colorful shower curtains

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Obviously I've got bathrooms on the brain as this is the <a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2013/08/best-of-pinterest-bathrooms.html" target="_blank">second time this week</a> I've written about them. All those pretty pictures have inspired me to do a bit of a refresh on my loo.<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLTAd03tjRx9TIQ77fwlZKLbtd7Py24-7HgZIeBja9vIevEfWx5jXg2uSnPV6ms5w4t_sEeQTyKW82w6smLgSkbjVQLmq3awqqec0JbJ22PslcP06p0dkwLkhu9z22udZcAkG2l0-g6OFt/s1600/PA300410.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLTAd03tjRx9TIQ77fwlZKLbtd7Py24-7HgZIeBja9vIevEfWx5jXg2uSnPV6ms5w4t_sEeQTyKW82w6smLgSkbjVQLmq3awqqec0JbJ22PslcP06p0dkwLkhu9z22udZcAkG2l0-g6OFt/s640/PA300410.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Full disclosure, I've already painted. (I'll share that soon) But I want to do more. For those who might not have seen it before, or who don't remember, we are talking about a rather petite space - check it out <a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/p/bathroom.html" target="_blank">here</a> - and it is our single solitary bathroom. That's right, go ahead and shed a tear for me.</div><div><br /></div><div>So it will remain rather clean (in theory) and simple but I love the idea of giving a little pop with the shower curtain.<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/AVvXsEhT6pfJhLFmNKIyRhU_Kh0Ib7BOELg3FjSocnwzFR4Wt8Tdqe7LVGZ_e9ZIXzQz91GF7BoqddURZ_Ob0VT_0AESkg_n6d7CYN-NiXgjZU4F-uUUFrLPo9aOnNatFeV3yic9mKqzuU6IHKS5/s1600/d39673f208ba06595aa4531d8c3619c4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT6pfJhLFmNKIyRhU_Kh0Ib7BOELg3FjSocnwzFR4Wt8Tdqe7LVGZ_e9ZIXzQz91GF7BoqddURZ_Ob0VT_0AESkg_n6d7CYN-NiXgjZU4F-uUUFrLPo9aOnNatFeV3yic9mKqzuU6IHKS5/s640/d39673f208ba06595aa4531d8c3619c4.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://natalieclayman.com/projects/arts-crafts-bungalow-bathroom" target="_blank">Natalie Clayman</a></td></tr></tbody></table><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/AVvXsEh9j0tTTn9rEif-ZHartKQQ4WoVrTMZ_6SFR6tU1PsfqZl7aupfecjYRmUkn2kLEJKOqFWdl9aITKl8MYsBPV6sLTGhRYB8sOpxPhIWegQ-4QETE_E1m_fyIPMWo_9BWsKpjTQCxf-jW_WJ/s1600/f471ef5bee4cb164f88c20b30f4a8ced.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9j0tTTn9rEif-ZHartKQQ4WoVrTMZ_6SFR6tU1PsfqZl7aupfecjYRmUkn2kLEJKOqFWdl9aITKl8MYsBPV6sLTGhRYB8sOpxPhIWegQ-4QETE_E1m_fyIPMWo_9BWsKpjTQCxf-jW_WJ/s640/f471ef5bee4cb164f88c20b30f4a8ced.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.designmanifest.com/portfolio/north-ardmore-traditional-girl-bathroom/" target="_blank">Design Manifest</a></td></tr></tbody></table><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/AVvXsEip_7n4P7lNKvLTzOpFtaTY9R3ojMN8QYis0m6ESP2V24ncToiGEFrqHJTSgd_T6SDfk15CZE_JXd3EAXhLfKHwqfkEV0GukGgfiuaNVHuH7d7B2I3tPIEzEuKpWiQwCACe2ZfNW225f8wd/s1600/c24d1fd9a97f6cfc02401020d9c985a7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip_7n4P7lNKvLTzOpFtaTY9R3ojMN8QYis0m6ESP2V24ncToiGEFrqHJTSgd_T6SDfk15CZE_JXd3EAXhLfKHwqfkEV0GukGgfiuaNVHuH7d7B2I3tPIEzEuKpWiQwCACe2ZfNW225f8wd/s640/c24d1fd9a97f6cfc02401020d9c985a7.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.peppermintbliss.com/" target="_blank">Bailey McCarthy</a> via <a href="http://www.ruemag.com/gallery/bathrooms" target="_blank">Rue Magazine</a></td></tr></tbody></table><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/AVvXsEgQB5dgzF_mBgvzHRkHS_qjWcFSHfrBquoGZ5wKZ7GSfUdg9Mvl1eye83PwnCxz9SENEMq-7qKnlL9DcIjiBn3aZoCabuid3qp-qrFugpKpLsqzPd-maSG7lDYqGD09XfaATg9KhrEAP5tu/s1600/bc1399ee5173d250ff35afd4796513bf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQB5dgzF_mBgvzHRkHS_qjWcFSHfrBquoGZ5wKZ7GSfUdg9Mvl1eye83PwnCxz9SENEMq-7qKnlL9DcIjiBn3aZoCabuid3qp-qrFugpKpLsqzPd-maSG7lDYqGD09XfaATg9KhrEAP5tu/s640/bc1399ee5173d250ff35afd4796513bf.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.housebeautiful.com/decorating/beach-house-decorating-ideas-0710#slide-9" target="_blank">Kristen Ewart</a></td></tr></tbody></table>You can barely peek at that wonderful pink herringbone shower curtain, but you can see how it finishes the space. Its also the bathroom in one of my all time favorite houses btw.<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/AVvXsEgkoVDRm0cIHbmX_m1RezGUT4Lx7Nq3ElqDmo5tZmzY3xMcDxzaS1dS9EC3tU5xkDl1ubOkix2GiuSZ8oB0MdUX1O4NPD8wFp9xz91Yjj1VBwGMcr8sZJHS3hrlRsfRpfyXQli_NfllQa8M/s1600/ddcfde3333f36ab6c0378bb8e27d8a70.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkoVDRm0cIHbmX_m1RezGUT4Lx7Nq3ElqDmo5tZmzY3xMcDxzaS1dS9EC3tU5xkDl1ubOkix2GiuSZ8oB0MdUX1O4NPD8wFp9xz91Yjj1VBwGMcr8sZJHS3hrlRsfRpfyXQli_NfllQa8M/s640/ddcfde3333f36ab6c0378bb8e27d8a70.jpg" width="468" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tobi Fairley via <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/6896205648982513/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></td></tr></tbody></table><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/AVvXsEhDd3f12PvVDRrcYccsjt72idHtcRspGmkuuWdW3EJUGZpO2cEWM4idoxkzCqTFOm8TUMpje0V74KYi7_6i72OeOJnghuIGhyphenhyphenxDaXyiKfOLQgdKRbkfrtR7QVsChJ8V2x8RiAWXQ6jDjy0S/s1600/8a4b1e6d4d9c1df5dbcece2a99172519.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDd3f12PvVDRrcYccsjt72idHtcRspGmkuuWdW3EJUGZpO2cEWM4idoxkzCqTFOm8TUMpje0V74KYi7_6i72OeOJnghuIGhyphenhyphenxDaXyiKfOLQgdKRbkfrtR7QVsChJ8V2x8RiAWXQ6jDjy0S/s640/8a4b1e6d4d9c1df5dbcece2a99172519.jpg" width="440" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">via <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/6896205651729492/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></td></tr></tbody></table><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/AVvXsEiGnXebxI5oVqPx8-_0pszRMfy2TwEvvyde90sO-cVMgI-yEIyMtTXSoAqjXiwp6Q3vN1Yd3TYUiOi4SdKdxDWJnJfTWUz8w2yW7-l8hQJtYsoO85-8D-yIFnqGkv-iRhUgkS0ZrShnAdO7/s1600/3dd59c49e70d8ddf9197051ad2dbb1f4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGnXebxI5oVqPx8-_0pszRMfy2TwEvvyde90sO-cVMgI-yEIyMtTXSoAqjXiwp6Q3vN1Yd3TYUiOi4SdKdxDWJnJfTWUz8w2yW7-l8hQJtYsoO85-8D-yIFnqGkv-iRhUgkS0ZrShnAdO7/s640/3dd59c49e70d8ddf9197051ad2dbb1f4.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.jonathanadler.com/" target="_blank">Jonathan Adler</a></td></tr></tbody></table><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/AVvXsEik_Wsr6hPfasskYYzbczmAnPMHg7FRCO4gaAtz85c6D6zcYqOIusZjzXJ2tOaD2IEifdEF8hXurWKFOigYYQiAOdrR4V8vl818NOTuFGNp6QiSknrb58ANpVLEMHYobSDJjKJL_yiSFGFp/s1600/026f48f390884191b43903bd84dd3c74.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik_Wsr6hPfasskYYzbczmAnPMHg7FRCO4gaAtz85c6D6zcYqOIusZjzXJ2tOaD2IEifdEF8hXurWKFOigYYQiAOdrR4V8vl818NOTuFGNp6QiSknrb58ANpVLEMHYobSDJjKJL_yiSFGFp/s640/026f48f390884191b43903bd84dd3c74.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://mebeck.com/" target="_blank">M.E. Beck Design</a></td></tr></tbody></table><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/AVvXsEg5yST1jORiU3WAIbjMQFoKedkmyberbAcS4yR9fkhtiJhEQjdVbRoR7RlZVFhDpaAJxoBLrEZRY98upNQLG-6J1cM82cW-hGFv1e1uj1f5sNH6due-1uHe863dJjMh8IX5vxkt9Yv-AV6B/s1600/b841929d24920fe4ccf65d5caf54dd1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5yST1jORiU3WAIbjMQFoKedkmyberbAcS4yR9fkhtiJhEQjdVbRoR7RlZVFhDpaAJxoBLrEZRY98upNQLG-6J1cM82cW-hGFv1e1uj1f5sNH6due-1uHe863dJjMh8IX5vxkt9Yv-AV6B/s640/b841929d24920fe4ccf65d5caf54dd1a.jpg" width="460" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anna Spiro via <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/6896205652517660/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br />So what do you think? Would you inject some color and (gasp) pattern into your shower curtain? Or do you like the classic crisp look of white? Are you a one curtain person, or a one curtain on each side kind of house?</div></div>

