Local cops on front lines against product counterfeiting

Public release date: 22-Feb-2012
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Contact: Jeremy Wilson
jwilson@msu.edu
517-353-9474
Michigan State University

EAST LANSING, Mich. Contrary to common perception, state and local police are often on the front lines against product counterfeiting, yet it's unclear how prepared they are to deal with the growing crime, according to a new report from two Michigan State University criminologists.

Justin Heinonen and Jeremy Wilson found that local and/or state police were involved in nearly half of the identified product counterfeiting cases related to Michigan, which range from jewelry to car windshields to cholesterol drugs.

"Product counterfeiting may have links to terrorism and international organized crime, so the assumption is that only the federal authorities are handling it," said Heinonen, assistant professor of criminal justice. "But we found that local authorities are often involved in investigating these incidents as well. They can play an important role."

In a project funded by the U.S. Department of Justice, MSU will develop counterfeiting awareness videos and hold training sessions for state and local police in Michigan this summer.

In addition, because counterfeiting cases often cross state and even national boundaries, the report recommends promoting coordination between Michigan and other states and countries to attack the problem.

For the study, Heinonen and Wilson examined federal reports, case studies, media accounts and other sources and identified 47 cases of product counterfeiting related to Michigan dating as far back as the 1970s. Local and/or state police played a role in 21 of the incidents. The study looks at the counterfeiting of virtually all products, but excludes currency and documents.

In one case involving a Michigan-based automaker, a facility was raided after officials discovered it was producing counterfeit windshields. The windshields were exported throughout the world but did not contain shatterproof safety elements.

In another case, an unidentified man was fined $3 million after U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers in Detroit seized more than 9,000 counterfeit purses that had been shipped from China to a local business through the Port of Detroit.

Wilson, associate professor of criminal justice, said while the number of cases identified in the report represents just a fraction of the counterfeiting cases out there, it offers a baseline of evidence for understanding the nature of the risk. Wilson directs MSU's Anti-Counterfeiting and Product Protection Program, or A-CAPPP, which was formed several years ago after industry officials turned to Michigan State for much needed research and potential solutions to the problem.

The global market for counterfeiting has risen from about $30 billion in the 1980s to as much as $600 billion today, according to estimates. A-CAPPP researchers are developing the first national database of counterfeiting incidents that will help in better understanding the nature of the problem.

In addition to harming companies' bottom lines and taking jobs from people, counterfeiting can be a safety concern when the products involve tainted food and medication and deficient auto parts.

Investigating counterfeiting can be a lengthy, complex process. According to the Michigan report, the average investigation lasted about 13 months and involved an average of three perpetrators. The average seizure value was almost $739,000 and included large seizures of counterfeit auto parts, Super Bowl XL apparel and purses.

Another issue raised in the report: Nearly 60 percent of suspects were not charged with an intellectual property offense. Why not? Was it due to unfamiliarity with IP laws among authorities, the inability of the law to fit the crime or perhaps challenges with building such cases? The researchers recommend further research on the issue.

###

Michigan State University has been working to advance the common good in uncommon ways for more than 150 years. One of the top research universities in the world, MSU focuses its vast resources on creating solutions to some of the world's most pressing challenges, while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges.

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AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.

Public release date: 22-Feb-2012
[ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Jeremy Wilson
jwilson@msu.edu
517-353-9474
Michigan State University

EAST LANSING, Mich. Contrary to common perception, state and local police are often on the front lines against product counterfeiting, yet it's unclear how prepared they are to deal with the growing crime, according to a new report from two Michigan State University criminologists.

Justin Heinonen and Jeremy Wilson found that local and/or state police were involved in nearly half of the identified product counterfeiting cases related to Michigan, which range from jewelry to car windshields to cholesterol drugs.

"Product counterfeiting may have links to terrorism and international organized crime, so the assumption is that only the federal authorities are handling it," said Heinonen, assistant professor of criminal justice. "But we found that local authorities are often involved in investigating these incidents as well. They can play an important role."

In a project funded by the U.S. Department of Justice, MSU will develop counterfeiting awareness videos and hold training sessions for state and local police in Michigan this summer.

In addition, because counterfeiting cases often cross state and even national boundaries, the report recommends promoting coordination between Michigan and other states and countries to attack the problem.

For the study, Heinonen and Wilson examined federal reports, case studies, media accounts and other sources and identified 47 cases of product counterfeiting related to Michigan dating as far back as the 1970s. Local and/or state police played a role in 21 of the incidents. The study looks at the counterfeiting of virtually all products, but excludes currency and documents.

In one case involving a Michigan-based automaker, a facility was raided after officials discovered it was producing counterfeit windshields. The windshields were exported throughout the world but did not contain shatterproof safety elements.

In another case, an unidentified man was fined $3 million after U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers in Detroit seized more than 9,000 counterfeit purses that had been shipped from China to a local business through the Port of Detroit.

Wilson, associate professor of criminal justice, said while the number of cases identified in the report represents just a fraction of the counterfeiting cases out there, it offers a baseline of evidence for understanding the nature of the risk. Wilson directs MSU's Anti-Counterfeiting and Product Protection Program, or A-CAPPP, which was formed several years ago after industry officials turned to Michigan State for much needed research and potential solutions to the problem.

The global market for counterfeiting has risen from about $30 billion in the 1980s to as much as $600 billion today, according to estimates. A-CAPPP researchers are developing the first national database of counterfeiting incidents that will help in better understanding the nature of the problem.

In addition to harming companies' bottom lines and taking jobs from people, counterfeiting can be a safety concern when the products involve tainted food and medication and deficient auto parts.

