Random

<p>First of all, thank you so much for all your kind words & encouragement on my "<a href="http://weightloss-stories.blogspot.com/2012/02/being-honest.html">Being Honest</a>" post yesterday! <p>I loved all your comments…it’s one of my favorite things about blogging!! <img alt="Winking smile" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-winkingsmile" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU37xZtGAOwe5ZyMj-iPMRfc2Uctm3Zf6rWhSNaIxJ3cxbH0GvXk5ouvZ6dLJ9txSECMG2WsLrp0cQ4zO_f5HPex0ovPsecIhPQBhVA087rXjOoYX07HE0Zyw3hTmXSqebCpt2gvlKkQKj/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none"> I think the comment who wins the award for getting into my head the most was <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/02011827141352005348">Kim</a>! She said:</p> <p align="center"><em>You never know when it is going to click, so just keep trying, and one good day will lead to two good days, and two good days will lead to 3. It's hard to defeat someone who never quits. You'll get there!!!</em></p> <p align="left">I loved the 2nd to last sentence “<strong><font color="#00ff00">It’s hard to defeat someone who never quits</font></strong>”. That’s good stuff!!! Never give up!! I can do this! Just have to keep telling myself that & keep plugging away. </p> <p align="left">My next random item is a few new recipes I made. For supper tonight I made <a href="http://www.ajourneytothin.com/2012/01/baked-creamy-chicken-taquitos-3-points.html">Baked Creamy Chicken Taquitos</a>. I found this recipe over on my friend Alissa’s blog, <a href="http://www.ajourneytothin.com/">A Journey to Thin</a>. Click on the name above to get the recipe. 10 points for 3 taquitos! Yum!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb3evS4iUJ4FCe2C1NCeOq1lOhZLmTzIyXwKMeonVorf5VD-KLg_YBtRbP0ZGDDBgmvD7MnmUSE7CcI-6kVuIYMulMY12SDyfuOG2JgynNPkU3EODeZRR5Mycx38O47K2OWvuEsVTlQaj2/s1600-h/IMG_1055%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_1055" border="0" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSkyrez0pmo5Xhbwg6MxtuQLFEBQEyMU3BXiNzqQvCwXbXiGiV95SHb79ExnVFZlGDp1WxtTQoJMiCJHhdUifuWH42tCmKvJYOO89WO6ATSwomeEPv7F_vZPtOu8nBRNsYz2k0p-x28-kR/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1055" width="404"></a></p> <p align="left">My 2nd new try today was <a href="http://www.bobbimccormick.com/?p=24676">No Bake Protein Energy Bites</a>. These are from one of my favorite bloggers, Bobbie at <a href="http://www.bobbimccormick.com/">Nhershoes</a>! They are SO good and super easy! A must try! I plugged the ingredients into recipe builder and if you make aprox 30, they are 2 points plus each. Not bad for a pre workout snack!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFktJX940YpmA_rL6-21MnYylPly0WAZVxhd7QSg8oljjSEm3cj6tNcOWEIiFDJljVfLXqTx5S_N0q1HTCF1XfnBgRbmCutcO5o9XFMDWVAzA7XMs9P9XYTD1LGmL4EvDvW1RiBnMO_dzg/s1600-h/IMG_1053%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_1053" border="0" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqPIu8U3YJmdHNZWAv_EQ1pHc4KqMVQbkVe5O33FlNkESSFRvKjQSepyWRMvHGv7_2VYOLINd-mzNrHsnJSceThSiN3wb0JIp4jF_0Mg8zIbGdE6ndJtqUZZk6WxTnl0O30I5QKwG6e9aO/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1053" width="404"></a></p> <p align="center"><em><font size="2">^{(notice I’m getting some use out of my valentine plates!)}</font></em></p> <p align="left">And finally, speaking of working out, I got in a killer workout tonight! I was all ready to head out the door for the gym, 7:30pm, and the hubs said, “Doesn’t the gym close early on Saturdays?” Well darn, it does, 5pm to be exact. What’s up with that?!?!</p> <p align="left">I wasn’t about to let that stop me from burning calories. My workout tonight was another find from the wonderful <a href="http://www.bobbimccormick.com/">Bobbie</a>! <u>Holy kick my butt batman</u>! When they say you don’t need a gym to get a good workout, it’s SO TRUE!! I know for a fact, I’m going to be sore tomorrow! I did living room boot camp session #3, you can find it <a href="http://www.bobbimccormick.com/?page_id=796">here</a>. </p> <p align="left">Hope everyone is enjoying their weekend! Make sure to check back tomorrow for my “winning” super bowl recipes! <img alt="Smile" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHWfDx13MsqE0beVNoBnZOYW62i8IHSSflMWhf9TIt4iTPu-S6RtOWNJmVrKEfmqjRqQXLdS3oFAxmzxphbFDGjJdxe7CrTv1zTvpn3AC_V8bnoiOHqLugT2d4kgstM4a6F9pv6y5ub5yh/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none"></p>

Random

First of all, thank you so much for all your kind words & encouragement on my " Being Honest " post yesterday! I loved all you...

