News for today's 2018

ISRAEL, IRAN and the BALKANS Part 2

5:42 AM Tukiyooo 0

<br /> <br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSHkA777IKHDybeTM-Xsl0VWXp6YWz5IuxOKlPHfJ2doSmy9EOOkLXCaz8fgJfaMjVvghEfCsL7-HWjVgg-TbpVIMVFx7dUyRj_iBLBTdqX9VH4rOd3jRh6pN4LwZP_HOdmJ3GutcpMdQ2/s1600/Slide5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="321" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSHkA777IKHDybeTM-Xsl0VWXp6YWz5IuxOKlPHfJ2doSmy9EOOkLXCaz8fgJfaMjVvghEfCsL7-HWjVgg-TbpVIMVFx7dUyRj_iBLBTdqX9VH4rOd3jRh6pN4LwZP_HOdmJ3GutcpMdQ2/s400/Slide5.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">ISRAEL’S SECURITY CONCERNS IN THE BALKANS </span></b></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Adapted by Geopolitical Analysis and Monitoring from the original article written by Chris Deliso</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Executive Summary: </span></b></span></div><ul><li><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Bulgaria: repeat attacks less likely </span></li><li> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Macedonia: early stages</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div></li><li> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Albania: logistics possibilities</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div></li></ul><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">IRAN SEARCHING FOR WEAK LINKS IN THE EUROPEAN CHAIN: THE BALKANS</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">ISRAELI agencies know that IRAN’S MOIS and the al Qods force have established sleeper cells of agents and helpers in various key countries in regions all over the world, from SOUTH AMERICA and CENTRAL AMERICA to SOUTHEAST ASIA and East and West AFRICA, and they try to locate weak links in the EUROPEAN chain… one such a weak link is the Balkans, they operated there during the wars of the 1990′s (mainly, in BOSNIA and KOSOVO) and they are trying to establish some sort of presence in Macedonia.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Background Information: </span></u></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2012/10/iran.html">http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2012/10/iran.html</a></span></u></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2012/06/israel-iran-syria.html">http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2012/06/israel-iran-syria.html</a></span></u></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The same local conditions that make the BALKANS an attractive target for Hezbollah and IRAN are also obliging ISRAELI security services to increase their focus. The decision to expand the ISRAELI diplomatic presence [in the Balkans] is a byproduct of budgetary reasons, economic potential and yes, also the desire to challenge and stand up to IRAN and Hezbollah terrorism.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">IRAN’S operations are based on, and are a result of, the following considerations: its capabilities, targets (whether there are easy and soft to attack) and above all not to leave its fingerprint, where they believe they would get away with murder- even if their agents are caught red-handed.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This does not mean necessarily that the Mossad will open ‘stations there. Embassies provide a good logistic cover for intelligence operations and deploy so called <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>‘jumpers’- liaison intelligence officers and officials who operate from HQ and ‘jump’ to countries were they are needed.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipNIPG4DwF4K46RnnPgiYIBLgSrHJthx8Vnbk-vjnY_UQOLNr8VVMKAh3dhVBbN15SYcaMuu6YreFRMApTcFNjzIhIvWVkCcT0WaLiHKCegZMce7SEJF53CnZ_R7v1BITN5aNxBh5XwZxj/s1600/pc_indepth_analysis_110513_multiculturalism_chart1.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipNIPG4DwF4K46RnnPgiYIBLgSrHJthx8Vnbk-vjnY_UQOLNr8VVMKAh3dhVBbN15SYcaMuu6YreFRMApTcFNjzIhIvWVkCcT0WaLiHKCegZMce7SEJF53CnZ_R7v1BITN5aNxBh5XwZxj/s320/pc_indepth_analysis_110513_multiculturalism_chart1.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">While ISRAEL enjoys “excellent cooperation” with local BALKAN services, the latter in some cases lack technological capacities and are weak in analysis, and certainly in monitoring outside elements like IRAN- here enter the CIA and the Mossad to help them. The Burgas inquiry is a good example of such an international cooperation, combining local and international knowledge and understanding.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Intelligence cooperation between ISRAEL and the BALKAN countries, whether Christian- or Muslim-majority, has increased in the past three years. ISRAEL is working in cooperation with local security services, and much of the relevant intelligence obtained by ISRAEL in the MIDDLE EAST is then passed on to the BALKAN services… it is an ongoing cooperation for them, not only with ISRAEL, but with US, UK and not to mention GERMANY services, which have a strong and often underestimated presence and influence in the region.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Bearing in mind the developing trends of involvement in the BALKAN countries from both ISRAEL and its adversaries, the previously-seen or potential threats in each, we can make the following brief estimates for nine regional states. This list excludes TURKEY, which would require a longer study, and CROATIA and MONTENEGRO, regarding which interesting information exists but has still to be variefied.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">BULGARIA: REPEAT ATTACKS LESS LIKELY</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The BULGARIAN announcement blaming Hezbollah for the Burgas bombing followed a lengthy investigation involving the BULGARIAN intelligence and police, Mossad, Shin Bet, the CIA, MI6, Interpol and others. Reportedly, ISRAELI intelligence had noticed a <a href="http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/report-israel-finds-unusually-high-number-of-lebanon-burgas-phone-calls-made-before-attack-1.457023">significant increase in telephone traffic</a> between known groups in LEBANON and unknown parties in Burgas in the period before the attack- one of many clues indicating a Hezbollah connection.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Some who have blamed the Burgas bombing on Hezbollah depict it as ultimately an IRANIAN-sanctioned operation. In the aftermath of the attack, an unnamed <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/20/world/europe/explosion-on-bulgaria-tour-bus-kills-at-least-five-israelis.html?pagewanted=all">US security official told the <i>New York Times</i></a> that it was “tit for tat” retaliation for suspected ISRAELI assassinations of IRANIAN nuclear scientists. However, other experts read it differently and restrict responsibility to the LEBANESE organization. “Since Hezbollah’s ‘operational leader,’ Imad Mughniyah, was assassinated in Damascus in 2008, the organization has attempted numerous times to avenge his death by launching terrorist attacks against ISRAELI targets.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In July 2012 former BULGARIAN intelligence chief Lt. Gen. Kircho <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/31/world/europe/after-bombing-bulgarias-ties-with-israel-at-risk.html?_r=2&ref=israelthe">Kirov disclosed for the <i>New York Times</i></a> that his service had information in 2011 on planned attacks against ISRAELIS in BULGARIA, indicating that the Burgas attack was not an unexpected aberration. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In fact, ISRAEL provided key intelligence that foiled a suspected Hezbollah attack on ISRAELI ski tourists going from TURKEY to BULGARIA in January 2012. The fact that this had occurred irked some ISRAELI officials later, as they considered the January plot as a clear warning that should have led to the disruption of the Burgas plot.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In the months after the Burgas bombing, <a href="http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4278636,00.html">it was reported that</a> ISRAEL and BULGARIAN police were cooperating to protect ISRAELIS and Jewish sites in BULGARIA ahead of the Jewish holidays. Kirov had in October 2010 spoken publicly regarding a threat from Asbat al-Ansar, a group reportedly based in a Palestinian refugee camp in south LEBANON. The group’s threat had been made in <a href="http://www.idividi.com.mk/vesti/balkan/634913/index.html">an interview for BULGARIAN media</a>, claiming that BULGARIA’S military involvement in AFGHANISTAN and IRAQ made it a ‘legitimate’ target. According to the 2010 report, Asbat al-Ansar was involved in recruiting mujahedin to fight Western troops in those countries.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The failed plot in January 2012 and the successful one in July of that year brought unprecedented international attention and foreign intelligence cooperation to BULGARIA, making it now a rather ‘hot’ place for terrorists. Further, BULGARIA’S foreign intelligence service has long been known for its offensive capabilities, which can only have been heightened during the past eight months of foreign cooperation. The only hiccup in this regard has been a pattern of oblique comments between BULGARIAN and ROMANIAN services, which can be read as a matter of pride. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In view of these facts it can be assessed that even though BULGARIA remains porous and difficult to secure in general, Hezbollah will be less likely to try and execute a repeat operation here than it will be elsewhere in the region.