Sell Resources

has anybody do any business with Grant Resource Center, who claims to help you to get free money ?

Grant resource center a scam? This lady called my house today from grant resource center(she's been trying to contact me for many days). I don't remember signing up with them for grants, i don't think i did. But neways she called my house and told me she was gonna mail me free grant cd's that teaches me how to apply for gov. grants. I told her yes , that i wanted them. When i hung up, i researched them and i found out that they were a BIG scam.I called and asked the lady that i wanted to cancel my order, and she told me that she didn't have me in her system. She asked me for my credit card, and told her i don't have one. After that, i immediately hung up on her. Do u think they'll still send me the Cd's?I hope not. The first lady that called she knew my address and were to send them but I didn't give her my credit card # b/c i don't have one. I told her i don't have one.Has anyone ha he same thing happen to them.

How can I get a grant to open a youth center in Atlanta, Georgia? I am trying to open a youth game room and resource center. I need funding from state and maybe federal grants. Please help!

how to find grants supporting female-owned businesses in the bay area? a db or center of grant resources? thx?

I'm looking for operating grants for our nonprofit Human Resources Center? Grants previously received will not be renewed and the board of directors are currently looking for other funding to keep the building open. We currently house the Senior Center, Food Pantry, Right Track (afterschool & summer program for school aged children in need) Dept of Health, PAS Program (Perscription assistance), Healthy Child and WIC program.

free government grants.? has anyone ever heard of grant resource center. im wanting to apply for a grant to take up a course in school.and they said you dont have to pay it back unless it was a private enity. can someone explain that. and is grant resource center on the up and up. thank you for any advice .

Does anyone know resources or how I would go about opening up Christian youth center in my community? I want it to be something like a coffee house, where high school/college/young adults can go to hang out, fellowship, and receive God's word hear bands play. I know as far as once you have the location/building, there will be permits I will need to get, but I'm wanting to know if there's any resources/grants that I can apply for....any suggestions/help is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance and God Bless, ~ang~

Does anyone know a legitimate way of applying for a federal grant? I have requested and received a cd from a company called GSA (Grant Search Assistant), but I didn't take action immediately because I'd moved. For a while I couldn't even FIND the cd to continue w/the process, but when I DID find it, and go online, I couldn't get any assistance. The operator "helping" me asked repeatedly for the phone number that I'd originally used, but I couldn't remember it. So she asked me to call back because "suddenly" her systems were down. So I waited, called back and got the same results. Now, when I call, I immediately get a busy signal. I just looked at a site called "Rip Off" and THERE IN BOLD PRINT WAS GSA! So now that I've been all hyped up thinking this would be a way for me to get my grant for the business I am starting, I find my self right back @ square !! I am looking for a legitimate way to know the correct procedures and to apply for a grant. Is there anyone out there who has any knowledge? I'm starting a resource center for teenage mothers, and this is a true passion for me. Thanks everybody for any REAL and sensible info you can share.

Grants for a college center? Hi, I'm a coordinator for a high school college center at an at-risk high school and I'm looking for grants to help keep sustainability and provide more technology and resources for the college center. Where do I look for grants? Thanks!

I am creating a business for a school project and need your valuable help!!!? I am having trouble deciding if it should be non-profit or a for profit business. It is a place where women who have come out of domestic abuse shelters and come out of drug rehab centers can come to learn how to be productive, give back to the community, learn valuable workskills (computer, typing,resume, etc.), learn about nutrition and healthy cooking. When they take these classes they will accumulate points that they can trade in for things like movie tickets, hair cuts, make-up, or even clothes certificates. These will increase their self esteem and also give them empowerment which women who have been through this lifestyle are lacking. It will also be a a resource center for finding employment, housing, counseling,etc. What do you think of my business idea?? Also should I charge these women a small fee and make it a for profit or get grants and make it a non-profit?? Please help me as this is very important for me to impress my teacher and get an A.

My child attends an after school program offered by his school, but he is getting bullied. What should I do? To be precise, my child is in kindergarten, and the program is for K-5. The program is provided through the school, but I believe it operates under grant money through the Family Resource Center program in Kentucky. He has to stay after two days per week due to our work/class schedule. Our relationship with the staff (teacher's aides) has been rocky. We registered him for the program by filling out their paperwork a full week ahead of his first stay. The very first day I picked him up, the staff, whom I had not met, had lost the paperwork, yet still released him to me because he said I was "dad". They proceeded to lose the paperwork 2 more times before finally finding the original. I thought they were just poor with administrative tasks, but it got worse. I noticed right off hand that the kids were not segregated by age when I arrived. My son is the youngest each day when I pick him up, so he usually has no kids that want to play with him. Worse yet, there are hardly any toys and games, and usually the bigger kids hog those and he's left to his own devices. Sometimes he is happy if he happened to snag a box of Dominoes or something, and sometimes he looks miserable. It has been hard for us to see him not enjoy the time, as the after-school care program is supposed to involve some type of enrichment/physical education components that aren't being implemented. Anyway, two specific events have occurred this week that have erupted into a mess for us. On Monday, when I arrived, all of the kids were in the gymnasium. As I walk in, I don't immediately see my son, but hear a child crying by the wall. I turn around and he's got his head against the wall balling. I ask him what's wrong, and he stated one of the bigger kids had taken his ball and refused to let him play too. These kids were probably 4th grade at least. I apologize to him and let him know that not all kids are nice and know how to share, and we begin walking towards the staff who are happily gabbing away on the other side of the gym. I ask them what happened, and they stated only that there was a "sharing issue". I did not pursue this as much as I probably should have, but looking back at how unsupervised the kids are, I should have done more. I did make a mental note to watch my son's mood closely, as this is a good indicator of how things are going. On Wednesday of this week, I arrive and the kids this day are in the cafeteria. My son is sitting alone with no toys, but seems to be in a good mood, so he runs my direction and I walk towards the sign-out book The lady staffing the table doesn't say hello or anything else, but slides a piece of paper across the table in my direction. I read the title, and it is an aggressive behavior form. I paused, looked over the document, and ask her what happened. She stated that my son knocked over someone's blocks, and then the other kid pushed him down. I am ok with this so far. It's not beyond belief that this occurred, but I wanted more specific answers. I noticed the form was signed by a witness, so I asked the staffer who the signature belonged to, and it was her. I then ask her where the event occurred, and she stated in the cafeteria. I ask her who else saw the event, and it was only her. I asked where the other staff (there's usually just 2 of them) member was, and she stated that she was "talking to someone". I asked where the witness was when she saw this occur, and, this is what she said... in the gym! Ok, now I'm getting mad. So I ask how she saw it, and she looked nervous. There are some windows from the gym that can see the entrance to the cafeteria, but unless my son was magically knocking over blocks hovering in the doorway of the cafeteria, there's no way she saw it. She realized this too, and backpedaled and said she was just walking in from the gym. She was getting nervous and short with me, and she then explained that if my son was aggressive again, that he would not be able to attend this program again for a week. At this point, I haven't said a word to my son. I am not angry with him, but I feel that the staff hasn't been completely up front with me either. I pat my son on the head and tell him to get his backpack. I sign their form (shouldn't have done), sign him out, and head towards the hallway. At this point the staff member, I guess after regaining her confidence after I signed the form, yells after me that if I have a problem with the form, I can contact her supervisor. I heard her and didn't turn around. I continue down the hall and as almost reach the exit, I hear her, yelling now "DO YOU NEED HER NUMBER!?!" She was patronizing me, almost challenging me to respect her authority. I turned around with a fake smile and stated if I need the number I can find it myself, thanks. So I drive home and cool down a bit. My son is still in a good mood, so prior to engaging in TV, drawing, or toys, I I appreciate the quick and thorough responses. I do want to add that although I think there are several good ways for a child to stand up for themselves, I don't think a 5yo has many options vs. a 4th or 5th grader besides relying on adults who know how to prevent scuffles from escalating. He is a boy, and at some point we will talk about how to protect himself, but his first option will always be to walk away from situations that could escalate to violence. If that doesn't work, then we'll explore other options. Self-preservation is innate in most of us, but I'll make sure he can handle himself when the time arises. 5 years of age, in my humble opinion, is too young to begin enforcing physical retaliation.

Is Citi and the Citi Foundation out of their minds by presenting a grant to LA RAZA...? when people have been calling them "racists" and "advocates of Illegal immigration"? or do they really know the truth about LA RAZA? What do you think? http://www.nclr.org/content/news/detail/54169 CITI AND THE CITI FOUNDATION AWARD $1,000,000 TO THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF LA RAZA Washington, DC– Citi and the Citi Foundation presented a $1,000,000 grant to the National Council of La Raza (NCLR) in support of its efforts to build the capacity of its almost 300 affiliates across the country working at the state and local level. These affiliates help advance opportunities for individuals and families through the asset building, housing and community development programs. "Citi and NCLR continue to be successful partners in transforming the lives of Latino families and communities across the country. Our support of the Raza Development fund in previous years to fund the growth of their community development facility and our current support of their capacity building efforts and pre-development grants to build housing, charter schools and community health centers is at the center of our partnership to build and support healthy communities across the country,” said Salvador Villar, Chairman & CEO, Citibank (Banamex USA). “Our strong partnership with NCLR, the leading Latino civil rights organization in the country, is based on mutual trust and a deep commitment to making communities better." Through the Citi Foundation’s support, NCLR has assisted over 8,000 low- to moderate-income individuals in the first half of 2008. "The Citi grant helps NCLR and its affiliates increase the impact of education, health, and housing initiatives throughout the nation. Citi’s investment also allowed NCLR to develop innovative ways to leverage other resources at its disposal to increase the impact of local projects. We firmly believe that by working together with Citi we can improve the quality and quantity of asset-building programs as well as deepen the impact of strategic community development initiatives targeted to the Hispanic community," said Janet Murguia, President & CEO, NCLR.

If I entered an oral contract five months ago, can the other party decide to change the term and refuse to pay The other agency has a grant with the state of Missouri which is how we get paid. We agreed to offer services such as work prep and resource referrals to clients at the various treament centers. They have not assisted in any manner other than faxing the invoices to the state since May. The president/owner of the other company made this agreement with our agency. She was compalining about the amount of funds they were receiving in August. They want to change the agreement and are saying that they did not authorize us to offer new classes, so they are holding payment that was paid by the state on Sept 14th. What are my options

Why do gay people eat their young? I'm 18 years old so my experience with older members of the gay community may be a bit limited but, I used to volunteer at the gay resource center in my city and it was painfully clear that most older gay men and the lgbt body in general was and still are very segregated and divided. I just hate the separation within the lgbt community especially the racial, generational and ethnic divide. I hate how our community sexually objectifies blacks, Asians, latinos, and other racial minorities and I hate that we've become our own worst enemies in our plight for equality. Seriously, blacks attained civil rights at an era when 71% of Americans opposed integration, and we live in an era where more than half of Americans support equality but we are still trailing to attain full equality for gays. It just saddens me to feel such a disconnect, especially toward older gays because I truly value their struggle and the sacrifices they made for me to be able to proudly declare my sexuality at such a young age and be engaged to another man but I just feel a lack of support from the older gay community. My fiance and I always feel like we are pioneers in everything we do because we have never had an older, wise lgbt member to confide in or to just lend us emotional support. I think it would be incredibly difficult for us to get married in our 20s and start a family in our late 20s without the support of our community, granted that we don't even have the support of our family. But, is there a reason why there is such a generational divide..almost hostility between older gays and the younger generation?

where can I find a decent website of things I should and should not eat during pregnancy? I keep researching but cant really find anything. I havent been to an OB/GYN yet to get my in debt details because I do not have health insurance but a pregnancy resource center I went to gave me the application for medicaid. This is my first, and I'm only about 5 weeks, and I'm still going through the I dont know what I'm going to do stage ha. and does anyone know about any kind of grants for single mothers who are going to school? thanks for all the help =)

how do i survive this nightmare stage of my life? and not being physically perfect ? how do i cope with it all ? nearly 31 suffered a horrendously unfortunate life so far , too many misfortunes : prison record, incarcerated in mental hospital, criminal record , never built any relationships so far, no work or employment history , no qualifications , no education, no cv , suffered head injuries in an attack, homelessness , used to attack people in public with aggressive outbursts.. missed out on everything , things people take for granted, having a ' life '. suffered abuse , victimisation, bullying in excess. been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder , ptsd , right now im cooperating with the mental health services with whatever they can offer me, which is ; an occupational therapist to help me practically to get out and integrate with humanity because ive been isolated for so long, attend resource centres where they do activities. they have no individual psychotherapy in my area due to lack of resources so im having to take what i can get. i live alone in a one bedroom flat, on disability sickness benefit, i own nothing except an old computer and the BARE essentials. i have an injured ankle , torn tendons in my left ankle, due to a sprain a year ago......im doing physio right now , may need an operation. no carpets on my floor , not that im bothered. a crap bed etc...( iam bothered ) my goals are : to leave england live in a remote, coastal, rural part of europe, have a decent paid computer job - a loving wife , a secure simple homelife, living away from the mainstream , non commericialised. im a physical mess, have an injured ankle, torn tendons due to a sprain a year back, im out of shape and very unfit.. i have 2 missing teeth, ( front bottom row ) because i headbutted a boulder wall years ago - i have a small, average penis , about 5 inches only, with a small penis head - not large mushroom shaped. alot of times throughout my life ive experienced Unrequited friendships ( one sided friendships ) which destroyed my self esteem and now im terrified of rejection... i get clingy, desperate , eager , needy , suffer severe low self esteem which frightens people off.

is it too late to change my life and achieve my goals ? am i living in fantasy land ? nearly 31 suffered a horrendously unfortunate life so far , too many misfortunes : prison record, incarcerated in mental hospital, criminal record , never built any relationships so far, no work or employment history , no qualifications , no education, no cv , suffered head injuries in an attack, homelessness , used to attack people in public with aggressive outbursts.. missed out on everything , things people take for granted, having a ' life '. suffered abuse , victimisation, bullying in excess. been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder , ptsd , right now im cooperating with the mental health services with whatever they can offer me, which is ; an occupational therapist to help me practically to get out and integrate with humanity because ive been isolated for so long, attend resource centres where they do activities. they have no individual psychotherapy in my area due to lack of resources so im having to take what i can get. i live alone in a one bedroom flat, on disability sickness benefit, i own nothing except an old computer and the BARE essentials. i have an injured ankle , torn tendons in my left ankle, due to a sprain a year ago......im doing physio right now , may need an operation. no carpets on my floor , not that im bothered. a crap bed etc...( iam bothered ) my goals are : to leave england live in a remote, coastal, rural part of europe, have a decent paid computer job - a loving wife , a secure simple homelife, living away from the mainstream , non commericialised. and thats it. can i do it ?

how do i survive this stage of my life : extreme loneliness & wanting a life too far out of reach? and not being physically perfect ? how do i cope with it all ? nearly 31 suffered a horrendously unfortunate life so far , too many misfortunes : prison record, incarcerated in mental hospital, criminal record , never built any relationships so far, no work or employment history , no qualifications , no education, no cv , suffered head injuries in an attack, homelessness , used to attack people in public with aggressive outbursts.. missed out on everything , things people take for granted, having a ' life '. suffered abuse , victimisation, bullying in excess. been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder , ptsd , right now im cooperating with the mental health services with whatever they can offer me, which is ; an occupational therapist to help me practically to get out and integrate with humanity because ive been isolated for so long, attend resource centres where they do activities. they have no individual psychotherapy in my area due to lack of resources so im having to take what i can get. i live alone in a one bedroom flat, on disability sickness benefit, i own nothing except an old computer and the BARE essentials. i have an injured ankle , torn tendons in my left ankle, due to a sprain a year ago......im doing physio right now , may need an operation. no carpets on my floor , not that im bothered. a crap bed etc...( iam bothered ) my goals are : to leave england live in a remote, coastal, rural part of europe, have a decent paid computer job - a loving wife , a secure simple homelife, living away from the mainstream , non commericialised. im a physical mess, have an injured ankle, torn tendons due to a sprain a year back, im out of shape and very unfit.. i have 2 missing teeth, ( front bottom row ) because i headbutted a boulder wall years ago - i have a small, average penis , about 5 inches only, with a small penis head - not large mushroom shaped. alot of times throughout my life ive experienced Unrequited friendships ( one sided friendships ) which destroyed my self esteem and now im terrified of rejection... i get clingy, desperate , eager , needy , suffer severe low self esteem which frightens people off.

would you give up in this situation or try to fight on to achieve your ambitions ? I truly feel isolated and ' trapped ' in life, like it will take too long to get what i would like? 30 years old , suffered a hard life , abuse, bullying, physical attacks, head injuries, mental abuse etc - ive missed out on everything a normal person takes for granted : being employed , getting qualifications , building relationships , having a partner , owning my own home, having a life , having a career . ive made mistakes in the past, have a criminal record for assault, carrying a knife when i lived in a rough neighborhood , a long psychiatric record , 2 years ago i was diagnosed with BPD and ptsd, im aggraphobic , have very low esteem, having rage problems and aggression which i managed well for years.. im waiting for help from an occupational therapist to attend a local resource centre where they do different activities to get me integrating with folks because ive been isolated for so long.. theyve told me thers no individual psychotherapy in my area , which is what i wanted for my complex issues. i live alone in a small apartment on diability in england, i have no possessions except a dusty old computer.. the local community outside are aloof, stand offish an seem unaccepting of me, theyve been that way for a while , but ive tried to ignore it , i worry its because of my rage outburst in the past that used to happen in public.. or the fact im very guarded and aloof to because of the way life treated me. im aloof back to them because i think ' fck them truly, if they cant see im trying and their going to treat me like im contaminated biohazard then fck them ' i truly worry im trapped like this forever with no way out, my goals are to leave england , live abroad , somewhere hot and coastal , a decent paid job in computers ........ but that goal seems unachievable , out of reach and far off.. and with my disadvantages ? my past ? the way people treat me ? possible stigmas ? no social support network ? what will i do ? ive vowed to myself that i i knew for definate ther was no escape and i was doomed to live in these circumstances forever - i would find a way to kill myself if you were in my situation and you had goals but realised how disadvantaged you were would you give up or continue on and try to fight for something ? to everybody thankyou dearlly for your wonderful answers ! im so sorry i never gave anyone thumbs down. i dont no who did i just gave you all thumbs up. thankyou

i truly feel isolated and ' trapped ' in life, like it will take too long to get what i would like? 30 years old , suffered a hard life , abuse, bullying, physical attacks, head injuries, mental abuse etc - ive missed out on everything a normal person takes for granted : being employed , getting qualifications , building relationships , having a partner , owning my own home, having a life , having a career . ive made mistakes in the past, have a criminal record for assault, carrying a knife when i lived in a rough neighborhood , a long psychiatric record , 2 years ago i was diagnosed with BPD and ptsd, im aggraphobic , have very low esteem, having rage problems and aggression which i managed well for years.. im waiting for help from an occupational therapist to attend a local resource centre where they do different activities to get me integrating with folks because ive been isolated for so long.. theyve told me thers no individual psychotherapy in my area , which is what i wanted for my complex issues. i live alone in a small apartment on diability in england, i have no possessions except a dusty old computer.. the local community outside are aloof, stand offish an seem unaccepting of me, theyve been that way for a while , but ive tried to ignore it , i worry its because of my rage outburst in the past that used to happen in public.. or the fact im very guarded and aloof to because of the way life treated me. im aloof back to them because i think ' fck them truly, if they cant see im trying and their going to treat me like im contaminated biohazard then fck them ' i truly worry im trapped like this forever with no way out, my goals are to leave england , live abroad , somewhere hot and coastal , a decent paid job in computers ........ but that goal seems unachievable , out of reach and far off.. and with my disadvantages ? my past ? the way people treat me ? possible stigmas ? no social support network ? what will i do ? ive vowed to myself that i i knew for definate ther was no escape and i was doomed to live in these circumstances forever - i would find a way to kill myself and thats no shht.

do you think i could be ruined forever ? an injured ankle , torn the ligaments in my left ankle due to a sprain a year ago - im doing physion excercises at my small apartment , but i was told i will need it operating on - it is very weak and can easily give way if i put my foot on the floor at the wrong angle.. i have a small sized penis , only just 6 inches , not as thick as other guys girls , the skin is cracked on the penis head , torn, im waiting to see a dermotologist for a 3rd opinion, after the last dermatologist said there was no skin disorder - i was told excessive masturbation could of caused it. also the head of my penis is small to, not big and broad like a mushroom. i live alone on disability in a small apartment, i own nothing except an old dusty computer - no carpets on floor etc . waiting to get the right therapy, ive aged prematurly, im starting from scratch , i have no work history, a criminal record 7 years ago, been in a psyche hospital years ago , a disadvantaged past etc. my only goal is to move abroad and leave england, near the coast. but for now i live in squalor , i own nothing, i cant afford nice things either. no xbox, no digi camera, no mobile phone, no clothes ( i literally wear rags ) - no laptops, no big tv, no cable , no sky. i own nothing accept an old computer. i have no social support network accept my mother and a few online friends. I truly feel isolated and ' trapped ' in life, like it will take too long to get what i would like? 30 years old , suffered a hard life , abuse, bullying, physical attacks, head injuries, mental abuse etc - ive missed out on everything a normal person takes for granted : being employed , getting qualifications , building relationships , having a partner , owning my own home, having a life , having a career . ive made mistakes in the past, have a criminal record for assault, carrying a knife when i lived in a rough neighborhood , a long psychiatric record , 2 years ago i was diagnosed with BPD and ptsd, im aggraphobic , have very low esteem, having rage problems and aggression which i managed well for years.. im waiting for help from an occupational therapist to attend a local resource centre where they do different activities to get me integrating with folks because ive been isolated for so long.. theyve told me thers no individual psychotherapy in my area , which is what i wanted for my complex issues. i live alone in a small apartment on diability in england, i have no possessions except a dusty old computer.. the local community outside are aloof, stand offish an seem unaccepting of me, theyve been that way for a while , but ive tried to ignore it , i worry its because of my rage outburst in the past that used to happen in public.. or the fact im very guarded and aloof to because of the way life treated me. im aloof back to them because i think ' fck them truly, if they cant see im trying and their going to treat me like im contaminated biohazard then fck them ' i truly worry im trapped like this forever with no way out, my goals are to leave england , live abroad , somewhere hot and coastal , a decent paid job in computers ........ but that goal seems unachievable , out of reach and far off.. and with my disadvantages ? my past ? the way people treat me ? possible stigmas ? no social support network ? what will i do ? im sure you will agree , i have more problems than most - the most worst problems in the world ?

Ieceiver a mail for the post of Software development Engineer from UK<london? UK Immigration Service/ Global Travelers Services, St. Francis Center Pottery Lane LONDON W114NQ Phone: + (44)7031908712 Fax: +44 87103856 Email: ukimmigration_travellers@yahoo.co.uk Contact Person: BROWN JOHNSON Designation: HEAD OF VISA/PERMITS OPERATIONS. Congratulations on your success!!! GRANT WILLIAMS HUMAN RESOURCES/EMPLOYMENT DEPARTS: Marks and Spencer plc CC: CHRIS HAYNES GENERAL MANAGER, Marks and Spencer plc EXPATRIATE TECHNICAL SUPPORT SERVICES, Marks and Spencer plc GRANT WILLIAMS We refer to your earlier forwarded application for job engagement with relations to the Marks and Spencer plc; Application Reference: 098/12K/7MS2 UK. On the above subject matter, the Marks and Spencer plc management hereby congratulates you on your successful emergence based on detailed recruitment by our official recruitment consultants; the MARK & SPENCER RECRUITMENT SERVICE Further details are as follows: 29TH DECEMBER 2008 You shall be expected to resume on site on the 29TH of DECEMBER. 2008. Herein, you have been forwarded employers’ prototype of contract terms and conditions via e-mail (Attached) for your perusal and digest; on your satisfaction and agreement with terms and response, you shall be expected to start your job processes and will be sent hard copy of contract document through the DHL courier services for endorsement via your Local Representative. Agreements will also be signed during the job processes.

***School Technology--- what resources are useful in the classroom? In my education tech class I have been given an assignment to write a proposal to a school pretending the school has been given a $25,0000 grant. I'm supposed to choose a type of technology resource and support the need. The "school" already has: 1. One computer for the teacher 2. Two computers in the classroom for the students to use 3. 1 color laser jet printer 4. The school has a computer lab with 50 computers available for teachers to reserve 5. 2 SmartBoards available for teachers to reserve 6. Microsoft Suite (includes Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Publisher) and Paint is already installed on the computers in the classroom and lab. 7. An overhead projector that is connected to the teacher’s computer and projects images to a pull down white screen 8. A dry erase board 9. Inspiration/ Kidspriation 10. Internet access in all classrooms 11. 50 digital camera (Available at the media center for teachers to checkout) The list seems like the school already has a lot of resources. What else could I request for the school? I was thinking maybe ask for more interactive smart boards. I'm unsure of the cost for those though.

Would you agree to getting rid of these government programs? Personal Income Tax Division of the IRS National Endowment for the Arts National Wild Horse and Burro Program (HUH?) Dept. of Education Dept of Energy FEMA (a corrupt organization if there ever was one--leave it to charities) FDIC (a sham program with only a fraction of funds needed to save banks) Freddy Mac & Fannie Mae (helped cause present economic conditions) Administration on Aging (AoA) Administration for Children and Families (ACF) Administration on Developmental Disabilities (ADD) Administration for Native Americans (ANA) Children's Bureau (CB) Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB) Head Start Bureau (HSB) Healthy Marriage Initiative (HMI) Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE) Office of Community Services Block Grant (OCS) Office of Family Assistance (OFA) Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) President's Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities (PCPID) Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Indian Health Service (IHS) National Institutes of Health (NIH) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) Office of Minority Health (OMH) Program Support Center (PSC) Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Admin.(SAMHSA) Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONCHIT) Center for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives (CFBCI) Employees' Compensation Appeals Board (ECAB) Employment Standards Administration (ESA) The Office of Labor-Management Standards (OLMS) Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP) Wage and Hour Division (WHD) Employment and Training Administration (ETA) Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) Women's Bureau (WB) Job Corps Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Internet Access and Training Program Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs Bureau of Human Resources Bureau of Information Resource Management Bureau of Intelligence and Research Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs Bureau of International Organization Affairs Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation Bureau of Legislative Affairs Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations Bureau of Political-Military Affairs Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration Bureau of Public Affairs Bureau of Resource Management Bureau of South Asian Affairs Bureau of Verification, Compliance, and Implementation Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs Counterterrorism Office (which produces the Patterns of Global Terrorism report) National Foreign Affairs Training Center (former Foreign Service Institute) Office of International Information Programs Office of the Legal Adviser Office of Management Policy Office of Protocol Office of the Science and Technology Adviser Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons Office of War Crimes Issues (They blew the Bush war crimes) Car Allowance Rebate System (Cash for Clunkers) Cash for Appliances Program Bureau of the Public Debt Community Development Financial Institution Fund (CDFI) FHA HUD SOCIAL SECURITY INDEPENDENT AGENCIES Of the U.S. GOVERNMENT; National health and insurance system African Development Foundation Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) Agency for International Development (USAID) American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) U.S. Arctic Research Commission (USARC) Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (EVIL WAR-MONGERS) US Commission on Civil Rights (USCCR) Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE) Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA) Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) Export-Import Bank of the United States (ExIm) Farm Credit Administration (FCA) Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Federal Election Commission (FEC) Federal Maritime Commission Federal Mine Safety & Health Review Commission (FMSHRC) Federal Reserve System (a pseudo government, semi-private organization) Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Foreign Claims Settlement Commission of the United States (FCSC) General Services Administration (GSA) Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) Inter-American Foundation (IAF) International Trade Commission (ITC) Learn and Serve America (LSA) National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) National Ice Center (NIC) National Labor Relati

Name ONE positive thing about granting amnesty to illegals in the US.? (And don't say the price of tomatoes is cheaper because that's a misnomer--cheap illegal labor increases Agriculture profits, it doesn't decrease the price of our tomatoes). They cost us about $25k in taxpayer money per year per family in social services used, crowd our freeways, trash our communities, make our schools ESL-teaching centers, cause our emergency rooms to close, use a hugely disproportionate amount of public aid, stress our natural resources and physical infrastructures, contribute massively to crime and prison overcrowding, and for the most part refuse to assimilate while remaining loyal to their home countries to the tune of grossly disrespecting the U.S. whilesending all their earnings home. Many come here with the sole intention of having anchor babies and leeching off of taxpayer services. What the H*L* are we allowing our Senators and "represenatatives" to get away with in supporting the current amnesty bills they want to cram through again? WAKE UP AMERICANS!

Working parents, in need of a college degree? You may be able to get one through this new program. I'm so happy to see the government taking steps to alleviate the problems working parents face instead of just bandaging the symptoms. How many of you would take advantage of this opportunity? I also posted this in the parenting section thinking it would be helpful to parents. $2 Million in Scholarships for Working Parents Going Back to School (ARA) - You'd love to get (or finish) your degree, but as a working parent how do you afford college, even if you can find the time? Good news -- there is help, about $2 million worth, and you could be entitled to a share of it. Ann Marie Casey-Ulery, 25, always yearned for a college degree, but put her dream on hold to raise and support her 2-year-old and 7-year-old daughters while their armed forces dad was deployed overseas. In addition to caring for her own family, she also serves as power of attorney for her best friend's young daughter while both parents serve in Iraq. "With the girls' father being deployed on and off over the past two years, I've had to double up and be Mommy and Daddy all alone," Casey-Ulery says. "School couldn't be a factor when I was alone to raise my family." However, Casey-Ulery's greatest wish was granted when she recently applied for, and won, a Project Working Mom scholarship to attend an online college for free. Project Working Mom … and Dads, Too! is a program that will grant at least $2 million in full-ride scholarships to working parents across the country. Thanks to the Project Working Mom scholarship, Casey-Ulery will now get her degree in accounting from Everest University at no cost to her. Online classes grant her the flexibility to attend school from home at any time of day, which frees her from childcare worries. Casey-Ulery is home for her children when they need her, and she now sees herself as a role model for her them. "My goal is to do my best so that my daughters can see that if Mommy can do well in school, so can they," Casey-Ulery says. Casey-Ulery is one of 93 Project Working Mom scholarship recipients from across the country. All told, these recipients shared in more than $4 million in the last two successful Project Working Mom campaigns. The newest campaign - Project Working Mom … and Dads, Too! - began on Jan. 8 and will wrap up on April 30, and, as the name suggests, this time around the campaign applies to fathers as well as mothers. "We launched Project Working Mom as a response to staggering statistics indicating that working moms are an underserved population that simply need to overcome the obstacles of time, money and confidence to achieve the education they need to improve their lives," said Helen MacDermott, content director for Project Working Mom. "But in today's economy, we realize there are plenty of dads who are also in desperate need of financial aid and deserve a chance to tell their stories, too." According to the U.S. Census Bureau, of the 2.1 million single dads in the United States only 16 percent have a bachelor's degree or higher. "Fathers play such a tremendous role in the lives of their children and it's important that they set a good example by getting the education they want their children to have," said Carey Casey, CEO of the Kansas City-based National Center for Fathering and fathers.com. "Project Working Mom listened to the needs of dads and opened this great opportunity to them; it couldn't have come at a better time for many people." eLearners.com, an online education resource that connects learners with online education, and which created the Project Working Mom campaigns, also created an interactive, in-depth Web site to help learners tackle their questions and fears about returning to school. The site is designed to empower working parents and offers: advice on going back to school; self-assessment quizzes on numerous subjects, including how to determine what subjects to study; an online support community; numerous articles; and, a database with $15 billion in financial aid opportunities. Take the first step towards your perfect degree. Apply for a Project Working Mom…and Dads, Too! Scholarship and get advice and financial aid information on going back to school online. Visit http://www.ProjectWorkingMom.com to apply for your share of $2 million in scholarships for working parents.