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16 job search errors you're probably making

<br /><div class="ArticleHeadline" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin-top: -30px; text-align: left;"><div class="hdr_org_bld" style="color: #ff6600; font: normal normal bold 18px/normal arial, helvetica;"><h1 id="articleHeadline" style="color: #ff7700; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"> <div style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 1em;">Over the years, hiring managers have born witness to every hiring, interviewing, résumé, cover letter and negotiation mistake there is.</div><div style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 1em;">You know what these blunders are. We've told you several times. Yet you (and hundreds of other job seekers) continue to make common job search mistakes.</div><div style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 1em;">From those who see your mistakes over and over, here are 16 common job search mistakes to avoid -- and some of them may surprise you.</div><div style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 1em;"><b>1. You don't keep your options open</b>"Candidates tend to think that if they interview for a job they will get an offer, so they do not apply and interview for multiple positions," says Joanie Spain, director of public relations and career services, School of Advertising Art, a graphic design college.<i> </i>"They wait until one plays out completely, putting their job search on hold until knowing for sure they didn't get the offer."</div><div style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 1em;">"By having many more irons in the fire, you diversify the risk and disappointment that is inevitable when any single opportunity disappears," adds Roy Cohen, author of "The Wall Street Professional's Survival Guide: Success Secrets of a Career Coach."</div><div style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 1em;">"You also present yourself as a more passionate and energetic candidate. You're in the 'zone' -- a point where you're in the flow of information and ideas -- and that makes you more valuable."</div><div style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 1em;"><b>2. You turn up your nose at job descriptions</b>"Entry-level candidates are reluctant to apply for a position unless the job sounds like their 'dream job' or they have all qualifications listed," Spain says. "Rather than going on an interview to get more information, they base decisions about applying on the job description alone. They fail to see that all interview experience is good experience, or that, until there is an offer on the table, there is no decision to make."</div><div style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 1em;"><b>3. You haven't perfected the thank-you note</b>"Don't be too verbose with a thank-you note after an interview. Sending out a version of "War and Peace" can come across as desperate and needy for a job. However, sending a one or two sentence thank-you note comes across as flippant, not well thought-out and potentially shows indifference regarding the job to the employer," says Mike Barefoot, senior account manager at Red Zone Resources, a recruitment firm. "We encourage candidates to keep them to four to eight sentences."</div><div style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 1em;"><b>4. You don't check your references</b>"Always give out references that you've pre-screened. We sometimes see candidates give out references that were never checked with and the references feedback isn't always kind," Barefoot says. "Also, make sure they're predominantly managers. An occasional colleague is okay, but contemporaries and friends really don't carry that much weight in helping you land a position."</div><div style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 1em;"><b>5. You've got poor business acumen</b>"Managers are becoming more savvy and are taking candidates out to lunch for interviews. They want to see how you treat a restaurant staff and see the 'real' you. If you're rude to them or don't seem appreciative for their hard work to make your meal pleasurable, managers wonder how you'll treat contemporaries you work with," Barefoot says.</div><div style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 1em;"><b>6. You have a messy briefcase</b>"A messy briefcase can imply the person is unorganized, messy and unprepared, and that their work will be less than optimal," says Ronald Kaufman, author of "Anatomy of Success." "Someone who is neat, clean, organized and prepared in all areas conveys they're serious about getting a job and working."</div><div style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 1em;"><b>7. You discount temporary positions</b>"Many employers coming out of a recession want to hire on a temporary or temp- to perm- basis. We have already seen several contractors be offered permanent positions after they have proven themselves," says Jeffrey Weinstock, Esq. president, Rhodes & Weinstock, a recruiting firm. "Not only will the temporary position pay some bills, think of it as an audition for a potential perm position, or at least a way to get a good reference for another position."</div><div style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 1em;"><b>8. You have a bad attitude</b>"Poor attitudes come through in telephone calls and in interviews. If you are not positive, why would a potential employer want to hire you?" asks Weinstock. "It may take some time, but by being positive, by doing all the right things, by seeing each position as an opportunity, it will happen."</div><div style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 1em;"><b>9. You include too much work history</b>"Many job seekers over 40 think that they have to take their work history back to their first job out of college," says Cheryl E. Palmer, career coach and résumé writer. " All that is needed is the last 10-15 years of your work history."</div><div style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 1em;"><b>10. You use your work email address on your résumé</b>"Some people do not regularly check their personal email, so they use their employers' email instead," Palmer says. "This sends a negative message to potential employers that the job seekers will not hesitate to use their equipment for personal use."</div><div style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 1em;"><b>11. You take "no" as a final answer</b>"No" usually only means "no" for that position, says Bruce Hurwitz, president and CEO, Hurwitz Strategic Staffing, LTD.</div><div style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 1em;">"If you are rejected for a job you should send a thank-you note, thank the employer for the opportunity, and wish them well. No one does that. When the next opening comes around, he'll remember you," says Hurwitz.</div><div style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 1em;"><b>12. You lack tact</b>"Be determined without being pushy. Calling or emailing to ask about the status of your résumé or interview can be a double-edged sword," says Rod Hughes, director of communications, Oxford Communications. "A tactful follow up can place you top of mind with the hiring manager, while incessant calling or emailing can push your résumé right off the table."</div><div style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 1em;"><b>13. You don't search for yourself on the Internet</b>"Your would-be employer is probably going to look you up online, so you should know what is out there," says Amanda O'Brien, vice president of marketing, Hall Web Services. "Clean up what you can, check your privacy settings on social networks and if it is something you can't get down off the internet, you may want to consider talking to the company about it."</div><div style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 1em;"><b>14. You have a 'death by bullets' résumé</b>"Bullets are great but they need context. Keep them to one line, focused on a result and include a figure like a fact, percentage or number," says Adriana Llames, author of "Career Sudoku: 9 Ways to Win the Job Search Game." "Or, put the information in a short summary of the position."</div><div style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 1em;"><b>15. You've got a scattered strategy </b>"Looking for a job in any industry and with two or three résumés is going to get the same result as the strategy: scattered," Llames says. "Job seekers with a clearly defined, focused and organized strategic approach to their job search end up with clear results -- and a new job."</div><div style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 1em;"><b>16. You think it's about you</b>It is not about you and your need for a job -- it is about the prospective employer and their need to run a successful business and make money, says Lori B. Rassas, employment attorney and author of "Employment Law: A Guide to Hiring, Managing and Firing for Employers and Employees."</div><div style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 1em;">"Many applicants mistakenly believe they will be an appealing candidate if they explain they will accept any type of job offer at any because they have been laid off, unemployed for an extended period of time, have children in college, or are having difficulty making the mortgage payments," she says. "Even if all of those circumstances are true, candidates need to craft a different message, focusing on how they can benefit the employer by saving them money, streamlining processes, creating additional sources of revenue and bringing overall value to the company."</div><div style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 1em;"><i>Rachel Farrell researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues for CareerBuilder. Follow @Careerbuilder on Twitter.</i></div></h1></div></div>