colorful shower curtains

Obviously I've got bathrooms on the brain as this is the second time this week I've written about them. All those pretty pictures h...

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Daily Education and Technology News for Schools 08/16/2013

<ul class="diigo-linkroll"> <li> <p class="diigo-link"> <a href="http://blogs.kqed.org/mindshift/2013/08/to-foster-productivity-and-creativity-in-class-ditch-the-desks/?utm_source=buffer&utm_campaign=Buffer&utm_content=bufferb08ad&utm_medium=twitter">To Foster Productivity and Creativity in Class, Ditch the Desks! | MindShift</a> </p> <p class="diigo-description">Erin Klein has great ideas for redesigning the classroom. I'm interviewing her this week for my online show (to be posted soon) about aesthetically pleasing brain-friendly classrooms. Take a look.</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/design">design</a> <a href="https://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/classroom_design">classroom_design</a></p> </li> <li> <p class="diigo-link"> <a href="http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-live/movie-maker#t1=overview">Movie Maker - Microsoft Windows</a> </p> <p class="diigo-description">The free movie program for Windows is Windows Movie Maker. This is a link to the version for Windows 7 and 8. It doesn't come loaded but you can install it for free.</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/moviemaking">moviemaking</a> <a href="https://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/digital">digital</a> <a href="https://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/storytelling">storytelling</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 08/16/2013

To Foster Productivity and Creativity in Class, Ditch the Desks! | MindShift Erin Klein has great id...

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In regard to Oprah

<span style="font-size: large;">You have probably heard the story of how Oprah Winfrey was refused access to a bag by a shop assistant in Switzerland (she was there recently for Tina Turner's wedding, donchaknow!) who thought she wouldn't be able to afford it.  </span><br /><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Here's a hilarious letter sent in to the Daily Mail by a reader in regard to the Oprah incident</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisgPSw9ba-ZRehcxj3nMisHBGj5r-B5vzLVLjAIHsxYaIAsRfg41Noqb73QnBfIZ2XgFLAqwj5VfT9nE_T-4EeBkvJ9Pdf0c1oWxGwtgVH8dDyzP6o2Y26jU5DDNg4NYdfcyXNSNYfP0Sk/s640/blogger-image-447190059.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisgPSw9ba-ZRehcxj3nMisHBGj5r-B5vzLVLjAIHsxYaIAsRfg41Noqb73QnBfIZ2XgFLAqwj5VfT9nE_T-4EeBkvJ9Pdf0c1oWxGwtgVH8dDyzP6o2Y26jU5DDNg4NYdfcyXNSNYfP0Sk/s640/blogger-image-447190059.jpg" /></a></div><br /></div><div>In relation to the above, I must point out for my American readers that a European size 12 & 14 is a US size 8 & 10!  I guess for a skinny minnie Italian that may have appeared fat (eeek) :-(  </div>

In regard to Oprah

You have probably heard the story of how Oprah Winfrey was refused access to a bag by a shop assistant in Switzerland (she was there recentl...

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I Told You The Gun Grabbing Sonsabitches Would Be Back

It seems my esteemed Congress critter has welcomed them with open arms.<br /><br />Here is the Email Blast I got today about their latest tactic from Senator Patty Murray.<br /><br />I will tell you up front that other than this particular issue, she is a damn good Senator compared to some of the fucking whack jobs out there and according to the statistics quoted she is merely representing the majority of her constituents.<br /><br />No matter how fucked up and misguided they are.<br /><br />My reply to Senator Murray follows.<br /><br /><blockquote><br />Phil,<br /><br />The powerful gun lobby has done everything in their power to stifle the national conversation on guns -- hoping to make the possibility of reform far from reach.<br /><br />They've clearly underestimated us here in the state of Washington. Eight out of ten voters support simple criminal background checks for all gun purchases. And, while the legislature -- and federal government -- has failed to act to reduce gun violence, Washingtonians have taken matters into our own hands.<br /><br />That's why the Washington Alliance for Gun Responsibility is fighting to pass Initiative 594, which will apply criminal and public background checks used by licensed dealers to all firearm sales and transfers.<br /><br />This ballot measure will make Washington safer for our families and for ourselves, but they can't pass it without your help and support.<br /><br />Join the Washington Alliance for Gun Responsibility, and add your name in support of simple criminal background checks on all gun sales -- endorse I-594 today!<br /><br />With so many senseless tragedies like Aurora, Sandy Hook, Lakewood, Skagit County, Graham, Kirkland, and countless others, haven't we had enough? It's long overdue that we come together to reduce gun violence and to stop the NRA leadership from torpedoing this commonsense step to make our state safer.<br /><br />Join the Washington Alliance for Gun Responsibility, and add your name in support of simple criminal background checks for gun purchasers -- endorse I-594 today!<br /><br />Reducing gun violence IS within reach, and with your help, we can get this done.<br /><br />Thank you for helping to make Washington safer,<br /><br />Patty Murray<br />U.S. Senator </blockquote><br />My reply,<br /><br /><blockquote>Unfortunately for you I am one of the twenty percent of Washingtonians who happen to take our Constitutional rights seriously.<br /><br />I will ask you point blank, what part of "Shall Not Be Infringed " do you not comprehend?<br /><br />As I recall you swore an oath to defend our Constitution.<br /><br />Read it lately?</blockquote><br />I can expect to see a form letter response in 3...2...1...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI5sGSmVD0Vj9r4kp7mxrvJBsbXyG10RlZWEn5a3J6xFPSJ3NDXSs5DA2UQcEXBs5jgjPf0Qpdf1rvwiuje6o6DAdQhTsYBCdHLeU5RsaxsDYJ65Esk0nHJJe6H1gQv90WmAgqRbWjJvK1/s1600/112.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI5sGSmVD0Vj9r4kp7mxrvJBsbXyG10RlZWEn5a3J6xFPSJ3NDXSs5DA2UQcEXBs5jgjPf0Qpdf1rvwiuje6o6DAdQhTsYBCdHLeU5RsaxsDYJ65Esk0nHJJe6H1gQv90WmAgqRbWjJvK1/s640/112.JPG" /></a>

