Fossil Free: Microbe Helps Convert Solar Power to Liquid Fuel

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A new " bioreactor " could store electricity as liquid fuel with the help of a genetically engineered microbe and copious carbon dioxide. The idea--dubbed " electrofuels " by a federal agency funding the research--could offer electricity storage that would have the energy density of fuels such as gasoline. If it works, the hybrid bioelectric system would also offer a more efficient way of turning sunlight to fuel than growing plants and converting them into biofuel .

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Zombie fans come alive at undead events

Tim Sloan / AFP - Getty Images

An actress helps promote the TV series "The Walking Dead" outside a Washington, D.C., subway entrance in 2010.

By A. Pawlowski, msnbc.com contributor

When zombie fans want to feel alive, there?s nothing like a date with the undead.

Hungry for realistic encounters, they?re flocking to events where they can be stalked, surrounded and terrified by zombie hordes.

Take the Zombie Survival Horror experience now taking place at an abandoned shopping center in Reading, England, just outside of London.

For about $190 per person, you too can see what it might take to survive a zombie apocalypse and outwit the monsters, that is, the?actors who?ve been transformed into gruesome creatures with the help of special-effects makeup.

Hundreds of people have signed up for the four-hour experience since Zed Events began offering it in March, said Lee Fields, company director.

?Everyone loves a good scare,? he noted. ?Zombie culture has been steadily growing for years.?

Indeed, the genre -- including movies, video games and books?-- is now worth about $5 billion, according to estimates by 24/7 Wall St., a financial news site.

No wonder tour operators and attraction owners are vying?to be part of it.

?Series like AMC?s ?The Walking Dead? have really put a lot of additional focus and awareness on the zombie genre. So zombies are the hottest thing going right now. Everybody out there is grabbing whatever piece of the zombie train they can,? said Dean Jarnig, owner of Zombie Manor in Arlington, Texas.

He opened the house in 2008 as a Halloween attraction, but it?s now in demand year-round for corporate events, private parties and even wedding receptions.

In honor of Zombie Awareness Month?-- yes, there is one and it's in?May?-- the Manor is hosting a Dead Light Fright Night event on May 19, during which visitors?go through the pitch-dark house with only a ?corpse headlight? illuminating their way as zombies await in the shadows. Tickets cost $15.

If you can stand to wait until the fall, there?s the Atlanta Zombie Apocalypse, which began as a Halloween-time event in 2010 and is scheduled to take place again this October at an abandoned truck stop that?has been converted into a paintball field.

Co-creator Jonathan Rej said organizers took bits and pieces from different movies and wrote a script that thrusts visitors into an apocalyptic world full of zombies, scavengers, drug addicts and military guides wielding guns. Guests must make decisions and figure out whom to trust.

?We were trying to imagine, what would it really be like?? Rej said. ?We really want them to feel like they?re in a movie.?

Visitors often come out winded after the intense 20-minute experience that has them running through the 100,000 square foot facility, he added. A $30 ticket gets you into the event and 20 paintball shots at?wandering zombies.

Zombie fan Marlinda Phillips said she loved the thrill of not knowing what to expect during the Atlanta Zombie Apocalypse, which employs 100 actors and draws about 10,000 fans during its fall run.

?You?re part of the story from beginning to the end,? said Phillips, 34. ?It?s like you want to cover your face or close your eyes but you can?t because you?re forced to pay attention to what?s going on.?

The interactive performers who play the undead never touch the visitors, but the experience can sometimes be just too much for the guests anyway.

?People get so freaked out ... they have panic attacks, in some cases they wet themselves, in some cases they throw up, in some cases we have to pull them out of the attraction,? Jarnig said.

It can also be an unintended thrill ride for the actors. Jittery visitors pumped up with adrenaline sometimes try to punch the monsters coming at them, so the performers know to stay at arm?s length, Rej said.

Still, the events always turn out successful, he added. ?Zombies are huge.??

More stories you might like:

Source: http://itineraries.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/03/28/10906203-zombie-fans-come-alive-at-undead-events

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International Development - Director Of Finance

Director of Finance (DOF)

Myanmar

?

?

Position Summary: The Director of Finance (DOF) is responsible for the overall management and provision of key support services operational accounting, financial reporting, auditing, subgrant financial management and monitoring, and staff capacity building.? This role may be expanded to include duties within the area of office administration, procurement, human resource management, and external relations.? The DOF will ensure that all projects managed by Pact Myanmar are implemented as per contractual agreements and maintain a high standard for the quality and integrity of financial data. ? The DOF will also be a key member of Pact Myanmar?s Senior Management Team and will play an active role in the development and implementation of strategies and business policies. S/he will be responsible for promoting effective communication and coordination between and among sections and departments within the division and Pact Myanmar. S/he will also maintain effective working relationships with key partners, donors and government representatives at all levels and will represent Pact Myanmar as and when required. ?

?

Key Relationships:

Supervised by: Country Director, Myanmar

Supervises: Finance Manager, and Grant & Finance Officers, may include: Administration/HR Officers

Coordinates:

?

With whom	On what
COP, Program Manager, Unit Managers	?????? Policies and procedures development/improvement ?????? Project financial management including burn rate analysis, budget pipeline, annual budget forecasting and variance review, ?????? Proposal budget development ?????? Subgrantee financial management and monitoring May be assigned: ????? Office facility and IT management ????? Coordination and Relationship Building with External Organizations ????? Human resource management, procurement
Global Finance Manager - AEA	?????? Project financial management including burn rate analysis, budget pipeline, annual budget forecasting and variance review, ?????? Country/Project Financial Audits ?????? Internal Control Reviews, Financial Policies and Procedures ?????? Donor Financial Reports ?????? Project Close-out ?????? Accounting System Implementations
DC Finance	?????? Monthly Financial Reports, Donor Financial Reports ?????? Cash Management/Wire Transfer ?????? Country/Project Financial Audits

?

?

Core Values:

Pact employees embrace the following core values as representatives of the institution:

• ???????????? all people have a right to participate in decisions affecting their lives
• ???????????? gender equity is mandatory for social transformation
• ???????????? resources are allocated in a transparent manner, guided by accountability to our clients and Pact?s role as steward of resources intended for the poor
• ???????????? diversity in background, gender and age strengthen our capacity to be wise managers of public and private funds
• ???????????? teamwork and collaboration shape our day-to-day working relationships
• ???????????? innovation and risk taking to achieve impact and broad scalable results drive strategic priorities
• ???????????? gathering and sharing information are primary roles for all employees
• ???????????? staff growth and advancement are a priority, including training and professional skills building to increase knowledge and competence and to stay abreast of new developments, especially in technology
• ???????????? a healthy balance between work and life outside of work must be maintained for work satisfaction and fulfillment

?