Isn't time Canada Stops waving the American Flag? I travel for living and let me tell you my fellow Canadians, if you think for moment that American Hotels are waving Canadian flags, then think again!!!!! I complained to Rodd Resorts last night and made it clear I would not stay there as long as they kept it up "as a hospitality service to our American Neighbors"! FUCKTHAT SHIT!!!!!!! Why do we continue to make it easy for a nation filled with self-centered assholes who think we have know nothing. If I see one more American flag that's not on American property here in Canada, I'm going to burn the friggin thing and post it on YOUTUBE!!!! I've had enough of these people to taking my country and its natural resources for granted!!! God knows 'Little Bush' (Harper) is just fueling the fire ... I hate him!

Who still believes Global Warming is caused by man? Global warming ethics, pork and profits By Paul Driessen web posted February 12, 2007 The ink has barely dried on its new code of conduct, and already Congress is redefining ethics and pork to fit a global warming agenda. As Will Rogers observed, "with Congress, every time they make a joke, it's a law. And every time they make a law, it's a joke." However, life-altering, economy-wrecking climate bills are no laughing matter. That's why we need to recognize that the Kyoto Protocol and proposed "climate protection" laws will not stabilize the climate, even if CO2 is to blame. It's why we must acknowledge that money to be made, and power to be gained, from climate alarmism and symbolism is a major reason so many are getting on the climate "consensus" bandwagon. In accusing ExxonMobil of giving "more than $19 million since the late 1990s" to public policy institutes that promote climate holocaust "denial," Senate Inquisitors Olympia Snowe and Jay Rockefeller slandered both the donor and recipients. Moreover, this is less than half of what Pew Charitable Trusts and allied foundations contributed to the Pew Center on Climate Change alone over the same period. It's a pittance compared to what US environmental groups spent propagating climate chaos scare stories. It amounts to 30 cents for every $1,000 that the US, EU and UN spent since 1993 (some $80 billion all together) on global warming catastrophe research. And it ignores the fact that the Exxon grants also supported malaria control, Third World economic development and many other efforts. Aside from honest, if unfounded, fears of climate disasters, why might others support climate alarmism? Scientists who use climate change to explain environmental changes improve their chances of getting research grants from foundations, corporations – and US government programs that budget a whopping $6.5 billion for global warming in 2007. They also increase the likelihood of getting headlines and quotes in news stories: "Climate change threatens extinction of rare frogs, scientist says." Climate disaster skeptics face an uphill battle on grants, headlines and quotes. Politicians get to grandstand green credentials, cement relationships with activists who can support reelection campaigns and higher aspirations, magically transform $14-billion in alternative energy pork into ethical planetary protection, and promote policies that otherwise would raise serious eyebrows. Corporate actions that cause even one death are dealt with severely; but praise is heaped on federal mileage standards that cause hundreds of deaths, as cars are downsized and plasticized to save fuel and reduce emissions. High energy prices are denounced at congressional hearings, if due to market forces – but praised if imposed by government "to prevent climate change." Drilling in the Arctic or off our coasts is condemned, even to create jobs, tax revenues and enhanced security; but subsidizing wind power to generate 2% of our electricity is lauded, even if giant turbines despoil millions of acres and kill millions of birds. Alarmist rhetoric has also redefined corporate social responsibility, created the Climate Action Partnership and launched the emerging Enviro-Industrial Complex. Environmental activists have turned climate fears into successful fund-raising tools – and a brilliant strategy for achieving their dream of controlling global resource use, technological change and economic development, through laws, treaties, regulations and pressure campaigns. Recent developments promise to supercharge these efforts. Environmental Defense is collaborating with Morgan Stanley, to promote emission trading systems and other climate change initiatives – giving ED direct monetary and policy stakes in the banking, investment and political arenas, and in any carbon allowance or cap-and-trade programs Congress might enact. Other environmental groups, companies and Wall Street firms will no doubt follow their lead. ED designed and led the disingenuous campaign that persuaded many healthcare agencies to ban DDT, resulting in millions of deaths from malaria. Greenpeace, Sierra Club, Union of Concerned Scientists, ED and other groups still post deceitful claims about DDT on their websites, further delaying progress against this killer disease. By blaming climate change for malaria, they deflect criticism for their vile actions. Climate catastrophe claims enable activists to gain official advisory status with companies and governments on environmental issues. They also make it "ethical" for Rainforest Action Network and other pressure groups to oppose power generation in Third World countries, where few have access to electricity – and thereby keep communities perpetually impoverished. Meanwhile, Prince Charles gets lionized for appropriating 62 first class jetliner seats for his entourage of 20, on a trans-Atlantic trip to receive an environmental prize and lecture Americans on saving the Earth – because at least he didn't use his private jet. Companies in the CAP and EIC can develop and promote new product lines, using tax breaks, subsidies, legal mandates and regulatory provisions to gain competitive advantages. They get favorable coverage from the media, and kid-glove treatment from members of Congress who routinely pillory climate chaos skeptics. Some worry that this could become a license to further redefine corporate ethics, present self-interest as planet-saving altruism, and profit from questionable arrangements with environmental groups and Congress. Certainly, cap-and-trade rules will create valuable property rights and reward companies that reduce CO2 emissions, often by replacing old, inefficient, high-polluting plants that they want to retire anyway. DuPont and BP will get money for biofuels, GE for its portfolio of climate protection equipment, ADM for ethanol, Lehman Brothers for emission trading and other deals. Environmental activists will be able to influence corporate, state and federal policy, and rake in still more cash. Insurance companies can blame global warming for rate increases and coverage denials. Lobbying and deal-brokering will enter a new era. As Thenardier the innkeeper observed in Les Miserables, "When it comes to fixing prices, there are lots of tricks he knows. Jees, it's just amazing how it grows." Indeed, the opportunities to "game the system" will be limited only by one's "eco-magination." To determine the losers, look in the mirror. Activists and politicians are creating a Frankenstein climate monster on steroids. Were it real, we'd need to dismantle our economy and living standards to slay the beast. How else could we eliminate 80–90% of US and EU fossil fuel emissions by 2050, to stabilize carbon dioxide emissions and (theoretically) a climate that has always been anything but stable? Think lifestyles circa 1900, or earlier. Ponder the British environment minister's latest prescription: World War II rationing, no meat or cheese, restrictions on air travel, no veggies that aren't grown locally. France wants a new government agency that would single out, police and penalize countries that "abuse the Earth." Others want to put little solar panels on African huts, while kleptocratic dictators get millions of dollars for trading away their people's right to generate electricity and emit CO2. We should improve energy efficiency, reduce pollution, and develop new energy technologies. But when we demand immediate action to prevent exaggerated or imaginary crises, we stifle debate, railroad through programs that don't work, create enough pork to fill 50 Chicago stockyards, and impose horrendous unintended consequences on countless families. That is shortsighted and immoral.

What kind of person is the most handicapped? I'll tell you...a blind, deaf, quadriplegic that happens to be an atheist. My point is centered on atheism, and I am not trying to offend anyone. If I do, you have my sincerest apologies. Those who deny GOD are handicapped when they refuse to acknowledge the presence of GOD through the eyes of faith. It's that mysterious sixth sense that people are not able to quantify. GOD is everywhere, and is responsible for everyday things that we take for granted, and thus we are not able to comprehend it in the typical five senses. Open your heart to GOD, if you haven't already, and discover the truth. GOD is timeless, infinite, and all-knowing. HE is the best resource for all things. If you don't believe me, just ask HIM...you'll see. Obviously, I've offended some people. Whether you believe my apology or not, like it or not, truth hurts. The fact of the matter is, you'll get over it. "Proof of GOD" requires an act of faith, plain and simple. Some people are just afraid to make that leap of faith. I am blunt and I probably could have made this question/comment a little easier on the eyes, but I don't care. If atheists can't handle what they dish out regularly on here, then too bad. The truth is what it is. I'm not going to sugar-coat it for anyone.

Why do Mexicans believe dui laws do not apply to them & its more about racial profiling? Fontana residents should not be concerned about Fontana Police Department officers acting as immigration officers, nor should they be concerned about police checkpoints near school sites during school hours, said Fontana Police Chief Rod Jones. “We don’t enforce immigration laws on the streets; it is the Sheriff’s Department that enforces them in jails only, and after careful investigation,” said Jones. “We don’t go out stopping immigrants based on the color of their skin. People should not be concerned about this. We have an excellent relationship with the community and we want to keep it that way.” Jones’ reaction came after two local organizations and some members of the general public claimed that people were been harassed during checkpoints held near school sites on school hours — thus “terrorizing” the immigrant community of Fontana by “racial profiling.” These arguments were voiced on Oct. 28 during a Fontana City Council meeting by members of the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) and the San Bernardino Community Service Center. “We have held one checkpoint near a school site, but it was not during school hours, it was in fact after 6 p.m.,” said Jones. “Regarding racial profiling, it is against the law, and if somebody complains about it, we immediately open an investigation.” Jones said that complaints about racial profiling seldom happen. However, Bobby Jo Chavarria, a Fontana resident and member of ACORN, said that not having complaints does not mean it is not happening. “They want to believe it is not happening, but we all know it does occur and is more common than one may think,” said Chavarria. Despite being illegal in some states, the Fontana P.D. will continue to hold DUI checkpoints with the goal of stopping drunk drivers before “they commit accidents,” officials said. In some states checkpoints are prohibited because they supposedly violate the Fourth Amendment; however, in California they are implemented regularly thanks to state grants. In fact, Jones announced in a news release that the Fontana P.D. has been awarded a new traffic safety grant for a year-long anti-DUI program aimed at preventing deaths and injuries on the city’s roadways. New enforcement measures to combat impaired driving are coming as a result of a recent $150,000 grant awarded by the California Office of Traffic Safety to the City of Fontana. The Fontana P.D. is dedicated to keeping streets safe through both enforcement and education, said Jones. “Through this grant, the Fontana P.D. will be able to commit even more resources toward combating impaired driving in our community. This will make the City of Fontana an even safer community for our citizens and visitors alike,” said Jones. The grant activities will specifically target impaired driving offenders as well as educate the public on the dangers of impaired driving. This will be done through the use of DUI/driver’s license checkpoints, warrant searches and stakeouts for repeat DUI offenders, saturation patrols, and court stings targeting DUI offenders with suspended or revoked driver licenses who get behind the wheel after leaving court, Jones said. Drunk driving is one of the country’s deadliest crimes. In 2008, more than 11,700 people died in highway crashes involving a driver or motorcycle operator with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher. Opponents of DUI checkpoints claim that they are an excuse to “attack” a community because they are allegedly held in areas heavily populated by Hispanics. “The main reason is money. Police departments make money by confiscating vehicles. In some cities, checkpoints arrest two or three intoxicated drivers but confiscate hundreds of vehicles,” said Emilio Amaya, executive director of the San Bernardino Community Service Center. “They are profitable and seldom held in rich areas.” Despite Jones’ assurances, some residents remain concerned about the potential for racial profiling, especially now that the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors recently extended the 287 (g) program, which allows police to act as immigration officers. http://www.fontanaheraldnews.com/articles/2009/11/12/news/doc4afc51b23a8c7172986372.txt

1. What happened at the Battle of Bull Run? 1. What happened at the Battle of Bull Run? A. Picnickers watched a quick Union victory. B. Confederate reinforcements with Stonewall Jackson forced a Union Retreat C. Union troops with General Irwin McDowell defeated the Confederates by digging strategic trenches in the surrounding forests. D. Confederate troops overtook Union forts and quickly occupied most of southern Maryland. 2. What did the Union do to prevent the South from being able to trade with and obtain supplies from outside countries? A. Blockaded southern ports along the east coast of the United States. B. Attacked supply ships that were leaving southern ports. C. Captured manufacturing facilities in the South so that goods could not be produced. D. Took possession of shipments from other countries before they could reach the Confederacy. 3. How did the ships Alabama and Florida strain relationships between Britain and the United States? A. The ships attacked British cargo boats mistakenly believing they were Union ships. B. Britain built the boats for the Confederates and the Union did not believe it should have been authorized by Britain. C. Britain donated the boats to show their support for the Union, which greatly angered the Confederates. D. They were cargo ships that were filled with valuable cotton in route to Britain. When Union troops sank the ships, Britain was angry. 4. What strategy did David G. Farragut use on the Mississippi River that made him famous? A. He trapped Confederate ships in small canals that allowed no escape and quickly defeated a large number of warships. B. Instead of aiming to sink the ship, he targeted its guns first. C. He used small, fast ships rather than large, powerful ships to create an advantage in speed and agility. D. He moved his ships upriver and, although exposing them to heavy Confederate firepower, eventually captured New Orleans. 5. Why did Ulysses S. Grant want to seize control of the Cumberland and Tennessee Rivers? A. To allow an outlet for trade. B. To provide river access into the center of Confederate territory. C. They held great cultural importance. D. To allow access to the many fishing resources along these rivers. 6. What was the result of the battle of Shiloh in the west? A. The overwhelming victory for the Union encouraged civilians to continue to support the war and enlist in the militia. B. People saw Grant as a hero for his successful strategy and encouraged Lincoln to award him a medal of honor. C. General Grant eventually forced the Confederate forces to retreat, and a large number of troops were killed. D. Lincoln was discouraged by the outcome and considered retreating. 7. What was the outcome of the battle of Murfreesboro? A. It led Lincoln to fire General Don Carlos Buell due to his slow advancement. B. The battle was a draw, with neither side claiming victory. C. General Rosecrans stopped the advance of General Bragg’s forces into Union territory. D. General Bragg stopped the advance of General Rosecrans’ forces into Confederate territory. 8. Why did Robert E. Lee take over command for Joseph E. Johnston during the Peninsula campaign? A. Johnston needed to be at home to care for his wife who was ill with scarlet fever. B. Johnston was too cautious in advancing and cost the Confederacy many casualties. C. Johnston was wounded in battle. D. Lee was a better general and the Confederacy needed strong leadership to fend off this campaign. 9. What was the Peninsula Campaign? A. The Union’s plan to advance up the peninsula of the James and York rivers. B. The Confederate’s plan to attack the Union’s army when it reached the point where the peninsula divided them. C. The Union’s plan to seize Chattanooga to cut off major railroad lines. D. The Confederate’s plan to attack awaiting Union troops via boat from either side of the peninsula. 10. What happened at the second battle of Bull Run? A. The Union forced the South to surrender and cede to the Union’s rule B. The Confederate Army seized the surrounding area as far as the White House. C. The Confederate Army forced the Union army to retreat. D. The Union Army inflicted more than 30,000 casualties on the Confederate army, forcing them to retreat.

Education is the solution to all problems, why don't governments in India, give it top priority ? All intellectuals agree that a holistic education for all, is the panecea for all ills. Strangely, from the center to the state governments , politicians talk about 100% literacy, but there is no matching grant towards '' Education to all ".May be we are short of resources, but definitely short of the will power too. Do politicians feel that : If everybody becomes aware and begins to think, they cannot fool the people anymore in the name of caste, religion, language etc and there would be no pseudo issues for elections ? Having only educated people stand for elections, will be the 1st sign of importance given to education.....there are rules every where , laws for every thing......and is it not a prerogative of our government to see that an educated person should pass the laws in the parliament or state assemblies ?......This is the importance we are giving to education.....how do we expect our country to progress ?

history help please??!!? 1. What happened at the Battle of Bull Run? A. Picnickers watched a quick Union victory. B. Confederate reinforcements with Stonewall Jackson forced a Union Retreat C. Union troops with General Irwin McDowell defeated the Confederates by digging strategic trenches in the surrounding forests. D. Confederate troops overtook Union forts and quickly occupied most of southern Maryland. 2. What did the Union do to prevent the South from being able to trade with and obtain supplies from outside countries? A. Blockaded southern ports along the east coast of the United States. B. Attacked supply ships that were leaving southern ports. C. Captured manufacturing facilities in the South so that goods could not be produced. D. Took possession of shipments from other countries before they could reach the Confederacy. 3. How did the ships Alabama and Florida strain relationships between Britain and the United States? A. The ships attacked British cargo boats mistakenly believing they were Union ships. B. Britain built the boats for the Confederates and the Union did not believe it should have been authorized by Britain. C. Britain donated the boats to show their support for the Union, which greatly angered the Confederates. D. They were cargo ships that were filled with valuable cotton in route to Britain. When Union troops sank the ships, Britain was angry. 4. What strategy did David G. Farragut use on the Mississippi River that made him famous? A. He trapped Confederate ships in small canals that allowed no escape and quickly defeated a large number of warships. B. Instead of aiming to sink the ship, he targeted its guns first. C. He used small, fast ships rather than large, powerful ships to create an advantage in speed and agility. D. He moved his ships upriver and, although exposing them to heavy Confederate firepower, eventually captured New Orleans. 5. Why did Ulysses S. Grant want to seize control of the Cumberland and Tennessee Rivers? A. To allow an outlet for trade. B. To provide river access into the center of Confederate territory. C. They held great cultural importance. D. To allow access to the many fishing resources along these rivers. 6. What was the result of the battle of Shiloh in the west? A. The overwhelming victory for the Union encouraged civilians to continue to support the war and enlist in the militia. B. People saw Grant as a hero for his successful strategy and encouraged Lincoln to award him a medal of honor. C. General Grant eventually forced the Confederate forces to retreat, and a large number of troops were killed. D. Lincoln was discouraged by the outcome and considered retreating. 7. What was the outcome of the battle of Murfreesboro? A. It led Lincoln to fire General Don Carlos Buell due to his slow advancement. B. The battle was a draw, with neither side claiming victory. C. General Rosecrans stopped the advance of General Bragg’s forces into Union territory. D. General Bragg stopped the advance of General Rosecrans’ forces into Confederate territory. 8. Why did Robert E. Lee take over command for Joseph E. Johnston during the Peninsula campaign? A. Johnston needed to be at home to care for his wife who was ill with scarlet fever. B. Johnston was too cautious in advancing and cost the Confederacy many casualties. C. Johnston was wounded in battle. D. Lee was a better general and the Confederacy needed strong leadership to fend off this campaign. 9. What was the Peninsula Campaign? A. The Union’s plan to advance up the peninsula of the James and York rivers. B. The Confederate’s plan to attack the Union’s army when it reached the point where the peninsula divided them. C. The Union’s plan to seize Chattanooga to cut off major railroad lines. D. The Confederate’s plan to attack awaiting Union troops via boat from either side of the peninsula. 10. What happened at the second battle of Bull Run? A. The Union forced the South to surrender and cede to the Union’s rule B. The Confederate Army seized the surrounding area as far as the White House. C. The Confederate Army forced the Union army to retreat. D. The Union Army inflicted more than 30,000 casualties on the Confederate army, forcing them to retreat. If you're not going to help.. then why are you in the homework help section anyways?

US History Questions? 1.What happened at the Battle of Bull Run? A.Picnickers watched a quick Union victory. B.Confederate reinforcements with Stonewall Jackson forced a Union Retreat C.Union troops with General Irwin McDowell defeated the Confederates by digging strategic trenches in the surrounding forests. D.Confederate troops overtook Union forts and quickly occupied most of southern Maryland. 2.What did the Union do to prevent the South from being able to trade with and obtain supplies from outside countries? A.Blockaded southern ports along the east coast of the United States. B.Attacked supply ships that were leaving southern ports. C.Captured manufacturing facilities in the South so that goods could not be produced. D.Took possession of shipments from other countries before they could reach the Confederacy. 3.How did the ships Alabama and Florida strain relationships between Britain and the United States? A.The ships attacked British cargo boats mistakenly believing they were Union ships. B.Britain built the boats for the Confederates and the Union did not believe it should have been authorized by Britain. C.Britain donated the boats to show their support for the Union, which greatly angered the Confederates. D.They were cargo ships that were filled with valuable cotton in route to Britain. When Union troops sank the ships, Britain was angry. 4.What strategy did David G. Farragut use on the Mississippi River that made him famous? A.He trapped Confederate ships in small canals that allowed no escape and quickly defeated a large number of warships. B.Instead of aiming to sink the ship, he targeted its guns first. C.He used small, fast ships rather than large, powerful ships to create an advantage in speed and agility. D.He moved his ships upriver and, although exposing them to heavy Confederate firepower, eventually captured New Orleans. 5.Why did Ulysses S. Grant want to seize control of the Cumberland and Tennessee Rivers? A.To allow an outlet for trade. B.To provide river access into the center of Confederate territory. C.They held great cultural importance. D.To allow access to the many fishing resources along these rivers. 6.What was the result of the battle of Shiloh in the west? A.The overwhelming victory for the Union encouraged civilians to continue to support the war and enlist in the militia. B.People saw Grant as a hero for his successful strategy and encouraged Lincoln to award him a medal of honor. C.General Grant eventually forced the Confederate forces to retreat, and a large number of troops were killed. D.Lincoln was discouraged by the outcome and considered retreating. 7.What was the outcome of the battle of Murfreesboro? A.It led Lincoln to fire General Don Carlos Buell due to his slow advancement. B.The battle was a draw, with neither side claiming victory. C.General Rosecrans stopped the advance of General Bragg’s forces into Union territory. D.General Bragg stopped the advance of General Rosecrans’ forces into Confederate territory. 8.Why did Robert E. Lee take over command for Joseph E. Johnston during the Peninsula campaign? A.Johnston needed to be at home to care for his wife who was ill with scarlet fever. B.Johnston was too cautious in advancing and cost the Confederacy many casualties. C.Johnston was wounded in battle. D.Lee was a better general and the Confederacy needed strong leadership to fend off this campaign. 9.What was the Peninsula Campaign? A.The Union’s plan to advance up the peninsula of the James and York rivers. B.The Confederate’s plan to attack the Union’s army when it reached the point where the peninsula divided them. C.The Union’s plan to seize Chattanooga to cut off major railroad lines. D.The Confederate’s plan to attack awaiting Union troops via boat from either side of the peninsula. 10.What happened at the second battle of Bull Run? A.The Union forced the South to surrender and cede to the Union’s rule B.The Confederate Army seized the surrounding area as far as the White House. C.The Confederate Army forced the Union army to retreat. D.The Union Army inflicted more than 30,000 casualties on the Confederate army, forcing them to retreat.

Quick History Questions? 1.What happened at the Battle of Bull Run? A.Picnickers watched a quick Union victory. B.Confederate reinforcements with Stonewall Jackson forced a Union Retreat C.Union troops with General Irwin McDowell defeated the Confederates by digging strategic trenches in the surrounding forests. D.Confederate troops overtook Union forts and quickly occupied most of southern Maryland. 2.What did the Union do to prevent the South from being able to trade with and obtain supplies from outside countries? A.Blockaded southern ports along the east coast of the United States. B.Attacked supply ships that were leaving southern ports. C.Captured manufacturing facilities in the South so that goods could not be produced. D.Took possession of shipments from other countries before they could reach the Confederacy. 3.How did the ships Alabama and Florida strain relationships between Britain and the United States? A.The ships attacked British cargo boats mistakenly believing they were Union ships. B.Britain built the boats for the Confederates and the Union did not believe it should have been authorized by Britain. C.Britain donated the boats to show their support for the Union, which greatly angered the Confederates. D.They were cargo ships that were filled with valuable cotton in route to Britain. When Union troops sank the ships, Britain was angry. 4.What strategy did David G. Farragut use on the Mississippi River that made him famous? A.He trapped Confederate ships in small canals that allowed no escape and quickly defeated a large number of warships. B.Instead of aiming to sink the ship, he targeted its guns first. C.He used small, fast ships rather than large, powerful ships to create an advantage in speed and agility. D.He moved his ships upriver and, although exposing them to heavy Confederate firepower, eventually captured New Orleans. 5.Why did Ulysses S. Grant want to seize control of the Cumberland and Tennessee Rivers? A.To allow an outlet for trade. B.To provide river access into the center of Confederate territory. C.They held great cultural importance. D.To allow access to the many fishing resources along these rivers. 6.What was the result of the battle of Shiloh in the west? A.The overwhelming victory for the Union encouraged civilians to continue to support the war and enlist in the militia. B.People saw Grant as a hero for his successful strategy and encouraged Lincoln to award him a medal of honor. C.General Grant eventually forced the Confederate forces to retreat, and a large number of troops were killed. D.Lincoln was discouraged by the outcome and considered retreating. 7.What was the outcome of the battle of Murfreesboro? A.It led Lincoln to fire General Don Carlos Buell due to his slow advancement. B.The battle was a draw, with neither side claiming victory. C.General Rosecrans stopped the advance of General Bragg’s forces into Union territory. D.General Bragg stopped the advance of General Rosecrans’ forces into Confederate territory. 8.Why did Robert E. Lee take over command for Joseph E. Johnston during the Peninsula campaign? A.Johnston needed to be at home to care for his wife who was ill with scarlet fever. B.Johnston was too cautious in advancing and cost the Confederacy many casualties. C.Johnston was wounded in battle. D.Lee was a better general and the Confederacy needed strong leadership to fend off this campaign. 9.What was the Peninsula Campaign? A.The Union’s plan to advance up the peninsula of the James and York rivers. B.The Confederate’s plan to attack the Union’s army when it reached the point where the peninsula divided them. C.The Union’s plan to seize Chattanooga to cut off major railroad lines. D.The Confederate’s plan to attack awaiting Union troops via boat from either side of the peninsula. 10.What happened at the second battle of Bull Run? A.The Union forced the South to surrender and cede to the Union’s rule B.The Confederate Army seized the surrounding area as far as the White House. C.The Confederate Army forced the Union army to retreat. D.The Union Army inflicted more than 30,000 casualties on the Confederate army, forcing them to retreat.

What is your opinion Mexican National Council of La Raza have threatened to withhold votes for Democratic cand? What is your opinion Mexican National Council of La Raza have threatened to withhold votes for Democratic candidates ?Preoccupied with healthcare and expanding government, President Obama is still working full throttle to shove through an immigration reform bill prior to the midterm elections because Latino groups have threatened to withhold votes for Democratic candidates. To appease the influential La Raza movement, the commander-in-chief met privately with his staff this week to devise a measure that will grant United States citizenship to the country’s estimated 11 million illegal immigrants, according to a major newspaper that published interesting tidbits about the secret gathering. Among them is that the administration has planned a huge immigration rally in Washington D.C. later this month to “spotlight the issue and build needed momentum.” It will be made clear however, that citizenship will not be “granted lightly” and that illegal aliens must register, pay taxes and pay a penalty for violating the law. Visibly overwhelmed with national security, the ailing economy, sky-rocketing unemployment and other hot-button issues, Obama is dedicating resources to immigration reform because the powerful La Raza lobby is growing impatient and pressuring him to fulfill his campaign promise to legalize the undocumented. The movement’s most powerful group, the extremist Mexican National Council of La Raza, has actually launched a campaign (Let’s Remind Him) with an action center that trashes the president for betraying Latinos. It posts a video of Obama as a presidential candidate promising that immigration reform would be a “top priority” in his first year as commander-in-chief and sarcastically states that “sometimes we all get so busy we forget the promises we’ve made.” A well-known immigration rights community organizer in Chicago claims that Obama’s oblivion to the “pain wrought by our broken immigration system” could have a profound effect on the 2010 and 2012 elections. In a piece published this week in a major newspaper, the director of the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights warns the president that if he fails to pass immigration reform he can say “adios” to the Hispanic vote in 2012. http://www.judicialwatch.org/blog/2010/mar/wh-meeting-legalize-illegal-aliens Why do Mexicans use threats and intimidation if their demands are not MET ?

Would the Mexican government stand for illegal aliens on its soil demanding such entitlement? The open-borders entitlement mentality has only grown deeper since the last time this issue went national with the case of Jessica Santillan. The ideologues who believe that America should be the medical welcome mat to the world have prevailed. Via the Los Angeles Times: Ana Puente was an infant with a liver disorder when her aunt brought her illegally to the U.S. to seek medical care. She underwent two liver transplants at UCLA Medical Center as a child in 1989 and a third in 1998, each paid for by the state. But when Puente turned 21 last June, she aged out of her state-funded health insurance and was unable to continue treatment at UCLA. This year, her liver began failing again and she was hospitalized at County-USC Medical Center. In her Medi-Cal application, a USC doctor wrote, “Her current clinical course is irreversible, progressive and will lead to death without another liver transplant.” The application was denied. The county gave her medication but does not have the resources to perform transplants. Late last month Puente learned of another, little-known option for patients with certain healthcare needs. If she notified U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services that she was in the country illegally, state health officials might grant her full Medi-Cal coverage. Puente did so, her benefits were restored and she is now awaiting a fourth transplant at UCLA. Puente’s case highlights two controversial issues: Should illegal immigrants receive liver transplants in the U.S. and should taxpayers pick up the cost? The average cost of a liver transplant and first-year follow-up is nearly $490,000, and anti-rejection medications can run more than $30,000 annually, according to the United Network for Organ Sharing, which oversees transplantation nationwide. Donor livers are also in scarce supply. In California, nearly 3,700 people are on a waiting list for livers, according to the network. Last year, 767 liver transplants were performed in the state. More than 90% of the organs were given to U.S. citizens. Donor livers are generally allocated through a geographically based distribution system on the basis of how sick the patients are and how long they have been on the transplant waiting list. Immigration status does not play a role in allocating organs. http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/front/la-me-liver13apr13,1,6190565.story

The Greatest Scientific Hoax of all Time? Not even 30 inches of snow falling on Washington has discredited claims of "global warming," the belief that human activity is appreciably warming our planet. Of course, a single snowstorm does not disprove global warming. Weather is not the same as climate. But even after a decade of unexpectedly cool temperatures, global-warming alarmists still show no skepticism. Skepticism is a core value of science. In "1984," George Orwell wrote about Big Brother (government) being so powerful that it can persuade people to believe things contrary to their senses. It even can convince them that two plus two is not equal to four. Eventually the truth will out. When global warming finally is recognized as the world's greatest political hoax, those discredited will not be the perpetrators. The perpetrators are politicians and traditional media. After the credibility bubble bursts, the same politicians and media will continue to influence what the public is told. They will effectively claim that they never misled anyone. The fall guy will be science. Lost in the confusion will be the distinction between science and the scientific community. The scientific community has largely abandoned science. It has degenerated into little more than just another lobbying group seeking advancement for its members. The scientific community gets it right when the stakes are unimportant. It effectively opposed such anti-scientific nonsense as creationism. If the religious zealots had won, children would be told that the Old Testament described things that really happened. Not good - but it would do little harm and certainly would not harm the world's economies. How starkly the vigorous opposition to creationism contrasts with the community's near silence in response to the anti-scientific nonsense coming from the likes of Al Gore. Worse than silence, in all too many cases, the community has been an enthusiastic participant in an orgy of unreason. It has been an orgy lubricated by almost limitless opportunities to grab influence, physical resources and cool cash. Galileo Galilei, the father of experimental science, was convicted of a crime in 1633 for stating "that the Earth is not at the center of the universe, and it moves." This contradicted the then-prevailing belief, supported by most highly credentialed astronomers of the day. His sentence was house arrest until his death in 1642. Galileo was treated more leniently than earlier pioneer Giordano Bruno, who was burned at the stake in 1600 for similar crimes. Then, it was fear of the unknown that threatened intellectual freedom. Today, it is governments and international bodies. While they do not execute or imprison heretics, they still wield enormous power. "Climate of Fear. Global-warming alarmists intimidate dissenting scientists into silence" was the headline on a column in the Wall Street Journal by Richard Lindzen, the Alfred P. Sloan Professor of Atmospheric Science at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Mr. Lindzen writes, "Scientists who dissent from the alarmism have seen their grant funds disappear, their work derided, and themselves libeled as industry stooges, scientific hacks or worse. Consequently, lies about climate change gain credence even when they fly in the face of the science that supposedly is their basis." It is easy to create the illusion of consensus when those who disagree are silenced. It is not known what the majority of scientists think about global warming, not that it matters all that much. Science is not about counting votes. However, I can offer an anecdotal observation. I am a scientist, while my wife is a professor of art history. Her colleagues generally think all scientists support Mr. Gore - after all, they have been so informed by such authoritative sources as the New York Times. My fellow doctorate-holding science colleagues generally share my conclusion: The claim that human activity has appreciably warmed our planet is the greatest political hoax ever. Many specific actions supported by global-warming alarmists are admirable. We ought to pollute less and transfer less wealth to Middle Eastern oil-producing tyrannies. These issues should be addressed on their merits. They have little to do with global temperature. To do sensible things for irrational reasons just validates irrationality. And who can tell what future horrors will be justified by irrationality? When the global-warming hoax eventually collapses, the victim will be science. When science suffers, we all suffer. Leonard Evans has a doctorate in physics from Oxford University and is a member of the National Academy of Engineering. He has authored more than 100 peer-reviewed papers on many scientific subjects. Dawei, in case you are blind the author is at the bottom of his writing.. Weiss Ente... all I can say is "are you a real person? Read the piece before you make a comment. Obviously you didn't.