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">ALBANIA: LOGISTICS POSSIBILITIES</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">As NATO members, ALBANIA and CROATIA are [in addition to BULGARIA] countries where the IRANIANS focus on. Multiple informed sources, including ISRAELI diplomats and local officials indicated that <a href="http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/About+the+Ministry/MFA+Spokesman/2012/Liberman-Albanian-embassy-1-Aug-2012.htm">the opening of an ISRAELI embassy in ALBANIA</a> in August 2012 was partially motivated by future security concerns.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">While Sunni terrorist groups and states, not IRAN, have historically been more active in ALBANIA, the ISRAELI-ALBANIAN diplomatic alliance could provoke new interest from Tehran. ALBANIA’S shrewd Prime Minister Sali Berisha has attempted to ingratiate himself among the ISRAELI leadership by echoing their position on IRAN in public statements. Berisha colorfully dubbed IRAN and its leader the “new Nazis” in November 2011, <a href="http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4155550,00.html">winning him plaudits in the ISRAELI media</a>. Perhaps not coincidentally, ALBANIAN leaders in 2011 were actively promoting foreign investment opportunities, such as energy that have attracted interest from foreign companies, including an ISRAELI one.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">As with BULGARIA and the politicization of Hezbollah among EU allies, tricky diplomatic issues exist for ALBANIA in its relations with ISRAEL and other allies. ALBANIA abstained from the 2012 Palestinian UN vote, reportedly infuriating TURKISH Prime Minister Erdoğan- a public embarrassment for the informal leader of the Muslim world, making him appear <a href="http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/albania-refused-to-bow-down-to-pms-pressure-on-palestine-vote-report-.aspx?pageID=238&nID=35915&NewsCatID=338">unable to exert sufficient leverage</a> over EUROPE’S only OIC member state. A number of complicated issues were involved here, including Palestine’s non-recognition of KOSOVO, and ALBANIA’S relations with the US.</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj51NoM6TFtHEXNk11PPJDGBtXYQp7wPnFhK7oFGMKjv3yjV4mBjODb-aNxxQS9vD0rJMfnVdbWwZ5PfbtBrKQr0odX76CB_-EZhq4hhIMlCB7C1O2JyjihseQ2MaS41INAIvwvGz92tYdp/s1600/pfile26385_activity7766.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/AVvXsEj51NoM6TFtHEXNk11PPJDGBtXYQp7wPnFhK7oFGMKjv3yjV4mBjODb-aNxxQS9vD0rJMfnVdbWwZ5PfbtBrKQr0odX76CB_-EZhq4hhIMlCB7C1O2JyjihseQ2MaS41INAIvwvGz92tYdp/s320/pfile26385_activity7766.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Berisha seems more investment-oriented in his general approach, after all, he had his country join the OIC years ago because of the Islamic states’ investment promises. Mr. Berisha is a charismatic speaker, but not necessarily pro-ISRAELI out of ideals alone.” Given the TURKISH-ISRAELI rapprochement, it will be interesting to see how ALBANIAN policymakers adapt in order to remain relevant to both allies. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">For his part, Dr. Ely Karmon places ALBANIA after BOSNIA as a danger for IRANIAN infiltration and logistics in the region. While acknowledging that “here, political attitudes to IRAN are far less positive to IRANIANS than in BOSNIA,” he adds that “pro-IRANIAN elements can support financial activities” on behalf of the Islamic Republic.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">ALBANIA remains opaque. The legacy of (Sunni) terrorist infiltration back in the 1990’s, subsequent construction works in Tirana linked to al Qaeda supporters, and today’s vocal Islamist groups indicate potentially fertile soil. Further, the local economy has been affected by the economic downturn in GREECE and ITALY, from where ALBANIAN diaspora workers have traditionally sent regular remittances. Distraction from local economic issues seems to be coming increasingly in the form of ultra-nationalism of an ethnic (not religious) inspiration, and ALBANIA remains a strong US partner. However, the operative conditions for using the country as a rear logistics or even a platform for an attack do exist and as such the situation will be worth watching in the future.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Background Information: </span></u></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2013/01/greater-albania-united-states-project.html">http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2013/01/greater-albania-united-states-project.html</a></span></u></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><br /></span></span></u></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">MACEDONIA: EARLY STAGES</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Another investment-hungry BALKAN country, MACEDONIA, recently came onto the radar when it welcomed its first resident IRANIAN ambassador, Saeed Sadegh Mohammadi, on 8 February 2013. There is currently an interesting analytical disagreement between certain local and foreign experts regarding whether this poses a security threat.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">ISRAELI experts believe that this new diplomatic presence “will be a platform for economic, cultural and even religious activities,” fitting the pattern of IRANIAN activity in developing countries.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">MACEDONIAN officials downplay the threat. “The IRANIAN government knows their diplomats will be monitored 24 hours a day- there is nothing they can do,” said one senior security official, noting that it would be tactically difficult for a short-staffed diplomatic facility in a small country to stay off the radar. Rather, the upgrading of IRAN’S diplomatic ties is being considered as “merely symbolic” by MACEDONIAN intelligence, and as a response to ISRAEL’S own strengthened relations with MACEDONIA; this has included the long-awaited opening in March 2011 of the Holocaust Memorial Center one of only four in the world.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It is a game for image. IRAN feels it needs to respond wherever ISRAEL makes its own presence, so after the [Holocaust Center] was opened, this was what IRAN decided to do, but does not imply to be a major security threat for now.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">However, other observers feel the ‘game’ could escalate in dangerous ways. This upgrading to ambassador status was definitely initiated by the Iranian side. They came in and said, ‘we want to expand our trade and cultural relations.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The US tried to get [the MACEDONIANS] to stop or at least delay it by dragging out the process bureaucratically to keep IRAN from starting to send diplomatic pouches, which they have used in the past to transport explosives and equipment. Nevertheless, within a year IRAN would be able to set up full operations.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">At the same time, other deep background information indicates that regardless of any potentially nefarious IRANIAN intentions, the US is confident in the capabilities of the MACEDONIAN counter-intelligence and police forces, which are per capita more robust than in most other regional states. It is also the case for the last few years that ISRAEL has supplied the MACEDONIAN side with high-tech electronics useful for intelligence gathering activities.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Whether or not any IRANIAN-linked security problems emerge in MACEDONIA, the game is set to continue, with ISRAEL probably making the next move: diplomatic sources have hinted that ISRAEL’S next full embassy in the region will be opened in Skopje, though the timetable is not clear. Currently, the ISRAELI Embassy in CROATIA has jurisdiction over ISRAELI interests in MACEDONIA.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Nevertheless, as was the case with the Tirana embassy decision, what we are hearing from diplomatic sources is that security concerns (as well as flourishing trade and cultural ties) partly explain why an embassy will be built in Skopje. Indeed, recent minor vandalism of the Holocaust Memorial Center by ALBANIAN nationalist/Sunni Islamist protesters was an unsettling development. Since the Jewish structure was not the focus of the protesters’ anger or activities, there should have been no reason for attacking it. The incident served to remind that MACEDONIA continues to hosts a small but problematic Islamist underground. In view of these facts, it is also interesting to remember that when the provocative TURKISH blockbuster <i>Valley of the Wolves: Palestine</i> came to theaters in MACEDONIA, the ‘sponsors’ of local showings specified on posters were all Muslim and ALBANIAN companies, including a security company with ties to local Wahhabi groups.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">At present, we can conclude that while IRAN may wish to establish a presence for possible trouble-making here, it is still at a very basic level and a proactive approach from local authorities will probably restrict this possibility. However, the very fact of fresh IRANIAN interest and the continued displays of anti-Semitism from some local Muslims will keep Israeli intelligence focused on the general situation.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Background Information: </span></u></b></div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2013/01/the-balkans-organized-crime-and.html">http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2013/01/the-balkans-organized-crime-and.html</a></span><br /><br />

