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2010-01-19T11:55:00.001-08:00

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2010-01-12T09:23:00.003-08:00

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2010-01-12T09:23:00.001-08:00

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Get Connected with spark of life

2009-05-24T12:38:00.000-07:00

25 Ways to Get Connected
Calling all couples! Sometimes relationships can get worn down by the daily cares of life, but here's how to recapture the spark that attracted the two of you in the first place. Bond like never before with these love moves.

Surprising Conversation

StartersSo your husband would rather check email than chat? Spark a heart-to-heart tonight with one of these strategies. 1. Indulge his inner Superman.Every man secretly longs to play superhero and save the day. That's why one of the best ways to get him talking is to ask for his help in solving a problem, whether it's a work snafu or a friendship crisis, says Tina Tessina, Ph.D., author of How to Be a Couple and Still Be Free. Try: "Can you help me figure out what to do about X?" Even if you're not looking for a solution, make him feel important, and he'll be pumped to problem-solve.

2. Dream big together.It's easy to get caught up in the day-to-day minutiae of life and forget to talk about big things like your innermost dreams. (Remember those?) But it's super-bonding to talk and think about the future you're building together. "Dreams are really plans," says Pat Love, Ed.D., author of The Truth About Love. "Sharing them is a way of saying, 'I'm happy with us and want you right there with me every step of the way.'"

3. Really listen.Hey, it's only normal to zone out after "How was your day?" But focus and you'll catch a tidbit that opens into a convo. One easy trick that will help you stay totally tuned in at that critical moment: Repeat your husband's answer as a question. "Your trial got postponed again?" Saying his words aloud forces you to register their meaning, and lobbing a question back at him practically guarantees he'll elaborate.

4. Chat him up in the car.Ever notice how your most surprising conversations happen on the interstate? It's no accident — guys are most likely to free-associate when they're partly occupied (even if it's just killing time until they get into the range of a good radio station). There's a reason: "Men are more likely to open up when they don't have to make eye contact," says Love. "In the male world, eye contact is confrontational. Looking straight ahead makes him feel more comfortable." But save the soul chat for the open highway — no one wants to speculate about the afterworld when they're bumper-to-bumper in a holiday jam.

5. Drop a juicy tidbit.Here's a get-closer move you really wouldn't expect: Share a hot piece of gossip with him before you tell any of your girlfriends. While most men pretend not to care about other people's private lives, a recent study from the Society for Personality and Social Psychology found that guys actually eat gossip up more than we do. The reason: Your divulging the tidbit to him first can make your husband feel looped in (i.e., loved).

6. Play "What if?"Want to get to know him on a whole new level? Run a personality-revealing question by him. A few of our favorites: "If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you choose?" or "If you had to eat only one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?" Who knows, you may even pick up an insider gift tip or fresh date-night idea. He'd be happy eating nothing but seafood? Go online and order that guy a clambake (to be devoured on beach towels on your living room floor).

7. Bring up five happy things for every problem.Sure, it's important to get problems out in the open. But the happiest couples dwell much more on what's right in their little world than what's wrong, according to Redbook Marriage Institute expert John Gottman, Ph.D. Gottman's research has found that the strongest couples actually make five times as many positive statements to and about each other and their relationship as negative ones. No need to keep a tally; just remember to keep the complaints to a minimum on a daily basis. And make a habit of hitting happy notes instead: Praise your guy's grill skills ... admire his abs ... let him know you're madly in love with your home, leaky roof and all.
Feel-Good MovesWhy get hands-on with your man? "Touching causes a physiological reaction — it gets oxytocin, the hormone that creates feelings of connection, flowing," says Tessina. Here's how to cram more contact into your day.8. Hitch a piggyback ride.No instructions needed — just sneak up from behind him, throw your arms around his neck and hop on. Snuggling tight and nuzzling the back of his neck seals the deal.
9. Overlap your morning shower.Agreed: Sharing a shower is not sexy (someone always ends up cold!). But tag-teaming it — meaning you don't get out until your guy gets in — is far sexier than you'd think. Share a quick kiss before hopping out or invent your own special "tag." Not in a big rush? Even better: Lounge around until your husband is out of his shower, then open your towel and warm him up.10. Flirt shamelessly ... with your husband.The next time you two are at a crowded party together, or even Costco one crazy Saturday afternoon, "accidentally" brush against him. Want to really feel a shared thrill? Whisper in his ear, "Oh, pardon me, sir," as if you've never met the guy. 11. Get warm and cozy the old-fashioned way.So the mercury plummeted while you were inside that restaurant or movie theater? Instead of hightailing it ahead of your husband to the car, tell him you're freezing, smother your face against his chest, and let his body heat get you warm. Then wrap your arms tightly around his back (so they're under his jacket or, better yet, his shirt). This move is sure to make you both feel cozy and comforted in the chill.12. Make TV time together a turn-on ...... by idly tending to a few unexpected erogenous zones on your guy's body. First, lightly trace delicate circles on each of his wrists. Next, let your touch wander to the tippity-top of each of his fingers.
Date-Night MakeoversDate nights are great — until they start to get a little too routine. Solution: Break out of the Saturday-night-at-8 box. "Trying anything new wakes up the brain," says Love. "It releases dopamine, which gets you both excited." Check out these tempting twists on your usual routine. 13. Act collegiate.Remember what it felt like to be a freshman or sophomore in college and dropped-off-the-planet in love? Get obsessed with each other all over again by re-creating some of your former favorite dates — huddle together under a stadium blanket at a college football game, work up a sweat dancing to a local bar band, split a carafe of house wine at a delicious dive. It'll get you and your man back into that heady state when you were dying to know every single detail about each other (not to mention every single inch of each other's bodies). 14. Plan a top-secret, super-confidential date.If you're like us, we bet one of you is always picking the movie or calling to make the dinner reservations. So bust out of the rut: Every Friday or Saturday for the next month or two, trade off surprising each other with hush-hush romantic outings. Don't leak a single detail ahead of time — he'll never see the karaoke duet coming. Shocking each other — in a good way — lets you explore new and exciting sides of yourself and each other. Oh, and there's a bonus in it for you: "Most men thrive on competition, so your husband will probably go all out for it," says Love.
15. Go on a date in broad daylight.Quick — when was the last time you and your husband browsed through an art museum, faced off in golf or tennis or even grabbed lunch at a mall food court without kids in tow? Exactly. "Once you have kids, going out alone as a couple in the middle of the day seems naughty. And being naughty together is bonding," says Love. 16. Get all dressed up — for each other.We're begging you, don't wait for a wedding (someone else's big day) to get all done up. Look in your local paper for big nights out on the town: an art gallery opening, a local theater production or a hospital charity benefit. Or make your own special night by being the best-dressed pair at that new four-star restaurant you've been meaning to try together. When you and he have lots of time to prep for your big outing, anticipation builds. Later in the evening, staring at the best versions of yourselves inspires expectation, connection ... not to mention hot sex.17. Make staying in sexy.The babysitter cancelled ... or, oops, you forgot to even book her. No need to write off romance until next Friday or Saturday night. Instead, break out your wedding china and that fabulous flatware and have Chinese takeout à deux while the kids are in the other room in a SpongeBob stupor. You and your guy have home court advantage — in other words, you're surrounded by props (meaningful photographs, vacation mementos, even wedding presents) that celebrate your one-of-a-kind bond. Another thing: "You're being spontaneous and finding a way to treat yourselves, no matter what," says Love. Bon appétit — you two know how to make your own fun.
Connect — with KidsWho says you have to wait until the kids are sacked out to have a real moment with your man? Recognizing and reveling in your familyhood — from attacking a massive jigsaw puzzle as a team to showing up hand in hand to your child's elementary school Thanksgiving play — can pull you and your guy even closer. Here are a few sweet strategies to work into your routine. 18. Declare a group hug.Next time you see your husband holding your little one, spontaneously wrap your arms around both of them, snuggle in as close as possible, and announce, "group hug." Or, call a snuggle session — everyone in your gang throws their pillows and blankets on the floor and cozies up to watch your favorite family TV show. "In a primal way, this move says, 'We are a pack,'" explains Tessina.19. Inflict your own interests on the kiddies.Several studies have found that couples who have at least a couple of interests and hobbies in common have the strongest marriages. Multiply the benefits by introducing your child to a shared passion — from Italian opera to cross-country skiing. And while you're at it, let the little guy (or girl) introduce you two to a few things on his current hot list. Learning how to skateboard together: Priceless. 20. Share your parental pride.When you spy your little one doing something only you two would find profound — "He's putting the rubber ducky on his head!" — flash your husband that look. You know, the one that says, "I can't believe we created such an amazing, perfect creature." Just try not to feel goosebumps.
Start a Simple RitualMaybe your husband brings you coffee every morning, or you two always say "I love you" before drifting off to sleep. You know your little habit feels nice, but did you realize it's actually a magnetic force keeping you two close? "Rituals help you celebrate what you have together," says Tina Tessina. "When you repeat them, you pop into that just-the-two-of-us mind-set." The best kinds are ones that have meaning to only you and him. For inspiration, though, check out what these creative couples do. 21. "My husband and I both take the train to work in New York City, but at different times. On Friday, we make a point of commuting home together. It's like a mini date — we share a beer and connect with each other before going home to our toddler."—Liza, 32, Darien, CT22. "Every Sunday morning, we attack the crossword puzzle together. Will's in charge of writing our answers in, because he's got neater handwriting."—Stella, 36, Boston 23. "Right after I call our nanny every day at lunchtime to check in, I call my husband. I like that it lets me update him on the kids, and we get to say to each other, 'Hey, how's your day going?'"—Jennifer, 29, Glendale, CA 24. "We're really into furnishing our new house and making it feel like a real home. So on Saturday mornings, we make a point of browsing neighborhood tag sales and discovering treasures together."—Sara, 30, White Plains, NY 25. "I persuade him to watch The Bachelorette every week — and we rejoice that we're not out there dating."—Jill, 35, Atlanta Start a Simple RitualMaybe your husband brings you coffee every morning, or you two always say "I love you" before drifting off to sleep. You know your little habit feels nice, but did you realize it's actually a magnetic force keeping you two close? "Rituals help you celebrate what you have together," says Tina Tessina. "When you repeat them, you pop into that just-the-two-of-us mind-set." The best kinds are ones that have meaning to only you and him. For inspiration, though, check out what these creative couples do. 21. "My husband and I both take the train to work in New York City, but at different times. On Friday, we make a point of commuting home together. It's like a mini date — we share a beer and connect with each other before going home to our toddler."—Liza, 32, Darien, CT22. "Every Sunday morning, we attack the crossword puzzle together. Will's in charge of writing our answers in, because he's got neater handwriting."—Stella, 36, Boston 23. "Right after I call our nanny every day at lunchtime to check in, I call my husband. I like that it lets me update him on the kids, and we get to say to each other, 'Hey, how's your day going?'"—Jennifer, 29, Glendale, CA 24. "We're really into furnishing our new house and making it feel like a real home. So on Saturday mornings, we make a point of browsing neighborhood tag sales and discovering treasures together."—Sara, 30, White Plains, NY 25. "I persuade him to watch The Bachelorette every week — and we rejoice that we're not out there dating."—Jill, 35, Atlanta

The Power of Invention

2009-01-23T08:25:00.000-08:00

When started the World? See the story !! See the changes.!
Changes comes from the invention. Invention changes the world everyday.

When we see the mordern world and compare with the past we must exclame!

Humanity has the ability to select beautiful pieces of nature and arrange them in a pleasing way. We also have the power to create new things which do not occur naturally: we discover fresh possibilities, and develop them into something which has never existed before.

Both these faculties are important. However, it is our power of invention and discovery which has led to the fascinating technology with which we live. It is our power of invention which has created the modern world.

We too may find ourselves in a kind of spiritual slavery, in which we use our personal powers of creativity and invention.

Human power of invention is redeemed from slavery. It is devoted to unselfish goals, and even more, to spiritual goals.

Mind Power

2008-12-17T08:13:00.000-08:00

This is really ornamental truth that mind has a spritual power by which you can
Attract money, power, and wealth
Achieve all of your goals quickly and easily
Improve every aspect of your life & experience absolute happiness
Boost your sex life
Improve your health, marriage, lose weight, or anything else your heart desires .

Mind Power- Inner Psychology to Success
The term mind power and the subconscious mind power are described in many different ways. In the psychosomatic sense mind power is labeled as ability to have emotions, imagination, memory, and will; and subconscious mind power is labeled as part of the normal individual’s personality in which mental processes function without consciousness under normal waking conditions.

Contents

1. How Mind Power and Subconscious Mind Power work
2. How to use Subconscious Mind for success

Mind power is our conscious mind, the way we think. The mind is similar to a constantly flowing spring however a natural spring cannot send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening, nor yield both salt water and fresh. So it is with the mind and its thoughts; it cannot equally think negative and positive thoughts at the same time. One will rule the other.

Since the mind reflects habitual thoughts, it is therefore our responsibility to influence our mind and brain with positive emotions, thoughts and energy as the dominating factors in our mind. Mind power is beyond positive thinking or brain power, it is thinking than believing what you think that will manifest your reality. Since this mind power is power of thought and beliefs, and these thoughts and beliefs will create the outcome of your now, you will want to stay aware to the reflections you are thinking.

Now mind power is a dual system that includes your power of thought(brain) and your subconscious mind. We all have subconscious mind power; it can be as small as smiling at your boss in the hopes of improving the odds of acquiring a raise.

It can be the way you unconsciously handle a situation whether appropriately or not. Power of the subconscious mind comes from the thoughts and beliefs of your the power of the your mind. However you think and believe is what your subconscious mind power will produce. This is done continuously, one minute at a time. Every thought nourished regularly by your mind power will activate your subconscious mind to generate those thoughts and energy whether good or bad into your life. This is how you’re present and future is created.

Your mind power and your subconscious mind work together and they fashion your reality. Let’s use a parallel to help you visualize how this works. Your subconscious mind power is similar to fertile soil that consents to any seed planted inside it. Your habitual thoughts and beliefs are the seeds which are being continually sown and they will eventually produce a crop. So if you plant weeds you will get weeds, if you plant fruit, you will get fruit. In other words, you reap what you sow. Now the conscious mind is the gardener, and it is the mind power to choose what reaches our inner garden- the subconscious.

Unfortunately, most of us do not have green thumbs because of lack of knowledge of this law, the psychology behind this success and because of this ignorance we have allowed all kinds of seeds, both good and bad, to enter. So our subconscious mind power will manifest failure, ill health and all kinds of misfortunes just as effortlessly as it will manifest success and abundance. However, it cannot manifest it both at the same time, which is why the need to constantly actuate the positive until the fertile soil of your subconscious mind power reaps only abundance. Success is only a choice away.

Healing Power of the Mind - The Best Medicine
When you have just recovered from illness like heart attack, stroke, your doctor will always give you advice on how to regain back your health. These advices can be quit smoking, a balanced diet and regular exercise and also take your medicine regularly.. However, other than these advices, the healing power of the mind is also an essential and powerful weapon and medicine to your road to recovery. In 2002, the Mayo Clinic done a research and reported that people who are pessimistic about life don’t live as long and happily as optimistic people. The finding confirms what health professionals have believed for a long time. People who expect the worst and think of negative thoughts have more trouble coping with significant illness. Hopeful and optimistic people who are excited about their recovery recover more quickly and live more active lives. Bottom line: stay in touch with your mind, be in constant positive thought to activate the healing power of the mind.

How do constantly think of positive and healthy thoughts? First, determine on an easy task and take small and stable step to accomplishing it. Reward and take a break every time you achieve your target. Take note of your stress levels. If you become angry, feel hopeless or numb yourself through addictive behavior, actively adopt a brighter outlook. Just remember that though you do not have the power to control what really happens in your life, you have the power to take a positive response to the matter. Make a list of the things you want to accomplish, the places you want to go and the people you want to see and do something fun to stimulate a positive perspective.

You can make your mind to rapidly change your thoughts from negative to positive. If you find yourself thinking about your disabilities of your body, stop and start to appreciate all the things it can do and feel the excitement in you growing. Seriously limit or even stop going out with negative people unless they change. Try this exercise: Every time you stop at a light while you are driving, listen to your self talk. If you are thinking about a fight with your spouse, replaying a stressful and painful thought at work, or beating yourself up for running late to your next appointment, replace those thoughts by thinking about something good that happened during your day. Feel the joy in you. The healing power of the mind begins with your positive thoughts. Your mind is the most effective medicine to illnesses and constantly stay in touch with it.

You may ask if there is any connections between negative thoughts and illnesses. Well, I personally believe it does. When there is mental unrest, it affects the body as well. A physical symptom is a signal which your body is communicating to you to tell you that something is wrong and has to be dealt with. It is bringing to your attention a problem in your emotions, thinking or environment that is non-beneficial or harmful to you, so you can face it and resolve it.

Illnesses arise because the result of being ignorant of the constant signals our bodies alert us. When they become more serious, most people will then take actions to consciously change their state of mind to recovering it. However, there are still stubborn people who refuse to take action to change their mental and physical state.

Be aware of what your body is trying to tell you. You also need to know that your body and mind works as one. Either one can lead and the other will follow. But the mind is the overall in charge. The power of your mind has the ability and capability to override the body. Simply put, when you are always indulge in negative thoughts, illness arise faster.

Having the mindset that all your thoughts and emotions control your physical well-being rather than the other way around is to represent things in a way that empowers you. Think of things that empowers you rather than the other way around. When your mind is filled with positive thoughts, you have the the healing power of the mind on your side. When your mind is being controlled by negative thoughts, you are being controlled by the negative thoughts.

The most effective way to real and quick healing is to be healed both mentally and emotionally rather than just working on curing the physical ailment. The system of psychoneuroimmunology (the way the mind affects the nervous system which in turn affects the immune system).

Remember the best and the least expensive medicine to recovery of any illness is the healing power of the mind. Harness your mind power today!

Conflict resolution

2008-10-13T23:07:00.000-07:00

Conflicts is a most vital factor of our activities, whatever from the personal matter to international matter,Its a pain,It makes harm.
When conflicts come war is must if not solved.
Conflict is a state of discord caused by the actual or perceived opposition of needs, values and interests. A conflict can be internal (within oneself) or external (between two or more individuals). Conflict as a concept can help explain many aspects of social life such as social disagreement, conflicts of interests, and fights between individuals, groups, or organizations. In political terms, "conflict" can refer to wars, revolutions or other struggles, which may involve the use of force as in the term armed conflict. Without proper social arrangement or resolution, conflicts in social settings can result in stress or tensions among stakeholders. When an interpersonal conflict does occur, its effect is often broader than two individuals involved, and can affect many associate individuals and relationships, in more or less adverse, and sometimes even humorous way.

Conflict as taught for graduate and professional work in conflict resolution (which can be win-win, where both parties get what they want, win-lose where one party gets what they want, or lose-lose where both parties don't get what they want) commonly has the definition: "when two or more parties, with perceived incompatible goals, seek to undermine each other's goal-seeking capability".

One should not confuse the distinction between the presence and absence of conflict with the difference between competition and co-operation. In competitive situations, the two or more individuals or parties each have mutually inconsistent goals, either party tries to reach their goal it will undermine the attempts of the other to reach theirs. Therefore, competitive situations will, by their nature, cause conflict. However, conflict can also occur in cooperative situations, in which two or more individuals or parties have consistent goals, because the manner in which one party tries to reach their goal can still undermine the other individual or party.

A clash of interests, values, actions or directions often sparks a conflict. Conflicts refer to the existence of that clash. Psychologically, a conflict exists when the reduction of one motivating stimulus involves an increase in another, so that a new adjustment is demanded. The word is applicable from the instant that the clash occurs. Even when we say that there is a potential conflict we are implying that there is already a conflict of direction even though a clash may not yet have occurred.
Conflict resolution
The term "conflict resolution" refers to a range of processes aimed at alleviating or eliminating sources of conflict. The term "conflict resolution" is sometimes used interchangeably with the term dispute resolution or alternative dispute resolution. Processes of conflict resolution generally include negotiation, mediation and diplomacy. The processes of arbitration, litigation, and formal complaint processes such as ombudsman processes, are usually described with the term dispute resolution, although some refer to them as "conflict resolution." Processes of mediation and arbitration are often referred to as alternative dispute resolution.

"In a successful negotiation, everyone wins. The objective should be agreement, not victory."

"Every desire that demands satisfaction and every need to be met-is at least potentially an occasion for negotiation; whenever people exchange ideas with the intention of changing relationships, whenever they confer for agreement, they are negotiating."

Tips for Taking Care of your Skin

2008-06-23T21:54:00.000-07:00

"Sometimes it may seem like your skin is impossible to manage, especially when you wake up and find a huge zit on your nose or a cold sore at the corner of your mouth. The good news is that there are ways to prevent and treat common skin problems — read on for some tips. "

Acne

A pimple starts when the pores in the skin become clogged with a type of oil called sebum, which normally lubricates the skin and hair. Acne is common during puberty when hormones go into overdrive, causing the skin to overproduce sebum. Because many oil-producing glands are on the forehead, nose, and chin, this area — the T-zone — is where a person is most prone to pimples.

Here are some tips to help prevent breakouts and clear them up as fast as possible:

@ Wash your face twice a day (no more) with warm water and a mild soap made for people with acne. Gently massage your face with circular motions. Don't scrub. Overwashing and scrubbing can cause skin to become irritated.
@ Don't pop pimples. It's tempting, but here's why you shouldn't: Popping pimples can push infected material further into the skin, leading to more swelling and redness, and even scarring.
@ Avoid touching your face with your fingers or leaning your face on objects that collect sebum and skin residue like the telephone receiver.
@ If you wear glasses or sunglasses, make sure you clean them frequently to keep oil from clogging the pores around your eyes and nose.
@ If you get acne on your body, try not to wear tight clothes, which don't allow skin to breathe and may cause irritation. You also might want to stay away from scarves, headbands, and caps, which can collect dirt and oil, too.
@ Remove your makeup before you go to sleep. When buying makeup, make sure you choose brands that say "noncomedogenic" or "nonacnegenic" on the label.
@ Keep hair clean and out of your face to prevent additional dirt and oil from clogging your pores.
@ Protect your skin from the sun. It may seem like a tan masks acne, but it's only temporary.

If you're concerned about acne, talk to a dermatologist.

Sun and Skin
We all know we need to protect our skin from the sun's harmful rays. Of course, it's impossible to avoid the sun — who wants to hide indoors when it feels so great to get outside and be active? And the sun's not all bad, anyway: Sunlight helps our bodies create vitamin D. So follow these tips when you're outdoors to help manage sun exposure:

@ Wear sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15, even if it's cloudy or you don't plan on spending a lot of time outdoors.
@ Choose a sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB rays. Look for the words "broad spectrum protection" or UVA protection in addition to the SPF of 15 or greater.
@ The sun's rays are strongest between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM, so make sure you reapply sunscreen frequently and take breaks indoors if you can. If your shadow is longer than you are tall, then it's a safer time to be in the sun (you should still wear sunscreen, though).
@ Apply more sunscreen (with higher SPF) when you're around reflective surfaces like water, snow, or ice.
@ We all know that the sun can damage skin, but did you know it can contribute to eye problems, too? Protect your face and eyes with a hat and sunglasses that provide 100% UV protection.
@ Some medications, such as prescription acne medications or birth control pills, can increase your sensitivity to the sun, so if you're taking medication, increase your sun protection.
@ If you want the glow of a tan, try faking it with self-tanners or salon tanning treatments.

Cold Sores
Cold sores usually show up as tender "pimples" on the lips. Here are ways you can help prevent cold sores from making an appearance :

@ Avoid getting cold sores in the first place by not sharing stuff like lip balm, toothbrushes, or drinks with other people who might have cold sores.
@ People who have the virus know that cold sores can flare up from things like too much sun, stress, or being sick. Just one more reason to lather on that suntan lotion, eat well, exercise, and get plenty of sleep!

If you do have a cold sore, here are some tips for keeping yourself comfortable:

@ Take acetaminophen or ibuprofen if the cold sores are painful.
@ Suck on ice pops or cubes to ease pain and keep cold sores cool.
@ Stay away from acidic foods (like oranges, tomatoes, and lemonade) and salty, spicy foods, which can cause irritation.
@ Don't pick at cold sores while you're waiting for them to go away. They may bleed or become infected with bacteria.

