Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Turkey seeks prosecution of Kurdish MPs over roadside meeting

ISTANBUL (Reuters) - A Turkish prosecutor has called for 10 Kurdish deputies to be investigated on charges of aiding a terrorist group after they were filmed embracing militants at an impromptu roadside meeting, state-run Anatolian news agency said on Wednesday.

The incident happened in August when Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) militants set up a roadblock and stopped a Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) convoy in southeast Turkey.

Newspaper photos at the time showed the MPs embracing five militants, who had rifles slung over their shoulders.

In a report on the incident sent to the justice ministry, the prosecutor's office in the southeastern province of Van asked parliament to lift their immunity from prosecution.

The report sought permission from the assembly to launch a formal investigation into the deputies, nine from the BDP and one an independent MP, on charges related to aiding a terrorist group. Such charges carry jail sentences of 5-10 years.

The PKK, designated a terrorist group by Turkey, the United States and European Union, launched its separatist insurgency 28 years ago and more than 40,000 people have since been killed.

The August meeting in the mountainous district of Semdinli, bordering Iraq and Iran, came at a time of heightened conflict between the PKK and Turkish security forces. Several thousand PKK militants are based in northern Iraq.

Kurdish politicians, including those from the BDP, are frequently prosecuted for alleged links to the PKK, but deny ties with the militants. Previous Kurdish parties similar to the BDP have been closed down for such links.

(Writing by Daren Butler; Editing by Nick Tattersall)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/turkey-seeks-prosecution-kurdish-mps-over-roadside-meeting-163003438.html

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Being Wrong Is Not Enough: How The Media Protects Conservative Punditry (OliverWillisLikeKryptoniteToStupid)

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The 2012 Campaign Decoder

Hurricane Sandy 20/20

Junk Food ? Hurricane Sandy interrupted the presidential campaign but didn't really pause it. The emergency conditions offer the president an opportunity. He can appear in command and on the case. For a campaign that has been about answering the question "Who cares about you?," President Obama can actually convey that sentiment in a high-stakes moment. Also, for a man presenting himself as a defender of the necessary role of government, this disaster reminds people how much government matters in American life. Mitt Romney has few options but to ride the storm out.

Obama: Killing of diplomats 'not optimal' 10/19

Junk Food ? When Jon Stewart said that the killing of four Americans in Benghazi was "not optimal," President Obama should not have repeated the phrase?even if he was thinking that the sophisticated Stewart audience would get that they were using the antiseptic term in jest. No one would be stupid enough to refer to the death of four people as "not optimal." The person who really wouldn't be stupid enough to do that is a politician who had emoted so forcefully about how much he cared about those who had died in the line of duty. That guy would definitely not be that dumb. And yet that's what the president did. This will rile Republicans, but it is unlikely to move undecided voters, who aren't focused on Libya anyway.

The Des Moines abortion wiggle 10/10

Junk Food ? Mitt Romney, in an interview with the Des Moines Register, appeared to say that he wasn't going to actively restrict abortion rights as president. But he left himself enough loopholes to fulfill every promise he has made to pro-life groups. Nimble! To become an issue, Democrats will have to ignore the loopholes, embrace it as a flip-flop, and say it's just another example of Mitt switching positions to get elected?which fits their larger claim that Romney can't be trusted.

The War on Big Bird 10/10

Shiny Object ? President Obama and his campaign are ridiculing Mitt Romney's claim at the first debate that he would defund PBS and hand a pink slip to its star performer Big Bird. It's a super tiny reduction in government spending given his other big plans for cutting taxes and increasing defense spending. But the claim of paltry poultry, while catchy, doesn't do Obama much good. Democrats say Romney is talking about Big Bird and not what he really wants to cut. But to hit back, the president needs a catchy line that encapsulates his larger critique of Romney's dishonesty about his plans.

Biden's $1 Trillion Tax Increase 10/5

Junk Food ? When Joe Biden said that the Obama administration wanted to raise taxes by $1 trillion dollars, the Romney campaign pounced on it as a gaffe. Alas, for five years Obama has been campaigning on raising the tax rate on top earners when the Bush era tax cuts expire. He even made a big deal about it in the debate the night before.

Romney's '47 percent' comments 9/17

Campaign Wound ? Romney's comments about the 47 percent. Danger Will Robinson! If Romney really is trying to woo those independent voters he mentioned in the surreptitiously recorded video, this candid moment in which Romney wrote off half the electorate as moochers created a new obstacle.

After Middle East protests, Romney criticizes Obama 9/11

Campaign Wound ? In the wake of the death of Ambassador Chris Stevens, Romney attacks Obama over his Middle East policy. Polls showed that voters did not approve of Romney's quick criticism of the president. Even Republicans who shared his sentiment about the president's weak foreign policy thought the timing was off.

Romney refuses to release tax records 7/20

Junk Food ? Romney repeatedly refuses to release his tax records. A wide swath of voters have had a hard time finding something to like about Romney. They also don't find him authentic. The refusal to release tax returns did not help dispel people's fears that he had something to hide.

Obama: 'You didn't build that' 7/13

Campaign Wound ? At a rally, Obama utters the words "you didn't build that." Republicans nourished themselves on this line for weeks. Even if no independent voters were turned off by the remarks, it was a successful turnout mechanism for the GOP. For Republicans, the line-even if taken partially out of context-confirmed everything they thought about the president.

Supreme Court OKs Obamacare 6/28

Seminar Topic ? The Supreme Court backs Obamacare. This was a huge policy victory for the president and anyone who has benefited from the Affordable Care Act. For conservatives, it prompted outrage over Chief Justice John Roberts, their former darling. The Supreme Court backs Obamacare. It gave Romney a rallying cry: Only by electing him could Republicans do away with the awful law.

Booker criticizes Obama ads on Bain 5/21

Junk Food ? On Meet the Press, campaign surrogate Cory Booker criticized Obama's TV ads about Romney's time at Bain. Voters like Obama, even if they don't think he is doing the best job. That may be because he still reminds them of the hopeful candidate of 2008. So Booker's charge--that Obama was acting like any other politician--had the potential to damage the president's brand. Obama officials quickly convinced the mayor to clean up his remarks.