I Told You The Gun Grabbing Sonsabitches Would Be Back

It seems my esteemed Congress critter has welcomed them with open arms. Here is the Email Blast I got today about their latest tactic from S...

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Luis Guerrero is the Statue of Liberty!!

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Hola…I mean...Hello.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.facebook.com/luis.m.guerrero.319" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Luis Guerrero</span></a> here, and I want to say something.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVPoMY7FAGUbRF9XWPdZcwpBh9bj_f9IXDjlxCWjnsHu-gA7dIUNZ8oCBUpA1IZw4YFLN51P3BCl2mHUCF8Sp-tcbnTvKLIdp5UDT9ylpp7jISEBQZ410P5MMYmbQ7Zau-swkHQ0VrT7Hu/s1600/Luis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVPoMY7FAGUbRF9XWPdZcwpBh9bj_f9IXDjlxCWjnsHu-gA7dIUNZ8oCBUpA1IZw4YFLN51P3BCl2mHUCF8Sp-tcbnTvKLIdp5UDT9ylpp7jISEBQZ410P5MMYmbQ7Zau-swkHQ0VrT7Hu/s400/Luis.jpg" width="240" /></a>Thank you America for welcoming me into your somewhat warm and embracing, yet sometimes cold and snowy country, which I hate.<br /><br />The snow and the cold that is, not the country.<br /><br />After several years of working hard, paying taxes, receiving no benefits, and living on a prayer and a Green Card, I took my citizenship test in July, had my citizen induction ceremony yesterday, and am now proud ‘Merican.<br /><br />I know right?<br /><br />You thought I simply tried to escape the hunger and empty dinner table of Mexico, by traversing hundreds of mile of desert, and all the while evading Border Patrol Agents and ne’er do wells, in order to simply come here to rape your pearly white daughters, illegally siphon off of your unending stream of goodwill, and raise the political capital of one Canadian-Born Cuban, U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX).<br /><br />But no…This is not the case.<br /><br />You see?<br /><br />I came to ‘Merica to escape the poverty of my land…to realize that I can work and gain reward…to know that I don’t have to look over my back to see if a pissed off drug cartel guy, with gun in hand, is looking at me “funny.”<br /><br />I came to marry a lady and have a happy, not so worried and not so hungry life with kids, cookouts, and parties once in awhile.<br /><br />I came here as a hard worker who just wanted an opportunity.  ‘Merica is all about that, and she has given me my opportunity, and I will not let her down, because I won’t let myself or my family down, but let me tell you…<br /><br />Now that I am ‘Merican, I have put in for a two weeks vacation.  As an ice delivery guy, I may or may not get to your place of business on time, and…<br /><br />There will be a ten minute break between every ten ice bags I put into your cooler.  The new helper, with far less seniority, demands it.  And really? Who am I to judge?<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIXa4q-uAuquQEQi_lEGBVR-aAxuTj_WwFjKbZszNsYKecAw7xe4yT0TxAQemRPDGmF1qsbDKFcCpMTC7Zj5RRtzW629xOUdWVs_h-FyJM8CF2LTbnAVWj-OzULSVdXR-WXZ-lhLaNeocd/s1600/Luis+Citizen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIXa4q-uAuquQEQi_lEGBVR-aAxuTj_WwFjKbZszNsYKecAw7xe4yT0TxAQemRPDGmF1qsbDKFcCpMTC7Zj5RRtzW629xOUdWVs_h-FyJM8CF2LTbnAVWj-OzULSVdXR-WXZ-lhLaNeocd/s400/Luis+Citizen.jpg" width="400" /></a>Drive-By Mikey and Matt-Man may make fun of my new, slower process to filling their Ice Machine, but that’s because they we’re born with silver Ice Machines in their mouths, and I?<br /><br />I was born with the deadly taste of the Chupacabra within my thirsty and hungry mouth.<br /><br />I had to cross a desert twice and put up with INS for ten years in order to fill the Beer Mine's goddamn ice machine.<br /><br />If either of those bastards had to walk a mile in my shoes, you know what they would say?<br /><i><br /></i><i>“Ewwwww, ouch, ouch, the hot desert sands of death are too much for my fragile feet.  I guess I’ll just live here in a life of squalor and crime.”</i><br /><br />Coños!!  Er sorry…Pussies!!<br /><br />Sorry…Sorry…I get off course.  Here’s the deal.<br /><br />After ten years of paying my dues, and paying my taxes, I am ‘Merican.  I am not stealing your job or your hope.  I am living the life of a guy who loves his wife, his kids, and the chance of a better life here in ‘Merica.<br /><br />And…Now that I am a true ‘Merican and have official seniority, it would be sweet if my route was changed, and I would no longer have to deliver ice to Mike and Matt again.<br /><br /><i>¡Adiós!  And God Bless 'Merica!!</i><br /><br /><i>Luis Guerrero…’Merican</i><br /><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 /><a href="https://twitter.com/MattMan_IWS" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Matt’s Facebook Page</span></a></div>

Luis Guerrero is the Statue of Liberty!!

Hola…I mean...Hello. Luis Guerrero here, and I want to say something. Thank you America for welcoming me into your somewhat warm and embrac...

