Clerk - New Britain Public Library

<strong>Clerk - </strong><strong><strong><span style="color: #48286d;">New Britain Public Library</span></strong></strong>. 20 hour Clerk I position to work in Circulation area. $12.56/hr. Full posting @ <a _fcksavedurl="http://www.nbpl.info" href="http://www.nbpl.info/" target="_blank">www.nbpl.info</a>; high school diploma or GED required. Application or resume & letter, 3 work-related references to Administration, New Britain Public Library, 20 High St., New Britain, CT 06051. No phone calls please. EOE.

Clerk - New Britain Public Library

Clerk - New Britain Public Library . 20 hour Clerk I position to work in Circulation area. $12.56/hr. Full posting @ www.nbpl.info ; high ...

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What Lies Ahead for the Future of the Wildlife Professional?

An interesting article on the future of the wildlife management profession.<br /><br /><a href="http://newswatch.nationalgeographic.com/2013/07/12/what-lies-ahead-for-the-future-of-the-wildlife-professional/#.UfvDDGq-3XM.blogger">What Lies Ahead for the Future of the Wildlife Professional?</a>

What Lies Ahead for the Future of the Wildlife Professional?

An interesting article on the future of the wildlife management profession. What Lies Ahead for the Future of the Wildlife Professional?

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6 week weigh in results

Are you ready?????  Here we are.  Starting weight was 293.  2 weeks ago I was at 275 at 18 pounds lost with belviq.  Today, I am at........well, watch for yourself!!<br /><br /><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="280" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/xo-AKi9VmdU?feature=player_embedded" width="380"></iframe><br /><br />That's right folks, I met my weigh in goal to BE UNDER 270 pounds!!!!!!  I am at 269.8 (BARELY but we will take it) for a totally weight loss of 23.2 pounds.  But, it's really a little lower as you heard us talk about my dress .<br /><br />We did confirm that the dress I am wearing, because of the material, weighed 1.5 pounds.   So technically, I am down to 268.3ish pounds for a total loss of 24.7 pounds but I couldn't video myself in the nude HAHA!<br /><br />Actually, I am claiming the 24.7 pounds - rounding to 25 pounds.  We verified that the dress is heavy (ruffles made with extra fabric) and it was a poor choice on my end - next time I will know. <br /><br />SO you can take the official or the unofficial.  I mean, by the end of the weekend I'd be at the 25 anyway hahahaha!  <br /><br />For me, I met TWO of my goals:  1, under 270 and 25 pounds lost.  1/2 There to my bigger goal of 50 pounds.  I AM SOOOOO excited!!!!!  ALL in 6 WEEKS.  <br />   <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />

6 week weigh in results

Are you ready?????  Here we are.  Starting weight was 293.  2 weeks ago I was at 275 at 18 pounds lost with belviq.  Today, I am at........w...

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‘If This Was Your Mother, Doctor…’ - NYT

<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px"><p>The other residents and I sat in our blue scrubs with our attending physician in the windowless family meeting room just outside the intensive care unit. We had gathered around one end of the ovoid table with the family of the patient, two daughters and a son, at the other. </p><p>The patient was an elderly woman, admitted to our unit just a few hours before, with a breathing machine keeping her alive. We proceeded with the meeting as we were trained to do. We kept our elbows off the table, maintained eye contact (but not too much eye contact) and gave the family an update of where we stood. </p><p>A healthy family meeting, we'd been told, involved us speaking for about half the time, with the family speaking for the rest – venting, questioning, grieving and hoping, in no particular order. This meeting, though, was dominated by long periods of silence that unearthed the dull, low-pitched drone in the background. </p><p>The son, quiet for most of the meeting, broke the silence and, with a hint of anger and a big dollop of frustration, asked the one question I had dreaded being asked the most: "Doc, give it to me straight. If this were your mother, what would you do?" </p><p>While the patient-doctor interaction varies widely across cultures and continents, this question seems to be a universal constant. As a medical student in Pakistan, I had heard it often, and even after hours of preparation, never felt prepared to answer. As a wobbly newcomer to clinical medicine, it left me feeling vulnerable and violated.</p><p>From a patient or family member's perspective, though, this question helps them make sense of the confusion, desolation and powerlessness that so often defines the hospital experience, which usually involves a full-on assault of numbers, jargon and 'expert' opinion. They are confronted with difficult choices, like whether they want to go ahead with a particular high-risk procedure or wait for the tincture of time to kick in.</p><p>Overwhelmed and confused, it makes sense they would defer the choice to someone who appears to know what they are doing. And by invoking the physician's parent, they hope to humanize the physician and have a conversation with real stakes. </p><p>Yet I still find this question hard to answer. See, my mother is the sort of person who spends two hours each day on the treadmill, even during vacations, so that she can eat to her heart's content. Often described as a "fighter," any additional moment she could spend with her children or future grandchildren would be worth the extra mile. My father, on the other hand, is someone who avoids getting his blood sugar level tested to evade medications, dreaming of spending his last days in the quiet serenity of the village he grew up in. Thus my answer to the question would be very different, as it would be for anyone, depending on which parent you asked me about. </p><p>So I have come to believe that the right answer to the question, "If this were your mother, doctor…" is: "Tell me more about your mother." </p><p>This response gives patients' families the chance to think about their loved ones, about what they would value and what they would consider a good life, what they would think was worth fighting for if they were available to answer the question for themselves. </p><p>The burden that family members feel when making medical decisions as proxies, whether a loved one has dementia or is so sick or confused they can't participate meaningfully in decision making, is immense. But this response often helps to diffuse that. It takes them away from a place where they feel solely responsible for the trajectory of their relative's life to one where they simply communicate what the patient would want out of their life. We as physicians can then weigh in on whether it is reasonable to expect that to happen.</p><p>So I asked the family who was sitting across the table from me, "Tell me more about your mother." </p><p>And then, slowly, the family started sharing stories of the woman we had met only met a few hours before, unconscious and intubated. She loved being independent, would hate for people to open doors for her or hold her hand as she tried to get up, they told us. She loved the sun, the beach. She loved walking, loved being out and about. She would never, ever want to go to a nursing home. Never ever. They pulled out a picture of her lounging on a chair, sipping lemonade. </p><p>We then told them that based on a combination of her vital signs and lab values, as well as our clinical judgment, that while we could hope for some progress, it would likely not be enough to allow her any real shot at experiencing life outside a nursing facility again. </p><p>The daughters shared another glance with their brother. Their shoulders were now less tense, their eyes less teary. The room seemed to be filled with memories of a woman who had lived life well. They turned to us and asked us to make her comfortable, and to turn off the breathing machine. </p> <hr><p><em>Haider Javed Warraich is a resident in internal medicine and Katherine Swan Ginsburg Fellow in Humanism at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston and author of the novel "Auras of the Jinn."</em></p></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px"><br></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px"><a href="http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/08/01/if-this-was-your-mother-doctor/">http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/08/01/if-this-was-your-mother-doctor/</a></p>

‘If This Was Your Mother, Doctor…’ - NYT

The other residents and I sat in our blue scrubs with our attending physician in the windowless family meeting room just outside the int...

