Tuesday, March 29, 2011

how to manage personal finances


Surface Encounters

Maya Moore of Connecticut Huskies wins fourth All-America honor


Connecticut's Maya Moore joins select company as only the second women's basketball player honored as a four-time All-American by The Associated Press.


Surface Encounters

Small Business <b>News</b>: Social Media Brand

What is your social media brand? Do you have one? Sure, many small business owners and entreprene...


Surface Encounters

Iranian Video Says Mahdi is &#39;Near&#39; - World - CBN <b>News</b> - Christian <b>...</b>

New evidence has emerged that the Iranian government sees the current unrest in the Middle East as a signal that the Mahdi--or Islamic messiah--is about to appear.


Surface Encounters

Dirty Percent




It’s not hard to make the case that Apple’s new in-app subscription system offers numerous benefits to users, developers, and publishers. But whatever those benefits, they stem from the mere existence of these new subscription APIs. What’s controversial is the size of Apple’s cut: 30 percent.



No one is arguing that Apple shouldn’t get some cut of in-app purchases that go through iTunes. And, if Apple were taking a substantially smaller cut, there would be substantially fewer people objecting to Apple’s rules (that subscription-based publishing apps must use the system; that they can’t link to their external sign-up web page from within the app; and that they must offer in-app subscribers the same prices available outside the app).



The reasonable arguments against Apple’s policies seem to be:




  • Apple should be taking less, perhaps far less, than 30 percent.


  • Apple should not require subscription-based apps to use the in-app subscription APIs. If it’s a good deal for publishers, they’ll choose to use the system on their own.


  • Apple should not require price-matching from subscription offers outside the app. Publishers should be allowed to charge iOS users more money to cover Apple’s cut.


  • Apple should consider business models that simply can’t afford a 70/30 revenue split.




Let’s consider these in reverse order.



Apple Should Consider Business Models That Can’t Afford a 70/30 Revenue Split



Apple doesn’t give a damn about companies with business models that can’t afford a 70/30 split. Apple’s running a competitive business; competition is cold and hard. And who exactly can’t afford a 70/30 split? Middlemen. It’s not that Apple is opposed to middlemen — it’s that Apple wants to be the middleman. It’s difficult to expect them to be sympathetic to the plights of other middlemen.



Some of these apps and services that are left out might be ones that iOS users enjoy, though. This is the leading argument for how this new policy will in fact hurt users, and, as a result, Apple itself: it’ll drive good apps off the platform. Frequently mentioned examples: Netflix and Kindle. For all we know, though, Netflix may well be fine with this policy. Apple would only get a 30 percent cut of new subscriptions that go through the Netflix iOS app, and that might be a bounty Netflix can live with in exchange for more subscribers. Keep in mind, too, that Netflix and Apple seemingly get along well enough that Netflix is built into the Apple TV system software.



Kindle, and e-book platforms in general, are a different case. For one thing, Kindle doesn’t use subscriptions. Kindle offers purchases. Presumably, given Apple’s rejection of Sony’s e-book platform app last month, Apple is going to insist on the same rules for in-app purchases through apps like Kindle as they do for in-app subscriptions. If so, something’s got to give. The “agency model” through which e-books are sold requires the bookseller to give the publisher 70 percent of the sale price. So if the publisher gets 70 and Apple gets 30, that leaves a big fat nothing for Amazon, or Barnes & Noble, or Kobo, or anyone else selling books through native iOS apps — other than iBooks, of course.



But leaving aside the revenue split, there are technical limitations as well. The existing in-app purchasing system in iOS has a technical limit of 3,500 catalog items. I.e. any single app can offer no more than 3,500 items for in-app purchase. Amazon has hundreds of thousands of Kindle titles.



Something’s got to give here. I don’t know what, but there must be more news on this front coming soon. I don’t believe Apple wants to chase competing e-book platforms off the App Store.



Apple Should Not Require Price Matching



Why not allow developers and publishers to set their own prices for in-app subscriptions? One reason: Apple wants its customers to get the best price — and, to know that they’re getting the best price whenever they buy a subscription through an app. It’s a confidence in the brand thing: with Apple’s rules, users know they’re getting the best price, they know they’ll be able to unsubscribe easily, and they know their privacy is protected.



Credit card companies insist on similar rules: retailers pay a processing fee for every credit card transaction, but the credit card companies insist that these fees not be passed on to the customer. Customers pay the same price as they would if they used cash — which encourages them to use their credit card liberally. (Going further, many charge cards offer cash back on each purchase — they can do this because the cash-back percentage refunded to the customer is less than the transaction processing fee paid by the retailer.)



So the same-price rule is good for the user, and good for Apple. But Matt Drance argues that Apple could dissipate much of this subscription controversy by waiving this rule:




The requirement that IAP content be offered “at the same price
or less than it is offered outside the app,” combined with the
70/30 split, means developers must make less money off of iOS by
definition
. They can’t price their IAP content higher to offset
the commission, nor can they price their own retail content lower.



If I am interpreting this correctly, I can’t bring myself to see
it as reasonable. […] I think a great deal of this drama could
go away if Apple dropped section 11.13 while keeping section
11.14: Your prices on your store are your business; just don’t
be a jerk and advertise the difference all over ours.




And I agree with him. Yes, the same-price rule is good for users and for Apple, but waiving this rule wouldn’t be particularly bad for users or for Apple, either — and it would give publishers some freedom to experiment.



I suspect one reason Apple won’t budge is that their competitors — like Amazon — insist on best-price matching.



Apple Should Not Require Apps to Offer In-App Subscriptions



I’m sympathetic to this argument, too. “If you don’t like our terms, don’t use our subscription system.” But it has occurred to me that this entire in-app subscription debate mirrors the debate surrounding the App Store itself back in 2008 — that 30 percent was too large a cut for Apple to take, that it shouldn’t be mandatory, etc. The same way many developers wanted (and still want) a way to sell native iOS apps on their own, outside the App Store, many publishers now want a way to sell subscriptions on their own, outside the App Store.



The fact is, the App Store is an all-or-nothing affair. You play by Apple’s rules or you stick to web apps through Mobile Safari. This alternative is no different for periodical publishers than it was (and remains) for app developers in general. A lot of these demands boil down to a desire for more autonomy for native iOS app developers. Apple has never shown any interest in that.



There’s one striking difference between the subscription controversy today and the App Store controversy in 2008: with subscriptions, Apple is taking away the ability to do something that they previously allowed. There was never a supported way to install native apps for iOS before the App Store. Subscriptions sold outside the App Store, on the other hand, were allowed until last month.



Apple Should Be Taking Less, Possibly Far Less, Than 30 Percent



Another difference between the App Store itself and in-app subscriptions is that with apps, Apple hosts and serves the downloads. Apple covers the bandwidth, even for gargantuan gigabyte-or-larger 99-cent games. The OS handles installation.



With in-app subscriptions (and purchases), however, the app developer is responsible for hosting the content, and for writing the code to download, store, and manage it. So — one reasonable argument goes — given that Apple is doing less for subscription content than it does for apps (or for music and movies purchased through iTunes), Apple should take less of the money.



Taken further, the argument boils down to this: that for in-app subscriptions and purchases, Apple is serving only as a payment processer — and thus, a reasonable fee for transactions would be in the small single digits — 3, 4, maybe 5 percent, say. More or less something along the lines of what PayPal charges.



Apple, I think it’s clear, doesn’t see it this way. Apple sees the entire App Store, along with all native iOS apps, as an upscale, premium software store: owned, controlled, and managed like a physical shopping mall. Brick and mortar retailers don’t settle for a single-digit cut of retail prices; neither does the App Store.



Seth Godin argues that Apple’s 30 percent cut is too big to allow publishers to profit:




Except Apple has announced that they want to tax each subscription
made via the iPad at 30%. Yes, it’s a tax, because what it does is
dramatically decrease the incremental revenue from each
subscriber. An intelligent publisher only has two choices: raise
the price (punishing the reader and further cutting down
readership) or make it free and hope for mass (see my point above
about the infinite newsstand). When you make it free, it’s all
about the ads, and if you don’t reach tens or hundreds of
thousands of subscribers, you’ll fail.




