Chavez suffers new post-surgery complications

CARACAS (Reuters) - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is suffering more complications linked to a respiratory infection that hit him after his fourth cancer operation in Cuba, his vice president said in a somber broadcast on Sunday.

Vice President Nicolas Maduro flew to Cuba to visit Chavez in the hospital as supporters' fears grew for the ailing 58-year-old socialist leader, who has not been seen in public nor heard from in three weeks.

Chavez had already suffered unexpected bleeding caused by the six-hour operation on December 11 for an undisclosed form of cancer in his pelvic area. Officials said doctors then had to fight a respiratory infection.

"Just a few minutes ago we were with President Chavez. He greeted us and he himself talked about these complications," Maduro said in the broadcast, adding that the third set of complications arose because of the respiratory infection.

"Thanks to his physical and spiritual strength, Comandante Chavez is confronting this difficult situation."

Maduro, flanked by his wife Attorney-General Cilia Flores, Chavez's daughter Rosa Virginia and her husband, Science Minister Jorge Arreaza, said he would remain in Havana while Chavez's condition evolved.

He said Chavez's condition remained "delicate" - a term he has used since the day after the surgery, when he warned Venezuelans to prepare for difficult times and urged them to keep the president in their prayers.

"We trust that the avalanche of love and solidarity with Comandante Chavez, together with his immense will to live and the care of the best medical specialists, will help our president win this new battle," Maduro said.

A senior government official in Caracas said the New Year's Eve party in the capital's central Plaza Bolivar had been canceled. "Everyone pray for strength for our comandante to overcome this difficult moment," the official, Jacqueline Faria, added on Twitter after making the announcement.

OIL-FINANCED SOCIALISM

Chavez's resignation for health reasons, or his death, would upend politics in the OPEC nation where his personalized brand of oil-financed socialism has made him a hero to the poor but a pariah to critics who call him a dictator.

His condition is being closely watched around Latin America, especially in other nations run by leftist governments, from Cuba to Bolivia, which depend on subsidized fuel shipments and other aid from Venezuela for their fragile economies.

Chavez has not provided details of the cancer that was first diagnosed in June 2011, leading to speculation among Venezuela's 29 million people and criticism from opposition leaders.

Chavez's allies have openly discussed the possibility that he may not be able to return to Venezuela to be inaugurated for his third six-year term as president on the constitutionally mandated date of January 10.

Senior "Chavista" officials have said the people's wishes were made clear when the president was re-elected in October, and that the constitution makes no provision for what happens if a president-elect cannot take office on January 10.

Opposition leaders say any postponement would be just the latest sign that Chavez is not in a fit state to govern and that new elections should be called to choose his replacement. If Chavez had to step down, new elections would be called within 30 days.

Opposition figures believe they have a better shot against Maduro, who was named earlier this month by Chavez as his heir apparent, than against the charismatic president who for 14 years has been nearly invincible at the ballot box.

Any constitutional dispute over succession could lead to a messy transition toward a post-Chavez era in the country that boasts the biggest oil reserves in the world.

Maduro has become the face of the government in Chavez's absence, imitating the president's bombastic style and sharp criticism of the United States and its "imperialist" policies.

In Sunday's broadcast, Maduro said Chavez sent New Year greetings to all Venezuelans, "especially the children, whom he carries in his heart always."

(Additional reporting by Deisy Buitrago and Mario Naranjo; Editng by Kieran Murray and Christopher Wilson)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/venezuelas-chavez-delicate-condition-surgery-vice-president-005422267.html

bobby brown leaves funeral donnie mcclurkin whitney houston funeral live stream kevin costner whitney houston whitney houston funeral live pat buchanan slither

A few months ago, BLU Products introduced a killer Android smartphone to the wor...

A few months ago, BLU Products introduced a killer Android smartphone to the world at a bargain price of just $250 unlocked. Now, for those who need a slightly bigger version of the Vivo 4.3, there's the Vivo 4.65 HD. It's called the "big brother," ?

Source: http://www.facebook.com/HotHardware/posts/10151298327548419

Snoop Lion London 2012 Table Tennis badminton Dominique Dawes Gabby Olympic Gymnast Robyn Lawley Gore Vidal

Business Loans: Switch Source of Finance to your ... - JLPT Study

The Inchbad-creditIn bank loan sector is regrettably an excellent atmosphere for criminals and secrets and cheats, and you'll want to be conscious of this because there are respectable loan companies mixed in challenging bogus companies, you only need to distinguish and be eligible them properly. The competent loan merchants will actually take nearly all, and what is important that you have to do is validate that the firm has been doing company for at least 36 months, plus they actually have a significant occurrence on the internet. Do yet another Google search using only the companies' brand after which closely scrutinize the listings that become on hand. When you've got difficulty the business that this enterprise has been enterprise, or which the business has a experienced reputation, you might want then desire to prevent engaging with that company altogether. Preserve looking for financial institutions that can supply you with the kind of boat bank loan you will need on line, and you'll ultimately find the proper lender despite your bad credit.
So, it is especially hard for the persons who aren't able to pay such a large amount for a surgical procedure. This bank loan provides you with the nice financial assistance you can actually acquire the required sum which you can use to carry over costs of surgery. Plastic surgery loans are specially designed for your individuals of Great britain only they are able to get the main advantage of this particular service. These loans are usually not suffering from any credit check problems.fast payday loans You are not in debt by yourself, so working with these companies is not merely intelligent, it really is definitely in charge. Functioning as well are convinced after they enter into financial debt, plants declare themselves bankrupt. All things considered, they won't make their payments, exactly what other choices do they have? A bankruptcy proceeding is actually a horrible idea, since it will break your credit rating instantly for eight a long time this means you will have plenty of minimal, indirect results next original several year interval. However you do not assume now, 7 decades is a while. Instead of undergoing this tough course of action, it is actually a lot more intelligent to just go ahead and get one of the unsecured debt loans available right now.
It is crucial that a candidate appreciates in which they take a position before you apply to borrow money with bad credit. The challenge with bad credit reviews could it be make a difference to the relation to its that loan adversely, therefore the interest rate may be higher. If the credit score is extremely low, it's probably that no consent is going to be guaranteed. Having said that, appears to be customer understands their ranking and the way it dropped so small, a constructive outline is often given.http://www.owawoo.com/gv2/node/35911

Source: http://www.jlpt-study.com/forum/business-loans-switch-source-finance-your-developing-organization

Eddie Murphy died Suzanne Barr Clint Eastwood speech Maria Montessori clint eastwood Julian Castro Blue Moon August 2012

Obama touts Hagel, says no decision on defense secretary job

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama offered strong support for former Republican Senator Chuck Hagel as the potential next U.S. defense secretary but said in remarks aired on Sunday that he had not yet decided on a nominee for the Pentagon post.

Hagel is considered a leading candidate to replace outgoing Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta, but the former Nebraska lawmaker has come under criticism for his record on Israel and for a comment that being gay was an inhibiting factor for being an ambassador.

"I've served with Chuck Hagel. I know him. He is a patriot. He is somebody who has done extraordinary work both in the United States Senate, somebody who served this country with valor in Vietnam," Obama told NBC's "Meet the Press" in an interview taped on Saturday and broadcast on Sunday.

Any nomination for defense secretary must be approved by the Senate where some lawmakers have voiced criticism about their former colleague.

"I think a lot of Republicans and Democrats are very concerned about Chuck Hagel's positions on Iran sanctions, his views toward Israel, Hamas and Hezbollah, and that there is wide and deep concern about his policies. All of us like him as a person," Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said.