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Barnana Organics Review

<div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5y2xS4R8BLsN2qIkdtHGt94qURw2qvcGspSKLEGxlPDD63B8VEhTdtjyBRVddy81LV8Dp1cpz86c44QqbJxazSjKAGJpwjkqHk6OtCeqrC-5glMswP3rDQtrEsVXjc8xqCR5dxZWn1yE/s1600/barnana+bites.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5y2xS4R8BLsN2qIkdtHGt94qURw2qvcGspSKLEGxlPDD63B8VEhTdtjyBRVddy81LV8Dp1cpz86c44QqbJxazSjKAGJpwjkqHk6OtCeqrC-5glMswP3rDQtrEsVXjc8xqCR5dxZWn1yE/s320/barnana+bites.jpg" width="320" /></span></i></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Craving something sweet but you don't want to overload on junk food?</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Give these tasty organic chocolate covered banana bites a try from <a href="http://barnana.myshopify.com/collections/all">Barnana</a>, if your not a chocolate lover then try their banana chews which are chewy banana bites dusted with banana powder !</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Even though I am on a mission to lead a healthier lifestyle I still like to enjoy some chocolate every now and then and what better way to eat it when it's covered in delicious chewy bananas! </span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I've tried chocolate covered bananas in a previous review earlier and absolutely loved them!</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So when I came across their website and saw these babies I knew I had to try them, they sent me a package of their chocolate banana bites and chewy banana bites for review!</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Chocolate Covered Banana Bites:</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnKoxbu8Ur8K71rfnLOLrtavOydEI4pFI9RLAo8aLT3Kccwt7PNij7bJGnpDEalW4Ko316OczncQ_O2FLyaHtszu_o9TYOSDrpX9LLcmwmYW674mq_leFyk2kRS7UWlPetYSzx2WdUOlc/s1600/barnana+chocolate+covered+banana+bites.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnKoxbu8Ur8K71rfnLOLrtavOydEI4pFI9RLAo8aLT3Kccwt7PNij7bJGnpDEalW4Ko316OczncQ_O2FLyaHtszu_o9TYOSDrpX9LLcmwmYW674mq_leFyk2kRS7UWlPetYSzx2WdUOlc/s320/barnana+chocolate+covered+banana+bites.jpg" width="320" /></span></i></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">They are delicious and such a great snack to bring to the movies instead of eating all that unwanted junk food!</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I loved the taste of them, smooth and creamy almost like a caramel type texture with the chewiness of the bananas and luscious chocolate!</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Chewy Banana Bites sprinkled with Banana Powder:</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I was a bit skeptical to try this one at first, but I am glad I tried it because they are outstanding!</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Perfect banana taste throughout the chews with a delicious banana powder sprinkled on top, works great in yogurt!</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Website:</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://barnana.myshopify.com/collections/all">http://barnana.myshopify.com/collections/all</a></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Face Book:</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/barnana">https://www.facebook.com/barnana</a></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Twitter:</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://twitter.com/barnana"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">https://twitter.com/barnana</span></i></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>

Barnana Organics Review

Craving something sweet but you don't want to overload on junk food? Give these tasty organic chocolate covered banana bites a try from ...

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Google and No weigh in tomorrow

I know everyone was looking forward to the big 8 week weigh in.  I am not going to be able to go weigh in at the doctors office.  A few things have happened this week.  The first thing is I had an unrelated health issue occur that I am dealing with through an internist (pre Belviq condition I've had for 4 years) and when I get these flare ups, I get kind of sickly.  So today was just a follow up CT scan, but I would out of the office for 3 hours.  So tomorrow, I can't take off to go over to get the weigh in done.  I will do it early next week for everyone.  Meanwhile I'm laying low just to get my bounce back!!<br /><br />Also, I wanted to report that my Google AdSense was disabled which has me highly upset.  They won't disclose what happened other than "invalid activity".  After reading the top 10 list of invalid activities from Google, the only one that remotely is a possiblity would be someone somewhere set their computer up to click multiple times over and over and over.  Other than that, I don't know what happened.  I didn't solicit anyone to click on my ads or anything.  It really upsets me because I had due about $150 for July for finalized earnings.  According to Google, once they disable me, I don't get those earnings as they are forfieted....even finalized ones.<br /><br />I filed an appeal but I don't know how much good that would do me.  So, if in the chance they do allow me to post them again, PLEASE only click if you are interested in the product and PLEASE do NOT click more than once.  <br /><br />Uggghhhh - my cheerleading outfit has been soaking in the washer and is now hanging out to dry!  That's how I feel lol<br />

Google and No weigh in tomorrow

I know everyone was looking forward to the big 8 week weigh in.  I am not going to be able to go weigh in at the doctors office.  A few thin...

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EGYPT: THE LYNCHPIN OF THE MIDDLE EAST (Part 1)