Godin’s logic strikes me as questionable. For one thing, he freely switches between a newsstand metaphor (arguing, perhaps accurately, that the App Store is too large for publishers to gain attention from potential readers in the first place — you won’t read what you never notice) and the economics of subscriptions. But subscribers are the opposite of newsstand readers. Newsstand readers are buying a single copy, often on impulse. Subscribers are readers who are already hooked, and who know what they want. Put another way, the size of Apple’s cut of subscription revenue — whether it were higher or lower — has no bearing on the “attention at the newsstand” problem.



Second, the problem facing traditional publishers today is that circulation is falling. Newsstand sales and subscriptions are falling, under pressure from free-of-charge websites and other forms of digital content. The idea with Apple’s 70-30 revenue split is that developers and publishers can make it up in volume — that people aren’t just somewhat more willing to pay for content through iTunes than other online content stores, they are far more willing. The idea is that Apple has cracked a nut no one else1 has — they’ve created an ecosystem where hundreds of millions of people are willing to pay for digital content. Thus, potentially, publishers won’t just make more money keeping only 70 percent of subscription fees generated through iOS apps than they are now with 96 percent (or whatever they’re left with after payment processing fees) of subscription fees they’re selling on their own — they stand to make a lot more money.



I’m not guaranteeing or even predicting that it’s going to work out that way. I’m just saying that’s Apple’s proposition.



Godin’s assumption is that iOS in-app subscriptions won’t significantly increase the number of subscribers. If he’s right about that, then he’s right that Apple’s 30 percent cut will prove too expensive for publishers. But Apple’s bet is that in-app subscriptions can dramatically increase the number of subscribers. Consider the app landscape. Apple’s 30 percent cut didn’t drive the price of paid apps up — the nature of the App Store drove prices down. It’s a volume game.



The App Store itself proves that Apple might be right. Like with app sales, in-app subscriptions won’t work for every publication. But it could work for many. It really is possible to make it up in volume.



And if a 70-30 split for in-app subscription revenue doesn’t work, the price will come down. That’s how capitalism works. You choose a price and see how it goes. I’ll admit — when the App Store launched in 2008, I thought Apple’s 70-30 split was skewed too heavily in Apple’s favor. Not that it was wrong in any moral sense, but that it was wrong in a purely economic sense: that it might be more than developers would be willing to bear. Apple, clearly, has a better sense about what prices the market will bear than I (and, likely, you) do.



Competition vs. Anti-Competition



One last argument I’ve seen regarding these in-app subscription rules is that it’s further evidence of anti-competitive behavior from Apple. That makes sense only if you consider iOS to be the entire field of play. Apple, though, is competing at a higher level. They’re competing between platforms: iOS vs. Kindle/Amazon vs. Android/Google vs. Microsoft, and in some ways, vs. the free web. Why should publishers make an app rather than just a mobile web site? For happier customers and more money.



Sony has a platform for e-books. Amazon has a platform for e-books. Barnes & Noble has a platform for e-books. Apple has a platform for e-books. But Apple is the only one which allows its competitors to have apps on its devices. And Apple is the anti-competitive one? I’m no lawyer, but if the iTunes Music store hasn’t yet been deemed a monopoly with Apple selling 70+ percent of digital music players, then I doubt the App Store will be deemed a monopoly for a market where Apple has never been — and, according to market share trends, may never be — the top-selling smartphone maker, let alone own a majority of the market, let alone own more than a single-digit sliver of the phone market as a whole. As for ruthless profiteering, consider that Amazon, with their e-book publishing, originally took the fat end of a 70-30 revenue split with authors.



One question I’ve been asked by several DF readers who object to Apple’s new in-app subscription and purchasing policies goes like this: What if Microsoft did this with Windows, and, say, tried to require Apple to pay them 30 percent for every purchase made through iTunes on Windows? To that, I say: good luck with that. Microsoft couldn’t make such a change by fiat. The whole premise of Windows (and other personal computer systems) is that it is open to third-party software. Apple couldn’t just flip a switch and make Mac OS X a controlled app console system like iOS — they had to introduce the Mac App Store as an alternative to traditional software installation. If Microsoft introduced something similar to the Mac App Store for Windows, Apple would simply eschew it. If Microsoft were to mandate an iOS App Store-like total control policy for all Windows software, they’d have a revolt in their user base that would make Vista look like a success.



iOS isn’t and never was an open computer system. It’s a closed, controlled console system — more akin to Playstation or Wii or Xbox than to Mac OS X or Windows. It is, in Apple’s view, a privilege to have a native iOS app.



This is what galls some: Apple is doing this because they can, and no other company is in a position to do it. This is not a fear that in-app subscriptions will fail because Apple’s 30 percent slice is too high, but rather that in-app subscriptions will succeed despite Apple’s (in their minds) egregious profiteering. I.e. that charging what the market will bear is somehow unscrupulous. To the charge that Apple Inc. is a for-profit corporation run by staunch capitalists, I say, “Duh”.



If it works, Apple’s 30-percent take of in-app subscriptions will prove as objectionable in the long run as the App Store itself: not very.






With the company’s future already clouded by Steve Jobs’ latest medical leave, the possibility of the iPad’s chief designer, Jonathan Ive, cashing out ups the uncertainty, Dan Lyons writes.


Is Apple losing its design guru?


When Apple CEO Steve Jobs announced in January that he would take a third medical leave, the biggest concern was the cloud of uncertainty that hovered over the company. Now that uncertainty has become an issue again, as rumors have started swirling that Apple might lose its chief designer, Jonathan Ive. 





Apple's head designer Jonathan Ive poses for a portrait on January 27, 2010 in Cupertino, California. (Photo by Paul Harris / Newscom)


Reports in Ive’s native England suggest that the man who oversaw the design of the iPhone and iPad wants to spend more time in the U.K., putting him at odds with Apple’s board enough that he would consider leaving the company. Although Ive and Apple won’t comment, the scenario is plausible for two reasons: First, Ive is about to cash in options valued at $30 million that he was granted in 2008; and second, Ive has an especially close relationship with Jobs. 


Whether Ive stays or goes, the brouhaha shows the challenges that Apple is increasingly likely to face given the questions about Jobs’ role in the coming months. One scenario being bandied about by Apple-watchers suggests Ive is making a power play to succeed Jobs; it seems just as likely, however, that he simply may not want to work at Apple if Jobs isn’t there. 


Still others think the entire notion that Ive might leave is completely unfounded. But either way, the whole incident shows how the Jobs health situation is bringing more drama to a company that, until now, has been a model of tight-lipped discipline.


Apple’s products are famous for their sleek designs, and conventional wisdom holds that losing Ive would be a terrible blow to Apple—“Apple’s worst nightmare,” Britain’s Guardian called it. But the truth is, losing Ive may not be as big a deal as some Apple watchers think.


For one thing, Apple has loads of bench strength in every department, and because of its success it can attract just about anyone it wants.


“How much of this is Steve, how much is Jon, how much someone else? Steve always had an eye for design. The designer is only as good as the client,” says Jean-Louis Gassée.


For another, the real genius behind Apple’s designs might not be Ive—but rather Jobs.


That’s the educated guess of Jean-Louis Gassée, a former top executive at Apple and a longtime close watcher of the company who still has many connections there.


Gassée points out that Ive was already working at Apple when Jobs returned to the company in 1996. Ive joined the company in 1992, when Jobs was gone from the company, having been ousted by the board in 1985.


And before Jobs returned to Apple, Ive wasn’t exactly setting the world on fire. The first products that Ive designed under Jobs were the “Bondi Blue” iMac and the somewhat ugly iBook. Ive’s next products, the "desk lamp" Mac and the early metal laptops, were better looking, Gassée says.









Surface Encounters

Surface Encounters


Preview of Final Result



 


Resources



  • PT Sans Bold – FontSquirrel

  • Free App Icons for Developers – WebAppers


Step 1


Open Photoshop and create a new document that is 1200 x 1200 pixels, 72 dpi, and RGB Color. Fill the layer with white. (Ctrl+Backspace or Delete)



Step 2


Now create a rectangle for the header and fill it with a white-grey color, then use the colors on the image for the “Gradient Overlay”. Our search and logo will eventually be part of the header.



Step 3


Create a new rectangle above the previous one, with attributes as shown below. The following drop shadow effect creates a look of a 1 pixel stroke which does increase the look of that simple bar. Note: this step creates a horizontal line.



 


Step 4


Now add the “Gradient Overlay” layer style with the hex codes indicated.