"There would be very little Republican support for his nomination, at the end of the day, there will be very few votes," Graham said on Fox News Sunday.

Obama said he had seen nothing that would disqualify Hagel.

The president said Hagel had apologized for his comments related to homosexuality, referred to by NBC's David Gregory in the interview.

"With respect to the particular comment that you quoted, he apologized for it," Obama said.

"And I think it's a testimony to what has been a positive change over the last decade in terms of people's attitudes about gays and lesbians serving our country. And that's something that I'm very proud to have led," he said.

Obama came out in favor or gay marriage in the middle of his re-election bid this year. Earlier in his term he presided over the end of the "don't ask, don't tell" policy that prohibited gay men and women from serving openly in the U.S. military.

Hagel, who left the Senate in 2008, has faced questions about his record on Israel.

Some of Israel's leading U.S. supporters contend that Hagel at times opposed Israel's interests, voting several times against U.S. sanctions on Iran, and made disparaging remarks about the influence of what he called a "Jewish lobby" in Washington.

Obama, who has strained relations with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has faced questions of his own from the American Jewish community about his approach to the U.S. ally.

Obama said Hagel was doing an "outstanding job" serving on an intelligence advisory board and gave no indication on when he would make his final decision about the defense chief job.

The president has already backed down once from a contentious nomination, choosing Democratic Senator John Kerry to replace Hillary Clinton as secretary of state rather than going with his presumed first choice, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice, whom many Republicans opposed after she made controversial remarks about the September 11 attacks on a U.S. mission in Benghazi, Libya, that killed four Americans.

(Additional reporting by Tabassum Zakaria; Editing by Sandra Maler)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/obama-touts-hagel-says-no-decision-defense-secretary-141235000.html

obama open mic jefferson county colorado extenze tenacious d steve smith zou bisou bisou tim tebow press conference

CompSci in the curriculum ? Off the Kuff

Dec 28th, 2012 by Charles Kuffner.

HISD Trustee Paula Harris coauthors an op-ed in the Chron advocating computer science to be part of the standard school curriculum.

Paula Harris

While STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education is a hot topic in education circles these days, only math and science courses are required for graduation from high school. The few computer science courses that are offered are categorized as electives, not as core courses students need to graduate, so they do not receive the same emphasis as their higher profile STEM counterparts.

We need to start working with students at a young age to spark their interest in technology and computer science. Our children should not just know how to use apps and video games, they should know how to create apps and video games. Some very popular and very profitable apps have been designed by high school students.

We must elevate computer science classes to be part of our core curriculum. We need to train more teachers who are qualified to teach modern state-of-the-art computer science courses, and to find innovative ways to recruit and keep these teachers familiar with the latest technology.

According to Computing in the Core, a nonprofit coalition that advocates for K-12 computer science education, ?By 2018, current government projections show that more than 800,000 high-end computing jobs will be created in the economy, making it one of the fastest growing occupational fields.?

We need the support, input and commitment from technology companies to help us educate technology-inspired, innovative thinkers to both fill available jobs and pioneer in the field of computer science.

I agree that computing should be a required part of the curriculum, but I?d like to see a proposal of what?s being required first. There?s a lot more to computing than programming ? hardware, networking, mobile computing, security, etc etc etc ? so my first question would be what exactly is it that we want to emphasize? What do we really think students need to know? Remember that unlike, say, math, what?s relevant and important in computer science changes rapidly, and sometimes radically. I mean, when I was in college, there was a debate over whether APL or Pascal was the right introductory language to use for programming concepts. How can you ensure that the curriculum you?re designing today will still be worth teaching by the time you?ve finished designing it? Sure, there are plenty of basic ideas in computing that are enduring, but if the idea is to prepare students for the job market, then being up to date on what?s in demand is critical. Are there other school districts already doing something like this? You get the idea. I like this idea and want to see discussion on it. What do you think?

Related Posts:

Posted in: School days, Technology, science, and math.
Tagged: computers ? HISD ? Paula Harris ? schools

Source: http://offthekuff.com/wp/?p=49494

secret service fenway park coachella philadelphia flyers 4/20 student loan forgiveness ufc 145 weigh ins

Is Obama over-playing his ?fiscal cliff? hand? (Powerlineblog)

Share With Friends: | | Politics - Top Stories News, RSS Feeds and Widgets via Feedzilla.

Source: http://news.feedzilla.com/en_us/stories/politics/top-stories/273649001?client_source=feed&format=rss

meryl streep martin scorsese sacha baron cohen best picture nominees 2012 academy awards 2012 albert nobbs a star is born

Macedonian opposition rallies to demand early elections

SKOPJE (Reuters) - Several thousand people rallied in front of the headquarters of Macedonia's rightist ruling party on Saturday demanding the immediate resignation of Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski and early elections.

The rally was the culmination of days of smaller countrywide protests provoked by an incident last week when the opposition was ejected from the parliament after a disagreement and a brawl over the size of next year's budget.

"We have already decided, we will go to the end, until we finally win and bring democracy back to this country" Branko Crvenkovski, the head of the opposition Social Democrats, told the cheering crowd.

Last week the government proposed a 148-billion-denari ($3.2 billion) budget for 2013 last month, forecasting a deficit of 3.5 percent of gross domestic product. It put growth next year at 2 percent of GDP.

But the left-wing opposition condemned the budget proposal as profligate at a time of austerity and demanded a cut equivalent to about $260 million. The government refused and the opposition then submitted about a thousand amendments to the draft before tensions flared on Monday.

The government pushed the budget vote with just over half of deputies present, prompting the opposition to initiate a campaign of civil disobedience.

At the rally, Crvenkovski said his party's backers will maintain protests until the government steps down, paving the way for early elections organized by an independent body.

Parliamentary elections in Macedonia are tentatively slated for 2015.

Macedonia, a former Yugoslav republic, wants to join the European Union and NATO but it still faces opposition from neighboring Greece which says that its name is a territorial appropriation of the name of a northern Greek province.

The country is also facing tensions between its Macedonian Slav majority and ethnic Albanian minority.

(Writing by Aleksandar Vasovic; Editing by Angus MacSwan)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/macedonian-opposition-rallies-demand-early-elections-134313333.html

the bachelor finale march madness bracket south by southwest i want to know what love is courtney mercury retrograde bath salts

US consumers lose confidence as fiscal cliff nears

In this Friday, Dec. 21, 2012, photo, shoppers walk past a store at a mall in Salem, N.H. U.S. consumer confidence tumbled in December, driven lower by fears of sharp tax increases and government spending cuts set to take effect next week. The Conference Board said Thursday that its consumer confidence index fell this month to 65.1, down from 71.5 in November. That's second straight decline and the lowest level since August. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

In this Friday, Dec. 21, 2012, photo, shoppers walk past a store at a mall in Salem, N.H. U.S. consumer confidence tumbled in December, driven lower by fears of sharp tax increases and government spending cuts set to take effect next week. The Conference Board said Thursday that its consumer confidence index fell this month to 65.1, down from 71.5 in November. That's second straight decline and the lowest level since August. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

In this Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2012, photo, a couple descend an escalator while shopping at an H& M store, in Atlanta. U.S. consumer confidence tumbled in December, driven lower by fears of sharp tax increases and government spending cuts set to take effect next week. The Conference Board said Thursday that its consumer confidence index fell this month to 65.1, down from 71.5 in November. That's second straight decline and the lowest level since August. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

WASHINGTON (AP) ? U.S. consumers peering over the "fiscal cliff" don't like what they see.

