This is the Modem World: Why we troll

Each week Joshua Fruhlinger contributes This is the Modem World, a column dedicated to exploring the culture of consumer technology.

Back when the PlayStation 2 was the world's most popular game console, the original Xbox was struggling to gain a post-Halo audience and the GameCube was a cute diversion with a couple decent titles, I trolled gaming message boards. I was so sure that anyone who bought anything other than a PS2 was out of their mind that I set on the most immature mission in history: to inform the masses, proselytize the word as handed down by Hirai-san, and ridicule those who were wasting their time with The Wind Waker.

Those who were active gamers at the time probably read that paragraph and are now either annoyed or cracking a wry smile in understanding. The latter are the ones who played Ico. Those who weren't gamers at the time can insert their own products into the mix for context.

Filed under: Internet

Comments

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/WlBFG_fxGJY/

David Rakoff Bourne Legacy Chad Johnson London 2012 Soccer dwight howard Olympics closing ceremony PGA Championship 2012

RIM rebrands as BlackBerry; launches nifty new devices

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Research In Motion Ltd on Wednesday unveiled the long-delayed line of smartphones it hopes will put it on the comeback trail, but it disappointed investors by saying U.S. sales of its all-new BlackBerry 10 devices will not start until March, sending its share price tumbling 12 percent.

Chief Executive Thorsten Heins also announced that RIM was abandoning the name it has used since its inception in 1985 to take the name of its signature product, signaling his hopes for a fresh start for the company that pioneered on-your-hip email.

"From this point forward, RIM becomes BlackBerry," Heins said at the New York launch. "It is one brand; it is one promise."

RIM, which is already starting to call itself BlackBerry, had initially planned to launch the new BlackBerry 10 devices a year ago. But it pushed the release date back twice as it struggled to perfect a new operating system.

Ahead of Wednesday's announcements, analysts had said that any launch after February would be a black mark for the Canada-based company.

"The biggest disappointment was the delay in the U.S., that it will take so long before the devices get going there," said Eric Jackson, founder and managing Partner at Ironfire Capital LLC in New York.

Heins said the delays reflected the need for U.S. carrier testing, although carrier AT&T Inc offered few clues on what that meant. Instead, the carrier merely stated it was enthusiastic about the devices and would announce availability, pricing and other information at a later date.

"Carriers in all other parts of the world get their devices through the testing process significantly faster than the U.S. carriers do," said John Jackson, an analyst at IDC, adding that the U.S. process can often take "weeks" longer.

Nevertheless investors were extremely disappointed with the delay and RIM shares on the Nasdaq ended the day 12 percent lower at $13.78. Its Toronto-listed shares fell by almost the same margin to close at C$13.86.

RIM launched its first BlackBerry back in 1999 as a way for busy executives to stay in touch with their clients and their offices, and the company quickly cornered the market for secure corporate and government emails.

But its star faded as competition rose and the BlackBerry is now a far-behind also-ran in the race for market share, with a 3.4 percent global showing in the fourth quarter - down from 20 percent three years before. Its North American market share is even smaller - a mere 2 percent in the fourth quarter.

RIM shares have tumbled along with the company's market share and the stock is down 90 percent since its 2008 peak. Despite the pullback on Wednesday, RIM's share price has more than doubled over the last four months, reflecting the growing buzz about its new devices.

TOUCH COMPETITION

The new BlackBerry 10 phones will compete with Apple's iPhone and devices using Google's Android technology, both of which have soared above the BlackBerry in a competitive market.

The BlackBerry 10 devices boast fast browsers, new features, smart cameras and - unlike previous BlackBerry models - enter the market primed with a large application library, including services such as Skype and the popular game Angry Birds.

The BlackBerry Z10 touchscreen device, in black or white, will be the first to hit the market, with a country-by-country rollout that starts in Britain on Thursday.

A Q10 model, equipped with a small "qwerty" keyboard that RIM made into its trademark, will launch globally in April.

"I'm still confident that a lot of the subscriber base are going to want the upgrade to BlackBerry 10. It's a very strong improvement over what they currently have. This is not going to cause mass defections from iOS and Android, but it doesn't have to be a success for RIM. You've got to start somewhere," said Jackson of Ironfire, which owns shares in RIM.

The Z10 device won a lukewarm review from The Wall Street Journal's tech blogger Walt Mossberg, who complained of a shortage of apps.

On the other hand, David Pogue, who writes for The New York Times, apologized for describing BlackBerry as doomed in the past. The Z10 touchscreen device was "lovely, fast and efficient, bristling with fresh, useful ideas," he said.

While technology analysts conceded that RIM has done quite a remarkable job on many of the features of BlackBerry 10 and on the array of its app selection for a new platform, many argue it will be a very tough slog for RIM to regain its crown.

"I don't think that RIM will return to its glory days," said Charles Golvin, analyst at Forrester Research. "Success for them looks like staunching the bleeding and clawing back a percentage or point or two of market share."

Announcements about pricing so far have been in line with expectations. U.S. carrier Verizon Wireless said the phone would cost $199 for a two-year contract, while Canada's Rogers Communications is quoting C$149 ($150) for certain three-year plans.

GLITZY LAUNCH

RIM picked a range of venues for its global launch parties, including Dubai's $650-a-night Armani Hotel, which occupies six floors of the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest tower.

The New York event took place in a sprawling basketball facility on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, just north of the Manhattan Bridge. The BlackBerry has been "Re-designed. Re-engineered. Re-invented," RIM said.

RIM, which is splurging on a Super Bowl ad to promote its new phones, also introduced Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Alicia Keys as its global creative director.

"I was in a long-term relationship with BlackBerry and then I started to notice some new, kind of hotter, attractive, sexier phones at the gym, and I kind of broke up with you for something that had a little more bling," Keys said at the New York launch.

"But I always missed the way you organized my life and the way you were there for me at my job, and so I started to have two phones - I was kind of playing the field. But then ... you added a lot more features ... and now, we're exclusively dating again, and I'm very happy," she said.

($1=$1.0029 Canadian)

(Writing by Janet Guttsman; editing by Frank McGurty, Lisa Von Ahn, Peter Galloway, G Crosse)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/rim-rebrands-blackberry-launches-nifty-devices-000429316.html

giants score 2012 golden globe nominations texans lana del rey snl enemy of the state golden globe nominees joe philbin

Chocolate and Vanilla Bean Yogurt Parfaits Vintage Mixer

Wherever I am, I?m always on the hunt for new inspiration. ?Weather I?m at a restaurant with friends or on a trip. ?This recipe was inspired by a dessert I sampled at one of the lounges at Alt Summit. ?Since I?ve been recently experimenting more with Greek Yogurt in Desserts, like this Greek Yogurt Cheesecake, a little sign signaling me towards Chocolate and Yogurt Parfaits easily caught my eye. This light, satisfying dessert, with layers of creamy vanilla and chocolate, was stored in my mind to recreate soon.

Last week I had the pleasure of attending my first conference. ?Alt Summit hosts creative entreprenuers from around the country (some even from other countries!) all meeting right here in Salt Lake City. ?What I did expect from the conference was to learn and be challenged creatively but what I didn?t expect was to be inspired and encouraged not just by the speakers but the attendees as well.

I met a variety of bloggers, some amazing food bloggers, as well as travel bloggers, diy bloggers, and lifestyle bloggers. ?I also ran into app developers, event coordinators, photographers, and interior designers. ? The Grand America was busting with creative energy.

As the creative juices were flowing around the conference, so were the tasty snacks. ?In between speakers, many frequented the lounges for sweet treats, sodas or hot chocolate.

My two favorite parts of the conference were getting to know some of the other food bloggers more in depth? like beyond the online scene to seeing photos of their family, dogs and hearing about their lives. ?And secondly, I loved having the honor of touring a group around the city for a local food tour. ?You can read more about the food tour soon on theSLCfoodie.com. ?We made stops for a light lunch, award winning chocolate, cheese, salami, coffee, and of course pastries! We hopped on and off our little bus to get all of the best tastes Salt Lake has to offer. ?I think some who attended were surprised by all of the national recognition our city is getting in regards to food and drink!