ISRAEL, IRAN and the BALKANS Part 2

ISRAEL’S SECURITY CONCERNS IN THE BALKANS Adapted by Geopolitical Analysis and Monitoring from the original article written by Chris Delis...

3 Little Tricks to Smooth out your day

3:57 AM Tukiyooo 0

<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container zemanta-img" style="float: right; margin-right: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div class="zemanta-img"><a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Stoppuhr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:right;"><img alt="Stoppuhr (Chronometer)" border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted" height="375" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b4/Stoppuhr.jpg/300px-Stoppuhr.jpg" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="300" /></a></div></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 300px;">Take a little time that makes a big difference! (Photo credit: <a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Stoppuhr.jpg" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a>)</td></tr></tbody></table>Be intentional about your life. Don't just let it happen, decide how you're going to live it. We had a c<a href="https://www.facebook.com/coolcatteacher">onversation on my Facebook page</a> the other day about how we could be better teachers and the overwhelming answer was "more time."<br /><br />It isn't possible to add more time, but it is possible to make more of the time you have. When I do these 3 things - all 35 minutes and 30 seconds of them - that day and the following day are FANTASTIC. It takes a little planning - of habits, priorities, and tweaking the<a href="http://3030.binaryhammer.com/"> 30/30 app</a> to make it happen but it works.<br /><br /><h2>1. Establish a Beginning of school routine. (15 minutes)</h2>I have a 15 minute routine that I do when I arrive at school. I've programmed it into my <a href="http://3030.binaryhammer.com/">30/30 app</a>.<br /><br />I selected these things from a list I made when I was so stressed I was losing my mind using the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pareto_principle" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Pareto principle">Pareto principle</a> to <a href="http://coolcatteacher.blogspot.com/2010/08/starting-well-with-pareto-project.html">Pareto my problems</a><i> (See <a href="http://coolcatteacher.blogspot.com/2010/08/starting-well-with-pareto-project.html">The Pareto Project</a>, and also <a href="http://coolcatteacher.blogspot.com/2011/07/ipad-productivity-pareto-your-home.html">Pareto your homescreen</a>, the <a href="http://coolcatteacher.blogspot.com/2011/08/routine-of-being-amazing.html">Routine of being Amazing</a>, and Smooth out your week with the <a href="http://coolcatteacher.blogspot.com/2013/01/smooth-out-your-week-with-pareto.html">Pareto Saturday Principle</a>)</i><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPGSY6ugCC5el-KeyFs9oXRPd5sAHfxAf-C20CKPX5LCYaNs_35kfZXZgYZ1wGbhk0w9C-2On-lun5wjO8fPMAMXDxeVTaGqNK2qLcAuFWzl5WwA2rjCWOSfZcVldW0IUG2MVuyD9qYFv4/s1600/2013-04-29+10.16.26.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPGSY6ugCC5el-KeyFs9oXRPd5sAHfxAf-C20CKPX5LCYaNs_35kfZXZgYZ1wGbhk0w9C-2On-lun5wjO8fPMAMXDxeVTaGqNK2qLcAuFWzl5WwA2rjCWOSfZcVldW0IUG2MVuyD9qYFv4/s320/2013-04-29+10.16.26.png" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The routines in my 30/30 app sync between my ipad and iphone.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><br />When applied to stress, the Pareto principle means that 20% of your problems will cause 80% of the stress. For me, things like the printer running out of paper, not being ready to take attendance in PowerSchool, and my room being a bit messy are unneeded stressors. Here's my checklist with times (the screenshot didn't show everything.) <i><span style="color: red;">YOURS WILL BE DIFFERENT.</span></i><br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjEUGBSjWC3TFPz7SCk4GZzArSdG_Lqcvfoc3LhV14BQAA6KvVkvYdXD_15QBh1IOgA1QjEsH_xk7WgFOC17tkvuLCwCFOOfkKjwitaBk1HEz94mmtKdvC5TCN6WyUFRmmEdz-Lf_uZtkj/s1600/2013-04-29+10.16.43.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjEUGBSjWC3TFPz7SCk4GZzArSdG_Lqcvfoc3LhV14BQAA6KvVkvYdXD_15QBh1IOgA1QjEsH_xk7WgFOC17tkvuLCwCFOOfkKjwitaBk1HEz94mmtKdvC5TCN6WyUFRmmEdz-Lf_uZtkj/s320/2013-04-29+10.16.43.png" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Part of my <a href="http://3030.binaryhammer.com/">30/30 routine </a>for starting my day with times.<br />I can check something as "done" if I get through faster.</td></tr></tbody></table><ul><li><b>Boot computer</b> - 1 minute</li><li><b>Clean Desk</b> --> 5 minutes</li><li><b>Log into PowerSchool </b>--> 2 minutes</li><li><b>paper in Printers</b> --> 2 minutes</li><li><b>Clean Classroom </b>--> 5 minutes</li><li><b>Look at list </b>--> 1 minute</li><li><b>Boot front computer</b> --> 1 minute</li><li><b>Check email </b>--> 5 minutes</li></ul><div>The nice thing about the 30/30 app is that I'm racing the timer, so I don't get off track and also, if I finish something early, then I can click done and move ahead. </div><div><br /></div><h2>2. Establish a daily Planning & Solitude to close out your day & plan tomorrow (15:30)</h2><div>If you read books like <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1576754227/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1576754227&linkCode=as2&tag=httpwwwbrighc-20" id="static_txt_preview" style="background-color: white; color: #996633; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;" target="_blank">Eat That Frog!</a>,  <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0133352854/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0133352854&linkCode=as2&tag=httpwwwbrighc-20" id="static_txt_preview" style="background-color: white; color: #996633; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;" target="_blank">Attack Your Day!:</a>  or the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1400069289/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1400069289&linkCode=as2&tag=httpwwwbrighc-20" id="static_txt_preview" style="background-color: white; color: #996633; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;" target="_blank">The Power of Habit</a>, planning your day is one of those essential components to accomplishing more with your time. Recently, I asked educators in my Facebook page about the one thing that would make them a better teacher... they overwhelmingly said time. Last time I checked, we've all got the same amount, so we'd better figure out how to use it well.</div><div><br /></div><div>During this time, I review lists, plan tomorrow, reflect, and schedule an appointment with myself for my VITAL habits. If you read the Habit Factor, you'll see astounding research about how to actually get yourself to do the important things: set an appointment with yourself.</div><div><br /></div><div>My 15 minute 30 second routine is:</div><div><ul><li><b>Review Master List </b>--> 3 minutes (I do this in <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.nozbe.com/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="Nozbe">Nozbe</a>)</li><li><b>Review today's list/ make tomorrow's</b> (I do this in Nozbe/ my Levenger planner)</li><li><b>Pray over day</b> --> 30 seconds (I take time to be still and quiet to reflect, think of wins, consider if I behaved in an honorable way, and to seek guidance from the Boss.)</li><li><b>Review tomorrow's appointments</b> --> 2 minutes</li><li><b>Schedule important habits</b> (I put these in my <a class="zem_slink" href="http://google.com/calendar" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="Google Calendar">google calendar</a> on a special calendar I've created called "A routine of excellence" - it reminds me but doesn't officially "book" me, I also hand write it in my Circa Planner in my Levenger. An appointment increases the likelihood that you'll do it)</li><ul><li>Prayer/ Bible Reading time --> 20 seconds</li><li>Schedule Blogging --> 20 seconds</li><li>Schedule Workout --> 20 seconds</li><li>Schedule P&S Time --> 20 seconds</li><li>Schedule time to balance my checkbook --> 20 seconds</li><li>Schedule time to read/ be with family -->20 </li></ul><li><b>Close out today's notes</b> (I go through my notes in my Levenger and my daily journal in <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.evernote.com/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="Evernote">Evernote</a> (I use vjournal for this) to sort and put anything on my calendar that needs to go there.</li></ul></div><h2>3. Keep a joy journal (5 minutes)</h2><br />I talked about the statistics on journaling in <a href="http://coolcatteacher.blogspot.com/2013/04/9-fine-reasons-to-keep-journal-and-how.html">9 Fine Reasons to Keep a Journal</a> but they bear repeating:<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><a href="http://happierhuman.com/benefits-of-gratitude/" style="background-color: white; color: #6699cc; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none;">Research studies</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"> have shown that keeping a 5 minute a day gratitude journal will "increase your long term well being" more than winning a million dollars in the lottery.</span></blockquote><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Yes! IF you want to be happy, you don't need more money, you need to write down the things you're thankful for. This ONE thing will change your outlook PROFOUNDLY.</span><br /><br /><div class="zemanta-pixie" style="height: 15px; margin-top: 10px;"><a class="zemanta-pixie-a" href="http://www.zemanta.com/?px" title="Enhanced by Zemanta"><img alt="Enhanced by Zemanta" class="zemanta-pixie-img" src="http://img.zemanta.com/zemified_c.png?x-id=f1ed09ea-8726-41d7-a8fe-d14c61dd72a7" style="border: none; float: right;" /></a></div>