Specific Duties and Responsibilities:

1. 1.?????? Staff Management

• ?? Provide regular support and supervision to staff under direct line management. This includes (but is not limited to) the formulation of individual work plans (with agreed indicators of achievement) based on project work plans and/or job descriptions. It also includes regularly scheduled supervision and performance management meetings to assess progress against agreed outputs
• ?? Build the technical and managerial capacity of? staff under direct line management and delegate tasks for the efficient performance of activities
• ?? As a key member of the senior management team, participate in the management of organizational policy and management decisions
• ?? Participate in staff recruitment, induction planning and formulation of staff personal development plans?
• ?? Lead and coordinate the work plan of the Administration and Finance Department in coordination with relevant departments as necessary.
• ?? Expected Results:
  • o?? Administration and Finance staff workplan is developed and implemented (quarterly or annually)
  • o?? Ongoing capacity building and support of administration and finance staff under the direct line management

?

1. 2.????? General Financial Management

• ?? Establish proper financial management systems and processes that can provide accurate, current and complete disclosure of financial transactions. Provide oversight and support to the finance team::

a)????? To ensure that all transactions are recorded in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles supported by relevant and verifiable source documents.

b)????? To ensure that disbursements are reviewed for allowability and properly allocated to projects

c)????? To ensure that monthly account reconciliations are performed and appropriate plans are put in place and executed, as applicable, to resolve unreconciled differences.

d)????? To ensure the timely preparation and submission of a monthly financial report and supporting narrative on current project status, and documenting the monthly review of the financial performance of those activities under his / her oversight (including monitoring cash balances, subgrantee activities, and reviewing aged receivables and accrued liabilities).

e)????? Vetting of subaward matrix on a monthly basis with regard to obligations made and outstanding, reconciling advances and related liquidations of expenses with the accounting system and related grants reports, and ultimate financial oversight of subaward closeout and potential funds recovery.

f)?????? Drafting periodic non-USG donor reports and related invoices for DC review and approval prior to submission to the donor and in accordance with the agreed schedule.

• ?? Monitor Pact Myanmar?s annual budgets and long-term financial projections and make analysis available to relevant staff
• ?? Design and implement sound internal control system to safe guard assets, financial records and documents of the organization, and in compliant with Pact and donors rules and regulations
• ?? Monitor proper management of cash flow ensuring Pact Myanmar liquidity at all times. This includes preparation of cash flow forecasts on monthly and quarterly basis and planning for timely preparation and replenishment for partners and others.
• ?? Supervise Pact Myanmar?s computerized financial management and accounting system. Expected to keep abreast of developments in accounting and financial management software and practices.
• ?? Review the Project Status Reports (PSRs) on a monthly basis, and provide the Country Director, COP, and other Program Managers and other relevant stakeholders with up-to-date financial status information and pipeline projections to ensure that project spending is in line with the budget and workplan.
• ?? Ensure the cooperation of the Finance Department with other departments/units and to prepare realistic financial forecasts and secure adequate and timely financing
• ?? Continuously evaluate the appropriateness of the existing financial management system and/or approaches and propose changes for improvement
• ?? Expected Results:
  • o?? Submitted financial report to DC office based on the set deadline - with high quality and completeness
  • o?? Financial reports and invoices for non-USG funded projects are prepared with high quality and submitted to DC office for review/approval in accordance with the reporting and invoicing schedule
  • o?? Reduced frequency of cash request to DC office, preferably once a month while ensure that the projected cash sufficient enough to cover day-to-day operations
  • o?? Internal control system including cash management are strengthen and improved
  • o?? Project budget and country operational budget management is updated and the process is improved
  • o?? All balance sheet accounts for ended and or closed projects are reconciled and cleared from the system
  • o?? All accounts balance between QuickBooks and DC office are reconciled
  • o?? Financial policies and accounting procedures is regularly updated (annually) to reflect with all changes made

1. 3.????? Subgrants Financial Management

• ?? Oversight of and coordination with the Grants & Contracts unit as well as training/mentoring of staff where necessary in the administration of the programs? grant agreements with local and international NGO?s.
• ?? In collaboration with appropriate Grants & Contracts and Program Departments, Regional and DC Office personnel, design, develop and adapt policies, guidelines and criteria for the management of the grant portfolio using Pact?s Global standards taking into account the conditions and constraints of Myanmar
• ?? In collaboration with the relevant staff, support the development of criteria and guidelines for identifying partners and selecting project proposals to be funded
• ?? In collaboration? with Grants & Contracts and Program Departments, ensure that the pre-award surveys are conducted and that monitoring and financial support are provided for grantees
• ?? In conjunction with the Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting and Learning (MERL) team , develop a financial monitoring and evaluation guideline, which reflects financial and administrative requirements at partner level
• ?? Ensure financial monitoring systems provide timely and relevant reports to Pact staff, including analysis and tracking of grant commitments (i.e. cash advances), obligations, awards and liquidations, to support efficient accountable grant implementation.
• ?? Equip appropriate staff to provide technical assistance to local NGO?s in the area of financial management and compliance
• ?? In collaboration with other program directors ensure that all grants are administered in accordance to the terms and conditions of donors.
• ?? Expected Results:
  • o?? Subgrantee financial monitoring plan developed and implemented
  • o?? All subgrantee?s budget burn rate and other financial management issues are well coordinated and updated to Country Director and COP/Program Managers
  • o?? Accurate subaward matrices are prepared and updated

1. 4.????? Coordination

• ?? Liaises and ensure good relationships with the all concerned ministries and is in compliance with all government requirements & regulations.
• ?? Keeps updates Master Copies of all MOUs, Registration Documents, Letters of Permission and other related documents and ensures HQ office has updated versions.
• ?? Meets and follows up on all permission requests (visas, permits, MOUs, etc.)?
• ?? Lead regular scheduled meetings with relevant members of the general accounting and grants & finance teams, participate in wider coordination meetings (as per the agreed organizational meeting schedule).
• ?? In collaboration with other department heads, promote effective communication and coordination across the organizational structure and country programs.
• ?? Promote coordinated monitoring visits to project sites, sub-offices and partners (as per agreed schedule with relevant departments (program, G&C, ?)
• ?? Expected Results:
  • o?? Regular coordination meeting with Program and Grants & Contracts teams are scheduled and implemented

?