Fears of sharp tax increases and government spending cuts set to take effect next week sent consumer confidence tumbling in December to its lowest level since August.

The Conference Board said Thursday that its consumer confidence index fell for the second straight month in December to 65.1, down from 71.5 in November.

The survey showed consumers' outlook for the next six months deteriorated to its lowest level since 2011 ? a signal to Lynn Franco, the board's director of economic indicators, that consumers are worried about the tax hikes and spending cuts that take effect Jan. 1 if the White House and Congress can't reach a budget deal.

Earlier this week a report showed consumers held back shopping this holiday season, another indication of their concerns about possible tax increases.

The December drop in confidence "is obvious confirmation that a sudden and serious deterioration in hopes for the future took place in December ? presumably reflecting concern about imminent 'fiscal cliff' tax increases," said Pierre Ellis, an economist with Decision Economics.

The decline in confidence comes at a critical time when the economy is showing signs of improvement elsewhere.

A recovery in housing market is looking more sustainable. On Thursday, the government said new-home sales increased in November at the fastest seasonally adjusted annual pace in 2? years.

And the job market has made slow but steady gains in recent months. The average number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits over the past month fell to the lowest level since March 2008.

But the political wrangling in Washington threatens the economy's slow, steady progress. President Barack Obama and House returned to Washington Thursday to resume talks with just days to go before the deadline.

Mixed signals over those negotiations led to a rocky day on Wall Street.

Stocks plunged early after the weak consumer confidence report and a warning from Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid that the government appeared to be headed over the "fiscal cliff." At one point, the Dow Jones industrial average fell as much as 150 points.

But the market came back in the final hour of trading on a potential sign of movement in the talks: Republican leaders announced they would bring the House back into session on Sunday evening. The Dow recouped nearly all of its losses to close down just 18 points at 13,096.

A short fall over the cliff won't push the economy into recession. But most economists expect some tax increases to take effect next year. That could slow economic growth.

While consumers are more worried about where the economy is headed, they were upbeat about present conditions, according to the latest survey. Their assessment of current economic conditions rose this month to the highest level since August 2008.

A key reason for that is gas prices hit a 2012 low of $3.21 a gallon last week. Normally, that would prompt consumers to spend more on holiday shopping.

But the opposite has happened. A report from MasterCard Advisors Spending pulse indicated sales grew in the two months before Christmas at the weakest rate since 2008, when the country was in a deep recession.

There were other distractions this holiday season. In late October, Superstorm Sandy battered the Northeast and mid-Atlantic states, which account for 24 percent of U.S. retail sales. That coupled with the presidential election, hurt sales during the first half of November.

Shopping picked up in the second half of November. But "fiscal cliff" worries dampened sales in December.

The National Retail Federation, the nation's largest retail trade group, remains optimistic that sales won't be quite as bad as earlier reports have suggested. It is sticking to its forecast for total sales for November and December to be up 4.1 percent to $586.1 billion this year. That's more than a percentage point lower than the growth in each of the past two years, and the smallest increase since 2009 when sales were up just 0.3 percent.

___

AP Retail Writer Anne D'Innocenzio contributed from New York to this report.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/3d281c11a96b4ad082fe88aa0db04305/Article_2012-12-27-Consumer%20Confidence/id-9b107017556f4bb08cffdc809e1a3780

april fools day 2012 ja rule amityville horror acm passover recipes 2012 kids choice awards kansas ohio state

Virtual women reveal more skin, regardless of body proportions

Dec. 26, 2012 ? In the virtual world of Second Life, female avatars expose substantially more skin than males, independent of their virtual body proportions, according to research published December 26 in the open access journal PLOS ONE by Matthieu Guitton and colleagues from Laval University, Canada.

The human tendency to cover up stems from climatic, environmental, physical and cultural constraints, so measuring people's propensity to reveal skin can be difficult in the real world. To study human behavior free of at least some of these constraints, the researchers analyzed how male and female avatars in the virtual, 3- dimensional world of Second Life dressed. Second Life offers users options to choose the gender, appearance and attire of their virtual avatars, and users can select clothing from several items created in this virtual world, rather than being restricted to a predefined costume.

They found that out of over 400 virtual people studied, 71% of male avatars covered between 75-100% of their skin, while only 5% of females did. In contrast, 47% of the virtual females they studied covered between 25-49% of their skin, compared to 9% of males. The amount of skin covered was independent of traditional gender-specific measures of physical attractiveness for virtual avatars, such as waist-chest ratios for females. According to the study, "These findings have implications for understanding how sex specific aspects of skin disclosure influence human social interactions in both virtual and real settings."

Guitton adds, "Virtual settings provide a unique tool to study human behavior unhindered by physical and environmental constraints.This tool enabled us to find a dramatic gender difference in the propensity to disclose naked skin."

Share this story on Facebook, Twitter, and Google:

Other social bookmarking and sharing tools:

---

Story Source:

The above story is reprinted from materials provided by Public Library of Science.

Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above.

---

Journal Reference:

1. Anna M. Lomanowska, Matthieu J. Guitton. Virtually Naked: Virtual Environment Reveals Sex-Dependent Nature of Skin Disclosure. PLoS ONE, 2012; 7 (12): e51921 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0051921

Note: If no author is given, the source is cited instead.

Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.

Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/strange_science/~3/ZeIiHe_W1vc/121226223057.htm

Democratic National Convention 2012 myocardial infarction What Is Labor Day jersey shore Pasquale Rotella Michael Clark Duncan michael jackson

Quiz: Which 'Hobbit' Character Are You?

While you were watching "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey," did you wonder to yourself, "If I lived in Middle-earth, what kind of creature would I be?" You probably didn't because that's a terribly odd thing to think while watching a movie, but in case you did, the LOTR Project has put together a handy quiz [...]

Source: http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2012/12/27/which-hobbit-character-are-you/

denver post dez bryant Kitty Wells Marissa Mayer Jon Lord Colorado shootings dark knight rises

World Snowboard Day kicks off December 30 | US Asian Post

World Snowboard Day is December 30.
?All rights reserved

(Relaxnews) ? On December 30, snowboarders around the globe will carve up the slopes to celebrate their sport on World Snowboard Day, now in its seventh edition.

Last year nearly 170 events in 37 countries took part, with an estimated 25,000 participants joining in the fun. This year, 47 events are scheduled so far in 22 countries, including concerts and parties, snowboarding lessons, environmental education sessions, and contests and demos.

Anne-Flore Marxer, Freeride World Champion, has signed on to be the official ambassador of the event.

World Snowboard Day, which grows in size every year, was created in 2006 by EuroSIMA, the World Snowboard Federation, and Outdoor Sports Valley.