Investigating counterfeiting can be a lengthy, complex process. According to the Michigan report, the average investigation lasted about 13 months and involved an average of three perpetrators. The average seizure value was almost $739,000 and included large seizures of counterfeit auto parts, Super Bowl XL apparel and purses.

Another issue raised in the report: Nearly 60 percent of suspects were not charged with an intellectual property offense. Why not? Was it due to unfamiliarity with IP laws among authorities, the inability of the law to fit the crime or perhaps challenges with building such cases? The researchers recommend further research on the issue.

###

Michigan State University has been working to advance the common good in uncommon ways for more than 150 years. One of the top research universities in the world, MSU focuses its vast resources on creating solutions to some of the world's most pressing challenges, while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges.

---

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AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.

Source: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2012-02/msu-lco022212.php

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Save Money On Car Repairs By Using Auto Repair Manuals | Fartin ...

In lawsuit you recently got your car for repair, it is extremely most likely which you have been dumbfounded using the amount, that you had to end up paying for uncomplicated repairs. Doing so is where some of us build a need for lowering the expense by carrying out the repair job ourselves. Even so, the hurdle in our lawsuit is the the lack of car repair knowledge. Fortunately, students have ?auto repair manuals? readily available online, that can help you in the process. It is easy to also uncover discount auto elements as a internet, that can lessen the all round investment further.

World wide web has a lot of auto repair manuals readily available for you. Even so, you could not accept just about every random manual to be helpful. The top quality, in this kind of circumstances, is dependent on screening the manual very carefully for visiting in lawsuit they has the ability to include the repairs, that you want generate in your car. Students have manuals, that are based on the repair job of a particular part. The same goes using discount auto elements. For reduced elements, we want keep in mind which not all the locations offer top quality products. We want possess an eye out for a esteemed storehouse proposition this kind of products.

Now, for figuring out a wiser among the readily available online repair manuals, you want check some of the readily available options. Students have several this kind of locations set up by carmakers and mechanics, that are proposition organic manuals. You want possess some thought on car to identify the manual, that can work for you. If needed, you could consider improve of your pal, who has experience in repairing cars. Together, finding manuals is fairly uncomplicated. Even so, also if you have a great manual in your hand, the job is half done.

You additionally want uncover a great online store to buy great discount auto elements for minimizing the car repair expense. With distinct locations screening these sellers, it is possible to easily uncover the ones, who are esteemed. Yet again, students have client testimonials readily available online for helping your cause. Your pal may additionally improve you by letting you realize of the store, from where he tends to make his purchase.

After you have each auto service repair manuals and auto replacement parts handy using you, the next stage is to fix your car. Doing so is where, to remain objective it is important to consider initially time, you could consider the improve of your pal. He can help you in receiving greater acquainted to distinct conditions utilized in the car. After bride and groom of tries using your pal, you will be in a greater position to fix your car yourself. Since you additionally realize the arrange from where it is possible to buy cheap auto elements, anticipate to save a lot of your money.

So, without any throwing considerably of your time, start off finding a repair manual and reserves for good reduced elements, nowadays. You will certainly uncover your investment of time to be advantageous in the future, and save more money down the road for your car repair cost.

Source: http://www.fartinelevator.com/fartin-elevator/134

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What's Love Got to Do With It? - The Relationship Playbook

Eros, Philia and Agape. What?s Love Got To Do With It??

By Mary Claremont

Valentine?s Day has come and gone. Some married men and women anticipated the holiday for weeks, looking forward to basking in the glow of love and sweet exchanges with their spouse. But, the truth is, many couples look forward to Valentine?s Day with as much disdain as Friday the 13th. They go through the motions with no sense of love to celebrate. Any displays of affection are obligatory. Others mock or ignore the day all together. For these husbands and wives it is likely that the thrill is gone. The passion has faded. Instead of fortifying their marriage with trust, respect and love, these couples have let coolness and distance creep in. The euphoria of a fresh love has been replaced with negative emotions; fear, complacency, envy, resentment. Though that loving feeling may be buried, it has not necessarily vanished. As our relationships mature so should the depth of which we relate to one another. Rethinking what is means to ?love? your mate is a great start.

Eros

When lovers first meet, woo and eventually commit to one another they experience Eros, a passionate love marked by sensual desire and longing. This Ancient Greek word means ?intimate love?, something chemically distinct from friendship. We fall head over heels for someone and attraction grows into eroticism. Intoxicating sex and the feeling that you cannot live without this person are characteristics of Eros. Because of the joy and good feeling it brings, Eros can lead to love and marriage ? but it cannot keep us there. Even the most enamored lovers must give into the mundane aspects of their union. Duties dictated by work schedules, family responsibilities and finances are a necessary evil that ground a couple, sobering them up from the love-drunk honeymoon period. The limitations of Eros love is it?s selfishness. What happens when you stop feeling ?happy?. The moment the marriage hits a rough patch and your partner no longer makes you feel the physical or emotional sensations of the past, your relationship is in jeopardy. A successful marriage must hold on to the heat that Eros brings, but also understand that a more cooperative, sustaining connection must be formed.

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Philia

Philia is a love based on friendship between two people, it is patient and kind. Perhaps you started out as friends, grew to admire each other, then strong feelings began to emerge. Couples that share a close friendship have the best of both worlds ? romance and companionship. If we closely examine our relationships we are most comfortable around, have the most fun with and feel most supported by our friends. A unique quality of friendships is a reliable give and take that is mutually beneficial; a sense that you have each others back. In marriage it is important that you not only love, but also like your mate. If so when looks fade, sexual prowess wains or money decreases, a sense of connectedness remains. If you and your mate?s affair developed quickly and you?ve never found yourselves in the friend zone, take the time to backtrack especially if your marriage is in trouble. Get to know your partner as a person, not a lover. Explore your interests and hobbies together, get silly and take sex out of the picture for a while.

