Wednesday, 12 March 2008

The Importance of Vehicle News

Are you looking for a new exotic vehicle? Do you want to replace your old car with a new one? If yes, you can find it online. The internet and computer technology have helped many businesses to inform people about their latest news and other information easily. Keeping pace with the demand of the day, the number of news and information providing portals has increased significantly. Now there are many news portals offering latest car news to keep you updated with the latest trends.

Vehicle news portals are very useful. These portals can help you take right decision at the time of buying cars. Some of them offer a plethora of car options to choose from. There are some news portals presenting vehicle news in the most attractive and impressive ways. A vast majority of them include many dedicated sections for keeping people updated with a lot of things. They may include blog section, review section, news section and much more. Some of them have their different niches to help the visitors find their desired things with their least possible efforts. A significant number of interactive websites share a strong platform for their audiences. Most of these websites offer strong platforms that allow users to ask various questions and get answers quickly. A few of these websites include instant chat options and allow you to chat with other visitors. These are very user-friendly. They can offer you many "call to action" points. With certain images, links, buttons or user interface elements, these websites motivate you to take their desired actions. On those platforms, you can find many colorful pictures and graphics. These are very good to convey a message in a simpler way.

In this article, I shall discuss on the importance of vehicle news

Helps you take a right purchase-decision

This is the significant benefit of vehicle news. As you get to know about various cars with their advantages and disadvantages, you can decide the right car for you. As many websites include review sections, you can know the opinions of other car-users.

Keeps you aware of the latest cars and vehicle information

You stay updated with the new cars, motorcycles or other vehicles that are coming to your national market. Most of the news stories include the names of the places from where you can buy the newest cars.

Saves your money, time and effort

As you do not need to go outside of your home to talk to many marketing managers, you can save your time. You can save the fuel of visiting one showroom to another. You do not need to cross-check information with the other car experts.

Daniel Mcbreen is a professional writer. He is interested in writing articles on vehicle news.

Wednesday, 19 September 2007

Department of Justice Releases Drone Policy Guidance

The Department of Justice released its guidelines for department's use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems on Friday, May 22nd. The document explains DOJ's support of UAS use in Law Enforcement and also provides warnings about the protection of Forth Amendment and First Amendment rights, preventing unreasonable or warrantless searches, as well as protecting the Privacy Act of 1974.

With the rise of this new technology, Law Enforcement needs to give great attention to what circumstances their department's uses an Unmanned Ariel Vehicle. One of the historical, but quickly fading fears of the American population is that law enforcement is going to use "drones" to spy on them and keep a constant eye on the public.

The DOJ document is meant more as a compliment to the existing FAA guidelines. Backing the FAA with requirements such as personnel having to undergo continuous training, supervisor permissions before each mission, and obtaining warrants in certain circumstances.

The Department of Justice is also requiring that the data collected from a UAV "containing personally identifiable information" not be held for "more than 180 days unless retention of the information is determined to be necessary for an authorized purpose" (paragraph 10, DOJ). This is a reiteration of the Privacy Act of 1974 and the recent Presidential Memorandum by President Barack Obama (Memorandum). Stressing the importance of constitutional rights and proper investigation procedures.

Paragraph 8 states that even when it is authorized to use a UAV for investigative purposes, the department should consider other methods before engaging in UAV surveillance. Basically, even though these aircraft can be used for a lot of different things and are inherently cost effective and time saving tools, please consider other methods for data collection before using a UAV. We want to keep them, don't over use them.

All in all, the document sounds promising to the future use and integration into law enforcement agencies. Across the board, one of the main concerns with these aircraft is the protection of privacy within the country. The DOJ recognizes these aircraft as a useful tool that can be effective in investigations. The DOJ is basically saying, be careful. While the American population is becoming more and more comfortable with LE using drones for operations, they are still greatly under-informed as a whole. By creating solid standard operating procedures and responsible individuals behind the sticks, LE can expect to use these aircraft for years to come. Understand the aircraft. Stay up to date on the technology and information that is rapidly changing around the world.