Find out about events in your area:?http://www.world-snowboard-day.com

Watch a teaser:?https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWbmnRjzJGk

Tags: Anne-Flore Marxer concerts Environmental Education sessions EuroSIMA Events Featured Freeride World Champion Outdoor Sports Valley Snowboarders Snowboarding Lessons Sport Sport & Fitness Well-being World Snowboard Day World Snowboard Federation

Source: http://www.usasianpost.com/usap/11743?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=world-snowboard-day-kicks-off-december-30

pacquiao Jim DeMint Dave Brubeck Duck Dynasty New Orleans Pelicans frankie muniz today show

Desert Storm commander Norman Schwarzkopf dies

FILE - In this April 22, 1991 file photo, General H. Norman Schwarzkopf waves to the crowd after a military band played a song in his honor at welcome home ceremonies at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Fla. Schwarzkopf died Thursday, Dec. 27, 2012 in Tampa, Fla. He was 78. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky, File)

FILE - In this April 22, 1991 file photo, General H. Norman Schwarzkopf waves to the crowd after a military band played a song in his honor at welcome home ceremonies at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Fla. Schwarzkopf died Thursday, Dec. 27, 2012 in Tampa, Fla. He was 78. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky, File)

FILE - In this July 4, 1991 file photo, President George Bush congratulates Desert Storm commander Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf after presenting him with the medal of freedom at the White House in Washington. Schwarzkopf died Thursday, Dec. 27, 2012 in Tampa, Fla. He was 78. (AP Photo/Doug Mills, File)

FILE - In this Jan. 13, 1991 file photo, General H. Norman Schwarzkopf, commander of U.S. troops in the Gulf, gazes from the window of his small jet on his way out to visit U.S. troops in the desert in Saudi Arabia. Schwarzkopf died Thursday, Dec. 27, 2012 in Tampa, Fla. He was 78. (AP Photo/Bob Daugherty, File)

FILE - In this Jan. 12, 1991 file photo, Gen. H. Norman Schwarzkopf stands at ease with his tank troops during Operation Desert Storm in Saudi Arabia. Schwarzkopf died Thursday, Dec. 27, 2012 in Tampa, Fla. He was 78. (AP Photo/Bob Daugherty, File)

FILE - In this Sept. 14, 1990 file photo, U.S. Army Gen. H. Norman Schwarzkopf, commander of U.S. forces in Saudi Arabia, answers questions during an interview in Riyadh. Schwarzkopf died Thursday, Dec. 27, 2012 in Tampa, Fla. He was 78. (AP Photo/David Longstreath, File)

WASHINGTON (AP) ? Truth is, retired Gen. H. Norman Schwarzkopf didn't care much for his popular "Stormin' Norman" nickname.

The seemingly no-nonsense Desert Storm commander's reputed temper with aides and subordinates supposedly earned him that rough-and-ready moniker. But others around the general, who died Thursday in Tampa, Fla., at age 78 from complications from pneumonia, knew him as a friendly, talkative and even jovial figure who preferred the somewhat milder sobriquet given by his troops: "The Bear."

That one perhaps suited him better later in his life, when he supported various national causes and children's charities while eschewing the spotlight and resisting efforts to draft him to run for political office.

He lived out a quiet retirement in Tampa, where he'd served his last military assignment and where an elementary school bearing his name is testament to his standing in the community.

Schwarzkopf capped an illustrious military career by commanding the U.S.-led international coalition that drove Saddam Hussein's forces out of Kuwait in 1991 ? but he'd managed to keep a low profile in the public debate over the second Gulf War against Iraq, saying at one point that he doubted victory would be as easy as the White House and the Pentagon predicted.

Schwarzkopf was named commander in chief of U.S. Central Command at Tampa's MacDill Air Force Base in 1988, overseeing the headquarters for U.S. military and security concerns in nearly two dozen countries stretching across the Middle East to Afghanistan and the rest of central Asia, plus Pakistan.

When Saddam invaded Kuwait two years later to punish it for allegedly stealing Iraqi oil reserves, Schwarzkopf commanded Operation Desert Storm, the coalition of some 30 countries organized by President George H.W. Bush that succeeded in driving the Iraqis out.

At the peak of his postwar national celebrity, Schwarzkopf ? a self-proclaimed political independent ? rejected suggestions that he run for office, and remained far more private than other generals, although he did serve briefly as a military commentator for NBC.

While focused primarily on charitable enterprises in his later years, he campaigned for President George W. Bush in 2000, but was ambivalent about the 2003 invasion of Iraq. In early 2003 he told The Washington Post that the outcome was an unknown: "What is postwar Iraq going to look like, with the Kurds and the Sunnis and the Shiites? That's a huge question, to my mind. It really should be part of the overall campaign plan."

Initially Schwarzkopf had endorsed the invasion, saying he was convinced that Secretary of State Colin Powell had given the United Nations powerful evidence of Iraqi weapons of mass destruction. After that proved false, he said decisions to go to war should depend on what U.N. weapons inspectors found.

He seldom spoke up during the conflict, but in late 2004 he sharply criticized Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld and the Pentagon for mistakes that included erroneous judgments about Iraq and inadequate training for Army reservists sent there.

"In the final analysis I think we are behind schedule. ... I don't think we counted on it turning into jihad (holy war)," he said in an NBC interview.

Schwarzkopf was born Aug. 24, 1934, in Trenton, N.J., where his father, Col. H. Norman Schwarzkopf Jr., founder and commander of the New Jersey State Police, was then leading the investigation of the Lindbergh kidnap case. That investigation ended with the arrest and 1936 execution of German-born carpenter Richard Hauptmann for murdering famed aviator Charles Lindbergh's infant son.

The elder Schwarzkopf was named Herbert, but when the son was asked what his "H'' stood for, he would reply, "H."

As a teenager Norman accompanied his father to Iran, where the elder Schwarzkopf trained the Iran's national police force and was an adviser to Reza Pahlavi, the young Shah of Iran.

Young Norman studied there and in Switzerland, Germany and Italy, then followed in his father's footsteps to West Point, graduating in 1956 with an engineering degree. After stints in the U.S. and abroad, he earned a master's degree in engineering at the University of Southern California and later taught missile engineering at West Point.

In 1966 he volunteered for Vietnam and served two tours, first as a U.S. adviser to South Vietnamese paratroops and later as a battalion commander in the U.S. Army's Americal Division. He earned three Silver Stars for valor ? including one for saving troops from a minefield ? plus a Bronze Star, a Purple Heart and three Distinguished Service Medals.

While many career officers left military service embittered by Vietnam, Schwarzkopf was among those who opted to stay and help rebuild the tattered Army into a potent, modernized all-volunteer force.

After Saddam invaded Kuwait in August 1990, Schwarzkopf played a key diplomatic role by helping persuade Saudi Arabia's King Fahd to allow U.S. and other foreign troops to deploy on Saudi territory as a staging area for the war to come.

On Jan. 17, 1991, a five-month buildup called Desert Shield became Operation Desert Storm as allied aircraft attacked Iraqi bases and Baghdad government facilities. The six-week aerial campaign climaxed with a massive ground offensive on Feb. 24-28, routing the Iraqis from Kuwait in 100 hours before U.S. officials called a halt.

Schwarzkopf said afterward he agreed with Bush's decision to stop the war rather than drive to Baghdad to capture Saddam, as his mission had been only to oust the Iraqis from Kuwait.

But in a desert tent meeting with vanquished Iraqi generals, he allowed a key concession on Iraq's use of helicopters, which later backfired by enabling Saddam to crack down more easily on rebellious Shiites and Kurds.

While he later avoided the public second-guessing by academics and think tank experts over the ambiguous outcome of the first Gulf War and its impact on the second Gulf War, he told The Washington Post in 2003, "You can't help but ... with 20/20 hindsight, go back and say, 'Look, had we done something different, we probably wouldn't be facing what we are facing today.'"

After retiring from the Army in 1992, Schwarzkopf wrote a best-selling autobiography, "It Doesn't Take A Hero." Of his Gulf War role, he said: "I like to say I'm not a hero. I was lucky enough to lead a very successful war." He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II and honored with decorations from France, Britain, Belgium, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Bahrain.

Schwarzkopf was a national spokesman for prostate cancer awareness and for Recovery of the Grizzly Bear, served on the Nature Conservancy board of governors and was active in various charities for chronically ill children.

"I may have made my reputation as a general in the Army and I'm very proud of that," he once told The Associated Press. "But I've always felt that I was more than one-dimensional. I'd like to think I'm a caring human being. ... It's nice to feel that you have a purpose."