16 job search errors you're probably making

Over the years, hiring managers have born witness to every hiring, interviewing, résumé, cover letter and negotiation mistake there is. You...

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10 job-search tips for 2012

<br /><div class="ArticleHeadline" style="background-color: white; margin-top: -30px; text-align: left;"><div class="hdr_org_bld" style="color: #ff6600; font: normal normal bold 18px/normal arial, helvetica;"><h1 id="articleHeadline" style="clear: left; color: #ff7700; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><img alt="" src="http://emj.cbdr.com/artieimages/gm/ar5l2gs69b38klz5qsgm.gif?time=12/6/2011%203:43:09%20pm" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;" /></h1></div></div><br /><h1 id="articleHeadline" style="background-color: white; color: #ff7700; font-family: arial, helvetica; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><b style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><span id="cbArticle_lblByLine">Justin Thompson, CareerBuilder Writer</span></b></h1><div><b style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><br /></b></div><br /><div class="ArticleContent" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: left;">It's 2012, and with the new year comes a revitalized spirit, gusto and determination to enact your plans and make your dreams happen. With the evolution of career search over the past few years, it's good to take stock of what will make the biggest impact in landing a job this year.<br /><br /><div style="margin-bottom: 1em;">Some things haven't changed. It's still tough out there. Many people are competing for few opportunities. But with the right tools, you can improve your search, broaden your networking opportunities and align yourself with a career that fits your skills.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em;">Here are 10 tips for a successful job search in 2012:</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em;"><b>1. Create a job-search strategy. </b>Employers hate receiving applications from candidates who are not qualified for positions. So it's time to stop using the shotgun approach to your job search. You're wasting your time, and you're wasting the <a href="http://msn.careerbuilder.com/jobs/keyword/recruiter/" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial; text-decoration: none;">recruiter's</a> time. Carefully read job postings and determine whether you could do most of the tasks required if you started tomorrow. A recent<a href="http://www.careerbuilder.com/" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial; text-decoration: none;">CareerBuilder</a> job forecast reported that employers are not finding qualified candidates for their open positions, so learn how to tailor your existing skills to a job's requirements and spend time preparing better résumés and cover letters instead of just blasting a generic one to every single posting.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em;"><b>2. Define your goals. </b>It can be challenging to stop and ask yourself, "What do I really want out of a job?" Answers as simple as a paycheck or benefits may be a reality, but the fact is that you do want more out of your job than just cash. Your career needs to satisfy you in more ways than just your pocketbook. By defining what you want out of a job and what you offer as a job seeker, you become better at applying for jobs that are aligned with your overall career goals. By taking the time to define what you want as a job seeker, you can figure out what your best selling points are and the most valuable skills you have to sell to an employer. Make sure your <a href="http://msn.careerbuilder.com/jobs/keyword/social+media/" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial; text-decoration: none;">social media</a> accounts are professional if used as part of your search. And if they aren't, keep them under lock and key, since more and more employers are screening applicants via social profiles.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em;"><b>3. Diversify your search. </b>While employers still use sites like CareerBuilder, many are branching out in multiple ways to connect with job seekers. You should be readily available in each of those channels. Whether it's through social media or local networking events, use today's technology to further spread the message about your job search. Today's job search can be summed up in one word: hustle. The more you switch up your efforts, the more opportunities you'll come across and the more you will place yourself ahead of the pack. Also, know your industry and what trends are happening. <a href="http://msn.careerbuilder.com/jobs/keyword/manufacturing/" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial; text-decoration: none;">Manufacturing companies</a> may still have you apply in person, whereas digital<a href="http://msn.careerbuilder.com/jobs/keyword/advertising/" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial; text-decoration: none;">advertising</a> agencies may expect a much more elaborate electronic portfolio available via the Internet.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em;"><b>4. Evaluate your skills and add more. </b>Perhaps your skills aren't up-to-date with most of the jobs you are seeing in the market, or perhaps they are a little rusty. Brush up on your skills with online courses or <a href="http://msn.careerbuilder.com/jobs/keyword/instructor/" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial; text-decoration: none;">community classes</a>. You could also consider going back to school full time.