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Living in Zurich

For the last week and a half I was in Zurich, Switzerland, for World-Architects, checking out some new architecture in the evenings after work. Many of the buildings I happened to look at were recent housing projects, primarily middle-class developments just west of central Zurich. Below are eight of those projects, with links to the architects' websites and more of my photos on Flickr.<br /><br /><a href="http://graberpulver.ch/index.php/projects/siedlung-grunmatt" rel="nofollow">Siedlung Grünmatt FGZ</a> (2014) in Zurich, Switzerland, by Graber Pulver.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/archidose/9410085348/" title="Siedlung Grünmatt FGZ by archidose, on Flickr"><img alt="Siedlung Grünmatt FGZ" height="480" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5495/9410085348_585c7f7484_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />[See more <a href="http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=siedlunggr%C3%BCnmattfgz&w=archidose&adv=1&mt=all&ct=6&m=tags">photos at Flickr</a>]<br /><br /><a href="http://www.em2n.ch/projects/neufrankengasse" rel="nofollow">Housing Neufrankengasse</a> (2013) in Zurich, Switzerland, by EM2N.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/archidose/9390351645/" title="Housing Neufrankengasse by archidose, on Flickr"><img alt="Housing Neufrankengasse" height="800" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7396/9390351645_3a98a710fe_c.jpg" width="575" /></a><br />[See more <a href="http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=housingneufrankengasse&w=archidose&adv=1&mt=all&ct=6&m=tags">photos at Flickr</a>]<br /><br /><a href="http://www.maerkliarchitekt.ch/solo.php?lang=de&id=686144300" rel="nofollow">Gutstrasse Wohnüberbauung</a> (2013) in Zurich, Switzerland, by Märkli Architekt.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/archidose/9407418775/" title="Gutstrasse Wohnüberbauung by archidose, on Flickr"><img alt="Gutstrasse Wohnüberbauung" height="622" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2827/9407418775_99693b1edb_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />[See more <a href="http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=gutstrassewohn%C3%BCberbauung&w=archidose&adv=1&mt=all&ct=6&m=tags">photos at Flickr</a>]<br /><br /><a href="http://www.burkhalter-sumi.ch/projects/sunnigehof" rel="nofollow">Sunnige Hof</a> (2012) in Zurich, Switzerland, by Burkhalter Sumi Architekten.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/archidose/9410326070/" title="Sunnige Hof by archidose, on Flickr"><img alt="Sunnige Hof" height="633" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2894/9410326070_b6aa50843a_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />[See more <a href="http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=sunnigehof&w=archidose&adv=1&mt=all&ct=6&m=tags">photos at Flickr</a>]<br /><br /><a href="http://www.vbk-arch.ch/preview-detail/items/084-ersatzneubauten-triemli-zuerich.html" rel="nofollow">Ersatzneubauten Triemli Zürich</a> (2011) by Von Ballmoos Krucker Architekten.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/archidose/9389544167/" title="Ersatzneubauten Triemli Zürich by archidose, on Flickr"><img alt="Ersatzneubauten Triemli Zürich" height="480" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2841/9389544167_a8a98d39ec_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />[See more <a href="http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=ersatzneubautentriemlizuerich&w=archidose&adv=1&mt=all&ct=6&m=tags">photos at Flickr</a>]<br /><br /><a href="http://www.swiss-architects.com/de/althammer-hochuli/projekte-3/-33335" rel="nofollow">Wohnüberbauung Wasserschöpfi</a> (2011) in Zurich, Switzerland, by Althammer Hochuli.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/archidose/9401165352/" title="Wohnüberbauung Wasserschöpfi by archidose, on Flickr"><img alt="Wohnüberbauung Wasserschöpfi" height="427" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3687/9401165352_2ff7f942c5_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />[See more <a href="http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=wohn%C3%BCberbauungwassersch%C3%B6pfi&w=archidose&adv=1&mt=all&ct=6&m=tags">photos at Flickr</a>]<br /><br /><a href="http://www.camenzindevolution.com/News/KISS" rel="nofollow">K.I.S.S.</a> (2011) in Zurich, Switzerland by Camenzid Evolution.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/archidose/9394271283/" title="K.I.S.S. by archidose, on Flickr"><img alt="K.I.S.S." height="640" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2877/9394271283_f1eb69e1bc_z.jpg" width="632" /></a><br />[See more <a href="http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=kiss&w=archidose&adv=1&mt=all&ct=6&m=tags">photos at Flickr</a>]<br /><br /><a href="http://www.gmuergeschwentner.ch/gebaute-projekte/new-project-page/" rel="nofollow">James</a> (2009) in Zurich, Switzerland, by Gmür & Geschwentner Architekten AG.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/archidose/9410446902/" title="James by archidose, on Flickr"><img alt="James" height="481" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7362/9410446902_007ed8a1e1_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />[See more <a href="http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=gm%C3%BCrgeschwentnerarchitektenag&w=archidose&adv=1&mt=all&ct=6&m=tags">photos at Flickr</a>]

Living in Zurich

For the last week and a half I was in Zurich, Switzerland, for World-Architects, checking out some new architecture in the evenings after wo...

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U.S. House schedule for Friday, August 2, 2013

<a href="http://majorityleader.gov/"><i>From Majority Leader Eric Cantor....</i></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><u><b>FRIDAY, AUGUST 2ND </b></u><br />On Friday, the House will meet at 9:00 a.m. for legislative business. First votes expected: 9:15 - 10:45 a.m. Last votes expected: 12:00 - 1:00 p.m.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><b>One Minute Speeches</b><br /><br /><b>Complete Consideration of <a href="http://republicanleaderforms.house.gov/Components/Redirect/r.aspx?ID=353936-6846703" target="_blank">H.R. 367</a></b> - Regulations From the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act of 2013 (Structured Rule) <i>(Sponsored by Rep. Todd Young / Judiciary Committee)</i><br /><blockquote>Postponed Amendment Votes (no more amendments may be offered to the bill):</blockquote><blockquote><blockquote><b>Rep. Steve Scalise Amendment <br /> Rep. Jason Smith Amendment <br /> Rep. Tom Latham Amendment <br /> Rep. Jerry Nadler Amendment <br /> Rep. Hank Johnson Amendment <br /> Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee Amendment <br /> Rep. Gwen Moore Amendment</b></blockquote></blockquote><a href="http://republicanleaderforms.house.gov/Components/Redirect/r.aspx?ID=353938-6846703" target="_blank"><b>H.R. 2009</b></a> - Keep the IRS Off Your Health Care Act of 2013 (Closed Rule, One Hour of Debate) <i>(Sponsored by Rep. Tom Price / Ways and Means Committee)</i><br /><br /><b>Special Order Speeches</b><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><u><b>COMMITTEE ACTIVITY OF THE DAY </b></u><br />Natural Resources Subcommittee on Energy & Mineral Resources hearing on ”<a href="http://republicanleaderforms.house.gov/Components/Redirect/r.aspx?ID=353939-6846703" target="_blank">Preventing Government Waste & Protecting Coal Mining Jobs in America Act</a>” (Friday, August 2nd, at 10:00 a.m.)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://republicanleaderforms.house.gov/Components/Redirect/r.aspx?ID=353940-6846703" target="_blank">Printable PDF</a>

Congress Eric Cantor U.S. House of Representatives U.S. House schedule for Friday, August 2, 2013

From Majority Leader Eric Cantor.... FRIDAY, AUGUST 2ND On Friday, the House will meet at 9:00 a.m. for legislative business. First votes e...

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Today's Teamster News 08.02.13

<a href="http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20130801_Unions_strike_at_Convention_Center.html" rel="nofollow">Teamsters Strike at  Pennsylvania Convention Center</a>  Philadelphia Inquirer   ...Trade union members went on strike Thursday at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in a dispute over proposed changes in work rules...<br /><a href="http://www.independent.com/news/2013/jul/31/additional-meetings-mtd-emergency-transit-service-/" rel="nofollow">Additional Meetings for MTD Emergency Transit Service Reduction Plan</a>  Santa Barbara Independent   ...MTD drivers, mechanics, and utility workers are represented by Teamsters Local 186, which has concerns about the impact of California’s Public Employees’ Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA) on bargaining rights...<br /><a href="http://elmwoodpark.suntimes.com/news/strike-ELM-08082013:article" rel="nofollow">Teamster Funeral home workers near one month on strike at Montclair-Lucania Funeral Home</a>  Pioneer Local   ...Since July 2, funeral home workers have been on the picket line outside the Montclair-Lucania Funeral Home, one of 16 in the Chicago area owned by SCI and managed under the name Dignity Memorial. That’s when he and other members of Teamsters Local 727, made up of funeral directors, embalmers and hearse drivers, voted to go on strike...<br /><a href="http://sanjuancapistrano.patch.com/groups/schools/p/pay-freezes-on-tap-for-some-cusd-employees-not-teachers" rel="nofollow">Pay Freezes on Tap for Some CUSD Employees, Not Teachers</a>  San Juan Capistrano Patch   ...Nonteaching employees won't get their automatic pay raises at all next year, while management and Teamsters will have to wait six months...<br /><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/07/31/us-mckesson-pay-idUSBRE96U0X920130731" rel="nofollow">McKesson Directors Re-Elected Amid CEO Pay Controversy</a>  Reuters   ...Shareholders re-elected all of McKesson Corp's board members on Wednesday, defying the recommendations of influential proxy advisers and investors who object to the inflated compensation and dual roles of Chairman and CEO John Hammergren...<br /><a href="http://www.islandpacket.com/2013/07/30/2603487/mdot-plans-for-possibility-of.html" rel="nofollow">Maine’s DOT plans for possibility of rail shutdown</a>  Hilton Head Island Packet   ...Contingency planning is underway in case Montreal, Maine & Atlantic Railway stops service following a runaway train explosion and fire that claimed 47 lives just north of the Maine border, state transportation officials said...<br /><a href="http://www.joc.com/regulation-policy/transportation-policy/us-transportation-policy/thud-amendment-targets-new-driver-hours-service-rules_20130731.html" rel="nofollow">THUD Amendment Targets New Driver Hours of Service Rules</a>  Journal of Commerce   ...The latest changes to the <a href="http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regulations/topics/hos/index.htm">truck driver hours of service rules</a> are being challenged by Rep. Richard Hanna (NY-R), who is expected to introduce an amendment to the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development bill that would block changes to the HOS rules that took effect July 1 from being “implemented, administered or enforced...”<br /><a href="http://www.commondreams.org/view/2013/08/01-3" rel="nofollow">Backyard Shock Doctrine: Wall Street's Destruction Comes Home</a>  Common Dreams   ...Since 2007, the foreclosure crisis has displaced at least 10 million people from more than four million homes across the country...The displaced are young and old, rich and poor, and of every race, ethnicity, and religion.  They add up to approximately the entire population of Michigan...<br /><a href="http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2013/08/01/former-goldman-trader-is-found-liable-in-mortgage-deal/?_r=0" rel="nofollow">Former Trader Is Found Liable In Fraud Case</a>  New York Times   ...Five years after Wall Street risk-taking nearly toppled the economy, the S.E.C. has taken only a handful of employees to court in connection with the crisis; most cases have been settled. The agency has not leveled fraud charges against one top executive at a big bank...<br /><a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-07-31/congress-votes-to-end-fixed-interest-for-student-loans.html" rel="nofollow">Congress Votes to End Fixed Interest for Student Loans</a>  Bloomberg   ...The U.S. Congress gave final approval yesterday to a bill that pegs interest on government-sponsored student borrowing to a market-based rate, ensuring that almost 9 million undergraduates will pay 3.86 percent on their next loan...<br /><a href="http://rollingout.com/criminal-behavior/judge-must-serve-28-years-after-making-2-million-for-sending-children-to-jail/" rel="nofollow">Judge to serve 28 years after making $2 million for sending black children to jail</a>  Rolling Out   ...Ciavarella worked alongside owners of private juvenile facilities to ensure that the prison remained occupied. The more prisoners equated to more profits for the owners of the prison. As a result, Ciavarella would sentence offenders with small offenses to months and, at times, years behind bars. He once sentenced a teen to three months in jail for creating a MySpace page that mocked her school’s assistant principal...<br /><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/01/business/strike-for-day-seeks-to-raise-fast-food-pay.html?pagewanted=all" rel="nofollow">A Day’s Strike Seeks to Raise Fast-Food Pay</a>   New York Times   ...From New York to several Midwestern cities, thousands of fast-food workers have been holding one-day strikes during peak mealtimes, quickly drawing national attention to their demands for much higher wages...<br /><a href="http://www.cnn.com/2013/07/29/politics/minimum-wage-congress-Obama" rel="nofollow">Despite fast food protests, Congress in no rush on minimum wage</a>  CNN   ...Fast food workers striking for higher wages in seven cities Monday are bound to be disappointed. On their last week before vacation, Congress isn't likely to raise the minimum wage. They're not even close to critical mass on that issue...<br /><a href="http://www.politico.com/story/2013/07/tax-reform-would-fuel-us-economy-95005.html" rel="nofollow">Tax reform would fuel U.S. economy</a> (opinion)  Politico …The current tax rules were fine when U.S. exports dominated a global economy, but they are ill-suited for a digital age of intense competition. While other countries have modernized their international tax systems, the U.S. remains mired in the past. The U.S. tax system isn’t working for American businesses, workers or the economy as a whole...<br /><a href="http://www.afro.com/sections/news/Washington/story.htm?storyid=79292" rel="nofollow">D.C. Baptist Convention Weighs into Battle Against Large Retailers</a>  AFRO   ...Religious leaders have gotten into the fight against large retailers in the District of Columbia in support of ensuring residents of the city are making living wages...<br /><a href="http://www.kvoa.com/news/bus-contract-negotiations/" rel="nofollow">Phoenix Bus Drivers Reject Contract</a>  Associated Press   ...Hundreds of bus drivers overwhelming rejected a proposed labor contract offer from First Transit on Wednesday, setting the stage for a midnight strike that would shut down service in the Phoenix-area...<br /><a href="http://www.gctelegram.com/news/national/AP-KS-SpecialSession-8-1-13" rel="nofollow">Kansas Democrats want to re-examine voting laws</a>  Associated Press  ...Some Wichita Democrats want Kansas legislators to use the special session in September to fix a problem they say exists in the state's new voting laws... <br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span>  </div>

