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The Hamas 'Peace' Gambit.
by Charles Krauthammer
"Apart from the time restriction (a truce that lapses after 10 years) and the refusal to accept Israel's existence, Mr. Meshal's terms approximate the Arab League peace plan …"
- Hamas peace plan, as explained by the New York Times
"Apart from that, Mrs. Lincoln, how did you enjoy the play?"
- Tom Lehrer, satirist
The Times conducted a five-hour interview with Hamas leader Khaled Meshal at his Damascus headquarters. Mirabile dictum, they're offering a peace plan with a two-state solution. Except. The offer is not a peace but a truce that expires after 10 years. Meaning that after Israel has fatally weakened itself by settling millions of hostile Arab refugees in its midst, and after a decade of Hamas arming itself within a Palestinian state that narrows Israel to eight miles wide — Hamas restarts the war against a country it remains pledged to eradicate.
There is a phrase for such a peace: the peace of the grave.
Westerners may be stupid, but Hamas is not. It sees the new American administration making overtures to Iran and Syria. It sees Europe, led by Britain, beginning to accept Hezbollah. It sees itself as next in line. And it knows what to do. Yasser Arafat wrote the playbook.
With the 1993 Oslo accords, he showed what can be achieved with a fake peace treaty with Israel — universal diplomatic recognition, billions of dollars of aid, and control of Gaza and the West Bank, which Arafat turned into an armed camp. In return for a signature, he created in the Palestinian territories the capacity to carry on the war against Israel that the Arab states had begun in 1948 but had given up after the bloody hell of the 1973 Yom Kippur War.
Meshal sees the opportunity. Not only is the Obama administration reaching out to its erstwhile enemies in the region, but it begins its term by wagging an angry finger at Israel over the Netanyahu government's ostensible refusal to accept a two-state solution.
Of all the phony fights to pick with Israel. No Israeli government would turn down a two-state solution in which the Palestinians accepted territorial compromise and genuine peace with a Jewish state. (And any government that did would be voted out in a day.)
Netanyahu's own defense minister, Ehud Barak, offered precisely such a deal in 2000. He even offered to divide Jerusalem and expel every Jew from every settlement remaining in the new Palestine.
The Palestinian response (for those who have forgotten) was: No. And no counteroffer. Instead, nine weeks later, Arafat unleashed a savage terror war that killed 1,000 Israelis.
Netanyahu is reluctant to agree to a Palestinian state before he knows what kind of state it will be. That elementary prudence should be shared by anyone who's been sentient the last three years. The Palestinians already have a state, an independent territory with not an Israeli settler or soldier living on it. It's called Gaza. And what is it? A terror base, Islamist in nature, Iranian-allied, militant and aggressive, that has fired more than 10,000 rockets and mortar rounds at Israeli civilians.
If this is what a West Bank state is going to be, it would be madness for Israel or America or Jordan or Egypt or any other moderate Arab country to accept such a two-state solution. Which is why Netanyahu insists that the Palestinian Authority first build institutions — social, economic and military — to anchor a state that could actually carry out its responsibilities to keep the peace.
Apart from being reasonable, Netanyahu's two-state skepticism is beside the point. His predecessor, Ehud Olmert, worshiped at the shrine of a two-state solution. He made endless offers of a two-state peace to the Palestinian Authority — and got nowhere.
Why? Because the Palestinians — going back to the U.N. partition resolution of 1947 — have never accepted the idea of living side by side with a Jewish state. Those like Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who might want to entertain such a solution, have no authority to do it. And those like Hamas's Meshal, who have authority, have no intention of ever doing it.
Meshal's gambit to dress up perpetual war as a two-state peace is yet another iteration of the Palestinian rejectionist tragedy. In its previous incarnation, Arafat lulled Israel and the Clinton administration with talk of peace while he methodically prepared his people for war.
Arafat waited seven years to tear up his phony peace. Meshal's innovation? Ten - then blood.
Israel and the peace initiative.
The American sponsored peace initiative seems to have little rational thinking behind it and little chance of success. But while the President of the United States may not be right, he is certainly the President of the United States. Israel cannot afford to forget that. Nonetheless, Israel's first responsibility must be to ensure that it has a viable defense.
A great peace initiative is being undertaken by the United States. The general idea seems to bundle a remodeled Arab Peace Initiative for regional peace, Palestinian-Israeli peace based on a two state solution and a solution to the problem of Iranian nuclear weapons development. Lately, a fourth element was apparently added - general nuclear disarmament and arms control, including hints that the U.S. expects Israel to become a signatory of the Nuclear Non-proliferation treaty. All this will somehow, so the theory goes, make it easier for the United States to secure its withdrawal from Iraq, and prevent a disaster in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
The United States is not acting alone. Russia has invited UN Security Council members to a meeting to promote Middle East peace. The EU has come on board with any part of the plan that involved pressuring Israel. Germany's Angela Merkel, has expressed enthusiasm for the renewed peace process, which should do its business in the next few months and should be based on a two-state solution. Tony Blair announced that a new Middle East peace plan will be unveiled in 5-6 weeks, and Jordan's King Abdullah is supposedly at work on formulating a new and improved Arab peace initiative. This is a relatively well coordinated, multilateral and multidimensional effort - an attempt by everyone to solve everything at once. The driving imperative is that the current mess cannot be allowed to continue. It is bad for Israel, bad for the Palestinians, bad for America, and provides wonderful issues and opportunities for Iran and al-Qaeda.
One may be forgiven nonetheless for expressing skepticism. The key drawbacks of the Arab peace plan in principle are the insistence of return of Palestinian refugees, denial of Jewish rights in East Jerusalem, and failure to explicitly recognize Israel as a Jewish State. Of implementation there is nothing to say, because there is simply no method of implementation and no guarantee that any Israeli concessions will produce a peace agreement. The Palestinians and others have already said that the peace plan will be precisely the same as the 2002 Arab peace initiative. As for Mahmoud Abbas, Maannews summarized his position and that of the Arabs:
He affirmed that the Arab side would be submitting the Arab Peace Initiative to Washington when he met with them, and that all sides were in agreement over its soundness. "We will not be bringing a new document,"
Moreover, given that the Palestinians do not control Gaza or Hamas, it is unlikely they could deliver on any peace plan that might be signed.
Tony Blair insists that resolving the Middle East conflict is critical to curbing Iran. Since the Middle East conflict was not resolved in several generations of diplomacy and war, that is about like saying that that in order to cure the patient it is only necessary to turn lead into gold. Rahm Emanuel, along with Blair, insists on the linkage between Iran and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton laid it on the line:
"For Israel to get the kind of strong support it is looking for vis-a-vis Iran, it can't stay on the sidelines with respect to the Palestinians and the peace efforts. They go hand in hand"...
She also insisted that a two state solution is inevitable, As for the grand plan that is supposed to stop the Iranian nuclear development project, there is no sign of it in sight. Not even a hint. The United States has declared that it is not seeking Iranian regime change. It has more or less taken the military option off the table, and has publicly warned Israel on more than one occasion and through more than one official, not to take military action on its own. There is no practical sanctions plan that can be implemented, since Russia and China would not agree to enforce or obey sanctions, the Swiss, suppliers of refined fuel to the Tehran regime would not agree to sanctions either, the UAE trades freely with Iran, and the Qataris have apparently aligned themselves with Iran.
The Arabs, the EU, The Americans, the Palestinians and the Russians are all a part of this effort. Everyone is involved in preparing this initiative or initiatives except Israel. That is ominous, to say the least.
A skeptic with some knowledge of the Middle East might be forgiven for doubting that either Middle East peace or a solution to the Iranian threat can come out of all this frenetic activity. The US is seemingly playing with an empty hand and counterfeit money. The real linkage between a peace settlement and the Iranian issue is in the opposite direction: No peace sponsored by the United States can succeed as long as Iran is there to torpedo it. The US has no leverage on Iran or Syria. It has already abandoned Lebanon to the Hezbollah, Iran's client. It has already given away its leverage on Syria by announcing that it will push for Israeli-Syrian peace. In Iraq, it is fighting to cover its withdrawal against a mounting tide of violence, probably encouraged by Iran. In Afghanistan and Pakistan, it it is soliciting help from Iran in combating the increasingly successful Taleban uprising. The Arabs have already announced, for the most part, that they are not going to be changing their peace initiative in any way, and even moderate Arab opinion fully expects that the only thing that must come out of this peace initiative is unconditional Israeli withdrawal from the West Bank. The Palestinians are nowhere near forming a unified government that will conform even nominally to any imaginable peace process.
However, there is nothing to be gained by panic on the part of Israel or of it supporters, and there is not a good foundation for assuming, as some do, that the United States has betrayed or abandoned Israel. We have not seen the American initiative yet, nor the Arab response. President Obama enjoys immense prestige. Since World War II, the president of the United States has always been recognized as the most powerful leader on earth, but Obama probably has more power to persuade than any president since Harry S Truman, and more determination to succeed at peacemaking than most previous presidents. The scary headlines about demands for Israeli concessions by Hillary Clinton or Joe Biden or others usually conceal concomitant rock solid commitments to Israeli security and a fair peace, as well as calls for Arab concessions. If nothing at all comes of this initiative other than an agreement in principle by Arabs to abandon the right of return issue in return for Israeli concessions such as agreement to a two state solution, it can still be a huge victory for Israel and peace, and it can be spun as an American victory and a Palestinian victory that will enable whatever mysterious process the US will undertake to attempt to curb Iran. The implementation of the agreement will of course be conditional on rectifying the situation in the Gaza strip and ensuring that Palestinians can really be responsible for security. Don't hold your breath until that happens.