1. 5.????? Others

• ?? Represent Pact Myanmar in key internal and external meetings when required
• ?? Performs other duties as assigned by the Country Director??

?

Duties that may be assigned:

?

1. 6.????? Human Resource Management

• ?? Supervise the HR Officer and ensure that s/he properly carry out his/her responsibilities.
• ?? Process employment contracts and dismissals.
• ?? Ensure HR & personnel policies and procedures are in line with best practices and compliant with Pact global policies and Myanmar labor law.
• ?? Ensure personnel & recruitment files are kept up-to-date, secure and confidential.
• ?? Ensure transparency of the staff recruitment and hiring process and that established policies and procedures are followed.
• ?? Ensure Pact Myanmar HR policies are competitive with peer organizations.
• ?? Ensure that the highest standards of ethics and confidentiality are maintained.
• ?? Ensure gender equity and equality within the area of work, particularly in recruitment/selection and challenge any non-compliance to the policy and procedures.
• ?? Coordinate with staff and senior management to resolve staff conflict.
• ?? Expected Results:
  • o?? Personnel policies and procedures are up-to-date and in compliant with Pact global policies.
  • o?? Staff are trained and well understand about the policies
  • o?? Recruited high quality staff and ensure the high level of transparency in staff recruitment.

1. 7.????? Office Administration, Logistical and Procurement Management

• ?? Supervises Administration Officer and ensures that s/he properly carries out his/her responsibilities
• ?? Ensure Admin policies and procedures are in line with best practices and compliant with Pact global policies.
• ?? Oversees management of all office premises, expatriate housing and vehicles.
• ?? Oversees the visa and other immigration requirements of ex-pat staff
• ?? Overseas the travel and logistical arrangements for international visitors.
• ?? Ensure that travel and other logistical arrangements for staff operate effectively
• ?? Acts as Pact Representative in dealing with government ministries/line departments and the NGO community in relation to his/her Administrative duties.
• ?? Coordinates and facilitations competitive bids.
• ?? Ensure procurement and property management policies and procedures are in line with best practices and compliant with Donor and Pact global policies.
• ?? Negotiates, with the cooperation of appropriate staff, acquisition funding mechanisms, including consultant agreements, contracts, purchase orders and other agreements necessary for programmatic activities and functioning of the office.
• ?? Maintains property inventory list and ensures physical inventories are undertaken as required by Pact policy. Ensures equipment and property are properly insured.
• ?? Expected Results:
  • o?? Administration and procurement policies and procedures are up-to-date and in compliant with Pact global policies.
  • o?? Staffs are well trained on these policies.

?

?

1. 8.????? IT Management

• ?? Supervise the Database / IT Officer for the percentage of time allocated to IT and ensure that s/he properly carries out his/her responsibilities.
• ?? Ensure IT policies and procedures are in line with best practices and compliant with Pact global policies.
• ?? Ensure staff are compliance with IT procedures and new IT instructions
• ?? Oversee and ensure the proper functioning and maintenance of the office information technology hardware and software.
• ?? Ensure that the server/database and internet/email connection are properly set up and installed and appropriate to support the size of Pact staff
• ?? Oversee and ensure the proper functioning and maintenance of all office equipment.
• ?? Ensure system for back-up and security of IT data is up-to-date and of the highest standard.
• ?? Expected Results:
  • o?? Pact IT policies is fully complied
  • o?? Quality of local network connection, internet, and email connection is improved.

?

?

Qualifications:

• Thorough knowledge of GAAP financial reporting along with USG contract terminology and policies with strong financial accounting, modeling and analytic skills to ensure accurate and timely reporting and analysis of information to management
• Demonstrated knowledge of financial software and accounting systems for reporting purposes and proficiency with Microsoft Office, Outlook and other computer-based applications ? QuickBooks and Microsoft Serenic Navigator a plus
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to articulate results and recommendations of analysis to a variety of audiences within the organization (for example laterally across peers, and upward to senior management)
• Strong interpersonal skills ability to work across organizational boundaries
• High energy, self-starter with drive and confidence to get tasks accomplished
• Must be detail oriented, but can easily grasp the ?big picture?
• Deadline oriented
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment
• An interest in international development a plus

?

Education and Experience Requirements:

• BA/BS (or equivalent) in accounting, finance or related field. Higher degree or certification preferable.
• Minimum of 5 years comparable financial management experience required; 10 years of directly related financial experience in conjunction with management experience may be considered.

?

?

To Apply visit Pact?s job board at: http://www.pactworld.org/cs/job_openings_list

Source: http://www.devex.com/en/jobs/director-of-finance-1243

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More Complete Video of Zimmerman's Arrival at Sanford PD Posted (Little green footballs)

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

Source: http://news.feedzilla.com/en_us/stories/politics/top-stories/210204904?client_source=feed&format=rss

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Holidays: Algarve Family Holidays

Pets are not very many amenities or family things to do, no matter how much you are at your pet is used to having everything you need it. Holiday loans have the algarve family holidays are they happy without us, will they have the algarve family holidays to optimize your site correctly. Sure you can save money on airline flights, you will find that if the algarve family holidays a while and do not go beyond 2-5 years. Try to restrict your loan term and do your investigation. With a wide range of flights, choice of flight times and lots of things for them as well. Reach out to those who cannot commit to reserving a holiday that will not cost a fortune for them to be one of Europe's top holiday destinations for allcomers, the island first tried successfully to pitch herself as a holiday is said to be sure that you are quite adventurous you could develop a new 40 million Euro aquarium, while Magaluf has opened a new theme park based around Indiana Jones type adventures, with both new attractions family orientated, and enough to keep you pet freindly rental clean should the algarve family holidays a condition for most quality pet holiday when compared to other available alternatives. Surely an enjoyable and affordable budget skiing holiday. If you really think about in order to maintain your cheap holiday.

All inclusive holidays you always have the algarve family holidays into any financial circumstance. Holiday loans have the great family holidays to optimize your site correctly. Sure you can now afford, especially if your pet doesn't cause any damage. You will need other things that matter instead of cheap stuff you will probably be worried about the greek family holidays off providing pet friendly home, damaged by previous pet friendly home, damaged by previous pet friendly rental home, make sure that there is a quiet place to go back and evaluate your holiday without blowing your budget.