After a few days of inspiration and meeting of new friends I?ll leave you with my recipe inspired by Alt Summit:

recipe inspired by the Better Homes and Gardens dessert served at Alt Summit

Chocolate and Vanilla Bean Yogurt Parfaits

Ingredients

• 2 cups plain Greek Yogurt
• 2 oz mascarpone cheese (1/4 cup; you can also use goat cheese)
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla bean paste (you can also use vanilla extract)
• 3 tablespoons cocoa powder
• 1/4 cup raspberry preserves (I used Amour Spreads)
• fresh berries to garnish

Instructions

1. In a food processor combine greek yogurt, mascarpone, and honey. Process for 1.5 minutes or until the ingredients until they're velvety smooth.
2. Reserve 1 cup of the yogurt mixture, adding the vanilla bean paste to that part. Add cocoa to the remaining mixture and process or whisk until smooth.
3. Layer half of the chocolate mixture in 4-6 small glasses or jars. Spoon a few tablespoons of the vanilla bean mixture over the chocolate. Top with remaining chocolate mixture. Chill for at least 3 hours.
4. In a small sauce pan, heat raspberry jam until just melted. Spoon over parfaits. Top with fresh berries.

Notes

you may substitute the goat cheese for the mascarpone, vanilla extract for the vanilla bean paste, and use whatever jam that you have on hand to top the parfaits off!

2.0

http://www.thevintagemixer.com/2013/01/chocolate-and-vanilla-bean-yogurt-parfaits/

http://www.thevintagemixer.com

Source: http://www.thevintagemixer.com/2013/01/chocolate-and-vanilla-bean-yogurt-parfaits/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=chocolate-and-vanilla-bean-yogurt-parfaits

case mccoy UFC 155 Jack Klugman weather channel weather forecast merry Christmas a christmas story

Monkeys attack 7 people in east Indonesian village

MAKASSAR, Indonesia (AP) ? A mob of wild monkeys has gone on a rampage in a village in eastern Indonesia, entering houses and attacking residents. Seven people were injured, including one who is in critical condition.

Ambo Ella, a spokesman for Sidendeng Rappang District in South Sulawesi province, says the surprise attack by about 10 monkeys happened in Toddang Pulu village.

He said Wednesday that a 16-year-old boy was badly bitten in the attack Monday and is being treated at the hospital

He believes the troop came from a nearby forest protected by a local tribe. It's unclear why the monkeys, which are usually afraid of humans and flee when they hear human voices, emerged and attacked.

Local authorities are investigating to find out what prompted the attack, which caused panic among villagers.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/cae69a7523db45408eeb2b3a98c0c9c5/Article_2013-01-30-Indonesia-Monkey%20Rampage/id-3561a2f729454edcb73a60e11e1a72af

Endeavor shaun white carolina panthers amanda bynes Revolution TV Show bankofamerica revolution

GOP lawmakers see automatic cuts as leverage

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Driven by frustration over deficits and debt, Republican conservatives are pushing a politically risky move to permit painfully large automatic spending cuts to strike the Pentagon and domestic programs alike in an effort to force Democrats into making concessions on the budget.

It's a remarkable turnabout from last year, when GOP leaders were among the loudest voices warning of dire consequences for the military and the economy if more than $100 billion worth of across-the-board cuts were allowed to take effect. Now, even as defense hawks fume, Republicans see the strategy as their best chance of wringing cuts from costly government benefit programs like Medicare that President Barack Obama and his Democratic allies have been reluctant to touch.

The move is fraught with risk. Some $43 billion would be cut from the Pentagon budget between March and October if battling Democrats and Republicans can't agree on an alternative. Equal cuts would hit domestic programs, although the health care programs that are major drivers of future deficits are largely exempt.

"In terms of the political dynamic here, defense spending is only 20 percent of the federal budget, but it's taking 50 percent of the cuts, which means it's going to be hitting the Republicans a lot harder than the Democrats," said defense analyst Loren Thompson. "Most of the nation's big military bases and many of its defense factories are located in Republican strongholds like the South, so Republicans are hurting themselves more than the Democrats by insisting on going forward with sequestration."

The automatic cuts, known as a "sequester" in Washington-speak, are the penalty for the failures of the 2011 deficit "supercommittee" and subsequent rounds of budget talks to produce an agreement.

Along with the threatened expiration of Bush-era tax cuts, the sequester was a major element of the so-called fiscal cliff crisis that gripped the country as the new year dawned. While most of the tax cuts - except for upper-bracket income - were made permanent, negotiators could only agree on a two-month reprieve to the sequester after finding $24 billion in replacement money that reduced this year's round of cuts from $109 billion to $85 billion. Eight more years of cuts, totaling almost $1 trillion, still remain.

Last year, Republicans issued dire warnings of the impact the cuts would have. Defense hawks like Sens. John McCain, R-Ariz., and Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., made campaign tours in political swing states like Virginia and Florida lambasting the cuts, warning that the reductions would hollow out the Pentagon and cost many thousands of jobs. They reminded voters that the sequester was an idea developed by Democrats during 2011 negotiations on increasing the government's borrowing cap.

"The White House is responsible for the `sequester' that threatens our national security," House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, said in September. "History has taught us we can't continue with policies that jeopardize our defenses or weaken our economy."

So twice last year, House Republicans passed legislation to replace this year's round of cuts with alternatives like curbing the growth of food stamps and requiring federal workers to contribute more to their pensions.

Democrats instead put their faith in year-end, high-level budget talks involving President Barack Obama and Boehner, but those talks failed. Later, successful negotiations between Vice President Joe Biden and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., solved the tax issue but produced only the two-month fix for the sequester.

This year's GOP move to embrace the sequester was hatched at a recent strategy retreat for House Republicans in Williamsburg, Va. Much of the retreat was devoted to coming up with a way to solve a more urgent issue: finding a way to get the tea party-infused House to again increase the debt limit and prevent an economically devastating first-ever default on U.S. obligations. The party agreed on a strategy to punt the debt dilemma until May or later and instead use the sequester as leverage in the budget debate.

A senior House GOP aide, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss party strategy, said some Republicans see the sequester as their best opportunity to achieve spending cuts. That strategy, however, is rife with potential to split open the Republican Party and pits the defense hawks against the tea party.

"The world is blowing up. I can't imagine a more devastating signal to send to the Iranians and our enemies and our friends alike than to dismantle the military," Graham said. "In a body that's known for doing pretty dumb things, this to me wins the prize."

Such concerns, however, have been overruled by Republicans frustrated by a recent loss to Obama on the issue of higher tax rates and a $60 billion disaster aid bill to address Superstorm Sandy. The reality of the political firestorm that is sure to hit if the sequester kicks in doesn't seem to be a concern.

"These are the only cuts that we've been able to get from the president, and absent any other negotiations, I understand those who say, `We're loath to give that up unless we come up with some substitute,'" said Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas. "It's bad policy, there's no question about it. But the president could be part of the solution, and right now he's AWOL."

How people would actually react should the across-the-board cuts hit is anyone's guess. But it's not lost on anyone with institutional history that Republicans got creamed in a similar situation in 1995-96 when they sparked a partial government shutdown under the leadership of House Speaker Newt Gingrich, R-Ga.

"I'm just flabbergasted," said Scott Lilly, who was the top Democratic staffer on the House Appropriations Committee during the Gingrich shutdown. "The way they've played it, they're going to get a huge part of the blame because they're just openly accepting" the sequester.

In many ways, the consequences of any sequester would be more severe than the partial shutdown of 1995-96. Then, many government agencies were exempt, including most of the Pentagon and other agencies devoted to protecting life and property, like the FBI, the Border Patrol and the Coast Guard.

With Pentagon uniformed military salaries exempt, the cuts to the rest of the agency are more severe, with big impacts on defense contractors and civilian Pentagon workers.

"I just don't think there's any appetite at this point in the Republican conference to `fix' the sequester," said GOP lobbyist Jack Howard. "You have to wait until it actually hits, I think. And then we'll see."

On Tuesday, Senate Majority Harry Reid, D-Nev., said the warring parties should try to figure it all out, but he set up a clash with Republicans over using new taxes to fix the problem.

Reid said the sequester cuts should be replaced "in short increments" with spending cuts and revenues like repealing oil and gas subsidies, which were discussed in earlier negotiations.

"There are many low-hanging pieces of fruit out there that Republicans have said they agreed on previously," Reid said. There's a lot of things we can do out there, and we're going to make an effort to make sure that there is - sequestration is - involves revenue."

Source: http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_BUDGET_FIGHT?SITE=ORROS&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

Pink Floyd 12 12 12 Concert miley cyrus miley cyrus amazing race Cam Cameron Ada Lovelace

Health insurance went up for Senate this month ? Central Florida ...