Step 5


Add a white 1 pixel stroke. The following stroke of 1 pixel will divide the grey shadow effect. It’ll eventually work as a divider.



Step 6


Make one more rectangle in the middle-right zone, and fill it with white and add a 1 px stroke as indicated – it will be our search box.



Step 7


One more rectangle should be created and filled with blue. Set the inner shadow as indicated below, this will be our search button. This blue works great in combination with grey, white and light-grey. Blue will be the major contrasting color we use as we work through this template.



Step 8


Add the Gradient Overlay details to the button with the details from image.



Step 9


Add a 1 px stroke to the button with the color indicated. Take a look at the first and the final result of the button so you can see the difference all these details made.



Step 10


Now add this drop shadow effect for the text placed in the search box, using PT Sans Bold. This will be the final step in creating your search button. You may want to try other fonts, but the PT Sans Bold is really good for this small button.



Step 11


Make another fill under the header section, this will be the navigation area. Here we will place the navigation links of our template.



Step 12


Write your navigation links using a dark-grey color, then add a white “drop shadow” effect. The effect used for the navigation links is the same used for the search button.



Step 13


With 1px vertical line, make divisions between each links. The lines should be black and will really increase the beauty of the navigation area.



Step 14



Over the home section, make a fill with the blue and then add a Gradient Overlay style as indicated.



Step 15


Copy the Home link, this time color it white and add a drop shadow effect.




Step 16


Create a big, grey zone under the navigation, it should be about 30% of the layout. This will be the background for the featured area.



Step 17


Now create a big, white rectangle and add some shadow with the details shown. A big stock image, a big headline and some text with another great button will be added.



Step 18


Add a any dummy image you want to that featured area. Be sure it covers more than 80% of the area. The one I chose is from a stock website.



Step 19


Add some text to it, use the PT SANS Bold font and make the font big.



Step 20


The remaining area should be filled with grey, in it we’ll place some text. This is really a secondary area which describes the image, the services, the company itself, or whatever you’d like.



Step 21


Place some blue-colored text which will be the title of the information below. Use the details in the image for Drop Shadow style.



Step 22


Add some dummy text. This could be some important information or whatever you’d like.



Step 23


Create another grey area under the featured zone, where we will add some text and icons later. Add the details as stated on the image. Mostly, the icons will promote the services offered by the company behind the website.



Step 24


Continue by adding a Gradient Overlay style for the last rectangle we have created in the anterior steps.



Step 25


Now we are adding titles and icons, as well as some divisions. The icons can be found in the resource list at the beginning of the tutorial. Be sure to choose your icons and text thoughtfully.



Step 26


At the border of both zones, create a small circle and fill it with dark brown color. Add some inner shadow as stated on the image.



Step 27


Continue by adding a drop shadow layer style. It is another small detail, but it really makes that button zone minimalistic, nice-looking and well designed.



Step 28


To finish, add a Gradient Overlay effect.



Step 29


By using the Custom Shape Tool (U), create an arrow in both circles. Now add the details shown on the screenshot.



Step 30


Continue by adding some Color Overlay for the arrow. It should also be a blue color because otherwise, it will not fit the contrast and the colors used on the whole template.



Step 31


Add a video screenshot in the free space and place a title for it. For this template, I have used a simple screenshot of a YouTube widget.



Step 32


Add the text “Product Highlights” and “Case Studies.” Let the text under the “Product Highlights” be links so you could showcase some friends’ websites or resources you admire/promote.



Step 33


Finish it by creating another form for e-mails, place all kind of other information, and whatever you’d like.



Step 34


Don’t forget to make a relevant/small footer for our template. If you have paid attention, you should know how to create the same effect as below. 



 


All done! If you have questions or suggestions, feel free to drop a comment. I hope you enjoyed this whole tutorial!









The Found Animals Foundation is an LA-based non-profit devoted to saving the lives of animals and solving the problem of animal overpopulation. Founded by Dr. Gary Michelson, a billionaire entrepreneur with a lifelong love of animals, Found Animals blends compassion with innovation and business sense. The organization does everything from working with local shelters to finding homes for strays to offering multi-million dollar incentives for research on animal sterilization.



The foundation will be opening its first ever "Adopt and Shop" retail space next month, so we caught up with Aimee Gilbreath, Executive Director of Found Animals, to find out a little bit more about the foundation, its goals, and LA's newest "pet shop."



HP: What is Found Animals most committed to?



AG: Our mission at Found Animals is to minimize the number of pets killed in animal shelters. We believe that our society, in the 21st century, can do far better than killing 4 million animals each year at a cost to taxpayers of over $2 billion annually. We look for innovative, entrepreneurial approaches to solving this problem. Over the past three years we have built a world class team of business and science professionals and launched programs that include sterilization, microchipping, owner support, adoption and more. Found Animals considers Los Angeles our test market for programs with plans to export successful ideas.



HP: What is the one thing you are most proud of that Found Animals has been able to accomplish?



AG: I’m most proud of our accomplishments with the Michelson Prize and Grant program. It’s our own version of the X-Prize and offers $25 million in prize money for creating a low cost non-surgical sterilant for use in cats and dogs. In addition, we are offering up to $50 million in grant funding to help researchers develop a prize winning technology. Sterilization is one of the best tools we have in our arsenal to reduce the number of unwanted pets that crowd the shelter system and overwhelm available resources. Unfortunately, current surgical spay/neuter approaches are expensive and often difficult to access for the pets and people who need them most. A “doggie Depo Provera” or “Kitty Norplant” type of product would revolutionize how we manage the pet population.



We created the program from scratch and its world class. Our Director of Scientific Research, Dr. Shirley Johnston, is world renowned in small animal reproduction and our Scientific Advisory Board is comprised of experts in many fields. Our program staff has created a fantastic grant process and we do outreach to scientists worldwide. So far we’ve received over 140 grant applications and a dozen projects have been approved for funding totaling over $5 million.




Surface Encounters

autosport.com - NASCAR <b>News</b>: Raikkonen to compete in NASCAR

Former Formula 1 world champion Kimi Raikkonen will make a surprising move to NASCAR this year, the Finn joining the series with a new team.


Surface Encounters

Surface Encounters

Surface Encounters

The Truth About Twitter: It&#39;s The Evening <b>News</b>

Twitter is a media platform, not a social network.


Surface Encounters

Monday, March 28, 2011

Money Making Websites



1. RedState: A “Nerve Center” of the Vast Right Wing Conspiracy



Well, this will make you feel good.


The kids over at Media Matters are gearing up to lose their 501(c)(3) status I’m guessing as they go headlong into a new mission to destroy Fox News and Newscorp.


Along the way, the Politico tells us Media Matters has given up stalking everyone except Fox and a handful of conservative websites it considers the “nerve center” of the vast right wing conspiracy.


RedState is one of those websites. Truth be told, fundraising seems to be the whole purpose behind this Politico article. Couple it with the fawning piece about the Media Matters guerilla pundit training program where they are trying to get people on Fox News and you have the makings of a “we need money” PR blitz with the help of Media Matters friends in the press.


I think we should fundraise off this news!


It is rather funny. In the Politico, the story is about Media Matters making it their new mission to destroy Fox. In the Washington Post, the story is about how Media Matters is training lefty pundits to get on Fox.


But the key takeaway is that we now know that by being a RedState user you are seen as part of the nerve center of the vast right wing conspiracy. Consequently, you, as part of the community, have an obligation to be on your A-game.


I hope you will consider beefing up your constitutional skills by participating in Hillsdale College’s free online town hall on April 16, 2011, at 10:00 a.m.


You’ll learn how our economic liberty has diminished and how we can get it back under the U.S. Constitution.


You can watch all or part of it. But most importantly, you can make sure what you believe. You really have no excuse given how easy Hillsdale College is making it.


For more information and to register for the event, go here.


Please click here for the rest of the post.


2. Defense Secretary: No National Interests In Libya. Hillary Clinton: Yeah, But Libya Is The Same As 9/11



I don’t watch the Sunday talk shows because rarely is anything of substance discussed or revealed on them. I suppose fifteen years ago they set the tone for the upcoming week’s media coverage, but today they are a superfluous exercise that has little value beyond providing a subsidy to the hair spray industry.


Sometimes, though, an interview comes along that is so disastrous that it has to be commented upon. Today’s joint appearance on Meet the Press by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Secretary of Defense Robert Gates was just one of those occurrences.