But in order to get that benefit, Israel must play ball. The alternative to Israeli cooperation with the United States is disaster for Israel. The initiative has broad support. Israel cannot possibly stand alone against the united opinion of virtually the entire world. At some point, probably when Benjamin Netanyahu goes to Washington, Israel is going to have to commit not only to a two state solution, but possibly agree also to some other painful concessions, if the Obama administration can deliver the requisite Arab concessions. It is always necessary to ensure that Israel and its supporters are on the side of peace and are not perceived as totally isolated in the world community. That is exactly the effect that Palestinians are trying to create, and that media are trying to create with scare headlines. President Shimon Peres struck the right notes both in his remarks at the AIPAC policy conference and in his public remarks with US officials. Benjamin Netanyahu likewise struck a positive note in his brief address to the AIPAC policy meeting: Israel is prepared to resume negotiations with the Palestinians without preconditions; Iran is the common danger. Every position should emphasize points of agreement. Each move should be considered carefully. We must never give away something for nothing, but we should never make enemies or portray ourselves as bellicose for no reason. If we have to say "no," we need to say it nicely. Was it wise, for example, of Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman announce that the "peace industry" as he called it, is a waste of money? What did that remark gain, and what will it cost Israel?
It is very likely that this peace initiative will lay a great big egg, but it is also undoubtedly true that the United States government thinks that it is helping Israel and that it must have "progress" in Middle East peace. We can either be partners with our friend the United States in this venture, or we can be forced to give up the same concessions reluctantly and in bad humor, and then get blamed for the failure of the venture.
For nothing is more certain that when the great peace crusade fails once again, scapegoats will be sought, and scapegoats will be found, and will be duly sacrificed. After the last disastrous fiasco, Bill Clinton was gracious enough to pin the blame where he thought it belonged. But he was out of office by then and could afford to tell the truth. The media are already setting the stage with giant headlines about pressure on Israel, many of which are not just quite justified by the content of the stories. There is no reason to aid in this endeavor.
And what about Iran? Who will save poor little Israel from Iran? The United States is counting on negotiations and sanctions to get Iran to stop building nuclear weapons. There is no chance of any such negotiations succeeding inasmuch as the United States has absolutely nothing to trade that the Iranian regime wants more than nuclear weapons. As Joseph Kechichian points out, such negotiations are futile. The attempt to link Iran to Israeli-Palestinian peace is not impressive. The Arab states have very little to offer that could solve the crisis, so that cannot be the reason for linkage. It is hard to believe that they would invite Iranian nuclear enforced hegemony over a "Shi'ite crescent" just to spite Israel. The United States itself may or may not be short-sighted enough to be willing to live with a nuclear Iran. That cannot be a guide for Israeli policy.
The answer for Israel, as difficult as it may seem, has to be the same as it always was, "If I am not for myself, then who is?" We must make the diplomatic conditions for Israel as best as they can possibly be, but our fate is in our hands. We cannot depend on others to provide our defense in a vital issue such as this. That is the real meaning of independence. It has a cost, but if we want to be independent we must be ready to pay that cost.
Posted by Harry at 12:22 PM
Is the world just plain stupid?
By Yashiko Sagamori
An interesting questionnaire for Palestinian Advocates.
If you are so sure that "Palestine, the country, goes back through most of recorded history," I expect you to be able to answer a few basic questions about that country of Palestine :
1. When was it founded and by whom?
2. What were its borders?
3. What was its capital?
4. What were its major cities?
5. What constituted the basis of its economy?
6. What was its form of government?
7. Can you name at least one Palestinian leader before Arafat?
8. Was Palestine ever recognized by a country whose existence, at that time or now, leaves no room for interpretation?
9. What was the language of the country of Palestine ?
10. What was the prevalent religion of the country of Palestine ?
11. What was the name of its currency? Choose any date in history and tell what was the approximate exchange rate of the Palestinian monetary unit against the US dollar, German mark, GB pound, Japanese yen, or Chinese yuan on that date.
12. And, finally, since there is no such country today, what caused its demise and when did it occur?
You are lamenting the "low sinking" of a "once proud" nation. Please tell me, when exactly was that "nation" proud and what was it so proud of?
And here is the least sarcastic question of all: If the people you mistakenly call "Palestinians" are anything but generic Arabs collected from all over – or thrown out of – the Arab world, if they really have a genuine ethnic identity that gives them right for self-determination, why did they never try to become independent until Arabs suffered their devastating defeat in the Six Day War?
I hope you avoid the temptation to trace the modern day "Palestinians" to the Biblical Philistines: substituting etymology for history won't work here.
The truth should be obvious to everyone who wants to know it. Arab countries have never abandoned the dream of destroying Israel; they still cherish it today. Having time and again failed to achieve their evil goal with military means, they decided to fight Israel by proxy. For that purpose, they created a terrorist organization, cynically called it "the Palestinian people," and installed it in Gaza, Judea, and Samaria. How else can you explain the refusal by Jordan and Egypt to unconditionally accept back the "West Bank" and Gaza, respectively?
The fact is, Arabs populating Gaza, Judea, and Samaria have much less claim to nationhood than that Indian tribe that successfully emerged in Connecticut with the purpose of starting a tax-exempt casino: at least that tribe had a constructive goal that motivated them. The so-called "Palestinians" have only one motivation: the destruction of Israel and in my book that is not sufficient to consider them a nation" -- or anything else except what they really are: a terrorist organization that will one day be dismantled.
In fact, there is only one way to achieve peace in the Middle East. Arab countries must acknowledge and accept their defeat in their war against Israel and, as the losing side should, pay Israel reparations for the more than 50 years of devastation they have visited on it. The most appropriate form of such reparations would be the removal of their terrorist organization from the land of Israel and accepting Israel's ancient sovereignty over Gaza, Judea, and Samaria.
That will mark the end of the Palestinian people. What are you saying again was its beginning?
Yashiko Sagamori
Obama prepares to throw Israel under the bus.
A sobering view by one of Britain's most respected columnists
Barak Obama is attempting to throw Israel under the Islamist bus, and he's getting American Jews to do his dirty work for him. White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel reportedly told the Israel lobbying group AIPAC on Sunday that efforts to stop Iran hinged on peace talks with the Palestinians. General James Jones, National Security Adviser to Obama, reportedly told a European foreign minister a week ago that unlike the Bush administration, Obama will be 'forceful' with Israel. Ha'aretz reports:
Jones is quoted in the telegram as saying that the United States, European Union and moderate Arab states must redefine 'a satisfactory endgame solution.' The U.S. national security adviser did not mention Israel as party to these consultations.
Of course not. If you are going to throw a country under the bus, you don't invite it to discuss the manner of its destruction with the assassins who are co-coordinating the crime. As I said here months ago, the appointment of Jones and the elevation of his post of National Security Adviser at the expense of the Secretary of State was all part of the strategy to centralize power in the hands of those who want to do Israel harm.
On Tuesday, Vice-President Joe Biden and Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry turned the thumbscrews tighter, telling Israel to stop building more settlements, dismantle existing outposts and allow Palestinians freedom of movement.
This is all not only evil but exceptionally stupid. The idea that a Palestine state will help build a coalition against Iran is demonstrably absurd. The Arab states are beside themselves with anxiety about Iran. They want it to be attacked and its nuclear program stopped. They are desperately fearful that the Obama administration might have decided that it can live with a nuclear Iran.
The idea that if a Palestine state comes into being it will be easier to handle Iran is the opposite of the case: a Palestine state will be Iran, in the sense that it will be run by Hamas as a proxy for the Islamic Republic. The idea that a Palestine state will not compromise Israel's security is ludicrous.
It is of course, by any sane standard, quite fantastic that America is behaving as if it is Israel which is holding up a peace settlement when Israel has made concession after concession – giving up Sinai, giving up Gaza, offering all the territories to the Arabs in return for peace in 1967, offering more than 90 per cent of them ditto in 2000, ditto again to Mahmoud Abbas in the past year -- only to be attacked in return by a Palestinian terrorist entity, backed in its continued aggression, let us not forget, by the countries of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference, which has made no concessions at all and is not being pressured to do so.
It is not the aggressor here but the victim of aggression that America is now choosing to beat up. In any sane world, one might think the Americans would be piling the pressure on the Palestinians to renounce their genocidal ambitions against Israel, to stop teaching and training their children to hate and kill Jews, to adhere to the primary requirement in the Road Map that they must dismantle their infrastructure of violence as the first step in the peace process; one might think, indeed, that they would view Mahmoud Abbas's repeated statements that the Palestinians will never accept Israel as a Jewish state to be the main impediment to peace.
But no. The repeated professions that America will never jeopardize Israel's security are stomach churning when Obama is actually blaming Israel for measures it has taken to safeguard its security – the settlements were always first and foremost a security measure, and the travel restrictions are there solely to prevent more Israelis being murdered – and trying to force it to abandon them. Now comes further news that Obama will also try to force Israel to give up its nuclear weapons – which it only has as a last ditch insurance against the attempt to annihilate it to which several billion Arabs remain pledged.
Of course Obama doesn't care that Hamas would run any Palestinian state. Of course he doesn't care that Israel would be unable to defend itself against such a terrorist state. Because he regards Israel as at best totally expendable, and at worst as a running sore on the world's body politic that has to be purged altogether. His administration is proceeding on the entirely false analysis that a state of Palestine is the solution to the Middle East impasse and the route to peace in the region. What that state will look like or do is something to which at best the administration's collective mind is shut and at worst makes it a potential cynical accomplice to the unconscionable. So Israel is to be forced out of the West Bank. Far from building a coalition against Iran, Obama is thus doing Iran's work for it.
None of this, however, should come as the slightest surprise to anyone who paid any attention to Obama's background, associations and friendships before he became President and to the cabal of Israel-bashers, appeasers and Jew-haters he appointed to his administration, with a few useful idiots thrown in for plausible deniability.