3 Little Tricks to Smooth out your day

Take a little time that makes a big difference! (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) Be intentional about your life. Don't just let it happen, dec...

BlackBerry Q10 review: Specifications & Features

3:19 AM Tukiyooo 0

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />                                                                    <br /><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE8BI7eH7hhJ20aJtZN6SxGZOJ4xZSAWGB85AQKSiYRDtjPrd7jFR13HlQkNU5NzjxW49L4wXtFCl3QLNl5oYt2YLX5r8frykslt2OMJH1kUKPsJkbowAVCGlo8zAgC2hzVjaM8MHsqDE/s1600/20130424_104647_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" lua="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE8BI7eH7hhJ20aJtZN6SxGZOJ4xZSAWGB85AQKSiYRDtjPrd7jFR13HlQkNU5NzjxW49L4wXtFCl3QLNl5oYt2YLX5r8frykslt2OMJH1kUKPsJkbowAVCGlo8zAgC2hzVjaM8MHsqDE/s320/20130424_104647_.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>BlackBerry Q10 is a successful marriage of the modern touch-screen smartphone and the iconic BlackBerry keyboard.<br /><br />The BlackBerry Q10 brings together the old and the new in a classic design that's constructed entirely from premium build materials and jam-packed with connectivity including support for the UK's established (EE) and upcoming <u>4G networks</u>.<br /><br /><br />the keyboard used to be a standard feature on smartphones, before the iPhone wiped our minds with its vision of touch-screen Utopia.<br /><br />BlackBerry reckons around 20 percent of the <u>smartphone</u>-buying world have been waiting for this device. So much so, in fact, that many put off getting the Z10 and waited three months for the release of its QWERTY-toting stable mate.<br /><br /><div class="field-item even" itxtharvested="0" itxtnodeid="265">Best in class QWERTY keyboard, excellent overall design and finish, tons of connectivity and features: NFC, LTE, Bluetooth 4.0, high-end performance, BlackBerry 10 OS starting to show a lot of promise</div> App selection inside BlackBerry World is still limited, battery life could be better.<br /><br /> The Q10 is likely to be attractive to the BlackBerry faithful. <br /><br /><br /><strong><u>Here are the device's core specifications at a glance</u>:</strong><br /><br /><br /><strong>        <table class="views-table cols-0" itxtharvested="0" itxtnodeid="297" style="height: 319px; width: 649px;"><tbody itxtharvested="0" itxtnodeid="298"><tr class="odd views-row-first" itxtharvested="0" itxtnodeid="311"><td class="views-field views-field-field-specification-item" itxtharvested="0" itxtnodeid="313">Length </td><td class="views-field views-field-field-specification-value" itxtharvested="0" itxtnodeid="312">119.6mm </td></tr><tr class="even" itxtharvested="0" itxtnodeid="310"><td class="views-field views-field-field-specification-item" itxtharvested="0" itxtnodeid="315">Width </td><td class="views-field views-field-field-specification-value" itxtharvested="0" itxtnodeid="314">66.8mm </td></tr><tr class="odd" itxtharvested="0" itxtnodeid="309"><td class="views-field views-field-field-specification-item" itxtharvested="0" itxtnodeid="317">Thickness </td><td class="views-field views-field-field-specification-value" itxtharvested="0" itxtnodeid="316">10.35mm </td></tr><tr class="even" itxtharvested="0" itxtnodeid="308"><td class="views-field views-field-field-specification-item" itxtharvested="0" itxtnodeid="319">Weight </td><td class="views-field views-field-field-specification-value" itxtharvested="0" itxtnodeid="318">139g </td></tr><tr class="odd" itxtharvested="0" itxtnodeid="307"><td class="views-field views-field-field-specification-item" itxtharvested="0" itxtnodeid="321">Screen Size </td><td class="views-field views-field-field-specification-value" itxtharvested="0" itxtnodeid="320">3.1-inch Super AMOLED – 328 ppi pixel density </td></tr><tr class="even" itxtharvested="0" itxtnodeid="306"><td class="views-field views-field-field-specification-item" itxtharvested="0" itxtnodeid="323">UK Launch </td><td class="views-field views-field-field-specification-value" itxtharvested="0" itxtnodeid="322">April 26, 2013 </td></tr><tr class="odd" itxtharvested="0" itxtnodeid="305"><td class="views-field views-field-field-specification-item" itxtharvested="0" itxtnodeid="325">Camera Resolution </td><td class="views-field views-field-field-specification-value" itxtharvested="0" itxtnodeid="324">8-megapixel + 1080p video </td></tr><tr class="even" itxtharvested="0" itxtnodeid="304"><td class="views-field views-field-field-specification-item" itxtharvested="0" itxtnodeid="327">Camera Resolution </td><td class="views-field views-field-field-specification-value" itxtharvested="0" itxtnodeid="326">2-megapixel front-facing camera </td></tr><tr class="odd" itxtharvested="0" itxtnodeid="303"><td class="views-field views-field-field-specification-item" itxtharvested="0" itxtnodeid="329">Flash </td><td class="views-field views-field-field-specification-value" itxtharvested="0" itxtnodeid="328">LED Flash </td></tr><tr class="even" itxtharvested="0" itxtnodeid="302"><td class="views-field views-field-field-specification-item" itxtharvested="0" itxtnodeid="331">Song Storage </td><td class="views-field views-field-field-specification-value" itxtharvested="0" itxtnodeid="330">16GB of Internal + 32GB SD-card </td></tr><tr class="odd" itxtharvested="0" itxtnodeid="301"><td class="views-field views-field-field-specification-item" itxtharvested="0" itxtnodeid="333">High-speed Data </td><td class="views-field views-field-field-specification-value" itxtharvested="0" itxtnodeid="332">HSPA+ & 4G LTE </td></tr><tr class="even" itxtharvested="0" itxtnodeid="300"><td class="views-field views-field-field-specification-item" itxtharvested="0" itxtnodeid="335">Connectivity </td><td class="views-field views-field-field-specification-value" itxtharvested="0" itxtnodeid="334">Dual-band Wi-Fi, NFC, Bluetooth 4.0, microHDMI-out </td></tr><tr class="odd" itxtharvested="0" itxtnodeid="299"><td class="views-field views-field-field-specification-item" itxtharvested="0" itxtnodeid="337">Operating System </td><td class="views-field views-field-field-specification-value" itxtharvested="0" itxtnodeid="336">BlackBerry 10.1 </td></tr></tbody></table></strong><br /><strong>      </strong></div>Published by <br /><a href="https://plus.google.com/112865615030946176397" rel="author">Priyanka</a>