<a href="http://msn.careerbuilder.com/jobs/keyword/government/" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial; text-decoration: none;">Government</a> funding and other programs are available for out-of-work job seekers who want to enroll in training or continue their education to better position themselves in the current workforce.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em;"><b>5. Be unique. </b>You already know that defining your goals and skills can help set you apart from the competition. When an employer asks, "Why should I hire you?" you will already have a list of your best qualities. As you come across jobs that you feel confident about, do something that will help you stand out and be memorable to the recruiter or <a href="http://msn.careerbuilder.com/jobs/keyword/HR+manager/" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial; text-decoration: none;">human resources manager</a>. Dig around, and before applying, find out the name of the hiring manager or someone who heads up the department the position is in, and contact him directly. Use the information on <a href="http://www.bing.com/search?q=LinkedIn&src=IE-SearchBox&FORM=msns07" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial; text-decoration: none;">LinkedIn</a> to your benefit. Reach out with a brief introduction, and let him know you've applied for the position and you hope to be in touch. After applying, it never hurts to follow up with a company via social media to share your excitement about the position.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em;"><b>6. Listen. </b>Searching for a job can be tedious, and you can get so focused that sometimes it's easy to forget to listen, <a href="http://msn.careerbuilder.com/jobs/keyword/research/" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial; text-decoration: none;">research</a> or monitor conversations. Pay attention to how employers are<a href="http://msn.careerbuilder.com/jobs/keyword/communication/" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial; text-decoration: none;">communicating</a> about jobs via social media and through their websites and how you can speak to them in their own language. Connect with other job seekers or career experts, and see what methods you can adopt from their job-search strategies. Join Twitter chats and online career fairs to connect with more employers and broaden your network. Just be sure that while you're out selling yourself, you take the time to listen to how others are finding success in their search.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em;"><b>7. Set goals.</b> The overall goal may be either get a job or get a new one, but when you break that big goal down into smaller goals, you set yourself up for more success and less frustration. When you only look toward that big goal, it can be disheartening when it takes a long time to achieve it. Choose monthly goals such as joining professional organizations or volunteering at a <a href="http://msn.careerbuilder.com/jobs/keyword/nonprofit/" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial; text-decoration: none;">nonprofit</a>that will allow you to flex and use your skills. When you are able to create a to-do list and hold yourself accountable for achieving these goals, you'll feel better about yourself. That initiative can be shown off in your job search and interviews as a great example of your character. By forcing yourself to focus on small goals, you continue networking with new individuals who can assist you in your job search.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em;"><b>8. Prepare for anything. </b>You can't always predict when you may get called for an in-person or phone interview, so you should always be ready. Go into an interview with at least five examples that demonstrate your best qualities. When they want examples of real-life successes or things you'd do differently, have them prepared. If you volunteered or taught yourself a new set of skills, be sure to mention this. <a href="http://msn.careerbuilder.com/jobs/keyword/actor/" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial; text-decoration: none;">Rehearse</a> for interviews with mentors or friends so you won't wing it, which can diminish your chances of portraying yourself in the best way. Leave the interviewer with phone numbers of references who will back you up with recommendations.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em;"><b>9. Positive thinking can lead to positive results.</b> Use your career search as a time to see every situation as a learning opportunity. Of course, every job hunt will have moments of frustration and hopelessness. But don't give up on yourself or on the belief that the right job is out there. Use the time to re-evaluate your career path, which could lead you to a more fulfilling career. A positive attitude is contagious, and the more positive you are, the more likely others will be to go out of their way to help you.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em;"><b>10. Stay balanced.</b> Job searching can take a lot out of you. Create a schedule or routine for yourself, so you don't burn out. Make sure you get plenty of rest, talk to friends and family, stay active and allow yourself time to do things you enjoy.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em;">Finding the perfect job is attainable, but you have to put in the work and effort and have faith that you'll reach your destination. By being proactive, connecting with others and having a can-do attitude, you'll be able to tackle some of the biggest job-search hurdles in 2012.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em;"><i>Justin Thompson is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com and its job blog, </i><a href="http://www.theworkbuzz.com/" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><i>The Work Buzz</i></a><i>. He researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues.</i></div></div>