American Jews, meanwhile, are reacting as predicted – with a total absence of spine. As IsraelMatzav reports, AIPAC was sending delegates to visit Congress to 'convince' Representatives and Senators to sign a petition calling for a two-state solution. Inspired! Almost eighty per cent of American Jews voted for Obama despite the clear and present danger he posed to Israel. They did so because their liberal self-image was and is more important to them than the Jewish state whose existence and security cannot be allowed to jeopardize their standing with America's elite.
But the ordinary American people are a different matter. They do value and support Israel. They do understand that if Israel is thrown under that bus, the west is next. And it is they to whom Israel's Prime Minister Netanyahu must now appeal, over the heads of the politicians and the media and certainly America's Jews and everyone else. He must tell the American people the terrible truth, that America is now run by a man who is intent on sacrificing Israel for a reckless and amoral political strategy which will put America and the rest of the free world at risk.
This is shaping up to be the biggest crisis in relations between Israel and America since the foundation of Israel six decades ago. Those who hate Israel and the Jews will be gloating. This after all is precisely what they hoped Obama would do. To any decent person looking on aghast, this is where the moral sickness of the west reaches the critical care ward.
Melanie Phillips is a British journalist and author of, most recently, Londonistan. She is best known for her controversial column about political and social issues which currently appears in the Daily Mail. She was awarded the Orwell Prize for journalism in 1996.
US Mideast policy is based on a mistake.
by Vic Rosenthal
JERUSALEM — The new government of Israel is seeking to reorient the country's foreign policy, arguing that to rely purely on the formulas of trading land for peace and promising a Palestinian state fails to grasp what it views as the deeper issues: Muslim rejection of a Jewish state and the rising hegemonic appetite of Iran…
Such an ambitious effort to reformulate the conflict will be, by all accounts, tough to sell for two reasons.
First, even though the standard approaches have not yielded success, no alternative has emerged.
Second, the Obama administration has repeatedly backed the two-state solution, as have the Europeans. In other ways, too, this White House has seemed to be closer in outlook to Europe than the past administration was.
There's an ambiguity in the concept "two-state solution". One meaning is an outcome, a peaceful Palestinian state alongside Israel. The other seems to be a strategy for getting there, which is that the US forces Israel to make concessions.
Most Israelis think that a two-state outcome would be acceptable, if the Palestinians actually wanted it and if there were a way to safely obtain it. The Israeli government has been committed to this since Oslo. But practically no ordinary Israelis believe that it's possible today, for two reasons: Hamas and Iran.
Muslim rejectionism of Israel has been around since 1947. It's been the cause of several major and minor wars and much terrorism between wars. Some people thought that there was a window of opportunity around the early 1990's, when external influences on the Palestinians were at their ebb: Iran and Iraq were weakened by their long war, the Soviet Union was gone. Possibly enough Palestinians could be found who were pragmatic enough to choose peace. But then somebody decided to pick Yasser Arafat, rejectionist par excellence to lead the Palestinians. And the window, such as it was, closed.
Israel's effort to switch the discussion to Iran is likely to be met in Washington and in European capitals with the assertion that it is precisely because of the need to build an alliance to confront Iran that Israel must move ahead vigorously with the Palestinians as well as with the Syrians.
"President Obama views the region as a whole, and trying to isolate each problem does not reflect reality," said a senior American official, speaking on condition of anonymity because the American policy was still in formation. "It will be a lot easier to build a coalition to deal with Iran if the peace process is moving forward."
This 'linkage theory' — that the presence of Israel in the territories prevents progress on other issues, like Iranian weapons — is a blinding non-sequitur.
We know that Israel giving land to the Palestinians today will not lead to a peaceful two-state outcome. Gaza proves that. And the reason that this is so is because the Iranian-backed Hamas will prevent it. A similar argument can be made for the Golan Heights and Syria.
In the presence of Hamas, Hezbollah and Iran, territorial concessions lead to war, not peace.
The Americans and Europeans are proposing that Israel should make territorial concessions anyway. This, they believe will cause Arab states like Saudi Arabia or even Syria to help apply pressure to Iran to stop fomenting war and building nuclear bombs.
There are two big problems with this. The first is that it will leave Israel with a hostile terrorist state like today's Gaza on a shrunken eastern border, leaving its heavily populated coastal plain defenseless. The Palestinians will be emboldened in their belief that they can reverse the nakba, and the conflict will get worse, not better.
The Second Lebanon War and Operation Cast Lead are both direct results of Israeli concessions to Iranian proxies.
The second is that a weakened Israel will be a far less effective deterrent to Iranian expansion and weapons development than a strong one. Despite their public statements, it wouldn't surprise me if the Saudis, Jordanians and Egyptians are counting on Israel to stop the Iranian weapons program before it's too late.
The Palestinian question is actually much less pressing than the Iranian one, and today the former is clearly dependent on the latter, not the other way around.
Here's is Bronner's summation. Somehow the typical arrogant attitude of the unnamed American official shines through:
Israel says the occupation can be ended most easily once Iran is put in its place because then there will be much less risk of Iranian weapons being used against Israel from neighboring territory. Meanwhile, Israel says it cannot be expected to freeze settlement growth entirely.
The American, European and Arab response is that for Iran to be checked, every nation needs to do its part, and Israel's part is to work toward ending the occupation, stopping settlement construction and fostering the creation of a Palestinian state.
When a senior American official was told that the Israelis did not view the Iranian and Palestinian problems as linked, he replied simply, "Well, we do."
US Mideast policy, part II.
Yesterday I explained how the Obama Administration's policy toward Israel and the Palestinians is based on a mistake — the belief that the problems of Iranian expansionism and weapons development would be easier to solve once a Palestinian state had been established.
I argued that this is backwards, since the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is exacerbated by Iranian support of Hamas, and that it is impossible to end the conflict without a change in Iran's behavior.
I want to continue this thread with another argument, and then comment about the source of the mistake.
It seems to me that not only is the administration apparently blind to what Iran is doing now with regard to Israel and the Palestinians, its policy ignores Iranian plans for the future.
Iran has economic and political-religious objectives in the region. They would like to force the price of oil higher, so their less-efficient infrastructure can make a profit. As a result, they aspire to the power to bully Saudi Arabia and the Gulf states to reduce production.
Further, Iran has expanded its influence in the arc comprising Syria and Lebanon: Syria has become an explicit satellite of Iran, a recipient of a huge amount of military hardware, much of which is under Iranian control. Iranian influence over Lebanon, already great — Hezbollah presently is the single most powerful element in the government — will increase even more as Hezbollah makes expected gains in next month's elections.
Egypt recently arrested a number of Hezbollah agents who were scouting targets for terrorist attacks, some of which were tourist sites where Israelis or Americans might be found, but others — such as locations along the Suez canal — indicated a plan to destabilize the regime. President Mubarak explicitly denounced Iran and Hezbollah.
In Iraq, with its Shiite majority, it's hard to imagine that anything can prevent Iran from gaining control of that nation when US troops leave.
The Sunni nations are also worried that Iran may successfully export its brand of revolutionary Shiite Islamism, a previously unlikely outcome which its political successes make more and more imaginable.
All of these goals, of course, will be greatly aided by Iran's achievement of a nuclear capability.
It's obvious that the biggest obstacle to these plans is both the strongest military power in the region, and the closest ally of the US, Israel. And for this reason Iran is besieging Israel from the north and south by means of its proxies, Hezbollah and Hamas.
Note that this has nothing to do with the Palestinians, except insofar as they are being used as soldiers in the Iranian campaign to destroy Israel.
It is suggested that the Saudis and others will be more disposed to cooperate with the US in containing Iran if the Palestinian problem is 'solved' first. But since it would have no effect on Iranian behavior, there is no reason to believe this. If this idea came from the Arabs, then it's more likely that they are simply using this as a handy stick to beat Israel with.
Let's assume that the Obama administration and the US State Department understand that the policy as stated is absurd. Then what do they gain from forcing the creation of a Palestinian state at this time?
It's not good for Israel and moderate Palestinians: as I said yesterday, it's a prescription for war.
It will not retard Iranian plans, and if it weakens Israel — which it must — it will advance them. If Israel gives up the Golan Heights, it will represent a direct strategic advantage for Iranian proxies Syria and Hezbollah.
It will, however, please the Saudis, who would like to see a smaller (or no) Israel and whose 'peace plan' has now been mentioned as part of the formula for creating the Palestinian state.
It will also please the pro-Saudi Arabists in the State Department, who have been trying to keep Henry Kissinger's promise to reverse the outcome of the 1967 war ever since the oil boycott of the 1970's.
Despite the talk about Barack Obama representing new beginnings, we see that US Mideast policy is still flowing from the same old sources. If the administration wants to give more than lip service to opposing Iranian plans, this has to change.


Enjoy 2017's Stellenbosch Wine Tasting as the vintners of three Stellenbosch wine farms come together to host their second annual wine tasting event. Meet winemakers and taste the fine wines of De Trafford, Keermont Estate and Kleinood Tamboerskloof, to name a few.
Each farm will be showcasing their special vinoteque wines along with their current release wines. Book your tickets now so you don't miss out on exploring the Upper Blaauwklippen Valley and tasting wines from all three stellar wine farms.


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San Diego, CA (Paseo Montril / Rancho Penasquitos Blvd)
Paseo Montril / Rancho Penasquitos Blvd
About San Diego, CA (Paseo Montril / Rancho Penasquitos Blvd)
Paseo Montril / Rancho Penasquitos Blvd median real estate price is $823,233, which is more expensive than 73.8% of the neighborhoods in California and 94.0% of the neighborhoods in the U.S.