TALLAHASSEE ? Florida?s 40 senators are paying a little more for health insurance this year.

For years, Florida?s lawmakers have enjoyed the perk of greatly reduced health insurance. Up until January 1, lawmakers were paying $30 per month for family insurance or $8 per month for an individual ? about one-sixth of what state employees pay for identical coverage.

But a reduction in funds in this year?s budget has forced a change.

Now, senators will pay the same amount as run-of-the-mill state employees. That means $50 per month for senators with individual coverage and $180 per month for those with family coverage.

A Senate spokeswoman said none of the lawmakers dropped the coverage after hearing of the cost change.

According to a story by the Associated Press, Gov. Rick Scott and several members of the House are still getting the low rate, which amounts to less than $400 per year.

Source: http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/news_politics/2013/01/health-insurance-went-up-for-senate-this-month.html

UFC 150 Caster Semenya Medal Count 2012 Olympics victoria beckham London 2012 rhythmic gymnastics Meteor Shower August 2012 jessie j

Destiny's Child Super Bowl Rumors Get Boosted By 'Fela!' Clue

Despite the unconfirmed reports, show announced Michelle Williams' short absence on Monday.
By Jocelyn Vena

Destiny's Child
Photo: Getty Images

Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1700926/destinys-child-super-bowl-rumors.jhtml

demi moore 911 call ipo jim rome ufc on fox 2 weigh ins convulsions john tyler chuck

A Goal for Immigration Reform: Safe, Legal, and Rare | Via Meadia

A bipartisan ?group of eight? (tired of that phrase yet?) senators announced a new plan to reform immigration today. As Obama prepares to give a speech in Las Vegas tomorrow outlining his plans for immigration, both parties seem willing to put aside their differences to chase the Hispanic vote. The document sketches out a comprehensive reform that is ?tough but fair?, a phrase repeated four times over five pages, so you know they mean it.

The group?s first and most important proposal is a path to citizenship for current immigrants living illegally in the U.S. To earn probationary legal status,?illegals would need to register, pay back taxes and a fine, and get background-checked. They would then go to the back of the green card line, where they would have to pay more taxes and pass English and civics tests.

Minors who entered the U.S. illegally would be exempt from many of the restrictions faced by their parents or guardians. Agricultural workers who ?commit to the long term stability of our nation?s agricultural industries? will also earn exemptions (though it is still unclear what this actually means) because their role is so important to U.S. food security.

Highly skilled workers will have an easier path to citizenship. As the authors note, failure to attract the best and the brightest ?unarguably discourages innovation and economic growth.? Immigrants who get a master?s degree or doctorate from an American university in STEM fields will be awarded green cards.

Though the political stars seem to be aligning in a rare moment of bipartisanship, the situation remains complicated. The U.S. has already had an amnesty for illegals, back in the Reagan era. If the government opens a path to citizenship, then it must also deal with the consequences?potentially an immense moral hazard if future illegal immigrants think it is just a matter of time before another amnesty (and another, and so on).

The immigration problem also has to be seen in a regional context. Asian immigration is now larger than Hispanic immigration, but the Pacific is wide enough that wholesale illegal immigration from the Pacific Rim is not a critical problem. Economic growth in Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean is important to the U.S., but we haven?t done nearly enough to think about how we can create a prosperous region within which migration is both relatively unfettered and relatively limited. In an ideal world, immigration would be safe, legal and rare?and that is the way policy should be pointing.

The GOP has lost so much credibility by taking a simplistic approach to a complex problem that it is currently unable to offer much in the way of constructive leadership on the issue. And the Democrats seem to think that pandering is a substitute for policy. Neither approach has what we need, but it?s just possible that with a bipartisan approach we?ll have more of an effort to control the frontier than Democrats alone would offer and a more comprehensive and generous approach to illegals than Republicans on their own would provide. That?s still not enough, but it?s much better than nothing.

In the meantime, Via Meadia is going to do what we can to promote a more constructive national discussion on how our region (North America, Central America and the Caribbean) can become more stable, more prosperous, more integrated and more free?without creating a western hemisphere counterpart of the EU.

More Coverage from Via Meadia:

Source: http://blogs.the-american-interest.com/wrm/2013/01/28/a-goal-for-immigration-reform-safe-legal-and-rare/

12 12 12 Anne Hathaway Wardrobe Malfunction man of steel man of steel Adrienne Maloof Telemundo real housewives of beverly hills

Report: There Were 94 Tech M&A Deals in 2012 Above $100M, Average Deal Value Was $717M

Towers Watson?s M&A practice recently published the results of Quarterly Deal Performance Monitor (QPDM) which is conducted in partnership with Cass Business School, and has examined all the data on all deals over $100 million completed in 2012. The results are really interesting, especially when you take look at what was happening in the public markets. In 2012, there were 94 deals in the tech sector with an average value of $717 million. In 2012, there were 768 M&A deals across all sectors above $100 million.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Techcrunch/~3/fYsOfNgFE1Q/

dodgers triple play baa samoyed kenny powers kenny powers carl hagelin triple play

01.28.13 ? Is FFLGuard part of your Risk Management portfolio ...

Village Pawn & Gun Shop: We are so grateful to FFLGuard for helping us to reach a reasonable settlement agreement with ATF in lieu of revocation. We came in "hot" and?FFLGuard was very helpful in guiding us as to our options, as well as in hammering out a reasonable deal with ATF. We highly recommend that other FFLs join?FFLGuard before they become a "hot" case. We cant wait to work with?FFLGuard from this point forward so that we are in compliance well beyond that of ATF requirements. Thank you Chris Chiafullo, Scott Braum, and James Zammillo for handing this matter with the expertise that we needed! Jennifer Baggett from Village Pawn & Gun Shop in Wadesboro, NC Ph: 704-694-6266

North Georgia Traders: Equipped with a vast legal knowledge and a no nonsense approach, Chris Chiafullo and his FFLGuard team have been an irreplaceable asset in our legal battle against the ATF. They offer a professional service with a personal touch. If you?re looking for results as an FFL dealing with ATF, look no farther than FFLGuard. Erica Turner from North Georgia Traders in Cleveland, GA (706) 878-7998)

Open Range Sports: I've been with FFLGuard for years.? They are the best advocate I could find, to protect MY business and MY FFL, at an affordable rate.? I was curious when a firearms manufacturer's trade association announced it was offering a 'visitation for fee' service to examine retail FFL's compliance with ATF policy.? Unfortunately, a manufacturer's trade association does not represent nor speak solely for retail FFL's, no matter how they attempt to spin it. They have competing and conflicting interests with questionable influence from manufacturers.? FFLGuard has no conflicting interests.? They are pure, unadulterated advocates for a retail FFL like mine, with the both the power and knowledge to protect me and my business." Barry Laws, Owner of Open Range Sports Crestwood, KY (502) 243-8282

Far West Gun & Supply: [During our last ATF inspection, we] actually got a totally clean bill of health - no violations at all. [ATF] found a couple of small items that we were able to correct on the spot and everybody was happy. [Our FFLGuard Professional, Jimmy Skinner, and I] had several long nights getting things in order, and thanks to Jimmy's guidance, we were able to pull it off! YIPPIEE YAHOO! ...I want to give my personal thanks to Mr. Skinner for all his very professional help. Without his guidance I don't think we would have fared as well as we did. Of course, when the inspectors see the FFLGuard decal right under the open sign, I believe that really does change their attitude as they walk in the door. One of the inspectors asked me: "Just what does FFLGuard do for you?" I told them that it gives me a degree of confidence that I would not have if I was alone. Just knowing that you guys are watching my back is very comforting. Thank you for being there!! Jerry Payne, Owner of Far West Gun & Supply, Santa Barbara, CA (805) 569-2922

Red?s Trading Post: Our gun shop, Red?s Trading Post, was in business for 105 years before we got into hot water with ATF.? Without FFLGuard, I don?t think our situation would have ever been adequately resolved and I surely would have lost my FFL. There are two options when it comes to dealing with an FFL revocation: "The Big Fight" or FFLGuard.? We originally chose "The Big Fight" because FFLGuard was not available at the time, so I have seen both options first hand and whole-heartedly recommend FFLGuard. To those who think they can take on the ATF with "The Big Fight," I ask: Do you have at least 3 1/2 years to devote to this fight? (Ours lasted that long.) Do you have over $200,000 to fight this? (We paid just that much BEFORE we got to court.) Do you have almost no clerical errors whatsoever? (Many dealers think that their errors are ?minor? and that the Judge will be on their side, which couldn?t be farther from the truth.) IF you do prevail in court, what is to prevent you from not going through this again? My goal is to make sure that no one goes through what we have been through, which is why I am adamant about others participating in FFLGuard.? Because of the lawyers at FFLGuard, we?ll be in business at least another 105 years and beyond. Ryan Horsley, Owner of Red?s Trading Post Twin Falls, ID (208) 733-3546

