and pounded even faster upon seeing Gerry in +an SUV - Lexus! I thought of canceling the lesson once again because I didn't +feel comfortable driving an SUV. Gerry pleasantly said " since I am already here +why don't we give it shot. I trust you and believe that you'll be able to handle +this and all you have to do is to reciprocate! Trust me and most especially +trust and believe in yourself. Don't worry, I'll take care of you!" ....... the +rest was history! Here I am now driving confidently on my own. Gerry, I can't +thank you enough for helping me cope with my fear. To my friend, thank you for +your recommendation... you were true to your words in saying Gerry is a "Saintly +Instructor ...Absolutely Simple the Best Instructor and Best Driving school +there is! + +Review on House of Joy Chinese Restaurant My family and I moved to San Antonio a +year ago and have tried almost all of the Chinese Restaurants because we love +Chinese food. Well it took us a while to find one that we liked. But we don't +just like House of Joy WE LOVE IT. Everything we have gotten there has been more +authentic and better tasting than any other Chinese restaurant in the San +Antonio area we have been to--and trust me we have been to a lot of them. We +just happen to stumble across this little restaurant one day when we had to +visit the Bexar County Tax Office off of Bandera Road. We stopped in and got +some take out and cannot stop going back. They have the best Egg Drop Soup I +have ever tasted. We also love their Egg Rolls and Spring Rolls. And every +entree we have ordered is perfect. Everything is always cooked fresh and tastes +fresh. Their prices are extremely reasonable for the amount of food you receive. +The staff is also just so pleasant to deal with. They are also quick at getting +your order out to you. You don't have to sit and wait around forever like most +places!! So anyone looking for an Excellent night out for Chinese or maybe just +lunch should stop in and try it because I promise you 2 things---You won't +regret it!! and you will go back for more!!! Karla Ferguson-Granger PS I have +noticed on here that someone left a comment that "all of the nice comments must +come from co workers or friends" and I will tell you that I don't know these +people except from eating at their restaurant. We are from Virginia and just +moved here a year ago. So that comment is completely false. Because we think +IT'S THE BEST!!! and we don't know them except for eating there. + +Dr. Strzalka at Flagship CVTS is not a good doctor I am not sure about the +quality of the other doctors there, but i do know from personal experience that +Dr. Christopher T. Strzalka is not a man of his word, and is also very CRUEL AND +UNCARING!! He was going to operate and replace my bicuspid aortic valve due to +critical aortic stenosis. I had a surgery date of July 17, 2008. Then he +renigged when he read my Health Care Proxy, even though i agreed to be on the +ventilator for 2 months following surgery (as he had twice stated i must agree +to). He later said that by 2 months he "meant at least two months". Two months +and at least two months are totally different things. He did not even give me +the chance to say i would stay on the ventilator longer, which i would have. A +Health Care Proxy is not written in stone and can be changed. He also never even +said he was sorry. Just said i was inoperable and walked out of the hospital +room. So, therefore, now he says i am inoperable (even though i am not 100% +inoperable), and he is letting me die. I am just middle aged and do not want to +die, but thanks to this doctor i have no other alternatives. I, along with my +friends, consider this doctor to be the cause of my death as he is not even +trying to save my life by operating. Even my PA i went to the other day said "it +must by comforting to have gone to a heart surgeon like him who will do nothing +for you". He said it sarcastically. If you want a doctor who will lie to you and +say he will operate and then change his mind, and not know what he is talking +about when he recommends procedures at other hospitals and says they are what +you need, when they will not work for you, go to this doctor...he is the one for +you. + +What you can learn from the below 'bad experience'. I would suggest not avoiding +Second Home based on the 'bad experience' review. I'd probably be more inclined +to board my two dogs here, seeing that they don't just take every dog coming in. +I've toured this place and was impressed by how clean the place was, and all the +options for the dogs. It's unfortunate that bmil believed that his 'perfect' dog +was not given the right opportunity to prove himself. But I've done hundreds of +dog introductions myself (another place, I don't work here), and owners can have +unrealistic expectations and views of what they see when their dogs meet other +dogs. Workers who do these introductions look at the interaction objectively; +and it's good to see they are able and willing to say no if they feel there +would be a problem. It