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Agape

Agape love is beyond Philia and Eros love. Selfless and non-judgemental, it is considered as the highest form of love. Agape is given without self benefit, expectation or reciprocity. When the situation is not ideal one continues to love from their spirit, no matter how hard it might be. In Ancient Greece this is the kind of love that warriors felt in order to sacrifice themselves to win the battle. Are you a soldier of love? Agape love is born in the most difficult of times; when what you want or need from your partner is gone. You hold on, and if you can make it through the strife you will emerge a stronger unit. Unconditional love does not mean staying in an abusive relationship. There are times when it is best to walk away, but marital vows urge us to stand together for better or worse. If it?s possible to love despite disappointment and shortcomings, that is the mark of the truly committed.

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About willwavvy

has written 266 post in this blog.

My life is dedicated to educating and empowering others to make healthy relationship choices. I write about, and answer questions about relationships in my never-ending quest to help people stay in love long after they've fallen in love.

Source: http://relationshipplaybook.com/2012/02/whats_love/

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Acupuncture Needles ? What Are The Different Types Of ...

Acupuncture needles have been in the beginning produced of sharp bones. The first and foremost metal acupuncture needles shown up in the course of the Bronze and Iron ages. The first fine needles had been as a result created from iron, copper, bronze as well as from special metals such as silver and gold. In modern-day acupuncture, stainless steel symbolizes the leading topic for the creation of sharp needles. And they?re right now designed in numerous gauges of width and different sizes. There exists a stainless steel shaft and a handle produced of steel or copper.

Many Japanese acupuncture needles likewise have color-coded plastic handles. The needles will not be hollow, but sound and they have a finely tapered point. The insertion of the acupuncture needles will not cause discomfort. You are likely to expertise as much as a slight touch. As soon as they are in location, they have got to stay there for as much as 30 minutes, then they may be removed and thrown away. With modern acupuncture making use of disposable tools, there?s simply no threat of sending infections from one particular person to another. However, the insertion of acupuncture needles is just not without hazards.

For a long time, folks happen to be dying throughout the planet since of the mistaken insertion of acupuncture needles. Amongst the most regular problems, we should point out nerve harm, punctured hearts and lungs, infection, haemorrhage, damaged arterial blood vessels and more. Part of the difficulty is situated in the defective inserting of this needles, and yet another part within the failure to sanitize the equipment used for acupuncture.

Never believe that just because the acupuncturist is Chinese or Japanese, she or he possesses the skills and also the know-how required to use the acupuncture needles successfully to treat your wellness difficulty. Fatalities happen to be claimed in Japan, China, Germany, Australia as well as the United States Of America. However, we should not generalize and dispose of the training of acupuncture as dangerous. It is essential for individuals to decide on their alternate counselor meticulously, checking his/her credentials, the professional track record and also the experience in the practice.

The affected person ought to be informed about the procedure, and turn out to be recognizable with its numerous methods to ensure he/she is aware of what to anticipate. As an example, several practitioners use acupuncture needles near the site of this disease, whilst others select the items exactly where the needles must be injected starting up from your signs referred to by the patient. Within the majority of situations, a combination of items is employed particularly by the professionals who stick to the lines of traditional acupuncture. Whatsoever be the situation, ask the acupuncturist to clarify for you what the method includes.

For lots more information about acupuncture needles and articles and tips on vitamins, supplements and alternative healing visit our blog.

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Technorati Tags: acupuncture, acupuncture needles, alternative healing, fitness, health, health and fitness, supplements, Vitamins

Source: http://healthandfitnesstips.biz/acupuncture-needles-what-are-the-different-types-of-acupuncture-needles

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Important Tips for Dealing With Commercial Property - albertruhi

Entering the commercial real estate market is not the same as buying residential property. If you are considering getting into buying commercial properties, you must first become educated on the unique 'ins and outs' of the commercial market. Having a reputable commercial realtor can also be quite helpful during this process.

If you have no previous knowledge or experience with commercial real estate, the first thing you need to do is research as much as you can online by visiting various websites on this topic. The more you become educated on the process beforehand, the better you will be able to avoid the pitfalls that others have fallen into.

Once you've read as much as you can and are confident you have a pretty good understanding of what you're getting into, the next step is to find a top commercial real estate agent. There are fewer agents that deal specifically in commercial property, so you may need to ask around a bit to find one in your area that you believe is trustworthy and can help you accomplish your goals. Remember, the commercial realtor you choose is the one who will be analyzing properties and doing all the negotiating for you, so it's best to choose wisely.

Now, before you start looking for your first investment property, decide what exactly you want. Sit down with your realtor and go over all aspects of your ideal property. For example, do you want apartment buildings? Commercial office space? An industrial park? What type of property are you looking to invest in? How big do you want it to be? How much are you willing to pay for what you want? And perhaps most importantly, what type of return on investment are you looking to make?

Once you've spent ample time going over everything with your commercial real estate broker, he/she will take your requirements and match them up against what's available in your area. Speaking of areas, you may also want to decide whether or not you are open to buying out of town property. If you are willing to consider investing in other areas, this may open up your options even further.

Once the property search is complete, the realtor will come back to you with hopefully at least a handful of properties that match the vast majority of your requirements. This is where it gets fun. Now that you have your list, it's time to start looking them over and narrowing them down. After much deliberation and sometimes several weeks, you should have settled on the property you want to go after.