The average rental price in Paseo Montril / Rancho Penasquitos Blvd is currently $2,889, based on NeighborhoodScout's exclusive analysis. The average rental cost in this neighborhood is higher than 74.5% of the neighborhoods in California.
Paseo Montril / Rancho Penasquitos Blvd is an urban neighborhood (based on population density) located in San Diego, California.
Paseo Montril / Rancho Penasquitos Blvd real estate is primarily made up of medium sized (three or four bedroom) to large (four, five or more bedroom) single-family homes and apartment complexes/high-rise apartments. Most of the residential real estate is occupied by a mixture of owners and renters. Many of the residences in the Paseo Montril / Rancho Penasquitos Blvd neighborhood are established but not old, having been built between 1970 and 1999. A number of residences were also built between 2000 and the present.
In Paseo Montril / Rancho Penasquitos Blvd, the current vacancy rate is 3.8%, which is a lower rate of vacancies than 82.2% of all neighborhoods in the U.S. This means that the housing supply in Paseo Montril / Rancho Penasquitos Blvd is very tight compared to the demand for property here.
When you see a neighborhood for the first time, the most important thing is often the way it looks, like its homes and its setting. Some places look the same, but they only reveal their true character after living in them for a while because they contain a unique mix of occupational or cultural groups. This neighborhood is very unique in some important ways, according to NeighborhoodScout's exclusive exploration and analysis.
Most neighborhoods are composed of a mixture of ages of homes, but the Paseo Montril / Rancho Penasquitos Blvd stands out as rather unique in having nearly all of its residential real estate built in one time period, namely between 1970 and 1999, generally considered to be established, but not old housing. What you'll sense when you look around or drive the streets of this neighborhood is that many of the residences look the same because of this similarity of age. In fact, 94.1% of the residential real estate here was built in this one time period.
Notable & Unique: Occupations
With 1.2% of employed workers living in the Paseo Montril / Rancho Penasquitos Blvd neighborhood active in the military, this neighborhood has the distinction of having a higher proportion of people in the military than 95.8% of American neighborhoods. This is a major shaper of the neighborhood's culture and character.
If you are an executive or professional seeking a neighborhood affording an executive lifestyle, or just wanting to find where other executives live in the area, the Paseo Montril / Rancho Penasquitos Blvd neighborhood should be on your list. It has an enviable mix of spacious homes, relatively stable real estate values, and residents that include a number of wealthy executives, managers, and professionals. NeighborhoodScout's exclusive analysis places it as one of the top 10.4% executive lifestyle neighborhoods in the state of California.
Did you know that the Paseo Montril / Rancho Penasquitos Blvd neighborhood has more Danish and Iranian ancestry people living in it than nearly any neighborhood in America? It's true! In fact, 2.4% of this neighborhood's residents have Danish ancestry and 0.6% have Iranian ancestry.
Paseo Montril / Rancho Penasquitos Blvd is also pretty special linguistically. Significantly, 8.0% of its residents five years old and above primarily speak Tagalog, which is the first language of the Philippine region, at home. While this may seem like a small percentage, it is higher than 99.2% of the neighborhoods in America.
How wealthy a neighborhood is, from very wealthy, to middle income, to low income is very formative with regard to the personality and character of a neighborhood. Equally important is the rate of people, particularly children, who live below the federal poverty line. In some wealthy gated communities, the areas immediately surrounding can have high rates of childhood poverty, which indicates other social issues. NeighborhoodScout's analysis reveals both aspects of income and poverty for this neighborhood.
The neighbors in the Paseo Montril / Rancho Penasquitos Blvd neighborhood in San Diego are wealthy, making it among the 15% highest income neighborhoods in America. NeighborhoodScout's exclusive analysis reveals that this neighborhood has a higher income than 87.9% of the neighborhoods in America. With 20.8% of the children here below the federal poverty line, this neighborhood has a higher rate of childhood poverty than 63.0% of U.S. neighborhoods.
What we choose to do for a living reflects who we are. Each neighborhood has a different mix of occupations represented, and together these tell you about the neighborhood and help you understand if this neighborhood may fit your lifestyle.
In the Paseo Montril / Rancho Penasquitos Blvd neighborhood, 61.4% of the working population is employed in executive, management, and professional occupations. The second most important occupational group in this neighborhood is sales and service jobs, from major sales accounts, to working in fast food restaurants, with 15.9% of the residents employed. Other residents here are employed in clerical, assistant, and tech support occupations (13.4%), and 9.2% in manufacturing and laborer occupations.
The languages spoken by people in this neighborhood are diverse. These are tabulated as the languages people preferentially speak when they are at home with their families. The most common language spoken in the Paseo Montril / Rancho Penasquitos Blvd neighborhood is English, spoken by 68.8% of households. Other important languages spoken here include Spanish, Tagalog (the first language of the Philippine region), Chinese and Langs. of India.
Boston's Beacon Hill blue-blood streets, Brooklyn's Orthodox Jewish enclaves, Los Angeles' Persian neighborhoods. Each has its own culture derived primarily from the ancestries and culture of the residents who call these neighborhoods home. Likewise, each neighborhood in America has its own culture – some more unique than others – based on lifestyle, occupations, the types of households – and importantly – on the ethnicities and ancestries of the people who live in the neighborhood. Understanding where people came from, who their grandparents or great-grandparents were, can help you understand how a neighborhood is today.
In the Paseo Montril / Rancho Penasquitos Blvd neighborhood in San Diego, CA, residents most commonly identify their ethnicity or ancestry as Asian (23.1%). There are also a number of people of Mexican ancestry (15.6%), and residents who report German roots (14.4%), and some of the residents are also of Irish ancestry (14.4%), along with some English ancestry residents (8.5%), among others. In addition, 24.2% of the residents of this neighborhood were born in another country.
Even if your neighborhood is walkable, you may still have to drive to your place of work. Some neighborhoods are located where many can get to work in just a few minutes, while others are located such that most residents have a long and arduous commute. The greatest number of commuters in Paseo Montril / Rancho Penasquitos Blvd neighborhood spend between 15 and 30 minutes commuting one-way to work (52.1% of working residents), which is shorter than the time spent commuting to work for most Americans.
Here most residents (83.1%) drive alone in a private automobile to get to work. In addition, quite a number also carpool with coworkers, friends, or neighbors to get to work (13.2%) . In a neighborhood like this, as in most of the nation, many residents find owning a car useful for getting to work.
AGE OF San Diego, CA (Paseo Montril / Rancho Penasquitos Blvd) HOMES
TYPE OF San Diego, CA (Paseo Montril / Rancho Penasquitos Blvd) HOMES
SIZE OF San Diego, CA (Paseo Montril / Rancho Penasquitos Blvd) HOMES
Employment Industries in Paseo Montril / Rancho Penasquitos Blvd
in Paseo Montril / Rancho Penasquitos Blvd
San Diego VIOLENT CRIMES
San Diego Property CRIMES
POWAY UNIFIED
District Quality Compared to California
Better than of CA school districts.
GET FULL REPORTS FOR ANY SCHOOL IN THIS DISTRICT
San Diego-Carlsbad, CA Metro Area regional investment potential
Housing Affordability Trends: San Diego-Carlsbad, CA Metro Area
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


For all those who love to live on the waves or all those who love fishing, they know the importance and significance of having a best trolling motor battery over an ordinary battery.
Fishing is no game, it needs to be done to perfection and must be accompanied by best accessories and tools to catch right amount of fish. Deep-sea fisherman knows what can go wrong and how well he must prepare for such circumstances.
One of the pre-requisite of a good preparation for going fishing is having the best trolling motor battery.
Along with this, if you like to spend your weekends on the sea in your RV then too you must pay proper attention toward the trolling motor battery you carry. As we proceed with the article, you will get to know some of the best trolling motors battery available in the market and my favorite pick and its reviews.
This trolling motor battery is by far successfully rated by users with very positive reviews. Users have found this trolling motor battery as most useful and surprisingly the best battery for trolling motor they have used.
Review are pouring in favor of this product from UPG and people are loving it. Reliable, durable, sturdy, safe and easy to use and recharge. Every quality that you would want from a good battery while you are out for fishing in your kayak is well placed with this kayak trolling motor battery.
This battery is built for performance and can be recharged on an average of a good 500 cycles. Although it is priced at a bit higher side but price is no comparison when it comes to benefits derived from it.
It fits well with a variety of charging outlets, so recharging is never a problem. All in all a best pick with value for every bit of money you invest for a Minn Kota trolling motor battery.
Well, I have mixed opinion on this one though, there are some perfect things about the battery and some that might affect its rating a bit.
So, in detail; all the right things consist of its light weight, easy to carry, its suitability for trolling motors and RV, functions well even in inclement weather, smoother running, vibration resistant and longer battery life.
While some may argue that the battery does not have enough shelf live, leakage problems, a battery does not last as long as they claim and more. Well, one thing has to be understood here, that each battery is made with few specific features that suit that said purpose.
This marine battery from Optima is the best battery for trolling motor and as an alternate battery for RV. Ones you stick to the prescribed use and methods of recharge the battery does sticks to its excellent performance.
This battery is for those who are used to powerful batteries and do not like to indulge in a lot of care or maintenance. The VMAX is a heavy duty maintenance free beast of the waves. Yes, you can call it that.
Highly durable, longer battery life, good backup, easy recharge even after multiple discharges is what makes this VMAX battery a must for those who what to ride the wave, have fun and do not worry about the battery. I will rate this battery as one of the best trolling motor battery so far.
Given its review a and user ratings it is surely awe-inspiring for a $100, light weight trolling motor battery weighing just 25 pounds, a durable battery that is spill and leak proof, absorbs vibrations with is special AGM design.