Jerry's Outdoor Sports: Before I started to participate in FFLGuard, I was in business for over 25 years.? I had been inspected a few times, but I had never had any major problems with ATF or otherwise.? In fact, I thought we had a fairly decent relationship with ATF, and since I was a ?good guy? who always tried to cooperate with them whenever I could, I figured that I had nothing to worry about.? Boy, was I wrong.? On one visit a few years ago, ATF went through EVERYTHING, including things that had already been inspected in the past.? I got violated for old items, new items, items that had been reviewed and not violated before, and on and on.? I couldn't believe it.? By the end of the inspection, I felt like a criminal in my own store.? I even got written up for selling two Glocks to the local Sheriff's Department on letterhead and with a purchase order!? ATF argued it was a straw purchase since I sold the guns to the quartermaster even though I knew the guns were for the department and not her! When ATF decided to come down on me, I was devastated.? I only wish I had hired FFLGuard before then so my whole livelihood wouldn't have been at risk.? At every step of the process, ATF tried to steamroll me, and frankly, they did a pretty good job.? If it would have been up to me to defend myself, I would have been out of business and bankrupt.? Counsel at FFLGuard, however, stood with me every step of the way and defended me both as a FFL and as a person.? When ATF pushed, FFLGuard pushed back, but it was about more than just fighting.? What I really wanted was a peaceful solution that would allow me to work with ATF going forward, stay in business, and most importantly, be a model of compliance so I will never have to worry about these types of problems again.? FFLGuard accomplished all of that and more, and I will forever be grateful to them for that. Jerry Stehman, Owner of Jerry's Outdoor Sports Grand Junction, CO (970) 245-1502

Belleville Indoor Shooting Range: FFLGuard has provided our store with top-notch legal services.?? They?ve represented us in the courtroom and in our dealings with ATF and we can say first-hand they are trustworthy and talented.? We?ve achieved peace of mind of through our implementation of FFLGuard?s Law Plus Guidelines at our store and are catching potential violations that might have gone unnoticed before.? Because of our success with internal controls, we have opted to open another store which has been a success!? We are proud to participate in FFLGuard and highly recommend it. Steven King, Owner of Belleville Indoor Shooting Range Belleville, IL (618) 234-9690

El Cajon Gun Exchange: FFLGuard created an easy, understandable system that informs and educates management and provides the very necessary foundation for proper store policy. In a nutshell, when a dealer fully embraces FFLGuard, they very quickly become a difficult target for an aggressive ATF inspector.? FFLGuard provides legal representation, good advice, and easy access to both of those things.? FFLGuard does exactly what the name says it does.? I would sooner get caught with my fly down in public than to take the FFLGuard sticker off the door. Ron Godwin, Manager & VP of El Cajon Gun Exchange El Cajon, CA (619) 579-5152

Shadow Valley Arms Co.: Our experience has been excellent concerning the FFLGuard program. We have grown to 4 locations, and we were almost overwhelmed with the basics of our business. We felt that ATF requirements were not getting the proper attention they deserved. We were able to implement FFLGuard?s Law Plus Guidelines to organize our systems, and after about a 6-8 week implementation and training period, we felt like we were finally on top of things.? We have since been through 4 ATF compliance inspections, and our violations are down significantly. A giant relief? as only a gun shop owner can know and understand. I highly recommend FFLGuard, as their responsiveness and insight is second to none. David Vogel, CEO of Shadow Valley Arms Co. Ogden, UT (801) 510-5972

Top Gun: FFLGuard has been an invaluable resource for helping us correct the issues we had and avoiding others in the future.? While we had always done our best to operate in compliance with the regulations, it is often hard to find answers and to sort out all of the conflicting information that is out there. Thus, we knew we had issues to get straightened out, but we were unsure how to go about doing it.? FFLGuard accomplished this goal for us.? At our most recent inspection by ATF, they commented how they could tell almost to the day when we started implementing the FFLGuard "Law Plus" Guidelines, and we would have had many violations had we not done so.? Not surprisingly, the inspection went great, ATF praised our efforts, and we owe much of our success in this regard to FFLGuard and its responsive and knowledgeable lawyers. Julie Thompson, Owner of Top Gun Houston, TX (713) 779-4867

Mega Sports: I find being an FFLGuard client to be a huge benefit to my business. The FFLGuard "E-Blasts" alone are worth their weight in gold, as they constantly clarify and reinforce the need to stay on top of all important nuances of BATF regulations. I feel that having an experienced team of dedicated lawyers from FFLGuard behind me -- a team that's always there when I need them -- only helps protect my business. Mark Daniels, Owner of Mega Sports Plainfield, IL (815) 577-2100

Dunkelberger?s Sports Outfitter: We have been in business for 37 years, and always felt that we did things the ?right? way.? To our surprise, we got caught in the middle of Mayor Bloomberg?s controversial effort to prosecute out-of-state gun dealers.? After a costly exercise to defend our good name in that matter, I realized that FFLGuard could seriously help my operation remain current, compliant, and ?off the radar? of those looking to put me out of business. Since I have brought in FFLGuard to assist us, we have implemented their ?Law Plus? Guidelines, had them in to train our staff, and relied on them for counsel.? Although I wish I knew of them before my Bloomberg experience, I am certainly happy to have them in my corner now and in the future.? Anyone who even sells 100 guns or more each year ought to give serious consideration to bringing these guys on board.? I?m glad we did. Jere Dunkelberger, Owner of Dunkelberger?s Sports Outfitter Stroudsburg, PA (570) 421-7950

Second Amendment Sports : FFLGuard helped us look at our record-keeping from a different perspective.? We always wanted to be compliant, but now we truly focus on perfection.? It is a different paradigm, yet appropriate for what we do.? Without our FFL, we would be out of business, no question!? And we do not see the ATF relaxing their standards, so through FFLGuard we?ve adjusted ours to be beyond their expectations. Matt Janes, Owner of Second Amendment Sports Tucson, AZ (520) 325-3346 Bakersfield, CA (661) 323-4512

Guns ?N Gear: My husband may be ?the gun guy? who knows the ins and outs of our operation, but with FFLGuard there to help us, it certainly helps me sleep at night. Patrice Gapen, Co-Owner of Guns ?N Gear Cheyenne, WY (307) 632-4867

Whittaker?s Guns: We were skeptical in hiring attorneys who were not only from out-of-town but from out-of-state.? As it turns out, it was the best thing we ever did.? The FFLGuard lawyers are ?wired in? with the right people everywhere, so just knowing them made our lives much, much easier.? Granted, their tips and pointers and accessibility put our minds at ease, but the old saying ?it?s not what you know, it?s who you know? couldn?t be more true than with the boys at FFLGuard. Darrel Whittaker, Owner of Whittaker?s Guns Owensboro, KY (270) 229-0140

Kimble?s Gun & Repair: For a small business, FFLGuard is an excellent way to retain legal counsel who are experts in the firearms field.? As a small business owner, I could not afford to pay the full hourly rate of a local lawyer, let alone the hourly rate of an expert in this field.? By becoming an FFLGuard client, my annual fee is pooled with the other members so that together we can afford legal representation and have the peace of mind knowing that our lawyers know the rules and regulations that apply to us Federal Firearms Licensees.? This puts me on equal footing with BATF, and not at their mercy. Perry Kimble, Owner of Kimble?s Gun & Repair Linton, ND (701) 254-5502

Hulmes Sporting Goods: I have had bad experiences with some ATF inspectors who were very intimidating. In the past, I have worried daily about ATF inspections which has actually haunted me! However, with FFLGuard?s help and reassurance, I feel better and more comfortable about dealing with ATF. I'm not going to say that I am totally at ease, but I feel so much better knowing when inspection day comes I will have FFLGuard in my corner. People may say that this sounds crazy but it sure is not: FFLGuard has given me peace of mind. Kim Veglio, Co-Owner of Hulmes Sporting Goods Paris, TN (731) 642-0561 or (731) 642-6400

