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With 20 months until Brexit, UK orders year-long EU migration study
Britain ordered a year-long study of EU migration on Thursday to help it design a post-Brexit immigration system that is due to come into force just six months after report is completed.
EU citizens' freedom to live and work in Britain will end as soon as it leaves the bloc, scheduled for March 2019, but ministers have said they will design a system that allows businesses to hire the workers they need.
However, with Brexit negotiations already under way and the EU hoping to wrap up talks by October 2018, critics said the study should have been commissioned sooner and that uncertainty was already driving EU nationals out of the UK labour market.
Interior minister Amber Rudd asked the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC), a public body that advises the government, to look at how migration affects the labour market and the wider economy, and how the post-Brexit rules need to work to support the country's plans for an industrial revival.
Concern about the long-term social and economic impact of immigration helped drive last year's vote to leave the EU, and the government has a long-standing aim to bring net migration into Britain below 100,000. In 2016, net migration was 248,000.
"The public must have confidence in our ability to control immigration, in terms of type and volume, from within the EU," Rudd wrote in an article for the Financial Times.
"That is why, once we have left the EU, this government will apply its own immigration rules and requirements that will meet the needs of UK businesses, but also of wider society."
Ministers have so far said little about the kind of immigration system they want to replace the EU's freedom of movement rules, leaving companies and workers in limbo and forcing some to make alternative plans.
"The government needs to explain why this study wasn't commissioned a year ago, directly after the referendum," said lawmaker Ed Davey of the pro-EU Liberal Democrat party, citing lower numbers of EU nurses wanting to work in the health sector.
"Ministers must explain how their negotiations will minimise the damage Brexit will do to our economy and public services."
A government statement said Rudd would stress in a letter to the MAC that "there will be an implementation period when the UK leaves the EU to ensure there is no 'cliff edge' for employers or EU nationals in the UK".
Rudd said the government would "set out some initial thinking on options for the future immigration system" later this year.
Immigration minister Brandon Lewis said the MAC would make interim reports, and that its work was not the only source the government would use to design its new immigration system.
A wide range of companies have already expressed concern that they will not be able to hire the people they need to operate, from skilled financiers to unskilled farm workers. The effect could be to force them to relocate.
President reaches Berlin for health checkup
President Hamid to fly for Germany, UK for health checkup on Saturday
Merkel urges compromise at start of tough coalition talks
New German law may affect trade with Bangladesh
EU to assist Bangladesh in fight against climate change
Bangladesh to receive 790,000 AstraZeneca Covid vaccine shots from Germany Saturday


CFM Gallery has revived the "Livre d'artist" with its publication of ROSE DAUGHTER - A Re-telling of Beauty and the Beast; text by Newbery Award winner, Robin McKinley and illustrations by Anne Bachelier. The "Livre d'artist," literally Artist's Book, has a long tradition in Europe. Picasso, Dali, Buffet, Chagall and Fini are but a few of the major artists that have illustrated texts by writers such as Baudelaire, Genêt, Hugo, Flaubert and Poe.
Suite of 24 off-set lithographs of the illustrations, pencil signed & numbered.


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Theatre on the Coast – Virtually!
By Site Manager	 On Jul 15, 2020
The historic Southwold summer theatre, relaunched by an award-winning local producer last year, is busy making plans to try and keep the season alive, returning to the seaside town following its first-year success.
Theatre on the Coast, run by Matthew Townshend Productions, is hoping to be a much-needed tonic to self-isolation when it returns to Southwold in August.
Theatre on the Coast replaced Suffolk Summer Theatre which had run in Southwold and Aldeburgh since 2011 before closing in 2018. Thanks to an incredible response from residents and holidaymakers in 2019, a bumper line up has now been announced for this year.
We have been absolutely thrilled by the praise we have received for the theatre season following its relaunch; it's allowed us to expand our repertoire this year to include a range of shows suitable for audiences for whom we haven't had an offer before.
From comedy and drama to music and workshops, a circus and celebrities right through to two new premieres showcasing some incredible new talent, we really have something for everyone.
Matthew Townshend
The season is now planning to run as a virtual festival streaming performances directly from Southwold Arts Centre every weekend from 22nd August to 12th September 2020.
Saturday 22nd August:
All 4 One
A new comedy by Jan Etherington and Gavin Petrie
On a cold and short afternoon in the New Year, a grandmother calls the family together for a crisis conference. But when the grandmother is the Queen, the children and grandchildren are princes and dukes and the meeting is at Sandringham, then it's clearly, no ordinary crisis.
Friday 28th August
Beyond INK
New productions of three short plays, first seen at INK, the UK's leading short new plays company.
Saturday 29th August
Attagirls!
A new drama by award-winning historian and writer Stewart Ross
Celebrating the contribution made by female pilots of the Air Transport Association during the Second World War. Three women from very different backgrounds join the ATA to ferry every type of warplane around the country and over the Channel, but the dangers they face in the skies are matched by the battles they have to fight on the ground.
Saturday 5th September:
Astrid King and A Funny Woman present
The Peg Lynch Players
Comic genius from Peg Lunch, a pioneer in TV and radio. Devised and performed with Tim FitzHigham.
Friday 11th September:
International star Robert Powell in his one man show Charles Dickens, a celebration
Saturday 12th September:
Denis King's Optimistic People
Denis King and Sarah Redmond are joined by Robert Powell to create an evening of hilarious entertainment, featuring songs and stories from a life in music, the theatre and film.
Performing Arts Scholarships Available for HNC Students
Latitude Announces Headline Acts
Lisa Redford: Online Music Lessons
Lisa Redford: This Fine City
The Show Must Go On!
A Right Royal Christmas on the Cards in Norwich

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Three hours of lecture per week. An introductory programming course oriented toward statistical applications using SAS (including IML) and R programming languages. Topics include data types, assignment statements, operators, sequential control, conditional control, iteration, subprograms, arrays, character manipulation, manipulating and processing SAS output from SAS procedures, Gibbs sampler, and Markov Chain Monte-Carlo methods. Prerequisites: BIOS 6202 or permission of the instructor.


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Q: IONIC 4 empty project android apk file size big I have developed the app using ionic 4 and created new tab app and build android apk file it 's size getting way too big.
App Size Was 6177kB
"@angular/common": "^7.2.2",
    "@angular/core": "^7.2.2",
    "@angular/forms": "^7.2.2",
    "@angular/http": "^7.2.2",
    "@angular/platform-browser": "^7.2.2",
    "@angular/platform-browser-dynamic": "^7.2.2",
    "@angular/router": "^7.2.2",
    "@ionic-native/core": "^5.0.0",
    "@ionic-native/splash-screen": "^5.0.0",
    "@ionic-native/status-bar": "^5.0.0",
    "@ionic/angular": "^4.0.0",
    "cordova-android": "7.1.4",

A: Delete www folder from your project and then try to build.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


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Matt Ladley
Matt Ladley wins X Games snowboard halfpipe shortened due to snow
More: X Games
Max Parrot wins X Games snowboard big air, one year after cancer diagnosis U.S. snowboarders shut out of X Games Aspen halfpipe medals for first time Iouri Podladtchikov stretchered off after X Games crash
Heavy snow forced the X Games' marquee event, men's snowboard halfpipe, to end after one of a scheduled three runs in Aspen, Colo., on Saturday night.
The shortened competition led to a surprising podium — winner Matt Ladley, followed by Ben Ferguson and Australian Olympian Scotty James — all first-time X Games medalists. Full results are here.
Ladley, who failed to make the four-rider 2014 U.S. Olympic team, scored 82.33 points, competing in a Peyton Manning Denver Broncos jersey.
"Getting ready for two [more] runs and, oh, by the way, we're done," Ladley told ESPN. "Maybe not the way I saw it happening, but weather comes in, and it's one of those things you can't control."
Pre-event favorites Danny Davis (two-time defending champion), Ayumu Hirano (Olympic silver medalist) and Iouri Podladtchikov (Olympic champion) were ninth, 10th and 12th in the 12-rider field.
The competition lacked eight-time X Games halfpipe champ Shaun White, who missed the event for the second time in three years but is slated to compete in X Games Oslo next month.
Earlier, Canadian Olympic bronze medalist Mark McMorris won snowboard slopestyle for the fourth time in five years, landing back-to-back triple cork 1440s for a 92.66 (video below). Full results are here.
U.S. Olympic champion Sage Kotsenburg was 10th after placing fifth last year and 15th in 2014, one month before his Olympic stunner. Kotsenburg has made the X Games slopestyle podium once in seven tries.
The X Games conclude Sunday, highlighted by the women's halfpipe with three-time Olympic medalist Kelly Clark and defending champion Chloe Kim.
MORE: Estonian becomes youngest Winter X Games champion
Tags: ayumu hirano, Danny Davis, Iouri Podladtchikov, mark mcmorris, Matt Ladley, olympics, Sage Kotsenburg, Snowboard Halfpipe, Snowboard Slopestyle, snowboarding, Winter X Games, X-games, Ayumu Hirano, Danny Davis, Iouri Podladtchikov, Mark McMorris, Matt Ladley, Sage Kotsenburg
Matt Ladley wins X Games snowboard halfpipe shortened due to snow January 30, 2016 9:43 pm