sounds (according to your own statement) that they had a +roomful of dogs, so they must be doing something right - and are keeping those +dogs safe from potential problems. You say you work a lot, and that you have a +young dog; so I have little doubt that your dog is just filled with energy to +burn; and it is good of you to look for a place to take him. But not at a risk +to other people's pets. You were clearly given another alternative by Second +Home, to board him - which might have given your dog a chance to come and go +from Second Home a couple times, getting used to the place and maybe +facilitating another attempt to get into daycare later. No business is going to +push customers away without good reason; so isn't it reasonable to think they +might know what they're doing? My dogs are far from perfect, and one of them I +believe would be a little much for daycare here herself (at least initially). Be +a little more reasonable with your expectations of a place like this; and maybe +don't jump to personal attacks suggesting that they don't want to work hard, +just because you bruised your own ego. + +Dumbest F'ers ever I called dominos tonight, it rang forever, I get put on hold +twice without saying a word and FINALLY someone says, MAY I HELP YOU? So I say: +I'm at the Radison Warwick hotel in Rittenhouse Square (built in 1926) do you +deliver to the Warwick? They say no, Warwick in New Jersey, Call New Jersey. I +laugh and say, no, that Warwick is in New York, but I'm at the Radison-Warwick. +And he says: You're at Warwick in Pennsylvania? and I said, YES, CENTER CITY +PHILLY, and he says, NO, Warwick is a township, If you're at a Radison in +Warwick thats too far, try dominos in Pottstown. I say, NO, I am at the RADISON +WARWICK HOTEL in Rittenhouse Square. He says: I not know that town, I have to +get to work, I'm in PHILLY. Call dominos in your town. I SAY LISTEN: I'm at 17th +and LOCUST, do you deliver there? He says, I have to have an exact ADDRESS. OK, +1701 LOCUST STREET i say. he says: Why you tell me your in WARWICK TOWNSHIP? He +gives the phone to a girl, she says, I have to have your address, I say, do you +deliver to 17th and locust, she says, your exact address, I say 1-7-0-1 Locust, +ARe you sure? she asks? YES I am sure, well, she says, is that ON 17th STREET. +Yes, I say. 17th, like over by 16th and 15th YES, I say, one mile west of you. +You're at 7th. I am just south of Walnut. She says, Is that 17th like over past +broad. YES, I am west of broad. Broad, I say, is 14th street and I am 3 blocks +west of broad and one south of walnut. Hmmm, she says, Then why are you calling +here, we don't go past broad? Anyway, after much yelling and cussing I hung up, +grabbed a cab, and went to Geno's. + +Quick to take money but not quick to fix a problem! B&B came out very quickly to +give us our quote back in June. They were very polite, eager to answer any +questions and willing to wait for us to return from vacation to begin installing +our fence. Our fence was installed quickly in August and they had their money +and left saying "Workmanship is guaranteed for a year!". Within a week we +noticed one of the boards on our gate splitting where a nail had gone in. We +called our representative who assured me he would call the office and have it +taken care of. We heard nothing. We then called the office and the man we spoke +to said he'd send someone out to look at it but couldn't promise when- two weeks +came and went and we heard nothing. I just called again and was told that +workmanship, not wood, is guaranteed for a year- well in my opinion- the wood +split due to a nail which is part of workmanship! She even went so far as to say +"Your calling about one board?" Well- when you pay over $1000 for something you +want it to hold up and look good!!! YES! I WAS calling about one board!! I'm +very frustrated at this point- it would take all of 10 min for them to come by +and replace the one board that is cracked (the crack is deep enough to stick a +penny in it and it goes clear through) yet they do not want to take the time to +bother with what once WAS a happy customer and has now become a dissatisfied +customer. So I figure if they don't want to take the time to fix the fence that +they installed then I'll take the time to let everyone I can know about how they +treat customers once they have your money!!! STAY AWAY!!! YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY +FOR!!! They came in under a lot of other quotes and now I know why!!! When the +fence was first installed I would have given them five stars, now for their poor +customer follow-up and unwillingness to fix the fence they have dropped to a +one-star in my opinion! + +Lots of rules, phantom innkeeper, last minute price was worth it. I called the +"207" number and listened to the same recording loop 3 times before I gave up. I +then called the 800 number (which was answered) and inquired about last minute +rates. They had a room with a $99 rate, which I booked. The room was supposed to +be on the 2nd