In high school Romney bullied gay student 5/10

Shiny Object ? Revelations of Romney's high-school bullying. This had no policy impact. But the fact that the candidate never offered his own youth story is one of the curious features of his campaign. The bullying story didn't hurt him, but he didn't give voters his own narrative, which may explain why people have had trouble warming to him.

Obama supports gay marriage rights 5/9

Seminar Topic ? Obama speaks out in favor of gay marriage rights. The policy impact was minimal. The president was simply expressing a preference, though his remarks may have inched the culture forward toward accepting same sex unions. Politically, it pleased a very important Democratic constituency, and generated a lot of cash.

Obama: I 'wasn't born with a silver spoon' 4/19

Shiny Object ? At a rally, Obama reminded voters that he "wasn't born with a silver spoon in his mouth." The response from Romney fans was that the president was talking about their man. It was pure umbrage taking. But Obama's words are one of his stock phrases. He's been saying it long before Romney was a candidate.

Democratic strategist on Ann Romney: she's 'never worked a hard day' 4/12

Junk Food ? The Hilary Rosen kerfuffle. The Democratic strategist said Ann Romney had "never worked a day in her life." The Obama team threw Rosen under the bus and then rented a few more buses to complete the job. Obama's chief strategist and campaign manager denounced her comments, and Ann Romney delighted in being able to play the aggrieved party. In the end, it didn't help Romney's standing with women. He still trails.

Obama to Medvedev: 'more flexibility' after election 3/26

Seminar Topic ? Obama assured then Russian President Dmitry Medvedev he would have "more flexibility" to cut foreign policy deals after the election. Romney suggested that this sidelines deal making proved that Obama wasn't being straight with the public. It never went anywhere, but it was an important moment. It reminded us that despite the election's focus on the economy, it is in foreign policy where a president's flexibility can really matter.

Romney's campaign like 'Etch-a-Sketch' 3/21

Shiny Object ? "It's almost like an Etch-a-Sketch." When a senior staffer compared the candidate's campaign to the popular toy, it seemed to confirm the charge that Mitt Romney truly had no core beliefs. And for a couple of days the GOP primary went insane. Rick Santorum was seen clutching the toy. Romney didn't overreact-and the controversy never caught on the way the toy did.

Source: http://feeds.slate.com/click.phdo?i=8f5c42262d44e69aeacb7f2977ace817

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Video: PSE&G COO on Assessing Power

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Source: http://video.msnbc.msn.com/cnbc/49610467/

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Monday, October 29, 2012

Nokia Lumia 822 and HTC 8X show up in Verizon colors, get pegged for November 8th release

Nokia Lumia 822 and HTC 8X show up in Verizon colors, get pegged for November 8th release

The Verizon-flavored Nokia Lumia 822 hasn't exactly been camera-shy, nor has it been coy about its imminent arrival, but the details on price and availability have, as yet, not been pinned down. That is until now, according to a tip-off at WPCentral. The candid shot shows the Nokia next to an HTC 8X -- both with Verizon livery. The word is that the Lumia 822 will run you $99 at launch, while the HTC 8X will command $199, both with a contract. The same source claims that these will launch on November 8th. Just in time to get that first killer app.

Update: Not satisfied with just white? Don't worry about it -- you'll have two more shades to pick from, according to a press image uncovered by EvLeaks. A professionally captured view of the 822's black and grey facades can be found at the more coverage link below.

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Nokia Lumia 822 and HTC 8X show up in Verizon colors, get pegged for November 8th release originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 28 Oct 2012 01:03:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/10/28/nokia-lumia-822-and-htc-8x-in-verizon-colors/

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Friday, October 26, 2012

Home Based Business Opportunities Florida - Work At Home

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Source: http://workathomeandmakemoney.org/home-based-business-opportunities-florida/

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Thursday, October 25, 2012

High-speed rail efforts gain momentum across the country

1 day

The fields of north-central Illinois may seem like an unlikely backdrop to showcase the future of the nation?s transportation system, but for fans of high-speed rail, they may have done just that.

On Friday, a train on Amtrak?s Chicago-St. Louis corridor traversed those fields at a speed of 111 mph., 40 percent faster than the line?s normal top speed of 79 mph and faster than any U.S. train outside Amtrak?s Northeast Corridor.

?It was interesting to see how smooth the transition was from 79 to (111),? said Josh Kauffman, spokesman for the Illinois Department of Transportation, who was on the train, along with other officials, including Illinois Governor Pat Quinn and U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood.

?It was an historic ride,? said Kauffman, ?and we?re extremely pleased with the results.?

It was also, perhaps, an unintended acknowledgment of the fact that, after years of high hopes, high-speed rail in the U.S. remains a slow-going affair. Despite the celebratory mood aboard Friday?s train, it?s worth noting that the ?historic? high-speed ride only covered 15 miles of the 285-mile route and that extending the service will take years and billions of dollars.

?People keep talking about top speed, but what really matters to travelers is average speed ? the trip time itself,? said Kenneth Orski, publisher of transportation newsletter "Innovation Briefs,"?and a?former DOT official. ?Even with billions of dollars in improvements, the average speed won?t improve that much.?

Still, efforts to expand the nation?s high-speed rail offerings continue. Among the most recent developments:

  • Last month, Amtrak ran several tests along its Northeast Corridor, running Acela Express trains at speeds of up to 165 mph ? current top speed is 135 mph ? on four sections of track in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Rhode Island and Massachusetts, as part of efforts to raise regular service speeds to 160 mph by 2017.
  • Earlier this year, trains on Amtrak?s Wolverine service between Chicago and Pontiac, Mich., began running at 110 mph on a 90-mile section between Porter, Ind., and Kalamazoo. At build-out, officials hope to cut travel time between Chicago and Detroit to less than four hours.
  • In California, plans to build an 800-mile high-speed train line between Los Angeles and San Francisco moved forward last month after the federal government approved a section of the route between Merced and Fresno. Construction is expected to start next year, although several lawsuits have already been filed against the project.