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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/AVvXsEi96TmI2QKzOxxSikBFsGm6n60oS3YproECFDJBC7l9_GJ_oRmxU4gbnDc5YGq3Bz5gmzg_TXDwVnecOGpAtxbYw-ZZ0KpClJY6E9N9KzgOz4KBn0F6BmgQTUXuhf8CmVDGafR2xbSYBvLl/s1600/Nile+delta+at+night.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi96TmI2QKzOxxSikBFsGm6n60oS3YproECFDJBC7l9_GJ_oRmxU4gbnDc5YGq3Bz5gmzg_TXDwVnecOGpAtxbYw-ZZ0KpClJY6E9N9KzgOz4KBn0F6BmgQTUXuhf8CmVDGafR2xbSYBvLl/s400/Nile+delta+at+night.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></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; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">EGYPT AND HER STRATEGIC WATERWAYS ARE THE HEART OF THE ARAB ECONOMY</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span></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; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: x-small; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Adapted by Geopolitical Analysis and Monitoring from StratRisks </span><br /><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Wars have been waged in the past based upon these important straits. If EGYPT falls to militarism or radical Islam like its neighbors SUDAN and LIBYA, numerous ARAB and Western nations will suffer massive economic loss. You can have unlimited oil and LNG on hand but you need safe shipping routes in which to transport it. With this understanding EGYPT is not truly sovereign and that is why it is in a constant state of flux. ISRAEL, SAUDI ARABIA, QATAR, IRAN and other actors and countries are in the midst of a covert battle royal to influence EGYPTIAN affairs.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It is no coincidence that crude oil prices rose above $100 on the very day General Al Sisi overthrew the government of President Morsi in EGYPT. Supply risk is a constant fear in an oil market where global spare capacity (mainly SAUDI) is only one million barrels a day (mbd). Even though EGYPT is not a major oil exporter or a member of the OPEC, it has the SUEZ CANAL and the SUEZ MEDITERRANEAN, or SUMED pipeline, where oil tankers transport 2.5 mbd of mainly GULF crude to refineries in EUROPE and NORTH AMERICA. The SUEZ CANAL is one of global gas critical chokepoints, as geopolitically significant as the STRAITS OF HORMUZ and MALACCA </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><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";">DUE TO STRATEGIC INTERESTS EGYPT WOULD NEVER BE LEFT IN THE HANDS OF THE MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD</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; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It was a foregone conclusion that a nation as important to the world as EGYPT is, would not be left in the hands of the Muslim Brotherhood. The brutality of the Mubarak regime was well known, most considered the region stable and their important business continued uninterrupted. ISRAEL’S intelligence apparatus monitors the tectonic shifts in EGYPT in relation to the Gaza Strip. If EGYPT sneezes, the Gaza Strip gets a cold. ISRAEL would find itself under a serious threat if the EGYPTIAN leadership had friendly relations with militant Islamic groups like Hamas. It is a dangerous yet delicate balance.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">ISRAEL’S foreign minister has warned his Prime Minister that EGYPT presents more of a security threat than IRAN. Subsequently the foreign minister urged the PM to create three to four southern divisions in the wake of a social and economic deterioration in EGYPT and the increasing number of EGYPTIAN arms buildup in the SINAI PENINSULA. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><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";">THE ONE WHO COMMANDS THE SUEZ STRAIT CONTROLS A MAJOR PORTION OF THE GLOBAL ECONOMY</span></b></span><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; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKv-MxNR3tBQd5N_6I9_C4CqtxhOVwW47YGMdC7XvtPXqBXHFr_os2cWFQk-6nlb2AStc8bBs5cwhs072QrGLHR9wUsicxqjHxiy95SIeFpTV9bw9TaB1MtUQuz3skInKW9iJ3YaE4zHuv/s1600/strategic_import_map4161333379629934.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKv-MxNR3tBQd5N_6I9_C4CqtxhOVwW47YGMdC7XvtPXqBXHFr_os2cWFQk-6nlb2AStc8bBs5cwhs072QrGLHR9wUsicxqjHxiy95SIeFpTV9bw9TaB1MtUQuz3skInKW9iJ3YaE4zHuv/s320/strategic_import_map4161333379629934.gif" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">substantially dependent upon trade and commerce. Washington’s relationship with EGYPT angled as humanitarian aid ends up being billions of dollars annually in foreign military financing grants supplying EGYPTIAN military apparatus with heavy weapons used to control and retain the allegiance of the uprising population and purge any subversion. The interdependent relationship between the U.S. and EGYPTIAN military is coherent, billions of dollars to maintain EGYPT’S military elite-led government, the uninterrupted military coordination and movement of the regions oil resources to the UNITED STATES and EUROPE and the establishment of a U.S. military bridgehead in a geo-strategic location for future military operations or conflicts in regions rich in hydrocarbon deposits, the MIDDLE EAST and the CASPIAN Basin.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">For US military planners, the sudden loss of access to EGYPT would present a double problem. Without EGYPT, they would find their options for shipping air and sea cargo, refueling and repairing aircraft and consolidating troop movements narrowed to those along the Persian Gulf. The loss of landing rights in EGYPT, for example, might mean that in a crisis, wide-body jets, each carrying hundreds of troops, would have to fly directly into congested Persian Gulf airfields, rather than into Cairo West, from which smaller transports would ferry troops into action, furthermore Persian Gulf facilities are increasingly vulnerable to IRANIAN ballistic missiles.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>major strategic review completed by the Pentagon last year indicated that US forces need access to bases more resilient than today’s in the face of attacks. Planners are looking for ways to fortify those bases, with missile defenses being a high priority, but protecting high value airfields and ports where troops are disembarking is somewhat of a challenge.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In war-fighting terms, the loss of EGYPT might also force a greater reliance on long range strike assets – strike fighters, bombers and missiles – at a time when the US arsenal of such weapons is limited. In a MIDEAST war, fighter jets once might have launched from EGYPTIAN airfields, without EGYPT, they’d have to operate from carriers – themselves vulnerable – or fly exhausting air refueling missions from distant bases in CYPRUS, TURKEY and EUROPE. The longer a mission lasts, the fewer daily sorties can be scheduled. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><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";">AFRICA: THERE’S GOLD, URANIUM AND OIL IN THEM THAR HILLS</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; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Cohorts of <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/us-expands-secret-intelligence-operations-in-africa/2012/06/13/gJQAHyvAbV_story.html">special operation forces and intelligence agencies</a> are covertly engaging NORTH AFRICA by employing combinations of political, economic, psychological and military warfare to undermine unstable governments or nations actively engaged in civil wars through an ongoing inter-agency counter-terrorism plan, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Enduring_Freedom_-_Trans_Sahara">Operation Enduring Freedom – TRANS SAHARA</a>.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">France and its allies have <a href="http://tempsreel.nouvelobs.com/monde/20130607.OBS2446/mali-les-secrets-d-une-guerre-eclair.html">revitalized a military campaign for NORTH AFRICA</a>,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>providing security and protection of <a href="http://www.dw.de/the-interests-behind-frances-intervention-in-mali/a-16523792">foreign economic interests, uranium sites, gold mining and oil reserves.</a> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://www.cfr.org/france/french-military-africa/p12578">FRENCH military</a>is tighten its grip on NORTH AFRICA by supporting <a href="http://carnegieendowment.org/2013/01/22/uranium-in-saharan-sands/f4ej">AREVA CORPORATE INTERESTS</a> to preserve a ’FRENCH’ dominant sphere in the region by providing vital security for the <a href="http://www.lepoint.fr/editos-du-point/jean-guisnel/niger-les-forces-speciales-protegeront-les-mines-d-uranium-d-areva-23-01-2013-1619466_53.php">key strategic Imouraren uranium mine</a> and <a href="http://theworldoutline.com/2013/06/france-and-west-africa-the-spectre-of-postcolonialism/">oil resource </a>centers. CANADIAN mining companies are actively involved in MALI gold mining and other ventures with a large<a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2013/01/23/f-mali-canada-links.html">bulk of the investment summed up in one word: GOLD.</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">FRENCH owned TOTAL SA already draws 28% of its oil output from AFRICA. The presence of significant uranium deposits in neighboring NIGER is also of utmost importance for FRANCE and other actors in the region. FRANCE in particular is reliant on uranium for a large portion FRANCES energy supply is nuclear based and thus it relies on NIGER’S uranium supply which accounts for almost 40% of Frances uranium consumption.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The strategic mobility of<a href="http://www.economist.com/node/17965537"> FRENCH Special Forces</a>, <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2013/jan/22/uk-special-forces-active-mali">UK Special Forces</a> , <a href="http://www.africom.mil/Newsroom/Article/10206/us-airlift-of-french-forces-to-mali">AFRICOM</a>, <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/dia-to-send-hundreds-more-spies-overseas/2012/12/01/97463e4e-399b-11e2-b01f-5f55b193f58f_story.html">Defense Intelligence Agency</a>, <a href="http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2012-06-13/world/35462541_1_burkina-faso-air-bases-sahara">Central Intelligence Agency</a>, <a href="http://news.nationalpost.com/2013/01/28/canadian-special-forces-on-the-ground-in-mali/">CANADIAN Special Forces</a> and <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/mali/9670274/Europe-to-send-400-special-forces-to-Mali.html">EUROPEAN UNION Special forces</a> have built up their intelligence and war fighting skills by conducting quick and surgical strike operations in<a href="http://www.lefigaro.fr/international/2012/09/23/01003-20120923ARTFIG00152-mali-la-france-en-pointe-contre-aqmi.php">LIBYA</a>, <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2013/jan/22/uk-special-forces-active-mali">MALI </a>, the<a href="http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/politics/2012/08/military-exercises-in-libyas-des.html">SAHEL</a> and <a href="http://northafricapost.com/740-us-deploys-aircrafts-across-mena-region-and-beyond.html">MENA</a>. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><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";">WHAT IS THE POLITICAL AND MILITARY AGENDA IN ALL THIS?</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4gYbxka25j1U27GSxteab5Lft18HgNu5cy95E6BY-FhG4VkjmvSVyjWKIQOjl9Yd5rdo97xwBigl-x99wRvmJgyiYm6iB0om1zhyZ38PMki4DuLtoSCFmWr3zwhjtk94khzPyvrS__Plv/s1600/Africa-Natural-resources-07-08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4gYbxka25j1U27GSxteab5Lft18HgNu5cy95E6BY-FhG4VkjmvSVyjWKIQOjl9Yd5rdo97xwBigl-x99wRvmJgyiYm6iB0om1zhyZ38PMki4DuLtoSCFmWr3zwhjtk94khzPyvrS__Plv/s400/Africa-Natural-resources-07-08.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><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";"> </span></b></span><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";"></span></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; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Wealth protection, monopolize strategic raw materials and energy resources, <a href="http://www.worldpress.org/Africa/3783.cfm">energy security of the EUROPEAN UNION</a>, reduce dependence on RUSSIAN oil-natural gas with completion of the <a href="http://northafricapost.com/1510-trans-saharan-gas-pipeline-operational-by-2015-if-obstacles-overcome.html">TRANS-SAHARAN gas pipeline</a> and counteract<a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/comment/dont-forget-the-critical-role-of-china-in-mali-8452530.html">CHINESE encroachment</a> into AFRICAN territory rich with <a href="http://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2012/3147/">hydrocarbons</a> and <a href="http://minerals.usgs.gov/minerals/pubs/country/2010/myb3-2010-ml-ng.pdf">mineral deposits</a>.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br /><div style="border: 1pt solid windowtext; padding: 1pt 4pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: medium none; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 5pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Background Information</span></b><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">: </span><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">AFRICA AND CHINA</span></b></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: medium none; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 5pt; padding: 0in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: medium none; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 5pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">CHINA AND AFRICA</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: medium none; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 5pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><a href="http://geopoliticsrst.blogspot.co.at/2013/07/china-and-its-relation-with-africa-and.html">http://geopoliticsrst.blogspot.co.at/2013/07/china-and-its-relation-with-africa-and.html</a></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: medium none; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 5pt; padding: 0in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: medium none; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 5pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">MALI AND CHINA'S 'WESTERN' FOREIGN POLICY </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2013/07/mali-and-chinas-western-foreign-policy.html">http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2013/07/mali-and-chinas-western-foreign-policy.html</a></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: medium none; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; padding: 0in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: medium none; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">THE SECRET WAR BETWEEN CHINA AND THE US FOR AFRICA'S OIL RICHES</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: medium none; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><a href="http://geopoliticsrst.blogspot.co.at/2012/12/usa-china-and-africa.html">http://geopoliticsrst.blogspot.co.at/2012/12/usa-china-and-africa.html</a></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: medium none; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; padding: 0in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: medium none; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">CHINA’S