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The Adventist Home (Hardcover) by Ellen White
Pacific Press
Publisher: Pacific Press
Author: Ellen White
Product Code: BK-AHH
Availability:Less than 50 In stock
DescriptionReviews Author Bio
The Adventist home is a home where Seventh-day Adventist standards and practices are lived and taught, a place to which Seventh-day Adventist fathers and mothers are commissioned by Christ to go and make Christians of the members of their own households. And in order to perform that task well, Seventh-day Adventist parents are looking for all the help they can possibly find.
Ellen G. White has written much and very valuable counsel for parents. She has touched upon every phase of the home, and offers specific instruction on many of the problems which give so much concern to thoughtful and often anxious parents today. Some years before her death, she indicated her desire to get out "a book for Christian parents" that would define "the mother's duty and influence over her children." In the present work an endeavor has been made to fulfill this expectation.
This book, The Adventist Home, is at once a sort of handbook or manual for busy parents, and a pattern or ideal of what the home can and should become. Here are the answers to your many questions, the words of wisdom from the heavenly Father.
In compiling this work, excerpts have been drawn from the Ellen G. White writings penned through seven decades, but especially from the thousands of E. G. White articles which were prepared for the journals of the denomination. The current published works, special testimonies issued in pamphlet form, and the E. G. White manuscript files have also enriched the Volume. Appropriate source credits are given in connection with each chapter. As the excerpts drawn from different sources written at different times are linked together in their logical sequence, there may be occasionally a slight unavoidable break in thought or manner of address, for the compilers are limited in their work to selecting and arranging the subject matter and supplying the headings. AH 5.4
This document has been prepared in the office of the Ellen G. White Publications. The work has been done in harmony with Mrs. White's instruction to her trustees in providing "for the printing of compilations" from her manuscripts, for they contain, she said, "instruction that the Lord has given me for his people."
Never in the history of the world has a book like this been needed more urgently than it is right now. Never have parents and children been more anxious for the right answer to the things which trouble them. Never have homes been in such jeopardy as they are today.
Every one of us knows that conditions in society are but a reflection of conditions in the homes of the nation. We likewise know that a change in the home will be mirrored in a changed society. To this end this Volume—The Adventist Home—has been prepared and, as a part of the Christian home library,
Ellen White
Ellen White was a woman of remarkable spiritual gifts who lived most of her life during the nineteenth century (1827-1915), yet through her writings she is still making a revolutionary impact on millions of people around the world. During her lifetime she wrote more than 5,000 periodical articles and 40 books; but today, including compilations from her 50,000 pages of manuscript, more than 100 titles are available in English. She is the most translated woman writer in the entire history of literature, and the most translated American author of either gender.
Her writings cover a broad range of subjects, including religion, education, social relationships, evangelism, prophecy, publishing, nutrition, and management. Her life-changing masterpiece on successful Christian living, Steps to Christ, has been published in more than 140 languages. Seventh-day Adventists believe that Mrs. White was more than a gifted writer; they believe she was appointed by God as a special messenger to draw the world's attention to the Holy Scriptures and help prepare people for Christ's Second Advent.
From the time she was 17 years old until she died 70 years later, God gave her approximately 2,000 visions and dreams. The visions varied in length from less than a minute to nearly four hours. The knowledge and counsel received through these revelations she wrote out to be shared with others. Thus her special writings are accepted by Seventh-day Adventists as inspired, and their exceptional quality is recognized even by casual readers.


It's a good writing day. My WIP and I are getting on like a house on fire. With last.fm in the background, I feel practically unstoppable. That said, I know the words won't always come this easily.
With much celebration and elation, I've reached the first 1000 words mark of Wheels. Denny and Scott already felt like good friends, but now we've become even closer. I've not quite reached the stage where Denny's telling me what to do, but that will come, I am sure.
If you've read any of my earlier posts, you will know that I find it difficult to celebrate anything to do with my writing. So, that's where #1000wordrewards comes in.
When I passed 1000 words on Wheels and stopped writing for the day, I decided that I would put some music on as loud as I could stand and sing along. Others might have loftier goals, or celebrate in different ways.
I want to find out more about how we celebrate our successes. Writers are by nature solitary creatures, and there's only so much self-congratulation that Twitter and Facebook can take.
As writers, we need goals, but I'm more interested in the rituals we create to celebrate the achievement of those goals. Even if you've just got a bottle in the fridge for when you finish the novel, I want to know about it.
Leave a comment below to tell me about your #1000wordrewards, or tweet me. Maybe we'll find some new ways of celebrating each other's milestones.
This entry was posted in Wheels, Writing and tagged achievements, craft, milestones, writing.
← Last Time You Fell In Love?
1000 words a day is tough. Congratulations! I like to celebrate with a short drive if I've reached a week's worth of daily goals.
My word, you're diligent. I'm getting better at taking daily goals day by day. I feel blessed that this piece is unfolding just as I want it to. Long may our successes continue.


38 others have looked at this page today.
This black stainless steel dog pinch collar is a great device for obedience training. With this dog supply you can teach your dog good leash manners in a much shorter period of time than with the ordinary leather or nylon collar. If your dog pulls, he immediately feels pinches. Thus, he or she will be distracted from the object he or she is trying to pull you to. This way of influence is similar to that when the mother-dog bites puppy's neck making him/her calm down.
Do you want to get something more than just a pinch collar? This collar has a fantastic black color that will underline the magnificent appearance of your pet and will look unusual. With this collar on, your four-legged friend will look like a gladiator and real defender.
The collar consists of a center plate, assembly chain, 2 O-rings and symmetrically arranged prongs. The center plate guarantees an equal distribution of pressure along the collar. The prongs are evenly arranged around the length of the collar, so when your dog starts to pull, the tension affects your dog all around his/her neck. All this helps optimise the communication with the dog.
This collar is made of black stainless steel. Each collar made of this material has a high-gloss surface. But it is not all. Black stainless steel is the same composition of iron, chromium, silicon, nickel and carbon that makes up traditional stainless steel products. What's in it for you? The collar will not rust even in conditions of seawater or high humidity. But it has a protective coating of polymer that creates a black finish. Black stainless steel is as durable as classic stainless steel, but features a richer, deeper colored finish.
This black stainless steel collar is suitable for dogs with dark fur and those canines who are not reactive to nickel. The collars made of black stainless steel are not recommended for dogs with light coat, as because of normal abrasion processes they may color fur. If your dog has light fur we advise to order a nickel free curogan or stainless steel prong collar.
This model is also available in chrome plated steel, stainless steel, curogan. Check the tab "SIMILAR PRODUCTS" to see all the options available.
Helpful if you need to control a strong puller or large dog.
Great tool for training and behavior correction.
The pressure is distributed over the whole dog's neck circumference making it a safe correction tool.
Has a limit on how tight it gets - just an inch or so.
Prongs are blunt not to injure you dog.
A solid fastener plate provides a more secure connection.
You can use it for dogs with white or light coat.
Has increased rust resistance in comparison with collars made of ordinary steel with plating.
Each link will add 1 1/2 inches (4.2 cm) to the total length of the collar. So, if you need extra links for this Herm Sprenger pinch collar, you can order them choosing the number of links you need in the dropdown box or visiting the page (click the image title to go directly to this page) .


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About Net Atlantic's Email Marketing Services
Email Marketing Tips & Tools
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Create your email marketing content once to make repeated mailings easier. This drives your email marketing effectiveness through the roof.
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White Paper Spotlight
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This white paper aims to dispel the myths of delivery, address the concerns of legitimate marketers, and explain the expectations of both your recipients and their email hosting providers.
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2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003
Net Atlantic Announces New Custom Newsletter Template Design Services
Net Atlantic Announces New Professional Level Hosting
AAPPM Member Sites Services
Net Atlantic Web Site Relaunch
Construction Begins on Three Story Expansion
Record Number of New Customers Choose Net Atlantic
Net Atlantic Celebrates 10th Anniversary
AAPPM Strategic Relationship
Net Atlantic Sponsors A Highway
December 19, 2005 - Net Atlantic announced today the availability of new custom email newsletter template design services. Designed to reflect a company's mission with style and professionalism, templates can include: logo images, photos and images of people, products, services, colorful themes, interactive polls and surveys, feedback forms, built-in order forms, and much more.
September 16, 2005 - Net Atlantic announced today the new upgraded Professional Level Email Newsletter Hosting services. Using Lyris List Manager server software, the Professional Level Hosting has all the essential statistics as well as quick links to other parts of your list such as reports, segments, mailings, and content.
September 7, 2005 - Net Atlantic announced today the assignment of 40 American Academy of Podiatric Practice Management member web sites. The Association selected Net Atlantic to provide web site services for its physician members earlier in 2005.
August 31, 2005 - Net Atlantic announced today a major relaunch of the company's web site. The new site offers improved navigation to critical content with a drill-down style navigation, a new monochromatic color scheme, and various other major and minor site updates.
April 18, 2005 - Construction commenced today on a significant expansion of the Net Atlantic office building at 10 Federal Street, Salem, MA. The major project adds three additional stories above the existing two story building. The project will add over 75,000 square feet of office space to downtown Salem. Completion is expected in March 2006. Contractor is Deiulis.
February 24, 2005 - Leading Internet Services Company Breaks Monthly Sales Records With New Customer Numbers.
Net Atlantic, Inc., a leading provider of Internet services for business and industry, today announced that it had signed on a record number of new clients in January 2005.
The new list of clients covers a wide spectrum of industries including: business information, corporate recruiting, education, finance and investing, counseling, printing, software, hospitality, nursing, yachting, sports and leisure, the recording industry, energy industry, health products and many more. New clients include filmmaker Michael Moore, Six Flags Amusement Park, VietnamWorks, Defense Industry Daily, Electric Word PLC, Rust Records, The Catamaran Company, Azima Power, and Usana.
"We're delighted to welcome such a large and diverse group of new customers," said Andrew Lutts, President. "Companies and organizations around the world are communicating online with their customers and prospects in ways undreamed of in recent years. We are very pleased to help enable these efforts with our exciting range of Internet-based technology tools."
Founded in 1995, Net Atlantic provides online internet tools for businesses to help them succeed online. Services include email newsletter hosting, ecommerce services, web site hosting, and pay-per-click bid management. Customers include Siemens, Cessna Aircraft, Ropes and Gray, Accenture, the Massachusetts Teachers Association, Columbia University, Texas A & M University, the Las Vegas Hilton, the Indigo Girls, REMAX, the United Way of the UK, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
February 7, 2005 - Net Atlantic began offering Internet services in 1995 and now ten years later continues to provide clients with the right tools and services for online success. Net Atlantic, Inc. would like to thank all those who have contributed to our success. See 10 years of our web site screen captures.
February 7, 2005 - Net Atlantic announced today a strategic relationship with the American Academy of Podiatric Practice Management in order to provide comprehensive web site services to their network of member physician practices.
January 21, 2005 - Net Atlantic announced today that it is participating in the Sponsor-A-Highway program. The sponsorship is for a 2 mile stretch of highway that will be cleaned and maintained for the benefit of all who travel our highways. Look for the Net Atlantic sign on Route 128 South near the Northshore Mall in Massachusetts.
About Net Atlantic
Since 1995, Net Atlantic, Inc. has been assisting organizations of all sizes communicate effectively online. We have partnered with Lyris and StrongView to offer our clients the most feature-rich email marketing solutions at a cost-effective price. With unparalleled email marketing capabilities, expert deliverability management and responsive technical support, Net Atlantic's solutions provide you the ability to create, send, track and manage your email marketing campaigns successfully. To learn more about Net Atlantic's email marketing solutions, please visit www.netatlantic.com.
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In the past few years, Anonymous has been presenting itself as an organization that wants to protect the common people, spread knowledge and debunk the secrets of the governments.
Some people have accepted Anonymous as heroes, some have not. One of the projects of Anonymous is to defeat the Illuminati and the New World Order, two allegedly secret societies that are controlling the world.
What is the plan? What are some of the pillars of the plan? Knowledge, knowledge, and more knowledge. Anonymous, and similar organizations are trying to prompt people to take charge, and make a stand for themselves, and for their rights.
In the past several years, the debate in politics is moving further away from left or right. It is more about up and down, or the rich against the common people.
In this documentary, Anonymous sends a message with facts to people, debunking some media controversies. Take a look.