Sunday, 19 March 2006

ISIS Violence Against Non-Sunni Muslims Will Speed Up Modernisation of Islam

ISIS is in the news for violence in the Middle East, and Africa. It is spreading its tentacles in Europe, Australia and Asia. It has successfully wooed educated young Muslims in the UK, France, Netherlands, and Australia, who are participating voluntarily in Syria and Iraq. How ISIS has successfully motivated the young Muslims - men and women - to leave a comfortable life for a religious war is a unique exercise in human resources management. Humanity should have nipped ISIS in the bud. Believers in ISIS are barbaric in their approach towards dissidents. The issue is more important than the Ukraine crisis. The developed countries have to take initiative and stop this menace to humanity. ISIS is nurturing itself on devotion of ignorant, and illiterate Sunni Muslims, who believe whatever the fundamentalist religious teachers speak about their religion. Their teachings aren't always in conformity with the Qur'an.

1. ISIS is in the news for its violence against non-Sunni Muslims and non-Muslims all over the World. The killings by ISIS, in Tunisia, Libya, Nigeria, Iraq, Syria, Yemen, and Egypt, will impact tourism industry in these countries directly. As a corollary, it will affect tourism industry in other Muslim countries as well - Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Morocco, and other Middle East countries.

2. These countries offer more tourism-value for the money, with their rich archeological heritage. But with the danger of terrorism looming large on the horizon, tourists will avoid the countries. Maybe terrorists will learn their lesson, and avoid killing the goose which lays golden eggs for their countries' economy. ISIS may change its strategy by increasing its activities in developed countries, where the deterrent is, an efficient and professionally managed security force.

3. The Muslim countries are rich; their oil based economy is strong, and religious cohesiveness is exemplary. In developed countries, attendance in churches is dwindling among younger generation, where as among Muslims, attendance in mosques and participation by younger generation in rituals such as a month-long Ramadan fasting is meticulously observed.

4. ISIS has a strong dedicated following of Sunni Muslims. They have successfully motivated Muslims in all countries to join ISIS in its war against non-Muslim religions, non-Sunni-Muslims - Shias, moderate Sunnis, other Muslim sects, and countries which are hostile to ISIS: US, UK and France. Developed countries are losing the battle in media, and have failed to adequately influence moderate Muslims, against terrorism and fundamentalism.

5. ISIS has an advantage. It is easy to brainwash illiterate people, who will do anything for their religion. The West has yet to learn, how to counter the social media effect of ISIS on illiterate as well as educated Sunni Muslims. A suggested strategy is as follows:

Don't laugh at others

* The West believes in freedom of speech. It is good to laugh, but it is better to laugh at ourselves, and our religion's irrational beliefs and rituals. We should not laugh at others' beliefs and rituals. All religions have irrational rituals and beliefs. The West has blundered by drawing caricatures of the Muslim Prophet, on the pretext of exercising freedom to speech and expression. This has alienated even educated Muslims in developed countries.

Use media to explain Quran to Muslims

* Western media has not talked or interacted with Muslims directly. It has written about Muslims, for others. To win over moderate Muslims, it is imperative that the Western media interacts directly with Muslims all over the World, to explain Qur'an.

Intra-religion violence may help finding the solution

* The World is not winning its battle against ISIS terrorism and fundamentalism. The silver lining is that the intra-religion violence will force the Muslim clerics of all sects/sub-sects, to sit down together, and modernise the Islam religion. They should update Qur'an, which is unlikely, as God's word b; or they may approve, ignoring the controversial verses of Qur'an..

* This problem is bigger than any other problem being faced by humanity, as on date. It needs more attention, as the future of humanity is at stake.

Tuesday, 17 May 2005

Commemorative Plaques - Creating a Suitable Tribute

When it comes to preserving the legacy of an individual, their actions or a special historical event, commemorative plaques are one of the most distinguished ways in which to remember. Their classic, robust appearance have a timeless quality and their durability means that years later, future generations can still appreciate them and what they symbolise.

What's more, even after years of wear and tear against the natural elements, most commemorative plaques can be professionally restored to their original state, giving them a whole new lease of life. This lifespan make them the perfect choice for commemorating those special individuals or events that are symbolic of a certain place, such as beloved public figures, sporting heroes or moments of historical change. They can also be used to pay tribute to tragic events or loss of life.