WINNING STRATEGY IN AFRICA</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: medium none; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2012/09/chinas-winning-strategy-in-africa.html">http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2012/09/chinas-winning-strategy-in-africa.html</a></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: medium none; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; padding: 0in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: medium none; line-height: normal; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">SOUTH AFRICA WELCOMES CHINESE MILITARY ASSISTANCE </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><a href="http://geopoliticsrst.blogspot.co.at/2013/08/south-africa-and-china.html">http://geopoliticsrst.blogspot.co.at/2013/08/south-africa-and-china.html</a></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: medium none; line-height: normal; padding: 0in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: medium none; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">OUT OF AFRICA ……AND BACK IN</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: medium none; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2012/04/africa-forgotten-and-underestimated.html">http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2012/04/africa-forgotten-and-underestimated.html</a></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: medium none; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; padding: 0in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: medium none; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">CHINA AND ITS RELATION WITH AFRICA AND THE MEDITERRANEAN</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><a href="http://geopoliticsrst.blogspot.co.at/2013/07/china-and-its-relation-with-africa-and.html">http://geopoliticsrst.blogspot.co.at/2013/07/china-and-its-relation-with-africa-and.html</a></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: medium none; line-height: normal; padding: 0in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: medium none; line-height: normal; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">SOMALILAND’S ROLL IN A POTENTIAL MILITARY CONFLICT BETWEEN ETHIOPIA AND EGYPT</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <a href="http://geopoliticsrst.blogspot.co.at/2013/06/ethiopia-somaliland-and-egypt.html">http://geopoliticsrst.blogspot.co.at/2013/06/ethiopia-somaliland-and-egypt.html</a></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: medium none; line-height: normal; padding: 0in; text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">CHINA is increasingly searching for iron – ore supplies in AFRICA. Allegedly there are 35 billion tons of direct shipping iron – ore available in AFRICA, which amounts to a production potential of between 400 to 600 million tons a year. </span></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Currently the 27 EU member states import 85% of their oil needs and 65% of their natural gas. It is estimated that by 2030 those numbers will be 95% and 85% respectively. Up to now EU countries have no oil and gas production or fields. This could change however if recent gas findings south of CYPRUS and in GREECE are prove to be feasible for extraction. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br /><div style="border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: medium none; line-height: normal; padding: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Background Information:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> </span><b><span style="color: #db3603; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">HYDROCARBON FINDINGS</span></b><b><span style="color: #db3603; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> IN CYPRUS AND GREECE</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: medium none; line-height: normal; padding: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: #db3603; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> </span></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: medium none; line-height: normal; padding: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">CYPRUS’S HUGE UNTAPPED GAS RESERVES WILL BENEFIT THE EUROPEAN UNION</span></b><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2013/01/broke-cyprus-could-be-energy-trump-card.html">http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2013/01/broke-cyprus-could-be-energy-trump-card.html</a></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: medium none; line-height: normal; padding: 0in; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: medium none; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 5pt; padding: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">RECENT AEGEAN OIL AND GAS FINDINGS COULD BLOT OUT GREECE’S ENTIRE DEPT </span></b><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2012/03/hostile-takeover.html">http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2012/03/hostile-takeover.html</a></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: medium none; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 5pt; padding: 0in; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: medium none; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 5pt; padding: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span><b><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">COULD IT BE THAT THE TROIKA IN REALITY FOCUSES ON TAKING CONTROL OF CYPRUS’S PROCLAIMED HYDROCARBON FINDINGS? </span></b><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span></span> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: medium none; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 5pt; padding: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2013/03/cypruss-financial-crisis-and-its.html">http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2013/03/cypruss-financial-crisis-and-its.html</a></span></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: medium none; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 5pt; padding: 0in; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: medium none; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 5pt; padding: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">GAS RESERVES UNDER THE EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN ARE TOO LARGE TO OVERLOOK</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <a href="http://geopoliticsrst.blogspot.co.at/2012/12/energy-adventures-in-eastern.html">http://geopoliticsrst.blogspot.co.at/2012/12/energy-adventures-in-eastern.html</a></span></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: medium none; line-height: normal; padding: 0in; text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">CHINAS increasing influence in AFRICA, characterized by large sums of money with few strings attached in exchange for mineral concessions, is a concern for the USA. This rivalry may come to shape the future of a continent already marked out like an imperial jigsaw puzzle. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><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";">U.S. CONTINUES TO PORTRAY THE ILLUSION OF A SECONDARY ROLE IN THE GEOGRAPHIC SCOPE OF CONFLICT IN NORTH AFRICA</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNIRUfMJ8dug0lDdjLjylOsrvh-O3ujJxSUWMozojF30iCgV2N0d_SadZ7Jah1cYVdEhtJq8fDRve-4opRaGIdKMreUF0r0VqTLmw2fGEI0KfVCWXU7WIkPHpDB1wHlKDcl7P6byqqYffj/s1600/ksk-kommando-spezialkraefte-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNIRUfMJ8dug0lDdjLjylOsrvh-O3ujJxSUWMozojF30iCgV2N0d_SadZ7Jah1cYVdEhtJq8fDRve-4opRaGIdKMreUF0r0VqTLmw2fGEI0KfVCWXU7WIkPHpDB1wHlKDcl7P6byqqYffj/s200/ksk-kommando-spezialkraefte-2.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">German KSK in MALI</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It is interesting that orthodox military operations conducted during “Operation Serval” (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Serval">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Serval</a>) have done absolutely nothing but turn the region into a big black hole of uncertainty, <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/02/10/ozatp-mali-libya-idAFJOE81909Q20120210">blow back central</a> with printed permanent war in the SAHEL. The military’s objectives are to position forces to ensue stable perimeters of <a href="http://www.dw.de/the-interests-behind-frances-intervention-in-mali/a-16523792">high value geographic areas</a>, control risks and the neutralization of <a href="http://www.bdlive.co.za/africa/africannews/2013/07/26/news-analysis-no-mans-land-sahel-a-breeding-ground-for-islamist-terror">Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) and network affiliates</a>. Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius announced the proposal to keep <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/06/world/africa/mali-france-proposes-permanent-force.html?_r=1&">permanent combat forces in MALI</a> and actively seeking to install a <a href="http://www.lexpressiondz.com/actualite/159636-vrombissement-de-reacteurs-a-nos-frontieres.html">military base in LIBYA</a>. As the U.S. continues to portray the illusion of a secondary role in the geographic scope of conflict in NORTH AFRICA, <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;"><a href="http://www.heise.de/tp/artikel/39/39411/1.html">U.S. AFRICOM and GERMAN KSK have been active for years in MALI</a></span>. Cloaked in secrecy, the U.S. military drone base in NIGER provides<a href="http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2013-03-21/world/37905284_1_drone-bases-unarmed-predator-drones-surveillance-drones/2">a strategic foothold </a>to conduct ISR missions to target and terminate high valued targets with predator drone programs. Pentagon/ private mercenary in and out warfare tactics with incidents and operational details not disclosed to the U.S. public by means of the <a href="http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=30403:us-army-seeking-private-contractors-for-african-commando-transportation&catid=47:Logistics&Itemid=110">US Army seeking private contractors for AFRICAN commando transportation</a> and multitudes of <a href="http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Security-Industry/2010/06/28/US-military-contractors-eye-Africa/UPI-96371277754990/">U.S. military contractors eyeing AFRICA</a>. The cohesive EU, NATO, Pentagon and mercenary force campaigns will continue under the guise of peace-keeping operations to take advantage of social discontent, ferment sectarian division and political regime change.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The FRENCH and the BRITISH in their heart of hearts still believe that they can control the state of affairs of various countries in the MIDDLE EAST and NORTH AFRICA. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Sykes and Picot</b> (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sykes%E2%80%93Picot_Agreement">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sykes%E2%80%93Picot_Agreement</a>) have long since died and numerous rebellions have taken place to wrestle power away from EUROPE. Yet EUROPEAN influence still lingers like a ghost and their geopolitical desires are still as strong as they were in the 1900’s. Nicolas Sarkozy, the former president of FRANCE introduced a regional framework called the ’UNION OF THE MEDITERRANEAN’. This power play could transform the MENA region into a satellite super state for the ultimate benefit of EUROPE and the USA.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><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";">MEDITERRANEAN UNION</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggUbyV6OliIlToq-BaLyfJJ6r4-86cBiJ4rRh2TJcA8q6CfAiFt5rOXoWwQ81dhrxXzDxlPxolpqannr9BWYPldyUqTw3b91_aq8jYGQ5viHFLkidz-iAKFDKT-5pIP7RoF5x-gJsE6a6r/s1600/ResizedImage375353-mediterraneanunion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggUbyV6OliIlToq-BaLyfJJ6r4-86cBiJ4rRh2TJcA8q6CfAiFt5rOXoWwQ81dhrxXzDxlPxolpqannr9BWYPldyUqTw3b91_aq8jYGQ5viHFLkidz-iAKFDKT-5pIP7RoF5x-gJsE6a6r/s320/ResizedImage375353-mediterraneanunion.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://www.brusselsjournal.com/node/3083"><i>The geopolitical and political motives behind this proposal seemed fairly obvious at first sight. Politically, Sarkozy’s interest in setting up the MEDITERRANEAN UNION would be to offer TURKEY an alternative to full EU membership. This is certainly how the plan is being peddled in Paris. The second geopolitical motive would be to reinforce FRANCE’S weight on the world stage.</i></a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://www.brusselsjournal.com/node/3083"><i>The creation of a political “Club Med” is perhaps a typical example of the FRENCH love of the politics of the grand gesture, but there seems little doubt that it would institutionalise FRANCE’S leadership role in an area where she has huge historical ties and considerable political influence, from NORTH AFRICA to LEBANON and SYRIA.</i></a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://www.brusselsjournal.com/node/3083"><i>Perhaps the motives behind the MEDITERRANEAN UNION lie elsewhere, therefore. The plan, indeed, bears some resemblance to the “GREATER MIDDLE EAST” project favoured by the AMERICAN neo-conservative strategists. </i></a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://www.brusselsjournal.com/node/3083">Even more striking is the resemblance between Sarkozy’s plan and the existing Mediterranean Dialogue set up by NATO in 1994. The relevant page (in English, French, Hebrew and Arabic) can be seen here. Numerous Maghreb states have already signed partnership agreements with NATO. In other words, the MEDITERRANEAN UNION would be but a political superstructure over a military organisation which already exists and which is under US leadership</a>. –<b><a href="http://www.brusselsjournal.com/node/3083">Brussels Journal</a></b></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The so-called ’Arab spring’ has changed the political landscape and those countries that weren’t in favor of EUROPE might have had a change of heart. Interestingly enough, the conflict in LIBYA, the current proxy war in SYRIA, and the second coup in EGYPT help EUROPE work towards their EUROMED project tremendously. NORTH AFRICAN nations like LIBYA, ALGERIA and MOROCCO are assisting EUROPE to establish a new oil and gas route that will lessen the dependence on RUSSIA. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">While the UNITED STATES has made a pivot towards EURASIA, EUROPE is selling weaponry to ARAB states who hope to secure their borders for any eventualities with IRAN or SYRIA. The problem with these uprisings in the MENA region is that in the minds of <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">ARAB youth</b> (</span><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT HAS ALWAYS BEEN A HARBINGER OF REVOLUTION</span></i></b></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><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/2012/11/the-geopolitics-of-youth-unemployment.html">http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2012/11/the-geopolitics-of-youth-unemployment.html</a></span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> ) they have no real yardstick that would measure any progress and could be easily manipulated for the geo-economic and geopolitical goals of foreign states. EUROPE could start the wildfire that could clear a path to economic security and integration or for their own demise.</span></div>