So far no significant reports of defects or damage have come up, so I will rate this VMAX battery as a must for those who fish regularly in deep waters or for those who occasionally visit the sea for fun.
Since a very long time I was looking for a battery that fits in my budget and at the same time provides ample of power to run on most machines. This one surely meets my criteria. The battery looks and feels durable and is powerful enough to run most tasks offered. I used it as a battery for my pump, and it provided the required power.
The only downfall I felt was that it is on the heavier side and lifting it from one place to another might seem a bit of a challenge. For any inverter close to 1500 watt this battery should do a good job.
Overall the battery is worth the price that it comes, but prefer buying online to save some extra bucks. I also found it very easy to connect multiple batteries along with it to other batteries thanks to its design. Nothing glance, but built to do the job that you expect.
It's been close to 6 months now and considering that it comes with a one year warranty makes it a good buy for anyone. Will surely recommend to my friends looking to purchase a lithium ion trolling motor battery.
There are surely many batteries available across the web that are available at lower prices than this Universal UB121000-45978 12v 100AH, but I felt this one surely worth the money that is being charged for it. I usually use the same battery for my boat as well as the garden solar panel and this one is easy to carry and replace whenever I need that job to be done.
The size and weight of the battery make it easy to carry from one place to another.
The look and feel of the battery might not be the very best, but that is not what you should be looking at this price tag. It has a 3% self-discharge which is very good and something to look for by any buyer. I have already used it for a year and is working correctly till now, and I expect it will do for coming few years as well. I plan to buy another very soon to power my inverter.
It comes with a complete package of accessories which made installing very easy.
When it comes to the purchase of a good trolling motor battery, there are many aspects to consider. The internet is full of multiple models designs and brands. Each of the motors battery claims to be the best, but there are significant factors that you need to consider based on your requirements.
I have used different kinds of battery and studied their performance, like the regular Walmart battery, universal battery, VMAX battery, etc. They all gave different performance results based on the way I used them. And my experience suggests few specific criteria that you must heed to buy the best trolling motor battery for your trolling motor or RV.
On a broad scale, there are two major categories of batteries. Lead acid types and AGM types. Lead acid batteries are the most commonly used ones. If you plan to use the battery in a device that requires a small charge for an extended period, then a lead acid battery needs to be your choice. These batteries are much cheaper as compared to the AGM type of batteries but require a little more maintenance.
The needs and requirements of each are different, and so is the budget. There are batteries available at the cost of $200 as well as those that are half the price. Stick to your needs but do purchase one that comes with a warranty and limited maintenance. A lot of sellers might attract you with their big claims and attractive discounts, however, look for one that is worth the price it comes at.
Reviews of past buyers always prove very beneficial. Retail markets are flooded with a lot of designs however buying online is a choice of most customers nowadays because of the attractive offers and ease of purchase wits easy shipment. There are many websites that I have studies personally to get insight about trolling motor battery, and I found them very useful.
Even while writing this article I have paid attention towards reviews of actual users who have the first-hand experience of each of the batteries as mentioned above. In my opinion, the biggest challenge is to determine your purpose of use of the battery. If you buy a Walmart battery and use it in your kayak, obvious disappointment; and if you buy VMAX battery and only to use it for the residential inverter, you lose again. So the best thing is to set your requirements straight. Buy the only particular battery for its intended use. Although there are batteries that can be used to varied uses but sticking to one battery on the job is my kind of thing, and it pays off well. It also helps in remembering which battery requires attention and which not.
My opinion – After reading a lot of reviews, using various websites, trying multiple products, I believe that Minn Kota Cobra is the best trolling motor battery and a perfect choice, worth every penny that you spend on it. Not many brands deliver what they promise, but this battery is a sheer combination of efficiency and performance. It comes in a complete package which makes it easy for anyone to install and at the same time it can be connected to multiple batteries with a least effort.


Based on the short story written in 1942 by Indian female Urdu writer Ismat Chugtai, Lihaaf is a narrative of a true event that happened in Ismat's life when she was in her teens. Living in a feudal family, Ismat witnessed an emotional and physical relationship between Begum, who is often neglected by her husband, and her lady masseur. Lihaaf goes ahead and sheds light on how the behaviour of rich land-owning men, who are often lost in their pursuit of male-centric pleasures, resulted in the women seeking joys in the female company out of sheer neglect.


text:
Grand Opening - CHECK THE PICTURES
FOUNDER'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS
FIRST ITALIAN SCHOOL
Cooperating directly with Reggio Children
THE FIRST ITALIAN
NURSERY &
香港首間意大利國際幼稚園暨幼兒園
DIRECTLY WITH
MADE IN ITALY:
AND INNOVATION
MORE EVENT ARE
LOOK FORWARD
The first School in Hong Kong to collaborate
directly with Reggio Children
We are the first Italian School opening in Hong Kong, and cooperating directly with Reggio Children, the well-known Italian educational institution, whose preschool was cited in 1991 by the American "Newsweek" magazine as the most advanced in the world for early childhood education. Nowadays, Reggio Children is inspiring schools in more than 140 countries.
The Italian International Nursery & Kindergarten is open for the school year 2019/2020. The kindergarten premises can welcome up to 200 pupils and will offer two curricula, "Italian-English, plus Chinese language and culture" and "Chinese-English plus Italian language and culture", both with half and whole-day options.
The founders of this school have been supporting and successfully managing the Accredited Italian Embassy Kindergarten and Primary School in Beijing since the time of its establishment in 2015 (www.scuolapechino.com). They have entrusted the same pedagogical team of Beijing to organize and supervise the establishment of this school, which is aimed at meeting the demand of an advanced international education of both the Italian & Hong Kong foreign community and, obviously, of the large Chinese local community.
About Reggio Children
The Reggio Emilia Approach is an educational philosophy originated in Italy, in the city of Reggio Emilia, by Loris Malaguzzi, himself an educator, a psychologist, and a philosopher.
The Reggio Approach is based on the image of the child, and of human beings, as possessing strong potentials for development and as a subject of rights who learns and grows in the relationships with others.
Distinctive characteristics are the participation of families, the collegial work of all the personnel, the importance of the educational environment, the presence of the atelier and the figure of the atelierista, the in-school kitchen, and the pedagogical coordinating team.
If your plan is for one year
plant rice
If your plan is for ten years
If your plan is for one hundred years
educate children
KUAN CHUNG (7TH CENTURY BC)


text:
Products > Intrada Label > Main Catalog >
ALBERTINA RASCH & THE GREAT AMERICAN BALLET - PIANO MUSIC FOR CONCERT AND STAGE
PRANCER: A CHRISTMAS TALE
STAR TREK III: THE SEARCH FOR SPOCK (2CD - REISSUE)
THE LAST STARFIGHTER (REISSUE)
THE SAND PEBBLES (2CD - REISSUE)
THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA - NEW MUSIC FOR THE 1925 FILM
BLACK PATCH / THE MAN (RE-RECORDING)
CLIFFORD THE BIG RED DOG
TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD / WALK ON THE WILD SIDE
JULIUS CAESAR (REMASTERED RE-RECORDING)
RIO CONCHOS / THE ARTIST WHO DID NOT WANT TO PAINT (REMASTERED RE-RECORDING)
IVANHOE (REMASTERED RE-RECORDING)
DRAGONHEART VENGEANCE
PARIS UNDER THE STARS - BALLET MUSIC FOR ALBERTINA RASCH
DIAL M FOR MURDER (RE-RECORDING)
DORA AND THE LOST CITY OF GOLD
HAPPY DEATH DAY 2U
RAMBO III (RE-MASTERED)
RAMBO: FIRST BLOOD PART II (2CD)
TEN COMMANDMENTS, THE (6CD BOX SET)
SILVER STREAK (REISSUE)
TRANSFORMERS: THE MOVIE, THE (180 GRAM VINYL)
CLASH OF THE TITANS (180 GRAM VINYL)
ROCKY IV (180 GRAM VINYL)
WARLOCK (180 GRAM VINYL)
JAWS (2CD)
IN HARM'S WAY (EXPANDED)
TROLL (180 GRAM VINYL)
BEN-HUR / KING OF KINGS: THE TWELVE CHORUSES
MAN IN HALF MOON STREET, THE
CONAN THE BARBARIAN (3CD)
RED HOUSE, THE
STAR TREK V: THE FINAL FRONTIER (2CD)
Label: Intrada INT 7162
Film Date: 2020
Album Date: 2020
Exciting original soundtrack by Mark Mothersbaugh to new DreamWorks Animation film!
Price: - (Sold Out)
Doug's Tech Talk
Musicians List
Exciting original soundtrack by Mark Mothersbaugh to new DreamWorks Animation film! Second film in The Croods franchise brings back the popular prehistoric family, now in competition with The Bettermans, another family with claims to be more evolved and, in a word, better. Voices are supplied by A-list talent that includes Nicolas Cage, Ryan Reynolds, Emma Stone, Catherine Keener, Peter Dinklage, Cloris Leachman, Kelly Marie Tran. Joel Crawford directs. Composer Mark Mothersbaugh, veteran of the Lego Movie and Hotel Transylvania franchises as well as Thor: Ragnarok, takes over the musical reins from Alan Silvestri on the initial movie, offering a symphonic score with an emphasis on colorful rhythm and vitality. Mothersbaugh even melds a degree of traditional symphonic scoring with contemporary sensibilities to mirror the tagline, "What if cavemen met non-cavemen?" Of particular interest: Mothersbaugh was composing the score when COVID-19 struck. Having written the main theme which became the featured song ":We're All Here Together", plus the "bachelor-pad" style theme for the Bettermans, Mothersbaugh proceeded to work on the remainder of the score via Zoom and the remote recording facilities at Abbey Road Studios in London. Mothersbaugh himself battled with the virus while working on the vocals, performed in the picture by Tenacious D, HAIM and Jack Black. Alan Myerson mixes, Tim Davies leads orchestration team, Alfonso Casado-Trigo conducts. Mark Mothersbaugh composes & produces.