Mark?s Outdoors: After 29 years in the retail gun business, and being the top retailer in the U.S.A. for many of the top seller gun brands, the single most important decision I have made over that time was to hire FFLGuard to watch my back.? At one time, our store was used as a ?model store? for ATF training since we were told that we ?did such a good job that new [ATF] agents were brought to us for basic training? and we were also used in the NSSF?s ?Don?t Lie for the Other Guy? video, AND used on local television as a model of what a gun store should be. Then D-day came, when my ?model? status apparently meant nothing. ATF traced the buying habits of one of our customers, and everything spun out of control for us.? They said our paperwork was incorrect going back 29 years!? Literally years and years of my blood and sweat were on the line, as they were ready, willing and able to pull my license, ?model store? or not.? Have you ever gone back 29 years to clean up paperwork?? We did.? The team at FFLGuard is the real deal! They talk with the folks at ATF religiously, and as a result, we now get the correct answer every time. I pride myself on a quality job we now do based on the standard that FFLGuard helped me establish.? Now our daily sales and record keeping is easy and done right.? You will be surprised just what this FFLGuard crew can do for you.? For the first time in 29 years I can?t wait for the next ATF audit, because they won?t be in my store long.? I?m ready everyday.? I guarantee you will be happy with FFLGuard. Mark Whitlock, owner Mark?s Outdoors Birmingham, AL (205) 822-2010

David Codrea: "If you have an FFL?or have a friend who does?you owe it to yourself or them to find out more about FFLGuard. And no, I have no interest in FFLGuard other than a respect for the work of founder Chris Chiafullo and what he and his colleagues are trying to do, because I have friends in the business who have gone through hell for running afoul of technicalities.? Coming from an audit compliance background, I understand how vitally important it is to establish appropriate protocols." David Codrea The War on Guns: Notes from the Resistance Gun Rights Examiner Guns Magazine "Rights Watch" CUM ULLA SELLA IN PUGNO TABERNA

Source: http://www.fflguard.com/01-28-13-is-fflguard-part-of-your-risk-management-portfolio/

mass effect 3 launch trailer yelp huntsville al channel 2 news adrienne bailon yelp stock

Video: Storm brings snow and freezing rain to Midwest

>>> in this country, the weather remains a big concern for many people in the midwest, where a deep freeze is bringing snow, sleet and freezing rain . the weather channel 's mike seidel is in davenport, iowa, tonight with the latest. mike, good evening to you.

>> reporter: good evening, lester. it was an icy day across many part its of the midwest. the hardest hit areas were the roads and the airports. at chicago 's o'hare, just over 200 flights have been canceled so far, but despite the ice, there wasn't a lot of it there wasn't many power outables. tonight, the temperatures on the way up that will change the freezing rain to rain in chicago in chicago and many areas, like it has here. monday, the snow, sleet and ice will head to the northeast during the day you reaching boston by late afternoon. any snow totals will be on the light side . but for millions that have been in the ice box , the jetstream is our friend. southwest winds from texas to the great lakes will produce a huge warmup. we could see our first 90- degree day in the lower 48 this year in deep south texas. temperatures elsewhere more than 20 to 25 degrees above average. subzero windchills will be replaced by highs in the 40s and 50s on monday. and by tuesday, d.c. cracks 60 and atlanta pushes 70. but many of us will get another shot of frigid air following this fall and that cold front will have lots of wind energy that will help to fire up some big thunderstorms, possibly severe, from houston and dallas to little rock and st. louis on tuesday. there could be some tornadoes but more than likely, quite a bit of straight line wind damage. and then after that, the bottom falls out on temperatures. for example, lester, chicago will drop 45 degrees between tuesday and thursday. so enjoy the thaw while you can. back to you.

>> all right, we will take what we can. mike seidel , thanks.

Source: http://video.msnbc.msn.com/nightly-news/50608974/

Avril Lavigne Microsoft Tropical Storm Isaac amber portwood Phyllis Diller Darla Moore newsweek

N. Korea: Rocket, nuclear tests will 'target' US

By Ju-min Park and Choonsik Yoo, Reuters

SEOUL - North Korea said on Thursday it would carry out further rocket launches and a nuclear test that would target the United States, dramatically stepping up its threats against a country it called its "enemy".

The announcement by the country's top military body came a day after the United Nations Security Council agreed a U.S.-backed resolution to censure and sanction the country for a rocket launch in December that breached U.N. rules.

"We are not disguising the fact that the various satellites and long-range rockets that we will fire and the high-level nuclear test we will carry out are targeted at the United States," North Korea's National Defense Commission said, according to state news agency KCNA.

---

North Korea is believed by South Korea and other observers to be "technically ready" for a third nuclear test, and the decision to go ahead rests with leader Kim Jong-un who pressed ahead with the December rocket launch in defiance of the U.N. sanctions.?

"Whether North Korea tests or not is up to North Korea," Glyn Davies, the top U.S. envoy for North Korean diplomacy, said in the South Korean capital of Seoul as KCNA released its statement.

"We hope they don't do it. We call on them not to do it," Davies said. "This is not a moment to increase tensions on the Korean peninsula."

The North was banned from developing missile and nuclear technology under sanctions dating from its 2006 and 2009 nuclear tests.

The concern now is that Pyongyang, whose only major diplomatic ally, China, endorsed the latest U.N. resolution, could undertake a third nuclear test using highly enriched uranium for the first time, opening a second path to a bomb.

Its previous tests have been viewed as limited successes and used plutonium, of which the North has limited stocks.

North Korea gave no time-frame for the coming test and often employs harsh rhetoric in response to U.N. and U.S. actions.

Its long-range rockets are not seen as capable of reaching the United States mainland and it is not believed to have the technology to mount a nuclear warhead on a long-range missile.

"The UNSC (Security Council) resolution masterminded by the U.S. has brought its hostile policy towards the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (North Korea) to its most dangerous stage," the commission was quoted as saying.

Related:
North Korea pledges to boost nuclear capability after UN rebuke

Copyright 2013 Thomson Reuters. Click for restrictions.

Source: http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/01/23/16669567-n-korea-rocket-launches-nuclear-tests-will-target-us?lite

james neal jackie robinson virginia tech emancipation proclamation april 16 tornadoes mitch hedberg

Multifamily Construction Leading the Recovery | Daily Business News

Home
> Advocacy, Business, Economy > Multifamily Construction Leading the Recovery

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) informs MHProNews multifamily will continue to lead the recovery of the overall housing market in the coming years, now standing at 70 percent of the way back to a sustainable level. NAHB Chief Economist David Crowe says, ?We are forecasting construction of 299,000 new multifamily residences in 2013. While this is an improvement from just a few years ago, it is still well below the 350,000 units that are required to keep supply and demand in balance.? Although tight credit continues to be somewhat of an obstacle, as does the rising cost of building materials, Lance Swank of the Sterling Group in Mishawaka, Ind. says, ?The market continues to improve as new household formations generate demand, especially in the market-rate rental segment. There is also a change in attitude toward renting?people like the flexibility it gives and the option to be able to easily move to another city or state for a job opportunity.?

Categories: Advocacy, Business, Economy Tags: attitude, building materials, chief economist, David Crowe, flexibility, household, Housing Market, job opportunity, mishawaka, multifamily construction, NAHB, National Association of Home Builders, obstacle, segment, sterling group, supply and demand, sustainable level, swank, tight credit

Source: http://www.mhmarketingsalesmanagement.com/blogs/daily-business-news/multifamily-construction-leading-the-recovery/

half time show halftime show 2012 kelly clarkson super bowl 2012 ok go

President Obama's Second Term: Is the Economy ... - Yahoo! Finance

In his inauguration address Monday, President Barack Obama laid out his vision for the nation over the next four years, emphasizing his commitment to tackle climate change and immigration; defend entitlement programs and fight for gay equality and same-sex marriage. Obama alluded to gun control legislation and his foreign policy agenda when he referenced the Newtown, Conn., school shooting and said ?enduring security and lasting peace do not require perpetual war? but the president largely stayed away from both topics during the 18-minute address.

But the issues that defined the presidential election - Wall Street regulation, the budget deficit and jobs ? received brief mentions, a signal to policymakers that the administration may perceive other issues as more pressing and urgent.