EGYPT: THE LYNCHPIN OF THE MIDDLE EAST (Part 1)

EGYPT AND HER STRATEGIC WATERWAYS ARE THE HEART OF THE ARAB ECONOMY Adapted by Geopolitical Analysis and Monitoring from StratRisks  Wars h...

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Head of Reference - Cyrenius H. Booth Library, Newtown

<strong></strong><strong>Head of Reference</strong> - <strong><strong><span style="color: #48286d;">Cyrenius H. Booth Library</span></strong></strong>, Newtown, CT. The Head of Reference manages the Reference Department, including the Department’s staff, collections, and services. A Master of Library Science degree from an accredited institution (or similar) and prior experience with reference service are required. This is a full-time, 35+ hour-a-week position. A benefits package is available, including a salary commensurate with experience. The Booth is a 39,000 square foot public library servicing the Fairfield County community of Newtown (28,000 residents). Please send a cover letter and resume to Shawn Fields, Director, at: <a href="mailto:thebooth@chboothlibrary.org">thebooth@chboothlibrary.org</a> by <span style="color: red;">August 23, 2013</span>.

Head of Reference - Cyrenius H. Booth Library, Newtown

Head of Reference - Cyrenius H. Booth Library , Newtown, CT. The Head of Reference manages the Reference Department, including the Depart...