Our Perennials die off each fall and bloom again in the spring. Down here in Alabama, the new spring growth will bloom as early as March or April. We are lucky to have blooms so early; I know that many people will have to wait until May or after to see their brilliant flowers. This proves to me that it has more to do with the average temperature and sun exposure than how much rain the plants receive. So where does this saying come from?
This saying is believed to be a reminder that even the most unpleasant experiences, like heavy rains of April, bring new joys. To this day the saying is used as a lesson in patience, just as we will say things like "Many of life's greatest things come only to those who wait." The past few months I have had to learn this lesson again, we have waited for our new home to be finished and now that it is, I have reaped the reward of patience! Perhaps the saying is better used as a way for people to look forward to the warmer, summer months to get them through the cold, rainy days.
Is your garden in bloom?
In Southern California, our wildflowers are definitely dependent on rain. But there are so many variables- and plants can't read. So they do as they want, without shame of not being beholden to the calendar. We should feel the joy of whenever blooms brush our gardens with color.
Here in MN I'm patiently waiting for my blooms to pop.
I'm with you on the not sweating thing! My "perfect world" would be 67 degrees – all the time!
I can happily report that my garden is in bloom. Hydrangeas, daylilies, iris, agapanthus, chaste lilac and a new cutting garden with an array of perennials are putting a big smile on my face. After moving into our home 5 years ago and basically starting over with our garden, I can say that April showers have certainly brought May flowers. Oh, but patience is not one of my virtues so these blooms are especially welcome. I just purchased the Flowers and Gardens magazine the other day and can't wait to grab a glass of iced tea and enjoy every page!
It has been an unusual Spring here in Colorado. Little to no snow and no rain until now. We had 70's and 8o's in April bringing all the bulbs up and blooming but then it turned cold plus it snowed this past week. I covered as many plants as possible and moved those in pots into the garage. The results is that some of the hostas were hurt but the tulips, bleeding hearts, wood iris and thrift are going crazy. My liliacs are young and not blooming yet but my next door neighbors have been beautiful and while sitting on the back porch with a glass of tea they were sending their wonderful scent all over my porch.
Our lilacs were particularly lush and beautiful this April and first few days of May, but the heavy rains destroyed their blooms. We did enjoy them for awhile. Now the iris and daisies are blooming, but are a little slower in opening their beautiful buds due to the cold winds and rains we have been experiencing. I agree with you, Phyliss, that the amount of sun exposure is as important as the rain in determining when the blooms will appear. Have a lovely Spring!
I live in Toronto, Canada and we have had a topsey-turvey year with regards to weather. We had a warm spell in February and now, the weather has been rainy and downright cold!! The tulips and daffodils have come out, as did the Japanese cherry blossoms and hostas, but not much else yet. As I am writing this, my husband is outside cleaning things up and preparing the garden…there is hope and anticipation…but now, it's time I get him a hot cup of tea!
Yes, " look ahead" like the bible says to do in the book of Revelation because Jesus promised a lot of good things in life, esp. when we're going through a lot of trials and tests. This gives us more faith, hope, and so much to look forward to to keep our spirit up.


Area Rugs For Bathroom - It is the desire of every homeowner to make his or her bathroom hazard free. The bathroom floor becomes dangerous if it gets wet and slick. If you decide on the right type of bath rugs for the bathroom floor well, you're able to take good care of this issue. Good bath rugs keep your bathroom floor clean and completely dry. They also soak up water that splashes out of your shower, bath or sink, along with the surplus water that drips from your own body, although they do not only shield your feet from cold floors.
You must examine how big your bathroom as well the fashion you want to generate. You can buy mats and bath rugs in many different layouts, sizes, as well as styles. You should make sure that the color of the carpet complements the bathroom and makes it seem inviting and tasteful. Complementing your rugs with a topic that is specific will rejuvenate your bathroom. No matter what style and layout of bathroom mats you choose, they should be easy to wash.
Due to the moisture in the room, they'll need certainly to be clean frequently and washing them is the most easy way to get this done. Washable rugs which are designed to suit your taste are offered by companies that are great, but these rugs are also long-lasting and may be machine washed. Another factor that is crucial is the fact that bathroom rugs are individually treated to withstand water and mildew development. You've got to ensure it does not fall since you will get a great deal of injuries which involve slipping on wet surfaces in the toilet.
Each of this talk about wet bathroom rugs must not be a hindrance as we can employ various methods to ensure that the wet region is kept independent in the rest of the lavatory. When considering buying a bath carpet, it is essential to try to find texture and durability. On a personal note, make certain safety comes first. With bathroom rugs inside the toilet, we value our everyday bathing experience and can go ahead. Make your residence appear as great as it can. It starts with basic things just like a bathroom carpet.
Related Post "Area Rugs For Bathroom"


The latest issue of Wired carries a piece on Montgomery McFate, the Harvard and Yale educated anthropologist—and onetime go-go dancer—who is one of the primary forces behind the army's controversial Human Terrain Program. The $130 million program, which has been sharply criticized [PDF] by the American Anthropological Association, among others, on ethical grounds, aims to bring cultural understanding to military units operating in Afghanistan and Iraq by embedding social scientists with combat detachments. The article largely focuses on McFate's Human Terrain work, though there was one paragraph that jumped out for me, as it relates to the story we ran in late July, disclosing that for more than a decade a freelance spy named Mary Lou Sapone (also known as Mary McFate) had infiltrated the inner sanctum of the gun control movement. Montgomery McFate is Sapone's daughter-in-law—she once went by Montgomery Sapone—and, according records we obtained, she and her husband Sean McFate (a/k/a Sean Sapone) for some time worked for his mother's private intelligence business.
Collect and analyze intelligence on European activities of major international environmental organization for a company specializing in domestic and international opposition research, special investigations, issues management and threat assessment. Write weekly intelligence update on European animal rights and eco-terrorist activity. Assist in confidential litigation support research.