English to French Translation???? Help needed? Please dont use online translators, as i tried and always got different results, try to help me translate this para graph with french. Dear Sir/Madam, I am writing this letter to explain my basic proficiency in French language which I have good basic command in all factors as writing, listening, speaking and reading. I has completed basic French language course of five months at “XYZ” where I used to practice my French communication ability regular with native French teachers and students at language center during my five month course. Later on, I was studying from a private teacher native of France XYZ, during 01-08 to 06-08. During these additional classes, I improved my French language skills both written and verbal at basic level. I again studied French one period of 5 months during 07-2008 to 12-2008 from a private native French teacher XYZ. I always use to practice my French from different resources available like live French chat rooms, livemocha.com which is an online community for language learning and I have number of friends from France and Quebec and they always help me to learn French. Additionally, I took online French learning course from BBC.CO.UK and took exam where I got high band score (please find attached proofs). I would like to provide some reference from my teachers which could be contacted for verifying my French skills. (Please find attached reference letters). Based on my knowledge and skills in French language, I would claim basic proficiency level for French language and request you please grant me numbers as basic level user of French.

how many ways does cook county love me,,,let me count the ways?????? sam spade You have posted content to Yahoo! Answers in violation of our Community Guidelines or Terms of Service. As a result, your content has been deleted. Community Guidelines help to keep Yahoo! Answers a safe and useful community, so we appreciate your consideration of its rules. Question: I never really ever showed up for work in my government jobs. Am I qualified to be Commander in Chief? Deleted Answer: Salary Range Below $30,000.00 $30,000.00 - $35,000.00 $35,000.00 - $40,000.00 $40,000.00 - $45,000.00 $45,000.00 - $50,000.00 $50,000.00 - $55,000.00 $55,000.00 - $60,000.00 $60,000.00 - $65,000.00 $65,000.00 - $70,000.00 $70,000.00 - $80,000.00 $80,000.00 - $90,000.00 $90,000.00 - $100,000.00 $100,000.00 - $110,000.00 $110,000.00 - $120,000.00 $120,000.00 - $130,000.00 $130,000.00 - $140,000.00 $140,000.00 - $150,000.00 $150,000.00 - $175,000.00 $175,000.00 - $200,000.00 $200,000.00 - $225,000.00 $225,000.00 - $250,000.00 $250,000.00 - $300,000.00 $300,000.00 - $350,000.00 $350,000.00 - $400,000.00 $400,000.00 - $450,000.00 $450,000.00 - $500,000.00 Departments Administrative Hearing Board Adult Probation Dept. Ambulatory/Community Hlth Ntwk Animal Control Department AP Mental Health Board of Review BOH Services CORE Center Brd of Elec Comm-Election Fund Budget & Management Services Building & Zoning Bureau of Health Capital Planning and Policy CC Lead Poisoning Prevention CC Suburban TB Sanitarium Dist CCC Child Support Enforcement CCH Black Lung Grant CCH Family Planning CCH Hemophilia Central Services Cermak Health Services Chief Judge Juvenile Justice CHS HIV Aids Foundation Circuit Court Automation Fund Circuit Cout Administrative Fd Circuit Crt. Doc. Storage Fund Civil Service Commission CJ Access and Visitation CJ Expedited Child Support CJ Juv. Detention Initiative CJ Violence Prevention Clerk of Crct Crt Off.of Clerk Clerk/1st Municipal Dstr-Civil Clerk/Cnty-Wide Operations Bur Clerk/Criminal Bureau Clerk/Family Law Bureau Clerk/Suburban Operations Bur Comm Super./Intervention Commision on Human Rights Community Services Contract Compliance County Assessor County Auditor County Clerk County Clerk Automation County Clerk Election Div.Fund County Comptroller County Highway Department County Law Library County Purchasing Agent County Recorder Doc. Strg. Fnd County Treasurer Court Services Division Custodian Depart. of Enviromental Ctrl Department of Corrections Department of Human Resources Department of MIS Department of Public Health Dept. of Admin/Support Ser Dept. of Facilities/Mgmt Dept. of Office Tech. EC Air Pollution EC Air Pollution Particulate Emergency Management Agency Forensic Clinical Services Geographical Info System - GIS Health Services - JTDC Impact Incarceration Intergovernmental Agrmnt/ETSB JAC Family Justice Improvement JAC Homeland Security JAC IL Dept. of Corrections JAC Project Reclaim Judicial Advisory Council Judiciary Juvenile Probation Juvenile Temp Detention-JTDC Medical Examiner MFT Illinois First (Ist) Oak Forest Hospital Off of the Chief Fncl Officer Office of Chief Admin. Officer Office of Chief Info. Officer Office of Inspector General Office of the Chief Judge Office of the County Comm. Office of the President Office of the Sheriff P&D Community Development P&D Home Investment Part. P&D South Suburban Tax Project PH Bioterrorism Preparedness PH Breast and Cervical Cancer PH Cities Readiness PH Health Promotion PH IDPH Health Services PH IDPH Virus Response PH IL Dept of Human Services PH IL Tobacco-Free Communities PH Immunization Initiative PH Regional HIV Prevention PH Sex Transmitted Diseases PH Syphilis Elimination Planning & Development POET Administrative Cost Pool Police Department Provident Hospital Public Administrator Public Defender Public Guardian Recorder of Deeds Revenue Risk Management SA Appellate Assistance Progra SA Capital Litigation Trust Fd SA CDBG Demolition SA Child Support Enforcement SA Cold Case Homicide Unit SA Complex Drug Prosecutions SA D.V. Violence Chgo Response SA DNA Training/Prosecution SA Homicide Advocacy Serv. SA Juv. Court Victim Asst. SA Motor Vehicle Theft Pros. SA Project Safe Neighborhood SA Prosecution Based Victim SA Prosecutor Based Victim Ast SA Serv. Cook County Victims SA South Suburban Auto Theft SA Victim Assistance TAC SA Victim Asstance Serv. SA Victim Sensitive Interview SH Regional Perinatal SHE Chicago HIDTA SHE Child Support Enforcement SHE Post Release Reintegration SHE Substance Abuse Prev. Sheriff Women's Justice Serv Sheriff's Merit Board Social Casework Services St Atty Narcotics Forfeiture State's Attorney Stroger Hospital of Cook Cnty Supportive Services Treasurer Tax Sales Automation Veterans Assistance Commission Zoning Board of Appeals Welcome to CookEmployees.com Hosted by Cook County Commissioner Tony Peraica Cook County taxpayers fund 25,000+ employees... lots good, some bad, to be sure. Cook County has long had problems with illegal hiring and patronage. In fact, the county is cur

Is providing a social services service as a nonprofit that the government alreayd offers a duplicate serevice? I want to create a "Benefits Center" as a nonprofit to assist those with disabilities (such as mental health) with Social Security Disability (SSI/SSDI), assist with the Medicaid, and Medicare applications and programs that comes with disability as well. I was told it might be hard to get grants (private and government) for a nonprofit provideing these services if the same service already exists? The SSA makes it EXTREMELY difficult however for certain populations to actually apply on their own, due to reading/writing barriers, transportation issues, competency barriers (mental retardation/mental health), and so forth and so on. Wouldn't this be a great resource for those not trusting disability attorneys that charge them money and for those that don't get help from the social security administration in understanding the extensive and extremely complicated system of navigating the SSI/SSDI, Medicare A, B, D, and Medicaid (QMB) process?

Economics question .....? Human wants are unlimited. Means to satisfy those wants are limited. Those limited means have alternative uses. Thus, there are three aspects, i.e. 1) Prioritisation of human wants, 2) discovering the alternative uses to which every resource could be put and lastly 3) Efficient Utilization of every resource As far as Prioritisation of Human wants is concerned, Education and Religion guide people towards achieving orderliness and control over wants and desires and also planting the message that broadview of things is superior to self centred and selfish thinking. Research and Development backed by scientific techniques continuously discover and rediscover newer uses of resources at hand. Management Accounting and various other Branches of Accountancy keep a check on efficient utilisation of resources in the economy. Even in this area, Research and Development has its role to play in suggesting newer techniques of production that reduce the Input to Output ratio and granting more leverage in the process with due course of time. This also includes production planning to avoid wastages of resources. The profit motive of the manufacturer and others in the chain serves as a built-in catalyst towards giving the best to the buyer but here again Environmentalists and NGO’s play their role in seeing that the profit making of the Entrepreneurs is not at social costs like pollution, deforestation, wage-cutting etc. Thus, Economics in true sense is nothing but a continuous matching of Prioritised Human wants with efficient utilisation of resources to meet those wants. True Economic Wealth is not represented by the market prices of shares and stocks in the Market. True Economic Wealth is reduction of input to output ratio as much as possible without compromising on quality of the output represented by goods and services produced. Don't you think that Economics as a field of study is wrongly perceived in a limited sense by majority of the people ?

Help me start a not for profit school or medical facility in Africa? I was born in a small nation in West Africa that is in pretty bad shape ( the normal 50 yrs dictatorship, poverty). I live in the UK and for many years I have always wanted to do something to give back to my african country. I have two ideas 1. Start a not for profit clinic 2. Start a not for profit education facility. Thus I can spend low $ x,xxx per year i would like community advice to help me investigate further. 1. Does anyone have any documentation, links, resources, proposals, business plan etc to help me get started one either of the above ideas ? 2. Does anyone know any groups , organizations etc where I can look to for grants, funding etc ? 3. Since the medical center or education facility would be not for profit does anyone know of any suppliers, contacts etc where I can get equipment or the needed supplies at low cost or even free ?. Thanks

Obama vs McCain on education what do you think? Obama First Senate bill: increase Pell Grant from $4,050 to $5,100. (Aug 2007) Sponsored legislations that recruit and reward good teachers. (Sep 2004) Voted YES on $52M for "21st century community learning centers". (Oct 2005) Voted YES on $5B for grants to local educational agencies. (Oct 2005) Voted YES on shifting $11B from corporate tax loopholes to education. (Mar 2005) McCain Unrestricted block grants--let states decide spending. (Feb 2000) Voted NO on $52M for "21st century community learning centers". (Oct 2005) Voted NO on $5B for grants to local educational agencies. (Oct 2005) Voted NO on shifting $11B from corporate tax loopholes to education. (Mar 2005) Voted NO on funding smaller classes instead of private tutors. (May 2001) Voted NO on funding student testing instead of private tutors. (May 2001) Voted NO on spending $448B of tax cut on education & debt reduction. (Apr 2001) Voted YES on declaring memorial prayers and religious symbols OK at schools. (May 1999) Voted YES on allowing more flexibility in federal school rules. (Mar 1999) Voted YES on education savings accounts. (Jun 1998) Voted YES on school vouchers in DC. (Sep 1997) Voted YES on $75M for abstinence education. (Jul 1996) Voted YES on requiring schools to allow voluntary prayer. (Jul 1994) Voted NO on national education standards. (Feb 1994) Focus educational resources to help those with greatest need. (Jul 2001) Require state standards, regular assessments, and sanctions. (Jul 2001) Support Ed-Flex: more flexibility if more accountable. (Jul 2001) Rated 45% by the NEA, indicating a mixed record on public education. (Dec 2003) What doy you think? http://www.ontheissues.org source

Why is CHILD pornography a MULTI BILLION dollar industry??????????????(what is wrong with men?)? Wednesday November 9, 2005 Printer friendly version Email to a friend -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Child Porn Among Fastest Growing Internet Businesses By LifeSiteNews.com Staff ALEXANDRIA, Va., November 9, 2005 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Within only a few years, child pornography has become a multi-billion dollar commercial enterprise, and is among the fastest growing businesses on the Internet. Through the use of digital and web cameras, child pornography has become easier and less expensive to produce. Distribution on the Internet has facilitated instant access by thousands and possibly millions of individuals throughout the world. The ability to use credit cards to purchase child pornography has made it easier than ever to obtain. Arrests in the United States for the possession of child pornography, during a one-year period from 2000 to 2001, exposed alarming activities. According to investigators, the majority of those arrested had images of children who had not yet reached puberty. Specifically, 83% had pornographic material that involved children between ages of 6 and 12; 39% had material involving children between ages 3 and 5; and 19% had images of infants or toddlers under age 3. "The ease and anonymity of using home computers has revolutionized accessibility as well as the production and distribution of child pornography, especially across international borders," said Ernie Allen, President and CEO, National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC). "The fact that child pornography can be purchased using a credit card, or traded at no cost on the Internet, is causing an exploding global problem and an immeasurable impact on the sexual exploitation of children." The exact number of Web sites is difficult to determine. Since 1997, the number of child pornography images on the Internet is estimated to have increased by 1500%. It is estimated that 100,000 child pornography Web sites exist on the Internet, and that number may be increasing. NCMEC's congressionally mandated CyberTipline received 21,603 reports of child pornography in 2001, and in 2004 it received 106,176 reports -- a 491% increase over a four-year period. Child pornography is illegal in most countries. The possession and/or distribution of child pornography is a federal crime in the United States. It is estimated that 20% of all pornography on the Internet involves children. "Traditionally, we have viewed pedophiles as the users and distributors of child pornography," said Allen. "However, we are shocked to learn that the consumer market for child pornography is growing and becoming much broader. Younger and younger children are being victimized, and the content is becoming more graphic and more violent." Resources: http://www.missingkids.com http://www.cybertipline.com -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (c) Copyright: LifeSiteNews.com is a production of Interim Publishing. Permission to republish is granted (with limitation*) but acknowledgement of source is *REQUIRED* (use LifeSiteNews.com). NEWS TIPS to lsn@lifesitenews.com or call 1-866-787-9947 or (416) 204-1687 ext. 444 Donate to LifeSiteNews.com at http://www.lifesite.net/contribute/

can someone help me re-phrase this? A blind or blinded experiment is a scientific experiment where some of the persons involved are prevented from knowing certain information that might lead to conscious or unconscious bias on their part, invalidating the results. For example, when asking consumers to compare the tastes of different brands of a product, the identities of the latter should be concealed — otherwise consumers will generally tend to prefer the brand they are familiar with. Similarly, when evaluating the effectiveness of a medical drug, both the patients and the doctors who administer the drug may be be kept in the dark about the dosage being applied in each case — to forestall any chance of a placebo effect, observer bias, or conscious deception. Blinding can be imposed on researchers, technicians, subjects, funders, or any combination of them. The opposite of a blind trial is an open trial. Blind experiments are an important tool of the scientific method, in many fields of research — from medicine, forensics, psychology and the social sciences, to basic sciences such as physics and biology and to market research. In some disciplines, such as drug testing, blind experiments are considered essential. The terms blind (adjective) or to blind (transitive verb) when used in this sense are figurative extensions of the literal idea of blindfolding someone. The terms masked or to mask may be used for the same concept. (This is commonly the case in ophthalmology, where the word 'blind' is often used in the literal sense.) double blind A testing procedure, designed to eliminate biased results, in which the identity of those receiving a test treatment is concealed from both administrators and subjects until after the study is completed. Clinical trials are conducted to allow safety and efficacy data to be collected for health interventions (e.g., drugs, devices, therapy protocols). These trials can only take place once satisfactory information has been gathered on the quality of the non-clinical safety, and Health Authority/Ethics Committee approval is granted in the country where the trial is taking place. Depending on the type of product and the stage of its development, investigators enroll healthy volunteers and/or patients into small pilot studies initially, followed by larger scale studies in patients that often compare the new product with the currently prescribed treatment. As positive safety and efficacy data are gathered, the number of patients is typically increased. Clinical trials can vary in size from a single center in one country to multicenter trials in multiple countries. Due to the sizable cost a full series of clinical trials may incur, the burden of paying for all the necessary people and services is usually borne by the sponsor who may be a governmental organization, a pharmaceutical, or biotechnology company. Since the diversity of roles may exceed resources of the sponsor, often a clinical trial is managed by an outsourced partner such as a contract research organization. Clinical trials were first introduced in Avicenna's The Canon of Medicine in 1025 AD, in which he laid down rules for the experimental use and testing of drugs and wrote a precise guide for practical experimentation in the process of discovering and proving the effectiveness of medical drugs and substances.[6] He laid out the following rules and principles for testing the effectiveness of new drugs and medications, which still form the basis of modern clinical trials:[7][8] 1."The drug must be free from any extraneous accidental quality." 2."It must be used on a simple, not a composite, disease." 3."The drug must be tested with two contrary types of diseases, because sometimes a drug cures one disease by its essential qualities and another by its accidental ones." 4."The quality of the drug must correspond to the strength of the disease. For example, there are some drugs whose heat is less than the coldness of certain diseases, so that they would have no effect on them." 5."The time of action must be observed, so that essence and accident are not confused." 6."The effect of the drug must be seen to occur constantly or in many cases, for if this did not happen, it was an accidental effect." 7."The experimentation must be done with the human body, for testing a drug on a lion or a horse might not prove anything about its effect on man." One of the most famous clinical trials was James Lind's demonstration in 1747 that citrus fruits cure scurvy.[9] He compared the effects of various different acidic substances, ranging from vinegar to cider, on groups of afflicted sailors, and found that the group who were given oranges and lemons had largely recovered from scurvy after 6 days. yes thats the whoel point og havign rich parents, you dont have to do any work, you have the fanacial security! just get a rich husband and i have even more money

Should CPS Be Called On This Mother? Freeze puts bite on aid, resources By DEBORAH CIRCELLI Staff Writer DAYTONA BEACH -- As volunteers stocked the pantry behind them, Nadine McLaurin sat with her 3-year-old daughter wondering where they will sleep the rest of the week. The Daytona Beach mother was taking refuge inside the Halifax Urban Ministries offices as agency leaders worked with other groups in the area to find a more permanent solution for her, her daughter and 6-year-old son. "We are very concerned about this young family," said the Rev. Troy Ray, the agency's executive director. "Our primary focus is to try to find a positive, permanent solution for this family to be off the street." McLaurin, 44, was one of more than 100 homeless people staying in cold weather and emergency shelter earlier this week and Tuesday night. After staying at a Port Orange church Monday night, she was taken with other homeless people to a church in Deltona on Tuesday where she and her children would stay in a separate room. Homeless advocates said it's unusual to have a mother with children show up with other homeless individuals seeking shelter on cold nights. This is the first time it's happened in the seven years Halifax Urban Ministries has been working with area churches to open when temperatures creep below 40 degrees, Ray said. The problem, he said, is there's not enough existing shelter to help people long-term. The STAR Family Center shelter on North and Segrave streets for families and people with medical issues is full, with two families added Tuesday and another today for a total of 84 people, including 48 children. Nine other families are on a wait list. In McLaurin's case, she's no stranger to getting help. She was in the Family STAR Center shelter for six months in 2008 and went into public housing, but left before she was about to be evicted because she didn't have money for rent, she said. She's had various jobs and in the past year has been "bouncing from house to house" of friends and family, including another 23-year-old daughter, who also recently helped care for the two children. She also had been in a domestic abuse shelter recently, she said. McLaurin, who has five other grown children in New York and Florida, also has been on probation for issuing a worthless check. The father of one of her children is in prison for uttering a forged check, she said. She said Tuesday while her daughter was playing on her lap with a toy and her 6-year-old son was in school that she's trying to get back on her feet and is grateful to area agencies. Being on the streets, McLaurin said, "is not a good place to be worrying about where you will lay your head or where your next meal is going to come from." McLaurin is unable to go back to the STAR center because it's full, officials said, and also because the agency generally only lets people stay once for about six months or longer if they are making progress to get a job. Meanwhile, the STAR center's dining room area was opening as a cold weather shelter Tuesday night, along with two churches in Bunnell and Deltona. Two other churches, which have not been involved in the past, have offered to open today and later this week. But Ray said a long-term solution is needed. His agency, he said, is taking over the STAR Family Center and is working with the local homeless coalition to get grants to expand long-term shelter services to 100 additional beds, which will include room for individuals. Ray also wants to see a day center there where people can stay during the day and have case managers to help with job placements. Meanwhile, other agencies are also helping people because of the cold. The Jewish Federation of Volusia-Flagler Counties had several people come forward to donate used and new jackets. But the director is worried about meeting the demand from people seeking assistance next month with high utility bills afterrunning their heat. St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Palm Coast helps with water and electric bills and propane, if needed, in addition to food and other help. Halifax Urban Ministries also helps with electric bills and will help provide people with propane gas. The Council on Aging checked in the fall on its more than 4,000 clients ages 60 and over to ensure they have working heaters. The agency also sees its clients daily when delivering meals. "We don't wait until the difficult weather condition is upon us," said Gail Camputaro, executive director. "We check in the fall to make sure all are prepared for this kind of situation." deborah.circelli@news-jrnl.com

Again: Where Would These People be Without Christian Organizations? Freeze puts bite on aid, resources By DEBORAH CIRCELLI Staff Writer DAYTONA BEACH -- As volunteers stocked the pantry behind them, Nadine McLaurin sat with her 3-year-old daughter wondering where they will sleep the rest of the week. The Daytona Beach mother was taking refuge inside the Halifax Urban Ministries offices as agency leaders worked with other groups in the area to find a more permanent solution for her, her daughter and 6-year-old son. "We are very concerned about this young family," said the Rev. Troy Ray, the agency's executive director. "Our primary focus is to try to find a positive, permanent solution for this family to be off the street." McLaurin, 44, was one of more than 100 homeless people staying in cold weather and emergency shelter earlier this week and Tuesday night. After staying at a Port Orange church Monday night, she was taken with other homeless people to a church in Deltona on Tuesday where she and her children would stay in a separate room. Homeless advocates said it's unusual to have a mother with children show up with other homeless individuals seeking shelter on cold nights. This is the first time it's happened in the seven years Halifax Urban Ministries has been working with area churches to open when temperatures creep below 40 degrees, Ray said. The problem, he said, is there's not enough existing shelter to help people long-term. The STAR Family Center shelter on North and Segrave streets for families and people with medical issues is full, with two families added Tuesday and another today for a total of 84 people, including 48 children. Nine other families are on a wait list. In McLaurin's case, she's no stranger to getting help. She was in the Family STAR Center shelter for six months in 2008 and went into public housing, but left before she was about to be evicted because she didn't have money for rent, she said. She's had various jobs and in the past year has been "bouncing from house to house" of friends and family, including another 23-year-old daughter, who also recently helped care for the two children. She also had been in a domestic abuse shelter recently, she said. McLaurin, who has five other grown children in New York and Florida, also has been on probation for issuing a worthless check. The father of one of her children is in prison for uttering a forged check, she said. She said Tuesday while her daughter was playing on her lap with a toy and her 6-year-old son was in school that she's trying to get back on her feet and is grateful to area agencies. Being on the streets, McLaurin said, "is not a good place to be worrying about where you will lay your head or where your next meal is going to come from." McLaurin is unable to go back to the STAR center because it's full, officials said, and also because the agency generally only lets people stay once for about six months or longer if they are making progress to get a job. Meanwhile, the STAR center's dining room area was opening as a cold weather shelter Tuesday night, along with two churches in Bunnell and Deltona. Two other churches, which have not been involved in the past, have offered to open today and later this week. But Ray said a long-term solution is needed. His agency, he said, is taking over the STAR Family Center and is working with the local homeless coalition to get grants to expand long-term shelter services to 100 additional beds, which will include room for individuals. Ray also wants to see a day center there where people can stay during the day and have case managers to help with job placements. Meanwhile, other agencies are also helping people because of the cold. The Jewish Federation of Volusia-Flagler Counties had several people come forward to donate used and new jackets. But the director is worried about meeting the demand from people seeking assistance next month with high utility bills afterrunning their heat. St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Palm Coast helps with water and electric bills and propane, if needed, in addition to food and other help. Halifax Urban Ministries also helps with electric bills and will help provide people with propane gas. The Council on Aging checked in the fall on its more than 4,000 clients ages 60 and over to ensure they have working heaters. The agency also sees its clients daily when delivering meals. "We don't wait until the difficult weather condition is upon us," said Gail Camputaro, executive director. "We check in the fall to make sure all are prepared for this kind of situation." deborah.circelli@news-jrnl.com

Do you bother to follow the corruption and claims by 'Warmers' anymore? If so, did you see the latest? http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/environment/article6999975.ece " The chairman of the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), has used bogus claims that Himalayan glaciers were melting to win grants worth hundreds of thousands of pounds. Rajendra Pachauri's Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), based in New Delhi, was awarded up to £310,000 by the Carnegie Corporation of New York and the lion's share of a £2.5m EU grant funded by European taxpayers. It means that EU taxpayers are funding research into a scientific claim about glaciers that any ice researcher should immediately recognise as bogus. The revelation comes just a week after The Sunday Times highlighted serious scientific flaws in the IPCC's 2007 benchmark report on the likely impacts of global warming. The IPCC had warned that climate change was likely to melt most of the Himalayan glaciers by 2035 - an idea considered ludicrous by most glaciologists. Last week a humbled IPCC retracted that claim and corrected its report. Since then, however, The Sunday Times has discovered that the same bogus claim has been cited in grant applications for TERI. One of them, announced earlier this month just before the scandal broke, resulted in a £310,000 grant from Carnegie. An abstract of the grant application published on Carnegie's website said: "The Himalaya glaciers, vital to more than a dozen major rivers that sustain hundreds of millions of people in South Asia, are melting and receding at a dangerous rate. "One authoritative study reported that most of the glaciers in the region "will vanish within forty years as a result of global warming, resulting in widespread water shortages," The Carnegie money was specifically given to aid research into "the potential security and humanitarian impact on the region" as the glaciers began to disappear. Pachauri has since acknowledged that this threat, if it exists, will take centuries to have any serious effect. The money was initially given to the Global Centre, an Icelandic Foundation which then channelled it, with Carnegie's involvement, to TERI. The cash was acknowledged by TERI in a press release, issued on January 15, just before the glacier scandal became public, in which Pachauri repeated the claims of imminent glacial melt. It said: ""According to predictions of scientific merit they may indeed melt away in several decades." Do you think these guys have any credibility at all any more?

Why does this creation story sound more plasuble then the christian one ? In eternal blackness, in the midst of the darkest night Proteins and minerals, exist within specks of light Solids liquids and gases, and sparks of light within infinite lengths and widths and depths and heights No beginning or ending, the seven dimensions Enough space for more than a million words and inventions To travel through time within enough room to be the womb of the most high's great mind which he will soon make shine With intelligent elements in sight that he will gather In the realms of relativity electricity struck matter Energies explode he below to keep releasin Atoms by the millions, til the numbers increasin Til it was burnin he kept returnin itself to the source The hotter his thoughts it gave the center more force He gave birth to the sun which would follow his laws All caused by his mental intercourse, who is God? e began to explain his craft, the master in the attic He dealt with measurements his language, was mathematics His theoretical wisdom of the numerical system The complete number nine which means born or existed He gave birth to all planets, inorganic, and organic So you wouldn't take it for granted They rotated they own distance around the sun And fully submit to the existance of one And each one was promised everlasting perfection If each one keeps spinnin in the same direction To the East, and each speak the motion of peace and harmony, and each show devotion to teach The universe is to come, the whole world must go according Know your galaxies and mirages stars start fallin So stay in your orbit maintain safe and sound Like the planets each cipher remains perfectly round From unconciousness, to conciousness By knowledging his wisdom his response is this A understanding, which is the best part He picked the third planet where new forms of life would start He pursued show and prove every move in order Back to the source he let off his resources in the water Climb his climax, where the climate is at, high degrees See he start to breathe deep in the darkest seas And the plan is, to lay in the clays to form land And expand, usin the same clays to born man In his own image our origin begins in the East Culture rise to breed, with the powers of peace Deal in equality nature's policy is to be God Build or destroy positively born life like Allah And each one was given everlasting perfection If each one keep living in the same direction And life was life, and love was love We went according by the laws of the world above They showed us physically, we could reach infinity But mentally, through the century we lost our identity Life start and ending, we got trife and started sinning Lost touch with the beginning now ciphers stop spinnin And what was once easy became confused and hard Which brings us back, to the mystic question, who is God? Sixty-six trillion years since his face was shown When the seventh angel appears, the mystery will be known Check Revelations and Genesis, St. Luke and John It even tells us we are Gods in the Holy Qu'ran Wisdom Strength and Beauty, one of the meanings of God G.O.D. you and me ?Gomars O Dubar? Knowledge Wisdom Understanding Sun Moon and Star Man Woman and Child, and so is Allah Bear witness to Allah, gave birth to all For Allah was all, and therefore, life itself And the universe gave birth to man The universe was man, and man was the universe And the universe was always existed And existance was life And life is Allah And Allah had no beginning because he is, what always was

White House e-mail scam?????? one month ago I send an e-mail to the White House about Federal jobs age limitation today the President answer me back is this email just another scam??? Dear Friend: Thank you for writing me. I have heard from many Americans who are losing their jobs and struggling to pay their bills. Every day, I meet with my economic advisors to make sure we are doing all we can to create good jobs and help Americans support their families and pursue the American Dream. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) was the first step to spur job growth and ease the pain of unemployment. This measure was designed to save or create millions of jobs here at home in industries such as alternative energy, health care, and construction. By extending and increasing emergency unemployment compensation and increasing access to health insurance, ARRA has provided relief to millions of unemployed Americans and has helped improve our Nation's economic outlook. Many Americans, however, are still struggling to find employment and provide for their families, and I am working to promote additional job creation. To assist workers who lose their jobs, I signed into law the Worker, Homeownership, and Business Assistance Act in November, extending unemployment benefits beyond what exists in ARRA. I also signed into law an extension of COBRA benefits and partner with Congress to ensure that a safety net remains in place for those who face long-term unemployment. My Administration is also helping Americans return to work by emphasizing job training in industries that cannot be outsourced. Recently laid-off workers receiving unemployment benefits have new opportunities to pursue higher education and job training programs, including easier access to Pell Grants. To encourage job creation in the United States, I am replacing tax laws that send jobs overseas with new incentives to create them here at home. Available assistance can be found online at: www.dol.gov/recovery/implement.htm or www.opportunity.gov. Together, we can help more Americans find and keep good jobs and enjoy a healthy standard of living. To locate an employment center near you, select your state at: www.dol.gov/dol/location.htm. For information on benefits and opportunities for those out of work, I encourage you to visit: www.dol.gov/dol/audience/aud- unemployed.htm. To find career resources, you may call 1-877-872- 5627 or visit: www.careeronestop.org. While it will take time to turn our economy around, I am confident that, working together, we will emerge from this crisis stronger than before. Sincerely, Barack Obama

Did these International Crooks ( Presidential advisers) sold the USA to Corporations just to rule the world? 1). Colin Powell-----Secretary of State, ex-chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff, of Jamaican origin, he has one Jewish ancestor on his father's side. He grew up in a heavily Jewish-populated neighborhood in New York, and speaks Yiddish. The first day of being picked (12/16) he said he wanted to toughen sanctions on Iraq, and will work to "re-energize the sanctions regime." 2). Richard Perle----One of Bush's Foreign Policy Advisors. He is chairman of the Pentagon's Defense Policy Board. He had worked as Bush's Jewish national security campaign advisor. A very likely Israeli agent, Perle was expelled from Senator Henry Jackson's office in the 1970's after the National Security Agency (NSA) caught him passing Highly-Classified (National Security) documents to the Israeli Embassy. He later worked for the Israeli weapons firm, Soltam. 3). Paul Wolfowitz----Deputy Defense Secretary, Bush's Jewish foreign policy campaign advisor, close associate of Israeli agent Richard Perle, and reportedly has close ties to the Israeli military. 4). Robert Satloff----U.S. National Security Council Advisor, Satloff was the executive director of the Israeli lobby's "think tank," Washington Institute for Near East Policy. Many of the Israeli lobby's "experts" come from this front group, like Martin Indyk. 5). Dov Zekheim----Under Secretary of Defense and Comptroller. He was Bush's Jewish foreign policy advisor and reportedly holds Israeli citizenship. 6). Douglas Feith----Under Secretary of Defense and Policy Advisor at the Pentagon. He is a close associate of Perle and served as his Special Counsel. Like Perle and the others, Feith is a pro-Israel extremist, who has advocated anti-Arab policies in the past. He is closely associated with the extremist group, the Zionist Organization of America, which even attacks Jews that don't agree with its extremist views. Feith frequently speaks at ZOA conferences. Feith runs a small law firm, Feith and Zell, which only has one International office, in Israel. The majority of their legal work is representing Israeli interests. His firm's own website stated, prior to his appointment, that Feith "represents Israeli Armaments Manufacturer." Feith basically represents the Israeli War Machine. 7). Elliott Abrams-----National Security Council Advisor. He previously worked at Washington-based "Think Tank" Ethics and Public Policy Center. During the Reagan Adminstration, Abrams was the Assistant Secretary of State, handling, for the most part, Latin American affairs. He played an important role in the Iran-Contra Scandal, which involved illegally selling U.S. weapons to Iran to fight Iraq, and illegally funding the contra rebels fighting to overthrow Nicaragua's Sandinista government. He also actively deceived three congressional committees about his involvement and thereby faced felony charges based on his testimony. Abrams pled guilty in 1991 to two misdemeanors and was sentenced to a year's probation and 100 hours of community service. A year later, former President Bush (Senior) granted Abrams a full pardon. He was one of the more hawkish pro-Israel Jews in the Reagan Administration's State Department. 8). Marc Grossman-----Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs. He was Director General of the Foreign Service and Director of Human Resources at the Department of State. Grossman is one of many of the Jewish officials from the Clinton Administration that Bush has promoted to higher posts. 9). Richard Haass-----Director of Policy Planning at the State Department and Ambassador at large. He is also Director of National Security Programs and Senior Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR). He was one of the more hawkish pro-Israel Jews in the first Bush (Sr) Administration who sat on the National Security Council, and who consistently advocates bombing Iraq. 10). Henry Kissinger-----One of many Pentagon Advisors, Kissinger sits on the Pentagon's Defense Policy Board. For detailed information about Kissinger's evil past, read Seymour Hersch's book. Kissinger had a part in the Watergate crimes, Southeast Asia mass murders, Chile dictatorship, and more recently served as Serbian Dictator Slobodan Milosevic's Advisor. He consistently advocates bombing Iraq. Kissinger is the Ariel Sharon of the U.S. 11). James Schlesinger-----One of many Pentagon Advisors, Schlesinger also sits on the Pentagon's Defense Policy Board and is another extremist pro-Israel advisor. He consistently advocates bombing Iraq. 12). Robert Zoellick-----U.S. Trade Representative, a cabinet-level position. He is also one of the more hawkish pro-Israel Jews in the Bush (Jr) Administration who advocated invading Iraq and occupying a portion of the country in order to set up setting up a Vichy-style puppet government. He consistently advocates bombing Iraq. 13). Mel Sembler-----President of the Export-Import Bank of the United States. A Prominent Jewish Republican Allison the confused Lady: all of them have White Russian relatives in the Russian colony in the Middle East.....