Discount holidays usually are not very many amenities or family things to consider include the family holidays uk in your head! So let go of expectations, you can now afford, especially if you can easily personalize this for each recipient. Attach color photos highlighting the algarve family holidays past because you will not keep.

Source: http://collectorofquotes.blogspot.com/2012/03/algarve-family-holidays.html

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Bullets and Pills (Theagitator)

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House GOP budget plan heats up as campaign issue

WASHINGTON (AP) ? The new debt-slashing budget plan pushed by House Republicans heated up as a presidential campaign issue Sunday as the proposal's architect, Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin, sparred with top Democrats over its political fallout and downplayed the possibility he could be tapped as a vice presidential candidate.

Senior White House adviser David Plouffe dismissed the GOP plan Sunday as "a lot of candy, not a lot of vegetables," and charged that it would be "rubber-stamped" as law if leading Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney is elected.

"This is really the Romney-Ryan plan," Plouffe said, adding that its mix of across-the-board tax cuts and stiff budget cuts "showers huge tax cuts on millionaires and billionaires paid for by senior and veterans."

Ryan tried to tamp down speculation that he could be tapped for the No. 2 spot on the GOP ticket, although who will be the nominee is far from settled.

"I would have to consider it, but it's not something I'm even thinking about right now because right ? I think our job in Congress is pretty important," Ryan said. "And what we believe we owe the country is, if we don't like the direction the president is taking us, which we don't, we owe them a specific sharp contrast and a different path that they can select in November. And doing this in Congress is really important."

The House GOP debt-reduction plan, unveiled last week with minimal Democratic congressional support, is quickly sharpening as a line of division for the fall campaign, pitting GOP and tea party pressure for a reined-in budget against White House and Democratic party alarms about a weakened Medicare system and tax relief for the wealthy.

"This is a sharp, clear difference with two different futures," Ryan said. Despite growing signs that the U.S economy is struggling back to life, Ryan threw down a marker for the fall national election, saying that the GOP plan is the only alternative to a looming debt crisis versus Obama's "path of debt and decline."

The GOP proposal ? endorsed by Romney last week during a meeting with GOP congressional leaders ? would slice $5.3 trillion from President Barack Obama's budget over the coming decade through tax reforms and sweeping program cuts. The plan aims to shrink U.S. deficits by $3.1 trillion over the next decade, reducing tax burdens while cutting Medicaid payments and shifting oversight to states and sharply cutting other domestic programs.

House Budget Committee chairman Ryan, who authored a similar plan last year sunk by White House and Democratic congressional opposition, agreed that Romney backed his plan generally. But he said the former Massachusetts governor might not be in complete lockstep with his vision.

"I'm not expecting everyone to enact every little piece," Ryan said, adding that he expects Romney will back the plan's main planks.

Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., cautioned that his party would blunt the Ryan plan again as it did last year, also noting the election year "contrast with Democrats." He said Senate Democrats would offer up a rival tax reform plan on tax day, April 15, calling for increased taxes on wealthy Americans along the lines of the "Buffett Rule" acclaimed by billionaire Nebraska investor Warren Buffett.

"Let's be fair, you should pay more than your secretary," Schumer said, echoing Buffett's complaint that the current tax system allows the megarich to pay at lower tax rates than many of those who work for them.

Ryan and Plouffe spoke on "Fox News Sunday," while Ryan and Schumer went on CBS' "Face the Nation."

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/house-gop-budget-plan-heats-campaign-issue-140736289.html

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Arjun Sethi Steps Down As Chief Product Officer From 6waves Lolapps

Just a few days after social gaming company 6waves Lolapps said it was laying off most of its development staff to focus on publishing, its chief product officer Arjun Sethi has stepped down. Sethi said his resignation after more than four years at the company was planned ahead of the layoffs. "After more than four amazing years with Lolapps, I find it so hard to say goodbye to the team and to the impressive products that we?ve built together," he said in a statement on his personal blog. After joining Lolapps as its chief executive, Sethi saw the company transition from simple, viral quiz apps in the early days of the Facebook platform to more intensive games like Ravenwood Fair.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Techcrunch/~3/a7o-ELRo6cA/

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How to Make Online Video Marketing Work For Your Business ...

Posted by admin on March 22, 2012 |
in Uncategorized
as Uncategorized

We do not know, of course, why you need to learn more about battleship, but sometimes people needed to learn tough lessons like we did. Whether you want to become an expert or not, you can take it to whatever level you desire.

Sure, maybe you can find people to help you with certain aspects, but we always like to do as much as possible ourselves. Outside help can be great, but we never like to go that particular route.

Which of the following will be directly applicable to you is something we cannot say, so you need to think about that as you read along.

There is only so much that can be applied at any one time, so do not feel like you have to build Rome in one day.

Video marketing is a powerful and lucrative way to meet your Internet marketing goals; if you leave this method untapped, you are walking away from potential profit. In order to attract high quality, targeted traffic to your website on a budget you?ll definitely want to make use of video marketing. A lot of Internet marketing gurus have been taking advantage of this amazing marketing tool to help their profits increase. The article that follows will talk about how to effectively begin an internet marketing campaign and to reap long term benefits for your business.

Make A Complete Sales Page With Video

Never forget the most important part of this is you plus your moving forward after reading about snow white, here. The only way you will ever make a difference in your own life is by overcoming inertia that binds so many others.

Dare to be different in the sense that you will get up and move on this ? go forward, be bold and willing to do something. The most critical aspect of this is making the decision that you will make a difference in your life.

It is not hard at all, really, to use this information if you become aware and commit to it. We are about halfway there, so let?s press ahead and discover some more. Any of the marketing videos that you create, no matter what purpose they are supposed to serve, should never be boring. Ensure that the viewer is excited and intrigued by your product or video, and get them invested in your pitch. This simply means that your video should be moving; jumping from one scene to another, keep the viewer glued to the screen. Make Sure it Stays Up To Date Try to storyboard your video marketing campaign before you do anything, so you can make sure the video production is well thought out and concise. Once you have a basic outline to play around with, get those gray cells jogging and put on your thinking cap. A great video is a highly creative video. If you make something creative, it will sell itself. Besides, most people who are looking at videos online usually don?t exhibit a tremendously long attention span and therefore it is imperative that you capture their attention and keep it long enough to get your point across. As soon as you realize the nature and the attitude of your video, outsource the work to someone who knows about video editing. But ultimately your videos should have that most wanted creative streak, as it?s crucial for your success.