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Home inFocus Defense: Rising Challenges and Changing Strategies (Fall 2020) Why Japan Must Reconsider Its Aegis Deployments
Defense: Rising Challenges and Changing Strategies (Fall 2020)
Why Japan Must Reconsider Its Aegis Deployments
Daniel Goure • Fall 2020
The security environment in the Western Pacific is becoming more challenging for the U.S., its friends, and allies. China seeks to dominate the region and project power globally. North Korea is expanding its arsenal of ballistic missiles and nuclear warheads. To successfully deter Beijing and Pyongyang, and counter their ability to use military coercion, the U.S. is improving its defense posture in the region both qualitatively and quantitatively. U.S. allies in the region, chief among them Japan, need to do the same. But will Japan make the appropriate investments?
The balance of powers in the Western Pacific is changing rapidly. China is seeking to build a "great power" military that could outmatch that of the U.S. It is investing in a wide range of high-tech capabilities. Many of these are designed explicitly to counter areas of U.S. advantage or exploit clear vulnerabilities. In a recent report to Congress, the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission identified a number of specific capabilities the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA)is developing for the purposes of targeting U.S. military forces and countering its advanced capabilities.
An Aegis SM-3 Block 1B interceptor launched from the USS Lake Erie during a interception test off the coast of Kauai, Hawaii. (Photo: U.S. Missile Defense Agency)
The weapons and systems under development and those that are being fielded by China's military—such as intermediate-range ballistic missiles, bombers with long-range precision strike capabilities, and guided missile nuclear attack submarines—are intended to provide China the capability to strike targets further from shore, such as Guam, and potentially complicate U.S. responses to crises involving China in the Indo-Pacific.
China's increasingly accurate and advanced missile forces are intended to erode the ability of the United States to operate freely in the region in the event of a conflict and be capable of holding U.S. forces in the region at risk.
China's continued focus on developing counter space capabilities indicates Beijing seeks to hold U.S. intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance satellites at risk in the event of conflict.
In particular, the PLA is rapidly expanding its capabilities to conduct massed, long-range strikes against both fixed facilities and mobile forces. The PLA Air Force is now operating its own version of a fifth-generation stealth fighter and will soon introduce a new long-range strategic bomber. The PLA has deployed a large number of long-range precision-guided ballistic and cruise missiles, one of which, the DF-21, is believed to be specifically designed to attack large surface warships such as U.S. aircraft carriers. Conventionally-armed missiles will be employed in massed attacks, intended to cripple opposing forces at the outset of hostilities. The PLA Navy is rapidly expanding with new attack submarines, aircraft carriers, missile destroyers and large amphibious warfare ships.
In response, the U.S. military is making significant changes to its force posture and concepts of operation. The overall goal is to distribute units more widely throughout the region, make each formation and platform more lethal and agile, and enable joint force commanders to employ capabilities across all the warfare domains. The Marine Corps' concept for Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations, which focuses on smaller, agile formations that are constantly moving in proximity to hostile forces while conducting long-range fires, exemplifies the change in how the U.S. plans to conduct future high-end warfare.
The U.S. military is investing in new and expanded capabilities to support these forces. One of the most important areas for modernization is in long-range, precision strike systems such as the Long-Range Air-to-Surface Missile, the Tomahawk cruise missile Block V, and the Army's Precision Strike Missile. Another area is missile defense, using land-based systems such as Aegis Ashore and the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense System, and the sea-based Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System with the new SPY-6 radar.
U.S. allies share Washington's view on the growing security threat posed by China. In response, they are increasing defense expenditures and spending more on modernization. A major initiative in this is the acquisition of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter by Japan, Australia, and South Korea.
It is impossible to overestimate the importance of Japan as a U.S. ally. Japan plays a unique role in the security of the Indo-Pacific region due to its location, economic power, and close ties to the United States. The U.S. bases Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps forces in Japan precisely because of its unique geographic position. Thus, it is highly likely, really a virtual certainty, that Japan will be involved in any conflict between the United States and China.
The government of outgoing Prime Minister Shinzo Abe made deterrence of the Chinese and North Korean threats its number one security priority. To that end, it is pursuing a national security strategy that focuses on improving the Japanese Self Defense Forces (JSDF) both qualitatively and quantitatively. The JSDF also has begun creating cyber security units as well as developing the capability to conduct multi-domain operations as the U.S. plans to do.
In recent years, Tokyo has undertaken a significant program of military modernization designed not only to improve its ability to defend the homeland and surrounding waters, but also to project military power to more distant regions. In addition to committing to purchase some 147 F-35s, Japan has acquired or plans to buy V-22 tilt-rotor transport aircraft, P-8 anti-submarine warfare planes, KC-46A aerial refueling tankers, AH-64 Apache gunships, E-2D Advanced Hawkeye airborne early warning aircraft, and Patriot air defense systems from the U.S. Most of the country's fleet of F-15Js will be upgraded with new electronics and the ability to carry advanced weapons.
In addition, Japan is investing in indigenously-produced capabilities, intended to expand the reach and flexibility of its military forces. The JSDF has modified two Izumi class destroyers into mini-aircraft carriers capable of handling the short-takeoff/vertical landing F-35B. The country has begun an R&D program for a sixth-generation fighter to replace its aging F-1s. Tokyo participated in the successful co-development program with the United States for an advanced variant of the Standard Missile 3 (SM-3), designated the Block IIA, for the anti-ballistic missile mission. Both countries are now deploying this new missile killer. Japan also will collaborate with the United States on developing and deploying an array of small, low-orbiting missile warning satellites.
The end of the Abe era is a time to consider Japan's future role in the security architecture of the Indo-Pacific region. Frankly, Japan needs to do more if it is to have any hope of deterring China and North Korea. It must build on the efforts of the past decade. In essence, Japan needs to be able to deflect and degrade any initial Chinese or North Korean attack, providing time for the U.S. and other allies to respond militarily. With the proper additional investments in offensive and defensive capabilities, it could be an "unsinkable aircraft carrier," the role played by many Pacific island bases and even Great Britain during much of WWII.
This means, in part, investing seriously in active and passive defenses to counter the air and missile threats from China and North Korea. Some observers have gone even farther, proposing Japan adopt a strategy of "active denial" designed to make Japan less vulnerable to attack by expanding both its defensive capabilities and simultaneously increasing its capability to attrit hostile offensive forces even at long distances from the Home Islands.
One area that has become problematic is missile defense of the homeland. In the event of a conflict with China, most experts believe that the PLA will attempt to employ its vast arsenal of conventionally-armed ballistic and cruise missiles to destroy both U.S. and JSDF targets in Japan. It is critical that Tokyo takes steps to counter this threat thereby and make clear to Beijing that it cannot count on achieving a swift, disarming strike at the outset of hostilities.
Japan had begun a program that would have provided it with the basis for a credible defense against the growing Chinese missile threat. It invested in the Patriot terminal air defense system and acquired eight destroyers equipped with the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System including advanced variants of the Standard Missile.
In addition, several years ago, the Abe government decided to acquire two Aegis Ashore missile defense systems. This is the same system currently deployed in Europe. One reason Japan decided to acquire the Aegis Ashore was to reduce the burden on its destroyer fleet associated with serving as that country's primary missile defense capability. A missile defense based entirely on sea-based capabilities is not always optimally located to protect land areas. In addition, destroyers assigned the missile defense mission for the Japanese homeland are generally restricted to a small ocean area, close to land. As a result, ships on missile defense patrols are unavailable for other critical missions.
However, a few months ago, the Japanese Ministry of Defense announced it was halting the procurement. According to the Defense Minister, Taro Kono, the suspension decision was based on both technical and cost issues with the program. The principal technical concern is the danger that from the currently planned sites, the SM-3 Block IIA booster might fall into populated areas. Modifications will be required to the missile's software and, possibly, hardware to solve this problem. There was also local opposition to the placement of the AN/SPY radar near populated areas. There are reports that the Japanese government had decided to halt the planned deployment at the site in Akita prefecture in the northwest of Honshu, Japan's main island and to explore alternative locations.
With respect to cost, it is true that the price for completing each of the two sites had increased by some 25 percent to around $900 million. However, it should be pointed out that the cost of a single Japanese missile defense-capable destroyer is now approximately $1.5 billion, exclusive of expendables such as the SM-3 Block II missiles. Moreover, the manpower needed to operate additional Aegis-capable destroyers far exceeds that for an equivalent land-based missile defense system. For defense of the Japanese homeland, a shore-based system is the cost-effective solution.
Japan is now searching for an alternative approach to defending itself against the PLA's missile threat. Consideration is being given to adding a couple of additional Aegis-capable destroyers and even massive, offshore missile defense platforms.
The Japanese government needs to rethink its decision to halt work on the Aegis Ashore program. In light of the growing missile threats posed by China and North Korea, Japan needs to field a multi-layer missile defense. Such a defense is essential to maintaining a credible deterrent. In addition, in the case of North Korea, it is a hedge against a potential accidental or unauthorized launch. The chief of staff of the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Forces publicly challenged the decision to cancel Aegis Ashore, arguing that only a land-based system can provide year-round, continuous, all-weather missile defense. Eight or even 10 Aegis-capable destroyers are simply not sufficient to manage the threat. The most sensible, and cost-effective solution is to move forward with Aegis Ashore deployments, modified as necessary to meet credible concerns.
But an improved defensive posture may not be sufficient to deter China. A credible deterrent requires that Japan be able to strike critical PLA military targets, including those that might be aim at Japan. During World War II, Great Britain relied on Bomber Command to be the offensive complement to its home defense capabilities. Japanese sources have raised the possibility of developing "enemy base attack" capabilities as part of its deterrent strategy. In the event of a conflict with China or even North Korea, those countries' military facilities, ISR capabilities, command centers and forces cannot be granted immunity from attack.
The United States military is looking at new strategies, forces, and equipment with which to counter the Chinese military's growing power in the Western Pacific. Japan must be part of the solution. But in order to play the role of an unsinkable aircraft carrier, Japan must invest more in advanced offensive and defensive capabilities.
Daniel Gouré, Ph.D., is a vice president at the public-policy research think tank Lexington Institute.
How Congress Can Remedy Disastrous Biden Strategy