mobile news BlackBerry Q10 review: Specifications & Features

BlackBerry Q10 is a successful marriage of the modern touch-screen smar...

Daily Education and Technology News for Schools 05/01/2013

2:30 AM Tukiyooo 0

<ul class="diigo-linkroll">      <li>      <p class="diigo-link">                <a href="http://mashable.com/2013/04/30/google-glass-future/">This Is Why Google Glass Is the Future</a>      </p>      <p class="diigo-description">Yes, taking pictures and recording videos are two of the biggest uses of Google glass. I think disclosure is going to be the issue, while you do have to speak to it, does it have a light to show others around you that you are, indeed, filming.   "Once you wake up Google Glass, you see the time (in rather large type) and “Okay Glass” right underneath it. That’s your control command. I found that I could yell or whisper this and Google Glass sprang into action. It did have trouble in some noisy areas, but most of the time, I could get Glass’ attention and then get something done.  The two most obvious options, and the ones you’ll likely use the most, are “Take a picture” and “Record a video.” The former captures a relatively sharp 5-megapixel image. The second grabs just 10 second of 720 p video (that’s the default; you can change it in settings). You can see some of the video I captured with Google Glass below."</p>              <p class="diigo-tags">          <span>tags:</span>                      <a href="https://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/education">education</a>            <a href="https://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/news">news</a>            <a href="https://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/google">google</a>            <a href="https://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/glass">glass</a>            <a href="https://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/edu_news">edu_news</a></p>                                        </li>      <li>      <p class="diigo-link">                <a href="http://coffeeforthebrain.blogspot.com/2013/04/iowa-teacher-evaluations-tied-to-state.html">Coffee for the Brain: Iowa Teacher Evaluations Tied To State Tests? My Beef With This and Why</a>      </p>      <p class="diigo-description">I'm not partisan. There are some things that Aaron Maurer says in this post that make a lot of sense.   "What bothers me is this "punish the whole system method" employed in the education world. I agree that teachers need to be held accountable. However, I know that state test scores do not show what I teach. What happens in schools is that we never address the specific issues at hand. If a teacher is not doing their job, then call them out. Tell them, show them how they are messing up, and then give them a plan to improve. Help them with necessary skills. If they choose not to improve or they simply don't improve, then you let them go. No more of this keeping teachers for 30 years and for 30 years they have been bad. That affects too many children that need good quality teachers. Hold us accountable like we should be holding our students accountable."</p>              <p class="diigo-tags">          <span>tags:</span>                      <a href="https://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/education">education</a>            <a href="https://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/news">news</a>            <a href="https://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/edreform">edreform</a>            <a href="https://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/testing">testing</a>            <a href="https://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/all_teachers">all_teachers</a></p>                                        </li>      <li>      <p class="diigo-link">                <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2013/04/30/google-glass-review/">Google Glass review (Explorer Edition)</a>      </p>      <p class="diigo-description">Does your "cell phone" policy include a policy for wearable technology. What will you do when a student shows up wearing Google glass? How about when they go into the locker room? Think about it and adjust your AUP's this summer - next summer will be too late. "A heads-up display seems like a natural fit, and thus we have Google Glass. It's a headset with a projected display, a camera and a data connection that could revolutionize the mobile device industry. It could also cause a public uproar over privacy concerns. Is the potential worth the risk?"</p>              <p class="diigo-tags">          <span>tags:</span>                      <a href="https://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/education">education</a>            <a href="https://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/news">news</a>            <a href="https://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/google">google</a>            <a href="https://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/glass">glass</a>            <a href="https://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/edu_news">edu_news</a></p>                                        </li>      <li>      <p class="diigo-link">                <a href="http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?llr=xrbcztn6&v=001BVV8sZmFHDQ7v-qQCohZCQvSGoAx5AcIcaobv2y2mqQISK3CVjQTYy-MMElRgtfE_2BEGxc1IlXCOOD1CC6CarSP9nuJoH_i2ozwYhIixHY1xMzXOfC_P26kPTcpznRDplFaTkNWRIlhN4B9PnApoTEv-3-ru5-ErwSHhufZCw3KXNHJyfQpAWplFkTRK-RMr8Sjt1Gnxc9TriH4-a9A2NbBKl-6zNXSVAz3e9QlUvDN61Q4KkyZWXEb-shE_5_bZP59vd967HHgllN5QOGaPw%3D%3D">PRESS RELEASE: USDLA 2013 International Awards Presented for Excellence in Distance Learning for Individuals, Organizations and Companies Honoring their Outstanding Achievements.</a>      </p>      <p class="diigo-description">My sister, Sarah Adams has just won her second distance learning award this year. She is an online professor for Savannah College of Art and Design and continues to wow everyone with her incredibly high ratings, ability to engage her students, and teach tough graphic design without being in a formal classroom. YES, I'm incredibly proud of her but even more proud that she's so helpful, cooperative, and encouraging when anyone (like me) or other professors reach out and want to understand how she does it. Yes, she's my sister and yes, I'm incredibly proud. I"m so proud of you sis.  She differentiates learning in amazing ways. I promise I'll get her on Every Classroom matters and ask her how she does it. If you have any questions, post them here and I'll be sure to ask.</p>              <p class="diigo-tags">          <span>tags:</span>                      <a href="https://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/education">education</a>            <a href="https://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/news">news</a>            <a href="https://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/distance">distance</a>            <a href="https://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/learning">learning</a></p>                                        </li>  </ul><p class="diigo-ps">Posted from <a href='https://www.diigo.com'>Diigo</a>. The rest of my favorite links are <a href='https://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher'>here</a>.</p>

Daily Education and Technology News for Schools 05/01/2013

This Is Why Google Glass Is the Future Yes, taking pictures and recording videos are two of the bigg...