floor, but they put us on the 3rd. The email confirmation (which I +read in the car) warned about large suitcases, declaring that we are innkeepers, +not longshoreman. In other words, they do not help with suitcases, but they +promise totes to help. However upon our arrival no one there (the inn was open). +So no totes. Finally a chambermaid stuck her head around the corner from the top +of the stairs and told us sternly that we could not be accommodated until 3M, no +exceptions. Then she was gone. We returned after 3PM, found no one there, and a +note from the innkeeper with directions to our room. Rules in the room: #1) if +you drink the soda from the fridge in your room you must prove it by leaving the +can in the trash. If they think you've taken a soda from your room home with +you, they will charge you $1.50 per can. They count the cans in the trash to +make sure. #2) If you take the shampoo products home, they will charge you $8 +per item. #) If you want a late checkout, (after 11 AM) they charge you $15 for +the first hour, $25 for the second hour, and after 2PM it's a full day charge. +#4) Breakfast is 8AM to 10AM. No earlier and no later. If you go later, it's all +cleaned up. (By whom, I don't know. I never saw anyone there. All these rules +are posted in the rooms.) Snacks: uninspired bread, tea backs, and individual +coffee things for a machine that didn't exist. I put the coffee thing in hot +water and settled for a cup of weak coffee. No wine glasses. Room was clean, but +had a weird, dated, sink/stove combo that didn't work. Bath was clean except +shower stall which had mildew problems. No tub. The Inn touts a shower with dual +shower heads, but only one worked. Don't get the rooms off the two kitchens. +They are RIGHT OFF the kitchen so you hear everything. Free parking. I'd go back +if I could get the last minute rate again of $99, but I wouldn't pay their rack +rate. + +Quit with the overstatements! The worst thing that can happen for any restaurant +like Zahav is to have too many people write hyperbolic reviews making claims +that "everyone" is going to "love" the food, decor and service. The truth is, in +my and my dining partners' experience, this is a fine little restaurant with +some unique food. It's an entirely up and down experience, however. Now, the +best of that unique food comes at the very beginning of the meal. The salatim +salads are the smallest plates I've ever seen placed in front of me (you would +most likely think they were condiments if it weren't explained to you). Though +they are mostly excellent, you generally don't get enough forkfuls to know if +you really love them. That being said, the laffa and hummus are out of this +world. Then again, for the three of us who dined together, two pieces of +flatbread left us fighting for more, and licking the hummus from our fingers +(and yes, those two pieces of flatbread did represent a three-person order). +Dinner was also an up-and-down experience. The vegetarian dishes and lighter +fare were almost always spot-on, while the lamb was often dry and/or overcooked. +The duck was a 65% glob of chewy fat with no resemblance to the juicy, crispy +delicacy it usually represents at other establishments. Dessert was... hmmm, +that's interesting, I don't even remember dessert. I guess that tells you a lot. +Oh, yes, the chocolate semifreddo was quite good. The warm chocolate cake was +very tasty, but served at room temperature, not warm by any stretch of the +imagination. And my--no, I still don't remember what I had. Service was average, +but nothing special, and restaurants that are supposed to be excellent should do +a better job of training their waitstaff to be communicative and friendly, not +merely capable. Perhaps had we not gone into this restaurant believing Zahav was +going to be golden as its name suggests (and as the many golden reviews seem to +attest), we would have enjoyed a decent little expensive experience. But one +should not go here expecting something fantastic, unless perhaps you've never +had middle-eastern food before, or succulent duck, tasty lamb, decent portion +sizes or actually warm chocolate desserts. PS) When we called for a reservation, +we were told that 5:00 and 9:30 were their only openings. When we arrived at 5, +and left circa 7, there were the same 4 or 5 empty tables surrounding us. Did +they think we were going to feel lucky to get any reservation at all, and +therefore be more pleased with our dining experience? + +MUST READ - Do not waste your time in this store. At my appointment the girl +helping me was unable to adequately lace up some of the dresses. They felt like +they were going to fall off of me and it was very difficult to see what I would +actually look like were I to purchase some of these dresses. I thought it would +be a good idea to see how a few that I liked would look like on a model (by +looking the dress up online). So, as I was leaving I asked for the +designer/dress name or style number associated with my top picks. They said they +were "unable to tell me until