10 job-search tips for 2012

Justin Thompson, CareerBuilder Writer It's 2012, and with the new year comes a revitalized spirit, gusto and determination to enact your...

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I'm still alive, still fat and still struggling

I never understand how I can let almost two weeks go by and not post a single word. I think about posting, but never seem to have the time, or if I have the time, I can't think of anything to say. Usually it means I'm in a midst of a binge, which was very true this time around. I know posting regularly and reading other weight loss blogs has been a huge help to me in the past four years (I've been blogging for four years this month).<br /><br />Life is definitely a struggle these days. Talking to attorneys, rehashing the last four months over and over with them, reviewing the legal documents to be filed in court, and dreading and hating the whole legal fiasco. As much as I detest this phrase, it's the truth in my case, "it is what it is". In other words, I'm screwed and the situation is beyond my control. I have to do what is best for my sister and what is best for me. End of story on that one.<br /><br />My diet and exercise have been bad. Really, really bad. I only made it to the gym three times last week, claiming I was just to exhausted to get out of bed. I walked at lunch a couple days, but my regular walking co-worker is in Geneva this week, so I had to walk with my backup walker, who walks really s-l-o-w. She's about 100 pound overweight and I think has recently gained even more weight. I can barely walk as slowly as she walks. We stopped at Safeway so she could buy some lunch. She bought a big container of barbecued spare ribs and a giant white flour bagel. We've often talked about weight loss and exercise, but I'd never say anything to her about what she eats. I really enjoy her company, but I worry about her. I bought some fresh asparagus to add to my soup for lunch. Even though I was binging at night, I tried to at least eat a healthy breakfast and lunch.<br /><br />To add to my lack of exercise last week, I fell into a binge cycle. Oddly, I read about a binge on a beloved blogger's post, and it seemed to trigger something in me. I haven't bought binge food for months, things like cookies, cheesecake and chips. I just did not care. After three days of stupid, binge eating, I think I may have come to my senses today. I feel like I got it out of my system and now it's time to move on to better eating and better health.<br /><br />Today is busy so I need to finish this up and head out. I've cleaned house a little, just to make it bearable. Next up is the gym first, then shopping for a few items for my sister. I also want to pick up a child's puzzle for her, one with big pieces. Also some games I read that are good for stroke patients. Then I'll head over to her home and visit for an hour or two. Then home to make some homemade soup for dinner.<br /><br />The weather is fantastic here in the Pacific Northwest today. We have S-U-N-S-H-I-N-E!!!! It's suppose to get up to a high of 58. I love it here when the weather is nice. It's been a tough, dark, wet, cold winter. I'm more than ready for some nice weather. Hopefully, I'll get some pictures today. I plan on bundling my sister up and taking her outside in her wheelchair. It'll be the first time she's been outside since her stroke, other than being transferred to or from an ambulance. I think she's really going to enjoy it. <br /><br />Oh, almost forgot to mention my weight. I don't know. I weighed Wednesday and was 187.6. Still terrible, but considering that was right in the middle of a binge I'm pretty sure it's up from Wednesday. I'll find out tomorrow. Weight Watchers again!

I'm still alive, still fat and still struggling

I never understand how I can let almost two weeks go by and not post a single word. I think about posting, but never seem to have the time, ...

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what's my motivation?