Play all clips
01. Guy's Backstory/Guy Meets Eep (2:18)
02. Cave Diary (1:18)
03. Meet The Croods (1:38)
04. Welcome To Tomorrow (1:33)
05. Feeding Frenzy (0:47)
06. BaNaNa (0:54)
07. Meet The Bettermans (1:35)
08. House Tour (0:32)
09. Meet Dawn (1:13)
10. Betterman's Plan (1:08)
11. A Betterman Day (1:30)
12. Scars Joy Ride (2:27)
13. Phil, Grug, Lazy River (1:38)
14. Caveman Mancave (2:54)
15. Picture Book/Drunken Arrival (2:25)
16. Word For Word/Betterman The Tool Maker (1:04)
17. Thunder Sisters (0:58)
18. Mothers And Daughters (2:15)
19. Bone Arena Fight (1:17)
20. New Tribe Names (1:00)
21. My First Love (3:01)
22. Working Together (1:17)
23. Explosive Love (1:52)
24. I Think I Love You (Tenacious D) (3:20)
25. Feel the Thunder (The Croods: A New Age) (HAIM) (2:51)
26. Travel Log / World's First Neighborhood (2:34)
27. We Are Here Together (HAIM & Jack Black) (2:52)


I was asked an excellent question at a day of teaching novel writing at the weekend.
... and say thank you to them for being so keen and talented, and the excellent new Exeter Library for hosting the day.
Anyway, the question was this - how do you deal with your inner critic?
It's something I've not been asked before, and took a few seconds thought before I came up with a response - which is to be honest.
... promptly crashed out and fell asleep. It was exhausing, but exhilarating too.
This morning, after a mammoth sleep, I've been reflecting what it is about such meetings of minds that is so delightful and uplifting.
I'm lucky enough to have lots of teaching of this wonderful art of writing coming up in the summer, and I've spent a fair few weeks now trying to make the sessions as good as possible.
Which has lead me to a key question - what is the basis of teaching?
... to try to do so in an entertaining way.
I had an interesting experience this week, which goes to underline one of the main points I make when I'm teaching writing.
... and received a helpful reply that very morning.
What a difference I suspect that is from people who might approach an agent out of the blue with a submission. And it just reinforced my thoughts about The Castle.
One of the questions I'm most often asked about writing is a simple but very important one - and happily, for once in life, I think there's an easy answer.
The question is - How do I find inspiration on those days when it's just not coming?
After a few seconds of reassurances that we all have those days - I think they go with the creative territory - I can usually provide a passable response.


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No matter what your requirement is, we will make sure that it is met. Enjoy our premium Best Editing Services to enhance the quality of your assignment.


WorldGuy's Walk for Diabetes Awareness -: Just between two cowboys.
After stitchin' a length a' Velcro on my saddle bag (back pack) an' watchin' the clouds roll by al afternoon the wind died down enough to hightail' it to the south side a' town. Just in time to see a friend I met back at the rez'. Timing wuz' good an' when I'd sauntered through Watertown from the "Cowboy" to the other "Cowboy" Fillin' station I tied the World off on the Sinclair Dinosaur and hopped a ride on a carriage back up north. Got back just b'for sunset. As a bonus a pretty little 'phillie came up with some treats fer' Nice (the dog) and a hug fer' your's truly.
Somebody pinch me, I thought I was dreamin'.
Love yourself, go for a walk Pilgrim.
I am truly inspired by your walk and dedication to this cause. I am in Watertown and sorry I missed meetng you while you were passing thru. I will continue to follow your site as you continue on your journey. Thank you for doing what you are doing!


Malawi Safari & Charity Trip.
Organized by: Hosts: Becky van Dijk, Vanessa Rivers & Local Guide Partner Company: Responsible Safari Co.
On the expedition we will have an active itinerary visiting tea plantations, going on game drives and river boat safaris and spending a few nights on tranquil Mumbo Island. Prior to the trip guests will have the option to participate in our fundraising initiative and during the trip we will spend a few days with local communities and schools to learn about Malawian life and see where the money we raised is going.


text:
Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation - Volume 34, issue 3
The Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation is a journal whose main focus is to present relevant information about the interdisciplinary approach to musculoskeletal rehabilitation for clinicians who treat patients with back and musculoskeletal pain complaints. It will provide readers with both 1) a general fund of knowledge on the assessment and management of specific problems and 2) new information considered to be state-of-the-art in the field. The intended audience is multidisciplinary as well as multi-specialty.
In each issue clinicians can find information which they can use in their patient setting the very next day. Manuscripts are provided from a range of health care providers including those in physical medicine, orthopedic surgery, rheumatology, neurosurgery, physical therapy, radiology, osteopathy, chiropractic and nursing on topics ranging from chronic pain to sports medicine. Diagnostic decision trees and treatment algorithms are encouraged in each manuscript. Controversial topics are discussed in commentaries and rebuttals. Associated areas such as medical-legal, worker's compensation and practice guidelines are included.
The journal publishes original research papers, review articles, programme descriptions and cast studies. Letters to the editors, commentaries, and editorials are also welcomed. Manuscripts are peer reviewed. Constructive critiques are given to each author. Suggestions for thematic issues and proposed manuscripts are welcomed.
Recommend this journal Editorial board Submissions
Advances in pain research?
Authors: Soer, Remko
DOI: 10.3233/BMR-215002
Citation: Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, vol. 34, no. 3, pp. 335-336, 2021
Rehabilitation guidance for hip fracture patients during the COVID-19 pandemic using chat software: A new model
Authors: Gao, Shuai-Shuai | Wang, Yan-Jun | Zhang, Guo-Xun | Zhang, Wen-Ting
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Hip fractures are serious fractures for the elderly. The rehabilitation of patients with hip fractures has been greatly affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. OBJECTIVE: We have piloted a new model for tracking patients and providing rehabilitation guidance that uses WeChat. The purpose of this study is to explore the role of chat software in rehabilitation guidance for hip fracture patients during COVID-19. METHODS: Patients treated for hip fractures from February 1 to April 30, 2020 were randomly divided into a control group and an observation group. The control group …was given conventional discharge guidance, while the observation group also followed up the patients using WeChat to guide the exercise. Satisfaction, the Harris Hip Score, complications and the mortality of the two groups after discharge were compared. RESULTS: The incidence of complications and mortality in the observation group were significantly lower than in the control group: p = 0.022 and p = 0.048, respectively. The Harris Hip Score and satisfaction were significantly better than the control group's: p = 0.000 and p = 0.007, respectively. CONCLUSION: During the COVID-19 pandemic, it is very helpful to use WeChat software or other social software with similar functions (such as WhatsApp and Facebook) to guide the rehabilitation of hip fractures. Show more
Keywords: COVID-19, hip fracture, rehabilitation, mortality
The factors of non-specific chronic low back pain in nurses: A meta-analysis
Authors: Sun, Weige | Zhang, Haijiao | Tang, Limei | He, Ying | Tian, Suzhai
Article Type: Review Article
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Numerous studies have investigated factors for non-specific chronic low back pain (NSCLBP) in nurses, and have reached different conclusions. Evidence-based recommendations are required for the prevention and treatment of NSCLBP in nurses. OBJECTIVE: This meta-analysis aimed to systematically review and quantify the factors of NSCLBP in nurses. METHODS: Eleven databases were searched. The odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were pooled using meta-analysis, and either a fixed-effect or random-effect model was used based on heterogeneity across included studies. RESULTS: Eighteen publications including 11,752 nursing staff were included. …Being female (pooled estimate [95% CI], 1.56 [1.24–1.96]; P < 0.001), married (1.89 [1.38–2.60]; P < 0.001), overweight (0.63 [0.43–0.93]; P = 0.02), working at least 10 years (0.65 [0.48–0.89]; P = 0.007), and working night shifts (2.19 [1.16–4.21]; P = 0.02) were positively related to NSCLBP. Junior college education (0.60 [0.47–0.77]; P < 0.001) and job satisfaction (0.58 [0.47–0.73]; P < 0.001) were negatively related. Age (0.80 [0.50–1.27]; P = 0.34) and physical exercise (0.99 [0.39–2.49]; P = 0.98) were not related. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first meta-analysis to quantify the risk factors for NSCLBP in nurses. Being female, married, working night shifts, overweight, working at least 10 years and dissatisfied with work are risk factors. High-quality prospective studies are required to validate the findings of this study. Show more
Keywords: Nurse, factors, non-specific chronic low back pain, meta-analysis, review
Accuracy of the Örebro Musculoskeletal Pain Questionnaire and Work Assessment Triage Tool for selecting interventions in workers with spinal conditions
Authors: Gergelé, Eloi | Parent, Eric | Gross, Douglas P.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Accurate clinical decision support tools may help clinicians select appropriate interventions for patients with spinal conditions. The Örebro Musculoskeletal Pain Questionnaire (ÖMPQ) is a screening questionnaire extensively studied as a predictive tool. The Work Assessment Triage Tool (WATT) is a clinical decision support tool developed to help select interventions for injured workers. OBJECTIVE: To compare the classification accuracy of the ÖMPQ and WATT to clinician recommendations for selecting interventions leading to a successful return to work in patients with spinal conditions. METHODS: A secondary analysis was undertaken of data from injured workers …with spinal conditions assessed between 2013 and 2016. We considered it a success if the workers did not receive wage replacement benefits 30 days after assessment. Analysis included positive likelihood ratio (LR+ ) as an indicator of predictive accuracy. RESULTS: Within the database, 2,872 patients had complete data on the ÖMPQ, WATT, and clinician recommendations. At 30 days, the ÖMPQ was most accurate for identifying treatments that lead to successful outcomes with a LR+ = 1.51 (95% Confidence Interval 1.26–1.82) compared to 1.05 (95% Confidence Interval 1.02–1.09) for clinicians, and 0.85 (95% Confidence Interval 0.79–0.91) for the WATT. CONCLUSIONS: All tool recommendations had poor accuracy, however the ÖMPQ demonstrated significantly better results. Show more