Lenovo K900 launching in India

2:09 AM Tukiyooo 0

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5p4_KPh2mfqK0sCohaSYVE4Xve7DHqLWa-x2KAyFI2cxDl19oIIsxSGIG8jMEhLwkGozaCA9P8_oz_9Ro4I2Z4e-8GGSe3ahkyjTCPXf-qXy7fQPQBKBFKI7nHIFVIqvUspyAWgTfR3E/s1600/lenovo-k9001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="257" lua="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5p4_KPh2mfqK0sCohaSYVE4Xve7DHqLWa-x2KAyFI2cxDl19oIIsxSGIG8jMEhLwkGozaCA9P8_oz_9Ro4I2Z4e-8GGSe3ahkyjTCPXf-qXy7fQPQBKBFKI7nHIFVIqvUspyAWgTfR3E/s320/lenovo-k9001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><strong>Lenovo K900 , </strong>is set to launch in India May 10 at a very aggressive price.<br /><br /><br />Lenovo K900 Lenovo K900 was first Showcast at CES  earlier this year. The K900 packs in Intel's Dual Core Clover Trail , specifically the Intel Atom Z2580 dual-core processor clocking in at 2GHz. The device features a full-HD display, 2GB RAM and is expected to come with 16GB of internal storage.<br /><br /><br /><br /><em><strong><u>Here are the device's core specifications at a glance</u>:</strong></em><br /><br /><br /><br /><li>5.5-inch 1080p IPS capacitive touch display</li><li>Intel Atom Z2580 2GHz dual-core processor (Clover Trail+)</li><li>2GB RAM</li><li>16GB internal storage</li><li>13-megapixel camera with Sony's Exmor BSI sensor</li><li>2-megapixel front camera</li><li>Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean</li><br /><br /><em><strong><u>Here are the device's core specifications at a glance:</u></strong></em><br /><br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><strong>Display</strong>:-       - Type,  IPS  LCD capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors</li></ul>                               - Size , 1080 x 1920 pixels, 5.5 inches (~401 ppi pixel density)<br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><strong>Sound:-         -</strong>Vibration; MP3, WAV ringtones</li><li><strong>Memory:-     -  </strong>microSD, up to 32 GB , 16 GB , 2 GB RAM                          </li><li><strong>Data:-            -  </strong>Speed  HSPA+ ,Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual band, Wi-Fi hotspot</li><li><strong>Camera:-       - </strong>13 MP, 4128 x 3096 pixels, autofocus, LED flash</li><li><strong>Features:-     -  </strong>SNS integration<br />                      -   Active noise cancellation with dedicated mic<br />                      -   MP4/WMV/H.264/H.263 player<br />                      -   MP3/WAV/WMA/eAAC+ player<br />                      -   Organizer<br />                      -   Image/video editor<br />                      -   Document viewer<br />                      -  Google Search, Maps, Gmail,<br />                      -   youtubeCalendar, Google Talk<br />                      -   Voice memo/dial<br />                      -   Predictive text input  </li><li><strong>Battery:-     </strong>   - Li-Ion 2500 mAh battery          </li></ul></div>Published by <br /><a href="https://plus.google.com/112865615030946176397" rel="author">Priyanka</a>

mobile news Lenovo K900 launching in India

Lenovo K900 , is set to launch in India May 10 at a very aggressive price. Lenovo K900 Lenovo K900 was first Showcast at CES earlier this y...