they ordered my dress". Hmmm... A person cannot +call a company, if you have no idea its name (since the designer is unknown... +SUPPOSEDLY), and order a gown without a dress name or style number. Do other +brides fall for this??? They either: a) don't want to give it to me because they +don't want me purchasing the dress elsewhere or b) are recreating the dresses +themselves (ie STEALING other designers' dress designs and "filling the orders" +by their own seamstresses). I'm no detective but... uhh... seriously?!? Whatever +type of operation they are running, I'm not interested and if you're smart, you +won't be either. What a waste of TIME. Aside from that little *mystery*, one of +the sales ladies was quite comfortable telling me how wrong I was about how +another dress that I loved compared to one of her dresses that I was trying on. +Somehow, since she supposedly doesn't know any names of designers/dresses, after +I told her the designer and dress name of the one I was comparing, she knew +"exactly which dress" I was referring to and disagreed with my observation; she +said that the bodice did come as low as the one I had on. My point: Even if I +was wrong, don't sit there and argue with the customer. Say something like, +"Huh. I didn't think so but you could be right." Unless you want to take the +"tell the customer how wrong she is and try and force her into a dress she's +obviously not loving" approach which will likely get you... uh... nowhere. +Seriously: do not waste your time. Other shops around this city have MUCH NICER +and more TRANSPARENT owners. Not owners that seem like they have something to +hide and know nothing about common courtesy and customer service. I felt very +much like Wedding Gallery was being dishonest and I wouldn't trust them to lace +me up in another gown let alone trust them with the gown I will wear on the most +important day of my life. + +AWFUL SERVICE! After happily visiting Sear's Automotives in the past, I was +shocked at the horrible service received at their Greensboro location. I brought +my car in on a Sunday to replace a shredded tire. I waited about 20 minutes in +the store part before anyone was able to assist me and was then told to pull my +car into the shop (that is apparently what you are supposed to do, but the big +signs pointing you that way are for some reason kept inside the garage, so you +don't see them drving up, and they purposely block the front pull-up that all +other Sear's use). Once inside, I had to stand around for at least 10 more +minutes before--FINALLY-- a technician got to me. Once I returned to pick up my +car, you can believe I spent quite a bit MORE time standing around waiting. I +had wanted to split the total between a credit card and check card since I was +being reimbursed for the tire but was told this wasn't possible. Once I actually +got back in my car, it was dirty and had grease all over the steering wheel. OK, +one bad experience...fine. The following Friday, I returned with my car to go +ahead and replace the other 3 tires, which were worn. I would not have gone +back, but I couldn't find the particular tire they'd used in stock anywhere +else. Once again, I waited for quite a bit before being attended to. I got the +order completed, and then questioned the technician since it came out about $40 +less than I expected. He said it was the same tire, and verified this, after +checking both the actual tire on my car and my service papers from earlier in +the week. However, when he printed out the service quote, I could see that it +was NOT the correct tire, and was not even an appropriate tire for my car model. +So I pointed this out to him, at which point he said they only had one of the +correct tires in stock. Ok--fine. So I got just my other rear tire replaced. +They promised it'd be done within an hour, so I waited in the lobby. Over two +hours later (and ten minutes before they closed) my car was finally finished. A +few minutes after I left, I was called and informed that "I" left my wheel lock +(which they should have left in the car). Of course, they would be closing in 5 +minutes, so I would have to hurry up or get it the next day. Of course I +couldn't make it back in time (and they apparently could not stay 5 extra +minutes to wait for me). The next day, no one could find my wheel lock and that +particular technician was not in. Of course, they couldn't call him either to +ask about it because apparently they don't keep their employees' phone numbers +(riiight), so I would have to return on Monday (driving for 3 days now with no +wheel lock should I get a flat). On Monday I called and again it was a big to-do +to find anyone who knew anything about it. Supposedly they will be holding it +for me this evening, but I'm sure that will also be a huge ordeal. The employees +at this Sear's are completely apathetic and there didn't seem to be any sort of +management that I could see. I will never return there again (and now have some +serious doubts about the quality of work they actually performed on my car).