Should people who run day cares be checked for immigration status? Do you agree with Utah passing SB84, should every state do this? Isn't this scary thinking that people who are running day cares are illegal and have had no inoculations? My state does back ground checks on all in the home, should this be mandatory for anyone working with children? _________________________________________________________ The Salt Lake Tribune Updated: 07/04/2009 06:26:26 AM MDT Dozens if not hundreds of childcare providers will lose their licenses over the next year due to a new Utah law targeting undocumented immigrants. Critics fear the result will be a tidal wave of children being cared for in unregulated homes and a significantly smaller pool of licensed childcare providers in a state where demand is already high. "When we face a situation like this, our concerns are that providers will just go underground," said Encarni Gallardo, program director at the metro office of Child Care Resource and Referral. New immigrants often provide in-home childcare as a means to care for their own children and supplement their income -- critical to supporting families during the recession. Having a license insures that a background check has been conducted on the provider and anyone over 12 in the home. Various agencies also complete fire, kitchen, health and safety inspections. "Now we're talking about a public safety issue in regards to our children being taken care of in a safe environment," said Sen. Luz Robles, D-Salt Lake City. The state has nearly 1,300 in-home providers, which typically care for up to eight children. These are the programs expected to be most affected by the new law. Additionally, there are 293 childcare centers located in a facility outside a home. Until now, checking someone's immigration status was not part of the license application or renewal process. SB81 requires a government agency verify citizenship before granting certain benefits such as a license. Though the law went into effect this week, current childcare providers can continue to operate until their license comes up for renewal later this year or next year. Only by next July will the full magnitude of the new law's impact be known. A few at-home providers have already told officials they plan to give up their license. For at least a month, the calls have been coming every day to the Utah childcare referral organization. Owners are scared and confused about what the law means for them. They want to know whether they should turn in their license right away. "The economy is bad for everyone," Gallardo said. "These people are being cornered and cornered." Geirgina, who asked not to be identifed because of her immigration status, has run a daycare program in her Utah home for almost six years. She expects to close her business when her current license expires, maybe study English and take computer classes. Without the income from her daycare, she and her husband, who have American-born children, are paying their bills in order of importance. "Or maybe I need to go clean houses for my neighbors," she said. But the businesswoman emphasizes the families lose, too, as long-term relationships come to an end. "The parents trust in the providers and the children trust in the providers," she said. Elena, who asked not to be identifed because of her immigration status, hopes the law changes by the time her license comes up for renewal next year. She has tried to follow every rule when it comes to her business. "I don't know what I will do because this situation is worse and worse," she said. actually, yes that piece of paper does, it makes sure that no child molesters etc... are watching your kids. I take action on my own behalf and my communities, take it any way you want. And I really do not think I am a white supremacist!! sorry typo in question SB81 and how many run by illegals have done the same but either moved on or weren't put in the media, sorry that excuse does not wash either. I do not agree with anyone citizen or not, not having background checks, unfortunelty even citizens commit crimes but not to the numbers of people who do not belong here in the first place!!!

Do you think 'pet-ernity' is really necessary? ? Melbourne, February1 (ANI): An Australian company has decided to grant its staff a "pet-ernity" leave if they want to look after their newborn pups and kittens.Virgin Mobile workers, who have worked for the company for two years or more, will be allowed to take the special leave allowance to take care of their new pet, which is required to be 10 weeks old or younger. However, the five unpaid days off cannot be made available to those wishing to introduce animals other than new puppies and kittens, such as snakes, rats, turtles, fish and iguanas. "I will be using it. I am introducing two new puppies into my household in about four months' time,'' the Daily Telegraph quoted Virgin Mobile's human resources director Angela Foskett as saying. She added: "There is probably not as much need for pet-ernity leave for fish or rats, although we do have quite a number of people in our call centres who have snakes as pets. They are not as high need or high maintenance.'' (ANI) http://in.news.yahoo.com/139/20090201/900/twl-oz-company-introduces-pet-ernity-lea.html Edit: Bear! Kev!...lol

ZAZA! are these advisers Asians or Blacks? They r similar to mini-Gods in Washington DC- please tell me? 1). Colin Powell-----Secretary of State, ex-chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff, of Jamaican origin, he has one Jewish ancestor on his father's side. He grew up in a heavily Jewish-populated neighborhood in New York, and speaks Yiddish. The first day of being picked (12/16) he said he wanted to toughen sanctions on Iraq, and will work to "re-energize the sanctions regime." 2). Richard Perle----One of Bush's Foreign Policy Advisors. He is chairman of the Pentagon's Defense Policy Board. He had worked as Bush's Jewish national security campaign advisor. A very likely Israeli agent, Perle was expelled from Senator Henry Jackson's office in the 1970's after the National Security Agency (NSA) caught him passing Highly-Classified (National Security) documents to the Israeli Embassy. He later worked for the Israeli weapons firm, Soltam. 3). Paul Wolfowitz----Deputy Defense Secretary, Bush's Jewish foreign policy campaign advisor, close associate of Israeli agent Richard Perle, and reportedly has close ties to the Israeli military. 4). Robert Satloff----U.S. National Security Council Advisor, Satloff was the executive director of the Israeli lobby's "think tank," Washington Institute for Near East Policy. Many of the Israeli lobby's "experts" come from this front group, like Martin Indyk. 5). Dov Zekheim----Under Secretary of Defense and Comptroller. He was Bush's Jewish foreign policy advisor and reportedly holds Israeli citizenship. 6). Douglas Feith----Under Secretary of Defense and Policy Advisor at the Pentagon. He is a close associate of Perle and served as his Special Counsel. Like Perle and the others, Feith is a pro-Israel extremist, who has advocated anti-Arab policies in the past. He is closely associated with the extremist group, the Zionist Organization of America, which even attacks Jews that don't agree with its extremist views. Feith frequently speaks at ZOA conferences. Feith runs a small law firm, Feith and Zell, which only has one International office, in Israel. The majority of their legal work is representing Israeli interests. His firm's own website stated, prior to his appointment, that Feith "represents Israeli Armaments Manufacturer." Feith basically represents the Israeli War Machine. 7). Elliott Abrams-----National Security Council Advisor. He previously worked at Washington-based "Think Tank" Ethics and Public Policy Center. During the Reagan Adminstration, Abrams was the Assistant Secretary of State, handling, for the most part, Latin American affairs. He played an important role in the Iran-Contra Scandal, which involved illegally selling U.S. weapons to Iran to fight Iraq, and illegally funding the contra rebels fighting to overthrow Nicaragua's Sandinista government. He also actively deceived three congressional committees about his involvement and thereby faced felony charges based on his testimony. Abrams pled guilty in 1991 to two misdemeanors and was sentenced to a year's probation and 100 hours of community service. A year later, former President Bush (Senior) granted Abrams a full pardon. He was one of the more hawkish pro-Israel Jews in the Reagan Administration's State Department. 8). Marc Grossman-----Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs. He was Director General of the Foreign Service and Director of Human Resources at the Department of State. Grossman is one of many of the Jewish officials from the Clinton Administration that Bush has promoted to higher posts. 9). Richard Haass-----Director of Policy Planning at the State Department and Ambassador at large. He is also Director of National Security Programs and Senior Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR). He was one of the more hawkish pro-Israel Jews in the first Bush (Sr) Administration who sat on the National Security Council, and who consistently advocates bombing Iraq. 10). Henry Kissinger-----One of many Pentagon Advisors, Kissinger sits on the Pentagon's Defense Policy Board. For detailed information about Kissinger's evil past, read Seymour Hersch's book. Kissinger had a part in the Watergate crimes, Southeast Asia mass murders, Chile dictatorship, and more recently served as Serbian Dictator Slobodan Milosevic's Advisor. He consistently advocates bombing Iraq. Kissinger is the Ariel Sharon of the U.S. 11). James Schlesinger-----One of many Pentagon Advisors, Schlesinger also sits on the Pentagon's Defense Policy Board and is another extremist pro-Israel advisor. He consistently advocates bombing Iraq. 12). Robert Zoellick-----U.S. Trade Representative, a cabinet-level position. He is also one of the more hawkish pro-Israel Jews in the Bush (Jr) Administration who advocated invading Iraq and occupying a portion of the country in order to set up setting up a Vichy-style puppet government. He consistently advocates bombing Iraq. 13). Mel Sembler-----President of the Export-Import Bank of the United States. A Prominent Jewish Republican CatRun How could Fat, White Russians be Arabs?

How many other border towns are having (or will have) these SAME problems?? Most Popular Change Type Size Nogales grapples with murky issue: Mexico's sewage Shaun McKinnon The Arizona Republic Feb. 25, 2007 12:00 AM NOGALES - Every day, more than 14 million gallons of raw sewage rushes beneath the streets here through a pipeline crumbling from age and overuse. The rancid stream carries waste from both sides of the border, starting from a dilapidated system in the other Nogales, a Sonoran city 20 times more populous than its Arizona sibling and just enough uphill to make retrieving the waste too costly. An antiquated treatment plant near Rio Rico, about an hour south of Tucson, swishes the water around and spits it into the Santa Cruz River, still unfit even for fish. Along the way, waste seeps out of a leaky collector system and contaminates the aquifer and the Nogales Wash, a cross-border tributary to the Santa Cruz that bypasses the treatment plant. High flows could overwhelm the nine-mile main line and inundate streets and neighborhoods on the Arizona side, spreading disease and forcing thousands of people from their homes. advertisement Ignored, the untamed wastewater undermines quality of life on both sides of the border, or Ambos Nogales, a term used to describe the two cities together. The Sonoran side continues to swell with people who add to the need for a modern system, but without it neither city can attract the investment required to sustain the economy. Governments at every level in both countries know about the wastewater and the risks it poses, and they have discussed dozens of possible solutions, prodded by environmental groups, health organizations and courts. So far just one idea has survived nearly a decade of talks. Using hard-fought grant money, Nogales, Ariz., will start work next month on a $62 million upgrade to the treatment plant. The project will help the city meet the terms of a federal consent decree; it will not repair the deteriorating pipeline or address any of the other problems. The long-term question of how to deal with 5 billion gallons of wastewater a year remains mired in politics and a sticky web of conflicting laws and treaties. Adding to the confusion is an evolving view of the waste stream, which has helped restore a riparian area in Arizona and could provide a badly needed water source for the growing border region. "We'll probably never see an end to the issues," said Nogales Mayor Ignacio Barraza, who was elected last fall. "But we can't say because it originates in Mexico, it's not our problem. This is our health and economics and safety, our quality of life." Among the most serious problems: • Inadequate wastewater systems. Scores of colonias, the clusters of ramshackle homes, cling to the edge of the Nogales wash in Sonora. Most lack modern plumbing, so their drains and toilets empty directly into the wash, where storm runoff carries raw sewage into Arizona. • Lax enforcement of environmental laws. Mexico has increased efforts to require pretreatment of hazardous wastewater, especially at the border maquiladoras, or factories. But some factories ignore the laws. • Contaminated groundwater and surface water. The sewer lines on both sides of the border leak badly, but in Sonora, the system fails in numerous locations, releasing raw sewage into the aquifers and the wash. A sample of wash water in December found levels of fecal coliform so high they could not be counted using the typical measuring units. • Outdated treatment systems. The 50-year-old International Outfall Interceptor carries waste from the border to the treatment plant. It leaks, allowing waste to escape and groundwater to seep in. The extra groundwater overwhelms the plant, especially during rains. Pressure in the main line has blown manhole covers into the air. Although the waste stream has not contaminated drinking-water supplies, officials believe it could seep into shallow aquifers and contaminate wells in the area. In March 2000, the Sierra Club filed suit alleging that the treatment plant was violating water-quality permits issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. A consent decree issued by the court mandated reductions in contaminant levels in the treated wastewater, mostly nitrogen and ammonia. High concentration of those organic materials can be toxic to humans, wildlife and aquatic systems. "We know it's a tremendous undertaking," said Joy Herr-Cardillo, who monitors progress at the Arizona Center for Law in the Public Interest. "If this situation existed anywhere else in this state, it wouldn't have been tolerated so long." 'It has become our issue' The truth is, the situation probably could not exist anywhere else in Arizona. Nogales clings to the desert hills at the end of Interstate 19, a city shoehorned into a narrow valley along the Santa Cruz. About 20,500 people live on the Arizona side of the border; as many as 400,000 people, perhaps more, live on the Sonoran side. The river flows north, downhill into Arizona from Mexico, an unexpected reversal of the rule that north is up and south is down. In that quirk of geology lies the real culprit in the two cities' wastewater troubles: gravity. "If the water didn't flow from south to north, if we didn't have to treat Mexico's wastewater, we wouldn't be in this situation," said Barraza, the Nogales mayor. "But now it has become our issue." Nogales, Ariz., uses less than one-third of the plant's capacity but pays two-thirds of its $2 million annual operating cost, a disparity that persists even as Mexico tests limits on how much water it can send north. Mexico pays based on the cost of treating waste in its country and has resisted efforts to adjust that formula. The two cities were once served by one water system, on the Arizona side, and as wastewater became an issue, the cities again looked for one answer. In 1951, working with the International Boundary and Water Commission, the two countries opened a shared plant. The plant was expanded twice since then, but it always struggled to keep up with the flows. "When they first decided to build the plant, we argued that they were underplanning," said Michael Gregory, executive director of Arizona Toxics Information, a group that worked on behalf of Nogales residents. "We knew the growth rate in Sonora was going to be higher, yet they underbuilt each time." For an operation with such an imposing name, the Nogales International Wastewater Treatment Plant cuts an unimpressive profile. It sits in a shallow basin off I-19, hidden by a row of produce warehouses. An electronic gate guards the entrance, but the plant itself offers no hint that it serves such a large population. The main sewer line, the interceptor, ends at a concrete structure, where grit settles and a screen removes trash and other non-biological debris. What remains flows into aerating and settling ponds, and from there the water is filtered, chlorinated, de-chlorinated and emptied into the Santa Cruz River, where it flows north for about 16 miles before percolating into the ground. John Earl, the on-site construction manager for the upgrade project, moved his office to the plant earlier this month to oversee site preparations. Earl, an engineer for the international firm of Faithful-Gould, said the politics and the issues between the two countries do not matter once the front gates close behind him. "This is a standard-issue plant," he said. "Nothing much special." The upgrade will improve water quality and bring the effluent into compliance with EPA standards, Earl said. But the upgrade will not solve two significant problems: • The main delivery line, the International Outfall Interceptor, needs to be replaced. That project would cost as much as $40 million, and the city says it does not have the money. Until the line is replaced, problems such as groundwater infiltration, spills and storm-caused floods will remain, problems the plant upgrade can't solve. • Contaminated wastewater continues to flow into the Nogales Wash, mostly on the Mexican side. 'A mixed blessing' Fixing infrastructure also will not solve the broader issue of whether the treated effluent could be used to fill water needs in the growing region. Terry Sprouse, a senior research analyst for the University of Arizona's Water Resources Research Center, said the border muddies the question. "Mexico retains the rights to the effluent based on the 1944 treaty," Sprouse said. "Legally, they could stop it at the border." Gravity makes that unlikely. Because Mexico legally owns the effluent, it can't be used in Arizona by developers who need to prove a 100-year water supply. Sprouse said some lawyers would argue that once the water percolates into Arizona's aquifers, it belongs to Arizona, but Mexico would probably dispute that. "Technically," he said, "nobody should be using it." But somebody is using it, or, rather, some things. The effluent from the treatment plant flows down the usually dry Santa Cruz River and helps sustain a vibrant riparian system that would not exist otherwise. At first glance, the river looks like any other as it gurgles past Santa Gertrudis Lane outside Tumacacori. Winter has stripped the trees of their warm-weather wardrobe, but green plants still hug the banks and watercress floats on the surface in some places. Then the wind shifts, carrying an unmistakable odor. "It's a mixed blessing, but a blessing," said Sherrie Sass, one of the founders of the Friends of the Santa Cruz. "Without what comes out of the plant, there probably wouldn't be any water here on account of groundwater pumping." The group collects water samples from the river monthly, mostly below the plant. They have found chlorine, nitrates, nitrites, phosphates and ammonia, among other contaminants. Levels of nitrates and ammonia have risen steadily in recent years as flow into the treatment plant tested its limits. Sass reviewed recent reports from water taken in the Nogales Wash, not far from the treatment plant. Below the plant, levels of fecal coliform, an indicator of raw sewage, were low. At another location, above the plant, the reading was "TNTC" - too numerous to count. Upgrading the plant will improve water quality in the river significantly, Sass said, but the water will remain contaminated until Mexico addresses more serious issues on its side of the border. The Nogales Wash still bypasses the plant and it still carries polluted water from Sonoran streets and colonias. The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality also monitors water quality at the border and has charted contamination from the wash as it enters the state. "We've seen a lot of unauthorized discharges into the Nogales Wash," said department director Steve Owens. "We've seen leaks in the interceptor, rain events that cause overflows of raw sewage into the wash. We've had emergency situations where we've had to buy bags of chlorine to disinfect the wash." Owens said efforts to improve water quality run into the same border issues that have stymied other agencies. "In the past there have been commitments from Mexican authorities to do monitoring and assessment work," he said. "The level of commitment comes and goes depending on what's happening on the Mexican side of the border. The Number 1 concern we have is that drinking-water supplies on the Arizona side are not affected, and so far they have not been." Along the Santa Cruz, when the wind shifts, most people would not guess the source of the water. The nearby Juan Bautista de Anza Trail attracts thousands of visitors. The National Park Service recently bought a stretch of the river that is already popular among birdwatchers. "Riparian vegetation is so adapted to flood and drought regimes here, it's hard to kill, as long as you have hydrology," Sass said. "It will survive, even if the water's polluted, and we're really grateful for it." To the poster below (no name) the reason i post the articles themselves is because NUMEROUS people on here have said they will NOT click on any links!!

can I have opinions please on the senate loading the war funding bill with domestic programs? http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080520/ap_on_go_co/congress_iraq_funding Senate loads war funding bill with domestic programs By ANDREW TAYLOR, Associated Press Writer 1 hour, 1 minute ago WASHINGTON - Despite numerous veto threats, senators in both parties have loaded up President Bush's war funding bill with a grab bag of domestic programs, including work permits for immigrant farm labor and heating subsidies for the poor. ADVERTISEMENT The Senate was scheduled to begin debate on the measure Tuesday, just days after a key panel added more about $28 billion to Bush's budget request for this year and next, with almost $50 billion more for a big expansion of veterans benefits under the GI Bill over 2010-2018. The new GI Bill and Democratic priorities like extending unemployment benefits are simply the big-ticket add-ons, both of which have drawn veto threats. There's also $50 million to track down child predators, $400 million to help rural schools and $350 million fight western wildfires, just for starters. Senators are acting as if the war funding bill coming to the floor Tuesday is the last train leaving the station, and, as a result, have added billions of dollars for pet programs and hitched on several policy "riders" as well. Few if any other spending bills are likely to come before the Senate this election year, which makes the supplemental measure an even more attractive vehicle for carrying spending proposals that would stall otherwise. The White House is fighting the add-ons much more vigorously than it did during last year's bruising war funding debate. Then, it accepted $17 billion in spending that Bush didn't ask for as the price for getting an Iraq war funding bill that didn't tie his hands on the war. Now that it's clear that Democrats won't insist on a troop withdrawal timeline, the White House is focusing on making sure the measure doesn't exceed his request. The Senate war funding bill combines $194.1 billion in spending over 2008-2009 for war funding, foreign aid, military base construction, heating subsidies and a variety of smaller items. Then there's $14.5 billion to give 13 weeks of unemployment checks to people whose benefits have run out and $51.6 billion over 10 years to improve GI Bill benefits. There's $108 billion remaining from Bush's war funding request for the 2008 budget year ending Sept. 30. But the White House appears willing to lump that request together with $70 billion to carry the war into next spring, as well as Bush's $5.8 billion request to construct levees in Louisiana. That puts Bush's request at $183.8 billion — more than $10 billion below the Senate measure. The immigrant farm labor provision added to the measure at a hearing last week by Sens Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., and Larry Craig, R-Idaho, would allow almost 1.4 million immigrant farm workers to stay in the United States for up to five years to ease a shortage of farm workers that has left some crops rotting in the fields. Sens. Barbara Mikulski, D-Md., and Judd Gregg, R-N.H., followed that up with a provision to extend an expired program to allow seasonal workers to return to the country using H-2B visas. Gregg, typically a fiscal conservative, voted with Democrats at last week's hearing to adopt $1 billion worth of additional energy subsidies for the poor. That provision led top Appropriations panel Republican Thad Cochran of Mississippi — himself the driving force behind $1 billion for coastal restoration in Mississippi — to warn his colleagues that they were simply guaranteeing a Bush veto. Still, Republicans such as Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison of Texas — a member of the Senate GOP leadership team — pressed ahead with add-ons of their own. Hutchison won approval of $100 million in grants to local law enforcement to fight drug trafficking along the U.S.-Mexico border. It's the type of situation White House budget director Jim Nussle had in mind last month when he chided senators for a "sky-is-the-limit mind-set" regarding "the desire of some in Congress to load up this troop funding bill with tens of billions in additional spending." Republican Sen. Kit Bond of Missouri moved to keep open three "veterans business resource centers" with $600,000 in taxpayer funds. One of the centers, naturally, is in St. Louis; the others were in Flint, Mich., and Boston. Pacer, that's the absolute truth. Abe, We've been trying to get term limits for senators for years, but so far it just don't happen. Ladyshondra-Underhanded tactics does seem to be one of the things they do best. Shane--Very true. I don't know much about CAPS but Numbers Usa is one of the best (if not the best) group to belong to. They really have a lot of information posted.