Eczema
Eczema is a condition that causes skin to become red, itchy, and dry. If you have eczema, you might notice that you are prone to getting itchy rashes — especially in places like where your elbows and knees bend or on your neck and face. The symptoms of eczema can vary from person to person. Though you can't cure eczema forever, you can take steps to prevent it from flaring:

@ Stay away from things like harsh detergents, perfumed soaps, and heavily fragranced lotions that tend to irritate the skin and trigger eczema.

@ If you're going to have your hands in water for a long time (like when you're washing dishes or your car), try wearing gloves.

@ Soothe your skin with regular applications of a fragrance-free moisturizer to prevent itching and dryness.Creams work best if applied when the skin is slightly wet, like just after bathing.

@ Be careful which fabrics you wear. Cotton is good because it's breathable and soft.Try to stay away from materials like wool or spandex that may cause irritation or allergic reactions.

@ Keep stress in check. Because stress can lead to eczema flares, try activities like yoga or walking after a long day to keep your stress levels low.
@ If you wear makeup, look for brands that are free of dyes and fragrances that can aggravate eczema.
If you're having trouble managing your eczema, talk to a dermatologist, who can suggest ways to better control it.

Other Skin Conditions

Warts are tiny skin infections caused by viruses of the human papilloma virus (HPV) family. There's no way to prevent warts from occurring.

If you find warts in your genital area, you should see your doctor, who can recommend the best treatment method for that sensitive area.

Another type of wart-like viral infection is molluscum contagiosum. Like warts, it can be transmitted through scratching and sexual contact.

Fine white or purplish lines on the skin called stretch marks are pretty common in most teens. Stretch marks are formed when the tissue under your skin is pulled by rapid growth or stretching, like during puberty. Stretch marks usually fade on their own over time. Talk to a dermatologist if you're concerned about them.

So keep your skin glowing with the right skin care techniques and by eating well and getting lots of exercise.

Take 5 Tips for Life

2008-06-23T21:17:00.000-07:00

5 Reasons to Pack Your Lunch
Most schools are trying hard to upgrade their lunch programs and offer the best food they can. But not every school cafeteria provides appealing, healthy lunch choices. Educate yourself when it comes to what your cafeteria has to offer. For example, did you know chicken nuggets have more fat and calories than a plain burger?

Even if your school provides healthy options, it can be too easy to give in to temptation and pick a less healthy choice when you're feeling really hungry. How do you take control? Take a packed lunch to school!

Here are the top 5 reasons to pack your lunch — and snacks — at least twice a week:

1. Control.

Do you ever wait in the lunch line only to find when you get to the front that you don't like what they're serving? So you reach for pizza again. A healthy packed lunch lets you avoid the lunch line (and any temptations). Bringing your own lunch also lets you control exactly what goes into the food you eat.

2. Variety.

It doesn't hurt to cave in and enjoy the occasional serving of pizza and hot dogs. But if you're eating these foods all the time, your body probably feels ready for a change. A packed lunch a couple of times a week means you can enjoy some favorites that you might not find at every school — like a piping hot thermos of your mom's chicken soup; hummus and pita bread; or some crisp, farm-stand apples.

3. Energy.

If you have a big game or activity after school, plan a lunch and snacks that combine lean proteins with carbohydrates to give you lasting energy and keep you going through the late afternoon. Some ideas: your own "trail" mix of dried fruit and nuts or sunflower seeds, whole-grain pretzels and low-fat cheese, or a bagful of baby carrots and yogurt dip.

4. Cold hard cash. Pack healthy snacks so you don't feel tempted to step off campus for a fast-food lunch, or hit the vending machine or corner store for chocolate and a soda! Put the money you save on such snacks aside.

5. That warm and fuzzy feeling.

Remember when your mom or dad used to pack your lunch? Pack yourself a retro lunch featuring healthy versions of your old faves — such as PB&J on whole-wheat bread.

Whether you pack or eat in the cafeteria, what’s important is that you make healthy choices. If you're concerned that your cafeteria doesn't offer enough healthy choices, get involved in trying to make changes. Ask a teacher or someone in food service for advice on how to get started.

For more information, check out these articles:

How Much Food Should I Eat?, Smart Snacking, 5 Ways to Reach a Healthy Weight, Nutrition and Fitness Center.

Way to say NO!! to drugs...

2008-06-20T23:07:00.000-07:00

Do drugs? Are you joking?

I'd rather be choking!I'm saving my body for sports!My father would KILL ME!Just KEEP IT, don't bill me!I've read all the latest reports!

Are YOU such a loser A dope and a boozer?

Get lost and don't bother to call!My head is not hollow!I won't take a swallow!No, NEVER, NOT ONCE, NOT AT ALL!!

"21">Get high, like a rocket?

Your brain's in your pocketAnd you've sent all your marbles to space,If you think for a minuteThat I'd dive right on in it,Just by the blank stare on my face!

Do drugs, are you crazy?

I may be called lazy,But I still have a functioning head!Go spread your infectionSome other direction!I'd rather go skiing instead!

"Do drugs!" are you stating?

I'd rather go skatingThan being so "cool" to pretend.I'm NOT a "me-tooer,Go swim in the SEWER,'Cause I don't need YOU as a friend!

"Get stoned" are you saying!

I'd rather go playingSome racquetball, tennis, or bowlI'd rather be funningThan constantly runningFrom the "narcs" and the highway patrol!

"A sip" are you bidding?

You've got ot be kidding!I'll stick to my cola and pop!You're very kindhearted,But once I get startedWho knows if I ever could STOP!

Cocaine are you handing?

Your head is EXPANDINGIf you think I am really that DUMB!The fools, who have tried itAre buried beside it,So KEEP IT and suck on your thumb!

Buy drugs that you're selling?

I guess there's no tellingHow BAD you are needing the dough!To finance your habitGo find Roger Rabbit,'Cause all I will tell you is --- NO!

Rain, The Gift Of Nature.

2008-06-17T23:54:00.000-07:00

Rain

Rain is a type of precipitation, a product of the condensation of atmospheric water vapor that is released on the Earth's surface. It forms when separate drops of water fall to the Earth from clouds. Not all rain reaches the surface; some of it evaporates while falling through dry air. When none of it reaches the ground, it is called virga, a phenomenon often seen in hot, dry desert regions. The METAR code for rain is RA.

Formation

Rain plays a role in the hydro logic cycle in which moisture from the oceans evaporates, condenses into drops, precipitates (falls) from the sky, and eventually returns to the ocean via rivers and streams to repeat the cycle again. The water vapor from plant respiration also contributes to the moisture in the atmosphere.
A major scientific explanation of how rain forms and falls is called the Bergeron process. More recent research points to the influence of Cloud condensation nuclei released as the result of biological processes.

Human influence

The fine particulate matter produced by car exhaust and other human sources of pollution form cloud condensation nuclei, leads to the production of clouds and increases the likelihood of rain. As commuters and commercial traffic cause pollution to build up over the course of the week, the likelihood of rain increases: it peaks by Saturday, after five days of weekday pollution has been built up. In heavily populated areas that are near the coast, such as the United States' Eastern Seaboard, the effect can be dramatic: there is a 22% higher chance of rain on Saturdays than on Mondays.

Classifying the amount of rain
When classified according to amount of precipitation, rain can be divided into:
@ Very light rain — when the precipitation rate is <>@ Light rain — when the precipitation rate is between 0.25 mm/hour - 1.0 mm/hour
@ Moderate rain — when the precipitation rate is between 1.0 mm/hour - 4.0 mm/hour
@ Heavy rain — when the precipitation rate is between 4.0 mm/hour - 16.0 mm/hour
@ Very heavy rain — when the precipitation rate is between 16.0 mm/hour - 50 mm/hour
@ Extreme rain — when the precipitation rate is > 50.0 mm/hour

Properties

Falling raindrops are often depicted in popular culture as "teardrop-shaped" — round at the bottom and narrowing towards the top — but this is incorrect. Only drops of water dripping from some sources are tear-shaped at the moment of formation. Small raindrops are nearly spherical. Larger ones become increasingly flattened on the bottom, like hamburger buns; very large ones are shaped like parachutes.
On average, raindrops are 1 to 2 mm in diameter.
The biggest raindrops on Earth were recorded over Brazil and the Marshall Islands in 2004 — some of them were as large as 10 mm. The large size is explained by condensation on large smoke particles or by collisions between drops in small regions with particularly high content of liquid water.
Generally, rain has a pH slightly under 6. This is because atmospheric carbon dioxide dissolves in the droplet to form minute quantities of carbonic acid, which then partially dissociates, lowering the pH. In some desert areas, airborne dust contains enough calcium carbonate to counter the natural acidity of precipitation, and rainfall can be neutral or even alkaline. Rain below pH 5.6 is considered acid rain.

Effect on agriculture

Precipitation, especially rain, has a dramatic effect on agriculture. All plants need at least some water to survive, therefore rain (being the most effective means of watering) is important to agriculture. While a regular rain pattern is usually vital to healthy plants, too much or too little rainfall can be harmful, even devastating to crops.
Agriculture of all nations at least to some extent is dependent on rain. Indian agriculture, for example, (which accounts for 25 percent of the GDP and employs 70 percent of the nation's population) is heavily dependent on the rains, especially crops like cotton, rice, oilseeds and coarse grains.

Culture

Cultural attitudes towards rain differ across the world. In the largely temperate Europe, rain metaphorically has a sad and negative connotation — reflected in children's rhymes like Rain Rain Go Away — in contrast to the bright and happy sun. Though the traditional notion of rain in the Western World is negative, rain can also bring joy, as some consider it to be soothing or enjoy the aesthetic appeal of it. In dry places, such as parts of Africa, Australia, India, and the Middle East, rain is greeted with euphoria.
Rain may be harvested, though rainwater is rarely pure (as acid rain occurs naturally), or used as greywater. Excessive rain, particularly after a dry period that has hardened the soil so that it cannot absorb water, can cause floods.
Many people find the scent during and immediately after rain especially pleasant or distinctive. The source of this scent is petrichor, an oil produced by plants, then absorbed by rocks and soil, and later released into the air during rainfall. Light or heavy rain is sometimes seen as romantic.

Mythology
The Ancient Greeks believed that rain was a sign of the gods' anger towards them. They thought that it symbolised drowning and frustration as it often disturbed what they were doing.

Related Links:
Acid rain ,Basic precipitation ,Cherrapunji ,Cloud ,Johad ,Mawsynram ,Meltwater ,Raining animals ,Rain dancing ,Rain sensor ,Red rain in Kerala ,Sanitary sewer overflow ,Water cycle ,Water resources ,Weather ,Yellow rain.

Truth Commissions

2008-06-15T01:09:00.000-07:00

"We believe a nation's morality is judged by how it treats its people, ensuring that fairness and justice are available to everyone".

What is a Truth Commission?
Truth commissions are generally understood to be "bodies set up to investigate a past history of violations of human rights in a particular country -- which can include violations by the military or other government forces or armed opposition forces." Hayner delineates four main characteristics of truth commissions.
@ First, they focus on the past. The events may have occurred in the recent past, but a truth commission is not an ongoing body akin to a human rights commission.
@ Second, truth commissions investigate a pattern of abuse over a set period of time rather than a specific event. In its mandate, the truth commission is given the parameters of its investigation both in terms of the time period covered as well as the type of human rights violations to be explored.
@ Third, a truth commission is a temporary body, usually operating over a period of six months to two years and completing its work by submitting a report. These parameters are established at the time of the commission's formation, but often an extension can be obtained to wrap things up.
@ Fourth, truth commissions are officially sanctioned, authorized, or empowered by the state. This, in principle, allows the commission to have greater access to information, greater security, and increased assurance that its findings will be taken under serious consideration.

Since the mid-1970s, an unprecedented number of states have attempted the transition to democracy. One of the significant issues many of these states have had to deal with is how to induce different groups to peacefully coexist after years of conflict. Particularly since the early 1990s, the international human rights community has advocated truth commissions as an important part of the healing process, and they have been suggested as part of the peace process of virtually every international or communal conflict that has come to an end since. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) was a court-like body assembled in South Africa after the end of Apartheid. Anybody who felt he or she had been a victim of violence could come forward and be heard at the TRC. Perpetrators of violence could also give testimony and request amnesty from prosecution.

Creation and mandate

The TRC was set up in terms of the Promotion of National Unity and Reconciliation Act, No. 34 of 1995, and was based in Cape Town. The mandate of the commission was to bear witness to, record and in some cases grant amnesty to the perpetrators of crimes relating to human rights violations, reparation and rehabilitation.

Committees
The work of the TRC was accomplished through three committees:
@ The Human Rights Violations Committee investigated human rights abuses that occurred between 1960 and 1994.
@ The Reparation and Rehabilitation Committee was charged with restoring victims' dignity and formulating proposals to assist with rehabilitation.
@ The Amnesty Committee considered applications from individuals who applied for amnesty in accordance with the provisions of the Act. Public hearings of the Human Rights Violations Committee and the Amnesty Committee were held at many venues around South Africa, including Cape Town (at the University of the Western Cape), Johannesburg (at the Central Methodist Mission), and Randburg (at the Rhema Bible Church).

Findings
The commission brought forth many witnesses giving testimony about the secret and immoral acts committed by the Apartheid Government, the liberation forces including the ANC, and other forces for violence that many say would not have come out into the open otherwise.

Impact
The TRC sharply contrasted the Nuremberg Trials from WWII, and the subsequent prosecutions of former Nazis and Nazi sympathizers. Due to the perceived success of the reconciliatory approach in dealing with human-rights violations after political change either from internal or external factors, other countries have instituted similar commissions, though not always with the same scope or the allowance for charging those currently in power. The success of the "TRC method" versus the "Nuremberg method" of prosecution (as seen used in Iraq) is open for debate.

Criticisms
A 1998 study by South Africa's Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation & the Khulumani Support Group, which surveyed several hundred victims of human rights abuse during the Apartheid era, found that most felt the TRC had failed to achieve reconciliation between the black and white communities. Most felt that justice was a prerequisite for reconciliation rather than an alternative to it, and that the TRC had been weighted in favour of the perpetrators of abuse.

The Operation of Truth Commissions
Simply put, the truth commission's main goal is to establish what happened in the past. Truth commissions do not normally have the power to prosecute. They can make recommendations for prosecution, but this is quite rare. Commissions usually do not even "name names". Often, when a truth commission has been established, the perpetrators of the abuses have been granted amnesty. Because of this, there may appear to be a conflict between finding the truth and administering justice. Finally, the ability of a truth commission to successfully conduct its mission depends on the resources it has at its disposal.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Margaret Popkin and Naomi Roht-Arriaza describe four main goals for truth commissions.
@ Truth commissions seek to contribute to transitional peace by "creating an authoritative record of what happened;
@ providing a platform for the victims to tell their stories and obtain some form of redress;
@ recommending legislative, structural or other changes to avoid a repetition of past abuses; and @ establishing who was responsible and providing a measure of accountability for the perpetrators."

Power Of Praise - How To Encourage Positive Behaviour In Children and Teens

2008-06-12T02:39:00.000-07:00

Power Of Praise - How To Encourage Positive Behaviour In Children and Teens.

What if I told you I'm going to show you how to use praise effectively? I hear some of you saying but I already use praise! Yes but read on and you will be pleased you did. First I'm going to explain why praise is one of the most effective tools in raising happy, well-balanced children. AND it's FREE!

Why is praising your child so important?

Praising your child is important because:
@It shifts your focus so you feel and view your child more positively
@You demonstrate you've noticed and appreciate his actions
@It makes him feel valued and builds up his self-esteem
@It reinforces good behaviour because it teaches him how we want him to behave.

Four FAQ relating to praise

Does praise spoil children? Children are not spoiled by praise nor do they only work for external rewards. On the contrary children who receive little or no praise become demanding or attention seeking. Isn't praise manipulative? The purpose of praise is to increase positive behaviour with the child's knowledge. Everybody responds favourably to praise.
Shouldn't I wait until his behaviour has improved before I give praise? To initiate a behaviour change a parent must first praise the smallest positive actions as this teaches a child how we want them to behave.
What should I do if my child rejects praise? Some children have difficulty accepting praise because they view themselves negatively. However you can help improve their self-esteem by continuing to praise and eventually your child will enjoy being praised.

How to use descriptive praise effectively

Sometimes parents praise their children in ineffective ways. Here are four ways you can maximize your effectiveness in praising your child. Be specific, praise appropriately, demonstrate enthusiasm and avoid mixing positive praise with negative comments. Lead by example model self praise for example, 'I did a good job redecorating the bedroom'. Children love to hear you praising them to others.

Specific or descriptive praise: 'Good boy' or 'well done' is non-specific and therefore ineffective because such phrases do not describe the behaviour you are praising. It is rather more effective to say, 'Good boy for tidying the toys away when I asked' or 'I'm pleased you ate all your dinner'.

Appropriate praise: It is important to praise your child's behaviour when it occurs and when the behaviour is appropriate. For example you would not praise your child for writing their name if it was written on the tablecloth. However you would praise your child for actually sharing his toys with his friend. The knack is to catch them being good, praise immediately and ignore low-level inappropriate behaviour. Praising inappropriate behaviour is confusing and misleading.

Demonstrate enthusiasm: If you sound bored or look glum when offering praise it will be ineffective. Praise is reinforcing to children when it is delivered with eye contact, a smile, energy, hugs and sincerity. However if you are unused to giving praise it may sound artificial at first but if you but persevere it will soon feel genuine and natural.

Avoid giving praise and negative comments simultaneously: Some people fall into the trap of giving 'backhanded praise. For example saying 'Thank you for singing to the baby instead of hitting her as you usually do'. This has the effect of being contradictory or feels to the child like a put down. Don't make a sarcastic or critical remark about old inappropriate behaviours as this negates the positive reinforcement. If you sound discouraging your child will stop trying.

To sum up.....

@Praise increases your child's self-esteem and confidence
@It helps you view your child positively
@Catch him being good and Praise immediately and consistently
@Give positive praise
@Praise descriptively, appropriately and enthusiastically
@Give eye contact, hugs, pats, kisses and smiles with praise
@Model self-praise

POSITIVE BEHAVIOUR MANAGEMENT TIPS

2008-06-12T01:15:00.000-07:00

Encouraging Positive Behaviour In Children and Teens.

This article will attempt to explain why “just doing it” is more complicated than it may seem and how we can help children learn to “do it.”

1. Remember that discipline means to teach not to punish.

2. Pay attention to the kind of behaviour you want to continue.

3. Ignore any behaviour which is not destructive, dangerous or harmful to others.

4. Find something legitimately reinforcing and encouraging saying to each child everyday. This may be much harder to do with some children, but it is important.

5. Be consistent no matter what! (Major earthquakes or similar events might be a reason not to be consistent.)

6. Let the children know what the class behavioural expectations are and make sure that they understand them.

7. Be careful about what you promise or threaten because you have to carry through even if it punishes you.

8. If a child doesn’t respond to your instructions after the second time you have talked to him, get up and move toward him. Most of the time, you will quickly get the expected response.

9. Avoid sarcasm, negativity.

10. If a child gives a wrong or inappropriate answer reinforce the effort i.e. that was a good try, but….

11. Be neutral emotionally when dealing with inappropriate behaviour. If you get upset and angry, you are no longer in control.

12. Don’t ask why you did that, you will probably get a shrug and “I don’t know”. Instead ask, “what do you think you should have done or how could you do that better?”.

13. Separate the behaviour from the child. “I like you, but not the way you behave.”

14. Consequences should be as natural as possible. “I see you have not finished your work, so you need to finish it before you go out to play.” “I see you can’t sit properly in your chair, so I will take it away until you feel that you can sit in it properly.”

15. Be fair, firm, friendly.

16. Prepare warm up exercises to keep the class quiet and busy when you have to take the roll, collect money etc.

17. Greeting each child with a positive remark as he or she enters the classroom each morning is a good way to start the day and helps to avoid attention getting behaviour later on.

18. With the class, develop 5 or less classroom behavioural expectations and post them on the board. Review them frequently.

19. Reward and remark about good behaviour frequently. “I like the way you are sitting quietly and working so hard.”

20. Establish a routine for your class – and post this on the board. If it is necessary to change the routine – tell the class as far ahead of time as possible and explain the reason for change.

21. Be a good model. They will do what you do a lot faster than what you tell them to do.

22. Keep on your feet and circulating the room when the class is working independently. Use this time to reinforce good work and behaviour.

23. If you have to reprimand a child about anything, it is important to use the next possible time to give him some kind of positive reinforcement.

24. Yelling a lot in class is ineffective if you do this on a regular basis. If it is necessary to reprimand a child, walk over to him and speak to him personally in a normal, but firm tone of voice.

25. Avoid down time in the class. Have plans and materials organised so that children don’t have time and opportunity to get off task for lengthy periods of time.

26. Teach listening skills and make it part of your daily routine i.e.

(i) Knees pointing toward the speaker.
(ii) Hands and feet and mouth still.
(iii) Look at the speaker’s face.

27. Respond immediately to behaviours whether they are good or bad.

28. Whenever possible, give children choices. You choose two things which are appropriate and let them decide between them.

29. The children should know and understand consequences for good or inappropriate behaviour.

Reform, The Beneficial Change

2008-06-07T23:15:00.000-07:00

Characterization of Reform

Reforms such as these may be proclaimed by a government, by interested groups, or by revolution. Reform means beneficial change, or sometimes, more specifically, reversion to a pure original state.

Reform is generally distinguished from revolution. The latter means basic or radical change; whereas reform may be no more than fine tuning, or at most redressing serious wrongs without altering the fundamentals of the system. Reform seeks to improve the system as it stands, never to overthrow it wholesale.

A note about grammar: when used to describe something which is physically formed again, such as re-casting it in a mold/mould, or a band that gets back together, the proper term is re-form (with a hyphen), not "reform".
Reform can refer to:

In politics:

Reform movement, a generic term for various social and political movements.
Reform Movement (disambiguation), a list of specific organizations known as the Reform Movement.
Non-reformist Reform, reform which is attentive to immediate social needs and at the same time moves toward further gains, and eventually, wholesale transformation.
Reform Party, a list of parties calling themselves the Reform Party or variants thereof.
Reform Act, a common name for electoral-reform bills in the United Kingdom; they are usually differentiated by their year.
Reform (think tank), a think-tank in the United Kingdom that promotes deregulation, competition in UK public services, and a low-tax economy.
Reforming Movement, a French centrist political group created in 1972 .
La Reforma, a period of liberal reforms in Mexico after 1855 .

In religion:

Islamic Reform or Islamic Renewal. SeeTajdid. Also see Mujadid, an Islamic Reformer or an Islamic Renewer.
Protestant Reformation
Reform (Anglican), an evangelical organisation within the Anglican Church.
Wesleyan Reform Union, an independent group of Methodists in the United Kingdom.
Catholic Reformation or Counter-Reformation
Reform Judaism, a major denomination of Judaism with principles influenced by the Enlightenment.

In chemistry:

Catalytic reforming, a process that converts the hydrocarbons in various oil refinery naphthas into higher octane hydrocarbons for use as components of gasoline,
Steam reforming, also called hydrogen reforming or catalytic oxidation, a method of producing hydrogen from hydrocarbons.

In geography:

Reform, a town in western Alabama.

Declaration of Individual Human Responsibilities

2008-06-07T07:22:00.000-07:00

The proposition of a Charter of Human responsibilities

Six theses as the foundation of the Charter

1. Facing the radically new situation of humankind, a third ethical pillar, common to all societies and all social spheres, is needed to serve as a complement to the two existing pillars which underpin international life : the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Charter of the United Nations.

2. The same ethical principles can be used at the personal level and the collective level, both to guide individual behaviour and to underpin law.

3. The notion of responsibility, inseparable from any human relationship, constitutes a universal principle. It is the common ethical basis of the Charter of Human Responsibilities.

4. Given the impact of human activities and the interdependence among all human societies, a broader definition of responsibility is essential. It comprises three dimensions : accepting responsibility for the direct and indirect consequences of our actions; uniting with one another to escape from powerlessness; acknowledging that our responsibility is proportional to the knowledge and power which each of us holds.

5. The Charter of Human Responsibilities does not lay down rules; it proposes priorities and prompts choices.

6. Every social and professional sphere is invited to draw up, on the basis of the Charter of Human Responsibilities, which is shared by all, the rules of its own responsibility. These rules are the foundation of the contract which links it to the rest of society.