Just a short note to say that I have updated the 150 Challenge blog to reflect painting numbered 139 - 150.
Starting April, I will be painting 2-3 paintings per day to be ready for the show on Friday, June 1.
which you may view HERE.
I'm doing it myself and am making some headway. I want to make each painting available to view along with the purchase price as soon as they come available. I also want to get a more detailed list of my galleries and the paintings available at each of those. I'm also thinking about offering some workshops and will have details about those.
The Balloon Fiesta, in conjunction with the Santa Clara pueblo, has asked me to paint the Puye cliff dwellings out on location and I will be be working with a film crew on a video. Isn't that exciting? Check out their website HERE.
I am still working on finishing commissions and a few fundraising projects, and organizing the studio so I can start painting like wild in a couple of days. Stay tuned!
When they say a dog's life, they mean the life of THIS dog. He was just laying in the open entryway of a shop, enjoying the view.
Colorful mailboxes along main street. We usually make our daytrips to Madrid during the week. This time, we went on Saturday and it was a little more crowded than usual.
I thought this wooden boot was so cute and colorful. It just fits in with the whole Madrid vibe. The girl at the general store told us that Madrid has no government. They pretty much make their own laws as a group. When they have any trouble, they have no police department, so they have to call in the State Highway Patrol. Interesting. Maybe that's why they have a reputation as an "outlaw" town. Or a hippy town. Either way, Madrid's pretty awesome.
These two kids had been sitting on top of a car playing music. I don't know if they were asking for donations, but the music was pretty nice. Good job guys!
Oh my gosh, I have a thing for old cars. And trucks. In fact, on my bucket listof things I want is to have an old truck painted red or turquoise with one of my paintings and my website blazing across the side. What a fun marketing tool that would be!
This is one of the old coal mine shacks that have been turned into houses or little shops. The skull reminded me of Georgia O'Keefe and the lights reminded me of Madrid at Christmastime. For the first two weekends in December, they decorate the whole town and have horse carriage rides, all the shops are open and everyone has homemade goodies. I love the contrasting colors of this little house.
Man, I don't know what it was, but the motorcyclists were out in full force last Saturday. We saw a ton of bikers - young and old, men and women, on bikes of every make and model.
It made me almost want to go buy a Harley.
We took a quick side trip over to Cerrillos and there's a museum there. We'd never been in so we decided to take a look. It is chock full on the outside of old mining machinery and parts.
The guy running the museum was the most ornery and cranky shopkeeper I'd ever met. He told me it would cost me a dollar for every question I asked him. So I gave him $5 and told him I had a question for him and wanted to take his picture. He took the money and I asked him where he was from. He said Long Island. I said it figures. Then I took his picture. He wouldn't smile.
Instead of giving me my change, he let us go into the museum.
We saved two bucks, so I figured we got a bargain.
Cerrillos is a mining town too, enot coal though, it's for turquoise and gold, so the museum and store there had tons of little turquoise gems, and all kinds of rocks and crystal you could buy.
The museum itself was full of really old stuff, some cool and some really reepy.
I thought these amber colored bottles looked cool with a backdrop of the blue mountains. Those are the back side of the Sandia mountains you're seeing.
This is a still. Yep, a real still. I guess back in the day, they had to make their own moonshine.
This is supposed to be Native American people mining for turquoise. At least I think so. My cousin said they all looked like Cher, then we started laughing and couldn't stop.
This is a bunch of motorcycles at Mary's bar in Cerrillos. Several movies have been filmed in this area. Some featuring John Wayne from back in the day and more recently "Young Guns" and Toby Keith's "Whiskey for your Horses."
One of my fellow artisans has her own gallery there and she was telling us the story of how people say the local church had a tunnel going underground to the local house of prostitution across the street and how people would pretend they were going to church or confession, and slip into the tunnel, conduct their business, and then come out of the church, looking very holy. Hmmm.
There were also a ton more saloons and prostitues than anything else.
That mining must have been hard work.
This is an old and almost falling down church in Lamy. These were the only two stained glass windows in the whole place. I don't know if you can see it, but the one on the left has chicken wire covering it and there's a large whole on the upper left-hand side. Man, I sure wish someone would restore this church - it must have been a beauty in its day.
This is the train that runs from Santa Fe to Lamy. Maybe this is a spare engine, I don't know. We didn't actually see any trains running that day. But I still thought it was pretty special to see.
Back to Madrid -this is a sign that gives directions and also let's you know about the weather. See the bone on the side? You look at the bone, then read the sign, and yay!, you know the weather. So if the bone is moving, you know it's windy. What could be more simple?
This was one smokin' hot machine.
A very round, very zen, concrete sphere. I want this is my yard.
All in all, we had a wonderful day in Madrid, and can't wait to go back!
I am almost finished with the poster!
I have finished painting and added the lines. Today I taped off the painting in sections to go over the linework again - to make sure that all lines are connected with no breaks and nothing is out of place. I'd forgotten how tedious this process is!
If you look closely at the linework above, you will notice that some lines aren't completely connected and some are a little wobbly and not clean.
If all goes well, tomorrow I will varnish the painting and then I'm done.
look for an update tomorrow.
I will start adding the lines today.
I haven't titled them yet, but wanted to let you see them right away.
at the little village of Canones, New Mexico, near Abiquiu Lake.
This is from a pretty horrible blurry photo I snapped while driving along these fields - somewhere near Abiquiu or Jemez.
I'll post it sometime this week so you could see what I was dealing with!
I always paint a painting with this subject matter for my 150 shows. I like it to call it the "golden spot" or something like that. It reminds me of just a little slice of New Mexico paradise.
This was an old house perched on a hill headed towards Ghost Ranch. The house itself was a dull grey-blue, but it contrasted so much with the mountains that I felt I had to change it. The beautiful golden tree was also a bright green, which didn't fit in with my plan!
I should have these posted into the 150 Challenge blog tonight. To view the show so far, click HERE.
Well as you can see, I've been busy.
These are all paintings for the upcoming show at the NM Cancer Center.
I love doing these shows because 40% of the proceeds goes to help cancer patients.
The show opens near the end of this month and painting drop-offs are this weekend.
For painting purchase information, you may contact me by email.
I am also still working on my Chimayo with a moon and hollyhocks, the Ballon Fiesta poster and an 8x10" for the coffee mug.
I will be in the studio through non-stop through November.
I've been working on the canvas for the 2012 Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Poster and I thought I would share my progress with you.
The theme for the fiesta this year is "Blaze a Trail." I really wanted to convey the sense of wide open space in the landscape of my wonderful state. I also liked the idea of beautiful balloons taking off from fiesta park (which is in the north valley and of course, has sunflowers) and traveling over hills and valleys, rivers and fields, to end up somewhere over the horizon. What you see above is my original sketch. They said it was just a little busy and balloons don't fly sideways - a little too whimsical. I still like it.
This is my revised sketch, which I love. The balloons are flying straight, and I have toned down the landscape to basics.
Okay, there's an interesting story to go along with this canvas. This is not my original. I sketched the original, reworked it and just wasn't happy with it.
I couldn't get the depth of field and perspective I wanted in the background freehand. I didn't want to destroy the sketch I made on that canvas because I want to paint it someday as a landscape without balloons. So I went and purchased another canvas. And I tried to think of a solution. In the end, I did! I ended up going to the wonderful elementary school down the street. They were nice enough to let me borrow an empty classroom, use a projector and project my image straight onto my canvas. I lost some of the foreground flowers and had to do a bit of reworking near the bottom while I had the projector on - moving it just slightly, then jacking up the back of the projector with paper to get it to hit the bottom of the canvas. Profuse thanks to Annette at Alameda Elementary School.
This is my sketch on canvas, toned with lighter colors than I normally use. My normal is red and burnt sienna. This time I added yellow ochre to the mix. I want the undercoat be bright since it's going to be in acrylic with linework.
I also sneaked in a roadrunner in the right-hand corner under the sunflower. Can you see him? Every balloon poster that I've seen has a roadrunner somewhere in the painting because it's our state bird. Now comes the hard part - actually painting the darn thing. Wish me luck.
We went to Taos a couple of days ago to look at a piece of property and I got a couple of nice photos I thought I'd share with you. This one I snapped along the highway. The foreground was a blur of something (guardrails?) but it reminded me of trees or water and I loved the way the sunlight hit the hills and the blue of the mountains in the background.
This was the sunset driving on the relief route that you hit before you get to Santa Fe. It's a way to bypass the city and saves you about five minutes. I don't usually like to take it because I LIKE seeing the town of Santa Fe and everything that goes along with that. But then I would've missed the unobstructed view of this, so I can't complain.
We stayed at my brother-in-law's house and spent the night in their kiva. A kiva is a round room like the one you see here. The walls are curved and there are two king-sized beds for guests. I slept pretty darn good. The light coming through the open area on the right wakes you up REAL early.
Okay, you guys have seen me paint this scene before. This is the valley of Valdez and the last time I shot photos here, those grey trees were the most magnificent yellow and gold. During the dead of winter, it's still a stunning image. If you keep following the trees, you go straight to Taos Ski Valley.
Another view of Valdez. Why are those trees still that golden color?
Look at the color in winter foliage!
I see greys, blues, rusts, golds, reds, purples, and several shades of green.
These were two sheds, one of them on the property we looked at. The property was nice - it just wasn't THE property. I'm still holding out for my little old adobe fixer-upper. But don't you think this will make a nice painting?
Oh, for those of you following my personal blog, please click HERE.