Today's Teamster News 08.02.13

Teamsters Strike at  Pennsylvania Convention Center   Philadelphia Inquirer   ...Trade union members went on strike Thursday at the Pennsylv...

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Get A Ripped Body

<div style='font-style:italic;' class='uawbyline'>By Doug Russell</div><br /><br /> <div class='uawarticle'>You want to get ripped quick, right? Well, this article will tell you what you need to know, but keep in mind that these suggestions are for the exerciser that is already in shape. They might be too intense for someone just starting out. But, if you follow these, you'll see results very soon.<br /> <br /> Since you are already in pretty good shape but you just want to see more defined muscles, that's easy. See, your muscles are probably fine. You just need to get them to be released from the amount of fat covering them. You now need to shift some focus onto your diet and cardio.<br /> <br /> If you don't want to have to create your own program, you may want to follow some that are already designed. I suggest <A HREF="http://www.beachbody.com/product/fitness_programs/p90x.do"> P90X</a> or Body for Life. They are both good programs that will give you the results you want. But, if you want to do the thinking for yourself, here are some guidelines:<br /> <br /> 1. Work out six days per week. This regularity helps keep your metabolism high and burning more fat. I suggest to take Sundays off to allow your body to recover from the intense training.<br /> <br /> 2. High intensity weight lifting. Make sure you lift weights to a heavy fatigue. This promotes muscle growth which in turn increases your metabolism even more. Also, larger muscles show through your skin more than smaller ones. These are examples of <A HREF="http://5bestexercises.wordpress.com/">good exercises</a>.<br /> <br /> 3. Water,water, water. If you want to get results, you have to give your cells what they need to flourish, and that's water. I'd suggest a half ounce of water per pound of muscle every day.<br /> <br /> 4. Eat enough protein: If you want the muscles to grow so you can Get Ripped Fast, you need to give them the protein they need to do that. Go to your local nutrition store and buy some whey protein so you can make a protein shake every day.<br /> <br /> 5. Avoid junk food! Instead of all the crap, eat health meals and snacks. You look better and feel better.<br /> <br /> 6. Recover: Allowing your body to recover is as important as training. You can't have one without the other. With that in mind, make sure you get plenty of rest and good long sleep at night.<br /> <br /> That completes a very basic, but fundamental list of guidelines that will help you achieve a ripped body.<br /> <br /> </div><br /> <div class='uawresource'><br /> <div style='font-style:italic;' class='uawabout'><br /> About the Author:<br /> </div><br /> <div class='uawlinks'>5BestExercises.com has a lot more like this, such as <A HREF="http://www.5bestexercises.com/get-ripped-fast/"> Get Ripped</a> Please follow 5BestExercises.com on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/5-Best-Exercises/460587913968689?ref=hl">Facebook</a>.</div><br /> </div><br />

Get A Ripped Body

By Doug Russell You want to get ripped quick, right? Well, this article will tell you what you need to know, but keep in mind that these...

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Daily Education and Technology News for Schools 08/02/2013

<ul class="diigo-linkroll"> <li> <p class="diigo-link"> <a href="http://inside.flipboard.com/2013/07/23/flipboard-magazines-can-now-be-enjoyed-on-the-web/">Flipboard Magazines Can Now Be Enjoyed on the Web | Inside Flipboard</a> </p> <p class="diigo-description">You can now read flipboard on the web! I highly recommend this app.</p> <p class="diigo-tags"> <span>tags:</span> <a href="https://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/news">news</a> <a href="https://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/education">education</a> <a href="https://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/flipboard">flipboard</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 08/02/2013

Flipboard Magazines Can Now Be Enjoyed on the Web | Inside Flipboard You can now read flipboard on t...

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Pastors Need Your Prayers, They Need Their Homes Furnished - and They Need Your Benjamins