Did anyone else want to be an actress when they were little? Just me? Ok, moving on.<br /><br />I am always looking thru Sarah's House episodes on DVR, old issues of Domino, Pinterest, basically anything to get the juices flowing when its time to start a new project. So, to pump myself up for a long to-do list, here is some weekend motivation. Can you hear the Rocky music playing in the background?<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnv6m8dQ0ELjvur02hEC6g7dogYHjoVkvJyvOyr_lnJErXmPHYhQx-c7dG6N0tbH7XgSOx7gb_DC-LDP6csWXRqvitsgTDzZGyn6TayH9XqthN1wwqdCszvmry-WpV4xHc7yidH95Arcdj/s1600/http:youpaidmorethanme.blogspot.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnv6m8dQ0ELjvur02hEC6g7dogYHjoVkvJyvOyr_lnJErXmPHYhQx-c7dG6N0tbH7XgSOx7gb_DC-LDP6csWXRqvitsgTDzZGyn6TayH9XqthN1wwqdCszvmry-WpV4xHc7yidH95Arcdj/s640/http:youpaidmorethanme.blogspot.jpeg" width="426" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://youpaidmorethanme.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">You Paid More Than Me</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/6896205648958328/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7OSO_M9k3b14snDGfdWgDVattwWnUc26mJRhAMA6EEF73gjfFdc-ejmwj-eBWgoPg11N93jhSJuUf3y263eklVFXjXmARpYUWpoufJgfXlyZT0GIrn32SOQiuM2lgMZ7-t_MARTVLp7hJ/s1600/http:youpaidmorethanme.blogspot-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7OSO_M9k3b14snDGfdWgDVattwWnUc26mJRhAMA6EEF73gjfFdc-ejmwj-eBWgoPg11N93jhSJuUf3y263eklVFXjXmARpYUWpoufJgfXlyZT0GIrn32SOQiuM2lgMZ7-t_MARTVLp7hJ/s640/http:youpaidmorethanme.blogspot-1.jpeg" width="490" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">via <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/6896205648958329/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIbdu2oelsB7rMxHGrKYihsGnxjODDqjr-gHZJk8eqpsjMDAqx4Ugu-bb-Kkr2eMg6sL8c796oAOjTXX7cIyxxU-qCTI9RGqCYakvc48PD9Uyxh-oPcUl_Q-JznNDCaonJHk4961qhSPnR/s1600/yes!+basement+stairs.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIbdu2oelsB7rMxHGrKYihsGnxjODDqjr-gHZJk8eqpsjMDAqx4Ugu-bb-Kkr2eMg6sL8c796oAOjTXX7cIyxxU-qCTI9RGqCYakvc48PD9Uyxh-oPcUl_Q-JznNDCaonJHk4961qhSPnR/s640/yes!+basement+stairs.jpeg" width="448" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">via <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/6896205649134174/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Seeing a theme here? </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">How do you get motivated? Any special projects you are ready to tackle? Happy Weekend!</div>

what's my motivation?

Did anyone else want to be an actress when they were little? Just me? Ok, moving on. I am always looking thru Sarah's House episodes on ...

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The truth nothing but the truth