please answer my question about the constitutional convention? TeachingAmericanHistory.org Homepage Register Online About Us Search Site Seminars & Institutes Historical Documents Library Audio Lectures & Discussions Constitutional Convention Home > Constitutional Convention > Introduction to the Constitutional Convention by Gordon Lloyd Introduction to the Constitutional Convention by Gordon Lloyd See Also: Convention: Introduction to this Site | Introduction to the Convention | Four Act Drama | Day by Day Summary | Major Themes | Madison's Notes | Selected Correspondence Delegates: Age of Framers in 1787 | Educational Backgrounds | Continental Experiences | Delegates by State | Alphabetical List | Interactive Scene at the Signing of the Constitution | Interactive Map of Philadelphia | Entertainment of George Washington at the City Tavern The Call for a Grand Convention On May 15, 1776, the Second Continental Congress, meeting in Independence Hall, Philadelphia, issued "A Resolve" to the thirteen colonies: "Adopt such a government as shall, in the opinion of the representatives of the people, best conduce to the safety and happiness of their constituents in particular and America in general." Between 1776 and 1780 each of the thirteen colonies adopted a republican form of government. What emerged was the most extensive documentation of the powers of government and the rights of the people that the world had ever witnessed. These state constitutions displayed a remarkable uniformity. Seven attached a prefatory Declaration of Rights, and all contained the same civil and criminal rights. Four states decided not to "prefix" a Bill of Rights to their constitutions, but, instead, incorporated the very same natural and traditional rights found in the prefatory declarations. New York incorporated the entire Declaration of Independence into its constitution. The primary purpose of these declarations and bills was to outline the objectives of government: to secure the right to life, liberty, property, and the pursuit of happiness. The government that was chosen to secure these rights was declared universally to be "a republican form of government." All of the states, except Pennsylvania, embraced a two-chamber legislature, and all, except Massachusetts, installed a weak executive and denied the Governor the power to veto bills of the legislature. All accepted the notion that the legislative branch should be preeminent, but, at the very same time, endorsed the concept that the liberty of the people was in danger from the corruption of the representatives. And this despite the fact that the representatives were installed by the election of the people. Thus, each state constitution embraced the notion of short terms of office for elected representatives along with recall, rotation, and term limits. The Second Continental Congress also created the first continental-wide system of governance. The Articles of Confederation created a nation of pre-existing states rather than a government over individuals. Thus, the very idea of a Bill of Rights was irrelevant because the Articles did not entail a government over individuals. The states were equally represented in the union regardless of size of population, only one branch was needed, normal political activity required the support of super majorities, the union was limited to the powers expressly enumerated, and amendment was required to endow the union with powers that weren't specifically articulated. Amendments required the unanimous approval of all thirteen state legislatures. The Articles didn't come into operation until the early 1780s because of territorial disputes between two states; all of the states were required to "sign on" before the Articles became operative on any one state. These two directives produced two opposite and rival situations: an early operating, robust and healthy state and local politics and a late arriving, weak and divisive continental arrangement. Several statesmen, especially George Washington, were concerned that the idea of an American mind that had emerged during the war with Britain was about to disappear and the Articles of Confederation were inadequate to foster the development of an American character. According to Washington, "we have errors to correct." He argued that the states refused to comply with the articles of peace, the union was unable to regulate interstate commerce, and the states met, but oh so grudgingly, just the minimum interstate standards required by the Articles. Others, especially James Madison, were concerned that the state legislatures—dominated by what he saw as oppressive, unjust, and overbearing majorities—were passing laws detrimental to the rights of individual conscience and the right to private property. And there was nothing that the union government could do about it because the Articles left matters of religion and commerce to the states. The solution, concluded Madison, was to create an extended republic, in which a variety of opinions, passions, and interests would check and balance each other, supported by a governmental framework that endorsed a separation of powers between the branches of the general government. Between 1781 and 1785 attempts "to correct these errors" failed to secure the required unanimous consent of the state legislatures. Matters changed, however, in 1786. Following James Madison's suggestion of 21 January 1786, the Virginia Legislature invited all the States to discuss ways to reduce interstate conflicts in Annapolis, Maryland. The "commissioners" in attendance at Annapolis during September 1786, chatted about these particular concerns, but suggested that the conversation be both deepened and widened. They endorsed a motion that a "Grand Convention" of all the States meet in Philadelphia the next May 1787 to discuss how to improve the Articles of Confederation. One might well ask, "Who or what authorized the Virginia Legislature to call the Annapolis Convention and who or what authorized the Annapolis Convention to call for a 'Grand Convention'?" The answer is to be found in the Declaration of Independence: The people have the right to choose the form of government under which they shall live and to install such government as they deem appropriate to secure their liberty, security, and happiness. The Selection of the Delegates Madison and Washington agreed that the principles of the Revolution of 1776 were in danger due to a weak continental arrangement and overbearing, unjust, and reckless state legislatures. But how could they take advantage of the opportunity provided by the Annapolis recommendation? How was such a bold proposal to be put into effect? Madison persuaded the Virginia Legislature to implement the challenge of the Annapolis Convention and invite all the other states to also reconsider the status of the Articles. He also persuaded the Assembly to be the first to elect delegates to the Grand Convention to consider the business "of May next." The Virginia Assembly elected 55-year-old revolutionary hero George Washington to head the delegation. "Give me Liberty or give me Death" Patrick Henry declined because "he smelt a rat." Doctor James McClurg was selected even though he had no political experience; James Madison insisted he be present. Richard Henry Lee and Thomas Nelson, colonial heroes and Signers of the Declaration, refused to attend. 34-year-old Edmund Randolph, the Governor of Virginia, 55-year-old John Blair, an esteemed Virginia judge, 55-year-old George Wythe, the first law professor of the United States and Signer of the Declaration, 62-year-old George Mason, author of the Virginia Bill of Rights were all chosen along with five foot tall, 120 pound, 36-year-old James Madison. Five States followed Virginia's lead. 1. New Jersey selected William Churchill Houston, Chief Justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court David Brearly, 40-year-old Irish immigrant William Paterson, Governor William Livingston, known as "the Whipping Post" because of his great height, and 27-year-old Jonathan Dayton who after the Convention went exploring and died in what is now Dayton, Ohio. 2. Pennsylvania selected eight delegates: Thomas Mifflin was elected as the leader of the delegation; he was speaker of the Pennsylvania Assembly. Other members selected were Robert Morris, financier of the Revolution, George Clymer, signer of the Declaration, Jared Ingersoll a political reformer who later bestowed on Madison the appellation, "Father of the Constitution," Irish immigrant Thomas Fitzsimons, founder of the Bank of America and one of two Catholics at the Convention, 45-year-old James "The Caledonian" Wilson from Scotland, 33-year-old peg leg and "rake" Gouverneur Morris, who spoke more than anyone at the Convention, and 81-year-old Benjamin "the American Socrates" Franklin who was added to the delegation as a courtesy. All the delegates from Pennsylvania resided in Philadelphia. 3. Former Governor Alexander Martin was chosen to lead the North Carolina delegation, but left before the signing. 29-year-old William Davie also left the Convention early. In 1802 he was killed in a duel. 29-year-old Richard Dobbs Spaight, preacher, essayist, and mathematician Doctor Hugh Williamson, and land speculator William Blount—who later earned the dubious honor of being the first member expelled from the United States Senate—made up the core of the delegation that had a major impact on the course of the debates in July. Howard Christy gives this central signing honors in his commemoration of the Constitution. 4. 54-year-old George Read headed the Delaware delegation. Additional members included "corpulent and impetuous" Gunning Bedford Junior, prudent and educated John Dickinson, and two quiet thirty-five-year olds: Jacob Broom and Richard Bassett. 5. The head of the Georgia delegation was William Few who was joined by Abraham Baldwin, William Houstoun, and 49-year-old William Pierce, one of the poorest attendees in terms of income—thus he has no official portrait—who nevertheless left us rich sketches of the delegates. So six of the states had taken Virginia's initiative to form a Grand Convention without waiting for any formal endorsement by the existing government under the Articles of Confederation. Other states, however, were more cautious and wanted the existing Congress to address the legitimacy of such a gathering. On 28 February 1787, the Confederation Congress endorsed the meeting of the Grand Convention on "the second Monday in May next." Exactly what the Congress authorized became a bone of contention. The recommendatory act of Congress reads thus: A Convention of delegates should meet "for the sole purpose of revising the articles of Confederation and reporting to Congress and the several legislatures such alterations and provisions therein as shall, when agreed to in Congress and confirmed by the States, render the federal Constitution adequate to the exigencies of government and the preservation of the Union." (Italics in the original of the version reprinted in Federalist 40.) Did the Congress limit the Convention to the discussion of specific and particular matters or did the Congress empower the Convention to "run away" and propose whatever alterations the delegates considered were needed to preserve the principles of the Revolution? New York was the first state to act after the Congressional endorsement. The Governor George Clinton faction of the New York legislature selected State Supreme Court judge Robert Yates and John Lansing to, in effect, outvote Alexander Hamilton. The New York delegation was not particularly prominent at the Convention. Yates and Lansing left in early July, just prior to the passage of the Connecticut Compromise, and the 32-year-old Hamilton, who lost his life at age 49 in a duel with Aaron Burr, was far more influential in securing the adoption of the Constitution in 1788 than in its framing in 1787. Five States followed New York's lead. 1. In early March, South Carolina, selected John Rutledge, Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, Charles Pinckney, and Pierce Butler as their delegates; they were pro-national, pro-slavery, and very influential. 2. Massachusetts, also in March, selected Elbridge Gerry, who signed the Declaration, 32-year-old Rufus King, "backwoods lawyer" Caleb Strong, and Nathaniel Gorham, who chaired the Committee of the Whole during the Convention. 3. Four days before the Convention began, Connecticut elected three delegates: William Samuel Johnson, who learned of his appointment to the Presidency of Columbia College on his way to Philadelphia, Roger Sherman, who signed both the Declaration and the Articles, and 42-year-old Oliver Ellsworth who had the reputation of talking to himself and being a chain chewer of snuff. 4. Irish immigrant Doctor James McHenry, after whom Fort McHenry is named, was a leader of the Maryland delegation. He was joined by 60-year-old bachelor, Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer, 30-year-old Daniel Carroll—one of two Catholics at the Convention—29-year-old John F. Mercer, who blew into and out of town during the first week of August, and Luther Martin, who apparently had a great capacity to consume immense amounts of alcohol, and sober up at a moment's notice. 5. New Hampshire was short of cash so John Langdon funded the expenses for himself and Nicholas Gilman; they arrived at the Convention on July 23, after the main debate over the Connecticut Compromise was completed and yet just in time for a one-week recess. Rhode Island, the thirteenth state, declined to send delegates. Thomas Jefferson characterized the 55 men who showed up in Philadelphia as "demi-gods," who created a Constitution that would last into remote futurity. Alexis de Tocqueville marveled at the work of the American Founders: never before in the history of the world had the leaders of a country declared the existing government to be bankrupt, and the people, after debate, calmly elected delegates who proposed a solution, which, in turn, was debated up and down the country for nearly a year, and not a drop of blood was spilled. Madison, in Federalist 37, indicates the uniqueness of the Founding: never before had there been a democratic founding; all previous foundings had been the work of a single founder like Romulus. And Hamilton, in Federalist 1, suggested that this was a unique event in the history of the world; finally government was going to be established by reflection and choice rather than force and fraud. And what is also unique is the fact that the framers were relatively young, well educated, and politically experienced. Like the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution was written by delegates immersed in 1) the writings of Aristotle, Cicero, Locke, and Montesquieu, and 2) a world of political experience at both the state and continental level. Both basic documents were written in Independence Hall, Philadelphia, and thirty signers of the Declaration in 1776 played a vital part in the creation and adoption of the Constitution, 1787-1789. How to Read the Convention Very few of the delegates selected were present at the appointed time for the meeting of the Grand Convention in Philadelphia on May 14, 1787. All the Virginia delegates were present, however, and fully settled into their accommodations. Washington stayed at Robert Morris's Town House, and Madison secured lodgings across the street at Mrs. House's Boarding House. During this waiting period, the Virginia delegates caucused with each other in an attempt to set the tone for the deliberations of the Convention and paid courtesy calls on prominent members of Philadelphia society. Some entered a Catholic church for the first time. On May 25, a quorum of seven states was secured. The first order of business was to elect a President, and George Washington was the obvious choice. William Jackson, yet another immigrant at the Convention, was elected Secretary of the Convention and he recorded the propositions and amendments as well as the vote tabulation. James Madison took extensive Notes of the proceedings and although some scholars have questioned their authenticity and completeness, they remain the primary source for reproducing the conversations at the Convention. Other delegates kept specific notes on certain days, there are letters back home to friends and loved ones, there are urgent bills sent for immediate payment that augment, and there are personal diaries, some more complete than others. Nothing, however, can compete with, or ever replace, Madison's Notes. The delegates also agreed that the deliberations would be kept secret. The case in favor of secrecy was that the issues at hand were so important that honest discourse needed to be encouraged and delegates ought to feel free to speak their mind, and change their mind, as they saw fit. Thus, despite the hot summer weather in Philadelphia, and delegates who, on the whole, were rather overweight and hardly "dressed down" for the occasion, the windows were closed and heavy drapes drawn. The merits and demerits of the secrecy rule have been a subject of considerable debate throughout American history. In Act One of the Convention, Governor Randolph introduces the fifteen point Virginia Plan at the end of May to "revise the Articles of Confederation." The decisive features of this plan are 1) the complete structural exclusion of the states in terms of both election and representation; 2) the complete diminution of the powers of the states and the virtual freedom of Congress to act in those areas for which the states are incompetent; 3) the establishment of an extended national republic with institutional separation of powers and the introduction of the possibility that short terms of office and term limits—standard features of traditional republicanism—will be abandoned. Under the wholly federal Articles of Confederation, only the states are represented and the central government was restrained to the exercise of expressly delegated powers. And under the state republican constitutions, the governor had very little authority, and the elected representatives were kept under close scrutiny. Madison's Virginia Plan introduces a new understanding of federalism and republicanism. This wholly national republican plan is debated, and amended, over the next two weeks, and the main features are adopted by the delegates in mid June over two alternatives: the wholly federal, or state based, New Jersey Plan, that argues that the Virginia Plan goes too far, and the Hamilton Plan that claims the Virginia Plan does not go far enough. Hamilton, among other things, envisioned a President for life. Act Two portrays the Convention in crisis, in the sense that the delegates were at a stalemate. Far from the wholly national republican Virginia Plan being accepted, as we might very well anticipate when the curtain fell at the end of Act One, the delegates from Connecticut, New Jersey, Delaware, New York, and Mr. Martin from Maryland—the defenders of the New Jersey Plan, the old style federalism of the Articles, and the old fashioned republicanism of the state constitutions—insisted on questioning the validity of the Virginia Plan. They argued that the Convention had exceeded the Congressional mandate because the Articles had in fact been scrapped rather than revised. Thus the Convention had violated the rule of law. Moreover, the Convention was about to propose a novelty—a large country under one republican form of government—that would never be accepted by the electorate. These delegates knew their Locke and Montesquieu and they relied on their own political experience which was remarkably extensive: republican government could only exist in areas of small extent where the people kept close watch over their representatives. A breakthrough occurs at the end of June when Oliver Ellsworth of Connecticut suggests that we are neither wholly national nor wholly federal but a mixture of both. Several delegates echo this theme and the Convention decides to move beyond the exclusively national or federal paradigms. The Gerry Committee is created to explore the ramifications of this suggestion that the people be represented in the House and the states be represented in the Senate. This recommendation—the Connecticut Compromise—is accepted over Madison's objections in mid-July. Act Three focuses on the debates during August over the Committee of Detail Report, especially concerning the itemization of Congressional powers. With the Connecticut Compromise in place, the delegates turned from the question of structure to the question of national and state powers. Under the Virginia Plan, Congress was empowered to do anything the States were incompetent to do. By July, that was no longer acceptable to the delegates. A Committee was created to draft a Constitution—the Committee of Detail—that would address the division of powers between the central and state governments and also the separation of powers between Congress, the President, and the Supreme Court. Another issue that emerged in Act Three is the slavery question. What could Congress do and not do to regulate and/or abolish slavery? This is a vital question and deserves special coverage. It is instructive to compare the clause in the Committee of Detail Report of August 6 with the Signed Constitution of September 17. The former forbids Congress from ever regulating the slave trade and prohibits Congress from discouraging the trade by means of a tax or tariff. By contrast the final Constitution, limits the prohibition on Congress until 1808 and permits Congress to discourage the slave trade. In March, 1807, President Jefferson signed into law an Act of Congress prohibiting the slave trade effective January 1, 1808, and during the 1790s Congress took specific steps to discourage the importation of Africans for the purpose of being sold into slavery. Act Four covers the final three weeks of the Convention during the month of September. Despite all the progress that had been made on the structural role of the states and enumerating the powers of Congress, there was much work still to be done on the Presidency. The Brearley Committee came up with the idea of an Electoral College as a sensible compromise to the long and largely fruitless debates on how to elect the President. It had been clear for four months that until the mode of election was settled, no progress could be made on 1) length of term, 2) the issue of re-eligibility, and 3) the powers of the President. The Electoral College was modeled on the Connecticut Compromise: the President would be elected by a combination of people and states. The Committee of Style wrote the final draft of the Constitution. It included a Preamble and an obligation of contracts clause, both written by Gouverneur Morris, and an enumeration of the powers of Congress in Article I, Section 8. During the last week of the Convention the delegates added a few refinements, raised some serious concerns, and discussed what they agreed to over the four months of deliberations. Mason expressed the wish that "the plan had been prefaced by a Bill of Rights." Elbridge Gerry supported Mason's unsuccessful attempt to attach a Bill of Rights. Randolph joined Mason and Gerry and declared that he too wouldn't sign the Constitution. And the delegates wondered whether or not the power to create a national university was implied within the meaning of the necessary and proper clause. Rising Sun ChairOn the last day of the Convention, September 17, Benjamin Franklin looked at the chair occupied by Washington and declared the sun enshrined on the chair to be a rising sun. Many delegates over the four months of deliberation often thought that it was a setting sun. 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Give me your opinion insights and summary or how you understand this..? CHAPTER 1 GENERAL PROVISIONS Article One Basic Air Quality Policies SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999". SECTION 2. Declaration of Principles. - The State shall protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature. The State shall promote and protect the global environment to attain sustainable development while recognizing the primary responsibility of local government units to deal with environmental problems. The State recognizes that the responsibility of cleaning the habitat and environment is primarily area-based. The State also recognizes the principle that "polluters must pay". Finally, the State recognizes that a clean and healthy environment is for the good of all and should therefore be the concern of all. SECTION 3. Declaration of Policies. - The State shall pursue a policy of balancing development and environmental protection. To achieve this end, the frame work for sustainable development shall be pursued. It shall be the policy of the State to: a. Formulate a holistic national program of air pollution management that shall be implemented by the government through proper delegation and effective coordination of functions and activities; b. Encourage cooperation and self-regulation among citizens and industries through the application of market-based instruments; c. Focus primarily on pollution prevention rather than on control and provide for a comprehensive management program for air pollution; d. Promote public information and education and to encourage the participation of an informed and active public in air quality planning and monitoring; and e. Formulate and enforce a system of accountability for short and long-term adverse environmental impact of a project, program or activity. This shall include the setting up of a funding or guarantee mechanism for clean-up and environmental rehabilitation and compensation for personal damages. SECTION 4. Recognition of Rights. - Pursuant to the above-declared principles, the following rights of citizens are hereby sought to be recognized and the State shall seek to guarantee the enjoyment: a. The right to breathe clean air; b. The right to utilize and enjoy all natural resources according to the principles of sustainable development; c. The right to participate in the formulation, planning, implementation and monitoring of environmental policies and programs and in the decision-making process; d. The right to participate in the decision-making process concerning development policies, plans and programs projects or activities that may have adverse impact on the environment and public health; e. The right to be informed of the nature and extent of the potential hazard of any activity, undertaking or project and to be served timely notice of any significant rise in the level of pollution and the accidental or deliberate release into the atmosphere of harmful or hazardous substances; f. The right of access to public records which a citizen may need to exercise his or her rights effectively under this Act; g. The right to bring action in court or quasi-judicial bodies to enjoin all activities in violation of environmental laws and regulations, to compel the rehabilitation and cleanup of affected area, and to seek the imposition of penal sanctions against violators of environmental laws;and h. The right to bring action in court for compensation of personal damages resulting from the adverse environmental and public health impact of a project or activity. Article Two Definition of Terms SECTION 5. -Definitions.- As used in this Act: a.) "Air pollutant" means any matter found in the atmosphere other than oxygen, nitrogen, water vapor, carbon dioxide, and the inert gases in their natural or normal concentrations, that is detrimental to health or the environment, which includes but not limited to smoke, dust, soot, cinders, fly ash, solid particles of any king, gases, fumes, chemical mists, steam and radioactive substances; b.) "Air pollution" means any alteration of the physical, chemical and biological properties of the atmospheric air, or any discharge thereto of any liquid, gaseous or solid substances that will or is likely to create or to render the air resources of the country harmful, detrimental, or injurious to public health, safety or welfare or which will adversely affect their utilization for domestic, commercial, industrial, agricultural, recreational, or other legitimate purposes; c.) "Ambient air quality guideline values" means the concentration of air over specified periods classified as short-term and long-term which are intended to serve as goals or objectives for the protection of health and/or public welfare. These values shall be used for air quality management purposes such as determining time trends, evaluating stages of deterioration or enhancement o the air quality, and in general, used as basis or taking positive action in preventing, controlling, or abating air pollution; d.) "Ambient air quality" means the general amount of pollution present in a broad area; and refers to the atmosphere's average purity as distinguished from discharge measurements taken at the source of pollution; e.) "Certificate of Conformity" means a certificate issued by the Department o Environment and Natural Resources to a vehicle manufacturer/assembler or importer certifying that a particular new vehicle or vehicle type meets the requirements provided under this Act and its rules and regulations; f.) "Department" means the Department of Environment and Natural Resources; g.)" Eco-profile" means the geographic-based instrument for planners and decision makers which present an evaluation of the environment quality and carrying capacity of an area. It is the result of the integration of primary data and information on natural resources and antropogenic activities on the land which evaluated by various environmental risk assessment and forecasting methodologies that enable the Department to anticipate the type of development control necessary in the planning area. h.)" Emission" means any air contaminant, pollutant, gas stream or unwanted sound from a known source which is passed into the atmosphere; i.) " Greenhouse gases" means those gases that can potentially or can reasonably be expected to induce global warming, which include carbon dioxide, oxides of nitrogen, chloroflourocarbons, and the like; j.) "Hazardous substances" means those substances which present either : (1) short-term acute hazards such as acute toxicity by ingestion, inhalation, or skin absorption, corrosivity or other skin or eye contact hazard or the risk of fire explosion; or (2) long-term toxicity upon repeated exposure, carcinogecity (which in some cases result in acute exposure but with a long latent period), resistance to detoxification process such as biodegradation, the potential to pollute underground or surface waters; k.)" Infectious waste " means that portion of medical waste that could transmit an infectious disease; l.)" Medical waste" means that materials generated as a result of patient diagnosis, treatment, or immunization of human beings or animals; m.) " Mobile source" means any vehicle propelled by or thorough combustion of carbon-based or other fuel, constructed and operated principally for the conveyance of persons or the transportation of property goods; n.) " Motor vehicle" means any vehicle propelled by a gasoline or diesel engine or by any means other than human or animal power, constructed and operated principally for the conveyance of persons or the transportation of property or goods in a public highway or street open to public use; o.) " Municipal waste" means the waste materials generated from communities within a specific locality; p)." New vehicle" means a vehicle constructed entirely from new parts that has never been sold or registered with the DOTC or with the appropriate agency or authority, and operated on the highways of the Philippines, any foreign state of country; q.) " Octane Rating or the Anti-Knock Index(AKI)" means the rating of the anti-knock characteristics of a grade or type of automotive gasoline as determined by dividing by two (2) the sum of the Research Octane Number (RON), plus the Motor Octane Number (MON); the octane requirement, with respect to automotive gasoline for use in a motor vehicle or a class thereof , whether imported, manufactured, or assembled by a manufacturer, shall refer to the minimum octane rating of such automotive gasoline which such manufacturer recommends for the efficient operation of such motor vehicle, or a substantial portion of such class, without knocking; r.) " Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS)" means those substances that significantly deplete or otherwise modify the ozone layer in a manner that is likely to result in adverse effects of human health and the environment such as , but not limited to , chloroflourocarbons, halons and the like; s.) "Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)" means the organic compounds that persist in the environment, bioaccumulate through the food web, and pose a risk of causing adverse effects to human health and the environment. These compounds resist photolytic, chemical and biological degradation, which shall include but not be limited to dioxin, furan, Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorine pesticides, such as aldrin, dieldrin, DDT, hexachlorobenzene, lindane, toxaphere and chlordane; t.) "Poisonous and toxic fumes" means any emissions and fumes which are beyond internationally-accepted standards, including but not limited to the World Health Organization (WHO) guideline values; u. " Pollution control device " means any device or apparatus used to prevent, control or abate the pollution of air caused by emissions from identified pollution sources at levels within the air pollution control standards established by the Department; v.) " Pollution control technology" means the pollution control devices, production process, fuel combustion processes or other means that effectively prevent or reduce emissions or effluent; w.) " Standard of performance " means a standard for emissions of air pollutant which reflects the degree of emission limitation achievable through the application of the best system of emission reduction, taking into account the cost of achieving such reduction and any non-air quality health and environmental impact and energy requirement which the Department determines, and adequately demonstrates; and x.) " Stationary source" means any building or immobile structure, facility or installation which emits or may emit any air pollutant. CHAPTER 2 AIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM Article One General Provisions SEC. 6. Air Quality Monitoring and Information Network - The Department shall prepare an annual National Air Quality Status Report which shall be used as the basis in formulating the Integrated Air Quality Improvement Framework, as provided for in Sec. 7. The said report shall include, but shall not be limited to the following: a.) Extent of pollution in the country, per type of pollutant and per type of source, based on reports of the Department's monitoring stations; b.) Analysis and evaluation of the current state, trends and projections of air pollution at the various levels provided herein; c.) Identification of critical areas, activities, or projects which will need closer monitoring or regulation; d.) Recommendations for necessary executive and legislative action; and e.) Other pertinent qualitative and quantitative information concerning the extent of air pollution and the air quality performance rating of industries in the country. The Department, in cooperation with the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB), shall design and develop an information network for data storage, retrieval and exchange. The Department shall serve as the central depository of all data and information related to air quality. SEC. 7. Integrated Air Quality Improvement Framework.- The Department shall within six (6) months after the effectivity of this Act, establish, with the participation of LGUs, NGOs, POs, the academe and other concerned entities from the private sector, formulate and implement the Integrated Air Quality Improvement Framework for a comprehensive air pollution management and control program. The framework shall, among others, prescribe the emission reduction goals using permissible standards, control strategies and control measures to undertaken within a specified time period, including cost-effective use of economic incentives, managements strategies, collective actions, and environmental education and information. The Integrated Air Quality Improvement Framework shall be adopted as the official blueprint with which all government agencies must comply with to attain and maintain ambient air quality standards. SEC. 8 Air Quality Control Action Plan- Within six (6) months after the formulation of the framework, the Department shall, with public participation, formulate and implement an air quality control action plan consistent with Sec. 7 of this Act. The action plan shall : a.) Include enforceable emission limitations and other control measures, means or techniques, as well as schedules and time tables for compliance, as may be necessary or appropriate to meet the applicable requirements of this Act; b.) Provide for the establishment and operation of appropriate devices, methods, systems and procedures necessary to monitor, compile and analyze data on ambient air quality; c.) Include a program to provide for the following : (1) enforcement of the measures described in subparagraph (a);(2) regulation of the modification and construction of any stationary source within the areas covered by the plan, in accordance with land use policy to ensure that ambient air quality standards are achieved; d). Contain adequate provisions, consistent with the provisions of this Act, prohibiting any source or other types of emissions activity within the country from emitting any air pollutant in amounts which will significantly contribute to the non-attainment or will interfere with the maintenance by the Department of any such ambient air quality standard required to be included in the implementation plan to prevent significant deterioration of air quality or to protect visibility; e.) Include control strategies and control measures to be undertaken within a specified time period, including cost effective use of economic incentives, management strategies, collection action and environmental education and information; f.) Designate airsheds; and g.)All other measures necessary for the effective control and abatement of air pollution. The adoption of the plan shall clarify the legal effects on the financial, manpower and budgetary resources of the affected government agencies, and on the alignment of their programs with the plans. In addition to direct regulations, the plan shall be characterized by a participatory approach to the pollution problem. The involvement of private entities in the monitoring and testing of emissions from mobile and/or stationary sources shall be considered. Likewise, the LGU's, with the assistance from the Department, shall prepare and develop an action plan consistent with the Integrated Air Quality Improvement Framework to attain and maintain the ambient air quality standards with their respective airsheds as provided in Sec. 9 hereof. The local government units shall develop and submit to the Department as procedure for carrying out the action plan for their jurisdiction. The Department, however, shall maintain its authority to independently inspect the enforcement procedure adopted. The Department shall have the power to closely supervise all or parts of the air quality action plan until such time the local government unit concerned can assume the function to enforce the standards set by the Department. A multi-sectoral monitoring team with broad public representation shall be convened by the Department for each LGU to conduct periodic inspections of air pollution sources to assess compliance with emission limitations contained in their permits. SEC. 9 Airsheds. - Pursuant to Sec. 8 of this Act, the designation of airsheds shall be on the basis of, but not limited to, areas with similar climate, meteorology and topology which affect the interchange and diffusion of pollutants in the atmosphere, or areas which share common interest or face similar development programs, prospects or problems. For a more effective air quality management, a system of planning and coordination shall be established and a common action plan shall be formulated for each airshed. To effectively carry out the formulated actions plans, a Governing Board is hereby created, hereinafter referred to as the Board. The Board shall be headed by the Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources as chairman. The members shall be as follows: a.) Provincial Governors from areas belonging to the airshed; b.) City/Municipal Mayors from areas belonging to the airshed; c.) A representative from each concerned government agency; d.) Representatives from people's organizations; e.) Representatives from non-government organizations; and f.) Representatives from the private sector. The Board shall perform the following functions: a.) Formulation of policies; b.) Preparation of a common action plan; c.) Coordination of functions among its members; and d.) Submission and publication of an annual Air Quality Status Report for each airshed. Upon consultation with appropriate local government authorities, the Department shall, from time to time, revise the designation of airsheds utilizing eco-profiling techniques and undertaking scientific studies. Emissions trading may be allowed among pollution sources within an airshed. SEC. 10. Management of Nonattainment Areas.- The Department shall designate areas where specific pollutants have already exceeded ambient standards as nonattainment areas. The Department shall prepare and implement a program that will prohibit new sources of exceeded air pollutant without a corresponding reduction in existing resources. In coordination with other appropriate government agencies, the LGUs shall prepare and implement a program and other measures including relocation, whenever necessary, to protect the health and welfare of residents in the area. For those designated as nonattainment areas, the Department, after consultation with local government authorities, nongovernment organizations (NGOs), people's organizations (POs) and concerned sectors may revise the designation of such areas and expand its coverage to cover larger areas depending on the condition of the areas. SEC. 11 Air Quality Control Techniques - Simultaneous with the issuance of the guideline values and standards, the Department, through the research and development program contained in this Act and upon consultation with appropriate advisory committees, government agencies and LGUs, shall issue, and from time to time, revise information on air pollution control techniques. Such information shall include: a.) Best available technology and alternative methods of prevention, management and control of air pollution; b.) Best available technology economically achievable which shall refer to the technological basis/standards for emission limits applicable to existing, direct industrial emitters of nonconventional and toxic pollutants; and c.) Alternative fuels, processes and operating methods which will result in the eliminator or significant reduction of emissions. Such information may also include data relating to the cost of installation and operation, energy requirements, emission reduction benefits, and environmental impact or the emission control technology. The issuance of air quality guideline values, standards and information on air quality control techniques shall be made available to the general public : Provided, That the issuance of information on air quality control techniques shall not be construed as requiring the purchase of certain pollution control devices by the public. SECTION 12. Ambient Air Quality Guideline Values and Standards.- The Department, in coordination with other concerned agencies, shall review and or revise and publish annually a list of hazardous air pollutants with corresponding ambient guideline values and / or standard necessary to protect health and safety, and general welfare. The initial list and values of the hazardous air pollutants shall be as follows : a.) For National Ambient Air Quality Guideline for Criteria Pollutants : Short Term a Long Term b Pollutants µg/Ncm ppm Averaging Time µg/Ncm ppm Averaging Time Suspended Particulate Matterc-TSP 230d 24 hours 90 -- 1 yeare -PM-10 150f 24 hours 60 -- 1 yeare Sulfur Dioxidec 180 0.07 24 hours 80 0.03 1 year Nitrogen Dioxide 150 0.08 24 hours -- -- -- Photochemical Oxidants 140 0.07 1 hour -- -- --- As Ozone 60 0.03 8 hours -- -- -- Carbon Monoxide 35 30 1 hour -- -- -- mg/Ncm 10 9 8 hours -- -- -- mg/Ncm Leadg 1.5 -- 3 monthsg 1.0 -- 1 year a.Maximum limits represented by ninety-eight percentile (98%) values not to be exceed more than once a year. b. Arithmetic mean c. SO2 and Suspended Particulate matter are sampled once every six days when using the manual methods. A minimum of twelve sampling days per quarter of forty-eight sampling days each year is required for these methods. Daily sampling may be done in the future once continuous analyzers are procured and become available. d. Limits for Total Suspended Particulate Matter with mass median diameter less than 25-50 um. e. Annual Geometric Mean f. Provisional limits for Suspended Particulate Matter with mass median diameter less than 10 microns and below until sufficient monitoring data are gathered to base a proper guideline. g. Evaluation of this guideline is carried out for 24-hour averaging time and averaged over three moving calendar months. The monitored average value for any three months shall not exceed the guideline value. b) For National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Source Specific Air Pollutants from : Industrial Sources/ Operations: Pollutants1 Concentration2 Averaging time (min.) Method of Analysis/ Measurement3 µ/Ncm ppm 1. Ammonia 200 0.28 30 Nesselerization/ Indo Phenol 2. Carbon Disulfide 30 0.01 30 Tischer Method 3. Chlorine and Chlorine Compounds expressed as Cl2 100 0.03 5 Methyl Orange 4. Formaldehyde 50 0.04 30 Chromotropic acid Method or MBTH Colorimetric Method 5. Hydrogen Chloride 200 0.13 30 Volhard Titration with Iodine Solution 6. Hydrogen Sulfide 100 0.07 30 Methylene Blue 7. Lead 20 30 AASc 8. Nitrogen Dioxide 375,260 0.20,0.14 30,60 Greiss- Saltzman 9. Phenol 100 0.03 30 4-Aminoantiphyrine 10. Sulfur Dioxide 470, 340 0.18, 0.13 30,60 Colorimetric-Pararosaniline 11. Suspended Particulate Matter-TSP 300 -- 60 Gravimetric 1 Pertinent ambient standards for Antimony, Arsenic, Cadmium, Asbestos, Nitric Acid and Sulfuric Acid Mists in the 1978 NPCC Rules and Regulations may be considered as guides in determining compliance. 2 Ninety- eight percentile (98%) values of 30-minute sampling measured at 250C and one atmosphere pressure. 3 Other equivalent methods approved by the Department may be used. The basis in setting up the ambient air quality guideline values and standards shall reflect, among others, the latest scientific knowledge including information on : a) Variable, including atmospheric conditions, which of themselves or in combination with other factors may alter the effects on public health or welfare of such air pollutant; b) The other types of air pollutants which may interact with such pollutant to produce an adverse effect on public health or welfare; and c) The kind and extent of all identifiable effects on public health or welfare which may be expected from presence of such pollutant in the ambient air, in varying quantities. The Department shall base such ambient air quality standards on World Health Organization (WHO) standards, but shall not be limited to nor be less stringent than such standards. SEC. 13. Emission Charge System. - The Department, in case of industrial dischargers, and the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC), in case of motor vehicle dischargers, shall, based on environmental techniques, design, impose on and collect regular emission fees from said dischargers as part of the emission permitting system or vehicle registration renewal system, as the case may be. The system shall encourage the industries and motor vehicles to abate, reduce, or prevent pollution. The basis of the fees include, but is not limited to, the volume and toxicity of any emitted pollutant. Industries, which shall install pollution control devices or retrofit their existing facilities with mechanisms that reduce pollution shall be entitled to tax incentives such as but not limited total credits and/or accelerated depreciation deductions. SEC. 14 Air Quality Management Fund. - An Air Quality Management Fund to be administered by the Department as a special account in the National Treasury is hereby established to finance containment, removal, and clean-up operations of the Government in air pollution cases, guarantee restoration of ecosystems and rehabilitate areas affected by the acts of violators of this Act, to support research, enforcement and monitoring activities and capabilities of the relevant agencies, as well as to provide technical assistance to the relevant agencies. Such fund may likewise be allocated per airshed for the undertakings herein stated. The Fund shall be sourced from the fines imposed and damages awarded to the Republic of the Philippines by the Pollution Adjudication Board (PAB), proceeds of licenses and permits issued by the Department under this Act, emission fees and from donations, endowments and grants in the forms of contributions. Contributions to the Fund shall be exempted from donor taxes and all other taxes, charges or fees imposed by the Government. SEC. 15. Air Pollution Research and Development Program. - The Department, in coordination with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), other agencies, the private sector, the academe, NGO's and PO's, shall establish a National Research and Development Program for the prevention and control of air pollution. The Department shall give special emphasis to research on and the development of improved methods having industry-wide application for the prevention and control of air pollution. Such a research and development program shall develop air quality guideline values and standards in addition to internationally-accepted standards. It shall also consider the socio-cultural, political and economic implications of air quality management and pollution control. ARTICLE TWO Air Pollution Clearances and Permits for Stationary Sources Sec. 16. Permits. Consistent with the provisions of this Act, the Department shall have the authority to issue permits as it may determine necessary for the prevention and abatement of air pollution. Said permits shall cover emission limitations for the regulated air pollutants to help attain and maintain the ambient air quality standards. These permits shall serve as management tools for the LGUs in the development of their action plan. SEC. 17 Emission Quotas. The Department may allow each regional industrial center that is designated as special airshed to allocate emission quotas to pollution sources within its jurisdiction that qualify under an environmental impact assessment system programmatic compliance program pursuant to the implementing rules and regulations of Presidential Decree No. 1586. SEC. 18. Financial Liability for Environmental Rehabilitation. As Part of the environmental management plan attached to the environmental compliance certificate pursuant to Presidential Decree No. 1586 and rules and regulations set therefore, the Department shall require program and project proponents to put up financial guarantee mechanisms to finance the needs for emergency response, clean-up rehabilitation of areas that may be damaged during the program or project's actual implementation. Liability for damages shall continue even after the termination of a program or project, where such damages are clearly attributable to that program or project and for a definite period to be determined by the Department and incorporated into the environmental compliance certificate. Financial liability instruments may be in the form a trust fund, environmental insurance, surety bonds, letters of credit, as well as self-insurance. The choice of the guarantee instruments shall furnish the Department with evidence of availment of such instruments. ARTICLE THREE Pollution from Stationary Sources SEC. 19. Pollution From Stationary Sources.- The Department shall, within two (2) years from the effectivity of this Act, and every two (2) years thereafter, review, or as the need therefore arises, revise and publish emission standards, to further improve the emission standards for stationary sources of air pollution. Such emission standards shall be based on mass rate of emission for all stationary source of air pollution based on internationally accepted standards, but not be limited to, nor be less stringent than such standards and with the standards set forth in this section. The standards, whichever is applicable, shall be the limit on the acceptable level of pollutants emitted from a stationary source for the protection of the public's health and welfare. With respect to any trade, industry, process and fuel-burning equipment or industrial plant emitting air pollutants, the concentration at the point of emission shall not exceed the following limits: Pollutants Standard Applicable to Source Maximum Permissible Limits (mg/Ncm) Method of Analysisa 1. Antimony and Its compounds any source 10 as Sb AASb 2. Arsenic and its compounds Any source 10 as As AASb 3. Cadmium and its compounds Any source 10 as Cd AASb 4. Carbon Monoxide Any industrial Source 500 as CO Orsat analysis 5. Copper and its Compounds Any industrial source 100 ax Cu AASb 6. Hydrofluoric Acids and Fluoride compounds Any source other than the manufacture of Aluminum from Alumina 50 as HF Titration with Ammonium Thiocyanate 7. Hydrogen Sulfide i) Geothermal Power Plants c.d Cadmium Sulfide Method ii) Geothermal Exploration and well-testing e iii) Any source other than (i) and (ii) 7 as H2S Cadmium Sulfide Method 8. Lead Any trade, industry or process 10 as Pb AASb 9. Mercury Any Source 5 as elemental Hg AASb/Cold-Vapor Technique or Hg Analyzer 10. Nickel and its compounds, except Nickel Carbonyl f Any source 20 as Ni AASb 11. NOx i) Manufacture of Nitric Acid 2,000 as acid and NOx and calculated as NO2 Phenol-disulfonic acid Method ii) Fuel burning steam generators Phenol-disulfonic acid Method Existing Source 1,500 as NO2 New Source • Coal-Fired 1,000 as NO2 • Oil-Fired 500 as NO2 iii) Any source other than (i) adn (ii) Phenol-disulfonic acid Method Existing Source 1000 as NO2 New Source 500 as NO2 12. Phosphorus Pentoxideg Any source 200 as P2O5 Spectrophotometry 13. Zinc and its Compounds Any source 100 as Zn AASb a Other equivalent methods approved by the Department may be used. b Atomic Absorption Specttrophotometry c All new geothermal power plants starting construction by 01 January 1995 shall control HsS emissions to not more than 150 g/GMW-Hr d All existing geothermal power plants shall control HsS emissions to not more than 200 g/GMW-Hr within 5 years from the date of effectivity of these revised regulations. e Best practicable control technology for air emissions and liquid discharges. Compliance with air and water quality standards is required. f Emission limit of Nickel Carbonyl shall not exceed 0.5 mg/Ncm. g Provisional Guideline Provided, that the maximum limits in mg/ncm particulates in said sources shall be : 1. Fuel Burning Equipment a) Urban or Industrial Area 150 mg/Ncm b) Other Area 200 mg/Ncm 2. Cement Plants (Kilns, etc.) 150 mg/Ncm 3. Smelting Furnaces 150 mg/Ncm 4. Other Stationary Sourcesa 200 mg/Ncm a Other Stationary Sources means a trade, process, industrial plant, or fuel burning equipment other than thermal power plants, industrial boilers, cement plants, incinerators and smelting furnaces. Provided, further, that the maximum limits for sulfur oxides in said sources shall be : (1) Existing Sources (i) Manufacture of Sulfuric Acid and Sulf(on)ation Process 2.0gm.Ncm as SO3 (ii) Fuel burning Equipment 1.5gm.Ncm as SO2 (iii) Other Stationary Sourcesa 1.0gm.Ncm as SO3 (2) New Sources (i) Manufacture of Sulfuric Acid and Sulf(on)ation Process 1.5 gm.Ncm as SO3 (ii) Fuel Burning Equipment 0.7 gm.Ncm as SO2 (iii) Other Stationary Sourcesa 0.2 gm.Ncm as SO3 a Other Stationary Sources refer to existing and new stationary sources other than those caused by the manufacture of sulfuric acid and sulfonation process, fuel burning equipment and incineration. For Stationary sources of pollution not specifically included in the immediately preceding paragraph, the following emission standards shall not be exceeded in the exhaust gas : I. Daily And Half Hourly Average Values Daily Average Values Half Hourly Average Values Total dust 10 mg/m3 30 mg/m3 Gaseous and vaporous organic substances, expressed as total organic carbon 10 mg/m3 20 mg/m3 Hydrogen chloride (HCl) 10 mg/m3 60 mg/m3 Hydrogen fluoride (HF) 1 mg/m3 4 mg/m3 Sulfur dioxide (SO2) 50 mg/m3 200 mg/m3 Nitrogen monoxide (NO) and Nitrogen dioxide (NO2), expressed as nitrogen dioxide for incineration plants with a capacity exceeding 3 tonnes per hour 200 mg/m3 400 mg/m3 Nitrogen monoxide (NO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2), expressed as nitrogen dioxide for incineration plants with a capacity of 3 tonnes per hour or less 300 mg/m3 Ammonia 10 mg/m3 20 mg/m3 II. All the Average Values over the Sample Period of a Minimum of 4 and Maximum of 8 Hours. Cadmium and its compounds, expressed as cadmium (Cd) total 0.05 Thallium and its compounds, expressed as thallium (Tl) mg/m3 Mercury and its Compounds, expressed as mercury (Hg) 0.05 mg/m3 Antimony and its compounds, expressed as antimony (Sb) Arsenic and its compounds, expressed as arsenic (As) total 0.5 mg/m3 Lead and its compounds, expressed as lead ( Pb) Chromium and its compounds, expressed as chromium (Cr) Cobalt and its compounds, expressed as cobalt (Co) Copper and its compounds, expressed as copper (Cu) Manganese and its compounds, expressed as manganese (Mn) Nickel and its compounds, expressed as nickel (Ni) Vanadium and its compounds, expressed as vanadium (V) Tin and its compounds, expressed as tin (Sn) These average value cover also gaseous and the vapor forms of the relevant heavy metal emission as well as their compounds. Provided, that the emission of dioxins and furans into the air shall be reduced by the most progressive techniques. Provided, further that all average of dioxin and furans measured over the sample period of a minimum of 5 hours and maximum of 8 hours must not exceed the limit value of 0.1 nanogram/m3. Pursuant to Sec. 8 of this Act, the Department shall prepare a detailed action plan setting the emission standards or standards of performance for any stationary source the procedure for testing emissions for each type of pollutant, and the procedure for enforcement of said standards. Existing industries, which are proven to exceed emission rates established by the Department in consultation with stakeholders, after a thorough, credible and transparent measurement process shall be allowed a grace period of eighteen (18) months for the establishment of an environmental management system and the installation of an appropriate air pollution control device : Provided, That an extension of not more than twelve (12) months may be allowed by the Department on meritorious grounds. SEC. 20 Ban on Incineration.- Incineration , hereby defined as the burning of municipal, biomedical and hazardous waste, which process emits poisonous and toxic fumes is hereby prohibited; Provided, however, That the prohibition shall not apply to traditional small-scale method of community/neighborhood sanitation "siga", traditional, agricultural, cultural, health, and food preparation and crematoria; Provided, further, That existing incinerators dealing with a biomedical wastes shall be out within three (3) years after the effectivity of this Act; Provided, finally, that in the interim, such units shall be limited to the burning of pathological and infectious wastes, and subject to close monitoring by the Department. Local government units are hereby mandated to promote, encourage and implement in their respective jurisdiction a comprehensive ecological waste management that includes waste segregation, recycling and composting. With due concern on the effects of climate change, the Department shall promote the use of state-of-the-art, environmentally-sound and safe non-burn technologies for the handling, treatment, thermal destruction, utilization, and disposal of sorted, unrecycled, uncomposted, biomedical and hazardous wastes. ARTICLE FOUR Pollution from Motor Vehicles Sec. 21. Pollution from Motor Vehicles. a) The DOTC shall implement the emission standards for motor vehicles set pursuant to and as provided in this Act. To further improve the emission standards, the Department shall review, revise and publish the standards every two (2) years, or as the need arises. It shall consider the maximum limits for all major pollutants to ensure substantial improvement in air quality for the health, safety and welfare of the general public. The following emission standards for type approval of motor vehicles shall be effective by the year 2003: a.) For light duty vehicles, the exhausts emission limits for gaseous pollutants shall be: Emission Limits for Light Duty Vehicles Type Approval (Directive 91/441/EEC) CO (g/km) HC + NOx (g/km) PMa (g/km) 2.72 0.97 0.14 a for compression-ignition engines only b) For light commercial vehicles, the exhaust emission limit of gaseous pollutants as a function of the given reference mass shall be : Reference Weight (RW) (kg) CO (g/km) HC + NOx (g/km) PMa (g/km) Category 1 1250< RW 2.72 0.97 0.14 Category 2 1250< RW<1700 5.17 1.4 0.19 Category 3 RW>1700 6.9 1.7 0.25 a for compression-ignition engines only c.) For heavy duty vehicles, the exhaust emission limits of gaseous pollutants shall be : Emission Limits for Heavy Duty Vehicles Type Approval (Directive 91/542/EEC) CO (g/k/Wh) HC (g/k/Wh) NOx (g/k/Wh) PM (g/k/Wh) 4.5 1.1 8.0 0.36a a In the case of engines of 85 kW or less, the limit value for particular emissions in increased by multiplying the quoted limit by a coefficient of 1.7 Fuel evaporative emission for spark-ignition engines shall not exceed 2.0 grams hydrocarbons per test. Likewise, it shall not allow any emission of gases from crankcase ventilation system into the atmosphere. b.) The Department, in collaboration with the DOTC, DTI and LGUs, shall develop an action plan for the control and management of air pollution from motor vehicles consistent with the Integrated Air Quality Framework. The DOTC shall enforce compliance with the emission standards for motor vehicles set by the Department. The DOTC may deputize other law enforcement agencies and LGUs for this purpose. To this end, the DOTC shall have the power to : (1) Inspect and monitor the emissions of motor vehicles ; (2) Prohibit or enjoin the use of motor vehicles or a class of motor vehicles in any area or street at specified times; and (3) Authorize private testing emission testing centers duly accredited by the DTI. c.) The DOTC, together with the DTI and the Department, shall establish the procedures for the inspection of motor vehicles and the testing of their emissions for the purpose of determining the concentration and/or rate of pollutants discharged by said sources. d.) In order to ensure the substantial reduction of emissions from a motor vehicles, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), together with the DOTC and the Department shall formulate and implement a national motor vehicle inspection and maintenance program that will promote efficient and safe operation of all motor vehicles. In this regard, the DTI shall develop and implement standards and procedures for the certification of training institutions, instructors and facilities and the licensing of qualified private service centers and their technicians as prerequisite for performing the testing, servicing, repair and the required adjustment to the vehicle emission system. The DTI shall likewise prescribe regulations requiring the disclosure of odometer readings and the use of tamper-resistant odometers for all motor vehicles including tamper-resistant fuel management systems for the effective implementation of the inspection and maintenance program. SEC. 22 Regulation of All Motor Vehicles and Engines. Any imported new or locally-assembled new motor vehicle shall not be registered unless it complies with the emission standards set pursuant to this Act, as evidenced by a Certificate of Conformity (COC) issued by the Department. Any imported new motor vehicle engine shall not be introduced into commerce, sold or used unless it complies with emission standards set pursuant to this Act. Any imported used motor vehicle or rebuilt motor vehicle using new or used engines, major parts or components shall not be registered unless it complies with the emission standards. In case of non-compliance, the importer or consignee may be allowed to modify or rebuild the vehicular engine so it will be in compliance with applicable emission standards. No motor vehicle registration (MVR) shall be issued unless such motor vehicle passes the emission testing requirement promulgated in accordance with this Act. Such testing shall be conducted by the DOTC or its authorized inspection centers within sixty (60) days prior to date of registration. The DTI shall promulgate the necessary regulations prescribing the useful life of vehicles and engines including devices in order to ensure that such vehicles will conform to the emissions which they were certified to meet. These regulations shall include provisions for ensuring the durability of emission devices. SEC. 23. Second-Hand Motor Vehicle Engines. Any imported second-hand motor vehicle engine shall not be introduced into commerce, sold or used unless it complies with emission standards set pursuant to this Act. ARTICLE FIVE- Pollution from Other Sources SEC. 24 Pollution from smoking. Smoking inside a public building or an enclosed public place including public vehicles and other means of transport or in any enclosed area outside of one's private residence, private place of work or any duly designated smoking area is hereby prohibited under this Act. This provision shall be implemented by the LGUs. SEC. 25. Pollution from other Mobile Sources. The Department, in coordination with appropriate agencies, shall formulate and establish the necessary standards for all mobile sources other than those referred to in Sec. 21 of this Act. The imposition of the appropriate fines and penalties from these sources for any violation of emission standards shall be under the jurisdiction of the DOTC. CHAPTER 3 FUELS, ADDITIVES, SUBSTANCES AND POLLUTANTS Article One- Fuels, Additives and Substances SEC. 26 Fuels and Additives. Pursuant to the Air Quality Framework to be established under Section 7 of this Act, the Department of Energy (DOE), co-chaired by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), in consultation with the Bureau of Product Standards (BPS) of the DTI, the DOST, the representatives of the fuel and automotive industries, academe and the consumers shall set the specifications for all types of fuel and fuel-related products, to improve fuel composition for increased efficiency and reduced emissions; Provided, however, that the specifications for all types of fuel and fuel-related products set-forth pursuant to this section shall be adopted by the BPS as Philippine National Standards (PNS). The DOE, shall also specify the allowable content of additives in all types of fuels and fuel-related products. Such standards shall be based primarily on threshold levels of health and research studies. On the basis of such specifications, the DOE shall likewise limit the content or begin that phase-out of additives in all types of fuels and fuel-related products as it may deem necessary. Other agencies involved in the performance of this function shall be required to coordinate with the DOE and transfer all documents and information necessary for the implementation of this provision. Consistent with the provisions of the preceding paragraphs under this section, it is declared that : a. not later than eighteen (18) months after the effectivity of this Act, no person shall manufacture, import, sell, supply, offer for sale, dispense, transport or introduce into commerce unleaded premium gasoline fuel which has an anti-knock index (AKI) of not less that 87.5 and Reid vapor pressure of not more than 9 psi. Within six (6) months after the effectivity of this Act, unleaded gasoline fuel shall contain aromatics not to exceed forty-five percent (45%) by volume and benzene not to exceed four percent (4%) by volume; Provided, that by year 2003, unleaded gasoline fuel should contain aromatics not to exceed thirty-five percent (35%) by volume and benzene not to exceed two percent (2%) by volume; b. not later than eighteen (18) months after the effectivity of this Act, no person shall manufacture, import, sell, supply , offer for sale, dispense, transport or introduce into commerce automotive diesel fuel which contains a concentration of sulfur in excess of 0.20% by weight with a cetane number of index of not less than forty-eight (48); Provided, That by year 2004, content of said sulfur shall be 0.05% by weight ; and c. not later than eighteen (18) months after the effectivity of this Act, no Person shall manufacture, import, sell, supply, offer for sale, dispense, transport or introduce into commerce industrial diesel fuel which contains a concentration of sulfur in excess of 0.30% (by weight). Every two (2) years thereafter or as the need arises, the specifications of unleaded gasoline and of automotive and industrial diesel fuels shall be reviewed and revised for further improvement in formulation and in accordance with the provisions of this Act. The fuels characterized above shall be commercially available. Likewise, the same shall be the reference fuels for emission and testing procedures to be established in accordance with the provisions of this Act. Any proposed additive shall not in any way increase emissions of any of the regulated gases which shall include, but not limited to carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, and oxides of nitrogen and particulate matter, in order to be approved and certified by the Department. SEC. 27. Regulation of Fuels and Fuel Additives.- The DOE, in coordination with the Department and the BPS, shall regulate the use of any fuel or fuel additive. No manufacturer, processor or trader of any fuel or additive may import, sell, offer for sale, or introduce into commerce such fuel for additive unless the same has been registered with the DOE. Prior to registration, the manufacturer, processor or trader shall provide the DOE with the following relevant information: a. Product identity and composition to determine the potential health effects of such fuel additives; b. Description of the analytical technique that can be used to detect and measure the additive in any fuel ; c. Recommended range of concentration; and d. Purpose in the use of the fuel and additive. SEC. 28 Misfueling. In order to prevent the disabling of any emission control device by lead contamination, no person shall introduce or cause or allow the introduction of leaded gasoline into any motor vehicle equipped with a gasoline tank filler inlet and labeled " unleaded gasoline only ". This prohibition shall also apply to any person who knows or should know that such vehicle is designed solely for the use of unleaded gasoline. SEC. 29. Prohibition on Manufacture. Import and Sale of leaded Gasoline and of Engines and/or Components Requiring Leaded Gasoline. Effective not later than eighteen (18) months after the enactment of this Act, no person shall manufacture, import, sell, offer for sale, introduce into commerce, convey or otherwise dispose of , in any manner leaded gasoline and engines and components requiring the use of leaded gasoline. For existing vehicles, the DTI shall formulate standards and procedures that will allow non-conforming engines to comply with the use of unleaded fuel within five(5) years after the effectivity of this Act. Article Two Other Pollutants SEC. 30. Ozone-Depleting Substances. Consistent with the terms and conditions of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer and other international agreements and protocols to which the Philippines is a signatory, the Department shall phase out ozone-depleting substances. Within sixty (60) days after the enactment of this Act, the Department shall publish a list of substances which are known to cause harmful effects on the stratospheric ozone layer. SEC. 31. Greenhouse Gases. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Service Administration (PAGASA) shall regularly monitor meteorological factors affecting environmental conditions including ozone depletion and greenhouse gases and coordinate with the Department in order to effectively guide air pollution monitoring and standard-setting activities. The Department, together with concerned agencies and local government units, shall prepare and fully implement a national plan consistent with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and other international agreements, conventions and protocols on the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the country. SEC. 32. Persistent Organic Pollutants. The Department shall, within a period of two (2) years after the enactment of this Act, establish an inventory list of all sources of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) in the Country. The Department shall develop short-term and long-term national government programs on the reduction and elimination of POPs such as dioxins and furans. Such programs shall be formulated within a year after the establishment of the inventory list. SEC. 33. Radioactive Emissions. All projects which will involve the use of atomic and/or nuclear energy, and will entail release and emission of radioactive substances into the environment, incident to the establishment or possession of nuclear energy facilities and radioactive materials, handling, transport, production, storage, and use of radioactive materials, shall be regulated in the interest of public health and welfare by the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI), in coordination with Department and other appropriate government agencies. CHAPTER 4 INSTITUTIONAL MECHANISM SEC. 34. Lead Agency.- The Department, unless otherwise provided herein, shall be the primary government agency responsible for the implementation and enforcement of this Act. To be more effective in this regard, The Department's Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) shall be converted from a staff bureau to a line bureau for a period of no more than two (2) years, unless a separate, comprehensive environmental management agency is created. SEC. 35 Linkage Mechanism. - The Department shall consult, participate, cooperate and enter into agreement with other government agencies, or with affected non-governmental (NGOs) or people's organizations (POs),or private enterprises in the furtherance of the objectives of this Act. SEC. 36. Role of Local Government Units.- Local Government units (LGUs) shall share the responsibility in the management and maintenance of air quality within their territorial jurisdiction. Consistent with Secs. 7,8 and 9 of this Act, LGUs shall implement air quality standards set by the Board in areas within their jurisdiction; Provided, however, that in case where the board has not been duly constituted and has not promulgated its standards, the standards set forth in this Act shall apply. The Department shall provide the LGUs with technical assistance, trainings and a continuing capability-building program to prepare them to undertake full administration of the air quality management and regulation within their territorial jurisdiction. SEC. 37 Environmental and Natural Resources Office.- There may be established an Environment and Natural Resources Office in every province, city, or municipality which shall be headed by the environment and natural resources officer and shall be appointed by the Chief Executive of every province, city or municipality in accordance with the provisions of Section 484 of Republic Act No. 7160. Its powers and duties, among others, are : a. To prepare comprehensive air quality management programs, plans and strategies within the limits set forth in Republic act. No. 7160 and this Act which shall be implemented within its territorial jurisdiction upon the approval of the sanggunian ; b. To provide technical assistance and support to the governor or mayor, as the case may be, in carrying out measures to ensure the delivery of basic services and the provision of adequate facilities relative to air quality; c. To take the lead in all efforts concerning air quality protection and rehabilitation; d. To recommend to the Board air quality standards which shall not exceed the maximum permissible standards set by rational laws ; e. To coordinate with other government agencies and non-governmental organizations in the implementation of measures to prevent and control air pollution; and f. Exercise such other powers and perform such duties and functions as may be prescribed by law or ordinance. Provided, however, that, in provinces/cities/municipalities where there are no environment and natural resources officers, the local executive concerned may designate any of his official and/ or chief of office preferably the provincial, city or municipal agriculturist, or any of his employee; Provided, finally, that in case an employee is designated as such, he must have a sufficient experience in environmental and natural resources management, conservation and utilization. SEC. 38 Record-keeping, Inspection, Monitoring and Entry by the Department.- The Department or its duly accredited entity shall, after proper consultation and notice, require any person who owns or operates any emissions source or who is subject to any requirement of this Act to : (a) establish and maintain relevant records; (b) make relevant reports; (c) install, use and maintain monitoring equipment or methods; (d) sample emission, in accordance with the methods, locations, intervals and manner prescribed by the Department; (e) keep records on control equipment parameters, production variables or other indirect data when direct monitoring of emissions is impractical; and (f) provide such other information as the Department may reasonably require. Pursuant to this Act, the Department, through its authorized representatives, shall have the right of : (a) entry of access to any premises including documents and relevant materials as referred to in the herein preceding paragraph, b) inspect any pollution or waste source, control device, monitoring equipment or method required, and c) test any emission. Any record, report or information obtained under this section shall be made available to the public, except upon a satisfactory showing to the Department by the entity concerned that the record, report or information, or parts thereof, if made public, would divulge secret methods or processes entitled to protection as intellectual property. Such record, report or information shall likewise be incorporated in the Department's industrial rating system. SEC. 39. Public Education and Information Campaign.- A continuing air quality information and education campaign shall promoted by the Department, the Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS), the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Philippine Information Agency (PIA). Consistent with Sec. 7 of this Act, such campaign shall encourage the participation of other government agencies and the private sector including NGOs, POs, the academe, environmental groups and other private entities in a multi-sectoral information campaign. CHAPTER 5 ACTIONS SEC. 40 Administrative Action.- Without prejudice to the right of any affected person to file an administrative action , the Department shall, on its own instance or upon verified complaint by any person, institute administrative proceedings against any person who violates: a) Standards or limitation provided under this Act; or b) Any order, rule or regulation issued by the Department with respect to such standard or limitation. SEC. 41. Citizen Suits. for purposes of enforcing the provisions of this Act or its implementing rules and regulations, any citizen may file an appropriate civil, criminal or administrative action in the proper courts against: (a) Any person who violates or fails to comply with the provisions of this Act or its implementing rules and regulations; or (b) The Department or other implementing agencies with respect to orders, rules and regulations issued inconsistent with this act; and/or (c) Any public officer who willfully or grossly neglects the performance of an act specifically enjoined as a duty by this Act or its implementing rules and regulations; or abuses his authority in the performance of his duty; or, in any manner, improperly performs his duties under this Act or its implementing rules and regulations: Provided, however, That no suit can be filed until thirty-day (30) notice has been taken thereon. The court shall exempt such action from the payment of filing fees, except fees for actions not capable of pecuniary estimations, and shall likewise, upon prima facie showing of the non-enforcement or violation complained of, exempt the plaintiff from the filing of an injunction bond for the issuance of a preliminary injunction. Within thirty (30) days, the court shall make a determination if the compliant herein is malicious and/or baseless and shall accordingly dismiss the action and award attorney's fees and damages. SEC .42 . Independence of Action.- The filing of an administrative suit against such person/entity does not preclude the right of any other person to file any criminal or civil action. Such civil action shall proceed independently. SEC. 43 Suits and Strategic Legal Actions Against Public Participation and the Enforcement of this act.- where a suit is brought against a a person who filed an action as provided in Sec. 41 of this Act, or against any person, institutions or government agency that implements this Act, it shall be the duty of the investigating prosecutor or the court, as the case may be, to immediately make a determination not exceeding thirty (30) days whether said legal action has been filed to harass, vex, exert undue pressure or stifle such legal recourses of the person complaining of or enforcing the provisions of this Act. Upon determination thereof , evidence warranting the same, the court shall dismiss the case and award attorney's fees and double damages. This provision shall also apply and benefit public officers who are sued for acts committed in their official capacity, their being no grave abuse of authority, and done in the course of enforcing this Act. SEC. 44 Lien Upon Personal and Immovable Properties of Violators. Fines and penalties imposed pursuant to this Act shall be liens upon personal immovable properties of the violator. Such lien shall, in case of insolvency of the respondent violator , enjoy preference to laborer's wages under Article 2241 and 2242 of Republic Act No. 386, otherwise known as the New Civil Code of the Philippines. CHAPTER 6 FINES AND PENALTIES SEC. 45. Violation of Standards for Stationary Sources. For actual exceedance of any pollution or air quality standards under this Act or its rules and regulations, the Department, through the Pollution Adjudication Board (PAB), shall impose a fine of not more than One hundred thousand pesos ( P 100,000.00) for every day of violation against the owner or operator of a stationary source until such time that the standards have been complied with. For purposes of the application of the fines, the PAB shall prepare a fine rating system to adjust the maximum fine based on the violator's ability to pay, degree of willfulness, degree of negligence, history of noncompliance and degree of recalcitrance. Provided, That in case of negligence, the first time offender's ability to pay may likewise be considered by the Pollution Adjudication Board; Provided, further, That in the absence of any extenuating or aggravating circumstances, the amount of fine for negligence shall be equivalent to one-half of the fine for willful violation. The fines herein prescribed shall be increased by at least ten percent (10%), every three (3) years to compensate for inflation and to maintain the deterrent function of such fines. In addition to the fines, the PAB shall order closure, suspension of development, construction, or operations of the stationary sources until such time that proper environmental safeguards are put in place; Provided, that an establishment liable for a third offense shall suffer permanent closure immediately. This paragraph shall be without prejudice to the immediate issuance of an ex parte order for such closure, suspension of development or construction, or cessation of operations during the pendency of the case upon prima facie evidence that their is imminent threat to life, public health, safety or general welfare, or to plant or animal life, or whenever there is an exceedance of the emission standards set by the Department and/or the Board and/or the appropriate LGU. SEC. 46. Violation of Standards for Motor Vehicles. No motor vehicle shall be registered with the DOTC unless it meets the emission standards set by the Department as provided in Sec. 21 hereof. Any vehicle suspected of violation of emission standards through visual signs, such as, but not limited to smoke-belching, shall be subjected to an emission test by a duly authorized emission testing center. For this purpose, the DOTC or its authorized testing center shall establish a roadside inspection system. Should it be shown that there was no violation of emission standards, the vehicle shall be immediately released. Otherwise, a testing result indicating an exceedance of the emission standards would warrant the continuing custody of the impounded vehicle unless the appropriate penalties are fully paid, and the license plate is surrendered to the DOTC pending the fulfillment of the undertaking by the owner/operator of the motor vehicle to make the necessary repairs so as to comply with the standards. A pass shall herein be issued by the DOTC to authorize the use of the motor vehicle within a specified period that shall not exceed seven (7) days for the sole purpose of making the necessary repairs on the said vehicle. The owner/operator of the vehicle shall be required to correct its defects and show proof of compliance to the appropriate pollution control office before the vehicle can be allowed to be driven on any public or subdivision roads. In addition, the driver and operator of the apprehended vehicle shall undergo a seminar on pollution control managem