Humans have rights, which have long been established and enshrined. Those rights are defined in terms of individuals' rights against groups of other individuals. It follows that individuals also have responsibilities in upholding those rights and other desirable ends. These responsibilities are set forth here in order of decreasing importance:

1. A person has the duty not to harm humans in body, mind, or spirit. This responsibility centers first on the individual, who cannot fulfill this duty without taking the highest degree of care in self-mastery, because to do otherwise would harm those close to the individual. The second degree of duty is to immediate family, who are most affected by the individual's actions. The duty attenuates as relationship attenuates, and as the commitment of another person to these principles attenuates; however, to the least-entitled person, the individual owes a duty not to support any organization that oppresses that person or fails to oppose such person's oppression by others.

2. A person has the duty not to harm the environment. At the individual level, this means the individual honors the first human responsibility by recognizing that the environment is indispensable for the health and survival of humans. The individual must not despoil the land, foul the water, or pollute the air to the extent good stewardship can avoid it without conflicting with the first human responsibility.

3. A person has the duty to remain informed to the extent of the person's ability. Without sufficient information, a person cannot uphold the first two responsibilities. The degree of detailed knowledge which the person should aspire to should be governed by the importance of the issue and its proximity, however, distance in time or location is not a license to ignorance, because some level of knowledge is required to gauge the importance of an issue.

4. A person has the duty to support the elevation of individuals of ability, judgment, and integrity to positions of power over matters within their capacities; and the creation of dynamic organizational structures and machines equal to the tasks demanded. An individual's personal capacity is limited, and must therefore be augmented.

5. A person has the duty to procreate only if it can be accomplished without unduly compromising the higher-priority duties. Children, properly reared, are assets to the human race. The duty to the child must include taking reasonable steps not to pass on genetic conditions that result in undue harm to the child's prospects to uphold its responsibilities at maturity.

6. A person has the duty to recognize that the Earth is an extremely small part of a vast universe, and that humanity's destiny is not to be restricted to such a limited sphere. A person's duties include helping his fellows and their descendants by supporting efforts to take advantages of resources and living space beyond the Earth. Should other life be discovered, it should be treated as part of the environment unless it has the ability to make tools or use language.

7. A person has a duty not to labor in a vocation for less than can be obtained, all other things being equal. To do otherwise is to be at least partially enslaved. A person has a duty to avoid being enslaved, for such diminishes the capacity to uphold the person's other duties.

8. A person has a duty to be prepared to defend against violence and theft, which depending on time and circumstance may include the use of deadly force; however, the person must be cautious in the choice and keeping of weapons so that no other duties are compromised. The person should prevent and defend against violence and theft whenever possible because committing a crime is a harm to the criminal as well as the victim, and because leaving a criminal unchecked increases the risk of crimes against others.

What is a good society?

2008-06-04T08:43:00.000-07:00

Our answers to this question will always draw upon our personal values and describe the kind of society in which we could feel a sense of well-being.

But there is more to a good society than the sum of the values or the sense of well-being and happiness of each individual. As we each individually pursue what makes us feel good, we affect the lives of others. A good society has procedures for making collective judgments about how these effects are to be managed.

Understanding what makes family life or working life good - or not - can help answer the question of what makes a good society. In these settings, we soon learn that self-interest will not work well or for long, unless it is coupled with some understanding of, and sympathy for, the interests of others.

Since public schools have featured most heavily in my working life, I will make that my starting point. Public schools are, after all, microcosms of society

There is much evidence that children and young people learn best in schools where they have a sense of belonging; where they have opportunities to learn things that they value; and where they experience personal achievement and progress. They will not generally prosper in schools where they feel like 'outsiders'. They will not engage in learning if they feel that the odds are rigged against their being able to succeed.

Schools or school systems that make the opportunities to achieve so unfair that some students are always the 'losers' will create fear, cynicism and alienation among those students. Schools that provide no challenge or reward for high achievement by groups and individuals will create boredom.

So far, I have argued that a good society - like a good school - requires a continuing effort to manage the tensions between the democratic values of liberty, equality and solidarity.

Like a good school or a good family, a good society makes it easier rather than harder for us to be our best selves, to be 'good' persons and to live 'good' lives. Other writers here have already said, in a myriad of ways, that a good society is one in which most individuals consider it rational to treat each other in the way they themselves would want to each be treated by others when presented with similar circumstances: a society where people aspire to 'do' as they would be 'done by' and to live good lives that serve good ends.

The ends which people want to achieve are determined by three things, according to Hugh Stretton and Lionel Orchard (Public Goods, Public Enterprise, Public Choice. Theoretical Foundations of the Contemporary Attack on Government, 1994, p.262-3).

These include their desires and their capabilities. Stretton and Orchard remind us that our desires are not all greedy or antisocial; and that capabilities can only be exercised in the circumstances in which they find themselves.

As well as their desires and capabilities, Stretton and Orchard remind us of the Aristotelian principle 'that human beings enjoy the exercise of their realised capacities (their innate or trained abilities), and this enjoyment increases the more their capacity is realised, or the greater its complexity.

In their view, which I share, a good society is interesting. It satisfies our desire for variety and novelty of experience, it has room for feats of ingenuity and invention, and the pleasures of anticipation and surprise.

My understanding of a good society is one that is open to new and different ideas. One enemy of openness to ideas is the tendency to create false dualisms and unnecessary dichotomies. We can see it in education - the foolish arguments that create a dichotomy between content and process; between excellence and equity; between the ability to recognise individual words and to read for meaning.

Dualism has flourished under the Howard Government. You either support the completely unregulated entry into Australia of all foreigners, or you support Howard's detention centre policy with all its inhumanity and irrational procedures.

It is the mark of an educated mind, according to Aristotle again, to be able to entertain a thought without necessarily accepting it. And that is also a mark of a good society. In such a society we would give priority to those forms of education that, rather than relying on doctrine and dogma, encourage competition among ideas in their students.

This notion that an interesting society is one that ensures its continuing renewal and advancement through openness to new ideas came up when I was deep in discussion last week with CPD regular, Jane Caro, about how to tackle the subject of this article. When I raised the question of what happiness is, Jane observed that happiness for an individual is being able to find your own preferred place on a continuum between boredom and fear.

We could say the same thing about societies. Pervasive fear is surely a hallmark of the worst kind of society. We have had much evidence of this in the past century; and have seen truly repressive societies that have managed to combine pervasive fear with pervasive boredom. The worst thing is that this can sometimes result from trying to create Utopia.

Peter Singer warns of the search for Utopia. In an article entitled 'New Ideas for the Evolutionary Left' (Australian, 17/6/1998, p.49) he urged the Left to replace utopian ideals with a coolly realistic view of what can be achieved, having regard to the tendencies inherent in human beings.

Although a tendency to utopian visions does not seem an imminent danger in Australian society, the balance between fear and boredom is at risk. This can be seen from the Federal Government's ideological mission to give priority to creating a high-risk economy by unpicking forms of protection built up over the past century. Its argument is that governments should 'get out of the way' of those with entrepreneurial flair.

This will increase the level of fear even among the high flyers, let alone among those who face severe penalties for their lack of desire, opportunity or capability to demonstrate such flair.

In a 'good' society, this increase in risk and fear would be balanced by a greater, rather than lesser, governmental role and acceptance of responsibility in guaranteeing the conditions that allow people to protect and secure themselves against exclusion and hardship. It is imperative that these conditions include universal, high quality education and health systems.

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Human rights and democracy
The election of a government promising fairness and dignity for all provides the best opportunity in a long time for the reinvigoration of our democracy. At the heart of this endeavour is the recognition, codification and protection of human rights.
Over the last period of conservative government, Australia's democracy has drifted off course, partly due to our failure to make the transition from the traditional but no longer adequate common law approach to rights, to a new model better suited to the times. In a world where waves of refugees and asylum seekers continue to flee wars and devastation, and where the weak, the indigenous, the mentally ill, and Islamic and other ethnic minorities are subjected to harsh and inhumane laws and policies, we need effective statutory protections.

Australia has not yet followed the example of the rest of the democratic world; it has not carefully reviewed how human rights fare in contemporary Australian society, and has not as yet used the legislative power of parliament to enact the modern human rights protections that should form part of a fair and egalitarian democracy.

The ACT and Victorian governments have accepted this responsibility, with other states set to follow, but at national level, we have a vacuum.

It was in answer to this growing need, and the passivity of political leadership in the face of much human suffering in our country, that a citizens' campaign for a Human Rights Act for Australia, known as the New Matilda campaign, sprang into life.

It started just two years ago. Readers and contributors to New Matilda magazine challenged policies that kept sick children and frightened asylum seekers imprisoned behind barbed wire, and put mentally ill Australians in jail, or illegally deported them. The absence of basic services for our indigenous communities accumulated massive damage.

Problen in Your Sleep? No Tension. Join With Us.

2008-06-01T03:56:00.000-07:00

Sleep tips and advice

Do you like to have a weekend lie-in or a nightcap before going to bed? These habits could actually be harming your sleep.

Relax your mind

Simple breathing exercises can help. Breathe, using your abdomen not your chest, through your nose for three seconds, then breathe out for three seconds. Pause for three seconds before breathing in again. Practise this for ten minutes at night (five minutes is better than nothing).
Some people find that lavender oil, valerian or other herbs help them to sleep.
If you still have problems, you could try massage, aromatherapy, or even acupuncture.
If you still find yourself tossing and turning, abandon the bedroom and find something enjoyable and absorbing to do. Jigsaws are perfect. Don't go back to bed until you begin to feel sleepy.

Exercise regularly
Regular exercise is a great way to improve your sleep. Just be careful not to do it close to bed time as exercise produces stimulants that stop the brain from relaxing quickly.
This being the case, exercising in the morning is an excellent way to wake up the body. Going for a run or doing some aerobics releases stimulants into the body, which perks you up.
If you are injured or disabled, you can still benefit from exercise. Check out disability exercise tips.

Create a calm bedroom environment

Your bedroom should be for sleep only. Avoid turning it into an entertainment centre with televisions, computers and stereos.
Two thirds of British children have a computer, games machine or TV in their bedroom and could be losing out on sleep as a result.

Avoid alcohol
It's fine to have a nightcap, but too much alcohol can make you restless. Alcohol is also a diuretic, which means it encourages you to urinate (never welcomed during the night).
Drinking is also more likely to lead to snoring, which can restrict airflow into the lungs. This reduces oxygen in your blood which disturbs your sleep and contributes to your hangover.

Avoid caffeine
Caffeine is a stimulant which can stay in your system for many hours. So avoid sources of caffeine such as coffee, chocolate, cola drinks and non-herbal teas.

Watch what you eat
Eating a large heavy meal too close to bedtime will interfere with your sleep.
Spicy or fatty foods may cause heartburn, which leads to difficulty in falling asleep and discomfort throughout the night.
Foods containing tyramine (bacon, cheese, ham, aubergines, pepperoni, raspberries avocado, nuts, soy sauce, red wine) might keep you awake at night. Tyramine causes the release of norepinephrine, a brain stimulant.
If you get the munchies close to bedtime, eat something that triggers the hormone serotonin, which makes you sleepy. Carbohydrates such as bread or cereal will do the trick.

Set a regular bedtime and wake up time
Create a habit of going to bed and waking up at the same time each day, even on weekends. This helps anchor your body clock to these times. Resisting the urge for a lie-in can pay dividends in alertness.
If you feel you haven't slept well, resist the urge to sleep in longer than normal; getting up on schedule keeps your body in its normal wake-up routine.
Remember, even after only four hours, the brain has gained many of the important benefits of sleep.

It's only natural

Most of us have a natural dip in alertness between 2 - 4pm.
A 15 minute nap when you're tired can be a very effective way of staying alert throughout the day. Avoid napping for longer than 20 minutes, after which you will enter deep sleep and feel even worse when you wake up.

See a doctor if your problem continues
If you have trouble falling asleep night after night, or if you always feel tired the next day, you might have a sleep disorder. It is advisable to seek more advice from your doctor. Most sleep disorders can be treated effectively.

The science of sleep

2008-06-01T02:39:00.000-07:00

We spend a third of our lives doing it.

Why do we sleep?

So why do we sleep? This is a question that has baffled scientists for centuries and the answer is, no one is really sure. Some believe that sleep gives the body a chance to recuperate from the day's activities but in reality, the amount of energy saved by sleeping for even eight hours is miniscule - about 50 kCal, the same amount of energy in a piece of toast.

We have to sleep because it is essential to maintaining normal levels of cognitive skills such as speech, memory, innovative and flexible thinking. In other words, sleep plays a significant role in brain development.Neurons, muscles, tissues and cells used while we're awake need time to shut down and repair themselves. Chemicals important to the immune system are said to be secreted during sleep and growth hormones in children are also produced during this vital period of rest.
It has been suggested that without sleep, we would be more prone to disease and children more susceptible to stunted growth.

What would happen if we didn't sleep?
A good way to understand the role of sleep is to look at what would happen if we didn't sleep. Lack of sleep has serious effects on our brain's ability to function. If you've ever pulled an all-nighter, you'll be familiar with the following after-effects: grumpiness, grogginess, irritability and forgetfulness. After just one night without sleep, concentration becomes more difficult and attention span shortens considerably.
With continued lack of sufficient sleep, the part of the brain that controls language, memory, planning and sense of time is severely affected, practically shutting down. In fact, 17 hours of sustained wakefulness leads to a decrease in performance equivalent to a blood alcohol level of 0.05% (two glasses of wine).
Disorders such as sleep apnoea which result in excessive daytime sleepiness have been linked to stress and high blood pressure. Research has also suggested that sleep loss may increase the risk of obesity because chemicals and hormones that play a key role in controlling appetite and weight gain are released during sleep.

What happens when we sleep?

What happens every time we get a bit of shut eye? Sleep occurs in a recurring cycle of 90 to 110 minutes and is divided into two categories: non-REM (which is further split into four stages) and REM sleep.

Non-REM sleep

Stage one: Light Sleep

During the first stage of sleep, we're half awake and half asleep. Our muscle activity slows down and slight twitching may occur. This is a period of light sleep, meaning we can be awakened easily at this stage.
Stage two: True Sleep
Within ten minutes of light sleep, we enter stage two, which lasts around 20 minutes. The breathing pattern and heart rate start to slow down. This period accounts for the largest part of human sleep.
Stages three and four: Deep Sleep
During stage three, the brain begins to produce delta waves, a type of wave that is large (high amplitude) and slow (low frequency). Breathing and heart rate are at their lowest levels.
Stage four is characterised by rhythmic breathing and limited muscle activity.

REM sleep

The first rapid eye movement (REM) period usually begins about 70 to 90 minutes after we fall asleep. We have around three to five REM episodes a night.
Although we are not conscious, the brain is very active - often more so than when we are awake.
After REM sleep, the whole cycle begins again.

How much sleep is required?
There is no set amount of time that everyone needs to sleep, since it varies from person to person. Results from the sleep profiler indicate that people like to sleep anywhere between 5 and 11 hours, with the average being 7.75 hours.
Jim Horne from Loughborough University's Sleep Research Centre has a simple answer though: "The amount of sleep we require is what we need not to be sleepy in the daytime."

The Art of Hypnotism

2008-05-29T01:45:00.000-07:00

What is hypnosis? Hypnosis is an altered state of consciousness. It happens when a state of mind is achieved in which suggestions alter someone's awareness, memory, or thinking in a way that the hypnotized person responds to the alteration as if it were reality. It's supposed to be done with a specific, clear short-term aim -- to get to the bottom of something that the patient is not able to bring to mind or to consciously stop doing.
Hypnosis (from the Greek hypnos, "sleep") is "a trance-like state that resembles sleep but is induced by a person whose suggestions are readily accepted by the subject."
The technique is used for medical purposes to relieve anxiety or otherwise improve or alter behavior. It is also used in popular stage acts in which subjects are persuaded to perform bizarre feats.

Variations:

Self-hypnosis

Self-hypnosis (or autosuggestion) — is hypnosis in which a person hypnotizes himself or herself without the assistance of another person to serve as the hypnotist — is a staple of hypnotherapy-related self-help programs. It is most often used to help the self-hypnotist stay on a diet, overcome smoking or some other addiction, or to generally boost the hypnotized person's self-esteem. It is rarely used for the more complex or controversial uses of hypnosis, which require the hypnotist to monitor the hypnotized person's reactions and responses and respond accordingly.

Waking hypnosis
This phenomenon, as expounded by Melvin Powers in 1955, involves altering the behavior of a subject by suggestion without inducing a trance. Related to the placebo effect, a subject becomes subconsciously convinced that what they are being told is inevitable reality, for example that the air in the room will cause them to swallow. In order to work, the subject must completely trust the source of the suggestion or be subconsciously convinced by a calm authoritative tone.

Mass application
Influencing crowds through common longings and yearnings by a demagogue is called mass hypnosis. Generally, mass hypnosis is applied to religious sessions. Many forms of music and dance can be used to create religious trance.

Indirect application

In addition to direct application of hypnosis (that is, treatment of conditions by means of hypnosis), there is also indirect application, wherein hypnosis is used to facilitate another procedure. Some people seem more able to display "enhanced functioning", such as the suppression of pain, while utilizing hypnosis.

Post-hypnotic suggestion
Robin Waterfield writes, in his 2002 book Hidden Depths: The Story of Hypnosis, "a person can act, some time later, on a suggestion seeded during the hypnotic session. Post-hypnotic suggestions can last for a long time. A hypnotherapist told one of his patients, who was also a friend: 'When I touch you on the finger you will immediately be hypnotized.' Fourteen years later, at a dinner party, he touched him deliberately on the finger and his head fell back against the chair."

Potential dangers:

A suggestion that requires conscious interpretation can have undesirable effects." They give the following report taken from Hartland, 1971, p.37: "A patient who was terrified to go into the street because of the traffic was once told by a hypnotist that when she left his room, she would no longer bother about the traffic and would be able to cross the road without the slightest fear. She obeyed his instructions so literally that she ended up in a hospital."

Extreme reactions
Subjects have been known to cry or suffer a mental breakdown after extended periods of being in a trance like state of mind.

False memory
False memory obtained via hypnosis has figured prominently in many investigations and court cases, including cases of alleged sexual abuse. There is no scientific way to prove that any of these recollections are completely accurate.
The American Medical Association and the American Psychological Association have both cautioned against the use of repressed memory therapy in dealing with cases of alleged childhood trauma, stating that "it is impossible, without other corroborative evidence, to distinguish a true memory from a false one", and so the procedure is "fraught with problems of potential misapplication".

Entertainment:

Stage hypnosis

The hypnotist:
Due to the stage hypnotist's showmanship and their perpetuating the illusion of possessing mysterious abilities, hypnosis is often seen as caused by the hypnotist's power. The real power of hypnosis comes from the trust the hypnotist can instill in his subjects. They have to willingly grant him the ability to take over their critical thinking and direct their bodies.

The subject
In a stage hypnosis situation the hypnotist chooses his participants carefully. First he gives the entire audience a few exercises to perform and plants ideas in their minds, such as, only intelligent people can be hypnotized and only those wanting to have fun will play along. These suggestions are designed to overcome the natural fear of trusting a stranger with the greater fear of being seen as unintelligent, unsociable, and joyless by the rest of the audience. Out of the crowd he will spot people who appear trusting, extroverted and willing to put on a show.

Hypnosis in popular media
Hypnosis and hypnotherapy are common themes in literature, films and television. Frequently hypnotists are shown in a negative or sinister light. In The Manchurian Candidate and The Curse of the Jade Scorpion, for example, characters are compelled to commit crimes while under a hypnotic trance.

Applications:

Hypnotherapy

Hypnotherapy is a term to describe the use of hypnosis in a therapeutic context. Many hypnotherapists refer to their practice as "clinical work". Hypnotherapy can either be used as an addition to the work of licensed physicians or psychologists, or it can be used in a stand-alone environment where the hypnotherapist in question usually owns his or her own business.

Medicine and dentistry

Education
In a lecture to the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis (ASCH) during their annual conference at the State University Of New York, Dr. Milton Erickson taught the process of indirect hypnosis while Dr. Robert W. Habbick spoke of his research on the use of hypnosis in enhancing learning and reducing anxiety. Dr. Habbick explained the use of a triad of suggestions: "(a) enhancing confidence, while (b) strengthening focused interest in the work and (c) improving energy to do the studying necessary." The results of his controlled research pointed the way toward the need to apply hypnosis especially with students who have difficulty studying.

Hypnodermatology
Hypnodermatology is the practice of treating skin diseases with hypnosis.

Surgery
A study done at the Mt. Sinai School of Medicine looked at two groups of patients facing surgery for breast cancer. The group that received hypnosis prior to surgery reported less pain, nausea, and anxiety after surgery than did the control group. There was a cost benefit as well, as the average hypnosis patient reduced the cost of treatment by an average of $772.00.
In April 2008 a professional hypnotist, Alex Lenkei, successfully hypnotised himself before having surgery on his hand and was in no pain throughout the 80 minute operation. His blood pressure and heart rate were also monitored and remained normal, indicating that he truly did not experience any pain. An anaesthetist who remained on hand believes Mr Lenkei's body may have released chemicals which blocked pain.

Other uses
Michael R. Nash writes, in a 2001 article for Scientific American titled "The Truth and the Hype of Hypnosis", "using hypnosis, scientists have temporarily created hallucinations, compulsions, certain types of memory loss, false memories, and delusions in the laboratory so that these phenomena can be studied in a controlled environment."

Related Link:
Atavistic regression
Bicameralism (psychology)
Chicken hypnosis
Covert hypnosis
Highway hypnosis
History of hypnosis
Hypnagogia
Hypnofetishism
Hypnosis in fiction
Hypnosurgery
Neuro-linguistic programming
Sedative

Black Magic,

2008-05-28T22:51:00.000-07:00

What Is Black Magic?

Black magic or dark magic is a type of magic that draws on malevolent powers. It may be used for malevolent acts or to deliberately cause harm in some way. It is alternatively spelt with a 'k' (magick), this term is also known as black magick, dark magick, the dark arts of magick and dark side magick.
In fiction it refers to evil magic. In modern times, people who believe in or claim to practice magic use the term to describe the harmful magic that they consider immoral, as opposed to the good white magic.
Black magic would be invoked to kill, injure, or cause destruction, or for personal gain without regard to harmful consequences to others. As a term, "black magic" is normally used to describe a form of ritual that some group or person does not approve of.

OLD BLACK MAGIC:

Sometimes a cliche just wears out. It loses meaning or, worse, begins to say things we never meant. I think it's time to retire the phrase "black magic."Saying "black" when we mean "evil" is nasty nonsense. In the first place, it reinforces the racist stereotypes that corrupt our society. And that's not all. Whenever we say "black" instead of "bad," we repeat again the big lie thatdarkness is wrong. It isn't, as people who profess to love Nature should know.Darkness can mean the inside of the womb, and the seed germinating within the Earth, and the chaos that gives rise to all truly new beginnings. In our myths, the one who goes down to the underworld returns with the treasure. Even death, to the Wiccan understanding, is well-earned rest and comfort, and a preparation for new birth. Using "black" to mean "bad" is a blasphemy against the Crone.But even if we no longer speak of magic as "black" or "white," we still need to think and speak about the ethics of magic. Although black is not evil, some actions are evil. It simply is not true that anything a person is strongenough or skilled enough to do is OK, nor should doing what we will ever be the whole of the law for us. We need a clear and specific vocabulary that enables us to choose wisely what we will do.

All as One: All forms of magic are evil, or black magic. This view generally associates black magic with Satanism. The persons that maintain this opinion include those belonging to most branches of Christianity, Islam, Judaism, and Hinduism. Some people on the left-hand path would agree that all magic, whether called "white" or "black," is the same.

Gnostic Luciferian:

Dark Magick and Dark Arts refer to work involving the estranged, twisted and forgotten aspects of nature and self. An evil intent is not necessarily present in the Dark Magician. The Dark Arts are also a set of methods for pursuing genuine self-knowledge and mental emancipation.

Dark Doctrine: Black magic refers to the powers of darkness, usually seen from a Left-Hand Path point of view. This may or may not contrast with White magic, depending on the sorcerer's acceptance of dualism.

Formal Differences: The forms and components of black magic are different, due to the different aims or interests of those casting harmful spells, than those of white.

This distinction is primarily observable in folk magic, but pertains to other types of magic also.

No Connection: Black and white magic are both forms of magic, but are completely different from the base up and are accomplished differently, even if they achieve similar effects.