Please click here for the rest of the post.


3. US Allies With Al Qaeda In Libya



As we’ve noted over the past weeks, we know precious little about the alleged “rebels” on whose behalf we’ve intervened in Libya.


Now a little more information is available.


“In an interview with the Italian newspaper Il Sole 24 Ore, Mr al-Hasidi admitted that he had recruited “around 25? men from the Derna area in eastern Libya to fight against coalition troops in Iraq. Some of them, he said, are “today are on the front lines in Adjabiya”.”


This is probably only a shock in the office of Samantha Power. Throughout the Iraq war Libya was the second leading source of foreign fighters and suicide bombers. That they should be driving the train on the insurrection in Libya should be unsurprising to anyone allowed to develop national policy. Should be, but apparently the Obama Administration’s foreign policy — or domestic policy for that matter — is nothing more than a series of unpleasant surprises.


Please click here for the rest of the post.


4. Arming Libyan Rebels



The Libyan operation would have nearly a comic opera quality were it not for the fact that people are needlessly getting killed because of the fecklessness of the Obama Administration. As we pointed out yesterday, our motive for going into Libya has absolutely nothing to do with establishing a less repressive regime, the rebels are happily engaged in the slaughter of their enemies and carrying on a campaign of ethnic cleansing to force black Africans from Libya, than with one particular twit, Samantha Power, trying to prove a particular academic version of BushLiedTM.


Please click here for the rest of the post.


5. Proud DNC Affiliate, Reuters Describes The Libyan Coalition



“Obama is committed to partnering with other countries rather than going it alone as did his predecessor George W. Bush, which both broadens and complicates the decision-making process.”


- Inner Party Truth-Organ, Reuters. (HT:New York Times)


Jeffrey Goldberg at The Atlantic read this purgative and quickly needed a lavatory in which to up-chuck. His nausea is understandable. His restraint in castigating such rampant dishonesty in the service of such a small and petty POTUS, was not as commendable as he thinks. This fraudulent garbage deserved a stronger, more virile rebuke. Goldberg offered the following “suggestion” to the proud media organ of The Democratic National Committee known as Reuters.


Please click here for the rest of the post.


6. The Chicken & The Egg: London unions school Madison mobs on anarchy



Today, England’s trade unions and their friends on the Left had a massive demonstration on the streets of London. It devolved into ‘madness‘ as anarchists hijacked the demonstration, breaking in windows, assaulting police, and generally causing mayhem. Union leaders were not displeased.


Please click here for the rest of the post.


7. Wisconsin GOP Investigates Illegal Political Activity, Makes the Left Angry



If there is a key difference between conservatives and liberals it is their view on the rule of law. Speaking in broad termsliberals believe that a person is not accountable for their actions if their cause is just or if they have the “right” background or the “right” politics. So not a peep is heard about the clown car that is the Ninth Circus but the left goes crazy about the benign appearances of Justices Scalia and Alito. Cass Sustein and Goodwin Liu can hold legal opionions that not only put them outside the mainstream of American jurisprudence but also on the fringe of American society and no one says boo. John Yoo, on the other hand, was excoriated for writing an opinion attempting to define “torture.” Union thugs, the New Black Panther Party, and anti-globalization crazies should not be prosecuted. Tea parties, on the other hand, are dog whistle calls for anti-government violence and should be suppressed.


Probably no where is this attitude more on display than in academia. Case in point is the case of University of Wisconsin professor William Cronon, recently elected president of the American Historical Association and Democrat party hack.


Please click here for the rest of the post.







Reactions: Twitter, blogs


  1. Liberal Conspiracy

    APIs Against the Cuts: calling techies and activists http://bit.ly/hVfFFd



  2. False Economy

    RT @libcon APIs Against the Cuts: calling techies and activists http://bit.ly/hVfFFd



  3. Jonathan Davis

    RT @libcon: APIs Against the Cuts: calling techies and activists http://bit.ly/hVfFFd



  4. glittrgirl

    RT @FalseEcon: RT @libcon APIs Against the Cuts: calling techies and activists http://bit.ly/hVfFFd



  5. sunny hundal

    'APIs Against the Cuts' – upcoming event to collate and manipulate data on the cuts we're organising. Techies invited! http://bit.ly/hVfFFd



  6. Tim Hardy

    Geek call out! APIs Against the Cuts: calling techies and activists to help share vital data http://t.co/b5wUsTn via @libcon



  7. Alex

    RT @bc_tmh: Geek call out! APIs Against the Cuts: calling techies and activists to help share vital data http://t.co/b5wUsTn via @libcon



  8. Wonko Grime

    RT @bc_tmh: Geek call out! APIs Against the Cuts: calling techies and activists to help share vital data http://t.co/b5wUsTn via @libcon



  9. threadme

    RT @bc_tmh: Geek call out! APIs Against the Cuts: calling techies and activists to help share vital data http://t.co/b5wUsTn via @libcon



  10. Tony Hardwick

    RT @bc_tmh: Geek call out! APIs Against the Cuts: calling techies and activists to help share vital data http://t.co/b5wUsTn via @libcon



  11. Noxi

    RT @libcon: APIs Against the Cuts: calling techies and activists http://bit.ly/hVfFFd



  12. Double.Karma

    RT @bc_tmh: Geek call out! APIs Against the Cuts: calling techies and activists to help share vital data http://t.co/b5wUsTn via @libcon



  13. If Not Then What?

    RT @FalseEcon: RT @libcon APIs Against the Cuts: calling techies and activists http://bit.ly/hVfFFd



  14. Kelvin John Edge

    RT @libcon: APIs Against the Cuts: calling techies and activists http://bit.ly/hVfFFd



  15. Kelvin John Edge

    RT @FalseEcon: RT @libcon APIs Against the Cuts: calling techies and activists http://bit.ly/hVfFFd



  16. The Dragon Fairy

    “@bc_tmh: Geek call out! APIs Against the Cuts: calling techies and activists to help share vital data http://t.co/b5wUsTn via @libcon”



  17. APIs Against the Cuts: calling techies and activists | Netroots UK

    [...] (cross post from Liberal Conspiracy) Tags: APIs against the cuts, cuts, data, False Economy, Guardian [...]



  18. okuncut

    RT @bc_tmh: Geek call out! APIs Against the Cuts: calling techies and activists to help share vital data http://t.co/b5wUsTn via @libcon



  19. Pucci Dellanno

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  20. Enrique Valera

    Mola: APIs Against the Cuts: calling techies and activists http://bit.ly/hg5iDg



  21. Staffordshire UNISON

    RT @FalseEcon: RT @libcon APIs Against the Cuts: calling techies and activists http://bit.ly/hVfFFd



  22. DisabledPeople

    RT @libcon: APIs Against the Cuts: calling techies and activists http://bit.ly/hVfFFd



  23. Pete Birkinshaw

    RT @libcon: APIs Against the Cuts: calling techies and activists http://bit.ly/hVfFFd



  24. Paul Evans

    Just run into @sunny_hundal who is organising a 'APIs against the cuts' event http://tinyurl.com/645ecrg – what data should he be mining?



  25. sunny hundal

    RT @Paul0Evans1: Just run into @sunny_hundal who is organising a 'APIs against the cuts' event http://tinyurl.com/645ecrg – what data sh …



  26. Dominic Campbell

    APIs Against the Cuts: calling techies and activists http://t.co/Yf5oeZ0 via @paul0evans1 @sunny_hundal



  27. Rachel

    APIs Against the Cuts: calling techies and activists | Liberal Conspiracy http://t.co/HtiGm1v via @libcon



  28. Rachel

    RT @Paul0Evans1: Just run into @sunny_hundal who is organising a 'APIs against the cuts' event http://tinyurl.com/645ecrg – what data sh …



  29. Rachel Evans

    RT @dominiccampbell: APIs Against the Cuts: calling techies and activists http://t.co/Yf5oeZ0 via @paul0evans1 @sunny_hundal



  30. Dennis North

    RT @dominiccampbell: APIs Against the Cuts: calling techies and activists http://t.co/Yf5oeZ0 via @paul0evans1 @sunny_hundal



  31. Owen Blacker

    RT @dominiccampbell: APIs Against the Cuts: calling techies and activists http://t.co/Yf5oeZ0 via @paul0evans1 @sunny_hundal



  32. Edward Crompton

    APIs Against the Cuts: calling techies and activists | Liberal Conspiracy http://t.co/GDG8lif via @libcon



  33. Felicity Alwell

    APIs Against the #Cuts: bring together activists, bloggers, and technologists to collate & mine cuts related info http://t.co/YfDCcIG



















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Out This Week – 01/04/2011 <b>News</b> - Page 1 | Eurogamer.net

Read our news of Out This Week – 01/04/2011. ... Latest Videos. Shift 2 trailer gears up for launch [5] 25 March, 2011. Latest News. Shift 2: Unleashed delayed by a week [16]. Shift 2: Unleashed nets Pagani Huayra [19] ...