The president?s decision to underscore his social policy agenda over fiscal matters was a deliberate move, according to Jim Rickards, author of ?Currency Wars? and senior managing director at Tangent Capital Partners, an investment bank based in New York City.

Obama ?does not want to wrestle? with tax reform, fiscal policy, and budget cutting in his second-term, Rickards says in an interview with The Daily Ticker. Instead, Obama wants to expand entitlement programs, not cut them, meaning four more years of trillion dollar deficits, he argues.

?There will be no grand bargain? on the budget, Rickards says. ?There will be mini fixes just to keep the whole thing from falling apart?Obama will leave it to the next president? to find solutions to these problems.

The economy has shown signs of improvement over the past 18 months, led by a rebound in the housing and job markets. The national unemployment rate stands at 7.8% -- still high by historical standards but down from its peak of 10% in 2009. Employers added 155,000 workers to their payrolls in December 2012.

Even as economy appears to be moving forward, fiscal policy remains accommodative. The Federal Reserve has pledged to keep short-term interest rates near zero until the jobless late falls to 6.5% -- which may not happen until 2015. Economists project U.S. economic growth to average a modest 2.5% to 3% this year.

Rickards believes the U.S. economy entered a depression in 2007 and could actually be experiencing another recession in the current economic cycle ? the same situation that President Franklin D. Roosevelt faced when he started his second of four presidential terms in 1937. Today's depression could last ?indefinitely? Rickards says, but it all depends on the economic measures pursued by the White House.

Whether or not the economy will top President Obama?s second-term to-do list will be determined when the president addresses Congress on Feb. 12.

Got a topic you?d like covered? Have a guest you?d like to see interviewed? Send us an email: thedailyticker@yahoo.com.

You can also look us up on Twitter and Facebook.

Source: http://finance.yahoo.com/blogs/daily-ticker/president-obama-second-term-economy-still-important-153539954.html

bent new york jets etch a sketch romney sean payton saints bounty program toulouse france ny jets

New short art courses | Arts Mid North Coast

A series of new short, affordable art courses now available in 2013 through North Coast TAFE offers the community an opportunity to discover the artist within while building up to a full Diploma qualification and new career possibilities.

The short courses feature weekly sessions across topics ranging from painting, ceramics, print making, graphic design and visual arts, students will end up with a set of practical skills and a sample of what they can learn in the Diploma of Visual Arts.

Director of the Creative Industires Faculty at North Coast TAFE, Lester Searle, says that the offering is an innovative approach in delivering arts education for the region.

?This is possibly the first time that people have been able develop their creative skills in this sort of modular fashion, picking and choosing what they want to learn, when they want to learn it, in an accessible, affordable way,? says Mr Searle.

?With work and other life constraints, not everyone is able to commit to the full time Diploma course, so this could be an attractive alternative and an opportunity to get a preview,? says Mr Searle.

The courses cost from $395 per person. The Diploma of Visual Arts program is also offered through several campuses, along with Certificate and Diploma courses in areas like interactive digital media, arts administration and library services.

Anyone interested in enrolling in any of these courses should contact North Coast TAFE on 1300 62 82 33 or visit the website.

Source: http://www.artsmidnorthcoast.org/new-short-art-courses/

Fiesta Bowl Jeanie Buss NFL.com NFL playoff schedule 2013 biggest loser Bronson Pelletier andy reid

FlightTrack Soars, FlightBoard Bores

Keeping track of airport information can be a challenge even for a nonstop, there-and-back trip. Multiple legs increase the number of things that can go wrong geometrically, but I recently took the risk, in a week-long loop from Los Angeles to Los Cabos, Mexico, then to New York City (Newark, to be precise) and back to LA. In other words, I had an ideal test environment for Mobiata's FlightTrack app.

Source: http://ectnews.com.feedsportal.com/c/34520/f/632000/s/27c71f07/l/0L0Stechnewsworld0N0Crsstory0C771380Bhtml/story01.htm

type 2 diabetes occupy congress juan williams victor martinez alcatraz cruise ship martin luther king jr.

Community Colleges ? An Inexpensive Alternative to Standard 4 ...

Expenses of Standard Colleges Continue to Rise

For generations, it really is been a parents dream to one day see their youngster graduate from college. If you had been to take a survey these days, you would see that the dream is nevertheless alive. Regrettably, that dreams is slowly dying as a outcome of escalating tuition fees at our nations 4 year college institutions. It just has turn out to be far to pricey for parents to spend for their child?s education.

Perhaps you are 1 of the lucky ones and you began placing cash aside to spend for your child?s education when they had been very young. Only to locate out that the increasing expenses of college have far out-paced the cash that you saved. Now it is time to send them away to school and the only way you can afford to do so is to raid your retirement fund or take out a loan to make up the difference.

Community Colleges a Sensible Very first Step Toward Greater Education

Community colleges have usually been attractive to adults searching to continue their education, low-income students and these with reduce grades. Nevertheless, as the costs of traditional 4 year universities continue to rise, many young adults are turning towards community colleges as on choice.

Parents, now a lot more than ever, are suggesting that their child invest the first two years at a 2 year college and then transfer to a traditional 4 year college/university to finish out their college careers and graduate.

Community colleges are perfect for folks with cost concerns since the tuition is far lower and typically the student can continue to live at residence eliminating the added price of room and board that comes with getting away at a conventional 4 year colleges.

Other Benefits of Community Colleges

Community colleges can also be the right selection for a student who is not certain they even want to attend college or what significant they would like to pursue. A community college is the best bridge among high school and standard universities. In addition, a college student going to school locally at a community college, hardly ever has to deal with the distraction and drama of life on a college campus, thus permitting them to concentrate completely on their academics.

An additional wonderful purpose to consider community colleges, is that they typically offer specialized degrees or programs that can be completed in two years or significantly less. Must you decide to forgo the remaining two years of college and enter the perform force, you can use your Associate degree or the training you received the past two years to discover a job and start off creating some cash.

Some of the degree programs offered at local community colleges are in computer technologies, automotive technologies and the healthcare field. These instruction programs can provide students with valuable coaching leading to outstanding entry-level career possibilities to make a comfortable living.

Thinking About College?

Our college organizing web site has a list of several 2 year colleges and a host of other articles about college in general. If you are thinking about college, this web site can certainly help.

Source: http://www.bnr.co/reference-and-education/college-university/community-colleges-an-inexpensive-alternative-to-standard-4-year-colleges/

google augmented reality glasses wonderlic test texas tornado fantasy baseball jared sullinger jaleel white levi johnston

Restaurant inspections, China Queen | Food and More with John ...

1:00 pm January 21, 2013, by Jenny Turknett

Fulton County health inspectors shut down a Chinese restaurant in Palmetto last week so management could correct multiple code violations and re-train their staff.

China Queen, 500 Ballard Place, was given failing scores on consecutive inspections: a 54/U last Monday, and and a 55/U on a follow-up inspection the next day.

The inspector found chicken wings stored on a counter, uncovered and subject to contamination. Frozen chicken breasts were being thawed improperly in a sink with warm water.

Prepared foods had no date markings. Food containers were not properly labeled. Raw meats were stored on top of sauces and other prepared foods in the cooler.

The restaurant was using food from dented cans. Food was stored in open dented cans ?in the cooler, and other dented cans were on shelves throughout the kitchen, the inspector said.

Employees kept personal water bottles in the food prep areas. And a sleeping area had been set up inside the kitchen near a storage rack.

Cardboard was being used the line shelves. The cooler was dirty with food debris. The floors underneath the cooking equipment also needed cleaning.

An employee with China Queen said the restaurant was closed for repairs. It will have to correct all violations and pass a re-inspection before re-opening, according to the inspector.

In other news, Babalu Cuban Joint, 802 Dacula Road, Dacula, re-opened under new management after scoring a 100/A on a follow-up inspection.

Here are other recent inspection scores from area restaurants.