Schwarzkopf and his wife, Brenda, had three children: Cynthia, Jessica and Christian.

___

Stacy was the AP's Tampa, Fla., correspondent when he prepared this report on Schwarzkopf's life; he now reports from the AP bureau in Columbus, Ohio. Associated Press writers Richard Pyle in New York and Jay Lindsay in Boston contributed to this report.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/89ae8247abe8493fae24405546e9a1aa/Article_2012-12-27-Obit-Schwarzkopf/id-72ab7f5b5f09452faf08876714945910

Innocence of Muslims Clara Schumann Jael Strauss Alison Pill Sam Bacile sprint britney spears

Information Technology|Certification Intelligence | Articles Hub

Information technology news and technical data regarding certification intelligence for exam education could be the main intent behind this information. Many people do not know the distinction between computer training and certification exam training. I?d prefer to inform everyone else what the differences are. Computer training is class room education with planned courses or on line training in regards to the career area pertaining to it. I would like to explain! You may want becoming a Server Administrator. To begin in order to be experienced in the topic with you?ll need some knowledge somewhere and probably obtain a 2 or 4-year degree or receive some online instruction with a professional teacher. You might just want to get a certificate in this field and have a few classes. This would be looked at computer education.

It certification intelligence on exam training is the thing you need in order to be fully prepared to go your certification exam. After computer training you might have a diploma or a certificate but you still do not have a certification that?s recognized by Microsoft, CIW and CompTia or any other. You will would like to get qualified in Microsoft, CIW or CISCO if you have computer education that qualifies you to be always a Server Administrator then. Certification exam teaching concentrates on preparing one to pass your certification exam. An IT Certification exam is unlike every other exam that you have had in school or school. There are two essential points to consider when get yourself ready for a certification test. They?re the proper study process and having relevant material that relates to the real test that?s up to date with the current market.

You can find just a number of sites on line that offer Certification assessment instruction. The main reason I wrote this short article would be to provide news and information about the very best sources on certification examination instruction. There are many students of information technology that want this information because they are seriously interested in passing their accreditation assessment on the initial decide to try. This informative article isn?t about selling but about helping those people who are not informed about Certification assessment instruction.

Still another purpose of this article is knowledge concerning it certification. There are several colleges and on the web training about information technology that will prepare you for a specific subject or subject but there are but several places where you can find information technology accreditation intelligence on test training.

Say you want to become a Technician and you study at a school or receive on line training so that you?re knowledgeable about that area and receive a degree or certificate in that area but until you take a certification test you still aren?t qualified. Despite school to be able to be authorized in the area you will need certainly to schedule an certification test with prometric or pearsonvue that you need.

Where you will get instruction on how to complete your information technology certification test how many places do you know. Examination training isn?t just like computer training. You?ll need understanding of just how to study for your certification exam and to know the proper study strategies since an IT exam isn?t the identical to the assessments in school. Because if you are studying material that?s outdated then you will not pass your certification exam you will also need to find out where to have current material about your certification exam. Certification exam instruction is essential if you intend on so you can avoid 3rd and 2nd exam fees moving your certification exam the first time.

Some individuals might already be working on the work in the job that they wish, like a Server Administrator, Desktop Support Technician or a PC Repair Technician. They could have had previous training before work but have never received a certification. Because their company requires it they probably know their job and have become knowledgeable about their work and field but desire a certification. They do not need any computer instruction. They only need Certification exam education so they could pass their certification exam. I am hoping you receive the picture now. Buying great source then visit: billnaugle.com

For more, please go to: tumbshots

Source: http://articleshub.indiafaster.com/2012/12/information-technologycertification-intelligence/

michael bush the host trailer whitney houston cause of death marquette university marquette hilary duff michigan state

Movie Ripping Becomes Legal In UK For Individuals

Not that it would really be much of a worry since many people just do it regardless of the law, but UK residents set to receive any CDs or DVDs this Christmas will be able to do so safe in the knowledge that they can use a computer to back up their content without being?hunted?down by legislation, provided that the disc ripping that occurs is for personal use only.

After?a law amendment passed on Friday (21 December), the UK coalition?government has legally permitted consumers the right to burn content to their hard drives as ?digital copies?, with the law covering copied video content, music, and e-books, so long as it has been taken directly from the source?(as disc-to-file) and not used commercially.

While the rule also allows users to store their copied content onto a cloud storage service (seen in this case as similar to a hard drive, and rejecting rights holders? claims that this could create a form of illegal piracy),?it remains a crime to remove a??technical protection method? (TPM) from all copyrighted content, mainly designed to protect from copying in large quantities.

Government business secretary Vince Cable said of the changes: ?[The new legislation is] not only common sense but good business sense. Bringing the law into line with ordinary people?s reasonable expectations will boost respect for copyright, on which our creative industries rely. We feel we have struck the right balance between improving the way consumers benefit from copyright works they have legitimately paid for, boosting business opportunities and protecting the rights of creators.?

With a report on the matter summarising that the alterations create??a fair balance? between fair use for consumers?and?protecting the revenue streams of rights holders, will this trivial improvement be appreciated as a greater amount of freedom to use a paid-for disc as the user pleases?

Welcome to WorldTVPC Blog dedicated to bringing the latest news from the world of online tv, streaming services and TV hardware. We have news, links and a comprehensive review section. Hope you enjoy and we welcome all constructive comments

Steve Sanger

Related News:

1. TV Networks Halt Aereo With Legal Claim
2. iviTV Loses Legal Battle With TV Streaming Service
3. Sony Take On The Job Of A Movie
4. Surfthechannel Crashes In Court As More Pirate Movie Sites Get Tracked Down
5. American Internet Providers Create Hadopi-Style Copyright Alerts

Source: http://www.worldtvpc.com/blog/movie-ripping-becomes-legal-in-uk-for-individuals/

best picture 2012 oscar winners channel 3 news j lo j lo sacha baron cohen ryan seacrest octavia spencer

tahminalucchi: My Pair of Boots: Old Fort- Wing Family Home ...

The Wing Fort House is located at 69 Spring Hill Road, East Sandwich, Massachusetts. Open Tuesday through Saturday from June 15 to September 30 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. There is a small admission fee. For off-season visits please call the Caretakers at (508) 833-1540. Cousins, if you ever have the opportunity, this is a "must do" visit. It is something you will never forget and something you will never tire of talking about.

The oldest house in New England owned and occupied continuously by the same family for over three centuries. Built in 1641.? In 1646 it became the home of Stephen Wing, one of the early settlers of Sandwich, son of the Reverend John Wing and Deborah Bachelor. Stephen?and his descendants occupied the house from then on, adding on as families grew and changing tastes dictated. Now restored, it is furnished almost entirely with Wing family antiques showing the different periods of its long history. The house is maintained by the Wing Family of America and open to the public.

?This house is a must see on my list of Historic Landmarks!

Source: http://mypairofboots.blogspot.com/2012/12/old-fort-wing-family-home.html

annapolis wwe royal rumble trisomy leon panetta luck sag awards 2012 nominees sag awards

Source: http://tahminalucchi.blogspot.com/2012/12/my-pair-of-boots-old-fort-wing-family.html

bobby valentine bobby valentine nicki minaj miguel cabrera Karrueche Tran dodd frank Lark Voorhies

Source: http://asaeuv.posterous.com/tahminalucchi-my-pair-of-boots-old-fort-wing

st patricks day st. bonaventure ira glass march madness swain match day nene

Obama to Return to Washington Wednesday as Fiscal Cliff Looms (Voice Of America)

Share With Friends: | | Politics - Top Stories Stories, RSS and RSS Feed via Feedzilla.