How to create a Facebook <b>news</b> feed for a journalist (or anything <b>...</b>

I've been enjoying The Independent's individual Facebook feeds for journalists, football teams and other 'entities' of their news coverage. So much so that.

Plutonium detected in soil at Fukushima nuke plant | Kyodo <b>News</b>

''We must control the water well so it won't ever go outside'' the complex, said Sakae Muto, vice president of TEPCO, at a news conference. On Monday, TEPCO continued to remove highly radioactive water from inside reactor buildings at ...


SEO Services Vancouver For any Better Marketing Solution

 

When you begin your personal website there are many ways you'll have to sell it off and one of the best ways is to use Search engine optimization Vancouver if you maintain that area. The SEO or search engine optimization services would be the top method of getting more visitors to your website and therefore making more sales.

 

Now, you should know that you will not use SEO service if you're not an online business - however, if you don't have an online presence if you are a offline business, then you will not make it very far.

 

It's a popular proven fact that if you are going to really make it within the offline world you must have an online presence. This really is something which all people are learning the hard way. Something that you should also know is the fact that it is not as simple as just establishing the web site and leaving it to complete its things.

 

This can be done in most types of ways, however these companies usually make use of multiple techniques to create the perfect marketing technique online. It is possible to hire these phones write articles for you personally, post on forums and blogs, create meta data and meta descriptions, clean up the code, add alt tags to the images plus much more.

 

It is crucial that you simply do this because otherwise the organization that you have worked so difficult for could wind up losing all the money. If you have a website that you want to create, then you'll also use the expertise of a search engine optimization company, which means search engine optimization company. What this company does is actually take the best areas of your site, look into the code, create keywords and write various articles and documents to ensure your site is placed near the the surface of the list for the major search engines.


Seo hyderabad Target by maxwintek seo

By doing this the SEO company cannot only increase your traffic, but also make sure that your website is fully optimized for the internet search engine spiders that will be introduced to it. These spiders are utilized to analyze your website and put it in certain positions determined on certain keywords.

 

If you wish to make use of the SEO services Vancouver then all you have to do is find the top companies. It's through these how the SEO gets done effectively and efficiently. With so many SEO companies to choose from you need to be certain the one you are going for is reliable. You should be able to ask for a failure of what you want, and the company also needs to be able to tell you know long they've been operating for. This can limit their email list to reveal the very best ones.

 

Search engine optimization Provided by Different Vancouver Web Companies

The Vancouver SEO company services are extremely beneficial for business growth because they provide quality services. If you're planning to create a website for the online business, then you've come to right article when i will be explaining below how Web optimization Vancouver company services can improve your website ranking and make it popular.


Sacramento Seo Services by e3media.us

Before that, you should know what Search Engine Optimization is. It is not that complicated and i am sure you will get a grasp from it reading my article. The primary goal of SEO is to have more traffic aimed at your website and target audience. It is a good decision to select a Vancouver SEO company that are experts in this kind of work, so that your website could be indexed by search engines like google.

There is no reason for you having a website with no website ranking at all as you won't get any business and profits to survive. It is a very tough atmosphere out there because there are so many online business people just like you, who desire their share of pie. You must be familiar with the fact that nearly 85% of web traffic can be got from websites.

When a user types inside a keyword or keywords for which he/she really wants to know in various sites, these use crawlers to get websites using the relevant content and index them based on algorithms. You don't have to worry about the algorithms which these sites use as that is not important.

To appear in the first page of the google listing, you will need to hire professionals and pros who can do the needful to maintain your website among the good books in these websites. These professionals can optimize your website content to ensure that your site gets increased traffic.

When the traffic gets high, it is a sign that you are obtaining a service that will enable you to get more revenues. SEO Vancouver company do the next to make your website appear inside the first page of search results.

Use keywords that are popularly used on search engines like google in your website content.
Possess a web design for the website that is simple because top sites are allergic to flash and weird designs.
Submit your site to directories.
Submit your website to directory websites.
Postings on blogs and forums with back-links to your websites. This really is considered as a very effective way to get increased traffic aimed at your website as numerous online users use blogs and forums.

SEO Vancouver company also perform site diagnostics that is a significant part in online optimization as research and analysis on finding keywords is the way to begin a SEO campaign. So, make sure you select the right SEO Vancouver company.

Are you searching for more information regarding SEO Vancouver? Visit http://www.seo4vancouver.com/seo-services.asp today!

 

What to Expect When Getting a Roofing Contractor

When the time comes to repair or even replace your homes roof, it can be a challenging task to find somebody that is actually qualified to do the job. There are lots of roofing contractors out there, but the ones who'll do a congrats for a reasonable price aren't frequently easy to find. If you are in the market for the service provider, use the ideas beneath with regard to meeting with and employing the right one.


Job interview as well as Discussion


Interviewed part 1 by miriness

Most roofing contractors offer totally free consultation services. This is especially essential, because it gives them an opportunity to evaluate exactly what your homes roof needs, also it provides you with a chance to evaluate all of them. As with all of companies, trust your instincts concerning the individuals you allow up on your roof. No matter exactly how great a contractor's status or even suggestion, he or she ought to start by showing you having a business card. If the service provider occurs looking as well as talking in an unprofessional manner, chances are that the task he's going to do will also be unprofessional. This is not to say that you should anticipate contractors to arrive in fits. They is going to be climbing in your roofing, therefore the majority of is going to be dressed in denim jeans and work footwear or athletic shoes. If the actual contractor seems to be more interested in talking upon his mobile phone while on your homes roof compared to he is in analyzing your roof's requirements, which may be an additional sign that he is not really the main one for the job. For the lawful protection, make sure that the contractor has adequate legal responsibility insurance.

Roof Evaluation


More Truth! by Island-Life

Expect that the contractor is going to be rising on your roofing. In fact, any kind of contractor who not need to increase on your roofing to evaluate the issue ought to be instantly discounted. Those who're seriously interested in their function will either create a drawing of the roof's surface area and tag problem areas on it as they undergo their evaluation, or they will consider pictures or video clip of the surface area while they are up there. This is a very essential step, since it allows you to observe just what the problems are as well as understand how they'll be fixed.

Estimation


Alderbrook House by Emilio Guerra

The next step will be the written estimation. The contractor will require away their loan calculator and are available track of a written estimate. Some companies goes out to their own truck or even van and write down the actual proposal, while some may crisis the actual numbers for the job prior to you. Once you are given the suggestion, ensure that you understand exactly which products will be used, how long the task will require and when you will find any extra or even concealed expenses that could occur throughout the repair from the roof. The contractor will be able to answer many of these questions effortlessly and forewarn you of any extra expenses that could be incurred should the roof's ethics be broken inside.

Once you have obtained a few written estimations from roofing companies, assess exactly what each organization or even service provider is willing to provide for the price. Do not always low cost the highest bid, simply because occasionally the highest bet will in reality function as the contractor who the job correctly. Additionally, be skeptical associated with bids which are significantly less than others. They may be utilizing inferior items or be unethical about the possibility of concealed expenses. Most importantly, believe in intuition and go with the actual contractor that makes you feel quite comfy about giving more than your hard earned money.

 

Seven Uyghurs Sentenced to Death

2011-03-23

Critics of the sentences say China has politicized the robberies as acts of terrorism.

 

AFP

A Uyghur man walks past armed Chinese security forces in Urumqi, July 17, 2009.

Chinese authorities in the northwestern region of Xinjiang have ordered the executions of seven ethnic minority Uyghur men convicted of "violent" crimes, official media said on Wednesday.

 

The death sentences were handed down by the Supreme People's Court in recent days, according to state media in the regional capital, Urumqi.

 

The men were accused in connection with three separate attacks late last year in the Silk Road city of Kashgar, according to the news website Urumqi Online.