Kentucky Derby, Cinco de Mayo, and Shenanigans

9:00 PM Tukiyooo 0

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht2oBWQh25FZ4KruqkPx9wC6KLxZba83Xn8yZptZSsnty6eModaPa3wnW8FkP_T03YBPm_hZHG83YYRXKeUFabUczJcnZq0NHWQazoQ6QmixAoBdoEhPyxuXcDEiFohsqDEBWZITdpxyE/s1600/InkyLolaKentuckyDerby+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht2oBWQh25FZ4KruqkPx9wC6KLxZba83Xn8yZptZSsnty6eModaPa3wnW8FkP_T03YBPm_hZHG83YYRXKeUFabUczJcnZq0NHWQazoQ6QmixAoBdoEhPyxuXcDEiFohsqDEBWZITdpxyE/s400/InkyLolaKentuckyDerby+%25281%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a>Cheeeeeeers and Happy Hump Day folks...<br /><br />Y'know?  Yesterday Jayman railed against the sport that is horse racing, and tomorrow?  Our special blog guest Justin Henry will offer the opposite view.<br /><br />In the meantime...<br /><br />I am the Matt-Man, and I don't care either way; I just want to make your Kentucky Derby and Cinco de Mayo weekend well worth while...<br /><br />Y'know?  The Kentucky Derby and Cinco de Mayo mean one thing...Party Time!!<br /><br />And I am here to offer up to you some party faves...<br /><br />Well, as it is not only Derby weekend, but Cinco de Mayo as well, let us blend a very fine food course along the many furlongs of life...<br /><br />First take some biscuits and heavily butter them...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv1ra0mZ3nVV-CdwXLEETTnrqNYJLfs958mXDb5Vi4gS6tQLlE3pmVYJjaZppzucOKFboJeiZM79WpdMLutALCAr1gdHuXeKiOVlOVAppzQrUUFHVodHKUfwg7UKt1TkcGrjKAWNeF-uQ/s1600/Bean+Dinner+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv1ra0mZ3nVV-CdwXLEETTnrqNYJLfs958mXDb5Vi4gS6tQLlE3pmVYJjaZppzucOKFboJeiZM79WpdMLutALCAr1gdHuXeKiOVlOVAppzQrUUFHVodHKUfwg7UKt1TkcGrjKAWNeF-uQ/s320/Bean+Dinner+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Add some beans, curn, tomatoes, and taco seasoning to the skillet...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnaIo011wetiZ2NYRInCHm6n768zOMowv2SLzCS5tu-sAR9nQkvFM1yKBH3AYXJdzd9VPZtRA8n5j-95X_einyxIIALxMH3CJ1OlyhuE4TpLnOoRntI9d1UPOd9tq5onU7cvcSt6KvhsY/s1600/Bean+Dinner+7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnaIo011wetiZ2NYRInCHm6n768zOMowv2SLzCS5tu-sAR9nQkvFM1yKBH3AYXJdzd9VPZtRA8n5j-95X_einyxIIALxMH3CJ1OlyhuE4TpLnOoRntI9d1UPOd9tq5onU7cvcSt6KvhsY/s400/Bean+Dinner+7.JPG" width="177" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Watch it cook, marinate, and otherwise juice out...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuOMMEaCd43xzA11POvwKNP1f4MwOUgcMPTfaxQL0Etn81J-OACu1wobzgexM2KtKYtA1nw1CkQOv0j24b1_mbGmEKJ2T4cOK_9RnPrSUQhdR20IDUxuc7hVGpausBwOIHx-HPxG7P61M/s1600/Bean+dinner+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuOMMEaCd43xzA11POvwKNP1f4MwOUgcMPTfaxQL0Etn81J-OACu1wobzgexM2KtKYtA1nw1CkQOv0j24b1_mbGmEKJ2T4cOK_9RnPrSUQhdR20IDUxuc7hVGpausBwOIHx-HPxG7P61M/s400/Bean+dinner+4.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br />and then...brown the sausage...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibnKxhc-REWo24qz1pw3sgOXpUBtLMYP4LtOsmJ4WxmoD6BIEyQDqAHrx6JBSRHxxV8yYmh2GsQOoYd7998V6maCvxExjv0H24UJ3LjrQBxp_FmxEmNVPZjHeo09ziZnikWmLglGBmaiM/s1600/Bean+Dinner+6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibnKxhc-REWo24qz1pw3sgOXpUBtLMYP4LtOsmJ4WxmoD6BIEyQDqAHrx6JBSRHxxV8yYmh2GsQOoYd7998V6maCvxExjv0H24UJ3LjrQBxp_FmxEmNVPZjHeo09ziZnikWmLglGBmaiM/s400/Bean+Dinner+6.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXEir4O4PjHw53JFzaBdYLY6uqui0NiBNjyPXqMLDUyr0PBlKRRVdFdVgW-4alptCz9-u021f3xe7RfMe8Ds-x3Wn4Km8umB3kAUCVR94-86JY7h-9ROk6pa1t5-nDq-jcHNNM8aE_HVc/s1600/Beand+Dinner+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXEir4O4PjHw53JFzaBdYLY6uqui0NiBNjyPXqMLDUyr0PBlKRRVdFdVgW-4alptCz9-u021f3xe7RfMe8Ds-x3Wn4Km8umB3kAUCVR94-86JY7h-9ROk6pa1t5-nDq-jcHNNM8aE_HVc/s400/Beand+Dinner+5.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />Are ya feeling me yet?<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZgU4S7mEZT7dRwRxOgm6tKbonrYN8jrDRTk2nelMsUSs1p5B7tCcvG7cl0mz2kmf9ExnOfdCJ4M-37-edwwf1yNzqi510VDm0GH3Ac_UX51skRvkJHaOWI05ZLfxFkcRNAhrsrFAgu7A/s1600/Inky+and+Lola+Cinco+de+Mayo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZgU4S7mEZT7dRwRxOgm6tKbonrYN8jrDRTk2nelMsUSs1p5B7tCcvG7cl0mz2kmf9ExnOfdCJ4M-37-edwwf1yNzqi510VDm0GH3Ac_UX51skRvkJHaOWI05ZLfxFkcRNAhrsrFAgu7A/s400/Inky+and+Lola+Cinco+de+Mayo.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And then throw it all together, cook it, and say, <i>"Happy Cinco de Mayo!!"</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrubjfOe-eA6-ShDgx7L0_G_6UGvES8vprE8uuLalgB9wJMIHhccVeUEO3s4HLO8s5ZlBIdvenSAZD8VF9hIC6dRufjGile3zP7lenNH3JFhylKw74Yevi_ycR4zhl_N5zRYXF2ycYu5M/s1600/bean+Dinner+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrubjfOe-eA6-ShDgx7L0_G_6UGvES8vprE8uuLalgB9wJMIHhccVeUEO3s4HLO8s5ZlBIdvenSAZD8VF9hIC6dRufjGile3zP7lenNH3JFhylKw74Yevi_ycR4zhl_N5zRYXF2ycYu5M/s400/bean+Dinner+3.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Your guests will give you dos thumbs up!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI6_rwi9Og-ute-weXu206P7OqFZ-adnIhs9jGl9DB2ulWz8dUZMsvJrum_srtBGpoMbsiQ1Z52a-ctsfkvJEXMoXppgMRWvXYn5yNPNB1c_c1hl-EQKK7YUsXbmnwYelfxUkhJpE-0NI/s1600/Bean+Dinner.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI6_rwi9Og-ute-weXu206P7OqFZ-adnIhs9jGl9DB2ulWz8dUZMsvJrum_srtBGpoMbsiQ1Z52a-ctsfkvJEXMoXppgMRWvXYn5yNPNB1c_c1hl-EQKK7YUsXbmnwYelfxUkhJpE-0NI/s400/Bean+Dinner.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIr7rlbDZk3tk74y06oMbbg0k_uGCUDFI20jWWPapTnMzXxpIh1qGKYfakrKRitGA8Jqed7HMRZQnmBxC11Q9wZf23zMuOuf7J9uI1BgvIXFZtOg8DGGB77RfX2XF0ajk6uVzzBD-VvOU/s1600/Schmoop+Done+eating.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIr7rlbDZk3tk74y06oMbbg0k_uGCUDFI20jWWPapTnMzXxpIh1qGKYfakrKRitGA8Jqed7HMRZQnmBxC11Q9wZf23zMuOuf7J9uI1BgvIXFZtOg8DGGB77RfX2XF0ajk6uVzzBD-VvOU/s400/Schmoop+Done+eating.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">You can eat this treat while rooting on your favorite horse during the Kentucky Derby, in fact...the meat in the meal may be your fave Kentucky Derby entry!!  Score!!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Well there ya go...Some helpful culinary advice from <a href="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/im-with-stupid" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;"><i>IWS Radio.</i></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>Or something.<br /><br /><i>Cheers!!</i><br /><br />Matt-Man<br /><a href="mailto:mattmaniws@ymail.com">mattmaniws@ymail.com</a><br /><a href="https://twitter.com/MattMan_IWS" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">@mattman_iws</span></a><br /><br /></div>

Kentucky Derby, Cinco de Mayo, and Shenanigans

Cheeeeeeers and Happy Hump Day folks... Y'know? Yesterday Jayman railed against the sport that is horse racing, and tomorrow? Our spec...

meme

3:39 PM Tukiyooo 0

<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>From lots of people, not sure who started this one </b></span><br /><ol><li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>Shot a gun?</b>  yes, assuming a water gun counts </span></li><li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>Watched someone die?  </b>yes - sadly more than one</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>Served on a jury? </b> sorta - sat in selection room all day and was let go at the end<b> </b></span></li><li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>Flown on a plane?</b>  yes, and want to again... no kids this time!!!</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>Swam in the ocean?</b>  yes!</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>Cried yourself to sleep?</b>  yes, I'm a girl, pretty sure we all have</span></li><li> <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>Been camping in a trailer/RV?  </b>Yes, both</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>Rode on an elephant?  </b>Yes.I thought everybody had lol </span></li><li> <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>Rode on a camel?  </b>yes, of course. Also a sheep, an ostrich, a bull calf, a sow, and the usual spattering of horses/mules and a donkey once.  No fear of any animal here.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b> Been lost?  </b>yes, all the time.  So grateful for GPS in my car!</span></li><li> <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>Eaten just cookies or cake for dinner? </b> Yes, right now.  Literally!</span></li><li> <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>Been on TV? </b>yes</span></li><li> <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>Been on the radio? </b>yes</span></li><li> <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>Been in a car accident?  </b>Yes a few.  Not my fault and not injured.</span></li><li> <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>Donated blood? </b>No, I'm blacklisted.  Screw them.  They can get their blood elsewhere. </span></li><li> <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>Got a speeding ticket within the last 12 months?</b>  Never been caught </span></li><li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b> Gotten a piercing (not ears)?</b>  yes, teen rebellion</span></li><li> <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>Gotten a tattoo? </b> yes, three stupid ones.  That teen rebellion again.  Wish I hadn't.  </span></li><li> <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>Flew in a hot air balloon?  </b>Yes, sort of. One landed in my neighbor's back yard when I was 8 or 9.  they gave all the neighborhood rides up and down before heading off on their way again.</span></li><li> <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>Flew in a helicopter?</b>  yes</span></li><li> <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>Gone parasailing?</b>  yes</span></li><li> <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>Been on a jet ski, snowmobile or dune buggy?</b> Jet ski.  I'd love to do it again without teenage boys in control.  or in warm water.  I could take either.</span></li></ol><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Many more yes than no answers. Guess I've either had a good life or I've been very bad! </span>

meme

From lots of people, not sure who started this one Shot a gun? yes, assuming a water gun counts Watched someone die? yes - sadly more tha...