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmlHOhgyq-bns7oWDfERMu5IFOZEVN8zPdF3GxXnsHqeTxeSF5XGCW54vF56y-Qh3rxb_qkSPYU8lHooLGRS1M2eh-RkICSHZ-N6jx5dDcGi_ZtuiwqAweVFpri0_s89Xri44cWbDb97VX/s1600/Benjamins2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmlHOhgyq-bns7oWDfERMu5IFOZEVN8zPdF3GxXnsHqeTxeSF5XGCW54vF56y-Qh3rxb_qkSPYU8lHooLGRS1M2eh-RkICSHZ-N6jx5dDcGi_ZtuiwqAweVFpri0_s89Xri44cWbDb97VX/s320/Benjamins2.png" width="320" /></a>Hope all of you Watchdog readers are having a wonderful summer. Make no mistake, the Watchdog is still on the job, but just taking a break from writing over the past month. Like some of the high-profile mega church pastors, the Watchdog is on a summer sabbatical to recharge his blogging batteries. The Dog of God has to take a break just like the Man of God, you know!<br /><br />During the Dog Days of summer, I did want to share with you a short post of a few recent examples of what pastors need from you this summer, so you can be sure to help them out. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBEgCSde2byJX9gM5skZ5m6XVAeZ0zPfN_8C7-p5ze0JR-49DlTDgxW7aGtXG_zFXh_gkV7tXGsNyhUGyweUbK417W5T56hdaG_65g_CWgMktjpY-tYsH1F_MT5Nz6XKxFKIA9Y4NITTLD/s1600/Turner.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBEgCSde2byJX9gM5skZ5m6XVAeZ0zPfN_8C7-p5ze0JR-49DlTDgxW7aGtXG_zFXh_gkV7tXGsNyhUGyweUbK417W5T56hdaG_65g_CWgMktjpY-tYsH1F_MT5Nz6XKxFKIA9Y4NITTLD/s200/Turner.png" width="188" /></a><u><b>"It's All About the Benjamins"</b></u>: Josh Turner and the pastors at <a href="http://www.celebration.org/" target="_blank">Celebration Church</a> here in Jacksonville need your benjamins. Last night with a giant "It's All About the BENJAMINS" graphic behind him (for those of you who don't know, a "benjamin" is a $100 bill) - Josh preached to the college students the importance of forking over 10% of their life's income to the church so they can be blessed and not cursed. Josh even managed to make fun of a woman who actually took them up on their "money back guarantee" offer - a woman who I know and who did need her money back and went through the humiliation of having to ask for it. I used to think that pastors tried to hide the fact that what is most important is the money - but Josh and the leadership at Celebration are now apparently open and honest: "It's All About the Benjamins" as you see in the photo above taken last night. To these preachers what matters most is the dollars - you prove your faith to them by forking over 10 cents on the dollar. Seeing this reminded me of Ed Young's <a href="https://vimeo.com/16359090" target="_blank">"Show me the Money" sermon disaster in 2010</a>.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSCqjn55G9OszCYWd2Ag08Ik8XYDdISQkkPNEHfsayObqvLGrQiFicgohMSZ39aZSkHP7weh8J13Q7mzt6ZxW76OYwv_4SD8Dzi5n1zAPBn2yK290gO9hOFcbhOO7wwLuEXFZdF9cIOXzR/s1600/Crosby.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSCqjn55G9OszCYWd2Ag08Ik8XYDdISQkkPNEHfsayObqvLGrQiFicgohMSZ39aZSkHP7weh8J13Q7mzt6ZxW76OYwv_4SD8Dzi5n1zAPBn2yK290gO9hOFcbhOO7wwLuEXFZdF9cIOXzR/s1600/Crosby.png" /></a></div><u><b>"Preacher Needs House Furnished"</b></u>: While Josh is trying to rack up the Benjamins, another pastor in Waycross, Georgia is trying to rack up the home furnishings. Remember Danny "<a href="http://fbcjaxwatchdog.blogspot.com/2011/10/new-minister-at-fbc-jax-piously-tells.html" target="_blank">It Ain't None of Yo' Business</a>" Crosby, the preacher here in Jax who bragged about <a href="http://fbcjaxwatchdog.blogspot.com/2011/10/crosby-follow-up-he-berates-woman-for.html" target="_blank">ripping into a woman at a restaurant</a> who dared to criticize her pastor in a private conversation - while his own online resume publicly ripped his prior church? Danny boy landed a <a href="http://www.jamestownbaptistwaycross.org/?i=8664&mid=10" target="_blank">new gig at a church in Waycross</a> this spring. I've never heard of a pastor doing this before, but apparently Danny and the Mrs. set up a "wedding registry" at Belk's website so the peeps at his new church could help them furnish their home they're moving into this summer. If you'd like to help Danny furnish his home - they still need the Samsung 720p plasma TV on the Walmart registry - visit their registry <a href="http://www.walmart.com/giftregistry/gr_detail.do?registryId=86162083175" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="https://www.belk.com/bridalregistry/bridal_registry_results.jsp" target="_blank">here</a>. And tell them the Watchdog sent you.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpPsB7Kfbef1eHmLPWLWyJzCOyVTfLcry731nnl1CbX0o3UEK6C7iPa99PaKNNfdx4LdnT5cWbKUuv75-U8wJ95Wl4sMIEOu-9ZKfoIO5WS4jvYHo9EFg4OM2PyXJpc9sEcKNLjzVGpnKL/s1600/Redneck.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpPsB7Kfbef1eHmLPWLWyJzCOyVTfLcry731nnl1CbX0o3UEK6C7iPa99PaKNNfdx4LdnT5cWbKUuv75-U8wJ95Wl4sMIEOu-9ZKfoIO5WS4jvYHo9EFg4OM2PyXJpc9sEcKNLjzVGpnKL/s200/Redneck.png" width="160" /></a><u><b>"Preacher Needs Your Prayers"</b></u>:  The peeps at Perry Noble's church received an hour's lecture by "teaching pastor" Clayton King on a very necessary topic: you are obligated to continually pray for your pastor. Not that you should be praying for your wife or your kids, but you should be in continual prayer for Perry and others in "authority" over you, since their jobs are so tough and so important. Clayton wrapped it up by telling the good folks six steps to praying for Perry: pray <u>affectionately</u>, pray <u>compassionately</u>, pray <u>courageously</u>, pray <u>specifically</u>, pray <u>expectantly</u>, pray <u>constantly</u>. And pray while drinking the NewSpring Kool Aid. If you need to watch this hour lecture on how to pray for YOUR Man-of-God, you can watch Clayton's message <a href="http://newspring.cc/series/redneck/the-right-tool-for-the-job/" target="_blank">here</a>.<br /><br />There you have it, now you know what your pastor needs...now get busy and pray and buy for your pastors, and remember, IT'S ALL ABOUT THE BENJAMINS!

Pastors Need Your Prayers, They Need Their Homes Furnished - and They Need Your Benjamins

Hope all of you Watchdog readers are having a wonderful summer. Make no mistake, the Watchdog is still on the job, but just taking a break f...

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Parents Today..? They Suck!!

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7TzylZ2a6y3YvNBWiENAAuDnTLdGXAh1agfpJ4GNVcPmTv7l8tnRGoop_xc2hWCkgStI-Zu3do225KVYlKF8tybZxKfJa_WHNwVP8vfZhi6jFuHUECJoIxlj5jjTQCqtNcKYuZH9d49s/s1600/Wendy's+Hates+Soccer+Moms.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7TzylZ2a6y3YvNBWiENAAuDnTLdGXAh1agfpJ4GNVcPmTv7l8tnRGoop_xc2hWCkgStI-Zu3do225KVYlKF8tybZxKfJa_WHNwVP8vfZhi6jFuHUECJoIxlj5jjTQCqtNcKYuZH9d49s/s320/Wendy's+Hates+Soccer+Moms.jpg" width="307" /></a>Cheeeeeers Chuckleheads!!<br /><br />I have some advice for you, and I have talked about this before…NEVER come through our Drive-Thru, the Beer Mine, without an idea of you want.<br /><br />And by the same token…<br /><br />Never go through the Drive-Thru line at Mickey D’s, Wendy’s, or in my case as it was tonight, Rally’s, without a purpose and agenda driven menu in mind.<br /><br />Rally’s makes burgers, fries, other sandwiches, and ice cream cones,<br /><br />Their menu, while delicious, is very Spartan-Like.<br /><br />Why the fuck do some of you have to fuck up the ease and gliding through of Rally’s, by wanting your sandwiches, <i>“special?”</i><br /><br />Listen Mom Van/SUV driving soccer mom who has three kids, and a need to get the best deal possible because you can’t afford the Cadillac Escalade that you are in…<br /><br />Could you please smack your kids, say,<i> “give us five double cheeseburgers“,</i> and then move on?<br /><br />Noooooo, of course you can’t…<br /><br />You have to explain to the whiny, high-pitched end of the Drive-Through speaker, that your precious Ashley, and your somber son Bryce, both hate onions, and while Ashley will accept a tomato on her burger, Bryce simply will not!!<br /><br />Poor Bryce…<br /><br />And while not afflicted with a peanut allergy, one of Bryce’s future High School buddies is going to kick his ass no later than the tenth grade for holding up their buddy’s car in the Drive-Thru lane, because you have turned him into a self-obsessed weenie who demands that no tomato shall grace his bun.<br /><br />Where exactly do you fucking people come from?  Oh, I know…<br /><br />From the United States of uhMEica!!<br /><br />Why do I say that, you ask? Because many of you people who frequent a Drive-Thru at a fast food joint, or a bank, or someplace like the Beer Mine, are overly self-involved…and lazy.<br /><br />I have had people come through with kids, and while Mom says that she wants a pack of cigarettes of whatever kind, I have three cars outside waiting all the while she also says…<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxsBEaqzNYPktyfrP_4ZqAP1gFHUezePeV99y-7k_qccPxZtGGfvk7EicSTDIO76kLmwOkQfRCy6yXMDro2r9dk1JWr0S4uOnwPV_DkVF5uOHo-QUpIIz41fhwU2yo7MUsKX_n-ayzynk/s1600/Soccer+Mom+Hot+Sexy+Nude.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxsBEaqzNYPktyfrP_4ZqAP1gFHUezePeV99y-7k_qccPxZtGGfvk7EicSTDIO76kLmwOkQfRCy6yXMDro2r9dk1JWr0S4uOnwPV_DkVF5uOHo-QUpIIz41fhwU2yo7MUsKX_n-ayzynk/s400/Soccer+Mom+Hot+Sexy+Nude.jpg" width="400" /></a><i>“My children are deciding what kind of chips that they want.</i>”<br /><br />First of all, one does not grocery shop in a Drive-Thru, and secondly, your kids should get whatever the hell chips that YOU decide that they should get, and if they don’t like them?<br /><br />Fuck Em’!!<br /><br />I know that four year old Crystal and six year old Nathan are very cute, but there are thirsty beer drinking people behind you and your spawn, and that is where we make our money!!<br /><br />Oh, and by the way, Ms. Mother To Two and Wife To None, I didn’t appreciate that you just complained about our cigarette prices.  Sure..<br /><br />We are a bit higher than most, but that is because you don’t have to get out of your car.<br /><br />And really?  Isn’t that a lot of trouble for you; I know how you like the drive-by transaction?  Oh…<br /><br />Here’s a couple of suckers for the kids; tell them that dinner is on me.<br /><br /><i>Cheers!!</i><br /><br />Matt-Man<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://www.facebook.com/mattmaniws" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">My Facebook Page</span></a></div>

Parents Today..? They Suck!!

Cheeeeeers Chuckleheads!! I have some advice for you, and I have talked about this before…NEVER come through our Drive-Thru, the Beer Mine, ...