What about that rebate?? who has been there? 10 points for the best story heres A good one....? I knew better, and I still walked right into it. It all started with Best Buy. (I hear your gasp of horror already. I know, I know: How many sob stories have begun with that phrase? Some day children will try to scare each other with stories set in large consumer electronic chain stores. "'The call is coming from INSIDE THE COMP USA!'") According to the August 15, 1999 Sunday paper, they had computer memory on sale, cheap cheap cheap. Their price was low to begin with, and the $30 mail-in rebate made it a great deal. I'd been meaning to add more memory to my computer for a while, and this seemed like the perfect opportunity. Granted, I had to go by Best Buy on a Sunday. See, our local Best Buy is in a shopping center along with a Wal-Mart, a Barnes & Noble, and any other number of shrines to consumerism. This wouldn't be so bad if the shopping center in question weren't in its own cul-de-sac, with only one road feeding it from the main highway nearby. Getting into the shopping center isn't hard. It's getting out that will try your patience, especially on a weekend. But for those memory prices, I'd gladly brave the horrors of traffic and the throngs of people whose job, near as I can tell, is to wander around Best Buy staring slack-jawed at the miracles of modern electronics and in general getting in people's way. I made it to the Best Buy just fine. I made my way through the crowd of people milling about the store, finally arriving at the computer department. No one was at the desk. The memory was kept in locked glass cabinets; without an employee, there was no way to get the memory. There was one person in front of me at the counter. I waited for about ten minutes, watching other people wander around the computer department and listening to one of the sales staff explain the wonders of Compaq laptops to a customer. Finally, I asked the guy in front of me how long he'd been waiting for help. "Oh, about forty minutes," he told me. "Hold my spot," I told him, then went in search of help. Both of the employees I could see were busy with customers. I decided to bother the guy hawking Compaqs. "Say, we've been waiting a while," I said, pointing to the man at the counter who by this point was slumped against it as if all the life was being drained from his body. "Can you get someone to help us?" "Oh, you need Frank. He's got the key." "Where's Frank?" "I dunno. He went on break a little while ago. He should be back soon." "Soon" in this case meant "fifteen minutes." I spent the time chatting with the guy in front of me in line. "I never come here if I can help it," he said. "But their prices on some stuff are so good, I end up breaking my vow never to come here again." Frank eventually showed up. "We're both after some of that 64Mb of memory that's on sale," my new-found friend told Frank. Frank glanced towards the cabinet. "Oh, we've sold out of that." I took another look at the cabinet. There were packages of memory in the slot labelled "64Mb memory". "What's that?" I asked, pointing. Frank took a closer look at the cabinet. "That's just some 32Mb memory. We ran out of room for it in its usual spot." Oh, lovely. "When do you expect to get some more memory in?" "Trucks come on Tuesday morning. Check back with us then." I made my way back out of the store, pushing my way past an insanely long line at the customer service desk. I'd have to wait, or try some of the other Best Buy stores in the region. On Monday, I asked Misty to stop by the Best Buy in Raleigh on her way home from work. At the time she worked on the far side of Raleigh, so could swing by on her way back from work and pick some up. They didn't have any, she was told, but should be restocked "on Tuesday morning." We decided to call before bothering with another trip to either store. Misty and I spent the next few days trying to get a call through to the Best Buy in either Raleigh or Durham. The procedure went something like this: Dial the number for the computer department. Listen to it ring for a while. Eventually hang up. Try the number for the customer service department instead. Listen to the phone ring. If you're lucky, someone finally answers. Tell the person, "I'm trying to find out if you have any of the 64Mb of memory that was advertised in your Sunday circular." The person who answered the phone will say something like, "Mrbl fll mmtm." Do not be alarmed; this is normal. Wait on hold while Mumble Man goes to get an employee from the computer department on the phone, or to check the stock himself. After a while, either the phone will spontaneously hang up on you, or another Mumble Man will pick up the phone. If the latter occurs, go back three steps. Misty eventually short-circuited this process by asking for a customer service manager. The manager was able to tell her that, yes, they had some of the memory. After work she stopped by to buy two packages of memory. It took her over an hour to get someone to wait on her and get her the memory. But never mind that, I had my memory! I popped the memory in the computer, filled out my rebate forms, and sent them in the mail to PNY Technologies, Inc. When I first went to Best Buy on Sunday I had grabbed a number of the necessary rebate forms, and I decided to keep one of the extras, since it had contact information in the unlikely case that my rebates didn't arrive. September passed, then October. The form had said to wait eight weeks from the closing date of the offer, September 4th, before bugging them about the rebate. By November 10th, I had tired of waiting. I called the 1-888 number listed on the card. It was busy. Okay, no problem, I thought. I'll just send e-mail to the address on the card. The e-mail I sent came back. No such account at Prodigy. I kept trying to call that 1-888 number. I called early in the day. I called late in the afternoon. I would walk past the phone in my office, then spring towards it and punch in the number quickly, in the hopes of surprising PNY. The line was always busy. After a week of this, I did a little research and got the number for PNY corporate headquarters. (It's 973-515-9700, should this ever happen to you.) Before calling that number, I decided to try the 1-888 number once again. Lo and behold, it rang. To my amazement, someone picked up the phone. To my further amazement, she was helpful. I explained that I hadn't received my rebate for the two packages of memory I'd bought. She tapped away on her computer for a few minutes, then told me that PNY had sent the checks, but that the post office had returned them. She asked me for my address. I gave it to her. "Huh," she said. "That's the same address as we have in our computers. Well, don't worry. We'll get your rebate to you. It'll take about four weeks." It didn't even take that long. On Monday, December 6th, the check arrived. I tore it open. The check was for $30. It only covered half of the rebate I was due. Again I tried calling the 1-888 number. Again it was busy. This time I decided not to fool around. I called corporate headquarters and asked to speak to someone about my rebate. They sent me to extension 2002, where I spoke to a man named Gerald. He took my information and promised to pass it on to "the person who takes care of this." He also assured me that, since it was so close to Christmas, the rebate center was swamped, and that my second check was probably delayed. "Give it another few weeks," he asked. I gave it another few weeks, by which time it was Christmas, and then New Year's. The check hadn't arrived by the 6th, and the whole world hadn't descended into chaos because of the Y2K bug, so it was time to call PNY Technologies, Inc. again. The 1-888 number was (surprise!) busy. I called corporate H.Q. and spoke to Gerald again. "You're the third person who's called about this this week." Somehow, I wasn't surprised. "Give it one more week." I gave it two, then called back on January 19th. This time I reached an answering machine. I left a message and my number, as if I thought that they might actually call me back. Rather than wait for them to call me, I tried again on the 20th. I got the machine again, so I left another, less civil message. I decided to try again on the 21st. Hey, if nothing else I could start coming up with creative messages to leave on the machine. I was surprised when I got a live person on the phone, a man named Victor. I told him my story, including the part about the missing e-mail address, the busy 1-888 number, and Gerald's "help." He gave me a toll-free number to call in case I ever had to call back, and said, "Give me about five minutes to look up your account. I'll call you back." That was at 3:25. At 3:32 he was back on the phone. "I couldn't find your account. Did you personally buy the memory, or did someone else?" I told him that Misty had bought the memory. He said, "Let me check again. I'll get right back to you." Amazingly enough, he was true to his word. He was back on the phone at 3:39. "One check was sent out previously, and I've authorized you for the second one. It should arrive in three weeks." I was skeptical, but Victor turned out to be correct. On the 8th of February, 2000, my second check arrived. It came in one of those perforated tear-open paper envelopes, and on the inside was a special message to me from PNY Technologies, Inc. and the TCA Rebate Center: STOP! Don't Cash this Check (Trade it in for a Greater Value) SPECIAL OFFER Send your rebate check back to us (to the address on the check), and we will send you The Millennium PassTM, a Y2K solution to keep your computer running properly after January 1, 2000 (A $59.99 value!) When the new year arrives, many computers (even newer ones) will not be able to recognize the difference between dates in the years 1900 and 2000. This problem could cause your computer to behave erratically and even lose data! The Millennium PassTM installs in minutes in your computer, and will fix the Y2K bug instantly. Unlike software solutions, it will not disappear if you re-load system software, and is not subject to virus attacks. It also uses less system resources, since it is an 8-bit add-on card (hardware), and unlike software, it does not use memory or disk space to operate. It becomes a permanent part of your computer, taking over the date/time function of your system. To get the Millennium PassTM (a $59.99 value), simply return this check (send the entire page-do not endorse check). We will ship your Y2K Protection right back to you. I decided not to take them up on this generous offer. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