Keywords: Spine, decision making, return to work, occupational health, rehabilitation
Reliability of pressure pain threshold to discriminate individuals with neck and low back pain
Authors: Zicarelli, Carlos A.M. | Santos, João Paulo M. | Poli-Frederico, Regina Célia | Silva, Rubens A. | Barrilec, Fabrice | Barrette, Gilles | Iida, Ligia M. | Russo, Priscilla P. | Larangeira, Lino L.S. | Fernandes, Marcos T.P. | Fernandes, Karen B.P.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Pressure pain threshold (PPT) is decreased in several musculoskeletal disorders, giving indirect evidence regarding pain status. Despite the fact that PPT has been already proven to be reliable in patients with acute conditions, there is great variability of methods and results observed within studies, and only a few evidences confirming its reliability in chronic conditions. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine the test-retest reliability of PPT in the neck and low back regions to discriminate individuals with neck or low back pain from healthy individuals. Additionally, one secondary aim was to establish the minimum …detectable change (MDC) and the standard error of measurement for future clinical studies and interventions. METHODS: In this reliability study, 74 individuals (15 individuals from the neck pain and 17 from the neck control group; 21 individuals from the low back pain and 21 from the low back control group). PPT was measured in the neck region (suboccipital, trapezius and supraspinal muscles) and in the lower back region (paraspinal muscles in the levels of L1, L3 and L5). Intrarater reliability was assessed using intraclass correlation coeficient and Bland-Altman. RESULTS: Excellent intra-rater reliability was observed for both (ICC of 0.874 for the neck pain versus ICC of 0.895 in neck control group; ICC of 0.932 for the low back pain group versus ICC of 0.839 for the control group). A small bias was observed for all groups (- 0.08 for the neck pain group versus 0.10 in the control group; and 0.32 in low back pain group versus 0.44 in the control group). Minimum detectable change of 0.63 kgf of neck pain and 1.21 kgf of low back pain was calculated. It was found difference in PPT between pain and control groups (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: It may be suggested that the protocol with PPT is reliable and able to discriminate individuals with and without neck and low back pain with a minor measurement error. Therefore, this method may be used to detect possible progress after interventions in patients with neck or low back pain. Show more
Keywords: Chronic pain, neck pain, low back pain, pressure pain threshold, test reproducibility, pain measurement
Investigating women's chest size, trunk muscle co-contraction and back pain during prolonged standing
Authors: Johnston, Heather | Wanninayake, Susari | Drake, Janessa D.M.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Chest size is a known factor in the development of back pain for women. However, the neuromuscular mechanisms associated with chest size and back pain are poorly understood. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate chest size and its association with back pain development and muscle activity patterns during prolonged standing. METHODS: Twenty university-aged women were divided into two groups: small chest size (n = 10, ∼ A/C cup) and large chest size (n = 10, ∼ …D/E cup). Participants completed a 2-hr standing protocol, where eight channels of bilateral trunk electromyography were collected. Muscle activity, specifically co-contraction, was compared between chest size groups, pain developers, and time. RESULTS: The large chest size group reported higher amounts of pain at the upper, middle, and low back. Women in the large chest group sustained higher levels of co-contraction for muscles involving the thoracic and lumbar erector spinae compared to those in the small chest size group during prolonged standing. CONCLUSIONS: Thoracolumbar co-contraction determined in this study may be a potential mechanism contributing to increased back pain development for women with large chest sizes during prolonged standing. This pain mechanism could be targeted and addressed in future non-invasive musculoskeletal rehabilitation to improve back pain for women. Show more
Keywords: Anthropometry, low back pain, occupational standing, muscle co-contraction
Isometric and isokinetic muscle strength measurements of the lumbar flexors and extensors with BioniX Sim3 Pro in patients with chronic low back pain: A pilot study
Authors: Vanhauter, N. | Van Erck, A. | Anciaux, M. | Pollefliet, A. | Joos, E.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: The World Health Organization states that low back pain is the leading cause for disability worldwide. Patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP) show important decreases in lumbar strength and can now be assessed by using the new isokinetic dynamometer BioniX Sim3 Pro which offers very detailed measurements. OBJECTIVE: To compare lumbar flexion and extension strength values, as well as extension-flexion ratio (EFR) based on isokinetic velocity and gender, for patients with CLBP on the BioniX Sim3 Pro. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on data from 20 men and 22 women …with CLBP. Maximum torque in flexion and extension was measured isometrically and isokinetically. Statistical analysis was performed on these parameters. RESULTS: EFR shows a downward trend with increasing speed of measurement (isometric to isokinetic 30 ∘ /s and isokinetic 30 ∘ /s to isokinetic 90 ∘ /s, respectively): in men from 1.21 to 1.04 (p < 0.001) and from 1.04 to 0.93 (p = 0.207). In women, EFR decreased from 1.41 to 1.13 (p < 0.001) and from 1.13 to 1.00 (p = 0.144). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with CLBP have a decreased strength in lumbar extension and flexion compared to the age-corrected normal values of Bionix Sim3 Pro. With increasing speed of testing protocol, a decrease in EFR is observed in this population. Show more
Keywords: Isokinetic, low back pain, bionix, lumbar, torque values
Impact of high-heeled and sport shoes on multi-joint external load profile during walking
Authors: Pino-Ortega, José | Oliva-Lozano, José M. | Gómez-Carmona, Carlos D. | Rojas-Valverde, Daniel | Bastida-Castillo, Alejandro | Moreno-Pérez, Victor | Nakamura, Fabio Y.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Previous studies have analysed the effect of wearing high-heeled shoes (HHS) on gait analysis, balance and its relation to health. However, further research is needed to study its effect on the difference of chain reactions in the transfer of body impacts from the lower to the upper limbs. OBJECTIVES: The aims of the present research were: (a) to compare the effects of wearing HHS on impacts across body joints during walking with sport shoes (SS) as a reference, and (b) to examine such effects at different speeds. METHODS: Seven well-trained women completed …this study. Incremental treadmill walking test were performed with two different footwear: SS and HHS. Inertial devices were used to quantify the chain reactions at selected anatomical lower limbs and trunk locations. Statistical analysis included the Wilcoxon test with ranges and Cohen's d effect size with percentage of differences. RESULTS: The highest values were found at the heel in both footwear and in both legs (SS: right = 0.76 ± 0.27, left = 0.79 ± 0.27; HHS: right = 1.07 ± 0.38, left = 1.11 ± 0.41), while the lowest values were registered at lower and upper back. Furthermore, significant differences were found with the HHS load being higher at all locations (p < 0.05; %= 𝑑𝑖𝑓𝑓 12.20–36.36%), influenced by the walking speed. In addition, a strong influence of footwear in the change of the laterality profile was found (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that the use of HHS increase the load on the lower limb and the trunk. Until reaching 5 km/h during walking, no significant differences were found between wearing HHS or SS in accelerometer load, producing exponential differences from this speed. The great between-subject variability implies that within-subject analysis is recommended, as it is more related to real clinical practice. Show more
Keywords: Footwear, accelerometry, assessment, health, gait biomechanics
The Igbo Brief Illness Perceptions Questionnaire: A cross-cultural adaptation and validation study in Nigerian populations with chronic low back pain
Authors: Igwesi-Chidobe, Chinonso N. | Sorinola, Isaac O. | Godfrey, Emma L.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Illness perceptions predict chronic low back pain (CLBP) disability. This study cross-culturally adapted and validated the Igbo Brief Illness Perceptions Questionnaire (Igbo-BIPQ) in people with CLBP in rural/urban Nigeria. METHODS: A cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the Igbo-BIPQ was undertaken. The BIPQ was forward/back-translated by clinical/non-clinical translators. An expert review committee appraised the translations. The questionnaire was pre-tested on twelve rural Nigerian dwellers with CLBP. Internal consistency using Cronbach's alpha; test-retest reliability using intra-class correlation coefficient and Bland-Altman plot; and minimal detectable change were investigated amongst 50 people with CLBP in rural and urban Nigeria. …Construct validity was determined by correlating the Igbo-BIPQ score with those of eleven-point box scale and Igbo Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire (Igbo-RMDQ) using Pearson's correlation analyses in 200 adults with CLBP in rural Nigeria. Ceiling and floor effects were investigated in both samples. RESULTS: Good face/content validity, internal consistency (α = 0.76) and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC = 0.78); standard error of measurement and minimal detectable change of 5.44 and 15.08 respectively; moderate correlations with pain intensity and self-reported disability (r ⩾ 0.4); no ceiling/floor effects were observed for Igbo-BIPQ. CONCLUSION: This study provides evidence of some aspects of validity and reliability of the Igbo-BIPQ. Show more
Keywords: Illness perceptions, Africa, cross-cultural, psychometric, low back pain
Post-activation performance enhancement of dynamic stretching and heavy load warm-up strategies in elite tennis players
Authors: Moreno-Pérez, Victor | Hernández-Davó, Jose Luis | Nakamura, Fabio | López-Samanes, Álvaro | Jiménez-Reyes, Pedro | Fernández-Fernández, Jaime | Behm, David G.