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It's evening in the Valley ... thoughts while sitting on the deck

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLkiUVd5hNtgOqyvIeaj7Diro1RuWDQ1R5jCxu30Mfy_E0Ijjaa4K3imJiOtzRAufdyJ1KfpnDUO31DlDDyfhZs5449eC-uemVo0w69X7eZ44TeI4DcPL0tvSP4WF2wYI2Zj1O3eVVTy2A/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLkiUVd5hNtgOqyvIeaj7Diro1RuWDQ1R5jCxu30Mfy_E0Ijjaa4K3imJiOtzRAufdyJ1KfpnDUO31DlDDyfhZs5449eC-uemVo0w69X7eZ44TeI4DcPL0tvSP4WF2wYI2Zj1O3eVVTy2A/s400/3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />I love the quiet of the hours before dark. I'm sitting on the deck in the cool of the evening, a slight rustle through the leaves, with temperatures in the low 70s. The weather has been fantastic the past week and so we've enjoyed smelling the freshly dampened soil when it rains, listening to the summertime cicadas and crickets and tree frogs, hearing as rain drops plop on leaves outside the window, and enjoying just being alive in such a peaceful, beautiful place.<br /><br />It's been a busy summer spent with family and friends as we've traveled, visited, and enjoyed just being together and doing things. We've entertained company here at home, and we've traveled to visit others. Many memories have been made and stored away.<br /><br />I still cannot believe it's August. AccuWeather has forecasted an early fall with temperatures below normal beginning the end of this month. It's been a comfortable summer ... a few patches of hot, hot weather but mostly cool nights, comfortable days, and low humidity when cold fronts pass through. For campers like us, the beauty of living in the Shenandoah Valley is "camping" from home. We have all the privacy and convenience, yet can enjoy the beauty of the mountains -- you know, the things people pay to do in this part of Virginia. That used to be me while growing up in Chesterfield. I've lived here 17 years now ... I'm still pinching myself to believe that it's real.<br /><br />I still see the majestic mountains, the breath-taking vistas, the fields of freshly baled hay, the wildflowers and birds and wildlife. And when I look at those things, I see God's hand at work. Just wait until October's blaze of autumn colors take over!<br /><br />Ahh -- a hummingbird just buzzed me, coming in from three directions, hovering and making that little squeaky sound they do. I looked at him as he buzzed in front of me -- he looked at me, I looked at him -- and he hung in mid-air before finally lazily zipping away.<br /><br />There's a butterfly on the deck railing. I've noticed this week the butterflies are all over the deck and the trees whose branches shade the table and chairs. We have a maple and bass tree adjacent ... blue swallowtails, orange monarchs, and some smaller species that I'm not familiar with have covered the railing and branches. They have added a new dimension to enjoying the outdoors.<br /><br />Yellow bass tree leaves are beginning to litter the ground as they do toward the end of summer each year and, in the past, I attributed it to the hot, dry weather. However, this year has been rainy and fairly cool -- grass and trees are still lush and green -- so it must just be part of that tree's life cycle.<br /><br />Our deck is on the second story of our house which gives me some added comfort in an area that has seen black bears, coyotes, deer, wild turkeys, some have said they've seen some type of panther over the years, and other wild creatures.<br /><br />Tonight our next door neighbor, who has 60 acres of pasture and woods, informed us that a bear visited him this week, killing one of his goats and causing havoc in his barn. His motion camera caught photos of it that I hope to get and post ... he said it was the larger of the two bears that have been seen in this area all summer. Thank goodness he hasn't yet discovered our garden.<br /><br />So I'm sitting on the deck with my chair facing into the yard, camera on the table beside me, because you never know when that Kodak moment might pop up. I don't want to be surprised like SWAC Husband was in the spring when he was sitting in a chair near the garden and had kind of dozed off in the sunshine, waking up just in time to hear a panting sound as a bear came up the yard right toward him. I don't know who was more startled -- him or the bear -- but they both took off in opposite directions. <br /><br />No deer yet under the trees at the back of the yard which is kind of unusual since it's 8:00 and this is when they come out to graze. Maybe they are wary of the furry visitor next door.<br /><br />And the hummingbird just came back. I've got purple Mexican heather and blue dwarf potted morning glories out here ... perhaps I'm disrupting his evening snack. As I look across the yard toward the garden, a bunny is nibbling on this side of the fence. Good bunny. Eat the grass and not the veggies. Still no deer under the trees at the edge of the woods ... very unusual this close to dark.<br /><br />So I'll sit out and enjoy the coolness a while longer. Sometimes I stay out until after dark, watching as the stars come out, and sometimes the bull frogs in the neighbor's pond add their deep bass to the chorus of night sounds.<br /><br />It's August in the Valley....<br /><br />Photo by Lynn R. Mitchell<br /><br /><br />

Augusta County black bears bull frogs coyotes deer gardens hummingbirds night sounds solitude summer in Shenandoah Valley Virginia It's evening in the Valley ... thoughts while sitting on the deck

I love the quiet of the hours before dark. I'm sitting on the deck in the cool of the evening, a slight rustle through the leaves, with ...

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clarification

I saw a post on investervillage.com about they thought I lived in Humble and I am having to drive far for RX.  NO.  That's someone else and we found a dr. closer for her.  I actually live and work VERY close to the dr. mentioned - Dr. Sally Thomas.  Just for clarification if someone can post a reply to the "Twitter" message on the site (I am not a member).  Thanks

clarification

I saw a post on investervillage.com about they thought I lived in Humble and I am having to drive far for RX.  NO.  That's someone else ...

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Casey's Gourmet Cookies Review!

<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s32mUkK2bN8/UfrTKBpbnTI/AAAAAAAAI74/5TWOQFNj52w/s1600/casey's+cookies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s32mUkK2bN8/UfrTKBpbnTI/AAAAAAAAI74/5TWOQFNj52w/s320/casey's+cookies.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Warning, be prepared for your mouth to start watering and I'm going to tell you why because today I'm going to discuss these delightful decadent cookies with you all today! I was sent a sampler box of cookies from <a href="http://www.caseyscookies.org/">Casey's Gourmet Cookies</a> for review and all I have to say is these cookies are addicting!</i></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>What makes them outstanding is that they are a non profit organization to improve independence and the quality of  life for mentally and physically disabled adults through employment and training.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>What makes a cookie perfect to you?</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Is it the crunchiness</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>A soft and chewy cookie</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>or more of the ingredients such as</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Fruit</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Chocolate</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Or the taste?</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Blueberry White Chocolate:</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>I absolutely loved this one, think blueberry muffin but with white chocolate chips and baked to perfection in cookie form! Loved the juiciness and freshness of the blueberries paired with the smooth creaminess of white chocolate.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Sugar Cookie with Sprinkles:</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>My niece loves sugar cookies so I gave it to her to try! She absolutely loved it, it was the best sugar cookie ever because it had sprinkles on top and it also tasted like cake batter ice cream. She gave me a little piece to nibble on and I was amazed at how good it was!</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Quadruple Chocolate Chip:</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>My mom loved this one it had chunks of white chocolate and dark and it was sweet and the best part of all is that the cookie had many chips in it not just a few like some other ones do.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Cranberry White Chocolate:</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UFijf2kXo9I/UfziykqQTsI/AAAAAAAAI9E/1MN_G6Yc5PY/s1600/cranberry+white+chocolate+casey+cookie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UFijf2kXo9I/UfziykqQTsI/AAAAAAAAI9E/1MN_G6Yc5PY/s320/cranberry+white+chocolate+casey+cookie.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>It's like Christmas right at your fingertips!</i></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Decadent smooth white chocolate paired with tart cranberries makes for a sweet treat that you will love!</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Cinnamon Chip Oatmeal Cookie:</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Vermont Maple Cookie:</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Sugar Free vanilla cookie:</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Sugar Free Chocolate Cookie:</i></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Buy some cookies today to support the mission!</i></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Check them out here on their site!</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Website:</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><a href="http://www.caseyscookies.org/">http://www.caseyscookies.org/</a></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Like them on </i></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Face Book: </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><a href="https://www.facebook.com/caseyscookies.org">https://www.facebook.com/caseyscookies.org</a></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Follow them Via</i></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Twitter:</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://twitter.com/TheCaseyProject"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>https://twitter.com/TheCaseyProject</i></span></a></div>

Casey's Gourmet Cookies Review!

Warning, be prepared for your mouth to start watering and I'm going to tell you why because today I'm going to discuss these delight...

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Florida schools chief quits over outsourcing scandal in Indiana