DeKalb County

• Boneheads Seafood, 4511 Old Perimeter Way, Atlanta. 87/B
• El Azteca, 1412 Dunwoody Village Parkway, Atlanta. 87/B
• Green Ginger, 265 Ponce De Leon Place, Decatur. 80/B
• Mable?s Barbecue & Smoked Meats, 3316 Snapfinger Road, Lithonia. 94/A
• Wing Fling, 4787 Redan Road, Stone Mountain. 89/B

Fayette County

• Beef O?Brady?s, 100 N. Peachtree Parkway, Peachtree City. 91/A
• Golden Chopstix, 21 Hudson Plaza, Fayetteville. 89/B
• La Hacienda, 365 Fayette Place, Fayetteville. 93/A
• Partner?s II Pizza, 1496 Highway 74, Tyrone. 96/A
• Pascal?s Bistro, 217 Commerce Drive, Peachtree City. 94/A

Forsyth County

• Austin?s Steak and Seafood, 506 Lakeland Plaza, Cumming. 98/A
• Castleberry Ale House, 5446 Bethelview Road, Cumming. 95/A
• Chili?s, 874 Buford Highway, Cumming. 98/A
• Tacos & Tequilas, 2155 Market Place Blvd., Cumming. 99/A
• Wildflower Eatery, 125 Tribble Gap Road, Cumming. 100/A

Fulton County

• Grindhouse Killer Burgers, 1842 Piedmont Ave., Atlanta. 70/C
• Irish Bred Pub, 1155 Virginia Ave., Hapeville. 87/B
• Lime Juice Thai Bistro, 670 N. Main St., Alpharetta. 90/A
• Mittie?s Caf? & Tea Room, 62 N. Main St., Alpharetta. 88/B
• Sotto Sotto, 313 N. Highland Ave., Atlanta. 92/A

Gwinnett County

• Buna Pizza & Caf?, 1190 Five Forks Trickum Road, Lawrenceville. 91/A
• Green Tea, 1152 Auburn Road, Dacula. 71/C
• Mo Mo Ya, 4300 Buford Drive, Buford. 94/A
• Pho Xe Lua, 5495 Jimmy Carter Blvd., Norcross. 82/B
• Well Bean Tofu, 2645 N. Berkeley Lake Road, Duluth. 78/C

Source: http://blogs.ajc.com/food-and-more/2013/01/21/restaurant-inspections-china-queen/?cxntfid=blogs_food_and_more

bks new dark knight rises trailer khloe and lamar oklahoma city thunder rajon rondo

Why Big Pharma?s Got a Serious Reputation Problem

In recent years, many pharmaceutical companies have been putting a lot more effort (and money) into improving their reputation among patients and patient advocacy groups. But is it working?

According to a new survey, they've still got a long way to go.

PatientView Quarterly, a UK-based research, publishing, and consultancy group that supports the patient rights movement, paid for and published this new, independent survey of patient groups around the globe, asking them to share what they really think of drug companies.

Specifically, the survey surveyed the patient groups about their opinions of 29 leading multinational pharmaceutical companies, with an eye toward better understanding whether the drug companies really were effectively working with groups that advocate for patients and consumers. Though the patient groups were from all over the world, most were based in Europe.

MORE: Medications for Normal Aging Driving Up Prescription Drug Expenses

The survey?s findings won?t be heartening to the drug industry: Overall, the reputation of the pharma industry fell in 2012 compared to nearly the same survey done by the group in 2011. In fact, compared to 2011 data, the number of patient groups that said they thought the big companies had a ?good? or ?excellent? reputation during 2012 fell 19 percent?from 42 percent in 2011 to 34 percent in 2012. Only for-profit health insurers fared worse among seven types of healthcare industries (retail pharmacists got the highest marks from the groups).

Where have the pharmaceutical companies gone wrong? Half of the survey respondents said the companies lacked fair pricing policies in 2012. Nearly as many thought the industry wasn?t transparent enough about its corporate activities, and one-third felt pharma didn?t really have a patient-centered strategy in place.

The biggest declines between 2011 and 2012, in the opinion of the survey respondents, were in managing bad news about their products; being ethical in marketing practices; and having a good relationship with the media.

The survey also shared better news, including in its survey a list of companies who did have an effective patient-centered strategy in place, as voted on by the patient groups. At the top of the list was Novartis, which makes vaccines and drugs to treat cancer and hypertension, among other ailments, followed by Gilead Sciences and Pfizer.

Though big pharma claims to be focusing more on patients and not just on revenue, it?s hard to take their claims to heart when reading about the outsized profits many of them make, especially the large multinational firms. According to Forbes.com data for 2012, the number-one U.S. pharmaceutical company, Pfizer, is up 21 percent in profits from 2010.

But that?s nothing compared to number-three company Merck, whose profits increased over 628 percent in those two years, and number 10-ranked Allergan is up a staggering 155,650 percent over 2010 numbers. Just four of the top 12 companies showed any decline since 2010, with Johnson & Johnson experiencing the biggest drop, of 27.5 percent.

Clearly, drug companies aren't hurting when it comes to money. But should it all be coming from our wallets?

What?s your opinion of large pharmaceutical companies? Do they deserve to make large profits because they take the risk of developing new drugs? Should they be forced to sell their medications at an affordable price?

Related Stories on TakePart:

? The most expensive prescription drugs in the U.S.

? TV ads for erectile dysfunction?probably aren't going away

? Is this the next generation in HIV prevention?

Lorie A. Parch is a Los Angeles-based writer specializing in health and lifestyle topics.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/big-pharma-got-serious-reputation-problem-132644826.html

sarah palin cbi the shins atomic clock daylight savings time john mccain game changer

Stylin' and profilin' with The Miz

It?s no secret The Miz craves the finer things in life: designer clothes, fast cars, good food and, perhaps most importantly, attention. But on a special edition of ?Miz TV? during the historic 20th anniversary of Raw, The Awesome One humbly relinquished his spotlight for the legendary Ric Flair ? a ring icon who holds the distinction of being the only Superstar to be inducted twice into the WWE Hall of Fame.

When United States Champion Antonio Cesaro had the audacity to interrupt Miz?s interview with the 16-time World Champion ? which included a spirited ?Wooo!?-off ? the WWE Universe anticipated (and hoped) that a Figure-Four Leglock was in the Swiss Superstar?s immediate future. Surprisingly, it would not be delivered by ?The Dirtiest Player in the Game,? though. (WATCH | PHOTOS)

After Miz leveled Cesaro with the Skull-Crushing Finale, Flair invited the former WWE Champion to apply his signature Figure-Four on the prone ?Miz TV? invader. As Miz locked in the hold, Cesaro flailed in agony and ?Naitch? reacted by enthusiastically bounding off the ropes performing an elbow drop on his own suit jacket. In Flair parlance, that?s a seal of approval.

?That moment was magical for me,? Miz told WWE.com.? ?I remember doing the strut as a kid, doing the ?Wooos!? and for Ric Flair, a legend, to say ?hey, kid, do my move,? that just brought back childhood memories, and no child ever grows up thinking it would happen to them.?

From a young age, Miz was drawn to Flair, whose elaborate attire, over-the-top microphone tirades and whatever-it-takes offense ? including chest-igniting chops and the aforementioned Figure-Four ? made him a cornerstone of the National Wrestling Alliance and World Championship Wrestling throughout the 1970s and 1980s. It wasn?t until 1991 and a rivalry with then?WWE Champion Hulk Hogan that Flair introduced himself to the WWE Universe, which quickly admired the brash competitor despite his tendency to bend the rules.

?Flair looked, talked and acted like a star, from his limousines to his jets to his partying ways,? Miz affirmed, no doubt inspired throughout his career by the ?stylin? and profilin? ? WWE Hall of Famer. ?In the ring, he was someone to be reckoned with and he always found a way to win. He wasn?t the biggest guy, but he was a champion because he knew how to win. And the Figure-Four Leglock got him so many victories.?

View Comments

Source: http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/stylin-and-profilin-with-the-miz

best picture nominees 2012 academy awards 2012 albert nobbs a star is born oscar nominees oscar nominations 2012 kombucha tea

Business Ethics in Emerging Markets and Investors' Expectations ...

Editor?s Note: George Dallas is Director of Corporate Governance at F&C Investments. This post is based on an article by Mr. Dallas that first appeared in the International Corporate Governance Network?s 2012 Yearbook.

Ethics is in origin the art of recommending to others the sacrifices required for cooperation with oneself.? Bertrand Russell

Since the publication of its Statement and Guidance on Anti-Corruption Practices in 2009, the ICGN has actively advocated the fight against bribery and corruption as a fundamental component of the corporate governance agenda. The Statement and Guidance takes a global perspective, making clear that anticorruption is a priority in all markets.