Ironically, perhaps, such projects come at a time when train travel in the U.S. in general is at a crossroads. On the one hand, Amtrak carried 31.2 million passengers during the last 12 months, the highest annual ridership total in the company?s 41-year history. On the other, funding for multi-billion-dollar projects is increasingly uncertain at a time of budget cutbacks, ballooning deficits and a presidential election defined by two diametrically opposed views of government.

In the meantime, riders on the Chicago-St. Louis corridor may take solace in the fact that Amtrak expects to begin offering regular 110 mph service on that 15-mile stretch by Thanksgiving and on 75 percent of the route by 2015, cutting trip times by more than an hour.

?The difference between 79 and 110 mph isn't necessarily all that much, but at 110, the number of people they can carry improves dramatically,? said Rod Diridon Sr., executive director of the Mineta Transportation Institute at San Jose State University. ?At that point, it really begins to compete with short-hop air travel.?

Rob Lovitt is a longtime travel writer who still believes the journey is as important as the destination. Follow him?on?Twitter.

Source: http://www.nbcnews.com/travel/travelkit/high-speed-rail-efforts-gain-momentum-across-country-1C6643651

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Holmdel's Humanities Chief Accepts Post As A Principal in Fair Haven

Holmdel Curriculum Superviser Susan Alston has accepted the position of Fair Haven's?Viola L. Sickles School Principal.?

She was appointed to the position at a pro-rated salary of $120,000, taking over from Principal Tom Famulary in January. Sickles School is a PreK-3rd grade school. Her appointment?was unanimously approved by all nine board members.?

Alston is currently the longtime supervisor of Humanities ? social studies, English, language arts and ESL ? for the entire K-12 district and recently became certified as a principal.?

"She is thrilled about the principalship," said Fair Haven Board of Education President Mark Mancuso. "One of the things she said in several interviews is that she?s really looking forward to getting back to being with kids, because as a supervisor (you're) really not engaged with the kids on a regular basis."

Alston echoed that sentiment while having a piece of celebration cake.

"I'm so excited. I'm absolutely thrilled," Alston said. "I have just such (a) good vibe about Fair Haven and I've heard such wonderful things about Sickles School. I'm also thrilled to be getting back to working with students again ? as well as teachers."

Cronin read a portion of "one of many" references sent to her on Alston's behalf, pointing out that it encapsulized the very reasons why she was chosen for the job:

"Susan is a leader and a lifelong learner ... She is well suited to this career path because of her personal and professional qualities ... She is cordial, respectful and caring; and, she listens, assesses and acts in a thoughtful manner ...Susan gets along well with faculty, support staff, students and parents. She is intelligent, a quick learner and will ask for the advice and expertise of others when needed."?Cronin did not say who wrote that recommendation.

The search team, comprised of teachers, administrators, board members and a board committee, "all agreed that those were the things that drew us to Susan," Cronin said.

Last year in Holmdel, Alston appeared at public meetings at Indian Hill School and Village School to defend and explain the rollout of the Holmdel school district's new literary initiative, Readers Workshop, to parents critical of the program and unhappy with its demands.

A subsequent review by a board of education curriculum committee affirmed the value of the program, but made recommendations to allow it to be more flexibile, and to provide more ways for the schools to communicate student progress with parents.?

Alston's resignation has not been announced by the Holmdel Board of Education.?

This Rumson-Fair Haven Patch article includes additional reporting by Christina Johnson of Holmdel-Hazlet Patch.

Source: http://holmdel-hazlet.patch.com/articles/holmdels-humanities-chief-leaves-for-for-post-as-a-fair-haven-school-principal

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Teenage brothers charged with killing NJ girl, 12

CLAYTON, N.J. (AP) ? Hundreds of people distraught by the slaying of a 12-year-old New Jersey girl have sought relief from their grief during a healing service Tuesday night at a local church.

More than 600 people packed the Clayton Baptist Church for the one-hour program with some of the crowd spilling over outside.

Family, friends and community members wept as they recalled the life of Autumn Pasquale, who disappeared while riding her bicycle Saturday, a little more than a week before what would have been her 13th birthday.

Two brothers, ages 15 and 17, have been charged with murdering her.

Autumn's uncle, Paul Spadofora, said Tuesday night that Autumn's family feels law enforcement officials acted too slowly in their search for the girl.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/teenage-brothers-charged-killing-nj-girl-12-225003810.html

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Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Young Web Users Prefer Internet to TV | FirstFound Blog


Posted on 24th October, 2012

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Today?s teens are tomorrow?s online customers ? and a recent study appears to show that the future will be bright for online businesses as the younger generation continue to embrace the internet and social networks.

While 12-15 year olds have traditionally spent most of their media time watching TV (which is why the parents amongst our readers will have noticed a rise in adverts making use of ?pester-power?), a new report from Ofcom shows that teenagers are turning off the TV set and logging on to the internet. Usually with their trusty smartphones.

And it appears that they?re embracing the web at ever younger ages:

?Children?are not just using more media, they are also adopting some forms at a very young age.?This highlights the challenge that some parents face in keeping up with their children when it comes to technology.?

Claudio Pollack ? Consumer Group Director, Ofcom

This is great news for companies who are embracing new ways of promoting their products and services, as it means that even greater numbers of Britons will use the web as their primary method of researching and making purchases in the near future. Because within the next five years, 16 year old internet?aficionados?will become valuable and valued online customers.

So it might be time for you to consider how you?re using the internet to market your business?

Online Kids and Teens ? The Stats

  • ?12-15 year olds spend an average on 17 hours per week online
  • Under 18s are more likely to access the web using a mobile phone
  • 62% of teens own a smartphone such as an iPhone or Android device
  • Smartphone ownership is more widespread among girls
  • 81% of 12-15 year olds use a social networking website

Key Lessons for Businesses

  • You?re going to need a mobile-friendly website?
  • Maintaining a social profile is going to become more important?
  • If you don?t have an online presence, the next generation of customers won?t know that you exist

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FirstFound is hiring. If you?re from a sales or account management background, we need a new?Web Design Account Manager. We also need an experienced administrator to fill our?Senior Administrator/Customer Service Executive?position.