Source: http://news.feedzilla.com/en_us/stories/politics/top-stories/273090397?client_source=feed&format=rss

aubrey huff the killers julianne hough brandy michael pineda charles taylor bruins

Video: JetBlue CEO: Latin America 'Really Positive'

Sorry, Readability was unable to parse this page for content.

Source: http://video.msnbc.msn.com/cnbc/50290321/

turkey Pumpkin Pie Recipe wii u wii u American Music Awards turkey brine Imessage Not Working

Slim Down With These Smart Weight Loss Tips - Botanical Slimming

Are you not ready to begin a weight loss program? Does weight loss fill you with uncertainty and intimidation? Do not worry about it, we all need to begin somewhere. This article will give you a good start and get you on your way to having a perfect shape.

Once you realize you have become overweight due to yourself, now is a good time to be forgiven. That is the only time you can start to move on and forget your past. Don?t blame your past self; instead, pity the person who was unable to take control of their life and use that as motivation to stay the course.

Make sure you eat low-calorie foods that are very filling. Enjoy a small plate of fresh veggies, like carrot and celery sticks, in advance of a meal to knock back your hunger pangs so that you don?t devour higher calorie foods and desserts. Additionally, try to consume water, which will keep you full at times.

Avocados are a great alternative to some of the fatty snacks out there. Although they are high in fat, this is healthy and unsaturated fat. The rich texture and taste of avocados should be enjoyable, especially if you have been craving richer foods because of your diet. Doing without the ground beef in a taco is no hardship at all when it is replaced with veggies and avocado. In addition to being equally tasty and filling, the taco is far healthier and more nutritious.

Have a glass of water before you eat! If you are very hungry you may eat more than you need before your brain can signal you are full.

While dieting, try to make pasta-free spaghetti. Follow this simple recipe: mix veggie meatballs, raw tomato sauce, zucchini and some oregano together. This will give you the flavor of sauce that you crave and taste good but won?t give you as many calories. This is just one of many favorite dishes that you can modify in healthy ways.

You should weigh yourself regularly to keep motivated to lose weight. This can vary from person to person. Try weighing yourself about once every week. Weighing yourself daily is preferable.

When you are in the process of losing weight, it is a great idea to buy clothes at thrift shops and discount stores. You don?t want to purchase expensive clothes that won?t fit you for very long.

Sugarless gum can be used as a weight loss tool. Gums like these assist in minimizing your desire for food when a craving hits. As with most things, you should chew gum too often since it can have some negative health affects.

When you connect with a family member or friend who also wants to lose some weight, you have a weight loss buddy to motivate you when you get sidetracked with your diet and exercise plan. Support can be key to your weight loss.

In order for your diet to be a success, reward yourself when you exhibit good behavior. Try getting yourself something nice, maybe you could rent a movie too. You might decide to buy clothes that will show off your new body, which is a double reward, which will give you the positive feeling that your hard work has paid off, and you see it in the mirror.

Your weight will fluctuate naturally. Understand the trends of your weight instead of the daily numbers. You can rest assured as long as the overall number is declining.

Drinking water and cutting sugary drinks from your diet for a week is a way to lose a quick five pounds. When you drink more water, you will remain fuller longer, and it helps you have less trouble with water bloat. Drink a minimum of eight glasses of water per day. This is not permanent fat loss, but you could use it once to kick-start a weight loss plan.

Because you have read this article, you now have some excellent weight loss tips. Now, you?re ready to start your weight loss program so you can look and feel great. Don?t start until your old clothes fit you. Utilize the advice you have just read, and begin working towards having a healthier body.

Source: http://www.meizitang-botanicalslimminggel.com/blog/uncategorized/slim-down-with-these-smart-weight-loss-tips/

pirate bay revenge revenge once upon a time once upon a time adam shulman adam shulman

jahedaaos: Finding A Home Remedy For Eczema | health and ...

Approximately eight percent of the population suffer from eczema. The skin condition is caused by a misfiring of one's immune system. The technical term for the disorder is is atopic dermatitis. It is characterized by a relentless inflammation of the skin's top layer, which ultimately leads to crusting, scaling, flaking and other unsightly side effects. The continuous itching and burning associated with its presence, along with its unattractive appearance, leads many people to begin searching for a home remedy for eczema.

Additional scars frequently form because of the continuous scratching many sufferers find hard to control. Numerous individuals search for homeopathic cures or natural remedies to find relief from such symptoms when traditional treatments have not been helpful. In most cases it is not difficult to discover an effective natural cure for eczema. However, a person may find that it is necessary to try different remedies before the most suitable one is found.

Red clover is an option that should be considered by those in search of an herbal supplement for the aforementioned condition. Red clover is popular among patients suffering from particularly severe cases of eczema. This is because it can be placed on blistering skin directly. Many people discover that it only takes one application to notice the difference. The herb is also available in capsule form; however, topical use provides quicker relief of symptoms.

Black current oil and evening primrose oil are two substances containing high levels of essential fatty acids. Such acids play an essential role in one's general health, and are particularly advantageous to those afflicted with skin disorders. Both oil's can be found in capsule form, and the correct dosage will depend on the individual's weight. In most cases, however, up to 8000 milligrams on a daily basis is typically regarded as a safe dose for adults.

Green tea is another effective natural cure for this disorder. In addition to the numerous health benefits for which it is renowned, green tea is full of anti-inflammatory properties, making it an ideal option for those suffering from eczema. One should drink a minimum of three cups each day, and it makes no difference whether the tea is consumed cold or hot.

Gamma Linolenic Acid, more often called simply GLA, has received much attention lately from health care professionals. It is an omega-6 essential fatty acid, and can alleviate the symptoms of this troublesome skin disorder. Its effectiveness is due in part to one of its ingredients called dihomo-gammalinolenic, which bolsters the human immune system, and therefore reduces the length and severity of one's flareups.

It is also essential to keep in mind that simple activities such as maintaining clean skin and avoiding too much exposure to the sun are also vital to general skin health. Consuming a multivitamin that contains many different antioxidants can also lessen the intensity and frequency of a person's outbreaks.

More in-depth studies have recently been launched regarding natural remedies for this disorder. It might be necessary for sufferers to use various treatments prior to finding a beneficial home remedy for eczema. As with all supplements, one should discuss their use with a physician prior to adding such products to their diet.

Source: http://healthandfitnessupdates.blogspot.com/2012/12/finding-home-remedy-for-eczema.html

Jaimie Alexander tom brady john lennon Army Navy Game Psy leann rimes pearl harbor

Source: http://jahedaaos.blogspot.com/2012/12/finding-home-remedy-for-eczema-health.html

margaret sanger paul george eddie long ufc 143 weigh ins micron ceo glenn miller who do you think you are

Lore - Celaradith's Wilderness

Topic Tags:

Forum for completely Out of Character (OOC) discussion, based around whatever is happening In Character (IC). Discuss plans, storylines, and events; Recruit for your roleplaying game, or find a GM for your playergroup.
Feynesse Isle
A large beautiful island, not without it's dangers or marred lands. Home to the prestigious Academy of Illumination in Mithras City.

Goldoak Mountains
Far to the North-East of the Silkleaf Mesa is a chain of old, rounded mountains. Nestled within one particularly fertile valley is a grove of trees with leaves as yellow as gold. It is unsure as to whether or not this is a natural phenomena, but the citizens of the nearby Daedalus don?t seem to mind. They also don?t mind sharing their home with the untame Illimeur of the forests or the friendly wrendels wandering the orchards. They do, however, hunt the gryphons that nest near the peaks of their mountains.