Separate but Equal: Black and white magic are exactly the same thing, differentiated only by their end goals and intent. According to this theory, the same spell could be either white or black; its nature is determined by the end result of the spell. The majority of religions follow this belief, as does the remainder of fiction that does not follow the No Connection theory

Is Palmistry A Science?

Is palmistry a science? Modern science has not yet found the approach by which it can bring the study of palmistry in the rigid frame work of the word "Science". Science has its own limitations. There are several experiences which prove the sound basis of palmistry and it is always the experience in a particular field that paves the way to further research and make that experience an exact science. However, in spite of the great development of modern science in various fields, it has failed to produce appliances and means which can prove palmistry as a science. This science has its foundation and experience and so we can call it as an emperical science.

Elements And Forces As in Magic

The Ancients divided the world into four basic principles or "elements" -- earth, water, fire, and air. That viewpoint has mostly changed with advances of science, but the four elements are still accepted in magic, for they are more closely linked with the emotions than modern explanations of the world. Many occultists think of the magical elements as forces, or as *qualities* of energy; especially within the astral world. Each element has a symbol and color. (Common symbols are -- fire: a triangle pointing up; air: a triangle pointing up and with a horizontal line through the middle of it; water: a triangle pointing down; earth: a triangle pointing down and with a horizontal line through the middle of it.) Colors of the elements are -- earth: brown and green; water: blue; fire: red; air: yellow...The Eastern tattvic system uses different symbols and colors. The elements are often used in magic ritual.

Hillary, The Most Popular Lady in USA

2008-05-27T22:18:00.000-07:00

Hillary the War Hero

On St. Patrick’s Day, Hillary Clinton boasted that she had firsthand experience in a war zone. She claimed that back in 1996, when she was First Lady, she flew directly into harm’s way during a visit to Bosnia. “I remember landing under sniper fire,” Clinton declared. “There was supposed to be some kind of a greeting ceremony at the airport but instead we just ran with our heads down to get into the vehicles to get to our base.” She added, “But it was a moment of great pride for me.”

Clinton offered the story as evidence of her courage under fire. Although she never served in the military, she cited the Bosnia story as an example that she was not afraid to face enemy fire in a war zone.

There was just one problem with her story. None of it was true.

This week, video emerged of Clinton’s arrival at the Tuzla airport. Instead of depicting a tense, sniper-infested war zone, it revealed that school children, not gun-toting Serbs, greeted Clinton at the airport. Instead of racing to her vehicle to avoid getting shot, Clinton enjoyed a reception on the tarmac that included U.S. military personnel and friendly Bosnian civilians. They welcomed her with flowers, handshakes, and poems.

After the video’s release, Clinton changed her story. She claimed that her St. Patrick’s Day misstatement resulted from “sleep deprivation.” But now it turns out that she made the same bogus claims about her Tuzla trip on at least two prior occasions, going as far back as December.

Needless to say, the flap makes Clinton look very foolish. But she’s not the first politician to make such a mistake. Political candidates have been embellishing their “war records” since the days of ancient Rome.

If there were a gold medal for telling stories of completely bogus heroics, it would go to Lyndon Johnson. During World War II, when LBJ was a young Congressman from Texas, he got himself awarded the Silver Star for valor in combat. What made the award particularly noteworthy was the fact that Johnson never got within 100 miles of the Japanese. His military service consisted of a six-month span in which he toured U.S. military bases in the south Pacific in early 1942. During his time on active duty, he never saw battle and never heard a shot fired in anger. Shortly thereafter, President Roosevelt banned sitting members of Congress, including Johnson, from serving on active duty. Nevertheless, for the rest of his life, Johnson would tell gripping and completely untrue stories of the “bombing runs” he flew against the Japanese during World War II.

Not all politicians feel compelled to fabricate war stories. Some politicians are honest about their lack of wartime heroics. Abraham Lincoln, who spent three months in the Illinois state militia during the Black Hawk War of 1832, freely admitted that the only blood he ever shed for his country was to “mosquitos.”

Nevertheless, as Clinton’s Tuzla whopper shows, many politicians believe that experience under fire gives them a special advantage with the voters. Some politicians, including Clinton, will even make up stories of courage under fire to gain that advantage.

But are they right? Do voters care if politicians have experience in war?

Those questions have special relevance in 2008 because one of the candidates is a genuine war hero. In the 1960s, John McCain flew 23 combat missions over North Vietnam. He also narrowly avoided death during the devastating fire aboard the U.S.S. Forrestal in July 1967. Although he was offered the opportunity to return home, McCain declined it and secured a transfer to another aircraft carrier. Three months later McCain was shot down during a mission over Hanoi. He would spend the next five and a half years in captivity.

Does McCain’s distinguished war record give him an advantage in the general election?

If recent history is any guide, the answer is no.

To be sure, we’ve elected plenty of combat veterans in the past. They include George Washington (French and Indian War), James Monroe (American Revolution), Andrew Jackson (War of 1812), William Henry Harrison (War of 1812), Zachary Taylor (War of 1812), Ulysses S. Grant (Mexican War), Rutherford B. Hayes (Civil War), James Garfield (Civil War), Benjamin Harrison (Civil War), William McKinley (Civil War), Theodore Roosevelt (Spanish-American War), Harry Truman (World War I), John Kennedy (World War II), Gerald Ford (World War II), and George H. W. Bush (World War II). In all, 15 of our 42 presidents have had combat experience, and many others served in the military but never saw battle.

At first blush, that would seem to indicate that going into harm’s way is a great asset for a presidential candidate. But if you look closer, what’s striking is that only four presidents in the last 100 years have had combat experience: Truman, Kennedy, Ford, and Bush Sr.

Moreover, in the last 40 years, combat veterans have lost more presidential races than they’ve won. George McGovern flew 35 bombing missions over Nazi-occupied Europe during World War II and won a chest full of medals, but that didn’t prevent him from losing 49 of 50 states to Richard Nixon in the 1972 presidential election. In 1976, Gerald Ford, who won 10 battle stars in the Pacific during World War II, lost to Jimmy Carter, whose Navy career consisted solely of peacetime service. George H. W. Bush flew 58 combat missions in the Pacific during World War II, but nevertheless in 1992 he lost to Bill Clinton, a man who by his own admission used every legal method at his disposal to avoid military service during the Vietnam War. And in 1996 Clinton went on to easily defeat Bob Dole, a decorated World War II veteran who lost the use of his right arm after being wounded in combat in Italy.

Moreover, it should not be forgotten that John McCain’s record of heroism didn’t help him during his 2000 campaign against George W. Bush, a man who unlike his father had no combat experience whatsoever. In 2004, Bush Jr. went on to defeat John Kerry, a Navy veteran who saw combat while commanding a patrol boat on the Mekong Delta during the Vietnam War.

So why doesn’t experience on the frontlines matter to voters any more? Part of the reason is demographics. During the Second World War, more than 75% of American men between the ages of 18 and 40 served in the military. It is a very different story today. Although we are engaged in two wars, less than 1% of the American population is currently serving in the U.S. military. In the nation as a whole, military veterans compose only about 12% of the population. The number of veterans shrinks every year, particularly as the World War II generation dies off.

As a result, relatively few Americans have first-hand experience with the military, and an even smaller number have combat experience. The bottom line is that as an institution the military has become a mystery to the great majority of Americans.

There are other factors at work as well. In recent elections, the clear trend is that voters prefer candidates with charisma over candidates with strong resumes (thus, Clinton over Bush Sr in 1992 and Bush Jr. over Al Gore in 2000). Wartime heroics are nice, but they aren’t going to make up for other shortcomings in a candidacy. For example, in 1996 Bob Dole’s dour appearance and acerbic wit made a much deeper impression on voters than stories of his World War II experiences.

There are many lessons here, but two stand out. The first is that voters care a lot more about a candidate’s personality, television appearance, and position on the issues than about a candidate’s biography. That’s something McCain should bear in mind. If he wins on November 4, it won’t be because of his long and admirable service in the Navy. It will be because of his stand on the issues and his ability to connect with voters.

The other lesson is that in the 24/7 news culture in which we live, candidates tell fibs about their biographies at their peril. In an age of Youtube and LexisNexis, candidates simply won’t get away any longer with fabricated war stories like those LBJ told a half century ago. Through the uproar over her bogus Tuzla story, Hillary Clinton has learned that lesson the hard way.

Hillary Clinton - Against Hillary Where The Facts Aare

Source: Hillary’s Speech Writers Preparing Concession Speech
Say good night, Hillary. And go away.
Clinton Projected To Win Kentucky
The Clinton Campaign: A Series of Unfortunate Events
Once-secret memos question Clinton’s honesty
The Democratic Nomination Fight is Over
Hillary’s Toast: McGovern urges her to drop out
Can we please stop pretending Hillary has a plausible chance to win the nomination?
What Barack Obama Wishes He Could Say To Hillary Clinton
Hillary Clinton is the $21 BILLION Woman
Easing Hillary Clinton Out the Door
Hillary Clinton Survives For Another Day

Perfection

2008-05-27T09:10:00.001-07:00

A British businessman once said, "The cost of perfection is prohibitive." He was referring to the manufacturing process, but he might have equally referred to any human endeavor. By spending more money and more time, a business can create a product that approaches closer to perfection. As customers, we pay more for the product that was produced by a manufacturer that spent the extra resources on attempting to approach closer to perfection. However, the cost of producing real perfection approaches infinity, the closer we approach to perfection.
Nothing done by humans is ever perfect. Nothing that you do, or that I do is perfect. There is always room for improvement. The belief that perfection is attainable creates a great deal of grief in people's lives. That grief comes in two common forms: 1) the internal perfectionist -- expecting perfection in oneself, and 2) the ever popular external perfectionist -- expecting perfection in others. Both forms of perfectionist can actually destroy lives, leaving wakes of destruction in their paths.
Being an internal perfectionist leads to a viscous circle of self-incrimination, depression and renewed determination to reach the impossible. Each failure leads to more shame and self-loathing. This is not from wishing to be evil or decadent, but from wanting to be perfect. By striving for perfection, and foolishly expecting to reach it, such a person is doomed to fail before he even begins. It is like trying to sail a boat through a reef with no opening, it is impossible!
Since the internal perfectionist believes that perfection is possible, he only has one possible target for assigning guilt for the failure that was unavoidable. To him it is obvious, that he was not determined enough. He didn't try hard enough. He was no good. After a few cycles of doing this, the seeker of perfection will often find that he evaluates his own importance in the world, his own value, just below the scum that coats the bottom of a stagnant pool. It is an outrage! Here is a unique and precious human being, who is striving, not to destroy others, or to do evil in the world, but to reach for the stars in search of the highest ideals. And all he gets for his trouble is the lash from a whip he holds with his own mental hands.
How much better off would he be if instead of believing in perfection, he would believe in improvement! Improvement is always possible, for anyone. Since perfection is impossible, that means that we all are imperfect, and therefore we all have room for improvement. Fortunately, the human mind is extremely flexible, and it can be programmed with better habits, which will produce improvement.
Since improvement is always possible, what makes sense for each of us, is to select some area that we would like to improve and then set to work to move in a positive direction for that area. The time to celebrate is when we actually see some improvement. We should not wait until we reach perfection, or even until we reach a realistic goal before we celebrate. It is the movement in a positive direction that is of value. As long as we are moving, we are improving, and that means we are continually becoming better off than we were. That is worth celebrating!
Compare the difference in the state of mind between the internal perfectionist, and one who is striving for realistic improvement. First we have someone who feels like he is walking a tightrope with no net, or even a pole to help with his balance. Each step is a terror, as he knows he is going to fall, if not on this step, then the next one. He is never really happy because he is afraid of failing, and when he does fail, he is even more miserable. Next we have someone who is moving along towards a goal, slowly at times, and even moving backwards at times, but all the while looking forward towards a goal that he knows he can reach in time. He sees the goal draw ever nearer and feels tremendously good about himself -- for doing something positive. He is walking his daily path with a smile on his face, and warm feelings of self-esteem in his heart.
They say that peace lies within, and this is one of the components of that worthy treasure: Accepting who and what we are, and then working to make positive changes where we can. It is very much like a sculptor working with a piece of stone. He will chip away at some part of the stone, and make it more to his liking. Over time he will make other improvements. He will never be done, because perfection is impossible, but the stone shape will improve, becoming something better. It is a lifetime's work of love.
The external perfectionist, is the one that is most often criticized. We have a name for what he is practicing: hypocrisy. However, the practitioner of this form of torture, does not view himself as an evil person. In fact, he thinks very highly of himself for his ability to "straighten others out." He is very astute at finding imperfections in others and "kindly" pointing them out, not to hurt, but "to help."
The external perfectionist will often attack some unsuspecting traveler, who had opened up the details of his personal journey. The attack would include a categorical declaration, that the intended target is definitely "not OP," because of some lapse from the perfect ideal. The external perfectionist is quick to note any such lapse. He has deceived himself into believing that his attack is actually supplying positive support. He does not realize that it would be more kind to simply call his target scathing names, than to use the WW plan as a club to beat the poor victim with.
If he would stop and think for a moment of what is going on, perhaps he would hold his tongue. He is "trying to help" an individual who has spent his whole life being overweight. The innocent target is, or has been, perhaps 100, 200, or more pounds overweight, and for the very first time, he feels like he has some type of control over the monster that has been trashing his life. Finally, he is eating food in quantities small enough to where he is losing weight! He is not suffering from terrible hunger pains, and he feels great about it. He posts on the message board what he ate today, for some praise, and some positive comments and suggestions. Expectations are high!
Then enters the external perfectionist, who only sees imperfection and ignores simple improvement as inconsequential. He proceeds to methodically ram it down his victim's throat that he did not eat the correct number of carbs, or enough vegetables, so he is not "OP." How very helpful he has been.
And what of the poor victim? He is going to think, "Well, forget this. I don't need to work this hard for abuse. I could get that before, without any effort."
What did this victim eat before he started his journey? He probably was eating doughnuts, Big Macs, and numerous other things that are not healthy. However, even if he eats exactly the same things, but only less of them, he has made a healthy change in his life. ANY healthy change made by someone deserves praise, not attack.
What the external perfectionist has blinded himself to is the fact that no one is perfect, and to attack someone for his imperfections is not only counter productive, it is pure hypocrisy. One individual may be strong in an area where someone else is weak, and it may make him feel superior. However, if the truth were known, that same person is weak in other areas, because he is human, and no human is perfect. Looking at the big picture, it is a simple fact that no journey exists that could not be improved in some way.
What is important, truly important, is that someone is on a journey, striving for a goal. What is critical for the external perfectionist to understand is that judgmental commentary on someone else's journey stands far more likelihood of ending the journey altogether than of improving the quality of the journey.
Knowledge is a wonderful thing. Pursuing additional quantities of it, is one of the real joys in my life. My conception of paradise is a place where learning would go on eternally, unabated. Of course the more anyone knows about nutrition and the WW plan, the easier will be the journey. That is why we ask questions when we are unsure. When a question is asked, that is the time for wisdom and knowledge to be handed out. An open mind works like a sponge, soaking up far more information.
On the other hand, an attacked mind will close up like a turtle pulling into his shell for protection. It will do anything to escape the barrage, which is perceived as anger and hatred. Such a mind would rather drop everything and run away than to learn. A good teacher does not attack his students, or tell them that they are "bad students." Praise a student and he will respond by trying to earn more praise. Criticize him thoughtlessly, and you will lose him to apathy or outright hostility.
There are many parts to a healthy lifestyle. Eating the correct amount is one part. Eating the correct mix of food is another. Getting enough exercise is still another. If you continue down this list you find: getting enough water; getting enough calcium, and vitamins; getting enough sleep; and one of the most critical -- learning to have a healthy mental attitude towards life and stress. There are many more things that could be added to the list. You need to be at the correct weight, and have the correct amount of muscle tone. You need to have a well developed cardiovascular system, and low levels of cholesterol so that you do not harden and clog your arteries.
There are a tremendous number of variables that all combine to form our overall level of health, and turning even one of those variables in the right direction is a plus. It would be great if we could all have each of the variables dialed-in to perfection, but we are humans, and imperfect. Therefore, if we are smart, and eager to enjoy life, and to help others to enjoy life, we will celebrate the positive in others, and in ourselves, and correct the negative in others through personal example, and through answering only questions that are asked.
Have you ever seen the face of a child light up in pure radiance when he is exposed to praise? Think of the deep emotional impact that has. Think of the reservoir of motivation that is being filled at that moment. A child does not hide his feelings like the adult does, but the adult, when he is praised, has an inner glow that is just as great as the child has. It is a driving force, and by golly he wants more of it!
Now think of what someone who is overweight has gone through during his life. He has been thought of as ugly, and undesirable by not only others but by himself. He is literally dying for self-esteem. It is like a tomb in his soul, and suddenly a crack in the stone has been found, and a gleam of light has broken through to warm places that have been cold for as long has he can remember. He has actually eaten in control, and the point in the future where his weight will be at goal is not only possible, it is probable! He has hope, real honest to goodness hope, for which he would have paid any amount of money or sacrificed almost anything to acquire.
And then this wounded soul, who just starting to believe, and is fearfully sticking his head out into the real world, finds a sniper firing rounds at his head, declaring that he is a failure and not OP. What is a wounded soul going to do with this criticism? What has he always done with it? He runs from it into his inner sanctum, with his food and his weight to insulate him from the cruel darts that have always been hurled at him from others.
What many fail to realize about the external perfectionist is that his attack is the sign of his own wounded soul. He is one who has found the porcupine quill to be the defense of choice rather than the cave of solitude. He who spends his time attacking is not able to find the emotional strength inside himself to reach out lovingly to others. He instead builds up his own wounded ego by tearing down others' egos. The external perfectionist needs the very same thing that the people he is attacking need: feelings of self worth.

In summary,
it is imperative that we understand the difference between striving for improvement, defined as moving towards an ideal, and vainly striving for true perfection. Improvement is always possible, but perfection never is. Striving for improvement gives feelings of accomplishment and pride, while striving for perfection brings frustration and discouragement. It is a healthy attitude that breeds a striving for improvement, and it should be well nurtured. We would do well to steer our boats into that safe harbor, as we avoid the deadly twin rocks of the internal and the external perfectionist.

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Moral perfection

One of the silliest notions promoted by orthodox Objectivists is that a person can become morally perfect. This statement is a complete inversion of values.The English language has a strong limitation with the all inclusive verb "to be." I never really understood this until I had to learn Portuguese. In that language, there are two verbs for "to be": "estar" and "ser." Estar denotes a temporary state of being and ser means a permanent one.Thus a person is a man or woman (ser) and he is at the movies (estar). This took some getting used to, but after I did, many things became much easier to identify and categorize.One could ask, is moral perfection a permanent state or a temporary one? If it is a permanent state, one concludes that a human being should be born that way. But he isn't.If moral perfection needs to be learned to become permanent, this smacks so much of Christianity that I am surprised the parallel has not been more clearly seen and exposed for the dogma it is. Learning to become morally perfect means that a human being is born with original sin and must strive to become saved. (One is born morally lacking and must strive to become morally perfect.) How much more Christian can you get?Like I said, this is silly coming from Objectivists.If a permanent state of perfection needs to be identified, look at man's life. Human life qua human life is perfect. A human being cannot be more perfect than he is by his very existence. He is what he is, period. That is a permanent fact, not a temporary one. (Even though his life has a limited duration, his life is permanently perfect for that duration. That is his nature.)So what does moral perfection mean? If morality is a code of values to guide man's actions, it must mean perfect actions, not a perfect existence (which is a metaphysical, not ethical, issue). It must mean actions that are in perfect harmony with man's life according to his essential nature. I know of no human being on earth who has omniscient control over all of his future actions or even over his essential nature. There are way too many variables and types of actions he must perform while he is alive. Actions under volitional control (which are the only ones that can be moral) must be chosen instant by instant and the different facets of his nature must be studied to be understood. For instance, many aspects of man's nature change over the course of his life cycle. Many of the needs of a child are not the same as the needs of a healthy adult or the elderly. A child needs care and education - and he needs to learn how to become rational. An adult needs self-responsibility and the full exercise of his rationality. The elderly need constant medical treatment and a means of dealing with diminishing organic capacity. Each stage of life decrees the need for specific moral principles that are not applicable to the other stages.There is no easy way out of the need to think and choose every waking moment. There is no way on earth to make the very act of living automatic without giving up volition and becoming a mental vegetable.It is possible for a man to make a morally perfect choice, though. He can do that time and time again. And he should strive to understand what a morally perfect choice means, time and time again. That is a temporary state during his existence. But it is not possible for him to transform himself into a a permanent morally perfect anything. He is a human being with an already perfect life. He is not a code. His life generates the code, not vice-versa.Morality is based on human life as the standard of value. Reason exists to serve human life. According to the moral perfection model that is preached, human beings exist to become morally perfect, i.e., to serve reason. Reason does not exist to serve human life. This is a vicious anti-life code.Like I said, it is also silly coming from Objectivists.Rand's famous quote about not bothering to examine a folly, merely ask what it accomplishes, is pertinent here. What does the moral perfection model accomplish?That's easy. Deification of Rand, frustration and guilt. These are excellent means of keeping a flock in line. Those who wish to rule others or become a guru use moral perfection as a whip. And those who have a drive to give their lives over to a cause use moral perfection as an excuse to let others do their premise-level thinking. One thing is for sure: if a man decides to serve a code of lifelong moral perfection, he will ultimately end up serving a very morally imperfect somebody.So is moral perfection possible? It is on a temporary basis, act by chosen act. It is not possible as a permanent state of being. Striving and attaining, then striving and attaining again, over and over, is the nature of man. Just like sleeping and waking is.My advice is when you find someone who tells you that he knows the path to becoming morally perfect for the rest of your life, run. Immediately. He wants to control you - or he serves one who does. Notice that there is always a group involved. He wants his group to make your essential choices for you. If you don't believe it, make essential choices that are different than the ones he requires you to make over time and see what happens. But essential choices in your life are yours alone to make. They should stay yours. Morally, this is called individualism. And living on earth as a human being doesn't get any more perfect than that.

Social Development Theory

2008-05-25T05:18:00.000-07:00

Importance of Theory
The formulation of valid theory possesses enormous power to elevate and accelerate the expansion and development of human capabilities in any field, leading to fresh discoveries, improvement of existing activities and capacity for greater results. Science is replete with examples of theoretical formulations that have led to important breakthroughs, such as the discoveries of Neptune and Pluto, electromagnetic waves, subatomic particles, and new elements on the periodic table. Today scientists are discovering new substances on computer by applying the laws of quantum mechanics to predict the properties of materials before they synthesize them. In fact, a broad range of technological achievements in this century has been made possible by the emergence of sound theoretical knowledge in fields such as physics, chemistry and biology.
As management expert Peter Drucker put it, “There is nothing more practical than a good theory.” Valid theory can tell us not only what should be done, but also what can be done and the process by which it can be achieved.
Social development can be summarily described as the process of organizing human energies and activities at higher levels to achieve greater results. Development increases the utilization of human potential.
In the absence of valid theory, social development remains largely a process of trial and error experimentation, with a high failure rate and very uneven progress. The dismal consequences of transition strategies in most Eastern Europe countries, the very halting progress of many African and Asian countries, the increasing income gap between the most and least developed societies, and the distressing linkage between rising incomes, environmental depletion, crime and violence reflect the fact that humanity is vigorously pursuing a process without the full knowledge needed to guide and govern it effectively.
Advances in development theory can enhance our social success rate by the same order of magnitude that advances in theoretical physics have multiplied technological achievements in this century. The emergence of a sound theoretical framework for social development would provide the knowledge needed to address these inadequacies. It would also eventually lead us to the most profound and practical discovery of all – the infinite creative potentials of the human being.