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This entry was posted in FirstFound News, Technology. Bookmark the permalink.

Source: http://www.firstfound-blog.co.uk/other/technology/younger-web-user-internet-tv/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=younger-web-user-internet-tv

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Motherhood Moment: Parenting Pointers: Protecting Kids Through ...

A new school year causes many parents to renew focus on the well-being of their children, particularly those seeing their kids leave for college for the first time.

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During a conference call with clients, John O. McManus (top AV-rated trusts & estates attorney and founding principal of Tri-State-Area-based McManus & Associates) offered valuable insight on potential circumstances to anticipate and plan for with loved ones ranging from young children to young adults. Speaking from experience working with prosperous and successful clients across generations for more than two decades, he explains the importance of putting in place protections including a Power of Attorney and Health Care Proxy.

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Below find his top 10 planning issues for recently emancipated children (over 18) and minors.

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1.????? Legal and medical risks for children upon reaching age 18, legal adulthood.? What happens if they are in a car accident or are hospitalized?? How can we access medical and school records?

???????? Once your children are legal adults, you are no longer able to automatically make medical decisions on their behalf, access their medical records, or take any other action for their benefit if they are unable to do so.

???????? Additionally, parents will not have automatic access to their child?s financial accounts if they are over the age of 18.

???????? Adult children must consider completing a Health Care Proxy, Durable Power of Attorney, and an Authorization for Release of Protected Health Information to provide their parents with the authority to act with respect to their medical, legal, and financial needs if they are incapacitated or otherwise unable to handle their own affairs.

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2.????? Overseas travel and study abroad.? What are the necessities when your child is overseas?

???????? If your child is away from home in college or out of the country on a semester abroad expedient access to the child?s medical and financial records can become even more critical in a moment of urgent need

???????? Colleges will not release a student?s medical records, even to parents, if the student is over the age of 18. This may be extremely detrimental to a child?s well-being in a physical or emotional medical emergency. Advance planning can facilitate communication between the foreign hospitals and parents.

3.????? Upon reaching age 18, does your child require a will?

???????? We believe that broadly the answer is no. Most young adults do not possess assets sufficient to merit the use of a Last Will and Testament.

???????? However, if larger accounts have been inherited by an adult child or if the adult child owns shares in a family business, a Last Will and Testament may be a critical component in the family?s overall estate plan to avoid unintentional beneficiaries and estate tax implications.

???????? The will should provide direction for a power of appointment to allow your child to appoint trust assets to descendants and/or a spouse.

4.????? Your child is an adult.? Should you appoint him or her as your representative in your incapacity planning?

???????? Adult children may be the best choice to name as fiduciaries to make the parents? medical and/or financial decisions.

???????? They may be appointed in the documents to serve at a future date when a certain age is reached, such as 25.

???????? Your child can be included in the documents at a younger age (as a teenager, for example), with authority to act at the age determined to be best (25, for example).

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5.????? Your child is an adult.? Should you make outright gifts to them?? What are the risks of these gifts and custodial accounts?

???????? Outright gifts to adult children should not exceed a certain amount as outright gifts are exposed to attack and may deter your child from making his or her own way in the world.

???????? Presently, $13,000 from each parent or grandparent can be transferred on an annual basis to each child and grandchild. Additionally, up to $5.0M can be transferred gift tax free to children and grandchildren.

???????? A better way to make larger gifts to children is in lifetime trusts that will protect the assets against any unintended diversions or reversals (i.e. divorce, law suits, creditors, etc.) that a child may encounter, while still providing for the child?s needs and allow the child to maintain a certain quality of life.

???????? We often recommend that a child serve as co-trustee at age 30 and sole trustee at age 40.

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6.????? Your 25-year-old (or younger) child is getting married.? Should you review with them whether a prenuptial agreement is necessary to protect the family assets?

???????? Having the discussion about a prenuptial agreement can be beneficial for both the parents and child who is about to be married. Clear financial foresight in advance of a wedding can be helpful to planning for a successful marriage.

???????? Certain assets, which are intended to stay within the family, can be protected.

???????? Significant work has been put into creating trusts for your children so that there is little risk of diversion, but a child can empty the trusts. Children should be well versed in the overall strategy to invest the assets in trust instead.

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  1. Your child is under 18.? What are the medical risks if you are unavailable?

???????? In the event that the parents or guardians are unavailable and minor children require medical care, a hospital or doctor's office will reject the treatment that the child needs, unless there is a clear risk of death.

???????? In the past, care providers have been sued for wrongly treating children without the consent of the parents and now mandate formal written permission from a child's parents if they are not present or cannot be contacted.

???????? Someone local should be appointed to assist in getting your child admitted to the hospital.

???????? In order to assure that minor children are treated properly and immediately, their Health Care Proxy and Authorization for Release of Protected Health Information will name representatives who will be able to (i) receive their critical medical information; and (ii) make medical decisions for them if the parents are unable to do so.

???????? A set of the documents should be kept at the house, in a place that is easily accessible such as inside the kitchen cabinet door.

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8.????? Your child is under 18.? What if both parents pass away or become incapacitated?? What must a comprehensive plan to protect this child address in addition to appointing guardians?

???????? The Wills we prepare provide comprehensive directions for the guardians that outline expectations and wishes for the minor child's upbringing.

???????? These instructions may include an advisory group to assist the guardians in making decisions and understanding the parents? objectives and guidance regarding priorities for education, medical treatment, household support, and other important considerations.

???????? A family mission statement will assist with direction for your children and may be critical if a child has special needs.

?

9.????? Passports for children. What is the relevance of children of foreign nationality having a passport in the foreign jurisdiction? If your children are foreign born or going overseas, are passports current in the event of an emergency??

???????? Always the best course of action will be to keep children?s passports current. Even expedited passports can take weeks to process. In the event of an emergency, it is critical that all children?s passports are current.