The former Indiana school superintendent caught changing the grade of a wealthy political donor's charter school today quit his job as education commissioner in Florida.<br /><br />The <a href="http://www.indystar.com/viewart/20130801/NEWS04/308010021/Report-Indiana-grade-scandal-leads-Tony-Bennett-resignation" rel="nofollow">Associated Press</a> reports:<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">Tony Bennett announced his immediate resignation at a news conference, saying that he while he did nothing wrong he didn’t want to be a distraction to Gov. Rick Scott’s efforts to overhaul Florida’s education system. Emails published by The Associated Press this week show that Bennett and his Indiana staff scrambled last fall to ensure Christel DeHaan’s school received an A, despite poor 10th-grade algebra scores that initially earned it a C.</blockquote>Bennett, it turns out, also outsourced Indiana public education to a firm that now -- surprise! -- employs his wife. Matthew Tully at the <a href="http://www.indystar.com/article/20130801/NEWS08/308010028" rel="nofollow">Indianapolis Star</a> tells us:<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">Charter Schools USA earlier this year hired Tony Bennett’s wife, Tina, as a regional director based in Florida, where Tony Bennett was hired late last year as commissioner of education. And, so, the bottom line is this: Tina Bennett is now earning a paycheck from the company her husband hand-picked to take over schools in Indiana, a decision that was very good for the company’s financial fortunes.</blockquote>This is what you get when you outsource services that belong to the government: corruption and control by Wall Street..<br /><br />This is what else you get: A vast army of the working poor who rely on food stamps, Medicaid and heating aid just to survive. Private prisons that are dangerous to the community and barbaric hellholes for the inmates. And you get the military supporting al-Qaeda sympathizers in Afghanistan.<br /><br />We're not kidding. <a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-07-30/al-qaeda-backers-found-with-u-s-contracts-in-afghanistan.html" rel="nofollow">Bloomberg</a> reports,<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">Supporters of the Taliban and al-Qaeda in Afghanistan have been getting U.S. military contracts, and American officials are citing “due process rights” as a reason not to cancel the agreements, according to an independent agency monitoring spending. </blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq">The U.S. Army Suspension and Debarment Office has declined to act in 43 such cases, John Sopko, the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction, said today in a letter accompanying a quarterly report to Congress. </blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq">“I am deeply troubled that the U.S. military can pursue, attack, and even kill terrorists and their supporters, but that some in the U.S. government believe we cannot prevent these same people from receiving a government contract,” Sopko said.</blockquote>We've learned about that army of the working poor from the <a href="http://www.nelp.org/page/-/Reports/NELP-Taking-Low-Road-Federal-Contracting.pdf?nocdn=1" rel="nofollow">National Employment Law Project</a>, which recently released a study that reported on government jobs outsourced to private contractors:<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">...many of the roughly 2 million federal contract workers—whose jobs range from manufacturing military uniforms to serving fast food to driving port trucks—have been excluded from coverage. Roughly a fifth of these workers live in poverty; two-fifths earn less than a living wage. And employers with a track record of violating labor laws easily obtain contacts and renewals. </blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq">As federal contracting has increased—now accounting for more than a half trillion dollars a year and more than two-fifths of all federal employees—enforcement of standards appears to have lagged. As contracts go to the lowest bidder, who often offers the lowest wages, more and more of these employees rely heavily on government programs from Medicaid to food stamps to survive.</blockquote>And here's the <a href="http://teamsternation.blogspot.com/2013/07/miss-private-prison-like-jungle.html" rel="nofollow">latest on outsourced prisons</a>:<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16.890625px;">Walnut Grove juvenile detention center in Malone, Miss., was run by GEO Group, the private prison company in Florida</span><a href="http://teamsternation.blogspot.com/2012/01/security-worse-at-private-prisons.html" style="background-color: white; color: #336699; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16.890625px;"> that wanted to take over nearly half of the state's prisons</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16.890625px;"> last year. (They failed.)</span> </blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16.890625px;">The state finally took control of Walnut Grove back from GEO Group in 2012, fed up with its dangerous and derelict care. Bloomberg reports,</span></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16.890625px; margin: 1em 20px;">Staff shortages, mismanagement and lax oversight had long turned it into a cauldron of violence, where female employees had sex with inmates, pitted them against each other, gave them weapons and joined their gangs, according to court records, interviews and a U.S. <a href="http://topics.bloomberg.com/justice-department/" style="color: #336699;">Justice Department</a> report.</blockquote>Makes you think twice about outsourcing. (If you haven't already.)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />

Florida schools chief quits over outsourcing scandal in Indiana

The former Indiana school superintendent caught changing the grade of a wealthy political donor's charter school today quit his job as e...

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Charlottesville: Fry's Spring Station restaurant

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBzBoSQOnBSpdudIrRpNbXdQoHVCXVPCc0qS0sMvOJRJvD7mrXP29MQyKt2qP9unqsgf_FyGHXB4riI4U_dNscPtYJkbOM0BGgr4EjzS1rmvuZl6bxwOCjyoaw7bwktwTxytbwnQ9vbZ61/s1600/8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBzBoSQOnBSpdudIrRpNbXdQoHVCXVPCc0qS0sMvOJRJvD7mrXP29MQyKt2qP9unqsgf_FyGHXB4riI4U_dNscPtYJkbOM0BGgr4EjzS1rmvuZl6bxwOCjyoaw7bwktwTxytbwnQ9vbZ61/s640/8.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">In a renovated 70-year-old service station on the corner of Charlottesville's Jefferson Park Avenue and Maury Avenue, <a href="http://www.frysspringstation.com/menu.php">Fry's Spring Station</a> is an award-winning restaurant offering gluten free, vegetarian, and vegan courses that are appetizing for all palates.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV0zTY30EmoI-3YFPWRzFFut8KuJ_Eykpppa-GohuXvLKgNIlYPmLw5LQNATXzEGx-fow-27l8R-aQsRyvRoNsG2qLbjxzcNmWMhCgC_Igaf73YjF4XW3P-MryOpCq-h_OmUVKpfjwlduT/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV0zTY30EmoI-3YFPWRzFFut8KuJ_Eykpppa-GohuXvLKgNIlYPmLw5LQNATXzEGx-fow-27l8R-aQsRyvRoNsG2qLbjxzcNmWMhCgC_Igaf73YjF4XW3P-MryOpCq-h_OmUVKpfjwlduT/s640/1.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">A brick oven is capable of cooking 22 wood-fired pizzas at once. They also offer crisp and crunchy salads, pastas, and Paninis on Foccacia bread, with a variety of entrees, sides, and appetizers as well as a large <a href="http://www.frysspringstation.com/menu.php#drinks">selection of adult beverages</a>, many from local vineyards and breweries.</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Plentiful outdoor seating beckons guests on warm and cool evenings, thanks to year-round heat lamps, while inside 100-person seating ofers exposed brick and reclaimed heartwood pine floors. With a mixture of Spanish, Jeffersonian, and Art Deco architecture, Fry's Spring Station offers a sophisticated, one-of-a-kind dining experience in the heart of Charlottesville.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNU4aMSo3KvW1wr0b1zLMQAJ4zWvGlAxI78vVZdsIzNAXYS9CXJboUe4R6Rx7Gn8ohcYFrXIm-NHK7w4HyE5hSL1tBy2cObZb1cAvqkR6UiC_KMwPXy00LEUqRdPl5VWQxUpAZWOjFwbg2/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNU4aMSo3KvW1wr0b1zLMQAJ4zWvGlAxI78vVZdsIzNAXYS9CXJboUe4R6Rx7Gn8ohcYFrXIm-NHK7w4HyE5hSL1tBy2cObZb1cAvqkR6UiC_KMwPXy00LEUqRdPl5VWQxUpAZWOjFwbg2/s400/2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Margherita Supreme wood-fired pizza: roma tomatoes, fresh basil and fresh mozzarella. Scrumptuous.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJLr5NTvQRQvgmu7KNdYs_eESpwTgv35_ep3tPPzR2YdrULM_NlSnpXPsjl0qS900j58YDh7JiFkfJJSCVqGenoRAiSYwHn1FiWQm2kzeaVpHaawnROS_6ISJv9yFP2LiygumieYfTavk-/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJLr5NTvQRQvgmu7KNdYs_eESpwTgv35_ep3tPPzR2YdrULM_NlSnpXPsjl0qS900j58YDh7JiFkfJJSCVqGenoRAiSYwHn1FiWQm2kzeaVpHaawnROS_6ISJv9yFP2LiygumieYfTavk-/s400/3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Fry's pretzel appetizer with three dipping sauces -- honey mustard, ranch, and marinara. Also pictured: spinach salad with roasted red peppers, mushrooms, tomatoes, hard boiled egg, bacon, and tangy vinaigrette.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdXyXrxk2ugpSiQkEHdQBw3qFQnw0pWbDqHTpeeuXOlXpzRzSLj7-Pj7udQOb9pZwOtolvra1OZJQsD_270TJRMmKJf5x75pOueF_l-qid7M6ZvqtqclU7FEZJbaSm9y9pNNNjILeIlnIo/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdXyXrxk2ugpSiQkEHdQBw3qFQnw0pWbDqHTpeeuXOlXpzRzSLj7-Pj7udQOb9pZwOtolvra1OZJQsD_270TJRMmKJf5x75pOueF_l-qid7M6ZvqtqclU7FEZJbaSm9y9pNNNjILeIlnIo/s400/4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Chicken Club panini with side garden salad. Not shown: Bold Rock cider from Bold Rock Cidery in nearby Nellysford, a crisp and refreshing hard cider crafted with care using Virginia Apples. The guys in our group proclaimed it some of the best they had ever tasted.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ_yK5w9qSp5gNXz-MKD15k7SjrYqKxFCklbIHYwrtVAiAC3tSUS2F8mfhAOptytJjJLYZT97MiNTV7qf47q37U-yjZ-B-Z1KDHllMpmoYLws6y2eCbe9b1990jNkAUu73zhbHhkYbPu8b/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ_yK5w9qSp5gNXz-MKD15k7SjrYqKxFCklbIHYwrtVAiAC3tSUS2F8mfhAOptytJjJLYZT97MiNTV7qf47q37U-yjZ-B-Z1KDHllMpmoYLws6y2eCbe9b1990jNkAUu73zhbHhkYbPu8b/s400/5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Jefferson wood-fired pizza: white pizza with fresh arugula and prosciutto. Not shown: Pear and Gorgonzola salad made of mixed greens, grape tomatoes, candied walnuts, sliced pear, gorgonzola, and orange vinaigrette. <br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO8udatJX-G8b7__zOu_0j4dDAhCKHNRnvF4SJICv6EPkfew6jGsKOQk9t_ZOvDrBAKiwwkWaibWg6La3Bv3XPU36GN3BEZ_5AwYHfjnHeSttDbMi0s9eF1tvko07K_mErqr-b9woPSmnn/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO8udatJX-G8b7__zOu_0j4dDAhCKHNRnvF4SJICv6EPkfew6jGsKOQk9t_ZOvDrBAKiwwkWaibWg6La3Bv3XPU36GN3BEZ_5AwYHfjnHeSttDbMi0s9eF1tvko07K_mErqr-b9woPSmnn/s400/6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Framed prints on the walls are scenes reminiscent of service stations from an earlier time. By the time we left, patrons were inside and enjoying the outdoor patios.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbGU8uT-2tzdn9sEn1oIsqGJjZEUU5DFq1xQe609FpaHU5ZvSyKNMClYWnix6TNque6S14yDKBtnlr2rVKRhbGFItyp-uGbsQzRl327CRozbyRnwPBcNVaAUQ9kEYlUWpvSckgFuWPOK6H/s1600/7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbGU8uT-2tzdn9sEn1oIsqGJjZEUU5DFq1xQe609FpaHU5ZvSyKNMClYWnix6TNque6S14yDKBtnlr2rVKRhbGFItyp-uGbsQzRl327CRozbyRnwPBcNVaAUQ9kEYlUWpvSckgFuWPOK6H/s400/7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">One down side: There are five tight parking spaces behind the building and no on-street parking. It's obvious they have a lot of foot traffic. Other than that, the food and atmosphere definitely make it a popular choice for lunch or dinner.</div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell</div><div style="text-align: left;">August 1, 2013 </div></div>