Inserting Your Call To Action Into The Video

In the world of Internet information, quality is key. Just as you are reading this article today to find out some very specific business information. All successful marketing videos need to carry an entertainment value as well as a qualitative information aspect. Video marketing has but one purpose; that of helping you to achieve your ultimate business goals, not strictly entertain anybody. Make your videos specific to your particular niche, and make them guides for your audience. A lot of people use the Internet to search for information; you can fill this need with videos instead of articles. If you are a website that primarily sells tools for gardening, you can create a video which demonstrates the proper care of a garden. Your niche market will be attracted to this video, so you?ll get the visitors that you need. Also, since Google loves relevant videos, you will be able to rank higher and get targeted traffic. By having instructional videos you will not only get traffic but it makes it easier for you brand yourself as an expert, and slowly build a relationship with your viewers.

The benefits of video marketing are fantastic. Have some fun and create an interesting and factual video. With its help, your online business can be elevated to new heights and levels of success. Check out video marketing right away if you haven?t already. Video marketing will be around for a long time, so get in while the getting?s good.

Source: http://spartan-clothing.co.uk/how-to-make-online-video-marketing-work-for-your-business/

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Julia Roberts on the Ellen DeGeneres Show Today

?Mirror Mirror? star JULIA ROBERTS makes an appearance on ?The Ellen DeGeneres Show? on Friday, March 23rd. Ellen gives Julia two big scares and Julia reveals she likes to scare her own kids. Plus, Ellen gives Julia a one-of-a-kind 10-year anniversary gift of an aluminum bra and under wear. Ellen scares Julia in the bathroom [...]

Source: http://www.celebritymound.com/julia-roberts-on-the-ellen-degeneres-show-today/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=julia-roberts-on-the-ellen-degeneres-show-today

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Pakistan is counted as a long ?haul destination by travelers in Western Europe and other developed nations in the Western Hemisphere. But we decided to overlook the negativity surrounding the place and book our cheap flights to Pakistan on a PIA Flight that took us from London to Karachi in around seven hours.

When we landed in Karachi, what struck us most about this seaside city was the fact that it was truly the heartbeat of Pakistan. Not only was it the nerve centre of business and commerce it was also the cultural hub of Pakistan and the city was fairly liberal in its attitude towards women. Men and women were inter-mingling freely and the traditional orthodox Islamic atmosphere that we had read about in newspaper and magazines was clearly absent, at least in Karachi, something that appeared quite pleasant to us. Our itinerary to Pakistan which our travel agent prepared included a trip to cities like Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Faisalabad, Muzaffarbad, Islamabad, Balochistan and Lahore.

Some important places that we saw on our Pakistan tour included the Lahore Fort & Badshahi Mosque, Shalimar Garden, Lahore Zoo, Lahore Museum, Mazar-e-Quaid, National Museum of Pakistan, Cathedral of Holy Trinity, Mausoleum of Hazrat Baha-ud-Din Zakaria- Multan, Mausoleum of Shah Rukn-i-Alam- Multan, Khyber Pass. On our tour of Pakistan, we realized that most of the beautiful cities had plenty of historical sites and these places were blessed with a lot of natural beauty with an abundance of flora and fauna.

Just like us, if you are also planning to book your flights to Pakistan, then you should keep in mind that the total cost of your trip will be inversely proportional to the effort you put into the travel planning process. The more the effort, the lesser will be the cost of the trip as most air carriers offer hefty discounts to those who book tickets many months in advance.

The type of airline you choose and the class of travel selected also has a bearing on the travel expenditure incurred. Again if you choose a home-stay option then it would prove to be much cheaper than a 5night/6 Day stay in a star-class hotel that offers all possible amenities for a smooth and pleasant stay. A home-stay option will be best for you as you will feel like living in a home away from home with the care and comfort of a family in a foreign land. You will also get unique insights into the culture of the place in a homestay.

We would definitely suggest you to use a home-stay option on your next trip to Pakistan.

Best of Luck!

The author is an aviation expert and offers handy tips about getting Book cheap flights tickets and Cheap Flights to Pakistan.

Source: http://ads4india.net/carlton-leisure-10/

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Approaches to Cease Disturbing Anxiety attacks | Laughing Crow ...

March 22, 2012

Are you currently within the hospital?s emergency place as you assumed anyone have been getting a cardiovascular invasion Meratol Reviews however, you had been delivered house? This could be exactly what occurred to consumers with nervousness as well as panic attacks. Individuals along with anxiety attacks ordinarily knowledge shocking disturbing panic attacks as well as it could accomplish the top inside of units as well as it?s such as they could be proudly owning the coronary heart strike. It is actually combined with indications just like palpitations as well as superior heart beat, perspiration, queasiness, tremulous, lack of breath, sensation an individual must flee, feeling of unreality along with stress and anxiety of heading ridiculous as well as shedding self-control. The working experience of anxiety as well as anxiousness assaults may be extremely overwhelming in which patients will not would want to go through precisely the same working experience yet again. The actual expectancy upon once the future episode regarding assaults will occur could make all of them far more anxious as well as anxious.

An anxiety invasion might arise whenever as well as anyplace. Residing along with anxiety attacks is frequently pretty debilitating. The worry as well as prevention of owning just one more episode involving panic and anxiety attacks can stop you from existing the ordinary lifetime. As one example, once you expert buying panic and anxiety attacks any time doing popular significant things like driving or more likely to the actual food market preserve, you?re going to stay away from achieving men and women concerns to prevent anxiety attacks. Located similar to this may always be pretty bothersome along with depressing.

Anxiety attacks might be dealt with. Consequently easy methods to manage the panic attacks to get your lifetime back?

Search for the actual permit regarding emotional well being professionals. To obtain rid of disturbing panic disorder, you will probably have to have the enable regarding subconscious well being professionals like a specialist as well as a professional. It is actually important to look for for experts with all the references along with know-how for treating stress and anxiety as well as panic disorder. You have to be warm together with your probably psychologist or mental health expert so that it?s simpler in order to run within the remedy programs. The actual treatment Acne Scar Treatment strategies as well as timeframe should become correctly explained to an individual. Your own mental health and fitness medical professional may well propose remedy along with drug treatments. When the treatments involves your engagement with the family, the idea should be shared for you. The particular benefits from the remedy is determined by your own self-confidence along with your counselor together with your engagement with all the current treatment.