???????? Without a legal guardian, a child will not be given a passport. A third party must be authorized in the absence of a legal guardian. This may be expedited by a signed and notarized document prepared by parents appointing this individual.

???????? If children of foreign nationality living in the US must move abroad to live with the guardian named in the will, having a passport from the same country as the guardian can speed up the departure process since there will be no need to wait for a visa approval.

???????? Finally, most airlines have policies regarding accompaniment of a minor for air travel.

?

10.?? Your child is under 18 and your selected guardians reside overseas. What are the risks to getting them ?home??

???????? NY will not appoint a non-US citizen guardian and will require a local co-guardian who can assist in moving the child abroad.

???????? A foreign guardian can serve alone in NJ, CT, or FL; however, the courts will look at the best interest of a child and may request that a local co-guardian be named.

???????? NJ will send paperwork for guardianship to the Embassy or Consulate office in the country where the named guardian resides. The testamentary guardian will have to sign the papers at the Embassy, and sole guardianship may be granted.

???????? Additionally, a Last Will and Testament should name temporary guardians in the United States. The temporary guardians assist in the process of transferring the children overseas to be united with the appointed guardians. A temporary guardian can also be critical if the child is an infant or requires other forms of immediate care.

???????? In order for the child to live abroad long-term, he or she will need to apply for a visa to the country of destination. Visa applications can require health screenings, background checks, and other time-consuming tasks that delay the child?s departure from the U.S. If the guardian named in the will cannot make it to the U.S. to take custody, a temporary local guardian can help navigate this process.

Trap for the unwary: Children in the U.S. with a green card are only permitted to leave the country for a period of one year before needing to reapply for re-entry to America. After a two-year period, the green card will expire.

?

McManus & Associates has developed a 10-Step Wealth and Family Values Protection Process? to guard your assets for the benefit of loved ones and to help continue a legacy of family values through generations. Visit http://mcmanuslegal.com/services/10-step-process/ to learn more.

Source: http://motherhood-moment.blogspot.com/2012/10/parenting-pointers-protecting-kids.html

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Majority of Gen X can't identify home galaxy

Identifying your home or street from a Google Earth image may be tough enough, but what about your cosmic address? Turns out, fewer than 50 percent of adults ages 37 to 40 know that humans live in the spiral Milky Way galaxy.

That's according to a new report of more than 4,000 American adults who make up the core of Generation X.

"Knowing your cosmic address is not a necessary job skill, but it is an important part of human knowledge about our universe and ? to some extent ? about ourselves," study author Jon D. Miller said in a statement.

Miller is the director of the Longitudinal Study of American Youth at the University of Michigan Institute for Social Research. Beginning in 1986, with funding from the National Science Foundation, scientists have collected data about the lives and knowledge of Generation X.

In the latest installment of the study, Miller showed participants a Hubble Space Telescope image of a spiral galaxy and asked them to identify the picture. The participants were asked to identify the image first in an open-ended question and then in a multiple-choice setup. [Infographic: Our Milky Way Galaxy]

  1. Science news from NBCNews.com

    1. Micro close-ups are creepy ? and cool!

      Science editor Alan Boyle's blog: Small wonders can be icky as well as clicky, as this year's top images in the Nikon Small World Photomicrography Competition demonstrate.

    2. Grandma gets credit for humans' long lives
    3. Puppies learn to catch yawns as they grow
    4. Majority of Gen X can't identify home galaxy

Just 43 percent of participants gave an answer saying the image represented a galaxy like our own. And men had a leg up, with 53 percent of males and 32 percent of females nailing their cosmic location to some degree. Those with less than a high-school education fared the worst, with just 21 percent knowing our cosmic address, compared with 63 percent of those with doctorates or professional degrees who said the same.

"One of the factors that contributes to this educational difference is exposure to college-level science courses," Miller said. "The United States is unique in its requirement that all college students complete one year of college science courses as part of a general education requirement."

Though four out of five participants indicated they had seen this type of space-telescope image before, often online, 60 percent said this was the first time they took a careful look at such an image.

Those who correctly identified the sparkly swirl as a spiral galaxy like the one we live in were more likely than the "cosmically lost" participants to agree with the statements:

  • "When I see images like this, I am reminded of the vastness of the universe" (70 percent versus 53 percent).
  • "Images like this show how small and fragile planet Earth is in the context of the universe" (58 percent versus 44 percent).
  • "Seeing images like this make me want to learn more about the nature of the universe" (27 percent versus 19 percent).
  • "It is very likely that there is intelligent life at many places in the universe" (39 percent versus 26 percent).
  • However, those in the know about the Milky Way were slightly less likely than the other participants to agree that "the size and complexity of the universe proves the greatness of God's creation" (45 percent versus 51 percent, respectively).

"Unlike our distant ancestors who thought the Earth was the center of the universe, we know that we live on a small planet in a heliosphere surrounding a moderate-sized star that is part of a spiral galaxy," Miller said. "There may be important advantages in the short-term ? the next million years or so ? to knowing where we are and something about our cosmic neighborhood."

With the rise of the Internet, Miller noted, such images and cosmic information are more accessible than ever. Even so, he said, "some of the science information on the Internet is incorrect or misleading." When asked, participants indicated the most trusted Internet resources for universe-related information included a NASA website, a program or exhibit at a planetarium or museum, a PBS Nova science show, a Discovery Channel science show and a lecture by an astronomy professor. The least trusted sources: a lecture by a leader of a church or religious group.

The headline on an earlier version of this report mischaracterized the proportion of respondents who correctly identified the spiral galaxy picture. Follow LiveScience on Twitter @livescience. We're also on Facebook and Google+.

? 2012 LiveScience.com. All rights reserved.

Source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/49519771/ns/technology_and_science-science/

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Tuesday, October 23, 2012

NY man gets watch back 53 years after theft

(AP) ? A man in upstate New York finally has his wristwatch back, 53 years after it was stolen.

Ed Grigor says he had long ago forgotten about the 23-jewel wristwatch stolen when he was in the Navy.