Hierarchy of learning
Social development consists of two interrelated aspects – learning and application. Society discovers better ways to fulfill its aspirations and it develops organizational mechanisms to express that knowledge to achieve its social and economic goals. The process of discovery expands human consciousness. The process of application enhances social organization.
Society develops in response to the contact and interaction between human beings and their material, social and intellectual environment. The incursion of external threats, the pressure of physical and social conditions, the mysteries of physical nature and complexities of human behavior prompt humanity to experiment, create and innovate.
The experience resulting from these contacts leads to learning on three different levels of our existence. At the physical level, it enhances our control over material processes. At the social level, it enhances our capacity for effective interaction between people at greater and greater speeds and distances. At the mental level, it enhances our knowledge.
While the learning process takes place simultaneously on all these planes, there is a natural progression from physical experience to mental understanding. Historically, society has developed by a trial and error process of physical experimentation, not unlike the way children learn through a constant process of physical exploration, testing and even tasting. Physically, this process leads to the acquisition of new physical skills that enable individuals to utilize their energies more efficiently and effectively. Socially, it leads to the learning and mastery of organizational skills, vital attitudes, systems and institutions that enable people to manage their interactions with other people and other societies more effectively. Mentally, it leads to organization of facts as information and interpretation of information as thought.
The outcome of this learning process is the organization of physical skills, social systems, and information, which are then utilized to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of human activities. It is a cyclical process in which people are continuously learning from past experiences and then applying that learning in new activities.
This learning process culminates in a higher level of mental effort to extract the essence and common principles or ideas from society’s organized physical experiences, social interactions and accumulated information and to synthesize them as conceptual knowledge. This abstract conceptual knowledge has the greatest capacity for generalization and application in other fields, times and places. The conceptual mind is the highest, most conscious human faculty. Conceptual knowledge is the organization of ideas by the power of mind. That conceptual knowledge becomes most powerful when it is organized into a system. Theory is a systematic organization of knowledge.
A comprehensive theory of social development would provide a conceptual framework for discovering the underlying principles common to the development process in different fields of activity, countries and periods. It would also provide a framework for understanding the relationships between the accumulated knowledge generated by many different disciplines. If pursued to its logical conclusions, it would lead to not just a theory of social development, but a unifying theory of knowledge—which does not yet exist in any field of science or art.

Development as self-conception
Material and biological sciences focus on the interaction of physical conditions, materials and forces to generate results. The tendency to view social development in the same way has led to a host of mathematical equations seeking to define and predict the consequences of combining different external variables in different proportions and under different conditions. The underlying assumption of this approach is that social development is determined by external conditions.
The hypothesis on which our attempt at theory is based is that social development is determined by human beings, not external conditions. External conditions certainly can and do influence the process. People may even act and react in predictable ways to a given set of external conditions. But the results of any development equation cannot be reliably predicted on the basis of external factors. Human development is determined by human responses based on choices made by people. To our knowledge, external forces alone have never unleashed a process of social development, but there are countless instances in which external agents have failed to do so.

Human development is a function of human awareness, aspirations, attitudes and values. Like all human creative processes, it is a process of self-conception. As the writer, artist, composer, political visionary and businessman conceive of unrealized possibilities and pour forth their creative energies to give expression to them, the social collective evolves a conception of what it wants to become and by expressing its creative energies through myriad forms of activity seeks to transform its conception into social reality. The only major difference is that while the individual sometimes (but not always) is conscious of the conception he or she is trying to express, the society is usually (not always) unconscious of the idea and the urge that move it to create something more out of its own latent potential.

Society is a subconscious living organism which strives to survive, grow and develop. Individual members of society express conscious intention in their words and acts, but these are only surface expressions of deeper subconscious drives that move the society-at-large. The consciousness of a true collective organism is not merely the sum of its individual parts, but acquires its own identifiable character and personality. This is why the USA has been able to assimilate such large numbers of immigrants, yet retain its distinctive (but constantly changing) national character. Immigrants are moved by the values of the collective to share in the national aspiration for greater individual freedom, practical organization and material progress. In a similar vein, the feverish collective behavior of the stock market, fashions and pop culture are subconscious social collectives that acquire their own distinct personalities.

Role of the Individual
Society has no direct means to give conscious expression to its subconscious collective aspirations and urges. That essential role is played by pioneering conscious individuals–visionary intellectuals, political leaders, entrepreneurs, artists and spiritual seekers who are inspired to express and achieve what the collective subconsciously aspires and is prepared for. Where the aspiration and action of the leader do not reflect the will of the collective, it is ignored or rejected. Where it gives expression to a deeply felt collective urge, it is endorsed, imitated, supported, and systematically propagated. This is most evident at times of war, social revolution or communal conflict.
India’s early freedom fighters consciously advocated the goal of freedom from British rule long before that goal had become a felt aspiration of the masses. The leaders spent decades urging a reluctant population to conceive of itself as a free nation and to aspire to achieve that dream. When finally the collective endorsed this conception, no foreign nation had the power to impose its will on the Indian people.

Process of value creation
During the World Academy of Art & Science’s meeting on development theory in Washington DC in May 1999, there was a broad consensus of participants that the formation of values was a critical aspect of the development process. In this paper, we propose to re-examine the process of development as a process of value formation.
If gross physical actions are the most visible and tangible form of human initiative, the creation of values is the most subtle and intangible. Yet human existence is powerfully determined by the nature of its values. Physical skills, vital attitudes, mental opinions and values represent a gradation of internal organizing principles that direct human energies and determine the course of individual and social development.
All human creative processes release and harness human energy and convert it into results. The process of skill formation involves acquiring mastery over our physical-nervous energies so that we can direct our physical movements in a precisely controlled manner. In the absence of skill, physical movements are clumsy, inefficient and unproductive, like the stumbling efforts of a child learning to walk.

Human beings acquire social behaviors in a similar manner. Here, apart from the physical skills required for communication and interaction with other people, vital attitudes are centrally important. Each social behavior expresses not just a movement, but an attitude and intention of the person. Acquiring social behaviors requires gaining control over our psychological energies and channeling them into acceptable forms of behavior. Change the attitude and the behavior changes. The developmental achievements of modern society are founded upon such intangible social attitudes as confidence in the government, trust in other people, tolerance and cooperation. Without such attitudes, our money would become valueless paper and our institutions would cease to function.

The same process takes place at the mental level. The mind’s energy naturally flows as thought in many different directions without any structure to contain or organize it. The acquisition of knowledge involves construction of a mental structure of understanding that is analogous to the structure of skills and attitudes that govern expression of our physical and vital energy. It forms an organizational framework for learning and application of what is learned.
Human values are formed by a similar process and act in a similar manner. Although the word is commonly used with reference to ethical and cultural principles, values are of many types. They may be physical (cleanliness, punctuality), organizational (communication, coordination), psychological (courage, generosity), mental (objectivity, sincerity), or spiritual (harmony, love, self-giving). Values are central organizing principles or ideas that govern and determine human behavior.

Unlike the skill or attitude that may be specific to a particular physical activity or social context, values tend to be more universal in their application. They express in everything we do. Values can be described as the essence of the knowledge gained by humanity from past experiences distilled from its local circumstances and specific context to extract the fundamental wisdom of life derived from these experiences. Values give direction to our thought processes, sentiments, emotional energies, preferences and actions.

Centuries of experience have been distilled by society into essential principles. Values such as hard work, sense of responsibility, integrity in human relations, tolerance and respect for others are not just noble ideas or ideals. They are pragmatic principles for accomplishment which society has learned and transmitted to successive generations as a psychological foundation for its further advancement. The values of a society are a crucial aspect of its people’s self-conception of what they want to become.

Because values are intangible to our senses and their formation is the result of a very long process, we tend to overlook their central role in development. Social values constitute the cultural infrastructure on which all further social development is based. In this sense, values are the ultimate product of past development and the ultimate determinant of its future course.

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Summary of social development principles
1. We define social development in its broadest social terms as an upward directional movement of society from lesser to greater levels of energy, efficiency, quality, productivity, complexity, comprehension, creativity, choice, mastery, enjoyment and accomplishment. Development of individuals and societies results in increasing freedom of choice and increasing capacity to fulfill its choices by its own capacity and initiative.

2. Growth and development usually go together, but they are different phenomena subject to different laws. Growth involves a horizontal or quantitative expansion and multiplication of existing types and forms of activities. Development involves a vertical or qualitative enhancement of the level of organization.

3. Social development is driven by the subconscious aspirations/will of society for advancement. The social will seeks progressive fulfillment of a prioritized hierarchy of needs – security of borders, law and order, self-sufficiency in food and shelter, organization for peace and prosperity, expression of excess energy in entertainment, leisure and enjoyment, knowledge, and artistic creativity.

4. Development of society occurs only in fields where that collective will is sufficiently strong and seeking expression. Development strategies will be most effective when they focus on identifying areas where the social will is mature and provide better means for the awakened social energy to express itself. Only those initiatives that are in concordance with this subconscious urge will gain momentum and multiply.

5. Development of the collective is subconscious. It starts with physical experience which eventually leads to conscious comprehension of the process. Conscious development based on conceptual knowledge of the social process accelerates development and minimizes errors and imbalances.

6. Society is the field of organized relationships and interactions between individuals. Only a small portion of human activity is organized for utilization by society, so only a small portion of development potential (of technology, knowledge, information, skills, systems) is tapped.

7. Every society possesses a huge reservoir of potential human energy that is absorbed and held static in its organized foundations—its cultural values, physical security, social beliefs and political structures. At times of transition, crises and opportunities, those energies are released and expressed in action. Policies, strategies and programs that tap this latent energy and channel it into constructive activities can stir an entire nation to action and rapid advancement.

8. The act is the basic unit of social organization. The evolution of more complex and productive activities woven together by people to form systems, organizations, institutions and cultural values constitute the fabric or web of social organization.

9. The essential nature of the development process is the progressive development of social organizations and institutions that harness and direct the society’s energies for higher levels of accomplishment. Society develops by organizing all the knowledge, human energies and material resources at its disposal to fulfill its aspirations.

10. The process of formation of organization takes place simultaneously at several levels: the organization of peace and physical security in society, the organization of physical activities and infrastructure, the organization of productive processes through the application of skills and technology in agriculture, industry and services, the organization of social processes we call systems, laws, institutions and administrative agencies, the organization of data as useful information, the organization of knowledge through education and science, and the organization of higher social and cultural values that channel human energy into higher forms of expression.

11. Each of these levels of organization admits of unlimited development. Each of these levels of organization depends upon and interacts with the others. Elevating the organization at any of these levels increases the utilization of resources and opportunities and accelerates development.

12. Development requires an enormous investment of energy to break existing patterns of social behavior and form new ones. Development takes place when surplus social energies accumulate beyond the level required for functioning at the present level. The social energy may be released in response to the opening up of a new opportunity or confrontation by a severe challenge.

Where different cultures meet and blend, explosive energies for social evolution are released.

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13. Expression of surplus energy through existing forms of activity may result in growth—a quantitative expansion of society at the existing level of organization. Channeling the surplus energy into more complex and effective forms of organized activity leads to development—a qualitative enhancement in the capabilities of the society. The fresh initiatives that lead to this qualitative enhancement usually occur first in the unorganized activities of society that are not constrained and encumbered by the inertia of the status quo.

14. The rate and extent of development is determined by prevalent social attitudes which control the flow of social energies. Where attitudes are not conducive, development strategies will not yield results. In this case the emphasis should be placed on strategies to bring about a change in social attitudes—such as public education, demonstration and encouragement of successful pioneers.

15. The social gradient between people at different levels of power and accomplishment in society represents a ‘voltage differential’ that stimulates less accomplished sections of the population to seek what the more accomplished have achieved. The urge to maintain this voltage gap compels those at the top to seek further accomplishments. At the same time, the overall development of society is determined by its ability to make accessible the privileges and benefits achieved by those at the top to the rest of its members.

16. Development proceeds rapidly in those areas where the society becomes aware of opportunities and challenges and has the will to respond to them. Increasing awareness accelerates the process.

17. Social progress is stimulated by pioneering individuals who first become conscious of new opportunities and initiate new behaviors and activities to take advantage of them. Pioneers are the lever or spearhead for collective advancement. Pioneers give conscious expression to the subconscious urges and readiness of the collective.

18. Development occurs when pioneering individual initiatives are imitated by others, multiplied and actively supported by the society. Society then actively organizes the new activity by establishing supportive laws, systems and institutions. At the next stage it integrates the new activity with other fields of activity and assimilates it into its educational system. The activity has become fully assimilated as part of the culture when it is passed on to the next generation as values through the family.

19. Development is a process, not a program. Development is an activity of the society as a whole. It can be stimulated, directed or assisted by government policies, laws and special programs, but it cannot be compelled or carried out by administrative or external agencies on behalf of the population. Development strategy should aim to release people’s initiative, not to substitute for it.

20. All resources are the creation of the human mind. Something becomes a resource when human beings recognize a productive or more productive use for it. Since there are no inherent limits to human inventiveness and resourcefulness, the potential productivity of any resource is unlimited.

21. Human beings are the ultimate resource and ultimate determinant of the development process. It is a process of people becoming more aware of their own creative potentials and taking initiative to realize those potentials. Human awareness, aspiration and attitudes determine society’s response to circumstances. Development occurs only at the points where humanity recognizes its power to determine results.

22. The development of social organization takes place within a larger evolutionary context in which the consciousness of humanity is evolving along a continuum from physical to vital to mental. This evolution expresses as a progressive shift in emphasis from material resources to technological and information resources; from the social importance of land to the importance of money and knowledge; from hereditary rights of the elite to fundamental rights for all human beings; from reliance on physical forms of authority to laws and shared values. As society advances along this continuum, development becomes more conscious and more rapid.

23. Infinity is a practical concept. Human potential is unlimited. Development potential is infinite.

24. The same principles and process govern development in different fields of social life – political, economic, technological, scientific, cultural, etc.

25. The same principles and process govern development at the level of the individual, the organization and the society.

Luthan Hotel & Spa, A Sanctuary for Women by Women

2008-05-23T23:24:00.000-07:00

Luthan Hotel & Spa. Dream For women in Saudi Arabia.

At the Kingdoms first and only women's Hotel and Spa; help you harness your hidden energies to reinvent a new you. In an environment that encourages maximum expression. Situated at Aread district a stones throw away from the Diplomatic Quarter and the heart of the city.
This urban retreat is the perfect sanctuary for the female traveler.
For a country that goes to such great lengths to segregate unrelated men and women, it took Saudi Arabia a long time to hit on the idea of women-only hotels.

Mission: To engage actively in the design and delivery of unique hospitality and change the way women see both the world of well being and the possibility of their own lives here in Saudi Arabia. At Luthan we make a differece.

Vision: An urban retreat for lifestyle change offering opportunities to learn healthier behaviours for personal and professional growth.
History: Luthan Health Spa
The conceptualisation of the Luthan Health Spa was the culmination of having lauched and successfully managed an elite bridal and banquet facility, the investors; all women discoverd that the city of Riyadh particular and the Kingdom at large lacked a full service residential Spa facility.

Luthan Hotel-A Boutique Experience
Boutique hotel offers the privacy of a home with personalized professional sevice. We aim to awaken your senses, arouse your well bieng,
with the luxurious surroundings of Riyadh's unsurpassed urban retreat. Luthan offers you a sactuary to retreat from the pressures of daily life.

Guest Room Fasilities:

Business Services.
Email & Internet available free in spa
internet cafe (subject to availability) Facsimile (Fax)
Mobile phone Rental
wireless Connection
Car Rental
#Airport pik-up and drop facility.
#Exclusive Luxury Bathroom Amenities.
#Mini Bar (soft drinks and collection of snacks).
#complimentary Local newspaper.
#tea and coffee making facilities.
#welcome drink.
#turn-down service.
#complimentary Breakfast served in the Restaurant "Cafe 7".
#Free use of Spa Health & Leisure facilities as follows:
- 10 am- 10 pm Saturday to wednesday.
- 10 am- 8 pm Thursday.

Dine differently at Luthan Spa

Ideally placed for views over the heart of the kingdom, take in the panorama of this vibrant city over a culinary delight. Luthan has developed a food art. Blending the finest of ingredients with the most innovative dishes for an unforgettable evening out.
Whether it is lunch, brunch, dinner or supper we bring you an unforgettable dining experience. Experience flavours from all over the world savour an outstanding explosion of taste and delectable aroma of a modern fusion of old classics.

For that special occasion and special event make the most of Saudi Arabia’s best kept secret. What could be better than sitting in our terrace with loved ones, enjoying a sumptuous meal drinking in the stunning vista of Riyadh at sunset. A feast for the senses.

Promote Positive Thinking

2008-05-22T06:58:00.000-07:00

The ultimate power of positive thinking is a cherished dream for many people around the world. Positive thinking means that you are allowing only those good, positive and constructive thoughts into your mind, and such thoughts may include words, images and perceptions, which are suitable for personal growth and prosperity and even general wellbeing. Positive thinking also allows you to think everything good about life and its results. If you have a positive thinking mind, youll always anticipate a happy life, peace, laughter, good health and financial success. It also means that you can unleash your mind to find whatever you want for your life. Positive thinking is incredibly powerful! Positive thinking has always been beneficial to us; when our attitude and behavior is positive, we allow only pleasant feelings and emotions and constructive images to work in our mind, and also visualize in our inner eye, what we really want from our life and how it should happen. Such an attitude will attract good things like an enhanced inner energy level, catchy manners, twinkling eyes and success. A person with positive thought will walk and talk in an upright manner without any hesitation. The ultimate body language shows a tremendous capacity to achieve all things, which are considered impossible in the normal course of life.Positive thoughts and positive people can not be avoided in manner, as in real life, they are highly contagious and infectious as well as confident. Positive thinking people are just like magnets, capable enough to attract other people to follow them and act like them. This is often so true when you stay with highly positive people for a month or two, and study their impeccable positive behavior. This is known to occur almost unknowingly in our subconscious mind, almost on a continuous mode. To create a turnaround to guide our mind towards positive thinking, we need makeshift work to change the way we think and act. Your old habits may never die and it is often very tough to get rid of your past baggage. Changing your old habits is also painful as you need to come out of your negative past and change the previous rules. You also need to begin thinking in terms of what you can do instead of what you can't do as this is a type of negative thinking and we surely will not achieve something which we have already decided is impossible or unnatainable by us.Visualization is one tool that may help you develop and strengthen your positive thinking process, and always visualize only beneficial situations, situations which you would like to occur in your life. You need to visualize that you already have achieved a particular goal. Imagine yourself with the extra money you need or the new car you desire. Always talk positive and develop positive manners. Another improvised method to develop positive thinking is the recitation of positive affirmations and self talk. This method can be used in conjunction with the visualization process, just to supplement the overall result.Positive affirmations are helpful because if you repeat them long enough, you will eventually believe what you recite and so will your subconcious mind which will help attract the things you think about most and desire most in life.

more........

Open your Third Eye

Many people had their third eye chakra closed thousands of years ago in order to protect them. It has not yet been fully re-awakened. The time is now! The third eye chakra is also the seat of our higher mental powers, and the seat of consciousness. Through this chakra we can access the non-physical realms, and it enhances abstract thought, concepts, intuition, clairvoyance, out-of-body experiences, original thought and so on.When the third eye chakra is more open, this enables you to connect more fully and dramatically to other dimensions and realities, to be clairvoyant (clear-seeing), and have greater clarity, wisdom and understanding. The time to reawaken your third eye is now!

Electricity for All - Access to power in Bangladesh

2008-05-20T23:43:00.000-07:00

Why do power sector problems persist in Bangladesh? What can be done to solve them? This report assesses the barriers to accelerated electrification - in particular the barriers to rural electrification – and puts forward practical recommendations. At the time of partition of India in 1947, the total generating capacity of East Bengal was a mere 21 megawatts (MW), all of it privately owned. A half-century later, in 2001, total installed capacity was an estimated 4555 MW – more than a 200-fold increase. This is an impressive achievement. By international standards, however, per capita consumption of electricity in Bangladesh remains extremely low.
The Bangladesh power sector faces several key problems:
• Load shedding and voltage variation.
• Operating Inefficiency.
• System loss.
• Unadjusted tariff structures and ineffective billing procedures.

Why do power sector problems persist in Bangladesh? What can be done to solve them? This report assesses the barriers to accelerated electrification ¬– in particular the barriers to rural electrification – and puts forward practical recommendations.

Recommendation One:

The REB should place a high priority on major expansion of power generation independent of the national transmission grid in off-grid areas.
One of the key factors slowing the rate of electrification in rural Bangladesh is the low quality of the electrical service supplied by the BPDB. The extent of load shedding and voltage irregularity complicates the task for PBSs in imposing tariff structures adequate for cost-recovery: customers strongly resist paying higher tariffs for an unreliable service. It also discourages applications for connections.
Power generation by the REB will indirectly aid the BPDB by lowering the demand by REB customers on BPDB generating capacity. Another benefit from any major expansion of the REB into power generation is that this will relieve pressure on the Government of Bangladesh from oil and gas companies to undertake gas exports. Such exports are not in the best long run economic interest of Bangladeshis and are politically unpopular among the majority. Besides other considerations, institutional reform of the power sector is a must to counter the arguments for export.

Recommendation Two

Establish a regulatory regime capable of assuring appropriate tariffs throughout the REB/PBS network.
The critical point in expanding rural electrification hinges on the ability and willingness of customers to pay.
Significant private investment may not be forthcoming unless the REB can credibly assure investors that they will be able to recover their costs over the lifetime of the projects. If the PBSs substitute power generated by IPPs for power previously purchased from the BPDB at preferential rates, average tariffs charged may need to be adjusted. Raising tariffs will not be easy, but it is important that individual PBSs realise financial self-sufficiency in the long-run.

Recommendation Three

Initiate a more sophisticated relationship between the REB and the PBSs: allow those PBSs that are competent more autonomy and take under temporary trusteeship those with particularly poor financial records.
Given current energy sector trends and advances in generation technology over the past two decades that have allowed smaller generation plants to become economic, it may well be that further decentralisation – in the sense of the REB yielding more financial and managerial power to the mature PBSs – is now required and desirable.
The financially healthy PBSs with positive margins are a valuable source of managerial competence in the Bangladesh power sector. Their role could be expanded. They should be granted greater financial autonomy, and encouraged to undertake more ambitious projects, such as contracting with IPPs, redesigning their tariff structures so as to increase connections, and improving service quality for customer-members.

Recommendation Four
Extend micro-credit to households for the financing of investments in electrical access.
If the rural poor are willing and able to pay electricity tariffs, but are held back by an inability to finance a connection, this represents a policy failure. Either the REB or an existing micro-credit organisation (such as the Grameen Bank or BRAC) should extend credit, with appropriate loan guarantees.

Recommendation Five
Consider various forms of distributed generation alongside grid extension when electrifying a new area. Given that the REB has followed a policy of connecting the most economically attractive areas first, further expansion of service will be to increasingly remote areas with weak loads. Decentralised alternatives such as diesel, biomass, solar and wind may be cheaper than grid extension in these areas, and should be considered as part of the planning process.

Promoting a positive achievement attitude with gifted and talented students

2008-04-23T21:49:00.000-07:00

Why one gifted student achieves while another does not remains an enigma. Although the underachievement of gifted students has been the subject of much inquiry and debate, very few controlled studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of specific interventions designed to reverse that underachievement. As we define the national educational agenda of the 21st century, "student achievement is of great interest to ... national policy makers because it is so closely correlated with the productive skills students eventually bring to the labor market" . The underachievement of gifted students represents a loss of valuable human resources for the nation, as well as an unrealized fulfillment for the individual. Determining why some high-ability students demonstrate low levels of achievement is difficult because underachievement occurs for many different reasons.

Causes of Underachievement
The underachievement of bright students occurs for one of three basic reasons:
1. An apparent underachievement problem masks more serious physical, cognitive, or emotional issues such as learning disabilities, attention deficits, emotional disturbances, psychological disorders, or other health impairments. In this case, the treatment of academic underachievement should be secondary to the treatment of the primary disorder.
2. The underachievement is symptomatic of a mismatch between the student and his or her school environment .
3. The underachievement results from a personal characteristic such as low self-motivation, low self-regulation, or low self-efficacy .

Personal Characteristics Associated With Underachievement
Here we focus on underachievement resulting from the personal characteristics of the student. However, we acknowledge that academic underachievement can sometimes be indicative of a more serious physical, mental, or emotional issue.
The results of an analysis suggested that gifted underachievers differed from achievers on four factors: attitudes toward teachers, attitudes toward school, goal valuation, and motivation/self-regulation. The results of a multidimensional scaling analysis suggested two separate profiles of gifted underachievers: One set of underachievers valued school goals and displayed near-average self-reported motivation/self-regulation, but reported negative attitudes toward teachers and school, while another set displayed positive attitudes toward teachers and school, but did not value school goals and reported low motivation/self-regulation.