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Home News National Trump Says His Order Covers Preexisting Conditions, Surprise Medical Billings
Trump Says His Order Covers Preexisting Conditions, Surprise Medical Billings
by Fred Lucas
President Donald Trump signed an executive order Thursday aimed at protecting Americans with preexisting health conditions, after delivering remarks on his administration's health care vision in Charlotte, North Carolina.
"Under the America First health care plan, we will ensure the highest standard of care anywhere in the world, cutting edge treatments, state-of- the-art medicines, groundbreaking cures, and true health security for you and your loved ones," Trump told his audience in Charlotte.
The president also talked about actions his administration has taken to reduce the cost of prescriptions, increasing accountability for veterans' health care, expanding insurance options, and allowing terminally ill patients the opportunity to try lifesaving drugs that have not gotten final government approval.
"The historic action I'm taking today includes the first-ever executive order to affirm it is the official policy of the United States government to protect patients with preexisting conditions," Trump said. "So, we are making that official. We are putting it down in a stamp, because our opponents, the Democrats, like to constantly talk about it [as something the administration opposes], and yet preexisting conditions are much safer with us than with them. And now we have it affirmed."
Trump's order also calls for Congress to pass legislation to prevent "surprise" medical bills. If Congress doesn't act by Jan. 1, the president will take executive action, senior administration officials said.
"The president is declaring that it is the policy of the United States to provide protections to ensure that Americans with preexisting conditions are protected regardless of whether the Affordable Care Act is unconstitutional and its protections for preexisting conditions invalidated," Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar told reporters in a conference call before Trump's North Carolina event.
The Trump administration supports a lawsuit by 18 Republican state attorneys general who sued to challenge the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act, popularly known as Obamacare, after Congress dropped the individual mandate from the law in 2017.
The Supreme Court's 5-4 ruling in 2012 to uphold Obamacare was based in part on its interpreting the individual mandate—which requires most American adults to purchase health insurance—as a constitutionally imposed tax.
"The ACA failed to provide sufficient protections for Americans with preexisting conditions," Azar said of the Affordable Care Act. "They may have the ability to purchase a [health insurance] plan, but it may be utterly unaffordable given that premiums more than doubled in the four years following the ACA's implementation."
Elaborating, Azar said that providing those protections for Americans with a preexisting condition might involve legislation from Congress.
"If you are a couple, age 55, living in Missouri [and] making $70,000 a year, Obamacare is going to cost you $30,000 in premiums and have a $12,000 deductible," he said. "I'm sorry. That is not affordable coverage of your preexisting condition. That is an insurance card that you can't actually use to take care of your preexisting condition."
Azar continued:
If the Supreme Court strikes down all or a large part of the Affordable Care Act, what the president is making clear in this executive order is that it is the policy of the United States that people who suffer from preexisting conditions will be protected. We will work with Congress or otherwise to ensure they are protected.
The health and human services secretary said the Trump administration will first seek a congressional remedy for "surprise medical bills," meaning when a health care provider doesn't inform a patient about the full cost of care until after it is given.
"The president will direct me as secretary to work with Congress [to pass] legislation … that will protect patients against surprise medical bills," Azar said, "and if some legislation is not passed by Jan. 1, then he will instruct me to investigate executive action and regulator action that we can take to ensure that patients are nonetheless protected against surprise medical bills."
Fred Lucas is chief national affairs correspondent for The Daily Signal and co-host of "The Right Side of History" podcast. Lucas is also the author of "Abuse of Power: Inside The Three-Year Campaign to Impeach Donald Trump." Send an email to Fred.
Photo "Trump Health" by The White House
Appeared at and reprinted from DailySignal.com
The article Trump Says His Order Covers Preexisting Conditions, Surprise Medical Billings appeared first on Tennessee Star.
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THIS ONE OWNER, ALL BRICK RANCH ON A LARGE LOT IN OAKCREST IS READY FOR YOU TO CALL HOME. HOME HAS MANY RECENT UPDATES SUCH AS HVAC, ROOF, KITCHEN CABINETS AND SOLID SURFACE COUNTERS, GARAGE DOORS, REPLACEMENT WINDOWS AND LAMINATE FLOORS. ALL THE "BIG TICKET" ITEMS HAVE BEEN DONE AND ARE READY FOR YOU TO ENJOY. THIS HOME HAS GOOD BONES.


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Q: want to save the product image from csv file I want to import Configurable Product along with their associative products and images.
I imported the products it associative products are coming in configurable product but images are not uploaded for product.
can anyone help me out??

A: To upload images for product from csv file you have to do these following-

*

*make a directory named as "import" inside /media
  /media/import.

*You have to make 2 folders inside the media/import which depends on image name for ex- your image file name is "filename.jpg" then you make folder name "f" and inside this you have to make a directory named as "i" and inside this you have to put your image "filename.jpg"
so, - media/import/f/i/filename.jpg

*next you have to make changes in your csv file -
give path of image in these columns - image, small_image, thumbnail, _media_image.
Image path should be like this - /f/i/filename.jpg

*Next define
"_media_attribute_id" set it as 88,
_media_lable
_media_position
_media_is_disabled  0 for not 1 for yes.


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Turkey, the star of Christmas
They came to be considered a delicacy, later becoming the star of the main culinary event of the year: Christmas lunch and dinner. Georges Barbarin once said, "A living turkey is stupid, but a dead one is full of intelligence"
The almond
The almond tree is possibly the most common and popular nut tree. Moreover, it's one of the first fruit trees to be domesticated.
Lentils, the subtlest legume
Lentils were first grown seven thousand years ago
Chestnuts, a specialty of the forest
They were the basic foodstuff during times of famine in Mediterranean villages, and were eaten instead of bread.
Big game, a succulent fall feast
That includes roe and fallow deer and boar, although the best time to hunt them is later, in the beginning of winter and even in spring.
Small game, a treat for fall
The most popular examples of small game are rabbit, hare, snipe, woodcock, quail, pheasant, wood pigeon and partridge.
Mushrooms, magical creations of the forest
They are considered a culinary gem in just about every region of Spain
The fig, the philosopher's fruit
Figs are a common fruit in pastry-making, purées, and stuffings, and they're also delicious in marmalades
Olive oil, the healthiest, most versatile fat
Bread with olive oil is the simplest way to enjoy "liquid gold", a product of outstanding quality and variety in Spain
Bread, a magical product that has sustained Humanity
Bread has always been an extremely important ingredient throughout Spain.
Chocolate: the versatility of an addictive ingredient
Europe has Spain to thank for introducing this product, which is now enjoying its moment of glory after almost five centuries
Mussels, a popular, versatile seafood
Mussels, which are the most popular and least expensive seafood, are a classic ingredient in Mediterranean cooking
Baby squid, the most popular Spanish cephalopod
Baby squid is one of the most popular and delicious products from our coasts
The peach, an energetic, rejuvenating fruit
This fruit has many positive dietary qualities. Peaches are one of the most popular packaged fruits worldwide.
Bass, a delicious healthy fish
This fish aligns perfectly with modern-day cooking, and many restaurants serve it all year long
Melon, the most popular summer fruit in Spain
Melons have a pleasant, refreshing flavor. They contain about 90% water by weight.
Tomato, a delicious spring-summer vegetable
The tomato is a key ingredient in salads, extremely versatile in cooking, and a guardian of a gastronomically impeccable diet.
Suckling pig, a succulent traditional Spanish dish
Suckling pig should be paired with a good wine, and there is a wide range of possibilities depending on the method of preparation.
Eggplant: a versatile summer vegetable
From a culinary standpoint, eggplant is enormously versatile.
Garlic, an important and healthy part of Spanish cooking
There are several different types of garlic: white, pink, purple or wine-colored (which is the most prized), and black.
Peppers: A healthy vegetable available all year long
Red or green, sweet or spicy, it is an essential product in Spanish gastronomy.
The best of each season
Everyone should celebrate the diversity and variety of Spanish foods when they sit down to eat, both at home and at restaurants
In our Seasonal Products section, we look at legumes. As temperatures drop, we start to crave soups and stews, recipes where these products generally have pride of place
The black truffle
There are more than 60 known varieties of truffle, around half of which come from Europe. They're collected in forests and available for sale when winter arrives
Peas: the subtleness of spring's first treasure
Peas were used as cattle feed until the 16th century, after which time they become part of people's diets
Asparagus, a spring jewel
The Navarre regional government has always been the strongest supporter of the idea that asparagus has therapeutic properties
The potato: a golden tuber
Five centuries after being brought over to Europe by the conquistadors, the potato is one of Spanish gastronomy's most prized ingredients, due to its versatility and culinary wealth
Octopus: flavors of the sea
This cephalopod, which offers the true flavors of the sea, has the gastronomic appeal of a very fine steak
Cod, a very popular dish in winter
In addition to its status as the Lenten food par excellence and as a basic ingredient in stews and other meatless Lent recipes, cod is a popular dish in the winter months leading up to Easter
Hake, a treasure in Spanish fish markets
Hake is the most popular fish due to its versatility and delicate flesh. Moreover, it can be prepared in countless ways and is available all year round
Chicken, the most popular meat
It was consumed regularly in Rome and Greece and was the first European animal to reach America with Christopher Columbus on his second expedition.
The egg, a mystery of nature and a culinary gem
The frequent use of eggs in Spain has given rise to an innumerable amount of recipes, some of which have gone on to become the most renowned dishes in Spanish cuisine
Salmon: a freshwater and seawater fish
Salmon, which thrive in both river and sea environments, is a popular dish in international and regional Spanish cuisine.
The Jerte cherry, juicy and crisp
The Jerte cherry production area is in the north of Cáceres province, in the mountain farming area of Trasierra-Gredos Sur.
Sardines, a star in Spanish cuisine
Sardines are considered a delicacy by the working class and are also highly appreciated by most gourmets. In Spain, "sardine country" extends across Cantabria, Galicia and the Basque Country, as well as along the Mediterranean Coast