Then last month the Binghamton-area man got a call from a Las Vegas couple. They were able to track down Grigor because his name was engraved on the back of the watch.

The Press and Sun Bulletin of Binghamton (http://press.sn/XJqC6c ) reports that the mother of the woman who tracked down Grigor owned a guest house frequented by Navy servicemen stationed in Virginia Beach. When they ran low on money, she would hold collateral until they paid their bills, but some never came back.

When the woman's mother died, the watch was found among her possessions.

Grigor now calls his watch Time Traveler.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/aa9398e6757a46fa93ed5dea7bd3729e/Article_2012-10-22-Wristwatch%20Returned/id-62a67a08cf6947c4b7c4b1d0795bc9dc

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NY nurse testifies about scuffle with RFK son

MOUNT KISCO, N.Y. (AP) ? A maternity ward nurse testified in tears Monday that a son of the late Sen. Robert F. Kennedy twisted her arm and kicked another nurse to the floor as he tried to leave a suburban hospital with his newborn son.

The nurses tried to stop Douglas Kennedy because there had been no order for the baby's release "and I felt there was a security risk," said the witness, Anna Lane.

She said Kennedy told her he didn't need permission.

Kennedy went on trial Monday in Mount Kisco Town Court on charges of harassment and child endangerment. He calls the charges absurd. He says he was just taking the baby, 2-day-old Anthony Boru Kennedy, for some fresh air outside Northern Westchester Hospital.

But nurses testified that would have been very irregular. Angela Adamo said that when Kennedy approached the nurses' station with his request, she tried to dissuade him because it "didn't seem to make much sense to me."

She also said the baby, in a hat and blanket, wasn't appropriately dressed for a January evening.

Kennedy, the baby cradled in his right arm, was not persuaded and moved to the elevator and stairwell, where Lane and another nurse, Carrie Luciano, tried to block the way, Lane testified.

"He grabbed my left hand ... and twisted my arm," Lane said. "He kicked Carrie and she went flying in one direction and he went in the other direction."

The prosecution played choppy time-lapse surveillance video for Judge John Donohue, who is hearing the case without a jury. The video showed Luciano falling to the floor near the elevator but did not show what caused her fall.

Lane broke down during her testimony and on cross-examination said recounting the incident was traumatic. But Kennedy's lawyer, Robert Gottlieb, pointed out that she had gone on NBC's "Today" show in February, "with a heck of a lot more people watching than are in this courtroom" to talk about it.

He also got Lane to say she is contemplating a lawsuit, reading from her lawyer's settlement offer to Kennedy, which was rejected.

The witnesses testified about a flurry of alarms that were set off during the incident. One blared when Kennedy allegedly took a security band off the baby boy. Two hospital-wide alarms ? "code purple" and "code pink" ? were called in to declare a disorderly situation and a missing baby.

Defense lawyer Celia Gordon said the "code pink" was inappropriate because it's meant for baby abductions. Nurse Angela Adamo said she ordered the "code pink" when she heard someone say, "He's taking the baby." But she also testified that she never thought Kennedy would fail to return with the infant.

In her opening statement, Gordon said Kennedy was acting on instinct rather than intent when he kicked at Lane.

But prosecutor Amy Puerto said Kennedy did not stop until he encountered a security guard on a stairwell. She alleged he said to the guard, "Do you know who I am?"

The hospital's security chief, Eric Hartmann, testified that he called Mount Kisco police when he heard about the incident. On cross-examination, he acknowledged that he did not have much information about what had happened and told police it was "some kind of custody thing."

Kennedy's wife, Molly, came to court with him on Monday. The couple issued a statement in February that said, "Our simple desire to take our son outside for fresh air has been warped into a charge of child endangerment."

Kennedy is the 10th of 11 children of Robert and Ethel Kennedy. His father was assassinated in 1968. President John F. Kennedy, his uncle, was assassinated in 1963.

Kennedy's arrest was the beginning of a difficult year for the Kennedys in New York. His sister-in-law, Mary Kennedy, hanged herself in May in Bedford. His sister, Kerry Kennedy, has pleaded not guilty to drug-impaired driving after an accident on Interstate 684.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/ny-nurse-testifies-scuffle-rfk-son-233642332.html

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Thread: Ghost Recon Online - TeamPlayer Gaming

  1. Ghost Recon Online

    So I saw this game on an upcoming list of action shooters. It's in open beta, and I must say it's very impressive. It's not a run and gun shooter. You need use cover, communicate, and push objectives. It's also a free game, and has in-game VOIP system that works flawlessly. Even though it's F2P it's not pay to win, and everything can be unlocked by just playing. I really think it could be a lot fun for TPG gamers, and no one has a spend a dime to play it. Added a few videos so you can see how game works.
    Last edited by Tenrou; 10-21-12 at 08:42 PM.


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    Source: http://www.teamplayergaming.com/game-discussions/106314-ghost-recon-online.html

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    Monday, October 22, 2012

    Kevlar Vest Assault gear ? Social Networking Community - Powered ...

    Most Vie in the Reference and Education:Survival and Emergency Category (60 first aid kits days)

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    For more information on how to construct a root cellar, and how it can be beneficial to you and your survival,.

    For hundreds, maybe even thousands of years, people have used root cellars as cool, dry places to store food. Or you could just dig a hole in the earth and stash some stuff in it I would recommend the former. It will act as a safe place to store survival gear and tazer food. Not only is an underground cellar a great place to store food and supplies that you may be stockpiling, but if things do "go South", an underground pepper spray sports authority sport emergency preparedness cellar is a good place to stay (at least temporarily) until things calm down a bit. For some people it is, but for me, growing my own fruits and vegetables armor vest and saving my own seed is the key to survival.

    We need to know how to survive pepper spray paintballs paintball gun on our own.

    Obviously, the human race has managed to survive and flourish, so blackhawk tactical I think it's a good idea to look at what our forefathers did to survive harsh times. I don't think that really counts as a hobby. / My number one focus legacy police gear is growing my own food. The only person you can count on is yourself, if you molle gear ask me.

    Root cellars were the original basements.