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Librarian I (Full-time) - Lucy Robbins Welles Library, Newington

<strong>Librarian I</strong> (Full-time) - The <strong><strong><span style="color: #48286d;">Lucy Robbins Welles Library</span></strong></strong>, Newington, Connecticut, is seeking a creative, energetic, people-oriented person to serve in its Collection Management (technical services) Department with reference desk duties. The successful candidate will possess strong computer technology and internet skills, must be able to work in a team environment and to communicate effectively with all ages. Duties include but are not limited to, collection development which includes book selection, ordering, cataloging, and processing of materials, troubleshooting computer hardware and software, and backing up other public service desks as needed. Knowledge of automated library systems is a plus. An ALA accredited MLS is required. 35 hours per week with one evening a week and a Saturday rotation. Salary is $47,242. Excellent benefits. EOE, M/F, Handicap. Send resume and application form by <span style="color: red;">September 3, 2013</span> to: Town Manager, Town of Newington, 131 Cedar Street, Newington, CT. 06111. Application form may be picked up at the Town Manager’s office or printed out from the Town Website at: <a href="http://www.newingtonct.gov/" target="_blank">http://www.newingtonct.gov</a> click on " Town Manager's Office" then “Employment Opportunities.” For additional job information please <a href="http://www.newingtonct.gov/filestorage/78/118/150/2462/Librarian_I_JP_%26_JD_2013.pdf" target="_blank">click here</a>.

Librarian I (Full-time) - Lucy Robbins Welles Library, Newington

Librarian I (Full-time) - The Lucy Robbins Welles Library , Newington, Connecticut, is seeking a creative, energetic, people-oriented per...

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Reference / Instruction & Assessment Librarian - Central Connecticut State University

<strong>Reference / Instruction & Assessment Librarian</strong> - [#C14-003] The Elihu Burritt Library at <strong><strong><span style="color: #48286d;">Central Connecticut State University</span></strong></strong> [New Britain] invites innovative and energetic applicants to fill a full-time, tenure-track librarian position. Required Qualifications: Masters degree in Library Science or equivalent from an ALA accredited institution; academic library reference experience; demonstrated experience and knowledge of electronic and print information resources; a demonstrated commitment to public service; excellent communication, interpersonal and presentation skills; and, experience working effectively with a highly diverse group of faculty, students, colleagues and the general public. Preferred Qualifications: Experience with commercially or institutionally developed testing of information literacy skills; experience with the development and the implementation of a program for the assessment of library instruction; experience with online learning management systems; experience providing concise information to undergraduate and graduate students in brief library instructions sessions covering a wide range of subject areas; experience teaching semester long information literacy credit course; demonstrated ability to effectively use instructional technologies. For full consideration, applications must be received by <span style="color: red;">September 16, 2013</span>. To begin the application process, go to <a href="http://www.ccsu.edu/jobs" target="_blank">www.ccsu.edu/jobs</a>.

Reference / Instruction & Assessment Librarian - Central Connecticut State University

Reference / Instruction & Assessment Librarian - [#C14-003] The Elihu Burritt Library at Central Connecticut State University [New Bri...

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Librarian IV - Silas Bronson Library, Waterbury

<strong></strong><strong>Librarian IV</strong> - <strong><strong><span style="color: #48286d;">Silas Bronson Library</span></strong></strong>, Waterbury. Salary: $ 60,919.06 - 79,194.78 per yr. FRINGE BENEFITS: Choose from three available health insurance plans (employee contributions vary) Prescription Drug Rider, Dental Plan; Group Life Insurance for Individual; Retirement Plan; paid Holidays; paid Vacation; paid Sick Leave; Personal Days. LAST DAY FOR FILING APPLICATIONS: Applications, which may be obtained at the Civil Service Office, or by visiting our website at <a href="http://www.waterburyct.org/" target="_blank">www.waterburyct.org</a> will be accepted at the Civil Service Office, Chase Municipal Building, 236 Grand St., Waterbury, CT 06702 by 4:50 p.m. on: <span style="color: red;">August 28, 2013</span>. IMPORTANT: 1. Veterans - Veteran’s points will be awarded in accordance with the Connecticut State Statute. Five (5) for non-disabled veterans, ten (10) for disabled veterans. Proper documentation must be submitted to the Personnel Director before the date of the examination. 2. Residents - Residency points shall be added in accordance with the amendment to the Civil Service Ordinances dated March 18, 2011. Proper documentation and proof of residence must be submitted no later than the closing date for applications. EXAMPLES OF DUTIES: Serves as head of one of the four major divisions in the library (Circulation Technical Services, Adult Services or Youth Services) and branches. This position involves responsibility for professional work in supervising the activities of a division of the library. Work is performed under the direction and supervision of the Library Director. Supervision is exercised over the professional, paraprofessional and clerical staff. Working closely with the heads of all library divisions, organizes and develops overall plans for providing library services to library users; directly or indirectly supervises all personnel in a division; develops training programs for subordinates instructs them and evaluates their performance; conducts staff meetings; maintains current collections in various formats; directly or indirectly supervises the selection of library materials as well as the selection and installation of on-line computerized services; keeps informed of current and new developments in the library profession and on materials published; recommends purchases; keeps necessary statistics and makes monthly, quarterly and annual reports; attends professional library meetings and serves as library representative within formalized library groups; directs short-term and ongoing special projects as assigned (e.g. public programming, outreach, public relations, grant writing, etc.); handles employee relations. Does related work as required. REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS AND ABILITIES: Comprehensive knowledge of all aspects of library services (techniques; philosophy, procedures); knowledge of library administration practices and techniques; ability to design and implement procedures; computer literacy for system and personal computers; ability to train and supervise staff; ability to speak and write effectively; good judgment. IN ORDER TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS POSITION YOU MUST INDICATE ON YOUR APPLICATION THAT AS OF THE CLOSING DATE YOU HAVE THE FOLLOWING EXPERIENCE: Five years of professional library work, two years of which were in a responsible and administrative capacity, and a master’s degree in Library Science. This position is covered under the written agreement between the City of Waterbury and the Waterbury Municipal Administrators Association Union. The Parts and Weights for this examination will be determined prior to conducting the exam. Individuals appointed shall be required to serve a working test period which will be, in effect, the final phase of the examination. APPEAL PROCESS: An applicant may appeal a notice of not meeting the minimum qualifications (Civil Service Rules and Regulations, Section 3741, Subsection B, Article 9) to the Civil Service Commission within seven (7) days of receipt of such notice. THE CITY OF WATERBURY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER 8-14-13 RL E.O.E. M/F/H/V

Librarian IV - Silas Bronson Library, Waterbury

Librarian IV - Silas Bronson Library , Waterbury. Salary: $ 60,919.06 - 79,194.78 per yr. FRINGE BENEFITS: Choose from three available he...

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Part-Time Library Clerk - Levi E. Coe Library, Middlefield

<strong>Part-Time Library Clerk</strong> - The <strong><strong><span style="color: #48286d;">Levi E. Coe Library</span></strong></strong>, in Middlefield, Connecticut is seeking a year-round, part-time Library Clerk. The schedule includes flexible hours throughout the week for approximately ten to twelve hours per week. Required hours include Saturdays from 9:30am-2pm from September through May; and two evenings per week from 4:00pm-7pm throughout the year. Additional daytime and/or evening hours are possible, depending on the need for additional staff coverage. The hourly compensation for this position is $10.75 per hour. The successful candidate should be able to perform a wide variety of library related tasks and have the ability to meet the public courteously. Additionally, candidates should be prepared to work in both the Adult and Childrens’ departments. Computer literacy is necessary and prior experience in a library is preferable. Interested candidates should send a letter of interest, resume and the names of three references no later than Wednesday, <span style="color: red;">September 18, 2013</span>, to the Levi E. Coe Library, P.O. Box 458, Middlefield, CT 06455. No phone calls, please.

Part-Time Library Clerk - Levi E. Coe Library, Middlefield

Part-Time Library Clerk - The Levi E. Coe Library , in Middlefield, Connecticut is seeking a year-round, part-time Library Clerk. The sc...

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