The Isle of Clouds
It is not often that an island migrates on its own, but this tiny one seems to have decided that spending its life in one place is far too dull. It drifts about the seas as it pleases, a skirt of clouds clinging to it and trailing in its wake. Common birds nest in this region, as well as the elusive Quel. It is even rumored that a family of Doola roam the dense forests of its single mountain.

Silkleaf Mesa
To the East of the Wild Plains a lone, flattened mountain stands. While the earth atop it is mostly barren and dry, a massive swath of brambles marks Hellquill Nest. South of this loathsome mess of thorns is the Jadepyre Post.

Tiny lizards, buzzards, and a medley of other desert-like critters wrestle with the heat here, as well as basilisks, wyverns, and lefor.

The Wild Plains
To the West of Silkleaf Mesa lies a vast, mostly uncharted area. Seas of grasses stretch as far as the eye can see, and massive beasts roam the land. There is nearly no protection from the scorching rays of the sun in this grassland.

The Shore of Flames
Before the Ashriders came to be, dragons were uncontrollable monstrosities of destruction. As a result, a force of soldiers were sent by an ancient king to their nest, slaughtering as many as they could. Many brave men died that day, but so did many fearsome dragons.

However, an unforeseen consequence sprung up as a result. The dragons bled liquid flames, and thus the shores of their seaside cave were set ablaze. Decades have past, but the ever-burning blood of the dragons has not dimmed in the slightest.

The Spirit Basin
The earth here bleeds an unnatural glow; some magic as thick as blood that seeps up through the ground in wells and streams. Very little lives here, but what does is twisted and bizarre.

The Voidcrest
Far to the North of Islithika lies a dark, shadowy mass. The world crumbles at its edges, and dark tendrils of some unknown magic snake across the hills around it and reach into the sky. Void monstrosities slither out of it, but mortal has ever entered the Voidcrest and returned.

Celaradith

Member for 0 years

---

---

Post a reply

RolePlayGateway is a site built by a couple roleplayers who wanted to give a little something back to the roleplay community. The site has no intention of earning any profit, and is paid for out of their own pockets.

If you appreciate what they do, feel free to donate your spare change to help feed them on the weekends. After selecting the amount you want to donate from the menu, you can continue by clicking on PayPal logo.

Who is online

Registered users: AceofSpade*, Adantas, Ahri, Akantha*, allimagination*, Armageddon*, avis*, Azrieldemourn, bandgeek*, Baron von Bad, Binsetsu*, Brock10, Byte*, C4L3N*, Calvazara, Celaradith*, ChaoticMarin*, Colonel_Masters*, CookieCupcake*, Crooked Thoughts*, cucumbersome*, CussingChild*, delfiler*, demented-tiger*, DemonDante, Digital_Muse*, Eddy V. Sovorov, EmbracingIllusions, Exabot [Bot], F-A-U-S-t*, Fadded*, Finalhazard3, Flexar, Free_Polity*, FreeRunner*, fullmetal642*, Gamer_Templar*, Geekly*, Google [Bot], Google Adsense [Bot], Google Feedfetcher, GotDraggedIntoThis, Harlequin Smile, Hazezon, hellgirl**, Hoga*, Holy|Orders*, Hydrall, iCat*, Jabberwocky*, JEDH3*, KulasLightShadow*, Lamia_Era*, Liberator600*, Little Fox, LittleMissGeorgia*, Lloyd999, LuckyNumber24, Macabre Legion, Majestic-12 [Bot], MaliceInWonderland, MegaKooala12*, Missing Link*, MSNbot Media, Nami L'Chi, nariko11*, NasiaWords, Nightmaric_Angel*, noonshine*, Patcharoo*, Porecomesis*, Princess Awinita*, punkwithflute*, Pyramids*, Raidose*, rayssun000369, RCJJ23*, RebornAncient12, RedWolfe*, Rem?us*, ROFLMAO FTW*, Ryuu Takeshi*, Sekota*, shadereen*, Shiki29*, Something?*, spacetime*, StandardFiend, StarMorrison, Stella11, Talisman, TaniaSoulEater, Terrus*, Tiko*, tornadofan2, TrueDefiance, umbra Alastor, Valor, Vinn, ViviOrunitiaFF9*, wolfoftheage*, XavierDantius32*, XianEvermor*, xoxMissClairexox, YaCy [Bot], Yahoo [Bot], zeno3111*

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/RolePlayGateway/~3/CyekgTngsFc/viewtopic.php

oakland news alec baldwin alec baldwin college basketball oakland pinnacle airlines kansas vs kentucky

Roman Catholic cleric celebrates Palestinian state

BETHLEHEM, West Bank (AP) ? The top Roman Catholic cleric in the Holy Land celebrated the United Nations' recent recognition of a Palestinian state in his annual pre-Christmas homily on Monday, saying that while the road to actual freedom from Israeli occupation remains long, the Palestinian homeland has been born.

Latin Patriarch Fouad Twal told followers at the patriarchate's headquarters in Jerusalem's Old City that this year's festivities were doubly joyful, celebrating "the birth of Christ our Lord and the birth of the state of Palestine."

"The path (to statehood) remains long, and will require a united effort," added Twal, a Palestinian citizen of Jordan.

From Jerusalem, he set off in a procession for the West Bank city of Bethlehem, Jesus' traditional birthplace. There, he was reminded that life on the ground for Palestinians has not really changed since the U.N. recognized their state last month in the Israeli-occupied West Bank and east Jerusalem and the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip.

Twal had to enter the biblical city through a massive metal gate in the barrier of towering concrete slabs Israel built between Jerusalem and Bethlehem during a wave of Palestinian suicide bombings in the last decade.

Israel, backed by the United States, opposed the statehood bid, saying it was a Palestinian ploy to bypass negotiations. Talks stalled four years ago, primarily over Israel's construction in the West Bank and east Jerusalem, territories Israel occupied in the 1967 Mideast war.

Israel has rejected the Palestinians' demand that it freeze all construction before they will renew talks, and launched a major settlement building push in retaliation for the successful statehood bid.

Hundreds of people were on hand to greet Twal in Manger Square, outside the Church of Nativity. The mood was festive under sunny skies, with children dressed in holiday finery or in Santa costumes, and marching bands playing in the streets.

A lavishly decorated 55-foot (25-meter) fir tree with a nativity scene at its foot dominated the plaza. Festivities were to culminate with Midnight Mass at the Church of the Nativity, built over the grotto where tradition says Jesus was born.

Devout Christians said it was a moving experience to be so close to the origins of their faith.

"It's a special feeling to be here, it's an encounter with my soul and God," said Joanne Kurczewska, a professor at Warsaw University in Poland, who was visiting Bethlehem for a second time at Christmas.

Christmas is the high point of the year in Bethlehem, which, like the rest of the West Bank, is struggling to recover from the economic hard times that followed the violent Palestinian uprising against Israel that broke out in late 2000.

Tourists and pilgrims who had been scared away by the fighting have been returning in larger numbers. Last year's Christmas Eve celebration produced the highest turnout in more than a decade, with some 100,000 visitors, including foreign workers and Arab Christians from Israel.