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font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} </style><![endif]--> <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9YFTkKxCmTFN6cDTO1ukn0a-xtEUZTTloCOZgcHGD7KYuixYEglCA7NZLEbueTVA6BCW0I3Ph3EcIBAgwnfm2f2ECv06Sc0pua3VATpsJl4Tz29YNh1YwXm6avIE0Mx1iEsr-Hh4K9b86/s1600/23f78_111219013732-arab-league-ministerial-committee-meeting-to-discuss-the-syrian-unrest-in-doha-on-december-17-2011-story-top.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9YFTkKxCmTFN6cDTO1ukn0a-xtEUZTTloCOZgcHGD7KYuixYEglCA7NZLEbueTVA6BCW0I3Ph3EcIBAgwnfm2f2ECv06Sc0pua3VATpsJl4Tz29YNh1YwXm6avIE0Mx1iEsr-Hh4K9b86/s400/23f78_111219013732-arab-league-ministerial-committee-meeting-to-discuss-the-syrian-unrest-in-doha-on-december-17-2011-story-top.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: red; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">THE LEAGUE OF ARAB STATES OBSERVER MISSION TO SYRIA MISSION REPORT </span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">The Mission report confirms what I have been arguing all along: that the situation in SYRIA is not the way it is portrayed by mainstream media and certain WESTERN governments. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguNxTtNXjlVjpCbLALackg2_puKVCgdvgQK0vRWPkDstiX8AmkoWwijMlEq8iZVaIo5RXeLKK7y-UrvMNPxeSV-6gaxd2Q3ulDZb6W_UDfj-3Lp3Zx8oad6rijzU8XwDNd1H7Dbp4v5n6i/s1600/blood_channels.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguNxTtNXjlVjpCbLALackg2_puKVCgdvgQK0vRWPkDstiX8AmkoWwijMlEq8iZVaIo5RXeLKK7y-UrvMNPxeSV-6gaxd2Q3ulDZb6W_UDfj-3Lp3Zx8oad6rijzU8XwDNd1H7Dbp4v5n6i/s400/blood_channels.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Could the real reason for the withdrawal of the LEAGUE OF ARAB STATES OBSERVER MISSION TO SYRIA was not because of violence but the fact that the content of the report did not fit into the agenda of certain WESTERN POWERS who envision a different outcome for SYRIA?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> It seems that mainstream media, under the influence of the world power brokers deliberately “downplay” the content of the report because the results of the findings would in most likelihood change public opinion, something the power elite does not want.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Here are some extracts to that effect:</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">In <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Homs and Dera‘a</b>, the Mission observed armed groups committing acts of violence against</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Government forces, resulting in death and injury among their ranks. In certain situations, Government forces responded to attacks against their personnel with force. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The observers noted that some of the armed groups were using flares and armour-piercing projectiles<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"></span></b></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Homs, Idlib and Hama</b>, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">the Observer Mission witnessed acts of violence being committed against Government forces and civilians that resulted in several deaths and injuries</b>. Examples of those acts include the bombing of a civilian bus, killing eight persons and injuring others, including women and children, and the bombing of a train carrying diesel oil. In another incident in Homs, a police bus was blown up, killing two police officers. A fuel pipeline and some small bridges were also bombed.</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The Mission noted that <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">many parties falsely reported that explosions or violence had occurred in several locations</b>. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">When the observers went to those locations, they found that those reports were unfounded</b>.<br />The Mission also noted that, according to its teams in the field,</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red;">the media exaggerated the nature of the incidents and the number of persons killed in incidents and protests in certain towns</span></b>.</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">According to their latest reports and their briefings to the Head of the Mission on 17 January 2012 in preparation for this report, group team leaders witnessed peaceful demonstrations by both Government supporters and the opposition in several places. None of those demonstrations were disrupted, except for some minor clashes with the Mission and between loyalists and opposition. These have not resulted in fatalities since the last presentation before the Arab Ministerial Committee on the Situation in Syria at its meeting of 8 January 2012.</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Since it began its work, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">the Mission has been the target of a vicious media campaign</b>. Some media outlets have published unfounded statements, which they attributed to the Head of the Mission.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red;">They have also grossly exaggerated events, thereby distorting the truth.<br /></span><span style="color: blue;">Such contrived reports have helped to increase tensions among the Syrian people and undermined the observers’ work. Some media organizations were exploited in order to defame the Mission and its Head and cause the Mission to fail.</span></b></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The Mission received reports from parties outside Syria indicating that the number of detainees was16,237. It also received information from the opposition inside the country that the number of detainees was 12,005. In validating those figures, the teams in the field discovered that <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">there were discrepancies</b>between the lists that information was missing and inaccurate, and that names were repeated. The Mission is communicating with the concerned Government agencies to confirm those numbers</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The Mission noted that the Government strived to help it succeed in its task and remove any barriers that might stand in its way. The Government also facilitated meetings with all parties. No restrictions were placed on the movement of the Mission and its ability to interview Syrian citizens, both those who opposed the Government and those loyal to it.</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Arab and foreign audiences of certain media organizations have questioned the Mission’s credibility because those organizations use the media to distort the facts. It will be difficult to overcome this problem unless there is political and media support for the Mission and its mandate. It is only natural that some negative incidents should occur as it conducts its activities because such incidents occur as a matter of course in similar missions.