    Most Recent from the Reference and Education:Survival and Emergency Category. By using the natural landscape available to us, we can basically build an underground storage facility, tactical holster which can, once completed, blend right back into the landscape and be very hard to detect. Depending on how much time and energy you have, you can build a very large undergound cellar, with rooms, shelving, stun gun good ventilation, etc. And as previously stated, it can be used as a place to live during the initial stages of any kind of crisis just make sure you have warm clothes and blankets, as an underground root cellar can get really cold. The government is trying to "help" us all with GMOs and welfare, but it's all a crock.

    The way I figure it, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

    Source: http://www.sdmommies.com/blog/9216/kevlar-vest-assault-gear/

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    TV, devices in kids' bedrooms linked to poor sleep, obesity

    ScienceDaily (Oct. 22, 2012) ? Children who bask in the nighttime glow of a TV or computer don't get enough rest and suffer from poor lifestyle habits, new research from the University of Alberta has shown.

    A province-wide survey of Grade 5 students in Alberta showed that as little as one hour of additional sleep decreased the odds of being overweight or obese by 28 per cent and 30 per cent, respectively. Children with one or more electronic devices in the bedroom -- TVs, computers, video games and cellphones -- were also far more likely to be overweight or obese.

    "If you want your kids to sleep better and live a healthier lifestyle, get the technology out of the bedroom," said co-author Paul Veugelers, a professor in the School of Public Health, Canada Research Chair in Population Health and Alberta Innovates -- Health Solutions Health Scholar.

    Veugelers, director of the Population Health Intervention Research Unit that works with the Alberta Project Promoting active Living and healthy Eating (APPLE Schools), said the research is the first to connect the dots on the relationship between sleep, diet and physical activity among kids.

    Nearly 3,400 Grade 5 students were asked about their nighttime sleep habits and access to electronics through the REAL Kids Alberta survey. Half of the students had a TV, DVD player or video game console in their bedroom, 21 per cent had a computer and 17 per cent had a cellphone. Five per cent of students had all three types of devices.

    Some 57 per cent of students reported using electronics after they were supposed to be asleep, with watching TV and movies being the most popular activity. Twenty-seven per cent of students engaged in three or more activities after bedtime.

    Researchers found that students with access to one electronic device were 1.47 times as likely to be overweight as kids with no devices in the bedroom. That increased to 2.57 times for kids with three devices, with similar results reported among obese children.

    More sleep also led to significantly more physical activity and better diet choices, researchers found.

    Co-author Christina Fung noted that children today are not sleeping as much as previous generations, with two-thirds not getting the recommended hours of sleep per night. In addition to healthy lifestyle habits, a good night's sleep has been linked to better academic outcomes, fewer mood disorders and other positive health outcomes, she said.

    "It's important to teach these children at an earlier age and teach them healthy habits when they are younger."

    The research was published in September by the journal Pediatric Obesity, in an early online release. The REAL Kids Alberta evaluation was funded through a contract with Alberta Health.

    Share this story on Facebook, Twitter, and Google:

    Other social bookmarking and sharing tools:


    Story Source:

    The above story is reprinted from materials provided by University of Alberta. The original article was written by Bryan Alary.

    Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above.


    Journal Reference:

    1. H. Chahal, C. Fung, S. Kuhle, P. J. Veugelers. Availability and night-time use of electronic entertainment and communication devices are associated with short sleep duration and obesity among Canadian children. Pediatric Obesity, 2012; DOI: 10.1111/j.2047-6310.2012.00085.x

    Note: If no author is given, the source is cited instead.

    Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.

    Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/most_popular/~3/rYuzryFhJ50/121022145344.htm

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    What You Will Need To Understand About Plus ... - Womens Interest

    ?

    Becoming stunning will not imply that you simply need to be slim and slender. The fact is, the definition of beauty is no longer skin deep thus girls with plus sized figures are now regarded as attractive despite their flaws. At this time, there are many fashion designers who?re committed to producing clothes solely for their robust customers hence massive women can appear good just too.

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    For anyone who is one of several lots of plus sized females who would like to look wonderful, then it truly is vital which you know a bit bit in the ideas in fashion. The main thought right here is for you personally to hide the problem areas inside your body nevertheless, it does not imply that you should put on baggy tees and jeans. Choosing the suitable clothes for the physique sort doesn?t imply which you ought to only buy individuals that can hide your flaws but additionally flaunt whatever assets that you simply may have.

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    Most plus sized ladies have their cleavage as their biggest assets so it?s essential that you simply put on clothes that can flaunt a bit of it devoid of searching lewd. Wearing clothes that generally include a modest V-cut neckline can successfully draw the consideration of individuals on your neck area. In addition, wearing clothes that have the empire cut can also be excellent for individuals who wish to hide their waistline, hips and stomach.

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    When getting clothes, avoid purchasing individuals which might be dark colored despite the fact that they have slimming effects. Wearing clothes using a single shade of color will absolutely pass you up as boring so if you?d like to look excellent, don?t be afraid to experiment on wearing colored clothes but avoid individuals that include incredibly loud prints. However, in case you think that a specific color is fattening, then put on it anyway but ensure that you put on the proper accessories with it.

    ?

    Accessories, although basic, can do many wonders on the subject of creating you appear slim so ensure that you may have lengthy necklaces along with dangling earrings in your wardrobe. Vertical or extended accessories are likely to make you look slimmer than stout and short accessories. Moreover, be sure that you also get accessories which are produced up of big beads or stones to ensure that they will stand out far more.

    ?

    You can reach lots of confidence by wearing the appropriate clothes. In addition, be sure that you have got lots of entertaining with all the clothes that you are wearing to ensure that you may be capable of stand out much more in the crowd. Have exciting!

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    Tags: plus sized fashion

    Source: http://womensinterest.dansk.org/uncategorized/what-you-will-need-to-understand-about-plus-sized-fashion/

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    Sunday, October 21, 2012

    5 things that could sink Windows 8

    10 hrs.

    The Windows?8 launch is finally upon us, and I guarantee you there are a lot of nervous people in Redmond right now. How could they not be?