The Israeli Tourism Ministry predicts a 25 percent drop from that level this year, following last month's clash between Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza, which put a chill on tourist arrivals. Foreign tourists heading to Bethlehem must pass through Israel or the Israel-controlled border crossing into the West Bank from Jordan.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/roman-catholic-cleric-celebrates-palestinian-state-125522036.html

West Nile virus symptoms snooki ll cool j amy schumer amy schumer Prince Harry Vegas pictures Avril Lavigne

Video: Weekend TODAY?s potluck dinner

Sorry, Readability was unable to parse this page for content.

Source: http://video.today.msnbc.msn.com/today/50283366/

lizzie borden lizzie borden iona

Russia welcomes any offer to give Assad refuge

In this Monday, Dec. 17, 2012 photo, a Free Syrian Army fighter takes cover during fighting with the Syrian Army in Azaz, Syria. (AP Photo/Virginie Nguyen Huang)

In this Monday, Dec. 17, 2012 photo, a Free Syrian Army fighter takes cover during fighting with the Syrian Army in Azaz, Syria. (AP Photo/Virginie Nguyen Huang)

In this Monday, Dec. 17, 2012 photo, a Free Syrian Army fighter scans for Syrian Army positions in Azaz, Syria. (AP Photo/Virginie Nguyen Hoang)

Syrians carry a large revolution flag and chant slogans during a Friday protest in Aleppo, Syria, where young people and children sang songs against Bashar Assad and the Syrian regime, Friday, Dec. 21, 2012.(AP Photo/Virginie Nguyen Hoang)

FOR USE AS DESIRED, YEAR END PHOTOS - FILE - In this Sept. 24, 2012 file photo, a Free Syrian Army soldier, right, looks through a mirror which helps him see Syrian troops from the other side, as he takes his position with his comrade during fighting, at the old city of Aleppo city, Syria. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla, File)

FILE- Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov speaks at a media conference at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, in this file photo dated Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2012. Lavrov said Saturday Dec. 22, 2012, that the Syrian government has consolidated its chemical weapons to safeguard the arsenal at one or two locations, and also revealed that Russia has military advisers in the country and have kept close watch over its chemical weapons. (AP Photo/Yves Logghe, File)

BEIRUT (AP) ? Russia would welcome any country's offer of safe haven for Syrian President Bashar Assad, but has no plans to make one of its own, Moscow's foreign minister said in the latest comments to suggest a growing distance between the two allies.

Sergey Lavrov's remarks on Friday night were among the clearest signs yet that Russia could be preparing for a Syria without Assad, as rebel pressure on the embattled leader intensifies. Over the past four weeks, fighting has reached Damascus, his seat of power, and rebels have captured a string of military bases.

Up to now, Russia has vetoed three Western-backed resolutions aimed at pressuring Syria's government to stop the violence that has killed more than 40,000 people over the past 21 months. While Russian leaders have given no concrete signs that stance has changed, their tone has shifted as rebels advance on the outskirts of the capital.

On Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin distanced himself further than ever from the Syrian president, saying Russia does not seek to protect him and suggesting his regime is growing weaker.

Speaking to reporters late Friday, Lavrov reiterated Moscow's position that "it doesn't invite President Assad here," although he said other countries had asked Russia to convey their offer of safe passage to Assad.

While he would not name the countries, Lavrov said Russia had responded by telling them to go directly to the Syrian leader.

"If there is anyone willing to provide him guarantees, they are welcome!" Lavrov said on board a plane returning from Brussels, where he attended a Russia-EU summit.

"We would be the first to cross ourselves and say: "Thank God, the carnage is over! If it indeed ends the carnage, which is far from certain."

Syria's conflict started in March last year as an uprising against Assad, whose family has ruled the country for four decades. But the bloody crackdown that followed led rebels to take up arms, and the ensuing fighting transformed into a civil war.

The regime has come under added condemnation in recent weeks as Western officials raise concerns Assad might use chemical weapons against rebels in an act of desperation.

Syria refuses to confirm or deny if it has such weapons but is believed to have nerve agents as well as mustard gas. It also possesses Scud missiles capable of delivering them.

Lavrov said the Syrian government has pulled its chemical weapons together to one or two locations from several arsenals across the country to keep them safe amid the rebel onslaught.

"According to the information we have, as well as the data of the U.S. and European special services, the government is doing everything to secure it," he said. "The Syrian government has concentrated the stockpiles in one or two centers, unlike the past when they were scattered across the country."

Lavrov added that U.N.-Arab League peace envoy for Syria, Lakhdar Brahimi, would visit Moscow for talks before the year's end.

The conflict's sectarian dimension looked set to deepen at the weekend, as rebels threated to storm two predominantly Christian towns in a central region if residents do not "evict" government troops they say are using the towns as a base to attack nearby areas.

A video released by rebels showed Rashid Abul-Fidaa, who identified himself as the commander of the Ansar Brigade for Hama province, calling on locals in Mahrada and Sqailbiyeh to rise up against Assad's forces or prepare for an assault.

"You should perform your duty by evicting Assad's gangs," said Abdul-Fidaa, who wore an Islamic headband and was surrounded by gunmen. "Otherwise our warriors will storm the hideouts of the Assad gangs."

He also accused regime forces of taking positions in the two towns in order to "incite sectarian strife" between Christians and the predominantly Sunni opposition. Assad belongs to the Alawite minority sect, an off-shoot of Shiite Islam.

The threat comes just two days after a U.N. team investigating human rights abuses in Syria accused anti-Assad militants of hiding among the civilian population, triggering strikes by government artillery and the air force.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the activist group which reported the rebel ultimatum on Saturday, said such an attack by rebels could force thousands of Christians from their homes.

Christians, who make up about 10 percent of Syria's population, say they are particularly vulnerable to the violence sweeping the country of 22 million people. They are fearful that Syria will become another Iraq, with Christians caught in the crossfire between rival Islamic groups.

Clashes between troops and rebels in the central city of Homs, Syria's third largest, have already displaced tens of thousands of Christians, most of whom either fled to the relatively safe coastal areas or to neighboring Lebanon.

Rami Abdul-Rahman, who heads the Observatory, said some Christians and Alawites have also left Hama province in the past several days to escape violence. He said some of them found shelter in the coastal city of Tartus.

In Damascus, the new head of the Greek Orthodox Church of Antioch said that Christians in Syria had deep roots in the country and were not part of the conflict. Speaking to reporters in Damascus, Patriarch John X. Yazigi urged rival factions to negotiate a settlement.

Violence continued unabated on Saturday, particularly in the capital.

The Observatory said a car bomb went off in the Damascus neighborhood of Qaboun, killing at least five people and wounding others. A Syrian official confirmed the blast but had no immediate comment regarding casualties.

Elsewhere, the Syrian army said in a statement carried on state-run TV that it had repelled a rebel attack on a military base that killed a regimental commander in the Damascus suburb of Chebaa.

Also in Damascus, the state-run news agency SANA said gunmen assassinated a cameraman for the government's TV station, the latest such killing in recent months.

In another development, 11 rebel groups said they have formed a new coalition, the Syrian Islamic Front.

A statement issued by the new group, dated Dec. 21 and posted on a militant website Saturday, described it as "a comprehensive Islamic front that adopts Islam as a religion, doctrine, approach and conduct."

Several rebel groups have declared their own coalitions in Syria, including one calling itself an "Islamic state" in the embattled northern city of Aleppo.

The statement said the new group will work to avoid differences or disputes with the other Islamic groups.

____

Associated Press writer Maamoun Youssef in Cairo and Alblert Aji in Damascus contributed to this report.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/cae69a7523db45408eeb2b3a98c0c9c5/Article_2012-12-22-Syria/id-e0b0e462369643558f5deee03418ba48

florida panthers tannehill joel ward mock draft washington redskins north country brian mcknight