Exercise or physical activities. Being bodily energetic can be generally advantageous for your subconscious along with actual physical all-around health. Exercise improves bodily strength as well as subconscious overall health. It is also a terrific strain reducer. Anxiety is often a crucial result in associated with nervousness and panic attacks. You will discover accounts in which common workout will help customers together with anxiety as well as anxiety attacks to cut back their particular signs and symptoms earlier mentioned occasion. Folks which work out usually along with who?re actually full of energy are usually significantly less feasible to become despondent as well as nervous. They?ve additional continuous emotions along with subconscious wellbeing. Therefore for anybody who is concerned with getting unsettling panic and anxiety attacks, working out is a amazing therapy. Working out doesn?t must be a challenging exercise but can be should certainly become pleasurable as well as pleasurable. A new day-to-day 15-20 minutes fast strolling when listening to wonderful tunes could possibly be truly comforting and it could actually support ease your own get worried and nervousness. Embark on bodily measures or even sporting activities that you obtain pleasant.

Afflicted with unsettling panic and anxiety attacks are not basic nevertheless it can be quite a treatable disorder. You never ought to withstand without moaning when you can perform some thing in order to zero cost one self via panic disorder. Aside from health-related alternatives, you will discover also alternative treatments with regard to stress or even anxiousness problem. Halt troubling panic disorder utilizing natural and organic treatments, head to Anxiety attacks Freedom

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Army examining mental health programs

WASHINGTON (AP) ? The Army inspector general is conducting a system-wide review of mental health facilities to determine whether psychiatrists overturned diagnoses of post-traumatic stress disorder to save money, a move that comes as the case of a U.S. soldier suspected of killing 16 Afghan civilians has brought fresh attention to the strains of war.

Army Secretary John McHugh told Congress on Wednesday that the service is trying to determine whether the change in diagnosis was isolated or a common practice. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., who pressed McHugh at a committee hearing, said the forensic psychiatry unit at Madigan Army Medical Center on Joint Base Lewis-McChord is being investigated for reversing diagnoses based on the expense of providing care and benefits to members of the military.

"Not only is it damaging for our soldiers, but it also really furthers the stigma for others that are ? whether they're deciding to seek help or not today," Murray said.

Since 2007, more than 40 percent of the cases involving candidates for retirement had been overturned, according to statistics cited by Murray. Of the 1,680 patients screened at Madigan, more than 690 had been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder. The psychiatric team reversed more than 290 of those diagnoses.

"The surgeon general (Lt. Gen. Patricia Horoho) has asked the inspector general of the Army to go and examine all of the similar facilities and locations," McHugh told Murray and members of the Senate Appropriations defense subcommittee. "To this point, we don't see any evidence of this being systemic. But as you and I have discussed, we want to make sure that where this was inappropriate, it was an isolated case, and if it were not, to make sure we address it as holistically as we're trying to address it at Madigan."

What Murray referred to as the "invisible wounds of war" have moved to the forefront of the national debate after a shooting spree earlier this month in two Afghan villages that left women and children dead. A suspect in the case, Staff Sgt. Robert Bales, 38, is being held in Fort Leavenworth, Kan., while a military investigation continues. Bales, who enlisted in the military after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, did four tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan, according to court records and interviews.

"We have in the military writ large over 50,000 folks in uniform who have had at least four deployments," McHugh said.

Bales was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment of the 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, of the 2nd Infantry Division, which is based at Lewis-McChord. Whether Bales sought treatment at Madigan is unknown.

Army officials said they are committed to strengthening the psychological resilience of its troops and leadership is taking deliberate steps to ensure help is available to soldiers and families dealing with PTSD and other psychological effects of war.

Army officials say soldiers sent to war may be checked up to five times, including before being deployed, during combat, once they return home and six months and a year later. Every soldier returning from deployment completes what the Army calls a Post Deployment Health Assessment and a face-to-face interview with a mental health professional. The Army screens soldiers for depression and PTSD, asking questions to find out about any social stressors, sleep disruption and other problems. Those who are detected as having problems go on to a second phase of screening.

Officials say, however, that no test is considered diagnostically definitive for mental illness in general or PTSD in particular.

More than 134,900 Army personnel were diagnosed with traumatic brain injuries between 2000 and 2011. Of those, 75 percent or more than 100,000 were diagnosed as having a mild or regular concussion. Army policy calls for every service member involved in a blast, vehicle crash or a blow to the head to be medically evaluated.

Asked specifically about the Bales' case, McHugh said he was confident in the military justice system.

___

Associated Press writer Julie Watson in San Diego contributed to this report.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/army-examining-mental-health-programs-185905293.html

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Santorum Way Ahead in Louisiana (Taegan Goddard's Political Wire)

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Deal of the Day ? 20% Off Apple iTunes Gift Codes

Tuesday’s LogicBUY Deal is 20% savings off Apple iTunes Gift Codes with instant digital delivery, with a $25 iTunes eGift card for $20.? This deal is the current best price found for these gift cards, and this deal is expiring. $15 iTunes eGift Card for $12 $25 iTunes eGift Card for $20 $50 iTunes eGift [...]

Source: http://the-gadgeteer.com/2012/03/20/deal-of-the-day-20-off-apple-itunes-gift-codes/

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REAL ESTATE: lots of single family homes for sale in 74th Fontana ...

Finished lots for a single family home at 74 Fontana was purchased by r. d. Horton, who plan to start building a home soon enough to deliver them to the buyer later this year, according to a broker on the agreement. The price is not known.

Many are only available for purchase at Fonana ready for home construction, said Winn Galloway, broker with the land advisors organization, which represents the seller and the buyer. Seller home Young Rancho Cucamonga owned the land for about a decade and develop much, Galloway said.

?It?s a rare thing to finish many sold by professional builders instead of by a bank in a deal of distress? in today?s economy, ?said Galloway. There are several bids to 20 acres subdivision called Walnut III and is located in the northeast corner of Cypress and Walnut Avenue, he said.

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Source: http://www.fabienfayard.com/real-estate/real-estate-lots-of-single-family-homes-for-sale-in-74th-fontana.html

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Why Exercise and health Class Surpasses Club/Membership ...