</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Last but not least the statement below reiterates what I have claimed regarding communication restrictions in Syria. See:</span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2012/02/syrian-agenda.html">http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2012/02/syrian-agenda.html</a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The Mission communicates with the various groups by mobile phones and facsimile machines</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">connected to the local Syrian telephone network<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">. Occasional cuts in service prevent the Mission from communicating with the groups. Internet service is unavailable in some regions, and in other areas it is intermittent, including in the capital.</b></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">The full report can be viewed under:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><a href="http://www.columbia.edu/%7Ehauben/Report_of_Arab_League_Observer_Mission.pdf"><b><span style="font-family: Times-Bold; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times-Bold;">http://www.columbia.edu/~hauben/Report_of_Arab_League_Observer_Mission.pdf</span></b></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhkkBZiYzbWmKax8i5peC8goFiMBSdOd6SYR_T3X2Hb_k1WrFbhHooPjgGGe5DgqVnauxAkHHCJbgqD56ZFt3UDuM1XhODIOwp8m6hvK1pdu-p8HG9GKntk1BI8I0_06wTJ7pWRiMtlScK/s1600/Media-Lies-Used-to-Provide-a-Pretext-for-Another-Humanitarian-War-Protest-in-Syria-Who-Counts-the-Dead.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhkkBZiYzbWmKax8i5peC8goFiMBSdOd6SYR_T3X2Hb_k1WrFbhHooPjgGGe5DgqVnauxAkHHCJbgqD56ZFt3UDuM1XhODIOwp8m6hvK1pdu-p8HG9GKntk1BI8I0_06wTJ7pWRiMtlScK/s320/Media-Lies-Used-to-Provide-a-Pretext-for-Another-Humanitarian-War-Protest-in-Syria-Who-Counts-the-Dead.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Times-Bold; font-size: 10pt;">To reiterate my views, here is an interesting article on subject matter from a German Middle East Expert: Professor Günther Meyer :</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br /></div><h3 style="color: red; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span lang="DE-AT">Syrien: Orientexperte erhebt schwere Vorwürfe gegen den Westen </span></span></h3><h3 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span lang="DE-AT"> </span></span></h3><div style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="DE-AT" style="mso-ansi-language: DE-AT;">Als vor wenigen Tagen die Beobachtermission der Arabischen Liga in Syrien gestoppt wurde, war die Sachlage in den Medien klar: <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Assad hat die Gewalt nicht beendet</b>, das Morden Unschuldiger geht weiter. Unterdessen liefert die in London ansässige Syrische Beobachtungsstelle für Menschenrechte Informationen über die genaue Situation und die Zahl der Toten. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Überprüfbar sind die Informationen natürlich nicht, dennoch werden sie unkritisch von allen Medien zitiert.</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="DE-AT" style="mso-ansi-language: DE-AT;">Nun hat der Orientexperte Prof. Dr </span><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: Times-Bold; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: DE-AT; mso-bidi-font-family: Times-Bold; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Günther</span><span lang="DE-AT" style="mso-ansi-language: DE-AT;"> Meyer <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>von der Universität Mainz in einem Interview des Radiosenders Bayern 2 eine ganz andere Wahrheit verbreitet. Die Frage, ob die Beobachtermission gescheitert sei, verneint er klar. So sei die Zahl der Toten deutlich gesunken, sehr viele Gefangene seien freigelassen worden und überhaupt würden die westlichen Medien das völlig falsche Bild vermitteln, dass es sich einzig um Gewalt des Regimes gegen friedliche Demonstranten handeln würde. Meyer schildert eine völlig andere Sachlage:</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="DE-AT" style="mso-ansi-language: DE-AT;">Es ist ganz offensichtlich, dass wir es mit einer <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">bewaffneten terroristischen Organisation</b> zu tun haben, die für einen sehr großen Teil der Toten im Lande ebenfalls verantwortlich ist. Das ist durchaus auch in dieser Situation herausgekommen. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Das heißt, wir haben eine klare Anti-Sichtweise gegen das Regime, eine Sichtweise, die massiv gestärkt wird durch die Interessen insbesondere der USA, aber auch durch die westlichen Verbündeten England, Frankreich, nicht zuletzt auch Deutschland.</b> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red;">Es geht in erster Linie darum, die Achse Iran, Syrien, Hisbollah auszuschalten.</span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="DE-AT" style="mso-ansi-language: DE-AT;">Der Radiomoderator fragt irritiert, es klinge „fast wie eine westliche Verschwörung gegen Syrien“. Meyer erhebt daraufhin schwere Vorwürfe gegen den Westen, der in Syrien einen Bürgerkrieg entfachen würde:</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="DE-AT" style="mso-ansi-language: DE-AT;">Wir haben es mit einem massiven Eingreifen von außen zu tun. Nicht zuletzt Berichte darüber, dass etwa 600 Mudschaheddin aus Libyen eingeflogen sind, initiiert vom CIA. CIA-Beamte, Geheimdienstbeamte, Frankreich und Großbritannien genauso, bilden Oppositionelle aus, rüsten sie aus in der Nähe von Iskenderia, nahe der syrischen Grenze, rüsten sie aus mit den Waffen, die aus den Arsenalen von Gaddafi herübergebracht werden, um hier einen Bürgerkrieg zu initiieren, um das Land insgesamt zu schwächen.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="DE-AT" style="mso-ansi-language: DE-AT;">Auch betont Meyer, dass Assad nach wie vor die Mehrheit des syrischen Volkes hinter sich hat, wie eine Untersuchung der Katar-Stiftung ergeben habe. Dieses kurze Radiointerview präsentiert die Situation in Syrien völlig anders, als wir es seit Monaten in den Medien zu hören bekommen. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Wie schon beim Libyeneinsatz handelt es sich auch hier aller Wahrscheinlichkeit nach um geostrategische Maßnahmen des Westens, die durch massive Propaganda verheimlicht werden</b>. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="DE-AT">Sollten Meyers Vorwürfe stimmen und tatsächlich durch westliche Geheimdienstaktivitäten ein Bürgerkrieg ausgelöst werden, dann wäre Assad kaum vorzuwerfen, dass er diesen von außen initiierten Umsturzversuch mit Militärgewalt niederschlägt. </span>Die Leidtragenden sind die Zivilisten.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVvsjMAMmOTI35MRQO7El1wHke7sh8a5KwoBBz9pl5V_UoOAE2mUGg1S-7FlYzi5uqp-2rvtsENg5rH1HVckeA4imxC7Py29FMiWkllYzAAG1jLHluXOqf9frpxsWNfph4mfB1YB5WBWey/s1600/syria-1_2100474b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVvsjMAMmOTI35MRQO7El1wHke7sh8a5KwoBBz9pl5V_UoOAE2mUGg1S-7FlYzi5uqp-2rvtsENg5rH1HVckeA4imxC7Py29FMiWkllYzAAG1jLHluXOqf9frpxsWNfph4mfB1YB5WBWey/s320/syria-1_2100474b.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br /></div>

The truth nothing but the truth

THE LEAGUE OF ARAB STATES OBSERVER MISSION TO SYRIA MISSION REPORT The Mission report confirms what I have been arguing all along: that t...

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