Personal Characteristics Associated With Achievement: An Avenue for Intervention
Knowing that the factors listed above differentiate gifted underachievers from gifted achievers and underachievers from each other provides researchers with a possible new line of inquiry: designing interventions to change students' attitudes and perceptions in the hope of reversing their patterns of underachievement. Guidance for the design of such interventions comes from research in the field of educational psychology on four characteristics of achievers: self-efficacy, environmental perceptions, goal orientation, and self-regulation. Generally, achievers are self-efficacious. They have high academic self-perceptions and they believe that they have the ability to perform well . Second, they trust their academic environment and expect that they can succeed in it. They expect that this environment is conducive to their performance of academic tasks and they have positive attitudes toward their teachers and school. Third, they find school meaningful . They enjoy school or believe that what they are doing in school will produce beneficial outcomes for them. Finally, they implement self-regulating strategies where they set realistic expectations and implement appropriate strategies to complete their goals successfully.

Self-Efficacy
Students develop confidence in many ways, and those who are confident about their skills are more likely to engage in a variety of activities. The perceptions students have about their skills influence the types of activities they select, how much they challenge themselves at those activities, and the persistence they exhibit once they are involved . This is true for activities ranging from participation in sports and music, to school achievement.
For those who suffer from low self-confidence, suggested the following strategies to increase self-efficacy. Students who have been successful in the past are more likely to believe they will be successful in the future. The adage "Success breeds success" generally holds true for self-efficacy. To develop self-efficacy in students, educators and parents can help them recognize their successes and growth in specific areas. Rewards can also increase students' self-efficacy when they are tied to specific accomplishments . When teachers give students opportunities to revise their work, they promote efficacious behavior.
Teacher compliments should be specific to the skills students are acquiring. A specific compliment, such as, "You really know how to calculate area," provides more information to a student than a general comment, such as, "Good job." Feedback linking successes with ability is more effective if the feedback is provided early in the students' performance.
Teachers must continually raise the academic hurdle for students who have shown mastery of specific skills or content. Again, gifted students are often repeatedly forced to show mastery of the same concepts and skills, and this constant repetition may sabotage a bright student's self-efficacy. Teachers who help promote self-efficacious learners consistently provide students with challenging assignments, offer specific praise for students accomplishments, and grant opportunities for students to revise their work.

Environmental Perception
We hypothesize that students' perceptions of their environment play an important role in their achievement motivation. Students who view their environment as friendly and reinforcing may be more likely to demonstrate achievement-oriented behaviors. Phrases such as, "My teacher doesn't like me," or, "I can't learn this way," may be indicators that students do not view their learning environment as friendly or that they have developed a belief that their efforts do not affect outcomes.
Our belief in the importance of environmental perceptions is inspired by current states of knowledge in a variety of educational arenas. Underachievers appear to display negative attitudes toward school; achievers, on the other hand, tend to be interested in learning and to have positive attitudes toward school.
In order to be successful within a system or organization, a student must possess certain prerequisite skills. First, the student must understand the system; second, he or she must fit into the system; finally, he or she must master the system.
A second area of concern is how teachers relate to gifted students in their classes. Rather than appreciating the special gifts and talents these students exhibit, some teachers are threatened by the presence of gifted students in their classroom. Therefore, in some situations, underachievement may represent a coping strategy whereby students strive to adapt to an anti-intellectual school environment.

Goals
Children's goals and achievement values affect their self-regulation and motivation because goals influence how children approach, engage in, and respond to achievement tasks . When students value the goals of the school, they will be more likely to engage in academics, expend more effort on their schoolwork, and become achievers.
Attainment value is the importance students attach to the task as it relates to their conception of their identity and ideals. Providing students with role models who value academic achievement may be one way to increase attainment value.
Utility value is how the task relates to future goals. While students may not enjoy an activity, they may value a later reward or outcome it produces. The activity must be integral to their vision of their future.
This approach specifically targeted student strengths and interests and helped reverse academic underachievement in over half of the sample. Emerick also found that gifted underachievers responded well to interventions that focused on individual strengths and interests.

Self-Regulation
Self-regulation describes students' organization skills and attitude in executing tasks. For self-regulation to occur, a student must have both choice and control. Often, gifted students are not given the control over their own learning that would enable them to demonstrate their capability for self-regulatory processes.
Self-regulatory skills are more likely to be internalized when they are needed to solve the problem at hand. An obvious solution to the problem is to provide gifted students with an academically challenging curriculum early and throughout their school careers.
When teachers incorporate formal and informal preassessments into the classroom, gifted students benefit in several ways. First, students have the opportunity to demonstrate mastery of content and skills before they are taught and work at a more appropriate level, creating a need for the student to use more self-regulatory strategies in order to be successful. Second, students learn to assess what they know and do not know, which helps to develop their self-monitoring skills. Finally, the students become more actively engaged in the learning process as they begin to see the connection between classroom activities and skill development.
In summary, using programs to develop gifted students' self-regulatory skills will be more successful when the students can show mastery of prior learning and practice developing self-regulatory skills in the context of new learning.

Conclusion
No single intervention will work with all gifted underachievers. Just as gifted underachievers differ from gifted achievers, gifted underachievers differ from each other. Discovering how the personal factors discussed in this paper interact with each other and the extent to which they influence the achievement of gifted students will provide fertile areas for future research. Research and pedagogy within the fields of educational psychology and gifted education can enhance our efforts to create positive achievement environments for gifted children.

DEPRESSION? No Tension. 5 Ways to Fight Depression

2008-04-18T23:11:00.000-07:00

"If you feel depressed, it's best to do something about it — depression doesn't just go away on its own. In addition to getting help from a doctor or therapist, here are 5 things you can do to feel better."

1. Exercise:

Take a 15- to 30-minute brisk walk every day — or dance, jog, or bike if you prefer. People who are depressed may not feel much like being active. But make yourself do it anyway (ask a friend to exercise with you if you need to be motivated). Once you get in the exercise habit, it won't take long to notice a difference in your mood.
In addition to getting aerobic exercise, some yoga poses can help relieve feelings of depression. Try downward-facing dog or legs-up-the-wall pose (you can find these poses on yoga websites). Two other aspects of yoga — breathing exercises and meditation — can also help people with depression feel better.

2. Nurture yourself with good nutrition :

Depression can affect appetite. One person may not feel like eating at all, but another might overeat. If depression has affected your eating, you'll need to be extra mindful of getting the right nourishment. Proper nutrition can influence a person's mood and energy. So eat plenty of fruits and vegetables and get regular meals (even if you don't feel hungry, try to eat something light, like a piece of fruit, to keep you going).

3. Identify troubles, but don't dwell on them :

Try to identify any situations that have contributed to your depression. When you know what's got you feeling blue and why, talk about it with a caring friend. Talking is a way to release the feelings and to receive some understanding. If there's no one to tell, pouring your heart out to a journal works just as well.Once you air out these thoughts and feelings, turn your attention to something positive. Take action to solve problems. Ask for help if you need it. Feeling connected to friends and family can help relieve depression. (It may also help them feel there's something they can do instead of just watching you hurt.)

4. Express yourself :

With depression, a person's creativity and sense of fun may seem blocked. By exercising your imagination (painting, drawing, doodling, sewing, writing, dancing, composing music, etc.) you not only get those creative juices flowing, you also loosen up some positive emotions. Take time to play with a friend or a pet, or do something fun for yourself. Find something to laugh about — a funny movie, perhaps. Laughter helps lighten your mood.

5. Look on the bright side :

Depression affects a person's thoughts, making everything seem dismal, negative, and hopeless. If depression has you noticing only the negative, make an effort to notice the good things in life. Try to notice one thing, then try to think of one more. Consider your strengths, gifts, or blessings. Most of all, don't forget to be patient with yourself. Depression takes time to heal.

For more information, check out these articles:
Depression
Can I Get Over Depression Without Taking Medication?
Going to a Therapist
Talking to Your Parents - or Other Adults
Why Exercise Is Wise
Nutrition & Fitness Center

THE MOST POPULAR COX'S BAZAR TOURS

2008-04-16T04:16:00.000-07:00

Human mind is always being changed. For this reason now a days most of the travelers don’t want to visit famous towns living at luxurious hotels. Now they prefer to visit natural area to enjoy their holiday or vacations. Cox’s Bazar is the place where you can get similarly both.

Cox's Bazar is one of the most attractive tourist spots & the longest sea beach in the world (approx. 120 km long from Cox's Bazar to Teknaf). Miles of golden sands, surfing waves, rare conch shells, colorful pagodas, Buddhist temples and tribes, delightful seafood--this is Cox's Bazar, the tourist capital of Bangladesh.

Visit Cox's Bazar SEASHORE
World's longest and least-crowded sea-beaches, incredible 120 km in length! If you like, You will get Variety of water related adventure or relax and enjoy the scenery. For shopping there are Handicraft Villages, Burmese Stores, Pearl village etc. in seashore area in Cox's Bazar town.

Visit RAMU
Historical Ramu has a glorious ancient times for art & craft, lots of symbol of Buddhist cultural heritage still call attention to the Foreigners and Bangladeshi visitors.

Visit St.MARTIN Island
It's natural charming attractions to make you interested for vacation trip once again if you are keenly desirous to enjoy real natural environment.

Visit SAFARI PARK Dulahazara
It is situated beside Cox's Bazar to Chittagong Highway. In this park there are many kinds of animals and birds, there are fine garden, lake inside the park.

Visit HIMCHARI
Stretching along the beach, this place is a picnic and shooting center. It is about 10 kilometers from Cox's Bazar. Here lies the famous "Broken hills". There are also some water falls in Himchari. Transport available from labonee beach jeep stands.

Visit INANI
About 20 kilometers from Cox's Bazar. The beach at INANI is more than 600 feet wide at high tide and nearly 1000 feat at low tide. This beach is good for bathing and swimming. As the sun rises over the hilltops. The beaches Inani and Himchari and other points are transformed into a colorful and fascinating panorama. Transport available from labonee sea beach stands.

Visit TEKNAF
Southern tip of Bangladesh, About 100 kilometers from Cox's Bazar. The NAF river flows gently down to the Bay of Bengal. Only 5 kilometers further south and on the other side of the river lies Myanmer (Burma). The NETONG hill in the middle. Teknaf is very popular with visitors for its matchless scenic beauty. During the winter, a brive from Cox's Bazar to Teknaf along the beach is an enchanting experience.

Visit SONIADIA Island
This island is about 9 kilometers from Cox's Bazar. During the winter months, it serves the purpose of a base for deep-sea fishing. Thousands of fishermen then set up temporary camps on the island to catch sea fish and to process dried fish. There are pearl oyster beds in this island. Transport available from kochtura ghat.

Visit MOHESKHALI Island
This island is about 9 kilometers from Cox's Bazar. There is a famous shiva temple at a place called Adinath in this island. This temple was built about two hundred years ago. A week-long fair is held here every year during the month of february. Thousands of Hindu pilgrims from all over the country and also from India assemble at the fair. Transport available from kochtura ghat.

Health in Bangladesh

2008-04-14T21:30:00.000-07:00

"Bangladesh and its people are rapidly changing and in quite a few ways for the better. The very negative image that Bangladesh acquired in the 1970’s has become much more balanced. The country is gradually becoming known for innovations such as micro-credit and oral rehydration solution treatment of diarrhoea as well as for successful mass campaigns such as family planning."

In such a dynamic context the overview of the current situation, early 2003, is therefore bound to be incomplete, open for discussion and will soon be dated. Nevertheless, at a glance, the following can be said about Bangladesh as of the end of 2002.
In December 2002 the total population of Bangladesh stands at over 133 million (Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics 2001). This is considerably less than even the lowest predictions a few decades ago. However, in spite of all development efforts, half of these 133 million people still live under the international poverty line. They have to make ends meet on less than one US $ per day. Half of those poor even live in absolute poverty, earning not even enough to buy enough food-grain to maintain healthy bodies.
In addition to these few ‘facts’, below is a brief listing of some of the achievements over the last few decades as well as a highlight of the main concerns. Furthermore the position of women and of the Christian community and NGOs is dealt with briefly.

Achievements
The "Bangladesh National Strategy for Economic Growth and Poverty Reduction" (ERD 2002) (B-NSEGPR) mentions 7 achievements (following (Akash 2002)) :

#A reduction of the acute deprivation in terms of food and income
#Increased access of the poor, both boys and girls, to education and health services
#An increase in the real wages of rural labourers
#Increased access of the poor to micro credit
#Volume of remittances from abroad has increased
#Non-farm employment opportunities have increased
#The role of women entrepreneurs in rural areas has increased.
In addition various other sources indicate clear progress in the following areas: a reduction in the number of the poorest households, i.e., without even homestead land from 2% in 1983-84 to 0.91% in 1996 (Toufique and Turton 2002 17), an increase in the awareness and mobility of women, both in rural areas due to the work of NGOs and in urban areas due to the commercial sector, particularly the Ready Made Garments (RMG) industry, a considerable improvement in Human Development Indicators (ERD 2002 5) and a decrease in the real price of food grains (Islam 2002 12).

NGO programs on the other hand often fail to reach the poorest of the poor. The design of their programs require people to have at least a place to live, an address, and often more as well such as the initiative (and time) to join a group and attend meetings, a minimal level of savings, of skills to make use of credit etc.

Remaining Challenges
While there is general consensus about these positive developments, there is another side to the coin; failure and backsliding. The B-NSEGPR lists 16 ‘failures’:
#The law and order situation has deteriorated extremely
#The vulnerability of the poor and the weak has increased enormously
#The rule of local musclemen has increased very much
#The administration in general and law enforcing agencies in particular are not accountable
#Political parties recruit school dropouts and engage them in terrorism
#The poor are disorganized and not aware of their rights
#Local government institutions lack power and accountability
#Local level health services are of poor quality
#The public/private dual education system enhances inequality
#Many government services are in a deplorable condition
#The standard of agricultural extension services is low
#There is little coordination between the various GoB agencies, as well as NGOs and CBOs
#Rural inequalities, in particular the rural-urban gap is increasing
#Politics has become polarized and conflict oriented
#Rural savings and other groups have not been able to unite and form federations
#The poor have little or no voice in policy formulation at local, regional or national level.

Overall Bangladesh has done relatively well on the human development front, but poorly in the field of reducing income-poverty. For instance Bangladesh’s achievements in the area of reducing income poverty must be seen against the achievements in neighbouring countries:
"During the period between early eighties and early nineties, the incidence of income-poverty declined by 0.8 per cent per year in Bangladesh compared with 1.9 per cent for India, 1.4 per cent in Pakistan and 3.6 per cent in Sri Lanka" (ERD 2002 3).
Finally the economic growth of Bangladesh, currently at around 5%, is considerably lower than the potential of 7-8% (World Bank 1998 111). In addition, because of the rather unequal distribution of the economic growth that has been achieved, much remains to be done if the poor are to reap the minimal benefits of being citizens of the "Golden Bengal".

The Position of Women
Women in Bangladesh still suffer disproportionately more from poverty than men. The long term and lasting impact of this is nowhere as clear as in the number of men and women alive in the country. As of 2001 there were 103.8 men for every 100 women in Bangladesh (Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics 2001 5). This is better than the even higher ratio of 105.9 in the 1991 census (Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics 2001 24). Nevertheless these figures still indicate that in Bangladesh women die in much larger numbers than in industrialized countries and that much work remains to be done. Poverty affects both more women than men and affects women worse than men. As the B-NSEGPR states:

"Notwithstanding the general improvement in the child nutritional status over the nineties, the female disadvantage in malnutrition continues not only to persist, but has also increased over the period. The HDS for 1996/97 and 1999/00 show that girls are more likely to be stunted and underweight than boys. The female-male gap for the severely stunted (percentage below –3 SD) increased from 10 per cent in 1996/97 to 16 per cent in 1999/00. Similarly, the gap for the severely underweight (percentage below –3 SD) increased from 19 per cent to 26 per cent over the same period. The gender inequality is sharper in case of severe malnutrition compared with moderate malnutrition—a striking similarity to what has been observed with respect to greater feminization of extreme poverty." (ERD 2002 13)

Of particular concern are female-headed households, of which 95% live below the poverty line (DFID 1998 2).
The Human Development Survey 2000 shows considerable sex differential in the rate of incidence of a disease case, with women being ill 11% more often than men (ibid, 12). In the last few years the enrolment of girls in primary and junior secondary schooling equals that of boys, or even surpasses it (with older girls making up for what they missed at a younger age). However, at higher secondary (age 16-20) and tertiary (age 21+) level girls are still lagging behind considerably.

The programs of NGO to help women get organized in groups and the RMG industry are also contributing to women taking a higher profile in public life. Their involvement in these activities is often a stepping stone on the way to availing the reserved or even contested seats created in representative institutions.

The prevailing bias against women is also clearly visible in the lack of women in positions of authority. In all but a few institutions, both governmental and non-governmental and in the commercial sector there are far more men than women.This is the more surprising because women are the prime target group of these NGOs.

Crocodile, Survived Great Extinction Events.

2008-04-12T22:47:00.000-07:00

A crocodile is any species belonging to the family Crocodylidae (sometimes classified instead as the subfamily Crocodylinae). The term can also be used more loosely to include all members of the order Crocodilia: i.e. the true crocodiles, the alligators and caimans (family Alligatoridae) and the gharials (family Gavialidae), or even the Crocodylomorpha which includes prehistoric crocodile relatives and ancestors. Crocodiles are large aquatic reptiles that live throughout the tropics in Africa, Asia, the Americas and Australia. Crocodiles tend to congregate in freshwater habitats like rivers, lakes, wetlands and sometimes in brackish water. They feed mostly on vertebrates like fish, reptiles, and mammals, sometimes on invertebrates like mollusks and crustaceans, depending on species. They are an ancient lineage, and are believed to have changed little since the time of the dinosaurs. They are believed to be 200 million years old whereas dinosaurs became extinct 65 million years ago: crocodiles survived great extinction events.

Age
There is no reliable way of measuring crocodile age, although several techniques are used to derive a reasonable guess. The most common method is to measure lamellar growth rings in bones and teeth - each ring corresponds to a change in growth rate which typically occurs once a year between dry and wet seasons. Bearing these inaccuracies in mind, the oldest crocodilians appear to be the largest species. C. porosus is estimated to live around 70 years on average, and there is limited evidence that some individuals may exceed 100 years. One of the oldest crocodiles recorded died in a zoo in Russia. A male freshwater crocodile at the Australia Zoo is estimated to be 130 years old.

Size
Size greatly varies between species, from the dwarf crocodile to the enormous saltwater crocodile. Species of Palaeosuchus and Osteolaemus grow to an adult size of just 1 to 1.5 m. Larger species can reach over 5m (16 ft) long and weigh well over 1200 kg (2,640 lb). Crocodilians show pronounced sexual dimorphism with males growing much larger and more rapidly than females. Despite their large adult size, crocodiles start their life at around 20 cm (8 inches) long. The largest species of crocodile is the saltwater crocodile, found in northern Australia and throughout south-east Asia.
The largest recorded crocodile is a giant saltwater crocodile measured at 8.6 meters (28.2 feet) and 1352 kg weight (2870 lb) shot in Sumatra, Indonesia in 1978. The largest living crocodile known is a 7.1 m (25.3 ft) long saltwater crocodile, in Orissa, India.

Etymology
The crocodile gets its name from the Greeks who observed them in the River Nile. The Greeks called them krokodilos, a compound word from kroke, which means "pebble" and drilos, which means "worm". To the Greeks, this "worm of the stones" was so named because of the crocodiles habit of basking in the sun on gravel-covered river banks.

Biology and behaviour
Crocodiles are ambush hunters, waiting for fish or land animals to come close, then rushing out to attack. As cold-blooded predators, they are lethargic, therefore survive long periods without food, and rarely need to actively go hunting. Despite their slow appearance, crocodiles are top predators in their environment, and various species have been observed attacking and killing sharks.[8] A famous exception is the Egyptian Plover which is said to enjoy a symbiotic relationship with the crocodile. According to unauthenticated reports, the plover feeds on parasites that infest the crocodile's mouth and the reptile will open its jaws and allow the bird to enter to clean out the mouth (Richford and Mead 2003).
Many large crocodilians swallow stones (called gastroliths or stomach stones) and they are believed to be of use in acting as ballast to balance their body. Other suggestions have been made that they may have a function similar to that of grit in birds, which is in crushing food.
Salt glands are present in the tongues of most crocodylids and they have a pore opening on the surface of the tongue. They appear to be similar to those in marine turtles, however these seems to be absent in Alligatoridae.
Crocodilians can produce sounds during distress and in agressive displays. They can also hear well and the tympanic membranes are concealed by flat flaps that may be raised or lowered by muscles.
Crocodiles eat fish, birds, mammals and occasionally smaller crocodiles.

Danger to humans
The larger species of crocodiles are very dangerous to humans. The main danger that crocodiles pose is not their ability to run after a person but their ability to strike before the person can react. The Saltwater and Nile Crocodiles are the most dangerous, killing hundreds of people each year in parts of south-east Asia and Africa. Mugger crocodiles and possibly the endangered Black Caiman, are also very dangerous to humans. American alligators are less aggressive and rarely assault humans without provocation. The most deaths in a single crocodile attack incident may have occurred during the Battle of Ramree Island, on February 19, 1945, in Burma.

Crocodile products
Crocodile leather can be made into goods such as wallets, briefcases, purses, belts and hats. Crocodile is consumed in some countries such as Australia, Ethiopia, Thailand, South Africa and also Cuba (in pickled form). It can also be found in specialty restaurants in some parts of the United States. The meat is white and its nutritional composition compares favourably with that of other meats. It does tend to have a slightly higher cholesterol level than other meats. Crocodile meat has a delicate flavour and its taste can be complemented by the use of marinades. Choice cuts of meat include backstrap and tail fillet.

My Health :Human growth hormone (HGH): Does it slow aging process?

2008-04-10T03:06:00.000-07:00

Your body naturally makes growth hormone to help fuel growth during your childhood and to help maintain your tissues and organs throughout your life. Beginning in your 40s, your pituitary gland — the pea-sized structure at the base of your brain where growth hormone is made — slowly reduces the amount of the hormone it produces.
Some people believe the dwindling level of growth hormone is responsible for the frailty that typically comes with getting older. And that's prompted some who are concerned about growing old and losing independence to turn to injections of synthetic human growth hormone (HGH) to stave off the realities of old age. But there's little evidence to suggest human growth hormone is the Fountain of Youth.
Who needs to take human growth hormone?
Synthetic human growth hormone is available only by prescription and is administered through an intramuscular injection. It's currently approved to treat adults with true growth hormone deficiency — not the expected decline in growth hormone due to aging. Growth hormone deficiency can be caused by pituitary tumors and radiation or surgery to the pituitary gland, among other causes.
Human growth hormone is also approved for:
Children with short stature
Children with kidney failure
Children with Prader-Willi syndrome
Children with Turner's syndrome
Muscle wasting associated with AIDS and HIV
Studies of adults with growth hormone deficiencies show that injections of human growth hormone can:
Increase bone density
Increase muscle mass
Decrease body fat
Bolster the heart's ability to contract
Improve mood and motivation
Increase exercise capacity
Because of those results, some people believe that synthetic human growth hormone can help healthy older adults who have naturally low levels of growth hormone regain some of their youth and vitality.
What can human growth hormone do for healthy older adults who don't need it?
Studies of healthy older adults taking human growth hormone are limited. Many involve a small number of people followed for a short period of time. The studies that have been conducted have found that human growth hormone injections can increase muscle mass and reduce the amount of body fat in healthy older adults.
That increase in muscle doesn't translate into increased strength. Though the study participants gained muscle, they weren't any stronger. One study compared older men who took human growth hormone with older men who went through strength training programs. The bottom line: Strength training can increase both your muscle mass and your strength, making it cheaper and more effective than taking human growth hormone.
It isn't clear whether human growth hormone can provide other benefits, such as increased bone density and improved mood, to healthy adults. Most of the research into human growth hormone has focused on people with true growth hormone deficiencies.
Are there any risks to taking human growth hormone if you don't need it?
Taking human growth hormone can cause a number of side effects, including:
Swelling in your arms and legs
Arthritis-like symptoms
Carpal tunnel symptoms
Headaches
Bloating
Muscle pain
Diabetes
Abnormal growth of bones and internal organs
Hardening of the arteries
High blood pressure
Some evidence shows that side effects of human growth hormone treatments may be more likely in older adults than in younger adults. Also, because the studies of healthy adults taking human growth hormone have been short term, it isn't clear whether these side effects could eventually dissipate or become worse. For instance, though human growth hormone produced arthritis-like symptoms, it isn't clear if this would progress into arthritis. More study is needed.