    You?re about to launch a new version of your operating system that is such a radical departure from what PC users have come to expect that it should be called "Windows We Hope You?re Ready for Something Really Different." Sheer inertia is certainly a concern. After all, the Live Tiles, panoramic Modern-style interface and new tools like the Charms menu all require a learning curve. But that?s not the biggest challenge Microsoft?faces. These are.

    1. Hardware is too pricey
    One of the biggest reasons ultrabooks haven?t sold as well as Intel and its partners expected is that prices haven?t come down fast enough. You can finally find some in the $699 range, but that?s still about $200 more than the typical budget laptop.

    Now, shoppers will be asked to pony up $1,100 to $1,200 to enjoy touch-based convertibles like the Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga, Sony VAIO Duo 11 and Dell XPS 12. Intel shared with us recently that its own studies show that consumers are willing to pay $150 to $200 more for touch, but I?m not sure that will fly in a down economy and a holiday season dominated by the cheap iPad mini, Kindle Fire and Nexus 7.

    Windows RT devices like Microsoft?s Surface are more affordable at $499, the same as the iPad. But opting for the Touch Cover keyboard (the accessory being touted in Microsoft?s ads) brings the price to $599.

    Windows 8-powered hybrids like the $749 Acer Iconia W510 (with keyboard) and Samsung Ativ Smart PC 500T (I swear I?m not making that name up) don?t have the same sexy industrial design as the Surface, but their Atom processors make these devices more versatile because users can run traditional desktop apps. You can get the W510 without a keyboard for a reasonable $499.

    [MORE: Top 10 Windows 8 Hybrids]

    2. Windows 8 vs. Windows RT confusion
    Shoppers will have a tough time telling the difference between the two flavors of new Windows devices on shelves this holiday season, because they both feature the same slick Live Tile interface. But there is a huge difference between the two platforms.

    In a nutshell, Windows 8 PCs can run any app downloaded from the Windows Store as well as all desktop applications. Windows RT tablets and hybrids (powered by ARM processors) will be limited to Windows Store apps and Microsoft?s Office 2013, even though you?ll still be able to access the desktop for things like transferring files?off a USB drive.

    Sounds like a pretty simple delineation, but as The Verge proved with some undercover testing, Microsoft?s own store employees don?t know the difference between the two operating systems. Microsoft responded to this eye-opening report by saying that all of its sales reps will receive 15 hours of training before launch. The clock is ticking.

    [MORE: 8 Windows 8 Annoyances and How to Fix Them]

    3. Not enough apps
    At last count there were nearly 3,500 apps in the Windows Store. And while there are a handful of compelling options so far, there are a lot more holes in Microsoft?s lineup than I would expect at this late stage. Where is Facebook? Twitter? YouTube? Dropbox? Angry Birds??

    The good news: Microsoft will unveil plenty of high-profile apps either at the launch of its OS or shortly thereafter, hopefully filling in a fair number of these holes. But I still have serious concerns about the breadth of options that will be available. After all, Apple has 250,000 apps just for the iPad, thanks to its huge head start.

    Microsoft also needs to prove that Windows 8 is a viable gaming platform and not just rest on the Xbox name, as it has done with Windows Phone. Shoppers need to see console-quality eye candy along with casual fare. I?m encouraged by the fact that the Unreal Engine III has been ported to Windows 8, however, which should help lead to Infinity Blade-style titles in the Windows Store. Titles based on the Unity engine will come after launch.

    [MORE: Top 20 Windows 8 Apps]

    4. Crappy touchpads
    Sure, Windows 8 works best with touch, but the sweet spot for most shoppers right now is $500 clamshell designs that rely on touchpads. Based on previous experience, I?m very worried that these pointing devices won?t deliver the smooth gesture support that will add up to a good user experience. On a lot of pre-production samples I?ve tried the touchpad didn?t always respond when I swiped in from the left to switch apps. And most of them didn?t support the gesture to move in from the left and quickly back to the right to see all of your open apps.

    If notebook vendors can?t make pinch-to- zoom work well or two-finger scrolling, they?ll have an even harder time getting Windows 8 gestures to work reliably. I?m really hoping Synaptics, Microsoft and OEMs get it right, but it will probably take a while.

    [MORE: Crappy Touchpads Could Kill the Ultrabook]

    5. Macs on the rise
    Microsoft shouldn?t just be concerned about the iPad and the rumored "iPad Mini." It should take note that Apple is now No. 1 in notebook sales in the U.S. The 13-inch MacBook Pro is consistently the top seller at retail, and all you need to do is peek inside any coffee shop to see a sea of MacBook Airs. I?ve said this before, but the Mac's?OS X?Mountain Lion could prove more attractive than Windows 8?to those looking for a more traditional operating system this holiday, especially for those who own other Apple devices and like the idea of having iCloud keeping everything in sync.

    [MORE:?10 Reasons to Drop Windows for Mountain Lion]

    Bottom line
    Microsoft is reportedly spending $1.5 billion to launch and promote Windows 8, and the company has never been under more pressure to make sure that shoppers get the message. But what is that message? Is it that you can have your cake and eat it too with a Windows 8 PC that runs mobile and ?legacy? apps? That you can get all-day battery life, iPad-like portability and Office productivity with a Windows RT device? It?s actually all of the above, which is a big part of the challenge.

    Although Microsoft?having a hero device like the Surface tablet?helps, Windows 8 will succeed or fail not based on how well the Surface fares. Just as with every other Windows launch, Microsoft will once again rely on an ecosystem of app developers and hardware?makers to make its software sing. All of the above five obstacles are not insurmountable, but they?re very real.

    LAPTOP?editor-in-chief Mark Spoonauer directs?online and print editorial content and has been covering mobile and wireless technology for over a decade. Each week Mark?s SpoonFed column provides his insights and analysis of the biggest mobile trends and news. You can also follow him on Twitter.

    More?from LAPTOP:

    Source: http://www.nbcnews.com/technology/technolog/5-things-could-sink-windows-8-1C6579394

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