Now this is the time that your commercial real estate broker will really earn his/her commission, during the negotiation phase. It is important that he/she knows your bottom line price and what you're willing to pay. It's also important that they know some of the tricks of successful negotiating, like letting the seller's agent know that you are considering several properties (even if that is not the case).

With the right property that fits all your requirements and is likely to help you achieve your investing goals and the right realtor negotiating on your behalf, you have a very good chance of making your first commercial real estate transaction a successful one.

Source: http://albertruhi.blogspot.com/2012/02/important-tips-for-dealing-with.html

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Low turnout for Casablanca anniversary protest

Protesters from Morocco's pro-democracy February 20 movement gather for the night in front of City Hall Saturday, Feb. 18, 2012, in Casablanca, Morocco. On Sunday, the movement will try with countrywide anniversary demonstrations to rekindle some of the fire that at its peak in March put 800,000 people from all walks of life on the streets calling for an end to corruption, greater democracy and social justice. (AP Photo/Abdeljalil Bounhar)

Protesters from Morocco's pro-democracy February 20 movement gather for the night in front of City Hall Saturday, Feb. 18, 2012, in Casablanca, Morocco. On Sunday, the movement will try with countrywide anniversary demonstrations to rekindle some of the fire that at its peak in March put 800,000 people from all walks of life on the streets calling for an end to corruption, greater democracy and social justice. (AP Photo/Abdeljalil Bounhar)

Moroccan activist and rapper Mouad Belghouat, right, and protesters from Morocco's pro-democracy February 20 movement shout in front of City Hall Saturday, Feb. 18, 2012, in Casablanca, Morocco. On Sunday, the movement will try with countrywide anniversary demonstrations to rekindle some of the fire that at its peak in March put 800,000 people from all walks of life on the streets calling for an end to corruption, greater democracy and social justice. (AP Photo/Abdeljalil Bounhar)

A Moroccan protester from Morocco's pro-democracy February 20 movement holds a placard in front of City Hall Saturday, Feb. 18, 2012, in Casablanca, Morocco. On Sunday, the movement will try with countrywide anniversary demonstrations to rekindle some of the fire that at its peak in March put 800,000 people from all walks of life on the streets calling for an end to corruption, greater democracy and social justice. (AP Photo/Abdeljalil Bounhar)

CASABLANCA, Morocco (AP) ? Several hundred people gathered Sunday in Casablanca's main square to mark the one year anniversary of the North African kingdom's local version of the Arab Spring uprisings.

The low turnout was in sharp contrast to the tens of thousands that once flocked to the February 20th movement's banner early last year and even the thousands that were still demonstrating last month.

The demonstrations last year prompted the king to amend the constitution to curtail is powers and hold early elections, which were won by an Islamist opposition party promising reforms. Since then, demonstrations petered out.

Activists say many of their demands remain unmet, including fighting corruption, releasing prisoners of conscience and decreasing the absolute power of the king.

While activists acknowledged that their numbers were down, they pointed out that a protest such as this, filled with young people, would have been unthinkable a year ago.

"It is not bad to be able to do a sit-in for two days and discuss issues in the open air," said Larbi Menousi, a slight old man that has attended nearly every one of the weekly demonstrations held in Morocco's largest city for the past year.

The main square of the city, flanked by the central bank, city hall and main post office, was filled with people enjoying a sunny winter's day, along with the knot of protesters, a few dozen of whom spent the night on the square in tents.

Banners above their tents demanded the new parliament be dissolved, those stealing public money be prosecuted and all prisoners of conscience be released.

Activists say the sit-in will continue until their demands are met, a conscious echo of the sit-in at Cairo's Tahrir Square at the center of Egypt's uprising.

"Before people were too scared to speak and now they do. The February 20 movement has been a catalyst and people are now mobilized everywhere," Souad Guennon said.

Placards and photos around the square testified to the breadth of movements across the country, describing striking villagers at a distant silver mine, residents bulldozed out of informal housing and clashes with police in a mountain town.

The New York-based Human Rights Watch, meanwhile, condemned the trial of activists of the February 20th movement arrested for advocating a boycott of the Nov. 25 elections.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/cae69a7523db45408eeb2b3a98c0c9c5/Article_2012-02-19-ML-Morocco-Protests/id-0cce1baa318f42aeae72876e17aa925a

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Real Estate Investment Opportunities Disposal | My Note book

Real property leads are everything towards a real estate expert. Currently, the activity of Canada seen in Croatia and Montenegro. They may be taught how to help deal to with real-estate transactions during your course. Knowing how to define motivated Cash Loan sellers is alot more important than knowing 100 types of methods to buy real estate. Government shows its remarkable share by reducing property finance loan to almost half before five years.

Highly driven sellers may reduce real estate to a discount basement price not to mention smart investors watch out for property owners just who must sell to make use of the owner?s strong motivation to relinquish the property. The main Personal Loan benefits they may have over other options real estate you might invest in happen to be: It is easy to email direct questions and enquire of that direct resolutions be sent back. Revising your overall marketing strategy with among the better real estate products promotion programs you can buy can help people earn rich returns. This is exactly why people looking meant for vacation homes with limited funds purchase homes on these places.

They could be very familiar together with helping their shoppers with IRA properties investing and have the whole set of paperwork necessary for that smooth fund transfer and buy of the property or home. People began putting property on the market en mass extra straining the supply side belonging to the market. Make them talk to you in both instances possible. Possible as long as you live inside of a Belize real-estate! These issues are valuable information with the buyer who is in the hunt for the perfect household or neighborhood go into. Though there exists a risk that charges may drop further more, the extent associated with a further decline may very well be limited at any given time while the permanent outlook gradually should get stronger.