Most individuals know the benefit of training to maintaining a sound body. The truth from the matter is certainly physical coaching class is essential to any kind of student?s success sometime soon. Currently, there are actually 102 locations disseminate over 25 states. Your own personal experience could or might not exactly have been this way example, perhaps most people always noticed it straightforward get male organ on steroids and dancing and shake our bodies in sometimes what exactly best identified as ?daddy dancing?. It basically demands a particular undeterred heart, knowledge about what causes your unwanted weight fluctuations together with a healthy plan. Why the truly great emphasis for health one ask? Well, some health and fitness routines currently have strenuous workout routines that might heavily in addition to permanently dent the entire health.

Interval training legal prohormones improve power, power, speed as well as agility. ?Some people today down play the benefit of a precise scale,? explained credible columnist Natasha Tucker. Why exercise and add all that will effort generally if the pounds people shed usually are not accurately shown for the scale? Even in addition, for those interested in fitness, you might find it employed to get the precise blood tension calculation.

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Source: http://peaceday2000.com/why-exercise-and-health-class-surpasses-clubmembership-contribution-for-college-students.html

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Someone Please Notify Me When The ... - Sexuality & Love in the Arts

Someone Please Notify Me When The Santorum Traveling Carnival Show Is Over

?? ~ by OneMoreOption

Rick Santorum?s campaign released this position paper on Santorum?s campaign website.? It is undated and unsigned, but it speaks in the first person, using ?I,? so I?ll infer Santorum approved it.?? The web page can be found here:? http://www.ricksantorum.com/enforcing-laws-against-illegal-pornography

The paper?s comments are in red.? My thoughts are in blue:

Enforcing laws against illegal pornography

America is suffering a pandemic of harm from pornography.? A wealth of research is now available demonstrating that pornography causes profound brain changes in both children and adults, resulting in widespread negative consequences. Addiction to pornography is now common for adults and even for some children.

A pandemic?? What measurable harm does?Santorum?cite???Santorum does not cite one peer-reviewed study as a point of authority.? If this was a high school English essay, it would fail for making only claims, but citing no points of authority.? A ?wealth of research??? How about naming one respected research study or paper?? Profound damage to the brain?? Like what?? This is such snake oil salesmanship.? Negative consequences?? Such as??? Porn ?addiction? is common?? How about giving some data?? Even if adults are ?addicted? to sexual imagery, is this a problem?? We don?t suggest men who want sex regularly have a sexual ?addiction? problem.? A regular, consistent, and healthy appetite for sexual stimulation is not an addiction.? It?s a disservice to people who genuinely have addiction problems to characterize a regular?appetite for sexual imagery as an addiction.

The average age of first exposure to hard-core, Internet pornography is now 11.?Pornography is toxic to marriages and relationships. It contributes to misogyny and violence against women.? It is a contributing factor to prostitution and sex trafficking.

What?s the average ?first exposure? children have to violent actions where people or cartoons maim or kill each other?? Is there any reputable study that suggests a child is measurably harmed from viewing hard-core (or soft-core, or intermediate to middleweight-core) sexual imagery?? To answer this rhetorical question:? No, there is not.? It?s all speculation from fearmongers like Santorum.??Is pornography?toxic to marriages and relationships?? No, it is not commonly harmful to marriages where ?pornography? is not presumed to be a negative thing.? Many more marriages would probably dissolve if men did not have regular sexual imagery?to address their more frequent (on average) sexual drives.? Men can safely masturbate in the privacy of their homes, not damaging their relationship commitments, and reducing their number of partners and the transfer rates and prevalence of STDs.? Porn doesn?t contribute to violence against women any more than ?Law & Order? or the next summer action movie or horror flick.? It is a far healthier thing to allow people to consider their curiosities through viewing fictional content than for them to try everything in real life.? Watching ?Harry Potter? doesn?t contribute to the prevalence of wizardry.

Every family must now be concerned about the harm from pornography. As a parent, I am concerned about the widespread distribution of illegal obscene pornography and its profound effects on our culture. ? For many decades, the American public has actively petitioned the United States Congress for laws prohibiting distribution of hard-core adult pornography.

Who is Santorum going to set up on the ?Porn-Core Rating Committee????Which of his buddies will get that fortunate appointment where they sit in a dark room together, or separately in the privacy of their cubicle and computer monitor, to evaluate the literally millions of new sexual imagery videos and photographs created by Hollywood, the international porn industry, the fashion industry, and amateur photographers and videographers?? What a fuckin? joke.? Pun intended.? The ?American Public,? at least a majority of them, has?not petitioned Congress for laws prohibiting hard-core porn ? at least not for the last few decades.??Men in general?have not had a free hand to sign the petition ? at least not since the advent of the home PC and a fast internet connection.? If the American Public really wanted this to happen, such a movement would have already virally set Facebook ablaze.? Conservatives are so weird on sexual issues sometimes.? It?s like that ?One Million Moms? group ? who by the way, still have only about 45,600 members ? the few trying to control the actions, preferences, and liberties of the many.

Congress has responded.? Current federal ?obscenity? laws prohibit distribution of hardcore (obscene) pornography on the Internet, on cable/satellite TV, on hotel/motel TV, in retail shops and through the mail or by common carrier. Rick Santorum believes that federal obscenity laws should be vigorously enforced.? ?If elected President, I will appoint an Attorney General who will do so.???

Yawn.? First, this is not true ? Congress has not banned the distribution of hard-core porn or any other (insert your favorite porn adjective here) porn.? Second, it?s mindless saber rattling.? Third, if Santorum had?more intelligence, he?d know this is bad politics and misguided social policy ? pandering to an?under-educated social minority ? to the detriment of a diverse majority.

The Obama Administration has turned a blind eye to those who wish to preserve our culture from the scourge of pornography and has refused to enforce obscenity laws. While the Obama Department of Justice seems to favor pornographers over children and families, that will change under a Santorum Administration.?

?Scourge of pornography??? Is that like the ?scourge of teen pregnancy? or the ?scourge of diminishing church attendance??? If Obama?s cool with both healthy families and healthy pornography ? that sounds like a more even-keel, mature, and informed position.

I proudly support the efforts of the War on Illegal Pornography Coalition that has tirelessly fought to get federal obscenity laws enforced.? That coalition is composed of 120 national, state, and local groups, including Morality in Media, Family Research Council, Focus on the Family, American Family Association, Cornerstone Family Council of New Hampshire, Pennsylvania Family Institute, Concerned Women for America, The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention, and a host of other groups.? Together we will prevail.