 

According to another website, the Xinjiang-based Tianshan news site, Aimaiti Tuheti, Yiming Dawuti, and unnamed "others" killed a security guard at a pedestrian mall as part of a failed Aug. 7 robbery attempt.

 

In a separate incident on Oct. 12, it said, Nuermaimaiti Aobulikasimu and 11 others broke into a house, bound and killed the couple living in it, and took their possessions.

 

It said the group also broke into the homes of two brothers, robbed them, and killed six people in a Nov. 11 attack in Kashgar.

 

The report gave no information about the victims or the schedule for the executions.

 

Three of the men were sentenced to death with a two-year reprieve, a sentence that is normally commuted to life imprisonment in China's judicial system.

 

They were convicted of deliberate homicide and armed robbery by the Kashgar Intermediate People's Court in the first instance.

 

'Strike hard' campaign

 

A Han Chinese resident of Urumqi surnamed Yang said a reference to "terrorism" in official news reports on the case showed that it was being politicized by the authorities, who have launched a series of "strike hard" campaigns in Xinjiang following deadly ethnic violence in July 2009.

 

"There is an implied political meaning; that they were somehow engaged in separatist activities or ethnic divisions," said Yang.

 

Exile Uyghur groups said the trials had been conducted behind closed doors, with scant opportunity for public scrutiny.

 

"The entire process against these men, from the trial through to the judgment, was opaque," said Dilxat Raxit, spokesman for the Munich-based World Uyghur Congress.

 

"There was also very little reasonable evidence to convict them on a legal basis, because all the evidence came from one side of the case," he said.

 

"We strongly condemn the Chinese government for continuing to pursue their policies of ethnic division," said Raxit.

 

"We are also strongly opposed to the death penalty in this case."

 

Earlier cases

 

Last month, the Supreme Court sentenced four Uyghurs to death for alleged involvement in an Aug. 19 bomb attack in Xinjiang’s western Aksu city.

 

The World Uyghur Congress pointed to concerns over lack of transparency in those cases too.

 

The Aksu blast left eight people dead, including two of the bombers, and 15 wounded after a man riding a three-wheeled vehicle threw explosives at a group of uniformed patrolmen. Four Uyghurs were arrested shortly after the attack.

 

State media characterized the cases as acts of terrorism and unrelated to longstanding ethnic tensions between Uyghurs and Han Chinese in the region.

 

Exiled Uyghur dissident Rebiya Kadeer has warned that attacks like those in Aksu will continue to occur until Beijing addresses the underlying source of tension in the region.

 

Millions of Uyghurs—a distinct, Turkic minority who are predominantly Muslim—populate Central Asia and Xinjiang.

 

Uyghurs say they have long suffered ethnic discrimination, oppressive religious controls, and continued poverty and joblessness despite China's ambitious plans to develop its vast northwestern frontier.

 

Those frustrations erupted in July 2009 in deadly riots that left nearly 200 people dead, by the Chinese government's tally.

 

At least 26 people, mostly Uyghurs, were sentenced to death in the aftermath of the riots, many of whom have been executed, according to state media.

 

China is believed to execute more people each year than the rest of the world’s countries combined, although the government does not publish official figures.

 

Rights groups say Beijing may execute as many as several thousand prisoners annually.

 

Chinese authorities blame Uyghur separatists for a series of deadly attacks in recent years and accuse one group in particular of maintaining ties to the al-Qaeda terrorist network.

 

New training scheme

 

China on Wednesday also announced a training scheme which places ethnic minority graduates from Xinjiang in work elsewhere in China.

 

Governments of the destination cities will spend 450 million yuan (U.S.$ 69 million) for the program, while Xinjiang will spend 400 million yuan (U.S.$ 61 million), the official Xinhua news agency reported.

 

The program targets some 60,000 jobless college graduates in Xinjiang, around 80 percent of whom are from ethnic minorities, and 60 percent of whom are women.

 

However, some commentators see the move as an attempt to assimilate non-Han Chinese into mainstream Chinese culture.

 

"From the point of view of ethnic minorities, the graduate work scheme is really taking the cream of youth from the minorities and using them to 'further cultural development,'" wrote one ethnic minority user on a popular microblogging service.

 

"In fact, the culture that is being advanced is Han culture, and this group of young people will have been totally brainwashed," the microblog update said.

 

An Urumqi resident surnamed Li agreed.

 

"They have run senior high school schemes like this before during the past few years," he said.

 

"Whether it's high-schoolers or graduate training programs, these are measures that are aimed at thought control and brainwashing, and the 'Partification' of their education," he said.

 

Reported by Qiao Long for RFA's Mandarin service. Translated and written in English by Luisetta Mudie.

Copyright © 1998-2011 Radio Free Asia. All rights reserved.

 

Wikileaks and also the Uyghur People

through henry on Dec 20, 2010
Henryk Szadziewski, Manager, Uyghur Human Rights Project

Whether it had been actually uncertain, info obtained by the whistleblower website, Wikileaks, offers confirmed Chinese language federal government fears more than its continued charge of the location it phone calls Xinjiang, which is also referred to as East Turkestan. The actual leaked cables from Ough.Utes. diplomats show the degree to which Chinese government bodies attempt to convince governments worldwide to consider it's stance upon issues impacting Uyghurs. The actual cables also show the actual United States' issues as well as sights concerning the on going repressive measures in the area.


uyghur by sarvaz

Most lighting of Chinese language federal government pressure would be the wires pointing in order to Chinese language frustration, or even the specter of Chinese ire, within the release of Uyghur detainees in Guantánamo to third nations. A Dec 29, 08 cable relates how Chinese Helper Foreign Reverend Liu Jieyi fulfilled with the Ough.Utes. Ambassador to China to voice Beijing's strong opposition of release to any kind of country other than The far east, and that when the Ough.Utes. did indeed accede to this ask for it might "avoid injury to bilateral relationships and to cooperation ‘in important areas'". Furthermore, a Feb 2009 cable television describes the way the Chinese language Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan, Zhang Yannian, regarded the actual feasible release of Uyghur Guantánamo detainees because "an unfavorable behave toward us" along with a "slap in the face". That the Ough.Utes. government was firm within not liberating the detainees to The far east demonstrates the extent from the politicized nature from the Chinese language judicial system. Genuine concerns more than terrorism tend to be easy to understand, but in the actual U.S. government's observe the detainees would probably encounter do-it-yourself torture and execution if they came back to China

Chinese government stress regarding the actual Uyghur Guantánamo detainees was not just put on the U.S. federal government, but additionally to New Zealand and a handful of European governments which were considering resettlement. Albania, Indonesia and Finland, as well as Eu fellow member states all have the symptoms of borne the actual brunt associated with Chinese government disappointment. Regarding Indonesia, which was at first prepared to think about two Uyghurs upon solely relief reasons, Uyghur Guantánamo instances were much less preferable to other detainees because of the negative effects accepting Uyghurs might have on relations along with China. The May 8, '09 cable applies exactly how "German Ambassador Erina Schaefer reported which Germany experienced informed The far east from the U.S. ask for to accept a few Uighur detainees kept from Guantánamo coupled with already been consequently cautioned through China of ‘a heavy load upon bilateral relations' if Germany had been to simply accept any kind of detainees".

The diplomatic wires also discuss the actual unrest within Urumchi, the actual regional funds, in This summer 2009. The This summer 13, '09 cable discussing mass occurrences within The far east states:

"Ethnic riots like those in Xinjiang July 5-7 and in Tibet in March associated with 08 vary substantially in origin as well as nature through bulk incidents, XXXXXXXXXXXX emphasized in order to PolOff [Political Officer] on XXXXXXXXXXXX. Both existing severe problems for the actual Party, XXXXXXXXXXXX stated, however the Party management would not wait to open fire upon Uighurs or Tibetans if they considered it necessary to restore purchase. Bulk incidents pose another type of threat, he said, as the leadership is ‘afraid' to fire upon Han rioters with regard to fear of sparking massive open public outrage that would turn against the Celebration."