Lee Kuan Yew, Architect of the century.

2008-04-09T21:18:00.000-07:00

" Kuan Yew, means "the light that shines far and wide". Architect of the century. 50 Most Powerful men in Asia Guru of Asian values, architect of Singapore's development. Still sought after for advice and comment. "

Lee Kuan Yew
Lee Kuan Yew was born in Singapore on September 16, 1923. He studied at Raffles Institution and Raffles College, and proceeded to Cambridge to read law. After graduating in 1949 with a double First Class Honours and a star for "special distinction", he returned to Singapore to practice law at a well known firm, Laycock and Ong.
Lee emerged as the top Malayan boy in the Senior Cambridge examinations. At the age of 19, his studies were interrupted by the Japanese invasion. After the war, he took law at Cambridge University, where he scored a double first (first-class honors in two subjects) in law.

Political career
In November 1954, led by young Lee, a group of British-educated, middle-class Chinese who had returned to Singapore in the early 1950s after studying in Britain formed the People's Action Party. The party sought to attract a following among the mostly poor and non-English-speaking masses.
Lee became the first offically elected Prime Minister of Singapore. He stayed in office from 1959 to 1990, when he voluntarily stepped down from office to let a group of second-generation leaders take over the running of the government.
Lee's intellect and energy shaped bold -- and often uncompromising -- responses to the challenges of wresting rule from the British and building a nation. His government sought to build a multiracial and multilingual society that would be unified by a sense of a unique "Singaporean identity".
During Lee's long rule, Singapore experienced remarkable economic growth and diversification. In addition to enhancing its position as a world trade centre, it has developed powerful financial and industrial sectors. Singapore has the most advanced economy in Southeast Asia. An island of 600 square kilometres, with three million people, it is the ninth richest country in per capita terms today.
Even in his graying years, the founding prime minister of Singapore wields very strong influence. He is regarded as virtually a national institution at home. Governments elsewhere solicit his advice on development, and his insights on a changing world, particularly the rise of Asia, are widely respected.
The story of how Lee transformed Singapore is a fascinating one because no other leader in the modern world has had such a hand in influencing and directing his country's progress from independence to developed nation status the way he has. None has straddled the two worlds with as much success: the revolutionary world in the first half of this century for independence from empire, and the development world in the second half for wealth and progress.
That Singapore is a success today and the success is largely attributable to Lee, there can be few doubts, even among his most severe critics.

Prospects for Democracy
The purpose of this paper has been to demonstrate the extent to which Lee Kuan
Yew and other Singaporean leaders have conceptualised politics, and acted in them, as
Machiavelli would have recommended. By creating a continuity between Lee’s
ideological premise of Asian values and the notion of Virtù in Machiavelli’s works, it
has been asserted that both men rejected the predominant worldview of their time, in
favour of another value system which they deemed more suitable for politics. Asian
values and Virtù have also been shown to intrinsically have much in common.
Subsequently were explored the points of convergence between the meathods of
Singapore’s PAP government in maintaining control of the opposition and the people,
and Machiavelli’s observations and counsels. A perfect correlation can never exist, but
it is hoped that by now there has emerged a clear picture of the Machiavellian imprint
on Singapore’s politics.

Lee Kuan Yew's Fabian Phase
Lee Kuan Yew, was undoubtedly genuine in his belief in Fabian socialism in his university days, but there has been very little detailed attention paid to the later development and eventual abandonment of his socialist ideas, or his attitude to the welfare state. This article explores the conflicts and paradoxes in Lee's own accounts of his early socialism and argues that Lee never intended to build a welfare state in Singapore, Malaya or Malaysia, but that despite the apparent contradiction, he regarded himself genuinely as a socialist in the early years of the People's Action Party (PAP) government. The basis for this conclusion is four-fold: a study of Lee's reminiscences of his ‘socialist youth’; a study of the politics of the major welfare issue facing the first PAP Government; a brief examination of the PAP's record during the period of Singapore's membership of Malaysia, and; a study of Lee's statements regarding socialism and welfarism at the time. The article also considers the relationship between Lee's socialism and British and Chinese socialism.

Mahathir Bin Mohamad

2008-04-09T04:24:00.000-07:00

This is a Malay name; the name "Mohamad" is a patronymic, not a family name, and the person should be referred to by his or her given name, "Mahathir".

Tun Dr. Mahathir bin Mohamad was the fourth Prime Minister of Malaysia. He held the post for 22 years from from 1981 to 2003, making him Malaysia's longest-serving Prime Minister, and one of the longest-serving leaders in Asia. During his term in office, he was credited for engineering Malaysia's rapid modernization and promoting non-individualistic "Asian values". Tun Mahathir is also known for his criticisms of western and developed countries,
During this administration, he is considered as one of Asia's most influential leaders. Mahathir is also noted in the Western world as an outspoken critic of Western civilization

Personal
Mahathir was born on December 20, 1925, in Alor Star, the capital of the northern state of Kedah. His father was a school teacher of Indian origin, having migrated from the southern state of Kerala, while his mother was a Malay; Mahathir generally associates himself with a Malay ethnic identity. During World War II, he sold pisang goreng (banana fritters) and other snacks to supplement his family income during the Japanese occupation of Malaya.
Mahathir attended a Malay vernacular school before continuing his education at the Sultan Abdul Hamid College in Alor Star. Mahathir then attended the King Edward VII Medical College in Singapore, where he edited a medical student magazine called The Cauldron; he also contributed to the The Straits Times newspaper anonymously under the nickname "Che Det". Mahathir was also President of the Muslim Society in the college. Upon graduation in 1953, Mahathir joined the then Malayan government service as a medical officer. He married Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali—a fellow doctor and former classmate in college—on 5 August 1956, and left government service in 1957 to set up his own private practice in Alor Star. Mahathir thrived in private practice, and allowed him to own by 1959 a Pontiac Catalina and employ an ethnic Chinese chauffeur (at the time, almost all chauffeurs in Malaysia were Malays, owing to the economic dominance of the ethnic Chinese). Some critics have suggested this foreshadowed a later hallmark of Mahathir's politics, which focused on the "cultivation of such emblems of power".

Political career
Active in politics since 1945, beginning with his involvement in the Anti-Malayan Union Campaign, Mahathir joined the United Malays National Organization (UMNO) at its inception in 1946. As State Party Chairman, and Chairman of the Political Committee, he inadvertently angered some quarters with his proposal that the selection of candidates be based on certain qualifications for the 1959 general election. Hurt by accusations that he was scheming to put up candidates who were strongly allied to him, Mahathir refused to take part in the national election that year.
In the third general election of 1964, Mahathir was elected Member of Parliament for Kota Setar Selatan defeating the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party's (PAS) candidate with a 60.2% majority. He lost the seat in the following general election in 1969 by a mere 989 votes to PAS's candidate, Haji Yusoff Rawa after he categorically declared that he did not need Chinese votes to win.
Following the race riots of 13 May 1969, Mahathir was sacked from the UMNO Supreme Council on 12 July, following his widespread distribution to the public of his letter to Tunku Abdul Rahman, the Prime Minister at that time. In his letter, he had criticised the manner in which Tunku Abdul Rahman had handled the country's administration which was believed to favour the ethnic Chinese. Mahathir was subsequently relieved of his party membership on 26 September.
While in the political wilderness, Mahathir wrote his book, "The Malay Dilemma” in which he sought to explain the causes of the May 13 Incident in Kuala Lumpur and the reasons for the Malays' lack of economic progress within their own country. He then proposed a politico-economic solution in the form of "constructive protection", worked out after careful consideration of the effects of heredity and environmental factors on the Malay race. The book, published in 1970, was promptly banned by the Tunku Abdul Rahman government. However, some of the proposals in this book had been used by Tun Abdul Razak, Tunku Abdul Rahman's successor, in his "New Economic Policy" (NEP) that was principally geared towards affirmative action economic programs to address the nation's economic disparity between the Malays and the non-Malays. The ban on his book was eventually lifted after Mahathir became Prime Minister in 1981.
Mahathir rejoined UMNO on 7 March 1972, and was appointed as Senator in 1973. He relinquished the senatorship post in 1974 in order to contest in the general elections where he was returned unopposed in the constituency of Kubang Pasu, and was appointed as the Minister of Education. In 1975, he became one of the three vice-presidents of UMNO, after winning the seat by 47 votes. Tun Hussein Onn appointed Mahathir as Deputy Prime Minister on 15 September 1978, and in a Cabinet reshuffle, appointed him concurrently as the Minister of Trade and Industry.
Mahathir became the Prime Minister of Malaysia on 16 July 1981 when Tun Hussein Onn stepped down due to health reasons. After 22 years in office, Mahathir retired on October 31, 2003, making him one of Asia's longest-serving political leaders. Upon his retirement on 31 October 2003, Mahathir was awarded a "Tun"-ship, Malaysia's highest civilian honour.

Leadership
Major constitutional changes
In 1983 and 1991, he took on the federal and state monarchies, removing the royal veto and royal immunity from prosecution.[10] Prior to this amendment of the law, royal assent was required in order for any bill to pass into law. With effect of this amendment, approval by parliament could be legally considered as royal assent after a period of 30 days, notwithstanding the views of the monarchs. However, this only applied to secular laws and the various sultans continued to enjoy the right to make Islamic law in their own jurisdictions.
In 1988 when the future of the ruling party UMNO was about to be decided in the Supreme Court (it had just been deregistered as an illegal society in the High Court), he was believed to have engineered the dismissal of the Lord President of the Supreme Court, Salleh Abas, and three other supreme court justices who tried to block the misconduct hearings. The series of incidents in 1988 has been widely viewed as the end of the Malaysian judiciary's independence from the executive.
Economic policies
During his term in office, Mahathir turned Malaysia into a regional high-tech manufacturing, financial, and telecommunications hub through his economic policies based on corporate nationalism, known as the various "Malaysia Plans" which set out the government middle-term objectives. These policies with strong Keynesian tendency remained in effect almost to the end of his tenure in office.
His pet projects have included Perwaja Steel, an attempt to emulate South Korea and Japan, the Proton car company, and Astro, a satellite television service.
Mahathir is credited with spearheading the phenomenal growth of the Malaysian economy, now one of the largest in South East Asia. Growth between 1988 and 1997 averaged over ten percent and living standards rose twentyfold, with poverty relatively almost eradicated and social indicators such as literacy levels and infant mortality rates becoming almost on par with developed countries.
During this period, Mahathir embarked on various large scale national projects, such as the North-South Expressway, Multimedia Super Corridor, the planned capital city of Putrajaya, Johor's Port of Tanjung Pelepas, Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), the Bakun Dam in Sarawak, and the Petronas Twin Towers.
While such projects have their benefits, corresponding high costs have made some Malaysians reluctant to engage in more of such ventures, believing that the money can be better spent on other areas of development. On the other hand, Mahathir has always argued that such projects yield a direct return to the economy, apart from just serving the national pride, as government spendings in turn create jobs along with other multiplier effects. Mahathir has also been criticised for the failures and inefficiency of some of his pet projects. Perwaja Steel eventually failed and had to be rescued by a corporate white knight. Its chairman, Eric Chia, faced charges of corruption in 2004. Proton eventually had to be bought by Petronas when its parent DRB-HICOM found itself over-extended, and is still currently fighting to become profitable. Astro enjoyed a monopoly on pay television services in Malaysia until 2005 when it ended with the granting of a licence to a rival MiTV
The Bakun Dam project was to be managed by a local construction firm, Ekran Berhad. It issued a 1-for-1 on time rights issue which was 63% undersubscribed (the first time in Malaysia for an event of this magnitude). Ekran's chairman, Ting Pek King, had to purchase all unsubscribed shares at a cost of $500 million ringgit due to his agreement with the underwriters. Subsequently the dam project was taken back by the government which was obliged to pay Ekran for the work already completed.

Financial speculation
During Mahathir's administration, there are a few speculation activities made by the administration which caused losses for Malaysia. Between 1981 and 1982, Malaysian businesses became involved in the international tin venture. The activity caused the price of the commodity to skyrocket, resulting in the collapse of the export market for tin. This venture cost Malaysia USD 80 million or MYR 209 million in losses.
In 1990, Bank Negara Malaysia became involved in the Pound Sterling speculation. The speculation activity failed and costs the central bank USD 4 billion. In 1994, the bank continued to pursue the speculation activity and further lost USD 2.2 billion. Finally, in 1994, the central bank technically become insolvent and was bailed out by the Ministry of Finance.

Educational system
In 1974, Mahathir was appointed Minister of Education. He had always believed in the need for "education for the masses", with greater emphasis on maths and science, at high school level, in order to achieve his dream of a developed Malaysia. He continued to strongly promote his agenda of quantity-and-quality higher education during his term as prime minister.
In those days, English, Chinese and Tamil-medium schools were fully run by private and missionary organizations. Students from these schools sat for the respective overseas examinations set by the board of school committees and associations. For instance, Overseas Cambridge School Certificate (OSC) was set for English schools. Under the former Prime Minister's order, he drafted the KBSM syllabus in order to make Malay a compulsory subject to be taught in all subjects in these schools. Overseas examinations were subsequently abolished one after another throughout the years. Schools which converted to the national type received heavy funding from the government. Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) and Sijil Rendah Pelajaran (SRP) were fully introduced as national examinations.
In order to cater for the lower income indigenous population, boarding schools were promoted and constructed. Through government scholarships, tens of thousands of students were sent yearly to universities in the United States], United Kingdom, and Australia—western-type countries that Mahathir aspired to achieve par development with. Middle- and higher-income groups from non-Bumiputera Malaysians who were unable to get a place in the local universities, due to the restrictive quota system and limited government scholarships, also independently sent their children to these universities. This has led Malaysia to have the third largest number of students going to western-type countries to pursue higher education, after China and India.
In 1980, education quota was introduced as part of the National Economic Policy. Mahathir who became the acting prime minister, introduced the quota system to all economic sectors in Malaysia including the education system, whereby a designated percentage of undergraduate seats of higher institutions were reserved for Bumiputra (natives) citizens.
Towards his later years, Mahathir promoted the liberalization of university start-ups, leading to branch campuses being built or the formation of permanent tie-ups with some of the most prestigious universities in the world. Amongst others, these led to the construction of the University of Nottingham in Malaysia (in partnership with the University of Nottingham, U.K.), Malaysia University of Science and Technology (M.U.S.T.), in partnership with M.I.T. (U.S.) and Motorola) , Monash University Malaysia (in partnership with Monash University, Australia) and Curtin University of Technology, Sarawak Campus (in partnership with Curtin University of Technology, Australia)
Private companies with a long running history in Malaysia like Intel and AMD were also encouraged to set up, and run partnerships and/or higher education centres and centres of excellence.
In the year before his retirement, he announced that Mathematics and Science subjects must be taught in English in all primary and secondary schools with aim to increase competitiveness of Malaysian students.

Foreign relations
During Mahathir's tenure in office, Malaysia's relationship with the West was generally fine despite being known to be an outspoken critic towards them. Early during his tenure, a small disagreement with the United Kingdom over university tuition fees sparked off a boycott of all British goods led by Mahathir, in what became known as the "Buy British Last" campaign. It also led to a search for development models in Asia, most notably Japan. This was the beginning of his famous "Look East Policy". Although the dispute was later resolved by Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, Mahathir continued to emphasize Asian development models over contemporary Western ones.

Retirement
In 2002 a tearful Mahathir announced his resignation to a surprised UMNO General Assembly. He was persuaded to stay on for a further eighteen months, in a carefully planned handover that ended in October 2003. On his retirement, he was granted Malaysia's highest honour, which entitles him to the title Tun from his original Datuk Seri. Since retirement, he has been serving as an advisor to the Malaysian national oil company Petronas and the Malaysian national car company Proton, an original core national project initiated by Mahathir during his premiership. He is also the head of the Perdana Leadership Foundation, a foundation whose aim is to preserve, develop and spread materials regarding or written by previous Malaysian Prime Ministers. While he has retired from all political offices, he remains very outspoken regarding national policies.

Mahathir has also ventured into a bakery business with a Japanese partner. Together they established a Japanese-style bakery and bistro outlet called "The Loaf". As of October 2007, there are two outlets in Malaysia, one in Langkawi and one in Kuala Lumpur. They are planning expand their business into other coutries in Southeast Asia.

Other controversies
Former Malaysia Airlines chief executive officer, Tajudin Ramli claimed that he (Tajudin) was "forced" to buy out the shares of Malaysia Airlines by Mahathir during a period when the national carrier suffered financial difficulties. However, Mahathir denied this claim and said that he only asked if Tajudin was interested in the shares.
In 2006 he had a 2-hour talk with James W. Walter and William Rodriguez with regards to the US Government involvement in the 9/11 attacks.
On January 17, 2008, Mahathir was brought before a Royal Commission that is looking into alleged manipulation of top judicial appointments during his admnistration, a scandal that has cast doubts about the independence of Malaysia's judiciary. He was made to testify before a government inquiry into a secretly recorded video clip that showed a man believed to be a prominent lawyer, V.K. Lingam, boasting that he could get key judicial appointments made with Mahathir's help. Throughout the inquiry Mahathir feign ignorance and forgot key timelines.He urged the world's 1.3 billion Muslims to boycott Dutch products following the release of the anti-Islam movie Fitna by the Dutch politician Geert Wilders, it was reported on March 30, 2008.

Legacy
For his efforts to promote the economic development of the country, Mahathir has been granted the soubriquet of Bapa Pemodenan (Father of Modernisation).
Since his resignation, there are signs that his influence is on the wane, notably the cancellation of a Mahathir-approved double tracking rail project on grounds of cost.
Mahathir's official residence, Sri Perdana, where he resided from 23 August 1983 to 18 October 1999, was turned into a museum (Galeria Sri Perdana). In keeping with the principle of heritage conservation, the original design and layout of the Sri Perdana has been preserved.

External links
BBC News: Malaysia defends speech on Jews
Mahathir hospitalised after heart attack
BBC Profile: Mahathir Mohamad
Turkish Daily News, from Mahathir's final days in office
Islam the Misunderstood Religion by Dr. Mahathir Mohamad
Perdana Leadership Foundation website on Malaysia’s past Prime Ministers.
BBC News: Mahathir in his own words
BBC News: In Pictures: Mahathir steps down
Asiaweek: Al Gore's rebuke of APEC host Mahathir
Text of Dr Mahathir's speech to the OIC on Oct 16, 2003
Dr M slams Pak Lah but BN leaders rally behind the PM
Dr Mahathir uses YouTube to speak out about the dangers of war

Marvelicious Happy Father's Day

2008-04-07T20:33:00.000-07:00

Any man can be a Father, but it takes a special person to be called Dad.

Father's Day is a secular celebration inaugurated in the early twentieth century to complement Mother's Day in celebrating fatherhood and parenting by males, and to honor and commemorate fathers and forefathers. Father's Day is celebrated on a variety of dates worldwide and typically involves gift-giving to fathers and family-oriented activities.

The officially recognized date of Father's Day varies from country to country. In Bangladesh its held on third Sunday of June.

The idea for creating a day for children to honor their fathers began in Spokane, Washington. A woman by the name of Sonora Smart Dodd thought of the idea for Father's Day while listening to a Mother's Day sermon in 1909.
Having been raised by her father, William Jackson Smart, after her mother died, Sonora wanted her father to know how special he was to her. It was her father that made all the parental sacrifices and was, in the eyes of his daughter, a courageous, selfless, and loving man. Sonora's father was born in June, so she chose to hold the first Father's Day celebration in Spokane, Washington on the 19th of June, 1910.

In 1926, a National Father's Day Committee was formed in New York City. Father's Day was recognized by a Joint Resolution of Congress in 1956. In 1972, President Richard Nixon established a permanent national observance of Father's Day to be held on the third Sunday of June. So Father's Day was born in memory and gratitude by a daughter who thought that her father and all good fathers should be honored with a special day just like we honor our mothers on Mother's Day.

Father's Day is a day of commemoration and celebration of Dad. It is a day to not only honor your father, but all men who have acted as a father figure in your life - whether as Stepfathers, Uncles, Grandfathers, or "Big Brothers."
It is a time of burnt toast and breakfast in bed, family gatherings, crayon scribbled "I Love You"s and, of course, that lovely new tie!

So buckle up, turn up the radio and get ready for a Father's Day ride with some fun Holiday things for you, your family, and your Dad.

Father's Day Links
Father's Day at Alphabet Soup
Barbara's Entourage A Tribute to Father
Billy Bear's Happy Father's Day
Marvelicious Happy Father's Day
Father's Day on the Net - Welcome
National Center for Fathering
Father's Day at 20ishParents.com

Earn form home

2008-04-07T06:40:00.000-07:00

Mother, The Sweetest Sound Of The World

2008-04-06T21:41:00.000-07:00

The Mother's Day holiday, as observed today in the United States, celebrates motherhood generally and the contributions of mothers to society. It falls on the second Sunday of each May. It is the result of a campaign by Anna Marie Jarvis (1864-1948), who, following the death of her mother on May 9, 1905, devoted her life to establishing Mother's Day as a national, and later an international, holiday.

Mother's Day History

There are varying opinions as to the origin of Mother's Day. Some experts state that it originated from the tradition some four hundred years ago where worshippers at English churches would visit the nearest Cathedral or "Mother Church" on the middle Sunday in Lent, instead of their Local Church. This tradition was known as Mothering.

At this time, many children of poorer families would live away from their mothers "in service" with a wealthy employer. Mothering Sunday was the one day of the year when these children were allowed to visit their homes and families. The children wanted to take gifts home to mum so would either have their employer's permission to bake a cake or they would pick wild flowers on the walk home.

Mother's Day around the World

Mother's Day in the UK is on the middle sunday of Lent (Lent runs from Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday), so falls on a different date each year. This year it's Sunday March 2nd 2008
In the United States, Mother's Day is celebrated on the second Sunday in May. This year it will be on Sunday, May 11th 2008. Other countries that share this date include: Japan, Turkey, Denmark, Australia, Italy, Canada, Belgium and Finland.

Another group of countries celebrate Mother's Day on May 10th, these include: Mexico, Pakistan, India, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore. In France and Sweden it's the last Sunday in May, and in Argentina it's the Second Sunday in October.

The Change a Child's Life

2008-04-05T21:55:00.000-07:00

One child is a whole universe...

The Change a Child's Life program helps support and care for hundreds of children at risk. Amicus donors have a chance to make a difference by "adopting" and establishing a relationship with a child.

Many of the children living in this area are gravely affected by poverty and social problems such as human trafficking, violence, rape, domestic abuse, illiteracy, unemployment, alcoholism, drug abuse and exploitation. The “Change a Child’s Life” program offers educational opportunities and helps care for these at risk children. We are working with Children of the Forest Home in Sangkhlaburi, Thailand, a 7 hour drive northwest of Bangkok, near the Myanmar (Burmese) border in the province of Kanchanaburi.

Most of these traumatized children are from the Mon and Karen ethnic groups who are extremely impoverished. Many live in Burma where they are often controlled and brutalized by the Burmese soldiers. Hunger, fear, instability and human rights abuses in Burma force many of the Karen and Mon into Thailand. Without official papers, many families have no permanent home, often living on what they can forage from the jungle or moving around from rice and rubber plantations and factory land trying to make a living from wages often amounting to less than 2 U.S. dollars a day. They cannot afford medical care and are denied a basic education for their children. Also, the threat of deportation hangs over their heads everyday.

Children, who have suffered through terrible abuses (many of their stories are beyond belief) and have no home or community, can find their refuge at Children of the Forest Home. There they have a new family, a nurturing and loving home environment and emotional support; they are finally able to have a childhood and the possibility for a fulfilling future.

With a small amount of financial support the children will not only have a roof over their head, food to eat and a caring community, but also the opportunity to attend school. For $350US a year, all educational, living and healthcare expenses will be covered for a child living at Children of the Forest Home. Your assistance will provide “your” child with hope and will open the door to many choices and opportunities. Furthermore, you will give “your” child the chance to heal a lifetime of abuse and trauma.

Here Linnea, Matthew and Mary Kelly's daughter, is being held by two of her extremely affectionate and loving new "sisters" from Children of the Forest.