Charlottesville fire-roasted pizza Fry's Spring Station glutten free Charlottesville restaurant Jefferson Way Avenue Lynn R. Mitchell outdoor dining vegan vegetarian Virginia Charlottesville: Fry's Spring Station restaurant

In a renovated 70-year-old service station on the corner of Charlottesville's Jefferson Park Avenue and Maury Avenue, Fry's Spring S...

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New Dr. - Highly recommended

I have the name of a great doctor in Houston who is actively prescribing Belviq.  Her name is Dr. Sally Thomas.  I am so excited.  I have my appointment set up for August 13th as she is on vacation.  This works out great for me!!!  I am so excited!!!<br /><br />Tomorrow is my 6 week weigh in, Which will be on video and posted tomorrow.  Meanwhile - I put a pull up over there on the right hand side.  Let's see what the masses thing!  Go ahead, be brave, make your choice!!!  <br /><br />I was speaking to the local Eisai rep today.  I was completely humbled when she told me that the Humble rep had stopped by a local family practice and the 2 nurses both have heard of me and my blog!!  A similar encounter for the Eisai NOLA rep.  BLESSED that I am making a statement. <br /><br />I WANT the word out - I want to educate and change lives just like mine is being changed, one little blue pill at a time!!!!!!!  <br /><br />Share my story with anyone.  Any Eisai rep can use me as a tool - PERFECLY FINE.  I want to bring the same joy to others as I have found!  <br /><br />XOXOX<br />Ellie

New Dr. - Highly recommended

I have the name of a great doctor in Houston who is actively prescribing Belviq.  Her name is Dr. Sally Thomas.  I am so excited.  I have my...

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Low-wage workers in Chicago, Milwaukee, Seattle join struggle

<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/AVvXsEj0HgWckZIIcdv74LGnrILLRYH1-8-HR4On89Hz_dzSysw9wmWGszFLMf-4swl4D8NixtVfGKRAmoJj6hMBN_Mkh2BPUqqJn0aL4zjHgz_hVy8BhyphenhyphenaozE62xmhBUSj54dkqtXgzL1owHEVA/s1600/8-1lowwagestrike5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="She tells them she supports their decision to walk out." border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0HgWckZIIcdv74LGnrILLRYH1-8-HR4On89Hz_dzSysw9wmWGszFLMf-4swl4D8NixtVfGKRAmoJj6hMBN_Mkh2BPUqqJn0aL4zjHgz_hVy8BhyphenhyphenaozE62xmhBUSj54dkqtXgzL1owHEVA/s400/8-1lowwagestrike5.jpg" title="A McDonald's manager in Milwaukee speaks to crowd protesting pay at restaurant." width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">McDonald's manager in Milwaukee sides with workers, walks out.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hundreds of low-wage workers walked off the job in Chicago, Milwaukee and Seattle this morning during the fourth day of a nationwide drive to raise their wages. The movement spread beyond the seven cities targeted by organizers when employees in the Pacific Northwest joined in with short strikes of their own.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Low-wage workers are demanding an end to retaliation for organizing a union. In all three cities, they went from one business to another to protest poverty wages and workplace abuse. It was expected to be a daylong affair, with final rallies taking place in Chicago, Milwaukee and Seattle in the early evening.<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Workers in other industries have joined the revolt, which began last fall when low-wage retail and fast-food workers walked off the job in New York. Sudden short strikes have been used to elicit public support for low-wage workers at warehouse companies, government contractors and the waste industry. Today, Teamster paramedics and EMTs in El Centro, Calif., are in the fifth day of a strike to fight low wages paid by Gold Cross Ambulance. Teamsters yesterday protested pharmaceutical distributor McKesson’s retaliation against workers at a Lakeland, Fla., warehouse.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In Chicago, </span><a href="http://www.ustream.tv/channel/samwiseoccupies?utm_campaign=ustre-am&utm_source=10881934&utm_medium=social" rel="nofollow"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Samwiseoccupies</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>reported about 200 people were marching from store to store raising awareness about the dire state of their wages. By mid-morning, workers had already visited Wendy’s, </span><a href="http://telly.com/11K39L3" rel="nofollow"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Subway</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">, Sally’s Beauty Supply and Sears and were expected to visit many more sites. <o:p></o:p></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Striking employees chanted in English and Spanish:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div><blockquote class="tr_bq"> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Workers can’t survive on $8.25” and “On strike! Shut it down! Chicago is a union town!”</span></blockquote></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Meanwhile, in Milwaukee, a McDonald’s manager joined her workers in walking out. , She said they deserved higher pay and it was time to stand up for it, according to </span><a href="https://twitter.com/WiscJobsNow" rel="nofollow"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Wisconsin Jobs Now’s Twitter feed</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">. Protesters later moved out to a Burger King in the city, where all workers walked off the job.<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="https://twitter.com/70torinoman"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Viva la causa!</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">reported there was a great turn out for the Milwaukee protests: </span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Too many striking workers, too few seats on the buses. What a great problem!<o:p></o:p></span></blockquote></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7qeTXhsxcF9WWLUvT-M98iwdFzK33y8VBvYw7MTEevJCIHp9LCDmWdR60u-sRNjn1rteSl6lKAOkpu2gn-UwW1S81zKXw1JvSZAXSeUxP8TJYH_rQ2pCHzZ-Sk5DmWi-nz3z5rsc0o5T6/s1600/8-1lowwagestrike6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7qeTXhsxcF9WWLUvT-M98iwdFzK33y8VBvYw7MTEevJCIHp9LCDmWdR60u-sRNjn1rteSl6lKAOkpu2gn-UwW1S81zKXw1JvSZAXSeUxP8TJYH_rQ2pCHzZ-Sk5DmWi-nz3z5rsc0o5T6/s320/8-1lowwagestrike6.jpg" title="Seattle protesters hold up sign saying local Starbucks is engaging in wage theft." width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seattle workers aren't getting full pay from local Starbucks.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> And in Seattle, where low-wage workers weren’t expected to strike, </span><a href="https://twitter.com/workingwa" rel="nofollow"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">protesters held a teach-in at a local Starbucks</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> about wage theft. They also showed up at a Burger King restaurant to protest low wages.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Teamsters Facebook page is filled with comments supporting the low-wage workers:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div><blockquote class="tr_bq"> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Jim Lutz: Gotta give em Credit for taking 1st step -a hard one when you only make 8 bucks an hour</span></blockquote></div><div><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dale Felder: These workers are shining examples of bravery, fortitude, and determination. Because of their wonderful actions changes will appear. There is hope for the future of the 99%ers!</span></blockquote></div><div><blockquote class="tr_bq"> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Rodney Justice: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If anyone would take the time to see just how much a McDonald's make per month they would see just how right the workers are.</span></blockquote></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Andy Newhausen: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I like the way it said allow workers to unionize, I believe they should just do it and to bad for the company. Big companies have reaped huge profits at the laborers expense for two long, pay them a fair wage or close your doors !<o:p></o:p></span></blockquote></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> You can show your support for low-wage workers by adding your name to <a href="http://www.lowpayisnotok.org/" rel="nofollow">their petition here</a>.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The petition says:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div><blockquote class="tr_bq"> <span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I support workers who are on strike for a living wage and better working conditions. No job in this country should pay so little that employees can’t make ends meet.</span></span></blockquote></div>

Low-wage workers in Chicago, Milwaukee, Seattle join struggle

McDonald's manager in Milwaukee sides with workers, walks out. Hundreds of low-wage workers walked off the job in Chicago, Milwaukee and...