Overweight Patients Face Bias - NYTimes.com

1:26 PM Tukiyooo 0

<base href="data:"><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; color: black; text-align: left; " class=""><div id="well" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; " class=""><div align="left" class=""><div class="entry-content"><div style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: medium; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.375em; " class="">Are doctors nicer to patients who aren't fat?</div><div style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: medium; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.375em; " class="">A provocative new study suggests that they are — that thin patients are treated with more warmth and empathy than those who are overweight or obese.</div><div style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: medium; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.375em; " class="">For <a href="http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oby.20384/abstract" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); text-decoration: none; " class="">the study, published in the medical journal Obesity,</a> researchers at Johns Hopkins obtained permission to record discussions between 39 primary care doctors and more than 200 patients who had high blood pressure.</div><div style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: medium; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.375em; " class="">Although patients were there to talk about blood pressure, not weight, most fell into the overweight or obese category. Only 28 were of normal weight, meaning they had a <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/assessing/bmi/" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); text-decoration: none; " class="">body mass index</a>below 25. Of the remaining patients, 120 were obese (B.M.I. of 30 or greater) and 60 were classified as overweight (index of 25 to 30).</div><div style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: medium; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.375em; " class="">For the most part, all of the patients were treated about the same; there were no meaningful differences in the amount of time doctors spent with them or the topics discussed.</div><div style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: medium; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.375em; " class="">But when researchers analyzed transcripts of the visits, there was one striking difference. Doctors seemed just a bit nicer to their normal-weight patients, showing more empathy and warmth in their conversations. Although the study was relatively small, the findings are statistically significant.</div><div style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: medium; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.375em; " class="">"It's not like the physicians were being overtly negative or harsh," said the lead author, <a href="http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/gim/faculty/Gudzune.html" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); text-decoration: none; " class="">Dr. Kimberly A. Gudzune</a>, an assistant professor of general internal medicine at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. "They were just not engaging patients in that rapport-building or making that emotional connection with the patient."</div><div style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: medium; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.375em; " class="">In conversations with patients of normal weight, the doctors offered simple comments to show concern — for example, "I'm glad you're feeling better" to a woman who had experienced hot flashes. When a normal-weight patient had trouble getting an appointment with a specialist, her doctor shared her concerns. "I agree with you," the doctor said. "That gets extremely frustrating when that happens."</div><div style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: medium; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.375em; " class="">Another patient lamented a scar on her leg after surgery and the ugly shoes she was forced to wear. "You went through a lot," the doctor told her, adding compliments to lift her spirits. "You still got great legs. Chunky shoes are still in. Get something pretty, something for spring. That always makes you feel good."</div><div style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: medium; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.375em; " class="">While such expressions of concern and empathy are not remarkable on their own, what was surprising was how absent they were in conversations with overweight and obese patients.</div><div style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: medium; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.375em; " class="">And statements like these are no small thing. Studies show that patients are far more likely to follow a doctor's advice and to have a better health outcome when they believe their doctor empathizes with their plight.</div><div style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: medium; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.375em; " class="">"When there is increased empathy by the doctor, patients are more likely to report they are satisfied with their care, and they are more likely to adhere to recommendations of physicians," Dr. Gudzune said. "There is evidence to show that after visits with more empathy, patients have improved clinical outcomes, so patients with diabetes have better blood sugar control or cholesterol is better controlled."</div><div style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: medium; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.375em; " class="">Dr. David L. Katz, director of the <a href="http://www.yalegriffinprc.org/" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); text-decoration: none; " class="">Yale-Griffin University Prevention Research Center</a>, says that overweight patients often complain to him that <a href="http://www.davidkatzmd.com/admin/archives/Obesity%20be%20Dammed.Katz.Fall-06.pdf" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); text-decoration: none; " class="">doctors appear judgmental</a> about their weight, at the expense of other health concerns.</div><div style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: medium; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.375em; " class="">"You come in with a headache, and the doctors say, 'You really need to lose weight.' You have a sore throat, and the doctor says, 'You really need to lose weight,' " he said. "These patients feel like the doctor doesn't help them and they insult them, and so they stop going."</div><div style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: medium; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.375em; " class="">In dealing with patients who are overweight, Dr. Katz added, doctors often show the same biases and prejudices as the culture at large. The problem may be compounded by the fact that doctors are trained to deal with immediate medical problems that have specific solutions, like a pill to lower blood pressure or emergency treatment for a heart attack. But <a href="http://health.nytimes.com/health/guides/symptoms/morbid-obesity/overview.html?inline=nyt-classifier" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); text-decoration: none; " class="">obesity</a> is a far more complex problem that isn't easy to solve, and that can be frustrating to doctors.</div><div style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: medium; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.375em; " class="">"When we can't fix what is broken we tend to behave badly," he said.</div><div style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: medium; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.375em; " class="">Dr. Katz said his grandmother, who was obese, was so tired of physicians' negative comments about her weight that she stopped going to the doctor altogether, even when she developed a breast tumor. When she finally sought treatment, she had advanced-stage <a href="http://health.nytimes.com/health/guides/disease/breast-cancer/overview.html?inline=nyt-classifier" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); text-decoration: none; " class="">breast cancer</a> and died in her 50s.</div><div style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: medium; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.375em; " class="">"Every time she went to the doctor for any reason, they wagged a finger at her and talked about her weight," Dr. Katz said. "We need to understand that the stakes are very high."</div><div style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: medium; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.375em; " class="">The solution, he said, is better training so that medical students and doctors understand the complex nature of obesity as well as their own (perhaps subconscious) biases. Yale, for one, offers a continuing education program for doctors on compassionate and effective lifestyle counseling for patients.</div><div style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: medium; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.375em; " class="">"I think a lot of them are compassionate and don't realize this is going on," Dr. Katz said. "The antipathy for obesity is really rooted in our culture. We should expect better from doctors and train them better."</div></div></div></div></div><a href="http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/04/29/overweight-patients-face-bias/?ref=health&pagewanted=print" class="">http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/04/29/overweight-patients-face-bias/?ref=health&pagewanted=print</a><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; color: black; text-align: left; " class=""><br class="webkit-block-placeholder"></div>

Overweight Patients Face Bias - NYTimes.com

Are doctors nicer to patients who aren't fat? A provocative new study suggests that they are — that thin patients are treated with more ...