In order to do these events or figures justice, it is important you select the perfect plaque. To many, the message is the most important aspect of such a tribute, so the size and shape of the plaque should ideally follow suit. For example, if you have multiple lines of extended text then some plaque shapes might not be appropriate. Diamond or oval shapes only have room for extended words in the middle, whereas larger square or rectangular plaques can fit more across multiple lines. On the other hand, your text may be short and simple, perhaps a name and date - for something like this a longer oblong shape would highlight the message suitably. As well as the wording dictating the look of the plaque, equal consideration should also be given to the location of it. On what kind of building or in what kind of space will such a commemorative plaque be found? It needs to be visible by passers-by, so if it is either high above the ground or partitioned away from public reach then the plaque and its text need to be large enough to remain legible from a distance.

As well as size and shape you will also have to look at quality. Taking the time to look around is always a good idea rather than going with the nearest or cheapest manufacturer. Especially with personalised plaques, you should look for a respected company with many years' experience. As plaque manufacturing is such a traditional craft, many of them have a rich history and their years of fine plaque making will no doubt be evident in their store or showroom. Seeing first-hand the quality of their craftsmanship is always a good idea but in the event of the company not having a physical store, asking for personal recommendations or contacting previous customers is a reliable way to gather information. (There are still many well-regarded plaque makers online) It is also wise to browse their other services, this will not only give you a further indication of their standard in general but they may also offer restoration further down the line.

So, as we have stated, when paying tribute to such memorable things you will always want to go that extra mile for good quality. You want a result that will stand the test of time and act as a continuing reminder to those who not only remember the person or event in question but for all of those who will come after. With that in mind, commemorative plaques are the most respectable choice and a guarantee of durability and quality.

Wednesday, 16 March 2005

Requiring Maturity For Big Rig Operators

A couple of summers ago, I had a dangerous run-in with a truck driver who should not have been behind the wheel of a big rig.

It happened when I was driving back to New York on Interstate 91, not far south of White River Junction, Vermont. I was in the passing lane, going past several cars that were traveling near the 65 miles per hour speed limit. I was probably doing between 70 and 75 mph myself, when the grill of an 18-wheeler took up my entire review mirror. The truck was about a foot off my rear bumper, where it stayed for several minutes as I passed the other vehicles.

I pulled into the right lane to let him go by once I was able, at which point the driver sent me a clear message by coming back into my lane when there was still about 20 feet of trailer yet to pass me. My choices were to pull onto the shoulder or let him knock me off the road. Luckily, I saw what was happening in time and safely moved over. I then exchanged looks with my wife, who, like me, could conceivably have been killed if I hadn't been paying enough attention.

We decided not to let the matter drop. I followed the truck driver - closely, but not too close - while calling out identifying characteristics to my wife, who contacted the state highway authorities. Over the course of the next 50 miles or so, the driver did his or her best to lose me. First the truck sped up to close to 85 mph, during which time I dropped back but kept it in sight. Then it slowed to about 30 to try to induce me to go past. I didn't.

My reward came around the time we went through Brattleboro. There, as we emerged from a construction zone (at which point the driver was behaving virtuously), a Vermont patrol vehicle was waiting in the median. As soon as the obnoxious semitrailer driver went past, the patrol car pulled out, turned on its flashers and pulled the 18-wheeler over for a roadside inspection.

I don't know what happened after that. I assume the driver received no sort of citation for his treatment of me, since the officer would not have seen the incident firsthand. But if the driver's logbook and other credentials were not in perfect order, I expect he or she did not have a very good afternoon.

An underage driver? I have no reason to think so. But one acting without the maturity and judgment necessary to be entrusted with a 40-ton machine? Absolutely.

Maturity doesn't always come with time, but it always takes time. Proponents of a congressional proposal to allow teenage truck drivers to operate across state lines within certain limits put a lot of people in peril when they lose sight of this.