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Five Best Weight Loss Solutions to Burn Fat Fast

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><h2 style="text-align: center;"></h2><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span>Don't have time, the energy or commitment to lose weight. You need to improve physique, there's no need to buy luxurious equipment. All the goodwill do some basic changes to your daily routine and you'll be surprised how much weight you can lose.</span></span></div><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></h2><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Five Best Weight Loss Solutions to Burn Fat Fast:</span></span></span></h2><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><img alt="Five Best Weight Loss Solutions to Burn Fat Fast" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyGZ61wEWya4QXi6zABVQFNwsCNA9Cx3zQ0W1IY__0MTiJRh7q7B-MdtPRj1WqERtElH1a1F4nyESCyjGfwTg3LAGRBpQMT6xpi6y3rHgI4hybj7SedFHorGd9r3ZcddwoBEIGCporf0c/s1600/1010267_168003823372282_217125238_n.jpg" title="Five Best Weight Loss Solutions to Burn Fat Fast" /> </span></h2><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></h2><div style="text-align: center;"><script type="text/javascript"><!-- google_ad_client = "ca-pub-5028478688240504"; /* LargeInPost_waysforweightloss_300-600 */ google_ad_slot = "6695176472"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 600; //--></script><script src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js" type="text/javascript"></script> </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>1- Enough hours of sleep:</b></span><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Not getting enough hours of sleep, this can cause a more problems. That there is a strong correlation between lack of sleep and obesity. So, You need on average a minimum of 7 hours of sleep everyday to stay healthy.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>2- Change your meal sizes:</b></span><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Change your meal sizes, that it's much better to eat six small-sized healthy meals a day. This limits calorie intake and give you the energy you need throughout your day. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>3- Get some dumbbells:</b></span><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Lift weights can help re-balance the fat/muscle ratio and slim down. Lightweight training burns fat and increases lean muscle, also increases your resting metabolism.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>4- Drink abundance of water: </b></span><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Drinking 8 to 12 glasses of water a day is an great idea to lose weight. And it’s important to keep your body well hydrated. Drinking a water before a meal make you feel full quicker. Drinking ice-cold water can even make your body burn around an extra 60 calories a day.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>5- Try a recommended supplement:</b></span><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Natural dietary supplements can make a massive difference and are one of the simplest weight loss solutions. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><center> <script type="text/javascript"><!-- google_ad_client = "ca-pub-5028478688240504"; /* inPost_waysforweightloss_336-280 */ google_ad_slot = "6975892477"; google_ad_width = 336; google_ad_height = 280; //--></script><script src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js" type="text/javascript"></script> </center></div>

burn fat Weight Loss Five Best Weight Loss Solutions to Burn Fat Fast

Don't have time, the energy or commitment to lose weight. You need to improve physique, there's no need to buy luxurious equipment...

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USA

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font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";} </style><![endif]--> <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/AVvXsEjLynQ_DCH44ymsj5wUakkeCeecYZqdeaN-yiThGHFCIYgqaxTzFBNFAJwaXEuS7UYZ-T0nMZMJXSGupJFZjkpkEPIZAQm1LHI-smjhX_J6gOgO516L4jHHMY1OPYYo9ZSGMYBA1uqezWMM/s1600/49.si.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLynQ_DCH44ymsj5wUakkeCeecYZqdeaN-yiThGHFCIYgqaxTzFBNFAJwaXEuS7UYZ-T0nMZMJXSGupJFZjkpkEPIZAQm1LHI-smjhX_J6gOgO516L4jHHMY1OPYYo9ZSGMYBA1uqezWMM/s640/49.si.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The map of XKeyscore servers from a 2008 presentation (Image from theguardian.com)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><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"; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div><h1 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><span>NSA'S XKEYSCORE GIVES ONE-CLICK REAL-TIME ACCESS TO ALMOST ANY INTERNET ACTIVITY</span></span></span></h1><h1><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></h1><h1><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i><span>HOW TO BECOME AN EMPIRE</span></i></span></span></h1><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><h1 style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-weight: normal;"><span> <span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">       </span></span></span><span style="color: #cc0000;"><i><span>The ROMANS invented ROADS to move their armies faster and efficient, thus becoming an empire</span></i></span></span></h1><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"> </span></span><h1 style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-weight: normal;"><span> <span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">       </span></span></span><i><span>The BRITISH invented the RAILROAD to connect trade routes, and subsequently became and empire</span></i></span></span></h1><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"> </span></span><h1 style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-weight: normal;"><span> <span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">       </span></span></span><i><span>The UNITED STATES OF AMERICA invented – developed and control the DATA HIGHWAY and thus emerged as an empire</span></i></span></span></h1><h1 style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><i><span><span style="font-size: large;">By Geopolitical Analysis and Monitoring</span> </span></i></span></span></h1><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Via RT</span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span><br /> <div style="text-align: justify;">New revelations about NSA surveillance systems show that it was enough to fill in a short ‘justification’ form before gaining access to any of billions of emails, online chats, or site visit histories through a vast aggregation program called XKeyscore.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The structure of XKeyscore, leaked by the UK’s Guardian <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/jul/31/nsa-top-secret-program-online-data" target="_blank">newspaper</a>, is sourced from a classified internal <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/interactive/2013/jul/31/nsa-xkeyscore-program-full-presentation" target="_blank">presentation</a> from 2008 and a more recent Unofficial User Guide, presumably obtained by Edward Snowden when he was a contractor for the National Security Agency in the past year. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">It shows that XKeyscore – then located on 750 servers around 150 sites worldwide – is a vast collection and storage program that served as the entry point for most information that was collected by the NSA. The Guardian claims that in one 30-day period in 2012 the program acquired 41 billion records. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The information is not just metadata – depersonalized analytical usage statistics that allow spies to spot patterns – but includes almost all types of personal information. Using any piece of personal data on a subject – an email address, or the IP address of a computer – an agent could look up all online user activities, such as Google map searches, website visits, documents sent through the internet or online conversations. The service operates both, in real time, and using a database of recently stored information. </div><div style="text-align: justify;">All that appears to have been necessary to log into the system is to fill in a compulsory line on a form that gave a reason for why a certain person needed to be investigated. The form was not automatically scanned by the system or a supervisor, and did not require a US legal warrant, as long as the person whose name was typed in was a foreigner (even if his interactions were with a US citizen). </div><br /> <div style="text-align: justify;">The slides appear to vindicate security specialist Edward Snowden’s claims made during the original video he recorded in Hong Kong last month. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>"I, sitting at my desk, could wiretap anyone, from you or your accountant, to a federal judge or even the president, if I had a personal email,"</i> he alleged then. </div><div style="text-align: justify;">Mike Rogers, the Republican chairman of the House intelligence committee later said that Snowden was “lying”.  </div><div style="text-align: justify;">The NSA has issued a statement to the Guardian, which does not now appear to deny the capabilities of XKeyscore, but merely to defend its use. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>"NSA's activities are focused and specifically deployed against – and only against – legitimate foreign intelligence targets in response to requirements that our leaders need for information necessary to protect our nation and its interests,”</i> said the NSA. </div><br /> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">USER-FRIENDLY GLOBAL SPYING </b><br /><br /> <div style="text-align: justify;">What strikes an outsider as particularly astonishing is the integration, user-friendliness and functional variety provided by the XKeyscore suite, as seen in the available slides (and its capabilities may have expanded significantly in the intervening years).  </div><div style="text-align: justify;">The presentation makes XKeyscore appear little more complicated than a search engine – but one that can find almost anything. After the heading “What can you do with XKeyscore?” the slides outline ways in which the system can fish useful information out of the morass of internet noise. </div><div style="text-align: justify;">The presentation gives examples of possible questions that can be answered with the aid of the search abilities provided: </div><ul type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;">My target speaks German, but is in Pakistan, how can I find him? </li><li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;">I have a jihadist document that has been passed around through numerous people, who wrote this and where were they? </li><li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;">My target uses Google maps to scope target locations – can I use this information to determine his email address? </li></ul><div style="text-align: justify;">The document then goes on to show that even basic facts do not need to be known to root out potential terrorists, with the system offering a nuanced analysis of “anomalous” behavior that makes a suspect stand out. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Once information has been fished out, it can be categorized using a selection of plug-ins that index user activity, including all the emails, phone numbers and sites that suspect has come into contact with. </div><div style="text-align: justify;">While XKeyscore collects so much data that it has to be wiped within days, anything useful be stored on a smaller, though still sizeable database called Pinwale that keeps records for up to five years. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The presentation boasts that 300 terrorists were caught with XKeyscore in the years leading up to 2008. </div><div style="text-align: justify;">While Fisa regulations mean that US citizens can only be clandestinely observed with a warrant, the search does not always identify the nationality of those it spies on, and in any case, having a foreign contact is sufficient to expand the search to a large proportion of US citizens. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">And while they are not the stated target of XKeyscore, communications between ordinary Americans, whether those pass through domestic and international servers, are inevitably caught in the net. </div><div style="text-align: justify;">Technically, a person with access to the system could just as easily spy on an American within a few clicks, as they could on a foreigner, though this would be illegal. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In last month’s Guardian interview Snowden insisted that there was nothing stopping this from happening. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>"It's very rare to be questioned on our searches, and even when we are, it's usually along the lines of 'let's bulk up the justification',"</i>he claimed. While NSA officials have admitted <i>"a number of compliance problems"</i>, which they say were not made “in bad faith”, they say the latest revelations are not proof that the system is illegal vulnerable to abuse. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">"<i>Allegations of widespread, unchecked analyst access to NSA collection data are simply not true. Access to XKeyscore, as well as all of NSA's analytic tools, is limited to only those personnel who require access for their assigned tasks … In addition, there are multiple technical, manual and supervisory checks and balances within the system to prevent deliberate misuse from occurring,</i>" said the NSA statement. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">"<i>These types of programs allow us to collect the information that enables us to perform our missions successfully – to defend the nation and to protect US and allied troops abroad.</i>" </div>

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The map of XKeyscore servers from a 2008 presentation (Image from theguardian.com) NSA'S XKEYSCORE GIVES ONE-CLICK REAL-TIME ACCESS TO ...

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