You should also think about which property you ought to invest on. It hardly ever quite recovered in the scandal, and the business divided its investments into four organizations. The lister can acquire very high direct exposure of his Mexican realty listings by improving to special parts, such as Showcased Properties, Premium Properties, and Exclusive Attributes. Areas which have been run down but dealing with a gentrification method are unlikely for any fair appraisal on a computer model, someone untrained or out from the area. Also a huge estate auction will likely not fix problems the consequence of downturn in market value from your property, if you owe greater than a willing buyer pays off, be prepared to return to closing in your check book.

Now, suppose you do the alternative and individuals decide that it?s a bad idea to increase the owning a home group. For a matter of fact the real estate professional can do the search in any shorter length of time. They would be a national real residence rebate company based away from Boston Massachusetts. Perhaps towards a novice though, they may seem to be expensive. The authentic estate industry with India ranks second on this planet in terms from generating employment with the people of India and adding to the Gross Domestic Product from the country. An effective business is possible private property in singapore doubts if the experienced habits are amazing. Even any ancient Mayan structures are well preserved and then the surviving Mayan community comes with the Toledo District around Southern Belize regarding themselves where they may live in their own traditional ways.

Source: http://hnotebooks.com/real-estate-investment-opportunities-disposal.php

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Report: No jail for 'Teen Mom' Amber ? yet

Madison County Sheriffs Dept.

By Anna Chan

Looks like "Teen Mom" star Amber Portwood is finally getting a lucky break this year.

According to TMZ, an Indiana judge today approved the plea deal she struck on Jan. 27. What does this mean? No five-year prison sentence?for the reality personality -- at least, not yet. As part of the deal, Portwood pled guilty to felony possession of a controlled substance. She will also have to enter and successfully complete the Madison County Drug Court program. If she fails, she's off to prison. If she's successful, the possession charge in her case will be dismissed.

Portwood is currently still in custody and is awaiting an evaluation by the Drug Court team, according to TMZ. According to the judge in her case, David Happe, the program will decide whether or not to accept her on Thursday, the Herald Bulletin?reported.

The legal issues kicked off for Portwood when MTV aired a season twoepisode of its hit docuseries showing the young mother repeatedly punching and slapping then-fiance Gary Shirley in the presence of their toddler, Leah. Portwood pled guilty to two counts? of felony domestic violence in June and was given a two-year suspended sentence and two years of probation.

On Dec. 19, the judge in her case, David Happe, ordered her to be taken into custody for violating the terms of her probation.?According to the probation violation report, the list of her offences included taking "substantial steps to commission the criminal offense(s) of Battery and Public Intoxication," failing to pay her probation fees, not depositing money into a college fund for her daughter and?not obtaining her GED.

Do you think rehab is the best thing for Amber right now? Or should the judge have put her in prison? Share your thoughts on our Facebook page.

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Source: http://theclicker.today.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/02/06/10332217-report-no-prison-for-teen-mom-amber-portwood-yet

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The Growing Opportunities In Vital Details For Cosmetic Surgery ...

Written by Malcom J. A. Sherman ? Persons want to glimpse good, so it can be no shock that cosmetic surgical procedures is becoming more and more common. The greatest hindrance to people have every single small imperfection ironed out is value. Low cost plastic surgical procedures is hard to discover and discovering finances surgical procedures is going the way of surgery abroad.

Why would a person go to a distinct country to have inexpensive plastic surgical procedures? Would not they be frightened of the health and fitness perils?

If you?re going to shell out hundreds of bucks on plastic surgical procedures, would not you desire to have it done properly? Which is the million dollar query. Obtaining surgical procedures outside the house the USA or Canada or the United kingdom could seem like a poor idea, but many good surgeons come from nations you could by no means have guessed have exceptional healthcare.

To obtain Low cost Plastic Surgical treatment consumers are going to such nations as:

Mexico ? Tens of millions of Individuals a year get inexpensive plastic surgical procedures right here

Argentina ? Common with Europeans and North Individuals.

Poland ? An not likely decision for many, but Poland?s healthcare is renowned in the EU and cosmetic and dental surgical procedures is booming company.

South Africa ? Nicely identified throughout the earth as a country of groundbreaking surgeons. It is not just heart surgical procedures getting performed. With an exceptional exchange fee for Europeans and Individuals, even its out of the way place would not prevent hundreds of thousands of people today using benefit of cosmetic surgical procedures and a safari.

Dependent on the power of the dollar/pound, inexpensive plastic surgical procedures can help save you up to 75% on the value of your operation.

Most people desire the absolute anonymity they obtain by acquiring plastic surgical procedures in a foreign country.

The perils of such an endeavour do have to have to be weighed against the economic bonuses.

Is it secure? You must be able to test on the surgeon and the hospital. If nearly anything appears to be out of spot glimpse somewhere else. Be certain they belong to their nationwide medical physique.
Are you going to be able to make by yourself recognized? The human being you communicate to when you cellphone (on of your 1st tasks when investigating) really should be able to communicate exceptional English.
Are there testimonials available. Quite a few clinics could have asked prior purchasers their authorization for stressed candidates to get hold of them.

Previously mentioned all, be sure you?re 100% at ease. While you?re keeping income, it will however be a sizeable volume you?re paying. And absolutely nothing is far more important than your ongoing health and fitness.

When I?d surgical procedures, I searched prolonged and hard for respectable plastic surgical procedures data. First rate, cost-free data is complicated to discover. You would like to get 2nd and in some cases third viewpoints to genuinely make an informed decision.