This is a relaxing viewpoint, especially when one views evidence offered by 50 percent reviews launched this year by the Uyghur Individual Privileges Task (UHRP) as well as Amnesty Worldwide which fine detail eyewitness company accounts from the utilization of deadly live fireplace against Uyghur protestors in This summer '09. Additionally, the observation which fire wouldn't be deployed towards Han Chinese language protestors offers resonances for that different approach used through Chinese language security forces in Urumchi in order to Han Chinese protests in September 2009. Throughout those protests, after that Party Assistant, Wang Lequan, tackled protesters, who experienced demanded he let them know regarding federal government reactions to security concerns. An identical ask for to satisfy with the Celebration Assistant through Uyghur protesters in This summer was not fulfilled.

The wider repercussions from the unrest also noticed a brief dialogue about the impact it might have upon Iran-China relationships, as well as on relations with Australia after World Uyghur Our elected representatives Leader, Microsoft. Rebiya Kadeer, talked at the Nationwide Press Club in Canberra within July 2009. In the second option situation, china federal government "privately warn[ed] a significant Aussie financial institution which sponsors the nation's Push Membership to make use of it's impact to bar a Kadeer speech there".

The United States' issues concerning the situation within the Uyghur area are available through in the cables. In a dialogue on plan direction in Tibet, Ough.S. officials explain that it will be impossible with regard to Chinese language leaders to consider a softer line "if they look like doing this below international pressure". The actual cable television out dated 04 Sixteen, 2008, one month after the episode associated with unrest in Tibetan regions, additionally relayed the actual declaration "that household balance remains the leadership's top priority above all else, meaning there'll ‘almost surely' end up being absolutely no relaxation from the current hard line on Tibet or in locations such as Xinjiang." The information contained in the cable also sheds gentle on the extreme level of sensitivity with which the Chinese government sights territorial ethics, and also the feasible drip more than associated with unrest through Tibet.

The prospect associated with solutions to stress in Tibet as well as Xinjiang arising from civil culture are discussed in a Feb 24, 08 cable. While recommending that China's economic success will increase it's potential to deal with democratic change, the cable also discusses exactly how Chinese frontrunners begin to see the effectiveness of "a restricted expansion of civil culture, such as improvements within the guideline of regulation and a stronger part with regard to authorized beliefs, NGOs, non profit organizations along with other actors in areas that contribute to social balance and do not problem Communist Party guideline." This is a significant alternation in considering, that has seen U.S. officials promote the idea that Chinese language financial development, as well as financial relationships with The far east brings about a progressively democratic culture; nevertheless, much more belief appears to be put into the grassroots motion than one which begins in the top quantity of a Chinese federal government. Nonetheless, the actual cable television proves which "[i]n areas for example Tibet as well as Xinjiang, driving a car associated with separatism results in tighter restrictions about the growth of civil culture." This method is viewed as counter-productive by the official, that suggests that the Ough.S. federal government "should still express...serious concerns over Beijing's individual rights report and attract China's growing awareness that higher regard for human rights, spiritual independence and also the rule associated with law assists to promote the improvement as well as social stability which China looks for as well as to enhance China's international picture." This type of technique might take substantial diplomatic abilities thinking about "China's paranoid fear the United States secretly promotes regime alter as well as ‘separatists' in Taiwan, Tibet and Xinjiang".

The actual wires offer insight into the daily business of diplomacy that is hardly ever afforded to the general public, and it is fascinating to notice the quantity of work carried out nowadays on Uyghur issues. The significance of the role of the us like a keep track of of Uyghur human rights problems within personal discussions is made obvious, and contrasts with its sensible open public stance. The staff from the Uyghur Individual Privileges Project is comfortable with the pressure the Chinese government exerts upon Uyghur activists; still, the facts associated with Chinese federal government stress upon its alternatives is actually illustrative from the diploma which Chinese officials attempt to suppress contradictory narratives. With increased revelations in the future through Wikileaks, concerns more than Uyghurs may not grab the actual headlines, however the cables possess shed new light on the documentation of human rights conditions in the Uyghur area.

 

Sunday, March 27, 2011

Wikileaks and also the Uyghurs

through henry upon Dec Twenty, 2010
Henryk Szadziewski, Manager, Uyghur Human Rights Project


uyghur by sarvaz

Whether it had been actually uncertain, information obtained through the whistleblower web site, Wikileaks, has verified Chinese government fears over it's ongoing charge of the location it calls Xinjiang, also is known as East Turkestan. The actual leaked out cables through Ough.S. diplomats demonstrate the degree to which Chinese government bodies make an effort to convince government authorities globally to consider its stance on issues impacting Uyghurs. The cables additionally show the U . s . States' issues and views concerning the ongoing repressive measures in the region.

The majority of lighting of Chinese language government stress would be the wires pointing to Chinese frustration, or the specter of Chinese language ire, over the discharge of Uyghur detainees within Guantánamo to 3rd nations. A Dec Twenty nine, 08 cable television applies how Chinese language Helper International Minister Liu Jieyi fulfilled with the U.Utes. Ambassador in order to China to voice Beijing's powerful opposition of release to any country apart from The far east, and that if the U.Utes. do indeed accede for this ask for it would "avoid injury to bilateral relationships and also to co-operation ‘in important areas'". Furthermore, the February 2009 cable describes the way the Chinese language Ambassador in order to Kyrgyzstan, Zhang Yannian, regarded as the actual feasible discharge of Uyghur Guantánamo detainees as "an unfriendly behave toward us" along with a "slap in the face". That the Ough.S. federal government stood company in not releasing the actual detainees to China illustrates the extent of the politicized nature from the Chinese language judicial program. Legitimate concerns over terrorism are easy to understand, but in the actual Ough.S. government's observe the detainees might most likely encounter torture as well as execution when they came back in order to China

Chinese language government stress in regard to the Uyghur Guantánamo detainees was not just put on the actual Ough.Utes. government, but also to Brand new Zealand along with a number of Western government authorities that were considering resettlement. Albania, Germany as well as Finland, as well as Eu member says all appear to have paid for the brunt associated with Chinese government unhappiness. In the case of Indonesia, that was at first prepared to consider 2 Uyghurs on purely relief grounds, Uyghur Guantánamo instances were less better than additional detainees due to the negative effects accepting Uyghurs would have on relations with China. A Might Eight, '09 cable relates how "German Ambassador Michael Schaefer reported that Indonesia experienced informed The far east of the Ough.S. ask for to accept a few Uighur detainees held at Guantánamo coupled with already been consequently cautioned by The far east of ‘a large burden upon bilateral relations' in the event that Indonesia had been to simply accept any detainees".

The diplomatic wires additionally talk about the unrest within Urumchi, the regional funds, in July 2009. A July Thirteen, '09 cable television talking about bulk incidents in The far east says:

"Ethnic riots such as those who work in Xinjiang July 5-7 and in Tibet in 03 of 2008 differ substantially in origin as well as nature through mass occurrences, XXXXXXXXXXXX stressed in order to PolOff [Political Officer] on XXXXXXXXXXXX. Each existing serious trouble for the Party, XXXXXXXXXXXX stated, but the Celebration leadership would not wait to open fireplace upon Uighurs or even Tibetans if they deemed this essential to restore order. Bulk incidents present another type of risk, he explained, since the management is ‘afraid' to fire upon Han rioters with regard to anxiety about sparking huge public outrage that would turn against the Party."

This is a chilling viewpoint, especially when one views the evidence presented by 50 percent reviews launched this season by the Uyghur Individual Privileges Project (UHRP) as well as Amnesty Worldwide which detail eyewitness accounts of the utilization of lethal reside fire against Uyghur protestors in July '09. In addition, the declaration that fire wouldn't be deployed towards Han Chinese language protestors offers resonances for that various strategy taken by Chinese security causes in Urumchi to Han Chinese language protests within Sept 2009. Throughout individuals protests, after that Party Secretary, Wang Lequan, addressed demonstrators, who experienced required he inform them about government reactions in order to protection issues. A similar request to meet using the Celebration Secretary through Uyghur protesters within This summer was not met.

The wider consequences of the unrest also noticed a brief discussion about the effect it might have on Iran-China relationships, as well as on relationships along with Australia after Globe Uyghur Congress President, Ms. Rebiya Kadeer, talked at the Nationwide Push Membership within Canberra within August '09. In the second option case, the Chinese federal government "privately warn[ed] a major Australian bank that sponsors the National Press Club to make use of its impact to block the Kadeer talk there".