Thank you for your concern in learning about how to help a child and make a connection with them. Your support will make a tremendous difference. Should you wish, you can also have the opportunity of establishing a meaningful relationship with “your” child through writing or a visit to Children of the Forest. They will also be excited to keep in contact with you. These children have so much love and joy to share and your support will help sustain them not only in body but also in spirit. Just knowing that someone from the other side of the world cares enough to want to help, touches their hearts in ways that we cannot even imagine. Child sponsoring works best with at least a two year commitment. For descriptions and photos of the children, please contact Project Coordinator, Penprapa Chanpan: mailto:penprapa@amicusfoundation.org

Raise awareness to the arsenic problem

2008-04-05T20:57:00.000-07:00

Arsenic Programs

“arsenic in Bangladesh drinking water is the worst manmade chemical calamity in human history. … thousands of people were dying ….”

By drinking arsenic-contaminated water there has been incidences of lung, liver and bladder cancers. Females exposed to arsenic for long time are exhibiting 60 times higher mortality from respiratory diseases than normal. Skin cancers also appear later in life. In Bangladesh affected people show ghastly crusts on their palms and feet, skin lesions, and cancers.
Presently the shallow tube wells are affected, although in a few cases wells below 300 meters had arsenic above acceptable levels.MAAWS has been actively advocating for expanding the coverage of safe water. Or should it attempt to manage the likely outcome of arsenic poisoning?

FINDING A SOLUTION:

MAAWS found a middle way to deal with the situation. MAAWS began spearheading testing and inspection of all its existing tube-wells. MAAWS is trying to focus on issues like:• What is the extent and severity of the problem in Earpur, Senbagh & Noakhali? • Why this happened? • How can this be addressed? • How can non-resident Bangladeshi's (NRB's) help?
MAAWS would like a rapid implementation & a reasonably appropriate water treatment technology.

We are using two main approaches to address the problem.
One is tapping sources of arsenic-free water. Using of arsenic-free surface water is another option. However, this water contains pathogens and must be treated. Rainwater harvesting has been done in our area but is not as simple and easy process.

Think about us 150,000sq. miles and arsenic affected 140 million people….

A sustainable Bangladesh should enable all citizens to meet their own needs and enhance their well being. We are now faced with a great environmental crisis: Arsenic contamination. Polluted water sources, rivers, lakes and our ocean shrinking the natural water sources. Striking a practical balance between exploitation and conservation to create a sustainable future is the need of the hour.

Raise awareness to the arsenic problem

These satellite images reflect the widespread effect of Arsenic. The use of water per person ranges from 4Lt in arid areas to 425 Lt. a day in water abundant wealthy regions. With ever increasing demand for pure drinking water, it causes us to look more closely on the amount of pure drinking water we get everyday and the impact of that water on the quality of our lives as it serves our daily needs. Prior to 1970 people of Bangladesh were using surface water for drinking with the independence of Bangladesh in 1971 situation changed.
UN agencies and other agencies started to sink shallow tube wells for drinking water to save the country from water borne diseases. Within three decades as the water layers lowered came the problem of arsenic. Although the arsenic-contamination of groundwater has been declared a national disaster, its seriousness is yet to be fully comprehended. Water samples have indicated that arsenic-contamination is "prominent" in the shallow aquifers. Most people draw their supply of water from this source.
There is yet another dimension. Damming of the rivers upstream. The bottom line is that water diversion constructions are the worst tampering mechanisms of natural water courses on which rest the beautiful balance of Nature. These mechanisms create imbalanced in Nature. Twisting beyond the elastic limits, certainly backfires.

Genetically Modified Foods: Harmful or Helpful?

2008-04-04T21:09:00.000-07:00

What are genetically-modified foods?

The term GM foods or GMOs (genetically-modified organisms) is most commonly used to refer to crop plants created for human or animal consumption using the latest molecular biology techniques.
The GM food controversy is a dispute over the advantages and disadvantages of genetically modified food crops. No major health hazards have come to light since GM food was introduced in the U.S.(1994). Industry attempts to explain that close to 150 governmental and/or industry-financed studies, and at least 47 peer reviewed articles in scientific journals have been published to attest to theoretical claims of safety. Consumer rights groups, such as the Organic Consumers Association, and Greenpeace emphasize the long term health risks which GM could pose, or that the risks of GM have not yet been adequately investigated.
For two informative overviews of some of the techniques involved in creating GM foods, visit Biotech Basics (sponsored by Monsanto) http://www.biotechknowledge.monsanto.com/biotech/bbasics.nsf/index or Techniques of Plant Biotechnology from the National Center for Biotechnology Education http://www.ncbe.reading.ac.uk/NCBE/GMFOOD/techniques.

What are some of the advantages of GM foods?

The world population has topped 6 billion people and is predicted to double in the next 50 years. Ensuring an adequate food supply for this booming population is going to be a major challenge in the years to come. GM foods promise to meet this need in a number of ways-

Pest resistance : Crop losses from insect pests can be staggering, resulting in devastating financial loss for farmers and starvation in developing countries. Farmers typically use many tons of chemical pesticides annually. Growing GM foods such as B.t. corn can help eliminate the application of chemical pesticides and reduce the cost of bringing a crop to market.
Herbicide tolerance : For some crops, it is not cost-effective to remove weeds by physical means such as tilling, so farmers will often spray large quantities of different herbicides (weed-killer) to destroy weeds, a time-consuming and expensive process, that requires care so that the herbicide doesn't harm the crop plant or the environment. Crop plants genetically-engineered to be resistant to one very powerful herbicide could help prevent environmental damage by reducing the amount of herbicides needed.

Disease resistance : There are many viruses, fungi and bacteria that cause plant diseases. Plant biologists are working to create plants with genetically-engineered resistance to these diseases.
Cold tolerance : Unexpected frost can destroy sensitive seedlings. An antifreeze gene from cold water fish has been introduced into plants such as tobacco and potato. With this antifreeze gene, these plants are able to tolerate cold temperatures that normally would kill unmodified seedlings.

Drought tolerance/salinity tolerance : As the world population grows and more land is utilized for housing instead of food production, farmers will need to grow crops in locations previously unsuited for plant cultivation. Creating plants that can withstand long periods of drought or high salt content in soil and groundwater will help people to grow crops in formerly inhospitable places.

Nutrition : Malnutrition is common in third world countries where impoverished peoples rely on a single crop such as rice for the main staple of their diet. However, rice does not contain adequate amounts of all necessary nutrients to prevent malnutrition. If rice could be genetically engineered to contain additional vitamins and minerals, nutrient deficiencies could be alleviated. For example, blindness due to vitamin A deficiency is a common problem in third world countries. Researchers at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Institute for Plant Sciences have created a strain of "golden" rice containing an unusually high content of beta-carotene (vitamin A). Pharmaceuticals : Medicines and vaccines often are costly to produce and sometimes require special storage conditions not readily available in third world countries. Researchers are working to develop edible vaccines in tomatoes and potatoes. These vaccines will be much easier to ship, store and administer than traditional injectable vaccines. Phytoremediation : Not all GM plants are grown as crops. Soil and groundwater pollution continues to be a problem in all parts of the world. Plants such as poplar trees have been genetically engineered to clean up heavy metal pollution from contaminated soil.

How prevalent are GM crops? What plants are involved?

According to the FDA and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), there are over 40 plant varieties that have completed all of the federal requirements for commercialization (http://vm.cfsan.fda.gov/%7Elrd/biocon). Some examples of these plants include tomatoes and cantalopes that have modified ripening characteristics, soybeans and sugarbeets that are resistant to herbicides, and corn and cotton plants with increased resistance to insect pests.

The U.S. statistics that follow are derived from data presented on the USDA web site at http://www.ers.usda.gov/briefing/biotechnology/. The global statistics are derived from a brief published by the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA) at http://www.isaaa.org/publications/briefs/Brief_21.htm and from the Biotechnology Industry Organization at http://www.bio.org/food&ag/1999Acreage.

Thirteen countries grew genetically-engineered crops commercially in 2000, and of these, the U.S. produced the majority. In 2000, 68% of all GM crops were grown by U.S. farmers. In comparison, Argentina, Canada and China produced only 23%, 7% and 1%, respectively. Other countries that grew commercial GM crops in 2000 are Australia, Bulgaria, France, Germany, Mexico, Romania, South Africa, Spain, and Uruguay.

In the U.S., approximately 54% of all soybeans cultivated in 2000 were genetically-modified, up from 42% in 1998 and only 7% in 1996. In 2000, genetically-modified cotton varieties accounted for 61% of the total cotton crop, up from 42% in 1998, and 15% in 1996. GM corn and also experienced a similar but less dramatic increase. Corn production increased to 25% of all corn grown in 2000, about the same as 1998 (26%), but up from 1.5% in 1996. As anticipated, pesticide and herbicide use on these GM varieties was slashed and, for the most part, yields were increased (for details, see the UDSA publication at http://www.ers.usda.gov/publications/aer786/.

What are some of the criticisms against GM foods?

Environmental activists, religious organizations, public interest groups, professional associations and other scientists and government officials have all raised concerns about GM foods, and criticized agribusiness for pursuing profit without concern for potential hazards, and the government for failing to exercise adequate regulatory oversight. It seems that everyone has a strong opinion about GM foods.

Environmental hazards :

Unintended harm to other organisms : Last year a laboratory study was published in Nature showing that pollen from B.t. corn caused high mortality rates in monarch butterfly caterpillars. Monarch caterpillars consume milkweed plants, not corn, but the fear is that if pollen from B.t. corn is blown by the wind onto milkweed plants in neighboring fields, the caterpillars could eat the pollen and perish.

Reduced effectiveness of pesticides : Just as some populations of mosquitoes developed resistance to the now-banned pesticide DDT, many people are concerned that insects will become resistant to B.t. or other crops that have been genetically-modified to produce their own pesticides.

Gene transfer to non-target species : Another concern is that crop plants engineered for herbicide tolerance and weeds will cross-breed, resulting in the transfer of the herbicide resistance genes from the crops into the weeds. These "superweeds" would then be herbicide tolerant as well. Other introduced genes may cross over into non-modified crops planted next to GM crops. The possibility of interbreeding is shown by the defense of farmers against lawsuits filed by Monsanto.

Gene transfer to weeds and other crops would not occur because the wind-blown pollen would not travel beyond the buffer zone. Estimates of the necessary width of buffer zones range from 6 meters to 30 meters or more. This planting method may not be feasible if too much acreage is required for the buffer zones.

Human health risks :

Allergenicity : Many children in the US and Europe have developed life-threatening allergies to peanuts and other foods. There is a possibility that introducing a gene into a plant may create a new allergen or cause an allergic reaction in susceptible individuals. A proposal to incorporate a gene from Brazil nuts into soybeans was abandoned because of the fear of causing unexpected allergic reactions.

Unknown effects on human health : There is a growing concern that introducing foreign genes into food plants may have an unexpected and negative impact on human health. A recent article published in Lancet examined the effects of GM potatoes on the digestive tract in rats. This study claimed that there were appreciable differences in the intestines of rats fed GM potatoes and rats fed unmodified potatoes. Yet critics say that this paper, like the monarch butterfly data, is flawed and does not hold up to scientific scrutiny. Moreover, the gene introduced into the potatoes was a snowdrop flower lectin, a substance known to be toxic to mammals. The scientists who created this variety of potato chose to use the lectin gene simply to test the methodology, and these potatoes were never intended for human or animal consumption.

Economic concerns :

Bringing a GM food to market is a lengthy and costly process, and of course agri-biotech companies wish to ensure a profitable return on their investment. Many new plant genetic engineering technologies and GM plants have been patented, and patent infringement is a big concern of agribusiness. Yet consumer advocates are worried that patenting these new plant varieties will raise the price of seeds so high that small farmers and third world countries will not be able to afford seeds for GM crops, thus widening the gap between the wealthy and the poor. It is hoped that in a humanitarian gesture, more companies and non-profits will follow the lead of the Rockefeller Foundation and offer their products at reduced cost to impoverished nations.

Patent enforcement may also be difficult, as the contention of the farmers that they involuntarily grew Monsanto-engineered strains when their crops were cross-pollinated shows. One way to combat possible patent infringement is to introduce a "suicide gene" into GM plants.

How are GM foods labeled?

Labeling of GM foods and food products is also a contentious issue. On the whole, agribusiness industries believe that labeling should be voluntary and influenced by the demands of the free market. If consumers show preference for labeled foods over non-labeled foods, then industry will have the incentive to regulate itself or risk alienating the customer. Consumer interest groups, on the other hand, are demanding mandatory labeling.

There are many questions that must be answered if labeling of GM foods becomes mandatory. First, are consumers willing to absorb the cost of such an initiative? If the food production industry is required to label GM foods, factories will need to construct two separate processing streams and monitor the production lines accordingly.

Secondly, what are the acceptable limits of GM contamination in non-GM products? The EC has determined that 1% is an acceptable limit of cross-contamination, yet many consumer interest groups argue that only 0% is acceptable. Some companies such as Gerber baby foods and Frito-Lay have pledged to avoid use of GM foods in any of their products.

Finally, who is to be responsible for educating the public about GM food labels and how costly will that education be? Food labels must be designed to clearly convey accurate information about the product in simple language that everyone can understand. This may be the greatest challenge faced be a new food labeling policy: how to educate and inform the public without damaging the public trust and causing alarm or fear of GM food products.

Conclusion :

Genetically-modified foods have the potential to solve many of the world's hunger and malnutrition problems, and to help protect and preserve the environment by increasing yield and reducing reliance upon chemical pesticides and herbicides. Yet there are many challenges ahead for governments, especially in the areas of safety testing, regulation, international policy and food labeling. Many people feel that genetic engineering is the inevitable wave of the future and that we cannot afford to ignore a technology that has such enormous potential benefits. However, we must proceed with caution to avoid causing unintended harm to human health and the environment as a result of our enthusiasm for this powerful technology.

Earn from home

2008-04-03T06:50:00.000-07:00

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Mermaid, Beautiful and Sensual

2008-04-02T22:00:00.000-07:00

"Do you love mermaids?
Are you inspired by theirstrength and beauty?"

A mermaid (from the Middle English mere in the obsolete sense 'sea' (as in maritime, the Latin mare, "sea") + maid(en)) is a legendary aquatic creature with the head and torso of human female and the tail of a fish. The male version of a mermaid is called a merman; gender-neutral plurals could be merpeople or merfolk. Various cultures throughout the world have similar figures.

Mermaid art is everywhere...

For Disney Ariel has been a million dollar mermaid. The Little Mermaid DVD has sold thousands and thousands of copies. There is even a Little Mermaid game available for the computer.
There is a Barbie mermaid figure. You can find prints, posters, dolls, figurines, all sorts of artwork. There are clothing items such as: purses, skirts, even bedding.

Mermaids are sexy...

The mermaid is a sex symbol. Even women see her as beautiful and sensual. There is nothing sexist or demeaning in this. These are some of the mermaid's strongest qualities: her freedom and her confidence.
In the book "The Mermaid Chair" by Sue Monk Kidd, the protagonist begins to paint pictures of herself as a mermaid. Her mermaid art helps her to get a better hold on the under-developed parts of her character.

Mermaids are mystical...

For me, mermaid art connects to something mystical in the human psyche. I remember once many years ago I had spent a day alone at the shore. When the sun set I went to a seafood restaurant on the bay. After the meal, I was going back to my car when I heard a splashing sound like someone coming out of the water...

Immediately, an image flashed into my mind. I saw a mermaid just off shore, wrapped in her beauty and mystery. The feeling was caught up with the day I had spent, the night, and the bright lights at sea. I had a very strong sensation of someone actually being there.
This powerful experience stayed with me for months only gradually fading away. The emotions I had then re-occur almost every time I am at the shore.
I invite you to enter this site, read the stories and look at the pictures. You will see what mermaids mean to me, what they mean to others, and perhaps what they mean to you.

A Friendly Warning
Some of the mermaid art in this site contains nudity, hopefully always in good taste. This is inevitable given the subject matter. If it will bother you then all you have to do is avoid the galleries.

Enough talk already! If you want to jump right to the galleries and see some mermaid art you can click on any of the following links. The art galleries are interlinked so you can move from one to the other without returning to this page or the list of all galleries. To go to the list of all galleries just click "Galleries" on the navbar on any page, or click "All Galleries" below.

Prints of Mermaid Art
Original Mermaid Art
Cartoon Mermaids
Mermaid Pictures
All Galleries

2nd April, The World Autism Awareness Day

2008-04-02T03:34:00.000-07:00

When Stacey went over to her new friend Chelsea's house, she met Chelsea's 4-year-old brother, Shawn. "Hi," said Stacey, smiling. Shawn glanced at her and said nothing. Then he turned back to a toy he was holding. Later, in Chelsea's room, Stacey said, "I don't think your brother likes me."
"It's not your fault," explained Chelsea. "Shawn has autism."
Stacey wanted to know what autism meant, what causes it, what it's like to have autism, and more. Let's find out.

What Does Autism Mean?

Autism (say: aw-tih-zum) causes kids to experience the world differently from the way most other kids do. It's hard for kids with autism to talk with other people and express themselves using words. Kids who have autism usually keep to themselves and many can't communicate without special help.
They also may react to what's going on around them in unusual ways. Normal sounds may really bother someone with autism — so much so that the person covers his or her ears. Being touched, even in a gentle way, may feel uncomfortable.
Kids with autism often can't make connections that other kids make easily. For example, when someone smiles, you know the smiling person is happy or being friendly. But a kid with autism may have trouble connecting that smile with the person's happy feelings.
A kid who has autism also has trouble linking words to their meanings. Imagine trying to understand what your mom is saying if you didn't know what her words really mean. It is doubly frustrating then if a kid can't come up with the right words to express his or her own thoughts.
Autism causes kids to act in unusual ways. They might flap their hands, say certain words over and over, have temper tantrums, or play only with one particular toy. Most kids with autism don't like changes in routines. They like to stay on a schedule that is always the same. They also may insist that their toys or other objects be arranged a certain way and get upset if these items are moved or disturbed.
If someone has autism, his or her brain has trouble with an important job: making sense of the world. Every day, your brain interprets the sights, sounds, smells, and other sensations that you experience. If your brain couldn't help you understand these things, you would have trouble functioning, talking, going to school, and doing other everyday stuff. Kids can be mildly affected by autism, so that they only have a little trouble in life, or they can be very affected, so that they need a lot of help.

What Causes Autism?

Autism affects about 1 in every 150 kids, but no one knows what causes it. Some scientists think that some kids might be more likely to get autism because it or similar disorders run in their families. Knowing the exact cause of autism is hard because the human brain is very complicated.
The brain contains over 100 billion nerve cells called neurons (say: nur-ahns). Each neuron may have hundreds or thousands of connections that carry messages to other nerve cells in the brain and body. The connections and the chemical messengers they send (called neurotransmitters) let the neurons that help you see, feel, move, remember, and work together as they should.
For some reason, some of the cells and connections in the brain of a kid with autism — especially those that affect communication, emotions, and senses — don't develop properly or get damaged. Scientists are still trying to understand how and why this happens.

What Do Doctors Do?

Figuring out if a kid has autism can be difficult. A parent is usually the first to suspect that something is wrong. Maybe the kid is old enough to speak but doesn't, doesn't seem interested in people, or behaves in other unusual ways. But autism isn't the only problem that can cause these kinds of symptoms. For example, kids who have hearing problems might have trouble speaking, too.
Usually, the results of lab tests and other medical tests are normal in kids with autism, but doctors may do them to make sure the kid doesn't have other problems. These medical tests can include blood and urine tests, a hearing exam, an EEG (a test to measure brain waves), and an MRI (a picture that shows the structure of the brain). Intelligence (IQ) tests also might be done.
Often, specialists work together as a team to figure out what is wrong. The team might include a pediatrician, a pediatric neurologist, a pediatric developmentalist, a child psychiatrist, a child psychologist, speech and language therapists, and others. The team members study how the child plays, learns, communicates, and behaves. The team listens carefully to what parents have noticed, too. Using the information they've gathered, doctors can decide whether a child has autism or another problem.

How Is Autism Treated?

There is no cure for autism, but doctors, therapists, and special teachers can help kids with autism overcome or adjust to many difficulties. The earlier a kid starts treatment for autism, the better.
Different kids need different kinds of help, but learning how to communicate is always an important first step. Spoken language can be hard for kids with autism to learn. Most understand words better by seeing them, so therapists teach them how to communicate by pointing or using pictures or sign language. That makes learning other things easier, and eventually, many kids with autism learn to talk.
Therapists also help kids learn social skills, such as how to greet people, wait for a turn, and follow directions. Some kids need special help with living skills (like brushing teeth or making a bed). Others have trouble sitting still or controlling their tempers and need therapy to help them control their behavior. Some kids take medications to help their moods and behavior, but there's no medicine that will make a kid's autism go away.
Students with mild autism sometimes can go to regular school. But most kids with autism need calmer, more orderly surroundings. They also need teachers trained to understand the problems they have with communicating and learning. They may learn at home or in special classes at public or private schools.

Living With Autism

Some kids with mild autism will grow up and be able to live on their own. Those with more serious problems will always need some kind of help. But all kids with autism have brighter futures when they have the support and understanding of doctors, teachers, caregivers, parents, brothers, sisters, and friends.

The Power of Positive Thinking

2008-04-01T21:31:00.000-07:00

"A positive mind anticipates happiness, joy, health and a successful outcome of every situation and action."

Positive thinking is a mental attitude that admits into the mind thoughts, words and images that are conductive to growth, expansion and success. It is a mental attitude that expects good and favorable results. Whatever the mind expects, it finds.

Not everyone accepts or believes in positive thinking. Some consider the subject as just nonsense, and others scoff at people who believe and accept it. Among the people who accept it, not many know how to use it effectively to get results. Yet, it seems that many are becoming attracted to this subject, as evidenced by the many books, lectures and courses about it. This is a subject that is gaining popularity.

It is quite common to hear people say: "Think positive!", to someone who feels down and worried. Most people do not take these words seriously, as they do not know what they really mean, or do not consider them as useful and effective. How many people do you know, who stop to think what the power of positive thinking means?

The following story illustrates how this power works.Allan applied for a new job, but as his self-esteem was low, and he considered himself as a failure and unworthy of success, he was sure that he was not going to get the job. He had a negative attitude towards himself, and believed that the other applicants were better and more qualified than him. Allan manifested this attitude, due to his negative past experiences with job interviews.

His mind was filled with negative thoughts and fears concerning the job for the whole week before the job interview. He was sure he would be rejected. On the day of the interview he got up late, and to his horror he discovered that the shirt he had planned to wear was dirty, and the other one needed ironing. As it was already too late, he went out wearing a shirt full of wrinkles.
During the interview he was tense, displayed a negative attitude, worried about his shirt, and felt hungry because he did not have enough time to eat breakfast. All this distracted his mind and made it difficult for him to focus on the interview. His overall behavior made a bad impression, and consequently he materialized his fear and did not get the job.

Jim applied for the same job too, but approached the matter in a different way. He was sure that he was going to get the job. During the week preceding the interview he often visualized himself making a good impression and getting the job.

In the evening before the interview he prepared the clothes he was going to wear, and went to sleep a little earlier. On day of the interview he woke up earlier than usual, and had ample time to eat breakfast, and then to arrive to the interview before the scheduled time.
He got the job because he made a good impression. He had also of course, the proper qualifications for the job, but so had Allan.

What do we learn from these two stories? Is there any magic employed here? No, it is all natural. When the attitude is positive we entertain pleasant feelings and constructive images, and see in our mind's eye what we really want to happen. This brings brightness to the eyes, more energy and happiness. The whole being broadcasts good will, happiness and success. Even the health is affected in a beneficial way. We walk tall and the voice is more powerful. Our body language shows the way you feel inside.

Positive and negative thinking are both contagious. All of us affect, in one way or another, the people we meet. This happens instinctively and on a subconscious level, through thoughts and feelings transference and through body language. People sense our aura and are affected by our thoughts. Is it any wonder that we want to be around positive persons and shun negative ones? People are more disposed to help us if we are positive. They dislike and avoid anyone broadcasting negativity.

Negative thoughts, words and attitude bring up negative and unhappy moods and actions. When the mind is negative, poisons are released into the blood, which cause more unhappiness and negativity. This is the way to failure, frustration and disappointment.

About Positive Thinking Day :

Positive Thinking Day - September 13th - is a day to celebrate the benefits of positive thinking. We believe that by helping people change their thoughts we can make a lasting and positive difference in this world.

Upcoming issue (01-05-2008): Cover page

2008-04-01T03:20:00.001-07:00