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Company culture leads to safer construction sites
This piece is presented by Journey Group.
Of course, there are rules and regulations. Best practices and preventative measures. But safety at Journey Group starts with a very personal goal: Send everyone home safe every day.
"When we started talking about that, it hit home for everyone," superintendent Chad Munce said.
"In the last few years, we've really stepped up and are striving to improve safety culture. And we're continuously improving. We're constantly getting better."
Munce sees that focus reflected in his jobsite, where he supervises dozens of workers daily who are building Avera on Louise.
"We have safety observations daily and weekly. We're having one-on-one talks with our subcontractors, trying to catch things before they happen," he said.
Every worker goes through a safety orientation before stepping onto a jobsite. That covers protocol, things like use of ladders and fall protection. But at Journey, safety culture goes beyond the basics.
"It's all about relationships and caring about people," said Joel Van Ekeren, safety director.
"You have to get the job done, but people are put first here."
Van Ekeren is a retired firefighter and training officer. He's used to helping workers take the right steps to stay safe at work and said being effective requires the right approach.
"I don't want workers on the job having the mentality that they must be safe or they're going to get in trouble," he said. "I want them to go to work every day wanting to be safe because they care about themselves and the people they work with. And it's the right thing to do."
Van Ekeren's leadership builds on an ongoing commitment within Journey to blend rules-based safety with values-based safety to create relational-based safety. The goal is preventing problems before they occur by looking out for each other and calling attention to risks so they can be corrected.
"For a long time, we were just making sure everyone was following the rules, and what we found out was people would still get injured," project manager Joe Niewohner said.
"It's really about creating a culture where people are respectful of each other and holding each other accountable for a safe work environment and empowering employees to address unsafe actions."
So what does that look like day-to-day?
It's a collective effort.
"This is really about going out and having conversations about safety on-site," Niewohner said. "It's everybody in the company, from our CEO to our laborers. We're encouraged to talk about safety and observe each other and how we work."
Team leaders talk regularly with field safety champions to keep track of all conversations about safety or safety-related concerns. They also share "near misses," which are viewed as learning opportunities.
"And then we take that feedback and analyze it to find out what we need to do to be safer," Van Ekeren said. "It shows us where our biggest hazards are and what we need to do to make it an even safer workplace."
From there, it's about eliminating barriers to safety. Sometimes, it's as easy as crews needing more gloves to keep from cutting their hands, Niewohner said.
"And any of our employees can stop work at any time if they don't feel safe, and we'll make it right," he said. "We look at it that everybody has responsibility for safety."
Weekly "toolbox talks" reinforce the effort, with focuses on relevant tasks and how to stay safe. In the winter, for instance, they might focus on cold weather and being smart about taking breaks.
Journey's subcontractors are part of the effort, too.
"We work with subcontractors as much if not more than our employees and want them to be part of our team and buy into this safety culture," Van Ekeren said. "Three or four years down the road, my vision is that we don't even need field champions because everyone will just be doing it and it will be a natural thing to look out for each other."
Van Ekeren and his safety team also make frequent visits to jobsites.
"And instead of being a policeman on-site, it's about putting your arm around the guy and saying, 'Hey, I see you're not wearing safety glasses, would you mind putting some on?' Instead of just writing them up," Niewohner said. "To me, that's been a huge change in the culture and how we approach things. It's focusing on the people. And the rest is taking care of itself."
It also has shown itself in real-world scenarios. Employees have used fall protection training to avoid accidents on the job site. They've known how to handle situations when co-workers have needed help to avoid injuries.
"Without a doubt, it's improved morale," Van Ekeren said. "You see people more engaged. They don't run and hide when the safety guy shows up."
The company also has seen "a significant improvement in the last four to five years in our incidents and our types of incidents," Niewohner said.
"It's paid off. And you can tell with our team. They care about what they're doing."
Tags: Avera on Louise construction Journey Group
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Not all forms of conflict are violent by nature. Being in conflict with others is part of being human and may be healthy and needed for relationships to grow and mature. But unhealthy forms of conflict, or ways that conflict is dealt with or avoided, can be forms of violence.
When layers of a community are peeled back, basic human conflicts exist. How do we live together in community with people that come from a different economic background and outlook? Can we build community with people dealing with homelessness? How do we live in community with people from different cultural backgrounds and worldviews? How do we balance serving one another within our communities and loving our neighbors outside of it?
The challenge of answering these questions is one of the blessings of living in an urban community. Seeing God bring together people from diverse backgrounds and situations to form community is truly an amazing experience in which the spirit of Christ is alive and working, both through the individuals that are living in the community and the group as a whole.
Intentional community offers us a chance to grow in our relationship with God as we share our common life with our brothers and sisters in Christ. However, at its very worst, community life can become so disintegrated by conflict that harm is done to the emotional and spiritual life of those in the community. People put their own desires in front of the needs of others, thus causing alienation.
Through dealing with conflict in intentional communities, I have learned that each conflict is unique and solutions to conflict differ in each situation. However, a few commonalities have existed in each conflict that I have dealt with in community living.
We are all broken human beings.
Every single one of us has been touched by the stain of sin. We have areas in our lives which are broken. It is often out of these broken areas in our lives that conflict arises. Once we are aware of our own sinfulness, we are able to confess to God the ways in which we bring conflict into community. When we see it in ourselves, we can confess our shortcomings and ask for forgiveness from other members.
Once we are aware of how we are broken, we are able to understand others in the same condition as us. We are able to understand their roles in conflicts and forgive them for the way they have hurt us.
A community must be aware of its shortcomings to confess to each other and forgive others in order to grow and prosper.
Community is not the ultimate goal. Christ is.
Often communities get caught up in "being community" and lose sight of the real purpose behind community: to grow in our love for God and to strengthen our relationship with God.
Community is a means to this end, not the end itself. In communities, we often spend our energy trying to be the perfect community, taking the focus away from God and putting it on ourselves. Jesus must be proclaimed as Lord over the community, with our ultimate goal of worshiping, following and loving Christ both personally and corporately.
—Shawn Delp is city director for the DOOR (Discovering Opportunities for Outreach and Reflection) program in Denver. He has lived in and guided young people in intentional communities.


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Hermès goes subtly radical, as the CGT protest outside
Hermès called its latest menswear collection "Radical," which it was, though subtly so with a capital "S." Véronique Nichanian stuck closely to the brand's DNA, but chose details that made a truly special collection.
1/19/20 | Fashion | Catwalks
Jacquemus wafts a summer breeze through the heart of winter
It was linen – perhaps the most summery material of them all – that the designer chose as his base for a fresh and ultra-sexy winter runway, starring top model Laetitia Casta, at Paris Fashion Week Men's on Saturday.
Vetements dives into the dark
Having lost iconic designer Demna Gvasalia, the anti-establishment street-couture label sent out a host of celebrity lookalikes at its show at Paris Fashion Week Men's on Friday, with "Kate Moss" taking a starring role.
Men and women share a wardrobe at Juun.J and Officine Générale
Whether in the spirit of gender neutrality or as a sexy twist, the collections unveiled at Paris Fashion Week Men's this week presented an increasing number of similarities between men's and womenswear.
Olivier Saillard fêtes the new Weston Vintage project
Leave it to Olivier Saillard and J.M. Weston to fête the debut of their new vintage project – a neat example of the circular economy – with a moment of Parisian performance art.
Loewe's playful vision of fashion, with a naughty twist
Those looking for a playful, yet twisted vision of menswear, with a tincture of transgression and a soupçon of the surreal, need look no further than Loewe, whose latest collection was the definition of playful youth.
Blame this epic Dior menswear show on Judy
Kim Jones looked back to his youth in London for inspiration for the latest Dior menswear collection, a bold homage to the late great Judy Blame. The result was a stellar show that hit all the right notes.
Glenda Bailey steps down as editor-in-chief of Harper's Bazaar
After 19 years at the head of the American magazine, the journalist has stepped down to become the consultant of its 29 international editions. The name of her successor has not yet been revealed.
1/17/20 | Luxury | Media
Jean-Paul Gaultier announces that next couture show will be his last
In a short video published on his social media channels, designer Jean-Paul Gaultier has announced that his next couture show, scheduled for 22 January, will be "the last," and also promised the launch of a new concept.
1/17/20 | Luxury | Catwalks
Dolce & Gabbana open softly in Paris with Napoleon and Josephine
Dolce & Gabbana have opened an opulent new boutique in Paris and invited Napoleon and Josephine along to the top-shelf super store.
1/17/20 | Luxury | Retail
Net-A-Porter backs Netflix's 'Next in Fashion' reality show
Net-A-Porter has teamed up with Netflix to help choose the winner of the new 'Next in Fashion' competition. The winner will receive the opportunity to debut their collection at Net-A-Porter plus a $250,000 prize.
1/17/20 | Luxury | Design
Burberry will be taking its autumn/winter 2020 fashion show directly to the market that's driving luxury growth at present with plans to show in Shanghai, China on April 23.
Richemont sales rise offsets Q3 Hong Kong weakness, but fashion ops dip
Swiss luxury group Richemont had good news and bad for its latest quarter as Fashion & Accessories sales fell, but it saw good growth overall in most of its markets for the wider business.
1/17/20 | Luxury | Business
Issey Miyake stages a jazzy happening for Homme Plissé
The models at the brand's Paris Fashion Week Men's show danced to jazz at Beaubourg on Thursday, as the Japanese designer presented his new menswear collection for his line of pleated basics.
Condé Nast announces launch of Vogue Singapore
A Singapore edition of Vogue will launch in the fall of this year with an English-language print issue, a website and presences on all relevant social platforms, including Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
1/17/20 | Fashion | Media


100 Women Who Care Westshore is designed to make an immediate, direct, and positive effect on the lives of our neighbours by bringing together 100+ women who are passionate about contributing to local community causes. First the group members nominate local charities that will be drawn from a hat at our meetings. The group meets for 1 hour, (over tea, coffee, or wine) and after listening to three presentations, we vote on the local charity or non-profit organization that will receive our donations for that night. Every woman writes a cheque to the selected organization, and watches how the group's commitment turns into a $10,000+ donation! Do that four times per year, and witness how $40,000+ can improve the lives of our neighbours when placed in the hands of those working hard to serve our community.
Are you excited about what we're doing? Let us know! We are always looking for volunteers to help us make our vision a reality. We'll help you find a way to help that best suits you. We're excited to have you join the team!
Our meetings are held four times a year and last one hour.
A special thank you to the Goldstream News Gazette & the Black Press for your generous support & sponsoring 100 Women Who Care Westshore!
Once you have signed up to be a member, please nominate a charity! Don't be shy! But if you are, that's okay too. If your charity is drawn, and you do not wish to present a short (under 5 minute) speech describing what the charity is all about, another member will gladly do the reading.
Click here to determine whether or not a charity you are interested in nominating is registered.
Click here to be inspired by the lists of nominated charities from the 100 Women Victoria and Saanich Peninsula chapters.
Whether you help by donating to local charities, volunteering your time, or spreading our mission through word-of-mouth, thank you.