***School Technology--- what resources are useful in the classroom? In my education tech class I have been given an assignment to write a proposal to a school pretending the school has been given a $25,0000 grant. I'm supposed to choose a type of technology resource and support the need. The "school" already has: 1. One computer for the teacher 2. Two computers in the classroom for the students to use 3. 1 color laser jet printer 4. The school has a computer lab with 50 computers available for teachers to reserve 5. 2 SmartBoards available for teachers to reserve 6. Microsoft Suite (includes Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Publisher) and Paint is already installed on the computers in the classroom and lab. 7. An overhead projector that is connected to the teacher’s computer and projects images to a pull down white screen 8. A dry erase board 9. Inspiration/ Kidspriation 10. Internet access in all classrooms 11. 50 digital camera (Available at the media center for teachers to checkout) The list seems like the school already has a lot of resources. What else could I request for the school? I was thinking maybe ask for more interactive smart boards. I'm unsure of the cost for those though.

Did you know the terrorists hate America because we support the Jews? Roots of the U.S.-Israel Relationship By Mitchell G. Bard -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Today, the United States and Israel are the closest of friends and allies. During more than four decades of state-building, Israelis have looked to the United States for inspiration, financial and military assistance, and diplomatic support. Americans, in turn, have viewed Israel with a special appreciation for its successful effort to follow the Western democratic tradition, its remarkable economic development, and its determined struggle against its uncompromising enemies. This mutual admiration is hardly a recent phenomenon. The profound influence of Jewish tradition on the Founding Fathers can be seen in the American Constitution. Such influence should come as no surprise given John Adams' view expressed in a letter to Thomas Jefferson: "I will insist that the Hebrews have done more to civilize man than any other nation." According to Woodrow Wilson, the ancient Jewish nation provided a model for the American colonists: Recalling the previous experiences of the colonists in applying the Mosaic Code to the order of their internal life, it is not to be wondered at that the various passages in the Bible that serve to undermine royal authority, stripping the Crown of its cloak of divinity, held up before the pioneer Americans the Hebrew Commonwealth as a model government. In the spirit and essence of our Constitution, the influence of the Hebrew Commonwealth was paramount in that it was not only the highest authority for the principle, "that rebellion to tyrants is obedience to God," but also because it was in itself a divine precedent for a pure democracy, as distinguished from monarchy, aristocracy or any other form of government. Jews also contributed directly to the revolution. President Calvin Coolidge paid tribute to their role in the War of Independence: The Jews themselves, of whom a considerable number were already scattered throughout the colonies, were true to the teachings of their prophets. The Jewish faith is predominantly the faith of liberty. One original design for the official Seal for the United States submitted by Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, and John Adams depicted the Israelites crossing the Red Sea with Pharaoh in pursuit and Moses standing on the other side. The motto was to have been: "Rebellion to Tyrants is Obedience to God." Another seal was chosen, but the Liberty Bell does bear an inscription from the Old Testament: "And Proclaim Freedom Throughout The Land Unto All the Inhabitants Thereof" (Leviticus 25:10). Although it took 2,000 years to resurrect Hebrew as a spoken language in the early twentieth century in Palestine, Hebrew was a prerequisite for early American scholars. Many universities required it in their curriculum. Hebrew was compulsory at Harvard until 1787. To this day, Yale's insignia has the words Urim V'Thummim (oracle learning). America's Support for Zionism American support for the age-old aspirations of the Jewish people to return to their homeland dates from the Colonial period when John Adams wrote: "I really wish the Jews again in Judea an independent nation for, as I believe, the most enlightened men of it have participated in the amelioration of the philosophy of the age." John Quincy Adams wrote to Major Mordecai Manuel Noah that he believed in the "rebuilding of Judea as an independent nation." Not long after the Emancipation Proclamation, President Abraham Lincoln met a Canadian Christian Zionist, Henry Wentworth Monk, who expressed hope that Jews who were suffering oppression in Russia and Turkey be emancipated "by restoring them to their national home in Palestine." Lincoln said this was "a noble dream and one shared by many Americans." The President said his chiropodist was a Jew who "has so many times ‘put me upon my feet’ that I would have no objection to giving his countrymen ‘a leg up.’" In 1883, Emma Lazarus, the poet whose words are inscribed on the Statue of Liberty, wrote that Palestine should be as "a Home for the Homeless, a Goal for the Wanderer and an Asylum for the persecuted and a nation of the denationalized." In 1891, pogroms incited by Czar Alexander III provoked an outcry by many prominent Americans, including the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and Speaker of the House. Rev. William E. Blackstone and Cardinal Gibbons presented a petition signed by those who were concerned about the fate of the Jews in Russia to President Benjamin Harrison and Secretary of State James Blaine. They called for the first international conference "to consider the Israelite claim to Palestine as their ancient home, and to promote in any other just and proper way the alleviation of their suffering condition." Why not give Palestine back to the Jews again? According to God's distribution of nations, it is their home—an inalienable possession from which they were expelled by force. Under their cultivation was a remarkable fruitful land, sustaining millions of Israelites, who industrially tilled its hillsides and valleys. They were agriculturists and producers...the center of civilization and religion. We believe this is an appropriate time for all nations, and especially the Christian nations of Europe, to show kindness to Israel...let us now restore to them the land of which they were so cruelly despoiled by our Roman ancestors. The signatories' idea preceded the first World Zionist Congress that adopted the program to establish a Jewish homeland in Palestine by six years. Endorsing The Balfour Declaration In 1917, Lord Balfour sent a letter to Lord Rothschild, president of the British Zionist Federation, stating that the British Government would facilitate the establishment of a national home for the Jewish people in Palestine. President Wilson expressed his support for the Balfour Declaration when he stated on March 3, 1919: The allied nations with the fullest concurrence of our government and people are agreed that in Palestine shall be laid the foundations of a Jewish Commonwealth. After Wilson left office, his successors expressed similar support for the Zionist enterprise. "It is impossible for one who has studied at all the services of the Hebrew people to avoid the faith that they will one day be restored to their historic national home and there enter on a new and yet greater phase of their contribution to the advance of humanity," said President Warren Harding. Calvin Coolidge expressed his "sympathy with the deep and intense longing which finds such fine expression in the Jewish National Homeland in Palestine." "Palestine which, desolate for centuries, is now renewing its youth and vitality through enthusiasm, hard work, and self-sacrifice of the Jewish pioneers who toil there in a spirit of peace and social justice," observed Herbert Hoover. Congress was no less sympathetic to the Zionist objective. One can look back to the joint Congressional resolutions of 1922 and 1944 that unanimously passed an endorsement of the Balfour Declaration. The House Foreign Affairs Committee stated in 1922: The Jews of America are profoundly interested in establishing a National Home in the ancient land for their race. Indeed, this is the ideal of the Jewish people, everywhere, for, despite their dispersion, Palestine has been the object of their veneration since they were expelled by the Romans. For generations they have prayed for the return to Zion. During the past century this prayer has assumed practical form. Legislatures in 33 states, representing 85 percent of the population, also adopted resolutions favoring the creation of a Jewish state in Palestine. Governors of 37 states, 54 United States senators, and 250 congressmen signed petitions to the President. The Campaign for Partition In early 1947, the British, who then administered a League of Nations mandate for Palestine, decided to bring the question of how to resolve the dispute between Arabs and Jews to the United Nations. The General Assembly decided to set up the United Nations Special Committee on Palestine (UNSCOP) to investigate the cause of the conflict in Palestine, and, if possible, devise a solution. The UNSCOP, composed of representatives from 11 nations, visited Palestine and found the Jewish community very responsive to its inquiries. The Arabs in Palestine greeted the UNSCOP with hostility and refused to cooperate. The Arab Higher Committee boycotted the Commission but demanded that the UN immediately grant Palestine its independence. As one author observed, the contrasting attitudes of Jews and Arabs toward the UNSCOP "could not fail to give the impression that the Jews were imbued with the sense of right and were prepared to plead their case before any unbiased tribunal, while the Arabs felt unsure of the justice of their cause, or were afraid to bow to the judgement of the nations." One UNSCOP aide was particularly influential, an American named Ralph Bunche. Later Bunche would play a key role in negotiating armistice agreements between Israel and its neighbors following the War of Independence. In 1947, Bunche set up a meeting between two members of the UNSCOP and Menachem Begin, the leader of the Irgun Jewish underground. As he was leaving Begin's hideout, Bunche told the future Israeli Prime Minister: "I can understand you. I am also a member of a persecuted minority." Richard Crossman of Britain asked Bunche if his exposure to the Jews had made him anti-Semitic "yet." Bunche answered: "That would be impossible....I know the flavor of racial prejudice and racial persecution. A wise Negro can never be an anti-Semite." The majority of the UNSCOP concluded after its investigation that the question of ownership or right to Palestine was an insoluble antinomy. Rather than try to solve it, they chose the logical alternative of partition, in which both Jews and Arabs would be given sovereignty in their own separate state. The United States endorsed the majority report and called on the General Assembly to approve partition. Some dispute exists among scholars as to how vigorously the Truman Administration lobbied for the resolution. Nevertheless, ample evidence exists to indicate that U.S. influence played a critical role in securing the adoption of the partition resolution. President Truman with David Ben-Gurion and Abba Eban Less than six months later, Israel declared its independence and the United States was the first nation to grant de facto recognition to the new Jewish State—11 minutes after the proclamation. "I had faith in Israel before it was established, I have faith in it now," Truman said May 26, 1952. "I believe it has a glorious future before it—not just another sovereign nation, but as an embodiment of the great ideals of our civilization." A Historical Commitment to Israel The recognition of shared values has been a consistent theme in statements by American Presidents ever since Truman. John Kennedy, for example, declared: "This nation, from the time of President Woodrow Wilson, has established and continued a tradition of friendship with Israel because we are committed to all free societies that seek a path to peace and honor individual right. In the prophetic spirit of Zionism all free men today look to a better world and in the experience of Zionism we know that it takes courage and perseverance and dedication to achieve it." "The United States and Israel share many common objectives...chief of which is the building of a better world in which every nation can develop its resources and develop them in freedom and peace," said Lyndon Johnson. The roots of Johnson's feelings, like those of many other Americans came from the Bible. As he explained in a speech before B'nai B'rith: "Most if not all of you have very deep ties with the land and with the people of Israel, as I do, for my Christian faith sprang from yours." The President explained that "the Bible stories are woven into my childhood memories as the gallant struggle of modern Jews to be free of persecution is also woven into our souls." Richard Nixon asserted that the United States stands by its friends and that "Israel is one of its friends." His successor, Gerald Ford, reaffirmed his "commitment to the security and future of Israel is based upon basic morality as well as enlightened self-interest. Our role in supporting Israel honors our own heritage." "The United States," Jimmy Carter said, "has a warm and a unique relationship of friendship with Israel that is morally right. It is compatible with our deepest religious convictions, and it is right in terms of America's own strategic interests. We are committed to Israel's security, prosperity, and future as a land that has so much to offer the world." Ronald Reagan was the first President to state explicitly that Israel was a strategic asset to the United States, a belief he expressed even before he was elected: "Only by full appreciation of the critical role the State of Israel plays in our strategic calculus can we build the foundation for thwarting Moscow's designs on territories and resources vital to our security and our national well-being." But Reagan also understood this alliance sprang from shared values: "Since the rebirth of the State of Israel, there has been an ironclad bond between that democracy and this one." Shortly after taking office, George Bush said: "The friendship, the alliance between the United States and Israel is strong and solid, built upon a foundation of shared democratic values, of shared history and heritage, that sustains the life of our two countries. The emotional bond of our people transcends politics. Our strategic cooperation—and I renew today our determination that that go forward—is a source of mutual security. And the United States’ commitment to the security of Israel remains unshakeable. We may differ over some policies from time to time, individual policies, but never over the principle." President Bill Clinton has taken the relationship to another level during his administration. "Our relationship would never vary from its allegiance to the shared values, the shared religious heritage, the shared democratic politics which have made the relationship between the United States and Israel a special—even on occasion a wonderful—relationship." The Jewish population in the United States is less than six million; therefore, the political activity of Jews who view strengthening U.S.-Israel relations to be in the national interest alone cannot explain the depth of the friendship that exists. Fewer than 3 percent of the population could hardly have such a dramatic influence on American foreign policy. The U.S.-Israel alliance is rooted in shared values. If one were forced to reduce the explanation for the unique relationship between the United States and Israel to one sentence, it was probably best expressed by Lyndon Johnson. When Soviet Premier Aleksei Kosygin asked Johnson why the United States supports Israel when there are 80 million Arabs and only three million Israelis, the President replied simply: "Because it is right."

What's Wrong With Illegal Immigration? What's Wrong With Illegal Immigration? Printer-Friendly Version Send this article to a friend! By draining public funds, creating unfair competition for jobs with America’s least prepared workers and thereby lowering wages and working conditions, and by imposing unwanted strains on services designed to provide assistance to Americans, illegal immigration causes harm to Americans and legal residents. Illegal aliens' numbers are large and growing. FAIR estimates there are between 10-12 million illegal aliens residing in the country in 2005. According to the Census Bureau, there were an estimated 8.7 million illegal aliens living in the United States in 2000. According to the Migration Policy Institute, roughly 500,000 illegal aliens are added to that population every year. The immigration authorities also estimate that there are over one million temporary illegal aliens, such as seasonal workers, here at any given time. The population of illegal aliens would be higher, but in 1986 our government gave amnesty to nearly three million illegal aliens, allowing them to become legal members of our society, and we have allowed additional millions to gain amnesty through other loopholes. Illegal immigration undermines legal immigration. There is a list of several million eligible people waiting to be legally admitted as immigrants to our country; some of them have been on that list for many years waiting for one of the numerically limited visas to become available. Illegal immigration makes a mockery of those people's adherence to the rules and of our country's sovereignty. Illegal immigration harms the American workforce. According to a study in 1996 of the costs of illegal immigration by Rice Univ. economist, Dr. Donald Huddle, illegal aliens were displacing roughly 730,000 American workers every year, at a cost of about $4.3 billion a year, and the supply of cheap labor depresses the wages and working conditions of the working poor. The approximate doubling of the illegal alien population since the time of that estimate means that the number of jobs lost to American workers and the costs of displacement would also likely have more than doubled. Illegal immigration is a burden on the taxpayer. The costs of illegal immigration to the taxpayer are numerous, but the largest costs are education of their children, emergency medical care and incarceration for those arrested for crimes. Despite being ineligible, some illegal aliens also get welfare the same way they get jobs: with identity documents falsely identifying them as U.S. citizens. In addition, if they have U.S.-born children, they may collect welfare assistance in the name of those children. The annual net cost of illegal immigrants (after subtracting their tax payments) to the American taxpayer is likely to be more than $45 billion. Our recent study of the net fiscal “Costs of illegal immigration to Californians” estimated the partial costs at $10.5 billion in that state alone. The number of deportations is low. Compared to the size of the illegal alien population, the number of annual deportations is shockingly small. In fiscal year 2003, only 186,151 aliens were formerly removed.1 Many of the deportees are caught by the police after they have committed a crime. In FY’03, 39,600 of the deported aliens fell in that category. The federal Bureau of Prisons estimates that nearly three-tenths of its prisoners are aliens. Recent improvements have not solved the problem. Although the number of deported illegal aliens is more than triple the average during the 1990s, we are only treading water in a rising tide. The Department of Homeland Security has no plan for identifying and removing the bulk of the illegal alien population, whose number continues to rise. Most illegal aliens remain safe from capture and deportation unless they are arrested for a crime. Some aspects of INS enforcement are getting worse. Stung by criticism from companies about worksite raids, often accompanied by criticism from elected representatives, the immigration authorities instituted in 1998 an innovation called "the Phoenix Plan." Instead of raiding a company, they informed it on the basis of a review of employment documents that they appeared to have hired illegal alien workers, giving the companies the opportunity to dismiss the workers. When this happened, the workers were free to simply walk away with their counterfeit identity documents to another employer. The interior immigration inspectors have only the resources to focus on a few large violators at a time, so most illegal alien workers — and the companies that employ them — get off scot-free. Amnesty is not the answer. As millions of illegal aliens are allowed to remain here year after year, pressure rises from immigrant advocates to grant them amnesty. But this is the equivalent of pardoning criminals en masse because it is easier than capturing them. It encourages further illegal immigration and, by creating new "legal" immigrants out of old illegal ones, adds dramatically to the backlog of relatives abroad who apply for legal admission. It also adds to the costs to the taxpayer, because when illegal aliens are given legal residence, they become eligible for additional tax-funded services. See separate Issue Brief: "Why Amnesty Isn’t the Solution” The answer is to deter further illegal immigration and to tackle the removal of the current illegal alien population by: * improving the security of personal identification systems and require verification of legal work status. See “Employment Document Verification: Key to a Legal Workforce.” * linking government databases on births, deaths, and immigration status. See “FAIR's Comprehensive Document Security Proposal.” * tracking foreigners on temporary visas to assure they leave when required; See “Automated Entry-Exit System: Key to National Security.” * strengthening enforcement capabilities both on the border and in the interior of the country including the provision of more detention space for aliens pending deportation, and * developing additional cooperative federal-local immigration enforcement programs. See: “Immigration Law Enforcement by Local Agencies.” Critical to the success of the deterrence of further illegal immigration and reducing the current illegal alien population is single-minded support by our elected leaders for our immigration authorities in their law enforcement efforts. Sources: The Center for Immigration Studies, Don Huddle’s “The Net Costs of Immigration,” the INS Statistics Division. 1. 2003 Yearbook of Immigration Statistics, September 2004, Department of Homeland Security. In addition, another 887,115 persons were offered and accepted voluntary departure in lieu of deportation.

1. What happened at the Battle of Bull Run? 1. What happened at the Battle of Bull Run? A. Picnickers watched a quick Union victory. B. Confederate reinforcements with Stonewall Jackson forced a Union Retreat C. Union troops with General Irwin McDowell defeated the Confederates by digging strategic trenches in the surrounding forests. D. Confederate troops overtook Union forts and quickly occupied most of southern Maryland. 2. What did the Union do to prevent the South from being able to trade with and obtain supplies from outside countries? A. Blockaded southern ports along the east coast of the United States. B. Attacked supply ships that were leaving southern ports. C. Captured manufacturing facilities in the South so that goods could not be produced. D. Took possession of shipments from other countries before they could reach the Confederacy. 3. How did the ships Alabama and Florida strain relationships between Britain and the United States? A. The ships attacked British cargo boats mistakenly believing they were Union ships. B. Britain built the boats for the Confederates and the Union did not believe it should have been authorized by Britain. C. Britain donated the boats to show their support for the Union, which greatly angered the Confederates. D. They were cargo ships that were filled with valuable cotton in route to Britain. When Union troops sank the ships, Britain was angry. 4. What strategy did David G. Farragut use on the Mississippi River that made him famous? A. He trapped Confederate ships in small canals that allowed no escape and quickly defeated a large number of warships. B. Instead of aiming to sink the ship, he targeted its guns first. C. He used small, fast ships rather than large, powerful ships to create an advantage in speed and agility. D. He moved his ships upriver and, although exposing them to heavy Confederate firepower, eventually captured New Orleans. 5. Why did Ulysses S. Grant want to seize control of the Cumberland and Tennessee Rivers? A. To allow an outlet for trade. B. To provide river access into the center of Confederate territory. C. They held great cultural importance. D. To allow access to the many fishing resources along these rivers. 6. What was the result of the battle of Shiloh in the west? A. The overwhelming victory for the Union encouraged civilians to continue to support the war and enlist in the militia. B. People saw Grant as a hero for his successful strategy and encouraged Lincoln to award him a medal of honor. C. General Grant eventually forced the Confederate forces to retreat, and a large number of troops were killed. D. Lincoln was discouraged by the outcome and considered retreating. 7. What was the outcome of the battle of Murfreesboro? A. It led Lincoln to fire General Don Carlos Buell due to his slow advancement. B. The battle was a draw, with neither side claiming victory. C. General Rosecrans stopped the advance of General Bragg’s forces into Union territory. D. General Bragg stopped the advance of General Rosecrans’ forces into Confederate territory. 8. Why did Robert E. Lee take over command for Joseph E. Johnston during the Peninsula campaign? A. Johnston needed to be at home to care for his wife who was ill with scarlet fever. B. Johnston was too cautious in advancing and cost the Confederacy many casualties. C. Johnston was wounded in battle. D. Lee was a better general and the Confederacy needed strong leadership to fend off this campaign. 9. What was the Peninsula Campaign? A. The Union’s plan to advance up the peninsula of the James and York rivers. B. The Confederate’s plan to attack the Union’s army when it reached the point where the peninsula divided them. C. The Union’s plan to seize Chattanooga to cut off major railroad lines. D. The Confederate’s plan to attack awaiting Union troops via boat from either side of the peninsula. 10. What happened at the second battle of Bull Run? A. The Union forced the South to surrender and cede to the Union’s rule B. The Confederate Army seized the surrounding area as far as the White House. C. The Confederate Army forced the Union army to retreat. D. The Union Army inflicted more than 30,000 casualties on the Confederate army, forcing them to retreat.