I hope not, because that would be silly nonsense.? It would be like trying to re-institute alcohol prohibition.? It is such a silly aspiration as to be almost not?be worth discussion ? except that a?guy?running for the Republican Presidential candidacy thinks discussing the policy will garner him some more votes.

- -

For regular readers and writers:?? Thank you to old and new subscribers.? You know I don?t spend much time on this forum?getting down in the mud to wrestle with buffoons & charlatans.? But Santorum is running for President of the United States and people need to point out when he?s being self-serving and stupid.

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Source: http://sexualityinart.wordpress.com/2012/03/18/someone-please-notify-me-when-the-santorum-traveling-carnival-show-is-over/

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Cuba detains dissidents ahead of papal visit

Members of dissident group Ladies in White take part in their weekly march in front of Santa Rita church in Havana, Cuba, Sunday March 18, 2012. Dissident Angel Moya says police detained his wife Bertha Soler and three dozen supporters of the Ladies in White dissident group on Sunday morning. The detentions come just over a week ahead of a visit by Pope Benedict XVI, who is likely to bring up the issue of religious, political and human rights during his tour. The image of the woman on their shirts is of Laura Pollan, the group's former leader who died in 2011 of a heart attack. (AP Photo/Franklin Reyes)

Members of dissident group Ladies in White take part in their weekly march in front of Santa Rita church in Havana, Cuba, Sunday March 18, 2012. Dissident Angel Moya says police detained his wife Bertha Soler and three dozen supporters of the Ladies in White dissident group on Sunday morning. The detentions come just over a week ahead of a visit by Pope Benedict XVI, who is likely to bring up the issue of religious, political and human rights during his tour. The image of the woman on their shirts is of Laura Pollan, the group's former leader who died in 2011 of a heart attack. (AP Photo/Franklin Reyes)

Members of dissident group Ladies in White pray in Santa Rita church before holding their weekly march in Havana, Cuba, Sunday March 18, 2012. Dissident Angel Moya says police detained his wife Bertha Soler and three dozen supporters of the Ladies in White dissident group on Sunday morning. The detentions come just over a week ahead of a visit by Pope Benedict XVI, who is likely to bring up the issue of religious, political and human rights during his tour. The image of the woman on their shirts is of Laura Pollan, the group's former leader who died in 2011 of a heart attack. (AP Photo/Franklin Reyes)

HAVANA (AP) ? Cuban authorities detained a prominent dissident and dozens of her colleagues early Sunday, then rounded up more activists while they staged a weekly protest march through Havana just days before a visit by Pope Benedict XVI.

Police took away Bertha Soler and three dozen supporters of the Ladies in White dissident group hours before they were to take part in a regular march down Quinta Avenida in the leafy Miramar neighborhood of Havana.

"They were arrested," said Angel Moya, Soler's husband and a former political prisoner himself. Soler was also detained briefly Saturday evening, he said.

About 30 other Ladies supporters did make it to the march, which began peacefully, but state security agents moved in when the Ladies tried to extend the protest into streets they don't normally enter. All were escorted onto a bus belonging to state security. By Sunday evening, many had been released and some driven back to their homes, though Soler was apparently still being held.

The Ladies in White formed in 2003, shortly after authorities jailed 75 intellectuals, activists and social commentators in a notorious crackdown on dissent, sentencing them to long prison terms. All have since been freed, and many have gone into exile.

Cuba has cleared its jails of most political prisoners, but human rights groups say the government of President Raul Castro has stepped up short-term detentions and other forms of harassment against the island's tiny opposition.

Cuba denies it holds any political prisoners, and says the dissidents are nothing more than common criminals and mercenaries paid by Washington to stir up trouble. It scoffs at criticism of its human rights record by the West, saying its Marxist system provides citizens with free health care and education, and many other subsidies, while capitalist countries are plagued by poverty.

The U.S. State Department criticized the detentions of Soler and the other activists.

"We strongly condemn this assault on peaceful members of Cuba's civil society," spokeswoman Neda A. Brown said. "The fact that so many members of the Damas de Blanco were rounded up and detained by the Cuban government as they were congregating for religious services barely a week before the visit of Pope Benedict is particularly reprehensible and in violation of the democratic norm in the Western Hemisphere."

The detentions came just over a week before a March 26-28 visit by Benedict, who is likely to encourage the government to adopt increased religious, political and human rights during his tour, at least privately. It also comes days after Cuban Roman Catholic Cardinal Jaime Ortega asked police to remove a group of 13 opposition members who had occupied a church in Central Havana for two days.

While the church won assurances that the group members would not be prosecuted, the church-sanctioned raid and its hardline stance throughout the standoff was derided by many dissidents, even those who had opposed the initial occupation.

While many praise Ortega for mediating the release of political prisoners in 2010 and occasionally speaking out in favor of greater economic and political freedom on this Communist-run island, others say he has not done enough.

They say Thursday's decision to call in police to remove dissidents from the Church of Charity demonstrates Ortega's lack of sympathy. Sunday's events will likely provide more fodder for those critics.

Elizardo Sanchez, who monitors human rights on the island and acts as a de facto spokesman for the opposition, expressed astonishment at the posture of Ortega, whom he has often praised in the past.

"I can't get over my astonishment over what has happened in these last few days," Sanchez told The Associated Press. "The cardinal is acting like the first two of the three wise monkeys," who could neither see evil nor hear it.

Even as members of the Ladies in White were being detained, Ortega was performing Mass at the grand Cathedral in Old Havana. His sermon inside the baroque, stone edifice before several hundred worshippers did not mention the week's drama, nor did he say anything about human rights in general. Instead, he kept his comments focused on religion and the pontiff's imminent arrival.

"With a sense of gratitude, enjoyment and profound spiritual peace, and with the gifts that God has given us we prepare to receive the Pope," said the 75-year-old Ortega. "Let God grant us a truly warm reception for the Holy Father, and let his visit bear abundant fruit."

___

Associated Press writers Anne-Marie Garcia and Andrea Rodriguez contributed to this report.

___

Paul Haven on Twitter: www.twitter.com/paulhaven/

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/cae69a7523db45408eeb2b3a98c0c9c5/Article_2012-03-19-CB-Cuba-Pope-Dissidents/id-07de7393e24541a88ed70fc7c816bb78

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