The actual U . s . States' concerns concerning the situation in the Uyghur area are available via in the cables. In a dialogue on plan path within Tibet, U.Utes. authorities clarify that it will be impossible with regard to Chinese leaders to consider the softer line "if they appear like doing so below worldwide pressure". The actual cable television dated April Sixteen, 2008, 30 days following the outbreak of unrest within Tibetan regions, also relayed the actual observation "that household balance continues to be leadership's main concern most of all, which means there'll ‘almost surely' end up being absolutely no relaxation from the present difficult line upon Tibet or in locations such as Xinjiang." The information contained in the cable television additionally sheds gentle about the extreme sensitivity with which china government sights territorial integrity, and also the possible spill over of unrest from Tibet.

The chance associated with methods to tensions in Tibet as well as Xinjiang as a result of municipal society tend to be debated in a Feb 24, 2008 cable. Whilst suggesting which China's economic achievement increases it's resistance to democratic change, the actual cable television additionally talks about exactly how Chinese leaders see the usefulness associated with "a limited expansion of civil culture, including improvements in the guideline associated with regulation and a more powerful role for approved religions, NGOs, charities along with other stars within places that contribute to sociable balance and don't problem Communist Party guideline." This can be a notable change in considering, which has observed U.Utes. officials promote the idea which Chinese language financial improvement, as well as financial relationships along with The far east brings in regards to a progressively democratic society; however, more faith appears to be placed in a grassroots motion than one that begins from the top levels of the Chinese language government. Nonetheless, the cable television proves that "[i]n areas such as Tibet as well as Xinjiang, the fear of separatism results in tight restrictions about the growth of civil culture." This approach can be regarded as counter-productive by the official, who shows that the Ough.S. government "should continue to express...serious concerns more than Beijing's individual rights record as well as attract China's developing awareness that higher regard with regard to human rights, spiritual freedom and also the guideline associated with regulation will serve to advertise the development as well as social balance which China looks for as well as to enhance China's international picture." This type of strategy would consider considerable diplomatic abilities thinking about "China's paranoid fear the Usa secretly encourages regime alter as well as ‘separatists' within Taiwan, Tibet as well as Xinjiang".

The actual wires provide insight into the every day business of diplomacy that is hardly ever owned by everyone, and it is interesting to notice the amount of function done behind closed doors on Uyghur issues. The importance of the part of the us as a monitor associated with Uyghur individual rights problems in private discussions is created clear, and contrasts with its tactful public position. Employees of the Uyghur Human Rights Project is well aware of the pressure china government puts upon Uyghur activists; nevertheless, the details of Chinese language government stress upon it's alternatives is actually illustrative from the degree which Chinese language authorities attempt to control contrary stories. With more revelations to come from Wikileaks, issues over Uyghurs may not get the headlines, but the wires possess shed new light about the documentation associated with individual rights problems within the Uyghur area.

 

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Search Engine Optimisation And Marketing with articles Will Place Yourself on The First Page

Search engine marketing and marketing with articles are a couple of the strongest strategies which you can use to promote your website and get the revenue and success that you desire for your internet business. Both of these stuff has been around for any really very long time already however they still still be really effective. In reality, these have helped a lot of people free themselves from the traditional ways of money-generating options of society.

In the following paragraphs, I will be showing the ways how you can properly execute search engine optimization and article promotion for the betterment of your small business web site. Additionally, I will also be discussing different points that you have to consider when you're using these two website marketing strategies to market your website and acquire customers. Despite the fact that marketing with articles and Search engine optimization have been in existence for a long time already, you need to know that the trends and choices concerning how they are performed are continually changing, which is why you have to keep yourself up to date with these things through the help of Search engine optimization forum sites to be able to quickly adjust and learn how to make your strategies far better.

In the past marketing with articles to different websites used to be so simple the effects that they produce for websites really was powerful. However, things have changed a lot today. Nowadays submitting exactly the same article to various websites is no longer a good idea because engines like google have now changed to some huge extent in how they rank pages. They no more rank contents which are identical like they used to in the past. This is among the best types of changes that happens to internet marketing trends. This change has given birth to wide plethora of methods that web marketers are using today. Most of web marketers now produce articles and submit them in really popular article directories and watch for targeted visitors arrive at their pages. Perhaps that most reliable Search engine marketing strategy that can be used. Aside from being effective, this also delivers favorable outcomes on a regular basis. One problem with this strategy is how the caliber of traffic you will get out of this defintely won't be so good if you do not do proper market and keyword research beforehand and use in-links. You first need for attending these two things prior to deciding to submit your posts so that you won't end up losing large amounts of targeted prospects. Because of this you have to practice good levels of diligence if you'd like your advertising initiatives to work.

Besides articles, you may also use writing a blog, that is another really powerful kind of internet marketing strategy today since it is highly well-liked by the major search engines. In this technique, it is possible to choose to create a single web log that specifically targets your chosen market or else you can give rise to other weblogs which are called experts within your niche.

Learn effective Vancouver seo techniques on the Vancouver SEO website.

Roofing Companies Vancouver BC

There are lots of things to take into consideration when looking for a roofing contractor. Cost, experience, and referrals are a couple of the things you'll probably be concerned about. Read on for even more ideas.

  • Finding a Roofing Contractors


Roofing And Roofing Contractor In MESA, AZ by roofinghub

Before buying roofing contractor, make sure you have a standard idea of the work that you need to have done. By no means is it necessary to be a specialist. If you have any Roof Document, read it thoroughly to find the specifics of your present roof. Should you not have a Top Certificate, refer to documents agreed upon during concluding to locate your homes roof Inspection linen. These papers should provide you with everything you need to find out about your roof. Ahead of contacting a new roofing contractor, you should have a list of needs and specs to help you make a decision exactly who works for your covering project. Make sure you write down each potential roofing contractor's answers along with check all of them against the other. If there are any inacucuracy, be sure to take note this as well as take this into consideration when generating a final choice. There are no guaranteed ways to select a roofing contractor, in case you take attention to the details provided, your chances of a successful roofing project tend to be greatly increased.

One of the best methods for finding a roofers is by person to person. Try asking a friend or relative who may have had roofer work completed, and was satisfied with the job. Get the name of the organization and his or her contact details. If you have not sure of mouth referrals, test first seeking in the telephone book and online. A large ad or expensive website isn't necessarily an indication of the good quality of work, but can be a great tool pertaining to measuring how long and commitment they have put into their respected profession. Additionally, try finding current worksites and search at the roofing work that may be done maybe in the process of becoming finished. If you're visually impressed, ask the exact property manager for that name from the roofing contractor and their get in touch with information.

  • Background Research


Greensboro Roof Contractor by footbridgemedia

When looking for a new roofing contractors, it can be imperative to 1st do the background research. Acquire the best in the phone book or on the web is a suitable destination for a find a builder, finding relevant information on these kinds of businesses will likely be found in a number of other areas. Initial, check with places like the Better Business Bureau, city, state, and county public records, and local licensing agencies. Question your roofer if they are a part of any roofing contractor associations. These kinds of precautions may mitigate your risks. In addition ask them what sorts of roofing that they specialize in. Also ask the roofing contractor with regards to any guarantees they offer on their installed homes. Find out what precautions they take to avoid damage done to other parts of the home simply by workers. Products such as gutters, exterior siding, and chimneys are close in proximity and so susceptible to accidental damages.

Make certain all of this info is included in your published contract. Check if you need a roofer permit and/or permission from your property owners association before hand. These organizations will let you know who is responsible for getting these enables and authorizations. If it is the duty of the roofer, also have that included in your contract. When it is your duty, get mentioned permits as well as permissions collated with all the estimated roofer project and still have it evidently posted as well as readily available.

  • Licensing and References

Roofing Contractors are not required to be licensed in all claims. Contact neighborhood licensing businesses that oversee general construction contractors for a list of specifications. Once you have received the requirements, build a list of detailed questions to ask your potential roofer. This simple checklist should immediately help you to get rid of the qualified from the unqualified roofing building contractors. Qualified installers should be able to easily answer questions or perhaps tell you that they should do more research prior to giving a new definitive solution.

Even if any roofing contractor provides all essential licensing, you must ask to see pictures involving completed roofer jobs and also speak to satisfied clients. Possess a list of concerns handy to inquire about recent customers, such as the mother nature of the job, timeliness, and overall satisfaction. Ensure these are the latest clients and also cross reference if possible. Regarding commercial roofing, make sure that your roofing contractor is bonded. Checking these references is another additional measure of stability to limit the list of potential covering contractors.