Hallie Mae (Vik) Anderson was born in Clarkfield, Dec. 20, 1934, to Reuben G. and Hallie H. (Sharkey) Vik. She passed from this earth into the arms of her Lord on Dec. 31, 2018, at Sanford Medical Center in Fargo, N.D. She was 84 years young.
Memorial services were held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 11, at Elim Lutheran Church, Fargo. Burial will be at a later date at the Clarkfield Cemetery, that's located directly across a country road from the two farms where Hallie and Ron were raised. Blessed be her memory.
Memories and online condolences may be shared by visiting www.hansonrunsvold.com.
Hanson-Runsvold Funeral Home, of Fargo, N.D., was in charge of the funeral arrangements.


Southern California-based Payoff, Inc. today announced that Eaglewood Capital Management, a subsidiary of alternative asset manager Marshall Wace, has agreed to finance up to $250 million of loans over a multi-year period, subject to Eaglewood's purchase criteria. This arrangement should enable Payoff's rapid growth to support the millions of U.S. consumers motivated to refinance and pay off their high-interest rate credit card balances. Payoff has raised more than $300 million in combined equity and debt capital since inception to build the future of consumer financial services and improve the financial well being of its members.
Founded in 2009, Payoff, Inc. (www.payoff.com) is a digital finance platform delivering empowering products and services that help clients pay off debt and build wealth. Payoff's chief scientist, former eHarmony chief scientist Dr. Galen Buckwalter, leads a team of top psychologists, decision scientists, and neuroscientists applying science to help Payoff's community better understand their financial behavior and make better financial decisions. Payoff investors include Payoff board members Mohamed El-Erian, former PIMCO chief executive; and Joe Saunders, former Visa chief executive; as well as Chinese internet company Tencent. Payoff is backed by other global digital finance leaders, top-tier venture capital firms, and some of the most prominent individuals in financial services.
Eaglewood Capital Management LLC (www.mweaglewood.com) was founded in 2011 and has been at the forefront of developments in the emerging online direct lending space, including the first securitization of peer-to-peer consumer loans. Eaglewood received the 2014 LendIt Innovator of the Year Award, in recognition of its contribution to the growth of this asset class.
Founded in 1997, Marshall Wace LLP (www.mwam.com) is a $22 billion global asset manager offering a diverse set of alternative, long-only and bespoke investment solutions to a broad range of investors.


In some ways, your computer network is like the nerve center of your business. Think about how your feet gives your brain information through nerves when you're walking and your brain processes that information and send new information to your leg muscles. In your network, your server sends and receives information to your workstations, and they process that information and send new information back to the server.
But it's not really that simple with modern office networks. And all of the changes to office networks is something Advantage Technology has witnessed and understands.
Consider all of the devices that people use today. On average every business professional has three devices; workstations, laptops, tablets, smartphones or wearable tech (those new smart watches are just the beginning of network connected tech that people wear). All of these devices connect and transmit data over your network. They might be accessing data on a server, connecting peer-to-peer with another device or just gathering data from the Internet.
This is only going to get worse. The future is Internet of Things, where devices like lights, kitchen appliances and security systems connect to devices on your network and the Internet.
And that's not even mentioning the amount of data being transferred today. Today people stream videos, copy photos and large documents and all kinds of other high-demand data transfers.
That's an incredible demand on your network. Can it handle it?
It use to be a switch or two, and a router was all you needed to keep everything humming along happily, but those days are coming to a close. You need an experienced team that can install and configure the proper networking hardware to keep your network working properly.
Advantage Technology specializes in large and small scale network installations. We use advanced switches and router from established, leading-edge companies like Dell and Aruba Networks. Our team installs clean cable runs and meticulously documents every level of your network configuration.
Advantage Technology's meticulous documentation is what really sets us apart and gives us an incredible edge in troubleshooting and repairing those inevitable network challenges and future modifications. We work clean and we work fast.


Did Apple Just Sell a Record Number of Macs?
You have to expect that Apple can do no wrong — with the possible exception of the lame response to the original complaints about the iPhone 4's notorious grip of death. The stock price continues to hit record numbers, and industry analysts are falling over themselves trying to come up with higher and higher estimates for iPhone, iPad and, of course, Mac sales.
While PC sales didn't grow as fast as the industry hoped this summer, it may well be that Apple had blowout numbers of new Macs. I've seen estimates from the low three million range, hardly a record, to the mid-four million plateau.
Consider that, ten years ago, Apple was lucky to best 300,000 Macs a quarter, and you can see how fast the the platform has grown, even though, for the most part, promotional efforts appear to have been largely dormant. The cute and funny Mac versus PC campaign is history, and new Macs are usually heralded with little more than a press release, and perhaps a few quick interviews by Apple executives.
Add to that the fact that the Mac OS was barely on the radar during the last WWDC, and you can well understand why some tech rabble-rousers began to predict that Mac's best days were history, that the platform had plateaued, and it will be all downhill from here on.
When it comes to Apple, Inc., the analysts and the pundits almost always "misunderestimate" the company, which is truly unfortunate, because they lose their credibility.
As far as the Mac platform is concerned, consider that Microsoft is spending loads of money with those perfectly stupid ads that do little but demonstrate that the most compelling feature of Windows 7 is the ability to pin documents in the corners of the screen. I suspect most people, when confronted with those ads, might wish for a DVR so they can Fast Forward (assuming they don't have one), or would prefer to simply change the channel.
At one time, it was believed that the state of the economy would convince people to buy cheaper gear. That may explain the initial attraction of netbooks until, of course, people actually used them, and realized they were poor substitutes for full-fledged note-books. Many of the cheap PC desktops that get top reviews from Consumer Reports are provably unsuitable for anything but basic tasks; you need powerful hardware for "real" work, and suddenly Macs aren't so expensive after all.
Now to be perfectly honest, I do not pretend to know if the current PC sales slowdown is due to the state of the economy, buyer's remorse, a combination of these reasons, or none of them. At the same time, Apple continues to defy gravity. With minimal promotion, Macs continue to sell extremely well.
Of course, that doesn't explain the wide variation of the projected sales figures. I would hope that industry analysts are performing or consulting some sort of sampling from Mac dealers just to see how fast the boxes are moving off the shelves. Otherwise, their figures, even if some turn out to be close to the mark, are worth next to nothing. Tea leaves — or tossing darts in the air — would work as well.
Assuming Macs just completed a blow-out quarter, ostensibly due to the back-to-school promotions, not to mention the release of new desktops, you have to wonder when the online chatter will return in full force to Apple's "first" product lineup.
For example, what's happening with the MacBook Air, which hasn't received an update since last year? Some rumor sites are reporting that dealer supplies are limited, something that usually occurs when a model refresh is in the offing. What's more, Apple has a history of releasing hardware upgrades in October, which may also portend a possible minor refresh for the MacBook and MacBook Pro.
If the MacBook Air doesn't simply vanish, you wonder where it might be positioned, in light of the tremendous success of the iPad. Other than the extremely thin and light form factor, the MacBook Air is a poor cousin to the far cheaper MacBook. Is saving a pound or two worth the extra cost?
One report has it that Apple is readying an 11.6-inch version, but at what price point? All things being equal, a smaller display ought to mean a device that's actually cheaper than the MacBook. Indeed, if a revised MacBook Air hit the scales at $799 or $899 per copy, that might present a tremendous boost to holiday sales.
The iPad exists in a separate universe, so it may not impact sales of that product. On the other hand, a cheaper Mac might cannibalize sales from the regular MacBook, although a sale is a sale. In the end, the smaller screen might be too small for some users, but would represent a potential sales goldmine, particularly for folks upgrading from netbooks who don't have iPads in their sites.
The biggest mistake, I think, would be for Apple to price a revitalized MacBook Air way above $1,000. That may deliver decent profits, but unit sales would remain modest.
Regardless, I'm more curious than ever to see how the Mac sales numbers pan out, and we'll all know next week when Apple spills the beans.
This article was posted on Tuesday, October 12th, 2010 at 12:00 AM and is filed under News and tagged with: computing, Consumer Reports, iPad, iPads, Mac, Mac Os, Macbook, MacBook Air, Macintosh, netbook, online chatter, Pc Desktops, PC sales, Personal Computers, Windows 7, Wwdc.
Personally, I think the original MacBook Air hit the target quite well in every area except RAM and battery life. A new model with the same form factor, the glass touchpad, 4GB of RAM and an 8 hour battery at $1500 for the HDD and $1800 for the SSD would be a hit.
For an 11″ Air to succeed, it would need to be in the 2~2.5lb range with 8 hour battery life.
I disagree about the MacBook being ONLY a pound or two heavier. Actually its only 1.5 lbs heavier, but that is a full 50% weight increase, and a deal-breaker to the target audience.
@Andrew, Obviously, it all depends on current MacBook Air sales, and what Apple regards as the potential for a new model.
I wonder about the feasibility of an A4 (or successor) powered MacBook Air.
The MacBook Air may have only existed as a stepping stone for the ipad manufacturing process. Very Thin, light, unibody design.