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the potential post-activation performance enhancement (PAPE) effects of two different warm-up strategies, involving dynamic stretching (DS) or heavy load leg press (HL) on several key physical qualities in tennis players. METHODS: Twenty-six elite male tennis players (age: 19.22 ± 4.20 years; body mass: 67.37 ± 8.19 kg; height: 1.77 ± 0.07 m) performed both warm-ups, with 48-hours between protocols (DS and HL), performed in a randomized order. Pre- and post-tests included: countermovement jump, 5-m and 10-m sprint, 5-0-5 …agility test, and hip extension and flexion range-of-motion which were performed before and after DS and HL warm-up protocols. RESULTS: The DS warm-up led to substantial improvements in 5-m and 10-m sprint, 5-0-5 agility test, countermovement jump, and also to higher hip flexion range-of-motion. The HL warm-up caused impairments in 5-m and 10-m sprints, but improvements in 5-0-5 agility test, countermovement jump and hip extension range-of-motion. Compared to HL, DS warm-up induced possibly to likely positive effects on 5-m and 10-m linear sprint performance, as well as in hip flexion range-of-motion. Nevertheless, no differences in performance improvements in 5-0-5 agility test, countermovement jump and hip extension range-of-motion were found when comparing DS and HL warm-up protocols. CONCLUSION: DS seems to be more effective than HL when performing a short warm-up protocol in elite tennis players. Show more
Keywords: Racquet sport, vertical jump, sprint, range of motion
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This post is segmented into two parts; the first is a description and analysis of the May 19, 2006 Steve Jobs interview on CNBC. The second is a discussion of Apple's revitalized Switch campaign. At first glance, these topics may appear as disparate topics. I take the position that the interview provided some hints into Apple's strategy. I'll combine Steve Jobs' comments with events that have transpired pre and post interview. You're welcome to post your comments, views, and positions.
The interview was conducted on May 19, 2006 by Erin Burnett, the day that Apple opened its new flagship store in New York City. If you happened to miss the interview, you'll be able to find it on the web. Currently, it's available on youtube.com at the following location.
As I watched the interview with Apple CEO Steve Jobs the other day and I couldn't help coming to the realization that Steve Jobs hinted at a few of Apple's goals and initiatives. As I was listening to Steve Jobs, I realized that my views about increased market share and switching consumers over to the Mac are goals that Apple has in mind. I'll tie this together with additional information presented later in this post. As for now, let's get to an analysis of the interview.
... you've got the Intel chips now; you've got uh computers that can run OS X as well as running Windows. Uh, is your goal eventually to have Apple be even bigger, to sell to corporations so that there's not a Dell here on my desk at CNBC but a Macintosh?
Well, you know one of the advantages we have is, is we have a market share of around five percent depending on which uh market research firm you listen to, and uh, you know you could say well that's that's uh, that could be bigger and of course we'd like it to be bigger.
One of the advantages is; you know we've only got to convince five percent of the rest of the world to buy a Mac and we've doubled our market share. So clearly these stores we're hoping will help us grow our company and indeed, almost half the computers we sell in our stores are to people that have never owned a Mac before.
But do you think you're gonna get a 10 percent market share in the US?
You know, we don't predict uh but, we'd be glad to tell you how we're doing.
Jobs admitted that he'd like to see Apple's market share increase. Of course, any CEO would like to see the company that he or she runs expand, grow, and be more profitable. The comments from Jobs indirectly hint at Apple's goal of getting more consumers over to the Mac and OS X platform. Jobs also indicated that it may not be so difficult for Apple to double its market share. He even pointed out the fact that Apple is selling a significant percentage of new Macs to people who are purchasing their first Macs. One could argue that these people do not necessarily qualify as switchers as there is no data to demonstrate that people are leaving PC's running Macs and switching completely over to Macs running OS X. I would agree. However, what I can say is that the Mac is gaining momentum as a more popular computing solution for today's consumers.
And in terms of your chips, I know you've expanded obviously to Intel, that shook the tech world. Uh, what about AMD?
You know, um, AMD's got some interesting products at the very high end of the server space but the the part of the market that we concentrate on the most, uh, is notebooks and uh and consumer desktops and for that, Intel's got the best chips.
Uh, this this Yonah chip, or the uh Core Duo that they have right now is the best chip in the world for notebooks and for consumer desktops. So right now, I think Intel's road map looks very very strong for the kind of products, uh the processors we need we need to build the products we build.
Jobs indicated that Apple is more focused on selling notebooks than it is on selling desktops. This would be a logical and strategic business initiative as market data demonstrates that notebooks now outsell their desktop counterparts. It also makes sense from a mobility perspective. Computing is now etched into our daily activities. Just go to your local Starbucks or airport and you'll see a significant increase in the number of people using notebooks than you would have seen a few years ago. Furthermore, notebooks have become more powerful and the performance gap between today's notebooks and desktops have been significantly narrowed and in some cases, removed all together.
Apple currently sells the MacBook and MacBook Pro line of notebooks. Over the past few years, PC vendors have been flooding the market with cheap low-cost component parts allowing consumers to purchase sub $1000 notebooks. In the past few years, we've seen some PC vendors offer sub $600 notebooks albeit with Intel Celeron and AMD Duron processors.
Apple has historically sold notebooks to a niche market, to consumers and professionals who didn't mind spending the extra money to get a Macintosh. The transition to Intel has allowed Apple to build price-competitive computers.
"I can help you meet your Mac"
"I can make your iPod sing"
"I can help produce your first movie"
"I can help you get an iLife"
"I can help you blog your life story"
But the one that caught my eye is the one I find most striking, it's the one that says, "I can make it simple to switch". You can either go to your local Apple retail store to see these in person or you can view them at the Apple retail page located at Apple's web site. As of this post, the images are in the upper right hand corner of the page.
College professors are using the iPod as a way to distribute class notes. Case in point, Duke University.
The podcast revolution was born. Content producers are transitioning to a pull model as opposed to a push model. This applies to both audio and video content.
Apple will now use to iPod to penetrate more areas of our lives. Just take a look at the recent Nike+iPod announcement. When the iPod was launched in 2001, who would have thought one would be able to use an iPod to help "tune your run"? I expect Apple to expand the number of iPod related partnerships to extend the Apple brand into many more areas of our lives. Apple will also find ways to leverage the existing popularity of the iPod and the iTunes Music Store. Many are expecting that Apple will at some point, introduce a Movie Download service. We'll just have to wait and see. Regardless, the iPod is here to stay.
The 2004 introduction of the iLife suite brought forth an integrated suite that enabled Mac users to easily participate in today's Digital Lifestyle. iLife makes it easy for Mac users to leverage today's digital products and technologies. Digital Cameras and photos with iPhoto, home movies with iMovie and iDVD, music creation and podcasts with Garage Band, and the most famous, music and video content with iTunes. Two revisions later, Apple has added numerous features and extended the functionality of iLife to include iWeb, a web site and blogging solution. Apple was able to leverage the solid OS X foundation and it added features that made it easier for users to use iLife.
On the operating system side, Apple added innovative features such as Spotlight, Dashboard, and a revamped iChat application. You can view a list of over 200 plus features that were added to OS X 10.4 Tiger. Beta builds of Vista demonstrate that Microsoft is copying features already available in OS X 10.4 Tiger. Apple's next OS, 10.5 Leopard will continue this trend and will usher in a new round of software innovations that will give Apple an even greater lead on the competition but most importantly, a larger lead in features that today's consumers demand. When it's released, Leopard will be two revisions ahead of Windows Vista.
Just look at the sleek, elegant, and eye-catching designs of the entire line of Macintosh computers. The all-in-one design of the iMac is not only a head turner but is also a collection of spectacular hardware engineering. The most recent revisions to the iMac and Mac notebooks (MacBook ad MacBook Pro) have seen the inclusion of built-in iSight cameras and Infrared Remotes to extend the capabilities of the Mac and to leverage new technologies. The Apple Infrared Remote has also been added to the Mac mini.
In my view, Apple's push towards changing the way the market and consumers perceive the Mac began when Apple redesigned the iMac in 2004. For a refresher, take a look at the following clip. Also check out the following from CNet when the iMac was relaunched in 2004.
Apple will bring to market innovations that will continue the hardware innovation wave. We just have to sit back and wait. Can anyone say Mac Pro?
The switch to Intel processors has allowed Apple to build price-competitive computers in two respects. One is that it has brought the cost of Intel Macs down to a level that is more affordable, it boils down to "economy of scale". Intel is the largest semiconductor manufacturer in the world. As a result, Intel can produce processors at a scale and cost that are realized through operational efficiencies. This leads to a lower cost per processor when compared to the PowerPC processors manufactured by IBM. This has allowed Apple to build computers at a much lower cost. It has also provided Apple the opportunity to build systems than can be more easily compared to the systems built by PC vendors such as Dell, HP, Sony, and Gateway.
Boot Camp's ability to configure an Intel Mac to boot into Windows makes the Mac a more appealing computer to consumers. Boot Camp will ultimately lead consumers to the Mac which in turn, will expand the Mac user base leading to increased market share. The inclusion of Boot Camp into OS X 10.5 Leopard will further strengthen the Mac's value proposition. Apple is the only computer manufacturer can offer the ability to legally run OS X and Windows on a single computer.
Overall, I think Jobs' comments provided a view into Apple's Macintosh strategy. When combined with past and recent events, it's clear that Apple is making a push towards greater Mac acceptance. Call it a "getamac" campaign or a "switch" campaign. The end result is the same, greater Mac unit sales, a larger Mac footprint, and an increased Mac user base. Apple is positioning the Mac as the computing platform for the ever changing rapidly evolving digital lifestyle.