Source: http://imageswausau.com/?p=288

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Advance investing $8M in new center in Roanoke | Augusta Free ...

Posted February 4, 2012 ?

Advance Auto Parts Inc., a leading automotive aftermarket retailer of parts, batteries, accessories, and maintenance items, will add a Financial Services Commercial Customer Care Center to its operation and corporate headquarters in the City of Roanoke and will invest $8 million to support this expansion, as well as other growth.

Financial Services will manage the entire commercial customer credit experience, including commercial customer master data setup, billing, accounts receivable and collections.

The project will create 75 new jobs over the next three years.

?An investment of $8 million and 75 new jobs for the City of Roanoke is tremendous for the company and the region. Advance Auto Parts operates more than 3,600 stores across the United States, and we are proud to be the home of this Fortune 500 Company?s corporate headquarters, and now growing financial services operations, for the 80th year. I am confident that the partnership between the Commonwealth and the company will remain strong and continue to grow,? Gov. Bob McDonnell said.

?Advance Auto Parts is a leading Virginia-grown company that has thrived in Roanoke since 1932,? said Jim Cheng, Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade. ?The new Financial Services Commercial Customer Care Center will add to the company?s impressive and growing operation, and I am thrilled that Advance chose Virginia for this significant expansion project.?

Headquartered in Roanoke, Advance Auto Parts Inc., a leading automotive aftermarket retailer of parts, accessories, batteries, and maintenance items in the United States, serves both the do-it-yourself and professional installer markets. As of October 8, 2011, the Company operated 3,645 stores in 39 states, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.

?Over the last few years, we have invested over $10 million in our Store Support Center in Roanoke in our effort to expand and improve our facilities,? said Darren Jackson, President and Chief Executive Officer for Advance Auto Parts.? ?This new team will be part of our over 1,600 Team Member base in Roanoke and is an integral part of our goal to grow Advance through service and reflects our longstanding commitment to the growth and development of the Roanoke Valley.? We appreciate all the support we have received and will continue to receive from the City of Roanoke and the Commonwealth of Virginia.?

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with the City of Roanoke and the Roanoke Regional Partnership to secure the project for Virginia. The company is eligible to receive benefits from the Virginia Enterprise Zone Program, administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development. Through its Virginia Jobs Investment Program, the Virginia Department of Business Assistance will provide funding and services to support the company?s recruitment and training activities.

?The City of Roanoke is honored to be selected as the site of choice for Advance Auto Parts? newly ?in-sourced? Financial Services Commercial Customer Care Center,? said Mayor David Bowers. ?The company and Roanoke have a long and prosperous history together, and our future is looking even better with this expansion and the addition of 75 new jobs. The national economy has been at a crossroads for a few years now, but today we?re happy to report that our economy and our ?Crossroads? are looking great!?

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Source: http://augustafreepress.com/2012/02/04/advance-investing-8m-in-new-center-in-roanoke/

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Business, Government, and Society: A Managerial ... - FD-News

Business, Government, and Society: A Managerial Perspective

The thirteenth edition of Business, Government and Society by John F. Steiner and George A. Steiner continues a long effort to tell the story of how forces in business, government, and society shape our world. In addition, an emphasis on management issues and processes allows students to apply the principles they learn to real-world situations. As always, a stream of events dictated the need for extensive revision. Accordingly, Steiner and Steiner have updated the chapters to include new ideas,

Price: $ 141.95

BUSINESS WORLD 13 SEP 2010 MAGAZINE

Related Business Products

This entry was posted in Finance by admin. Bookmark the permalink.

Source: http://www.fdnewsny.com/482/business-government-and-society-a-managerial-perspective

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Voter turnout numbers point to GOP enthusiasm gap

Republican presidential candidate, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, speaks at a campaign rally in Las Vegas, Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2012. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Republican presidential candidate, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, speaks at a campaign rally in Las Vegas, Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2012. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

WASHINGTON (AP) ? Voter turnout numbers are pointing to a potential enthusiasm deficit for Republican presidential front-runner Mitt Romney.

In the four states to vote so far in the GOP nominating race, turnout has been strongest where people were energized to vote for somebody else.

In Florida, where Romney grabbed a commanding 46 percent of the vote this week, overall turnout was down significantly from four years ago. A county-by-county look at the Florida numbers shows that turnout was up from four years ago in counties where rival Newt Gingrich did well and down in counties where Romney dominated, according to Michael McDonald, a professor at George Mason University who runs the United States Elections Project to track election data.

Romney is winning, McDonald said, "but the fact that he's not really lighting a fire for these voters should be a warning sign for the campaign."

In South Carolina, where Gingrich trounced Romney, turnout was up considerably, from 445,000 four years ago to 606,000.

"Certainly the heat and energy in South Carolina was for Newt Gingrich," said Katon Dawson, a former state Republican chairman who backs Gingrich. "It takes heat and emotion to win a national contest." Whether Romney can generate the same kind of passion, Dawson said, "depends on how he campaigns from now on."

Turnout was up slightly in the first two states to vote: New Hampshire, where Romney had an easy win, and Iowa, where former Sen. Rick Santorum edged out Romney by the slimmest of margins. Democrats were quick to point out that independent voters helped set those turnout records, and President Barack Obama's campaign will be competing for those voters in the fall.

The Romney campaign says it sees hopeful signs in the turnout numbers.

His team stressed that in Florida, where this year's turnout of 1.7 million voters in the GOP primary was down from 1.9 million four years ago, a 2008 ballot initiative on taxes brought out people in droves who cared nothing about the presidential race. When those voters are taken out of the equation, Romney's campaign argued, this year's primary blows 2008 out of the water.