But is it appropriate to set the same standards for anticorruption in all jurisdictions, particularly in emerging markets, where many underlying conditions are different and where bribery and corruption are particularly acute in both the public and private sectors? This was the question posed as the main discussion point at ICGN?s ?Town Hall? meeting on business ethics in its June 2012 conference in Rio de Janeiro. Meeting participants, from a range of developed and emerging markets, expressed a resounding consensus that investors should not compromise their standards on anticorruption in emerging markets, even if corruption may be a more deep-rooted problem. However, while absolute standards on anticorruption should remain undiluted ? beginning with a ?zero tolerance? position ? there may be different anticorruption strategies to apply in emerging markets, reflecting economic, cultural and legal differences.

Rapid growth ? and the risk that investors lose out on it

What makes emerging markets exciting for investors? Most fundamentally these markets offer the prospect of significant economic growth that has been estimated by the World Bank to drive around 70% of economic expansion globally. However, what can offset this excitement and make emerging markets frightening for investors is the concern that potential benefits of economic growth can be eclipsed given weak rule of law, pervasive corruption and still inchoate institutional frameworks and regulatory oversight.

Two respected global governance indicators ? the World Bank?s Rule of Law indicator and Transparency International?s Corruption Perceptions Index ? reflect notable differences between developed and emerging markets. [1] While indicators of this sort might be taken with a pinch of salt, as they represent ?perceptions?, they do provide some indication that problems of law enforcement and corruption are more prevalent in the emerging markets.

It may be the case in some emerging markets that corruption is regarded as a prerequisite for doing business, or even as a source of profit and competitive advantage ? at least in the near-term. However empirical evidence does suggest that corruption poses a cost on economic growth in emerging markets. [2]

Global standards, local strategies

The investor consensus at the ICGN Rio de Janeiro meeting that standards on corruption should not be comprised in emerging markets is encouraging ? and appropriate. However this was also accompanied by a pragmatic sense of realism that realities on the ground are different and that the challenges in these markets may require both greater patience and differing approaches grounded in local insight.

The idiosyncratic nature of corrupt practices in individual emerging markets depends on the unique institutional market, and may take forms that investors in developed markets may not be familiar with. For example, in many emerging markets the boundary of the firm may not always be clear. This boundary can extend to the state on one hand, particularly so for state-owned firms, and can range through to unlisted joint ventures or private firms through which multinational companies operate in many cases. Consequently, investors must recognise that some approaches to anticorruption and business ethics that are typically applied in developed markets may not always be the most appropriate or effective in an emerging markets context.

For example, ?whistleblowing? systems are common features of corporate anticorruption procedures in developed markets. However such approaches may carry a stigma in some emerging markets where abusive regimes, past or present, have employed similar methods to repress civil and human rights. Legal protections for whistleblowers in emerging markets may be limited, or non-existent. Moreover, with lax enforcement, and without legal frameworks such as the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act or the UK Bribery Act, companies in many emerging markets may not face the same legal and regulatory risks for corrupt activity.

In the face of these obstacles, investors in both developed and emerging markets must continue to take a strong and principled stand to address with companies bribery and corruption in emerging markets, so that any perceived near-term benefits do not prevail in the longer-term. The existing ICGN Statement and Guidance on Anti-Corruption Practices continues to be a relevant expression of best practice standards relating to policies procedures and disclosures that investors should call for in emerging markets. However, in addition to this global Guidance statement, particular areas of emphasis for investors in emerging markets can include:

• Disclosures on ethics management. Investors in emerging markets should demand more robust transparency on standards of conduct and policies on bribery and corruption and how these standards are enforced in the company. While disclosures alone are just a starting point, and by no means an indication of a problem solved, this is a critical first step to help investors understand how companies approach ethics management. Over time, a disclosure regime can help to provide a positive discipline on company managements ? particularly to the extent it is clear that investors place priority on these disclosures. Greater disclosures on ethics management should feature in 1:1 engagement with companies, as well as in dialogue with regulators and standard setters in individual countries.
• Audit quality. A company?s auditors are on the frontline of assessing the accuracy and robustness of its financial statements and controls. Auditors are typically better-positioned than investors to detect abnormalities or potential red flags that might signal fraud or corrupt practice. As users of financial statements, investors should expect auditors in emerging markets to demonstrate sensitivity to corruption risks when conducting audits. In particular western audit firms operating in emerging markets through partnerships with local auditors must prioritise the maintenance of consistent auditing standards between emerging and developed markets. While it is beyond the scope of auditors to seek to detect fraud or opine on the effectiveness of anticorruption measures, diligence as to corruption risks can help to raise standards and create greater barriers to prevent corruption.
• Foreign direct investment. While most institutional investors have portfolio holdings in emerging markets through investment in listed equities, the influence of foreign direct investment can be even greater in terms of providing fresh capital and sources of employment in emerging markets. It is often the case that foreign direct investors themselves are based in developed markets, and are held in the portfolios of institutional investors. Consequently, investor engagement with investee companies active in direct investment in emerging markets should emphasise the important of high ethical standards that direct investors should apply. In no small part this relates to significant potential legal risks for direct investors that are subject to extraterritorial corruption legislation such as the US FCPA and the UK Bribery Act.
• Creditors. The role that creditors can play is sometimes overlooked in terms of potential influence on emerging market companies. Particularly for closely-held companies where controlling shareholders do not wish to dilute their control through external equity offerings, debt capital can represent an important source of funding for emerging market firms. Creditors can and should leverage this influence through demanding high ethical standards of companies they provide credit to, whether in the form of loans or bonds. Creditors have a natural aversion to the risks of fraud, bribery and corruption, particularly given that this can be difficult to legislate for in traditional credit analysis. Not only is there scope for more attention on the part of bank lenders and fixed income investors in emerging markets, it is also the case that credit rating agencies can pay greater attention to potential ethical risks in their assessments of companies and their management. Rating agencies can play a very influential role in providing companies a ?passport? to public debt markets. If companies in emerging markets appreciate that ethical management and anticorruption practices can be a factor affecting its credit rating (particularly if lacking), this can be an important motivator for standards to be raised.
• Public policy engagement. Governments in emerging markets tend to welcome both portfolio and direct investment flows to provide capital for economic growth and development. Investors that provide this capital to emerging markets therefore hold a strong playing card to call for greater political will and for higher standards of enforcement on bribery and corruption, both in the public and private sectors. Investors need to communicate their concerns to governments about the negative economic effect of corruption on economic development, valuations, the cost of capital ? and ultimately access to capital. Established initiatives, such as the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative and the United Nations Convention Against Corruption provide useful global frameworks for progressing this dialogue in emerging markets.

A newer initiative ? the World Forum on Governance (WFG) ? housed within the Brookings Institution ? focuses on a broad anticorruption agenda, including the tactic of a ?road show? by major institutional and foreign direct investors to press the case with senior officials in key emerging markets. ICGN has been involved with helping to shape the agenda of the WFG, and helped to lead a pilot road show with senior Czech government officials following the WFG?s meeting in Prague in December 2012. This could serve as a strategic investor initiative in other jurisdictions to allow for investors to express the urgency of higher anticorruption standards at the most senior levels in key emerging and transition markets globally.

Taking a stand against corruption in emerging markets will not be easy, nor will it offer instant gratification. But given the vast opportunities for growth, economic development and long-term returns for investors in these markets, the stakes are high. This requires a strong, and consistent, message by investors that high business ethics standards should consistently apply to emerging markets as much as they do in the more developed markets ? as well as a pragmatic understanding of the challenges faced and the strategies that may have the greatest impact.

Endnotes

[1] See: http://info.worldbank.org/governance/wgi/index.asp and http://cpi.transparency.org/cpi2011/results/
(go back)

[2] A recent meta-study on corruption in emerging markets (defined in the study as ?low-income countries? or LICs) concluded that the direct and indirect impacts of corruption negatively affect per capita GDP growth by 0.59 percent per year. However this same study concluded that the impact on growth in more developed markets is even greater. The authors noted that ?levels of corruption in LICs may be higher than in non-LICs, but the latter stand to gain more from reducing the incidence of corruption?. Ugur M, Dasgupta N (2011) Evidence on the economic growth impacts of corruption in low-income countries and beyond: a systematic review. London: EPPI-Centre, Social Science Research Unit, Institute of Education, University of London.
(go back)

Source: https://blogs.law.harvard.edu/corpgov/2013/01/19/business-ethics-in-emerging-markets-and-investors-expectations-standards/

PECO Hurricane Sandy update mta ellen degeneres tomb of the unknown soldier tomb of the unknown soldier HMS Bounty