The proposal in question is part of general highway legislation currently before the Senate, introduced by Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Neb. If adopted, the legislation would amend a federal law that currently prohibits drivers under 21 from operating large trucks between states, even if state laws permit the teens to drive them. According to Bloomberg, 48 states currently allow younger drivers (between 18 and 21) to hold commercial licenses for intrastate commerce. (1) And as older drivers retire, industry researchers warn of a worsening driver shortage, which allowing younger drivers to operate across state lines might help address.

The new system would introduce a graduated licensing program for commercial drivers. The American Trucking Associations has thrown its support behind this idea. "Graduated licensing is proven and effective for reducing the risk of young drivers of passenger vehicles -millions of drivers have gotten their licenses this way - and it has been a top policy priority for many organizations, including some that are attacking Senator Fischer's proposal now," ATA's executive vice president, Dave Osiecki, said in a statement. (2)

Those attacks mainly focus on safety concerns. Jackie Gillan, the president of Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, has argued that statistics indicate young truck drivers are four to six times more likely than drivers over 21 to be involved in fatal crashes. Gillan argued that, instead of introducing graduated licensing, the Senate should consider cracking down on laws permitting drivers between 18 and 21 to operate large trucks within a state. (1)

We need good truck drivers, and a lot of teens need good jobs. Of this, I have no doubt. Allowing teenagers to drive trucks, however, does put a lot of people at risk, starting with the teenagers themselves. Anybody who lives in the Rocky Mountain West can tell you how easy it is for a semitrailer to jackknife across an interstate during a blizzard. And anybody who has seen it can tell you just how frightening it is.

Whether this proposal is the right path will depend on exactly what the proposed graduated licenses look like. Many states allow for graduated licensing for teens getting their first standard driver's license, moving from a permit (where the driver must be supervised at all times) to a provisional license, where a driver can operate alone only in certain conditions, such as during daylight hours or when driving directly to and from a job. The exact provisions vary between states, but they provide a useful guide for considering how a graduated commercial licensing program might work.

Let 18-year-olds drive big trucks, but let them do so only under the immediate personal supervision of a second, experienced driver. Maybe require that older drivers have a certification, or an endorsement of their safety record, to demonstrate the maturity necessary to supervise a younger operator this way. At first, maybe only allow such driving at certain hours of the day, or forbid it in weather conditions that would require the truck's lights or wipers.

Can a properly trained 18-year-old safely operate an 18-wheeler in broad daylight on a wide-open freeway in South Dakota? Sure. There is a lot to be said for providing that experience and bolstering the national truck fleet in the bargain.

But we don't need more immature truck drivers on our highways. It only takes one fit of pique or one lapse in attention to put lives at risk.

Wednesday, 6 November 2002

The Free Public Library!

Extra! Extra! Read all about it! The public library is free, and believe it or not, it's not even guarded! That's right ladies and gentlemen of all ages and all shapes and sizes! You can just walk right into that incredibly valuable building and just take whatever priceless knowledge you want without even paying for it! Yup! You can just take it! You don't even have to wait for the drawbridge to drop to storm this castle! Just rush inside like a knight in shining armor and take whatever books and whatever knowledge that you want!

It's so amazing that I'm going to have to say it again! The public library is free, and it will give you an incredibly valuable education, as well as anything else your little heart may desire. You can actually walk in there and spend as much time as you want, and then walk out as a higher quality person. Can you believe that?

I feel so lucky to have known about our free public library system for the last twenty-five-years. And during that time I have never stopped sipping from the fountain of knowledge and potential power that has been made so easily available to all of us. And come to think of it now, I can't see myself ever stopping the winning habit of sucking up everything I can from this country's library system.

Hmm... Imagine another twenty-five-years of this country's public library system feeding my brain and quenching my thirst for knowledge and potential power. Wow! Now I'm imagining fifty more years of feeding my brain and quenching my thirst... It's mind-boggling, wouldn't you agree? Nothing is impossible with sustained effort over time in a library.

How could any one of us not take advantage of how easy the public library system has made it to be a lifelong learner? Just look at all that information floating in the middle of all of those neatly stacked aisles of books!