Special Immigrant Visas for Iraqi and Afghan Translators/Interpreters - FAQs For Applicants Living Overseas? Special Immigrant Visas for Iraqi and Afghan Translators/Interpreters - FAQs For Applicants Living Overseas Important Notices: * On June 3, 2008, the President signed Public Law 110-242, which authorizes the processing and adjudication of additional applications for SIVs for Iraqi and Afghan translators and interpreters during FY 2008. This legislative change allows us to now continue the processing and scheduling of those SIV cases currently at the National Visa Center which had exceeded the 500 limit for FY 2008. Applicants will be notified as soon as the National Visa Center is ready to schedule their case. For inquiries related to cases currently at the National Visa Center, please email NVCSIV@state.gov. Qualified translators may also file new I-360 petitions with supporting documents until September 30, 2008 under this conversion legislation. NOTICE: Instructions for applying under the new provisions will be posted on our website as soon as possible. The applicant should NOT make any travel arrangements, sell property, or give up employment until the US Embassy or Consulate General has issued a visa. * Resettlement Benefits - Iraqis and Afghans applying for Special Immigrant Visas are now eligible for resettlement benefits. To learn more see "Option for resettlement benefits now available" below. Additionally, review the important resettlement benefits information, in the 'Arrival in the U.S.' section below. Overview - What is this program? What is meant by fiscal year? STEP 1 - File an Application with USCIS STEP 2 - Petition approved by USCIS - Sent to NVC Option for resettlement benefits now available STEP 3 - The Visa Interview STEP 4 - Arrival in the U.S. What is this program? Under section 1059 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006, Public Law 109- 163, up to 50 Iraqi and Afghan translators working for the U.S. military have been eligible for special immigrant visas (SIVs) each fiscal year (FY). Public Law 110- 36, which President Bush signed into law on June 15, 2007, amends section 1059 by expanding the total number of beneficiaries to 500 a year for FY 2007 and FY 2008 only. In FY 2009, the number of visas available for this category will revert to 50 annually. In addition to these Frequently Asked Questions for Applicants Living Overseas, also see the USCIS Fact Sheet on Afghan and Iraqi Translators. This amendment also expands the category of eligible candidates to cover Iraqi and Afghan translators and interpreters who are under Chief of Mission (COM) authority. ************************************ IMPORTANT NOTE: Special Immigrant Visas for Iraqis Employed by/on Behalf of U.S. Government - This new program is completely distinct from the above program authorizing special immigrant visas for certain Iraqi and Afghan translators/interpreters working for the USG. For information on this new program see Learn More. What is meant by fiscal year? The fiscal year begins on October 1 and ends September 30. STEP 1: File an application with the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Who can apply? What are the requirements for the applicant? What about my family? May they immigrate with me? Who files the petition? What documents are required with the petition? Where do I find the forms? Who may submit the letter of recommendation? Is there a template or format for the letter of recommendation? Should I submit copies of commendations and recommendations along with the required recommendations? Where do I file the petition? What mailing address should be used on the I-360 for the translator? Can the I-360 be filed by E-filing (electronically)? Where will the petitions be adjudicated? Who makes the decision? When the cap of 500 visas is reached, will the petitions be rejected and have to be refiled? If my I-360 is denied, will the application fee be refunded? What is the difference between Part I and Part 3 of the Form I-360 and should both be completed? In Part 2, what box should be checked? In Part 9 of the I-360 Form, who can sign the section for USCIS Officers or Consular Officers? What are the fees associated with filing the petition? What is the method of payment of the petition filing fee? Can the fee be waived? My question wasn't answered here. Where can I get more information about filing I-360 petitions with the Nebraska Service Center? Who can apply? What are the requirements for the applicant? Foreign nationals may self-petition for this special immigrant visa classification as COM or U.S. Armed Forces candidates if they meet all of the following requirements: * Must be a national of Iraq or Afghanistan. * Must have worked directly with the U.S. Armed Forces or under Chief of Mission authority as a translator or interpreter for a period of at least 12 months. * Obtained a favorable written recommendation from a General or Flag Officer in the chain of command of the U.S. Armed Forces unit that was supported by the translator, or from the Chief of Mission from the Embassy where he/she worked. * Must have cleared a background check and screening as determined by a General or Flag Officer in the chain of command of the U.S. Armed Forces unit that was supported by the translator, or by the Chief of Mission. * Is otherwise eligible to receive an immigrant visa and is otherwise admissible to the U.S. for permanent residence, except in determining such admissibility, the grounds for inadmissibility specified in section 212 (A)(4) of such Act (8 U.S.C. 1182 (a)(4) relating to "public charge" shall not apply). What about my family? May they immigrate with me? Spouses and minor unmarried children of the translator who have been issued visas may travel with the principal applicant or may follow or join after the translator has been admitted to the United States. Who files the petition? What documents are required with the petition? The translator/interpreter should file the petition and the following package of documents directly with the US Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS), which is part of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The petition must have the following supporting documents and required evidence at the time of filing: * A copy of the passport or birth certificate showing the alien is a national of Iraq or Afghanistan. * Proof of working as a translator/interpreter with the Armed Forces or under the Chief of Mission for at least 12 months. * Proof of a background check and screening by the U.S. Armed Forces or the COM. * A recommendation letter from a General or Flag Officer in the chain of command of the unit supported by the translator, or from the COM at the embassy in Baghdad or Kabul. * Payment of fees for filing the petition (see below). * Form I-360 [NOTE: The I-360 must have the original signature of the translator to be properly filed]. Where do I find the forms? The forms are available on the USCIS website, under the title "Forms and Fees." NOTE: The Form I-360 currently available on the USCIS website does not include notations for the Iraqi and Afghan translators; however, the instructions for Form I-360 available on that website provide petition information for those who worked with the U.S. Armed Forces, and a USCIS Fact Sheet, available online at http://www.uscis.gov/files/pressrelease/TranslatorExpansionFS02Jul07.pdf includes information as of July 2007 for I-360 petitions being filed by Iraqi and Afghan nationals who worked directly for the United States Armed Forces, or under the authority of the Chief of Mission. The I-360 is currently under revision to include these notations. Please use the current form available from the website until the revised form is available. Who may submit the letter of recommendation? General, Lieutenant General, Major General, Brigadier General in the Army, Air Force, or Marine Corps; Admiral, Rear Admiral in the Navy, or the Chief of Mission in Baghdad or Kabul. Is there a template or format for the letter of recommendation? There is no formal format, but the letter should include the length of service, information concerning the translator's security clearance, and the recommendation. Should I submit copies of commendations and recommendations along with the required recommendations? Copies of any additional commendations and recommendations may be submitted, but they do not take the place of the required documents. Where do I file the petition? Translators may file with: USCIS Nebraska Service Center P.O. Box 87360 Lincoln, NE 68501-2521 What mailing address should be used on the I-360 for the translator? USCIS cannot mail any letter outside the United States except to an APO address. If the translator has access to an APO address, USCIS will use this address. If there is not access to an APO and they have family or friends in the United States, that address may be used with the permission of the family or friend. In Part 1, line 3, the family member's or friend's name must be listed in the C/O section; otherwise the post office will not deliver the mail. All applicants must list an email address, as that is the easiest way for us to reach them. Can the I-360 be filed by E-filing (electronically)? No, this form is not set up for E-filing. Where will the petitions be adjudicated? Who makes the decision? All petitions for this program will be adjudicated at the USCIS Nebraska Service Center. Then the petitions will be forwarded to the Department of State National Visa Center (NVC). After the petitions are forwarded to the NVC, the NVC will contact the petitioner by email and begin to process the necessary documentation for the visa. Once the file is complete, immigrant visa interviews for the translator and immediate family may be conducted at an embassy or consulate that processes Immigrant Visas and that the applicant can easily travel to. Applicants should contact the National Visa Center to inquire if the case may be processed in the country that they are currently residing in or can easily travel to. When the cap of 500 visas is reached, will the petitions be rejected and have to be refiled? USCIS will continue to process each petition, even after the annual cap has been reached. When the petition has been approved, it will be sent to the National Visa Center. NVC will be in contact with the petitioner and will forward the petition to the Embassy when the visa case is ready for processing. If my I-360 is denied, will the application fee be refunded? No, this is a processing fee and is not based on the decision. What is the difference between Part 1 and Part 3 of the Form I-360 and should both be completed? Part 1 and Part 3 contain similar information but Part 3 includes additional needed information. Both should be completed. In Part 2, what box should be checked? Box "k" should be checked and "translator" or "interpreter" should be written on the line. In Part 9 of the I-360 form, who can sign the section for USCIS Officers or Consular Officers? Because of the dangers in Iraq, USCIS will accept the signature of U.S. military officers in the chain of command of the translator. What are the fees associated with filing the petition? For applicants filing through the Nebraska Service Center while residing outside the U.S., the I-360 fee is $375.00. See www.uscis.gov for more information about fees. What is the method of payment of the petition filing fee? The method of payment is either a personal check on a U.S. bank, a money order in U.S. dollars, or a fee receipt from a U.S. Embassy abroad. This may be paid by anyone. If paid by someone other than the translator and by personal check, it is suggested the translator's name be written on the bottom of the check. Can the fee be waived? Yes, the translator may request a fee waiver by placing a cover sheet on the petition and explaining the reasons for the request. However, if the waiver is denied the petition will be rejected and the filing date will not be retained, i.e. you will lose your place in line and need to re-file the petition, going to the back of the line. My question wasn't answered here. Where can I get more information about filing I-360 petitions with the Nebraska Service Center? You can send an e-mail to SIVTranslator.NSC@dhs.gov. STEP 2: The petition is approved by USCIS and sent to the National Visa Center When is a case ready for processing? What documents do I need to send to NVC? (For Iraqi SIV applicants) What documents do I need to send to NVC (For Afghan SIV applicants) Option for resettlement benefits now available My question wasn't answered here. Where can I get more information about my approved petition? When is a case ready for processing? Interpreter/translator cases will be processed according to the order that they become documentarily qualified. For these cases, the priority date is the date when the petition was received or filed at the Nebraska Service Center. The National Visa Center (NVC) will receive the approved petition from USCIS and contact the applicants to advise them to begin collecting documents and procure a passport. (Only the G and H series Iraqi passports are valid for travel to the United States.) NVC is now working with petitioners by e-mail to collect the appropriate visa application forms and copies of civil documents, at which point they will schedule the immigrant visa interview at a post overseas and forward the case to that post. Applicants should have or obtain and provide an e-mail address to facilitate communication with NVC, as this has proved to be the only reliable means of reaching approved petition beneficiaries to provide instructions. Applicants with an approved petition at NVC may contact NVC by e-mail at NVCSIV@state.gov. What documents do I need to send to NVC? (For Iraqi SIV applicants) * A copy of the biodata page from the passport of each applicant. Iraqi applicants are strongly encouraged to obtain G series Iraqi passports. * The DS-230 parts 1 and 2 * Scanned copies of a birth certificate for each applicant and any other civil documents showing the relationship between the petitioner and his/her spouse or minor children (e.g., marriage and divorce certificates, adoption decrees, etc.). If no birth certificate is available, the Iraqi national identity card (bataqa shaksiya) may be used instead of a birth certificate; * Any documentation that provides evidence of military service, including service dates, rank, post of assignment, etc. * If the applicant lived in a different country of nationality for more than 6 months AND was 16 years old at that time, THEN the applicant needs a police certificate from the police authorities of that locality. All documents must be accompanied by a certified English translation. The translation must include a statement signed by the translator that states that the translation is accurate, and the translator is competent to translate. What documents do I need to send to NVC? (For Afghan SIV applicants) * A copy of the biodata page from the passport of each applicant (valid for at least 12 months beyond the anticipated visa interview date). * The DS-230 parts 1 and 2 * Scanned copies of a birth certificate (Tazkara) for each applicant and any other civil documents showing the relationship between the petitioner and his/her spouse or minor children (e.g. marriage (Nikah Khet) and divorce certificates, adoption decrees, etc.) * Police certificates are NOT required for residents of Afghanistan. * Police certificates are required if you lived in a different country for more than 12 months since reaching the age of 16. In addition, all applicants should submit 2 recent photographs of themselves, which meet photo requirements shown at http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/info/info_1287.html All documents must be accompanied by a certified English translation. The translation must include a statement signed by the translator that states that the translation is accurate, and the translator is competent to translate. Option for resettlement benefits now available Certain Iraqi and Afghan special immigrants are now eligible for the same resettlement assistance, entitlement programs, and other benefits as refugees admitted under the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program. Resettlement assistance provided by the Department of State is available under section 525 of Division J of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2008, Public Law 110-161, to any and all Iraqis and Afghans who are admitted to the United States on Special Immigrant Visas (on or after December 26, 2007), and under section 1244(g) of National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008, Public Law 110-181, to any and all Iraqis who are admitted to the United States on Special Immigrant Visas (on or after January 28, 2008) regardless of the authority under which the visa was granted. If you are an Iraqi or Afghan and have applied for a Special Immigrant Visa, see the Resettlement Benefits Election Form, which will explain the resettlement benefits option. If you elect to receive resettlement benefits, then you will also need to fill out the Special Immigrant Visa Biodata form. One form for each family member must be completed. Return scanned copies of the Resettlement Benefits Election Form and the Special Immigrant Visa Biodata Form to the National Visa Center via email at NVCSIV@state.gov. My question wasn't answered here. Where can I get more information about my approved petition? You may e-mail the National Visa Center at NVCSIV@state.gov. Step 3: The Visa Interview Is a personal interview required? If the translator is in Iraq, may the interview be conducted at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad? I do not have a valid passport, or I have an S, M or N series Iraqi passport Can the translator's family accompany or follow to join him/her to the United States? What documents should I bring to the interview? Will the USG pay the cost for my travel to the interview? Can the U.S. Embassy arrange for my entry visas and guarantee admission for my interview? Can the visa fee be waived? My question wasn't answered here. Where can I get more information about my pending visa? Is a personal interview required? Yes. While USCIS approves petitions, an interview is required to determine visa eligibility. For that, an applicant must appear in person at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate where a consular officer will interview the applicant. U.S. law also requires all applicants to submit finger scans, which will be taken at the interview. If the translator is in Iraq, may the interview be conducted at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad? No, the U.S. Embassies in Baghdad and Kabul do NOT issue immigrant visas. Most of the interviews will be in Amman, Jordan for Iraqis or Islamabad, Pakistan for Afghanis. If the translator is in a third country, the interview will be conducted at the closest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. I do not have a valid passport, or I have an S, M or N series Iraqi passport You should make all possible efforts to obtain an Iraqi G Series passport; failure to do so will complicate your ability to travel and delay your application. If your immigrant visa appointment has been scheduled, please contact the Embassy where the interview will be scheduled for information about what documents may be required for travel to that country. You should be aware that Iraq S, M and N series passports are not valid for travel to the United States, though in some instances a waiver may be available. Again, this will delay your travel significantly. Follow this link for more information: http://amman.usembassy.gov/int_dev/docs/iraqi_s_series_passport.asp Can the translator's family accompany or follow to join him/her to the United States? Yes, the spouse and unmarried/under 21 children may accompany or follow to join the translator to the United States. These family members may accompany the translator to the Embassy interview and if the visas are issued, the family may travel as well. The translator will have to provide proof of the marriage relationship and the relationship to the children. What documents should I bring to the interview? In addition to your passport, please bring your Iraqi national identity card (bataqa shaksiya) as well as your military photo identification and originals of any civil documents, such as marriage certificates, birth certificates or death certificate. Will the USG pay the cost for my travel to the interview? No. Can the U.S. Embassy arrange for my entry visas and guarantee admission for my interview? No. While Embassies work closely with their host country counterparts to ensure coordination on important programs like the special immigrant visa program, the final decision about whom to admit into a country rests with the government of that country. Should entry prove to be a problem, the applicant should remain in close contact with the Embassy to which his or her case has been assigned. Can the visa fee be waived? No. We do not have any authority to waive the immigrant visa fees. My question wasn't answered here. Where can I get more information about my pending visa? You should directly contact the Embassy to which your case has been assigned. If your case has been assigned to Embassy Amman, you may e-mail ammansiv@state.gov STEP 4: Arrival in the U.S. Is there support for the transition period in the United States once the translator arrives? Are there any other benefits available to Iraqi and Afghan SIV recipients? Who is responsible for the cost of travel to the United States for the translator? Contact Information Is there support for the transition period in the United States once the translator arrives? While overseas, an SIV recipient should file the Resettlement Benefits Election Form to elect participation in the program described in that form. If an SIV recipient has already arrived in the United States on or after December 26, 2007, he/she may contact the Department of State’s Refugee Processing Center at siv@wrapsnet.org. They will direct the special immigrant to one of the Department of State’s resettlement agencies in his/her geographic location. He/she should contact that agency to make an appointment. For the appointment, the special immigrant and family members should bring passports with SIV visas, evidence of arrival date, and green card (if received). The resettlement agency will confirm eligibility for benefits. Are there any other benefits available to Iraqi and Afghan SIV recipients? Regardless of whether those Iraqi and Afghan SIV recipients who were admitted to the U.S after December 27, 2007 choose to participate in the Department of State resettlement program, they are also eligible for benefits and services funded by the Health and Human Services Office of Refugee Resettlement including Refugee Cash and Medical Assistance and Refugee Social Services. These federally funded programs provide a variety of services and have strict time limits and guidelines for participation. Iraqi recipients of SIVs are eligible for up to eight months of these benefits and services, beginning on their date of admission to the United States. Afghan recipients of SIVs are eligible for up to six months of these benefits and services, beginning on their date of admission to the United States. You can find additional information about these benefits by visiting the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Refugee Resettlement web site at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/orr. Who is responsible for the cost of travel to the United States for the translator? If an SIV recipient elects the Department of State's resettlement benefits while still overseas, he/she may be eligible for a travel loan (see the "Option for resettlement benefits now available" above). Contact Information * If you have an approved I-360 petition, please contact the National Visa Center at NVCSIV@state.gov. * If you have an immigrant visa interview scheduled, please contact the embassy where the interview will be scheduled. You can find a list of our embassies at http://usembassy.gov/ * If you think you might be eligible to apply for this visa, please contact your supervisor in the Armed Forces, or the Human Resources office at your Embassy.

Can you translate these English paragraphs to Tagalog about UAE??? Introduction Background: Definition Field Listing The Trucial States of the Persian Gulf coast granted the UK control of their defense and foreign affairs in 19th century treaties. In 1971, six of these states - Abu Zaby, 'Ajman, Al Fujayrah, Ash Shariqah, Dubayy, and Umm al Qaywayn - merged to form the United Arab Emirates (UAE). They were joined in 1972 by Ra's al Khaymah. The UAE's per capita GDP is on par with those of leading West European nations. Its generosity with oil revenues and its moderate foreign policy stance have allowed the UAE to play a vital role in the affairs of the region. Geography Location: Definition Field Listing Middle East, bordering the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf, between Oman and Saudi Arabia Geographic coordinates: Definition Field Listing 24 00 N, 54 00 E Map references: Definition Field Listing Middle East Area: Definition Field Listing Rank Order total: 83,600 sq km land: 83,600 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: Definition Field Listing slightly smaller than Maine Land boundaries: Definition Field Listing total: 867 km border countries: Oman 410 km, Saudi Arabia 457 km Coastline: Definition Field Listing 1,318 km Maritime claims: Definition Field Listing territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin Climate: Definition Field Listing desert; cooler in eastern mountains Terrain: Definition Field Listing flat, barren coastal plain merging into rolling sand dunes of vast desert wasteland; mountains in east Elevation extremes: Definition Field Listing lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m highest point: Jabal Yibir 1,527 m Natural resources: Definition Field Listing petroleum, natural gas Land use: Definition Field Listing arable land: 0.77% permanent crops: 2.27% other: 96.96% (2005) Irrigated land: Definition Field Listing 760 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: Definition Field Listing 0.2 cu km (1997) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): Definition Field Listing total: 2.3 cu km/yr (23%/9%/68%) per capita: 511 cu m/yr (2000) Natural hazards: Definition Field Listing frequent sand and dust storms Environment - current issues: Definition Field Listing lack of natural freshwater resources compensated by desalination plants; desertification; beach pollution from oil spills Environment - international agreements: Definition Field Listing party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea Geography - note: Definition Field Listing strategic location along southern approaches to Strait of Hormuz, a vital transit point for world crude oil Government Country name: Definition Field Listing conventional long form: United Arab Emirates conventional short form: none local long form: Al Imarat al Arabiyah al Muttahidah local short form: none former: Trucial Oman, Trucial States abbreviation: UAE Government type: Definition Field Listing federation with specified powers delegated to the UAE federal government and other powers reserved to member emirates Capital: Definition Field Listing name: Abu Dhabi geographic coordinates: 24 28 N, 54 22 E time difference: UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: Definition Field Listing 7 emirates (imarat, singular - imarah); Abu Zaby (Abu Dhabi), 'Ajman, Al Fujayrah, Ash Shariqah (Sharjah), Dubayy (Dubai), Ra's al Khaymah, Umm al Qaywayn (Quwayn) Independence: Definition Field Listing 2 December 1971 (from UK) National holiday: Definition Field Listing Independence Day, 2 December (1971) Constitution: Definition Field Listing 2 December 1971; made permanent in 1996 Legal system: Definition Field Listing based on a dual system of Shari'a and civil courts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: Definition Field Listing none Executive branch: Definition Field Listing chief of state: President KHALIFA bin Zayid al-Nuhayyan (since 3 November 2004), ruler of Abu Zaby (Abu Dhabi) (since 4 November 2004); Vice President and Prime Minister MUHAMMAD bin Rashid al-Maktum (since 5 January 2006) head of government: Prime Minister and Vice President MUHAMMAD bin Rashid al-Maktum (since 5 January 2006); Deputy Prime Ministers SULTAN bin Zayid al-Nuhayyan (since 20 November 1990) and HAMDAN bin Zayid al-Nuhayyan (since 20 October 2003) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president note: there is also a Federal Supreme Council (FSC) composed of the seven emirate rulers; the FSC is the highest constitutional authority in the UAE; establishes general policies and sanctions federal legislation; meets four times a year; Abu Zaby (Abu Dhabi) and Dubayy (Dubai) rulers have effective veto power elections: president and vice president elected by the FSC for five-year terms (no term limits); election last held 3 November 2004 upon the death of the UAE's Founding Father and first President ZAYID bin Sultan Al Nuhayyan (next to be held in 2009); prime minister and deputy prime minister appointed by the president election results: KHALIFA bin Zayid al-Nuhayyan elected president by a unanimous vote of the FSC; MUHAMMAD bin Rashid al-Maktum unanimously affirmed vice president after the 2006 death of his brother Sheikh Maktum bin Rashid al-Maktum Legislative branch: Definition Field Listing unicameral Federal National Council (FNC) or Majlis al-Ittihad al-Watani (40 seats; 20 members appointed by the rulers of the constituent states, 20 members elected to serve two-year terms) elections: elections for one half of the FNC (the other half remains appointed) held in the UAE on 18-20 December 2006; the new electoral college - a body of 6,689 Emiratis (including 1,189 women) appointed by the rulers of the seven emirates - were the only eligible voters and candidates; 456 candidates including 65 women ran for 20 contested FNC seats; one female from the Emirate of Abu Dhabi won a seat note: reviews legislation but cannot change or veto Judicial branch: Definition Field Listing Union Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the president) Political parties and leaders: Definition Field Listing none Political pressure groups and leaders: Definition Field Listing NA International organization participation: Definition Field Listing ABEDA, AFESD, AMF, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPCW, OPEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: Definition Field Listing chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant) chancery: 3522 International Court NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 243-2400 FAX: [1] (202) 243-2432 consulate(s): New York, Houston Diplomatic representation from the US: Definition Field Listing chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Martin R. QUINN embassy: Embassies District, Plot 38 Sector W59-02, Street No. 4, Abu Dhabi mailing address: P. O. Box 4009, Abu Dhabi telephone: [971] (2) 414-2200 FAX: [971] (2) 414-2603 consulate(s) general: Dubai Flag description: Definition Field Listing three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and black with a wider vertical red band on the hoist side Economy United Arab Emirates Top of Page Economy - overview: Definition Field Listing The UAE has an open economy with a high per capita income and a sizable annual trade surplus. Despite largely successful efforts at economic diversification, nearly 40% of GDP is still directly based on oil and gas output. Since the discovery of oil in the UAE more than 30 years ago, the UAE has undergone a profound transformation from an impoverished region of small desert principalities to a modern state with a high standard of living. The government has increased spending on job creation and infrastructure expansion and is opening up utilities to greater private sector involvement. In April 2004, the UAE signed a Trade and Investment Framework Agreement with Washington and in November 2004 agreed to undertake negotiations toward a Free Trade Agreement with the US. The country's Free Trade Zones - offering 100% foreign ownership and zero taxes - are helping to attract foreign investors. Higher oil revenue, strong liquidity, housing shortages, and cheap credit in 2005-07 led to a surge in asset prices (shares and real estate) and consumer inflation. Rising prices are increasing the operating costs for businesses in the UAE and adversely impacting government employees and others on fixed incomes. Dependence on oil and a large expatriate workforce are significant long-term challenges. The UAE's strategic plan for the next few years focuses on diversification and creating more opportunities for nationals through improved education and increased private sector employment. GDP (purchasing power parity): Definition Field Listing Rank Order $167.3 billion (2007 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): Definition Field Listing $192.6 billion (2007 est.) GDP - real growth rate: Definition Field Listing Rank Order 7.4% (2007 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): Definition Field Listing Rank Order $37,300 (2007 est.) GDP - composition by sector: Definition Field Listing agriculture: 1.8% industry: 59.3% services: 38.9% (2007 est.) Labor force: Definition Field Listing Rank Order 3.065 million (2007 est.) Labor force - by occupation: Definition Field Listing agriculture: 7% industry: 15% services: 78% (2000 est.) Unemployment rate: Definition Field Listing Rank Order 2.4% (2001) Population below poverty line: Definition Field Listing 19.5% (2003) Household income or consumption by percentage share: Definition Field Listing lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): Definition Field Listing Rank Order 11% (2007 est.) Investment (gross fixed): Definition Field Listing Rank Order 21.8% of GDP (2007 est.) Budget: Definition Field Listing revenues: $58.88 billion expenditures: $38.06 billion (2007 est.) Public debt: Definition Field Listing Rank Order 22.9% of GDP (2007 est.) Agriculture - products: Definition Field Listing dates, vegetables, watermelons; poultry, eggs, dairy products; fish Industries: Definition Field Listing petroleum and petrochemicals; fishing, aluminum, cement, fertilizers, commercial ship repair, construction materials, some boat building, handicrafts, textiles Industrial production growth rate: Definition Field Listing Rank Order 4.3% (2007 est.) Electricity - production: Definition Field Listing Rank Order 57.06 billion kWh (2005) Electricity - consumption: Definition Field Listing Rank Order 52.62 billion kWh (2005) Electricity - exports: Definition Field Listing 0 kWh (2005) Electricity - imports: Definition Field Listing 0 kWh (2005) Oil - production: Definition Field Listing Rank Order 2.54 million bbl/day (2006 est.) Oil - consumption: Definition Field Listing Rank Order 372,000 bbl/day (2005 est.) Oil - exports: Definition Field Listing Rank Order 2.54 million bbl/day (2004 est.) Oil - imports: Definition Field Listing Rank Order 137,200 bbl/day (2004) Oil - proved reserves: Definition Field Listing Rank Order 97.8 billion bbl (2007 est.) Natural gas - production: Definition Field Listing Rank Order 45.07 billion cu m (2005 est.) Natural gas - consumption: Definition Field Listing Rank Order 39.56 billion cu m (2005 est.) Natural gas - exports: Definition Field Listing Rank Order 6.848 billion cu m (2005 est.) Natural gas - imports: Definition Field Listing Rank Order 1.343 billion cu m (2005) Natural gas - proved reserves: Definition Field Listing Rank Order 5.823 trillion cu m (1 January 2006 est.) Current account balance: Definition Field Listing Rank Order $41.67 billion (2007 est.) Exports: Definition Field Listing Rank Order $156.6 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.) Exports - commodities: Definition Field Listing crude oil 45%, natural gas, reexports, dried fish, dates Exports - partners: Definition Field Listing Japan 23.4%, South Korea 10.3%, Thailand 5%, India 4.8% (2006) Imports: Definition Field Listing Rank Order $101.6 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: Definition Field Listing machinery and transport equipment, chemicals, food Imports - partners: Definition Field Listing China 13.1%, India 10.2%, US 8.9%, Japan 6.2%, Germany 6.1%, Italy 4.7% (2006) Economic aid - donor: Definition Field Listing since its founding in 1971, the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development has given about $5.2 billion in aid to 56 countries (2004) Economic aid - recipient: Definition Field Listing $5.36 million (2004) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: Definition Field Listing Rank Order $76.62 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: Definition Field Listing Rank Order $57.52 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: Definition Field Listing Rank Order $44.37 billion (2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: Definition Field Listing Rank Order $14.14 billion (2007 est.) Market value of publicly traded shares: Definition Field Listing Rank Order $138.5 billion (2006) Currency (code): Definition Field Listing Emirati dirham (AED) Exchange rates: Definition Field Listing Emirati dirhams per US dollar - 3.673 (2007), 3.673 (2006), 3.6725 (2005), 3.6725 (2004), 3.6725 (2003) note: officially pegged to the US dollar since February 2002 Fiscal year: Definition Field Listing calendar year Transnational Issues Disputes - international: Definition Field Listing boundary agreement was signed and ratified with Oman in 2003 for entire border, including Oman's Musandam Peninsula and Al Madhah enclaves, but contents of the agreement and detailed maps showing the alignment have not been published; Iran and UAE dispute Tunb Islands and Abu Musa Island, which Iran occupies Illicit drugs: Definition Field Listing the UAE is a drug transshipment point for traffickers given its proximity to Southwest Asian drug-producing countries; the UAE's position as a major financial center makes it vulnerable to money laundering; anti-money-laundering controls improving, but informal banking remains unregulated

Why are there so many jews in the American government? Why Your so-called government doesn�t do what you want it to do. 1). Colin Powell -- Secretary of State, ex-chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff, of Jamaican origin, he has one Jewish ancestor on his father's side. He grew up in a heavily Jewish-populated neighborhood in New York, and speaks Yiddish. The first day of being picked (12/16) he said he wanted to toughen sanctions on Iraq, and will work to "re-energize the sanctions regime." 2). Richard Perle -- One of Bush's Foreign Policy Advisors. He is chairman of the Pentagon's Defense Policy Board. He had worked as Bush's Jewish national security campaign advisor. A very likely Israeli agent, Perle was expelled from Senator Henry Jackson's office in the 1970's after the National Security Agency (NSA) caught him passing Highly-Classified (National Security) documents to the Israeli Embassy. He later worked for the Israeli weapons firm, Soltam. 3). Paul Wolfowitz -- Deputy Defense Secretary, Bush's Jewish foreign policy campaign advisor, close associate of Israeli agent Richard Perle, and reportedly has close ties to the Israeli military. 4). Robert Satloff -- U.S. National Security Council Advisor, Satloff was the executive director of the Israeli lobby's "think tank," Washington Institute for Near East Policy. Many of the Israeli lobby's "experts" come from this front group, like Martin Indyk. 5). Dov Zekheim -- Under Secretary of Defense and Comptroller. He was Bush's Jewish foreign policy advisor and reportedly holds Israeli citizenship. 6). Douglas Feith -- Under Secretary of Defense and Policy Advisor at the Pentagon. He is a close associate of Perle and served as his Special Counsel. Like Perle and the others, Feith is a pro-Israel extremist, who has advocated anti-Arab policies in the past. He is closely associated with the extremist group, the Zionist Organization of America, which even attacks Jews that don't agree with its extremist views. Feith frequently speaks at ZOA conferences. Feith runs a small law firm, Feith and Zell, which only has one International office, in Israel. The majority of their legal work is representing Israeli interests. His firm's own website stated, prior to his appointment, that Feith "represents Israeli Armaments Manufacturer." Feith basically represents the Israeli War Machine. 7). Elliott Abrams -- National Security Council Advisor. He previously worked at Washington-based "Think Tank" Ethics and Public Policy Center. During the Reagan Adminstration, Abrams was the Assistant Secretary of State, handling, for the most part, Latin American affairs. He played an important role in the Iran-Contra Scandal, which involved illegally selling U.S. weapons to Iran to fight Iraq, and illegally funding the contra rebels fighting to overthrow Nicaragua's Sandinista government. He also actively deceived three congressional committees about his involvement and thereby faced felony charges based on his testimony. Abrams pled guilty in 1991 to two misdemeanors and was sentenced to a year's probation and 100 hours of community service. A year later, former President Bush (Senior) granted Abrams a full pardon. He was one of the more hawkish pro-Israel Jews in the Reagan Administration's State Department. 8). Marc Grossman -- Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs. He was Director General of the Foreign Service and Director of Human Resources at the Department of State. Grossman is one of many of the Jewish officials from the Clinton Administration that Bush has promoted to higher posts. 9). Richard Haass -- Director of Policy Planning at the State Department and Ambassador at large. He is also Director of National Security Programs and Senior Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR). He was one of the more hawkish pro-Israel Jews in the first Bush (Sr) Administration who sat on the National Security Council, and who consistently advocates bombing Iraq. 10). Henry Kissinger -- One of many Pentagon Advisors, Kissinger sits on the Pentagon's Defense Policy Board. For detailed information about Kissinger's evil past, read Seymour Hersch's book. Kissinger had a part in the Watergate crimes, Southeast Asia mass murders, Chile dictatorship, and more recently served as Serbian dictator Slobodan Milosevic's Advisor. He consistently advocates bombing Iraq. Kissinger is the Ariel Sharon of the U.S. 11). James Schlesinger -- One of many Pentagon Advisors, Schlesinger also sits on the Pentagon's Defense Policy Board and is another extremist pro-Israel advisor. He consistently advocates bombing Iraq. 12). Robert Zoellick -- U.S. Trade Representative, a cabinet-level position. He is also one of the more hawkish pro-Israel Jews in the Bush (Jr) Administration who advocated invading Iraq and occupying a portion of the country in order to set up setting up a Vichy-style puppet government. He consistently advocates bombing Iraq. 13). Mel Sembler -- President of the Export-Import Bank of the

Help with my World religions classes? This is a course I'm taking (Yes, all religions here are false, and don't get into any debates, just help!!!! 1.) Historically, Japanese culture has approached the natural world with ____. skepticism and indifference apprehension and fear wonder and reverence none of the above 2.) Mature belief develops from ____. acceptance of facts based on verbal realism an interplay of doubts and affirmations reading large amounts of material understanding that life experience is irrelevant 3.) In the Unification Church, the Law of Indemnity allows Rev. Moon ____. to insist that members earn their salvation through acts of loyalty and penitence to claim supernatural powers over God to reject the traditional Christian Trinity to lie to authorities about church financing 4.) In the Confucian tradition, the wise man ____. denies the material world seeks release in hatha yoga understands that emotional attachment is natural and acceptable surrounds himself with noble, earnest companions and avoids vile people 5.) When a party within the Christian community holds open positions that are clearly contrary to God’s Word, then ____. such parties must be granted freedom of dissent conformity must be imposed by intimidation because unity is the supreme value division from such a party is necessary, provided that it is a measure of last resort a campaign of persecution is permissible to convince the dissents to leave 6.) Buddha’s Great Ilumination persuaded him that ____. self-mortification is the path to Nirvana all desire and attachment interfere with attaining enlightenment monks must wear yellow robes empathy for others can redress evil 7.) Cultist recruiters will often endorse conventional biblical beliefs because ____. they wish to attract loyal, conservative Christians they do not wish to be understood as promoters of loony, New Age ideas they have redefined certain biblical words and concepts in order to suit their cult doctrines all of the above 8.) Chinese followers of Lao-tzu and the Tao would oppose all the following religious/moral ideas EXCEPT ____. the individual pursuit of virtue as a way of perfecting society making nature-worship and sacrificial rituals a legal requirement acting in accordance with nature and not by social duties intercessional prayer 9.) From to a biblical perspective, nonviolent measures lose their ____ when they become ____. authenticity; politicized peaceful intention; widespread idiocy; unpopular power; peaceful 10.) The Punjab region that sits between India and Pakistan has historically sparked territorial disputes, owing mainly to ____. the fact that both countries covet its great agricultural resources the Sikh claim to political independence is centered there the terrorist actions of Buddhist insurgents Guru Granth Sahib left explicit instructions for Sikhs for settle there 11.) The ____ assumes that God has no objective reality independent of believing minds. ontological argument theory of metaphysical idealism projection argument dianetic assumption 12.) Today, ____ frequently justify their attacks on non-Muslims based on the principle of ____. Anglo-Israeli radicals; just war Islamist militants; jihad Confucian ninjas; jujitsu Sikh guerillas; kangha 13.) According to Kierkegaard, making a leap of faith involves ____. a rational deduction based on evidence embracing unusual beliefs about non-Christian religions an intentional act of will in spite of reason a resolution to remain indifferent to all religious doubt 14.) According to the Rosicrucians, man is in a state of ____. evolution into a divine being original sin and cannot ever escape irrevocable sainthood withdrawl into the physical self 15.) In the Zen school, the principle of wu-wei entails ____. the grasp of truth by means of satori that all meaningful intentions are based on mature belief an approach of non-struggle to conflict and contradiction that all evil must be vigorously opposed 16.) Theravada Buddhism, prominent in Sri Lanka and southeast Asia, subscribes to the ____. doctrine of bodhisattvas Pali canon Diamond-Cutter sutra dictates of the Dalai Lama 17.) ____ is the Shinto institution in which some deceased ancestors are worshipped because they are thought to be gods. Amaterasu matsuri-goto Tenno Kami 18.) Partisans in the New Age movement might consider individualism and patriotism counterproductive because ____. they feel that humanity has a duty to act as a unified species these ideas reinforce divisions between people they consider humanity on a path of transforming into a superorganism all of the above 19.) The Unity Scho Also this is 10 easy points! This is extra credit, and no textbooks, I was supposed to research on the internet...but I have, and couldn't find the answers...