Ari Fleischer, former White House press secretary to Republican George W. Bush, saw a mild uptick in voter interest by Republicans reflected in the turnout figures so far this year, and said that could marry up with an inevitable decline in Democratic voter turnout in the fall, when there's "no way Democrats can recapture the magic of 2008."

Fleischer acknowledges that Romney doesn't ignite the passion of tea party voters. But the flip side, he said, may be that Romney can turn out more independent voters, who will be crucial this fall in swing states. Any excitement that Romney fails to ignite, he said, could well be offset by the party's over-riding desire to defeat Obama.

The Obama camp sees plenty to smile about in the GOP turnout figures and in polls showing a lack of enthusiasm for the Republican field, including a drop in turnout in Iowa and New Hampshire among those who identify themselves as Republican.

"This is going to be a turnout game," said Obama campaign manager Jim Messina. "They are absolutely not prepared for that battle, nor do they think that battle is that important. But eventually they're going to have to persuade voters, and they're not going to be there."

The lack of GOP enthusiasm, Messina said, will be "a real problem when you get to the part where you have to turn out voters."

Republicans, too, claim reasons for encouragement in the early voter turnout and registration numbers.

In Iowa, state party officials point to a shift in registration figures that shows an increase in the number of registered Republicans and a drop in registered Democrats over recent months.

In New Hampshire, GOP Chairman Wayne MacDonald said he was pleased with an uptick in GOP primary turnout to nearly 250,000 voters, from 241,000 four years earlier. But he was equally happy to see just 62,000 ballots cast in the Democratic primary, where Obama was a shoo-in. MacDonald contrasts that number to the 77,000 who turned out to vote for President Bill Clinton in his re-election year in 1996 and sees signs of flagging support for Obama.

New Hampshire political scientist Dante Scala said the relatively flat turnout in New Hampshire could have been a reflection of the lack of serious competition there for Romney, who led from the beginning.

"Even if Republicans are not overwhelmed by the field in New Hampshire, they found Mitt Romney perfectly acceptable," said Scala, adding that Obama will face his own enthusiasm issues in the state, where independents have soured on the president.

McDonald, the George Mason professor, said Romney turns out more voters in large urban centers and suburban areas, while Gingrich shines in rural areas. No matter who gets the nomination, he says, "that candidate's going to have to heal some wounds within the party" to generate the broad kind of turnout needed to prevail in the fall.

___

AP writers Holly Ramer in Concord, N.H., and Jim Davenport in Columbia, S.C., contributed to this report.

___

Follow Benac on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/nbenac

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/89ae8247abe8493fae24405546e9a1aa/Article_2012-02-02-GOP%20Campaign-Turnout/id-1f5e9220774c432e8b8a019421816d2c

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Grease n Gasoline: Headbanger Motorcycles- Morning Sunrise

THIS BEAUTY is 'Morning Sunrise' the winner of the Best in Show at this 2010 Verona Motobike Show Expo.

Milan-based Headbanger Motorcycles, the company behind the machine, has managed to blend old world styling with modern manufacturing techniques to produce a bike that really stands out from the competition.

The frame has been built by specialist engineer Luciano Andreoli and sits around a S&S Knucklehead engine. The majority of the parts on the motorcycle are one-offs - even the wheels are constructed at Headbanger's workshop.

Fancy it?

Source: http://hydro-carbons.blogspot.com/2012/02/headbanger-motorcycles-morning-sunrise.html

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Family Valentine Party | Visitation Monastery of Minneapolis

Sr. Mary Frances embracing a childby Sr. Mary Frances Reis, VHM

by Sr. Mary Frances Reis, VHM

On Saturday, January 28th, our friend Vicki Bailey hosted the 17th annual Valentine Party! This year had a new twist! Since families have requested more opportunities to enjoy quality time together, we decided to make this a FAMILY FRIENDLY party. Ten of our wonderful families came together and made Valentine?s cards, played games, had treats and went home with a basket overflowing with household items as well as goodies for the children. Two neighborhood ?helper families? welcomed the chance to ?give back? by running games, etc. It was a great opportunity to bridge with friends from city and suburb?..Sr. Mary Frances? family even got into the act!

Coming up: FAMILY SUMMER OLYMPICS!!! Stay tuned?

This entry was written by Melissa, posted on February 2, 2012 at 12:55 pm, filed under Calendar/ Events, Snapshots from the Sisters, Urban Monastery and tagged Bridging Suburb and City, Family Party, Photgraphs by Sr. Mary Frances Reis, Sr. Mary Frances Reis, Vickey Bailey, Visitation Family. Bookmark the permalink. Follow any comments here with the . Post a or leave a trackback.

Source: http://www.visitationmonasteryminneapolis.org/2012/02/family-valentine-party/

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Chinese magnate drops $328,000 on pigeon

By msnbc.com staff

A Chinese shipping magnate has paid a world?record-high $328,000 for a Dutch pigeon, according to?an international pigeon auction house.

Belgium-based PIPA, short for Pigeon?Paradise, said the bird was?one of 245?put up for an online auction by Pieter Veenstra of the Dutch?village of?Drachtstercompagnie, Radio Netherlands reported.

The auction total take of $2.5 million was also a record, PIPA said.

The buyer of the most-expensive pigeon on record, PIPA said, is Hu Zhen Yu, who runs a shipbuilding company in China.

Hu also?is the owner of a South China pigeon-racing group and told PIPA he?intends to increase his focus?on the sport, which is popular in Britain, Belgium, Holland and Germany, the Telegraph of London said.