Now teens and even tweens, go learn, lead, and lay the way to a better world for all of us. Remember, the public library is free and it will give you an incredibly valuable education. But this will only happen if you stop sitting on your hands and get up and get your feet moving toward your public library; and don't forget your library card! And once again, thanks for all that you do, and all that you will do...

Award-Winning Author, Speaker, Educator, and Life Coach Daniel Blanchard wants you to start spending more time in the free public library. It's guaranteed to make you a better person.

Tuesday, 18 June 2002

Life Is Interesting

Life is full of adventures, interesting encounters, and opportunities. Most of these, I find, include the study of people and their actions and reactions. Some are funny, some exhilarating, and some puzzling or sad, but they all lead to the fullness of my life and extend my understanding. Three years ago I was selected as a member of the State Task Force on Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias. A heady title, it is a volunteer position that included creating a state planning and then actively working with our legislature to help enact laws to educate and train citizens, health professionals, law enforcement, and any other interested individuals about this horrendous disease and to safeguard those who have it and their caregivers.

Because legislative action is slow and the fact that my legislature meets every other year I decided to initiate my own awareness campaign to educate individuals throughout the expansive rural section of my state. I designed and purchased posters and brochures plus created a letter of introduction and explanation and then outlined my first route. When a member of the state Aging and Disabilities Services learned of my plan, she found funding for the materials and to cover mileage, a blessing that allows me to do more and with more authority. And so I set out on my first 600-mile education and information circuit. The first stop, 74 miles west of home was the public library. The librarian greeted me with an effusive welcome and expressed the desire for a live presentation on Alzheimer's disease. What a terrific, encouraging beginning. In the same town the senior center asked for more brochures and to please come share my information at Frontier Days in August. The long-term care facility and sheriff's department were excited as well and so I smiled, felt my heart lift, and drove on.

60 miles later I visited my second town and while the greeting was not as thrilling, law enforcement especially was interested in training to better understand and work with individuals with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. And so I sped on visiting every town in the loop trying to always stop and visit with law enforcement, long-term care facilities, senior centers, and libraries. Because my state has been hesitant to require training and education for police, highway patrol, fire fighters, and other first responders, I was jazzed at the fact that every community's law enforcement agencies appeared eager to read the posters and study the brochure and intent on learning more.

Back to the interesting part, let me tell you about a post office I visited in a tiny town. I placed my materials on the community bulletin board and then took my explanation hand-out into the postal matron. She nodded, sighed, and announced, "No one here is interested in this."

Surprised I tossed out a couple of statistics and the importance of education and she repeated her negative reply. I tried a third shot, only to be shot down again. I pointed out my name and phone number and my email address on my flyer as I sort of pleaded with her, "If you do have someone ask about this, please have them contact me." With her, "I doubt it," good-by, I jumped in my pickup and headed 90 miles up the road to the last stop on this swing as I wondered at the disinterested voice of one person, the self-decreed spokesperson of the town.

Since a library had been my first inspiring stop, I made it my last in this community, the last on Loop #1. The room was entirely empty and I had to search for the librarian who was hidden in the stacks. I offered my spiel as she gazed at me thoughtful while keeping her distance at the same time.

"And what would I have to do?" I explained to her that it required nothing other than setting a date and time with me, then placing an announcement in her bulletin. She wrinkled her brow with consternation, scratched her head, pondered some more and then asked again what she would have to do. I reiterated and must have appeared forlorn enough that she finally gave in, handed me her card with library hours and a phone number for future contact. I guess that was a rousing cheer of encouragement.

This driving and driven moment of life I am finding, is full of adventures, interesting encounters, and opportunities. This is my chance to spread the word about Alzheimer's disease, increase understanding through education, and encourage citizens to contact Congress about increasing the research for a cure budget. I am seeing new sites and meeting new friends. I am studying and learning. My goal, my dream, is that every single person in my enormous region will know more about Alzheimer's with facts and figures and also know resources and help available to those with the disease and their caregivers and family. If we talk enough, know enough, and raise a ruckus, this disease will be brought to the forefront of everyone's conscience and we will demand and receive a cure now!