He intends to breed the female?pigeon rather than race it, the Telegraph said.

Nikolaas Gyselbrecht, the owner of PIPA, noted in a 2010 interview?a growing interest in pigeons by Chinese buyers. PIPA, which?sent representatives to pigeon exhibitions in China last?year,?also boasts on its website that prices for pigeons are soaring.

That has some in the sport concerned, the Telegraph said.

"We must not forget pigeon racing is a simple sport to be enjoyed by all who wish to become involved for the right reasons," Ken Ambler, a British pigeon fancier told the Telegraph.

Ambler said the sport?he took?up 70 years ago was transformed with expensive birds now "housed in luxury" compared to "the basic orange box lofts of yesteryear," the Telegraph reported.

The previous top-selling pigeon was?Euro Diamond, an 8-year-old retired Flemish pigeon famed for long flights. It?sold for $225,000 in?November 2010, according to media reports.

Source: http://worldnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/01/31/10282215-chinese-magnate-drops-328000-on-worlds-most-expensive-pigeon

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Presidential Politics Upsets: a History (ContributorNetwork)

According to CNN, Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney has won a large victory in the Florida primary, receiving 46 percent of the vote to challenger Newt Gingrich's 32 percent. Many political commentators, feeling assured of Romney's victory in Florida due to his overwhelming popularity in the polls, were calling for Gingrich, Romney's primary challenger, to drop out of the race.

Regardless of one's current polling position, American politics has a rich history of reversals of fortune.

According to the website 270towin.com:

In 1912 incumbent president William Howard Taft was unexpectedly trounced in the general election after his challenger for the Republican nomination, former President Theodore Roosevelt, formed his own Progressive Party (Bull Moose Party) following his primary loss to Taft. Despite winning the GOP nomination, Taft lost in the general election by a tremendous margin to both Theodore Roosevelt and Democrat Woodrow Wilson. Wilson won the presidency easily with 435 electoral votes while Roosevelt beat Taft 88 to 8 in the electoral vote count. Roosevelt also received about 635,000 more votes in the popular vote than Taft.

Roosevelt's entry into the race as an independent split the general vote and assured Wilson's easy victory.

In 1948, in what is widely considered the greatest upset in American presidential politics, Democratic incumbent Harry S. Truman was predicted to lose to Republican challenger Thomas Dewey. Famously, newspapers printed headlines of Dewey's predicted victory in advance. Instead, Truman routed Dewey in the electoral college and the popular vote, winning 114 more electoral votes and 2.1 million more individual votes.

In 1960 Democrat John F. Kennedy narrowly defeated Republican vice president Richard M. Nixon. Some historians suspect that voter fraud gave Kennedy the victory, reports Salon.

The 1968 Democratic primary is one for the history books, with incumbent president Lyndon Johnson withdrawing his bid for re-election on March 31, 1968, according to the University of Virginia. The rest of the Democratic field became heavily split between vice president Hubert Humphrey, Senator Eugene McCarthy, and Senator Robert F. Kennedy. The primary became tense and traumatic, especially with the ongoing Vietnam war protests and the assassination of Robert Kennedy, and the Democrats were fragmented. Eventual nominee Hubert Humphrey lost to Republican nominee Richard M. Nixon.

The 1980 Democratic primary is also noteworthy in that it was the last time a candidate from either party tried to get delegates released from their states' voting commitments. According to the New York Times, Senator Edward M. "Ted" Kennedy tried to get delegates released from their voting commitments at the Democratic National Convention in August 1980 in a last-ditch attempt to defeat incumbent president Jimmy Carter for the party's nomination. Despite great tensions, Kennedy finally endorsed Carter after losing the nomination in one of the longest-fought primary contests in presidential election history.

In 1992, independent candidate Ross Perot, a billionaire from Texas, became the unlikely frontrunner in the presidential race in June, according to Time Magazine. Perot received 37 percent of the votes in a Time/CNN poll while incumbent Republican president George Bush Sr. and Democratic candidate Bill Clinton each received 24 percent. Perot ended up being the most successful candidate from outside the two major political parties since Theodore Roosevelt in 1912.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/gop/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ac/20120201/pl_ac/10911693_presidential_politics_upsets_a_history

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Mexico says drought also hurting marijuana growers

CULIACAN, Mexico?? The drought in northern Mexico is so bad that it has hurt even illicit drug growers and their normally well-tended crops of marijuana and opium poppies, a Mexican army commander said Monday.

One effect of the lack of rains is that drug planting has "declined considerably," said Gen. Pedro Gurrola, commander of army forces in the state of Sinaloa, the cradle of the drug cartel by the same name.

Gurrola said army surveillance flights have detected fewer plantations than in previous years.

"We can see a lot less than in other years," Gurrola told reporters. "It depends a lot on conditions. As you can see, everything is dry."

He said planters were still trying to eke out crops. "They try to adapt. Where there is a stream, a pit, they put pumps and hoses in there and try to produce as much as they can."

But an army spokesman, Gen. Ricardo Trevilla, stressed that didn't mean a drop-off in the overall production of drug cartels.

Trevilla, who was interviewed separately, said cartels have been increasingly turning to the production of synthetic drugs like methamphetamine, because they are easier to produce and are more profitable. He said synthetic drugs can be made faster, need less storage space and are harder to detect.

Mexican authorities have been seizing increasing amounts of chemicals used in the manufacture of methamphetamine as well as finding increasingly large and sophisticated meth labs. Authorities seized 675 tons of a key precursor chemical in December alone, an amount that experts say was enough to produce an enormous amount of drugs.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/46194891/ns/world_news-americas/

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