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Army's life-or-death drama: To combat suicides, service introduces interactiv...
Alarmed by a record rate of suicide in its ranks, the Army yesterday unveiled a unique prevention tool -- an interactive video to be mandatory viewing Army-wide -- in which soldiers will play the role of an anguished infantryman and make virtual choices that lead the character to get help or, in the worst case, shoot himself in the head.
"This is you: Specialist Kyle Norton," a male narrator begins, putting soldiers in the boots of a 19-year-old Midwesterner after a bomb-clearing mission in Iraq.
The video, titled "Beyond the Front," leads the viewer through a detailed drama in which Norton is hit by relationship troubles, financial problems and scrapes with the law -- what Army research shows are major events that precipitate suicide. Norton is blindsided by an e-mail from his fiancee, who has become pregnant by another man. He is devastated further when one of his best friends is killed in an ambush.
Questions pop onto the screen at key moments, prompting the viewer to decide whether to get help -- by opening up with buddies, Norton's sergeant or a chaplain. Depending on the choices, Norton edges toward recovery or sinks deeper into suicidal thoughts. The goal is to immerse the viewer into Norton's life in a way that makes preventive lessons stick, say Army officials and the video's creators.
The video is one of several initiatives launched by the Army to try to stem the suicide rate among active-duty soldiers. That rate increased from 12.4 per 100,000 in 2003, when the Iraq war started, to 18.1 per 100,000 last year.
This year, 93 active-duty soldiers killed themselves through the end of August, the latest data show. A third of those cases are under investigation by the Armed Forces Medical Examiner's Office. In all of 2007, 115 soldiers committed suicide. Suicide attempts by soldiers have also increased since 2003.
If the trend continues, the death rate this year is likely to exceed that of a demographically similar segment of the U.S. population -- 19.5 per 100,000, Stephens said -- which has not happened since the Vietnam War Alarmed by a record rate of suicide in its ranks, the Army yesterday unveiled a unique prevention tool -- an interactive video to be m... more -
Joe Davidson - Memo to New Agency Heads: Listen to Staff - washingtonpost.com
If you buy a new car, it comes with an owner's manual.
If you buy a dresser from Ikea, instructions tell you how to put it together.
If you become the boss of a federal agency, good luck.
Jonathan D. Breul wants the next set of government managers to have more than luck. His 22 years at the Office of Management and Budget, rising to become the top career executive for management policies, taught him that the officials who come to town with any new administration need more than the on-the-job training they usually get.
So, now, in his current role as executive director of the IBM Center for the Business of Government, Breul and three colleagues -- Mark A. Abramson, John M. Kamensky and G. Martin Wagner -- have produced two how-to volumes for those who will run government agencies and their senior teams, including political appointees and civil servants.
IBM funds the 10-year-old center, which conducts practical research with an eye toward making the public sector more efficient. The two books, "The Operator's Manual for the New Administration," and "Getting it Done: A Guide for Government Executives," offer practical lessons in an accessible, nicely packaged, well-written form.
The books aren't very long, which is a good thing. Each is less than 200 pages and they are organized in a way that allows readers to jump from topic to topic in order of interest. Bureaucracies run on memos and the authors creatively use that model to the reader's advantage. Each chapter of "The Operator's Manual" begins with information in memo form. For example, chapter three begins:
"Memorandum for the heads of executive departments and agencies
Subject: People"
Under the heading "develop effective relationships," the memo advises the new bosses: "It is crucial that you develop a good working relationship with your own employees. . . . Based on the experience of many previous agency heads in government, spending an appropriate amount of time with your union representatives to forge an effective working relationship can be beneficial."
Innovation, a topic too often overlooked in management discussions, has a chapter that encourages executives to "recognize that employees, especially those who are on the front line of your organization and who regularly deal with your agency's customers, often are the source of innovative services that can benefit your customers."
The companion to "The Operator's Manual" is "Getting it Done." It begins with a "to do" list of six items, including learning what actions must be taken quickly and assembling a political/career team. If you buy a new car, it comes with an owner's manual. ... more -
Colleges Unable to Access Funds due to Bank's Failure
Are you one og them?
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This will CHANGE your LIFE, and HELP EMPOWER you to MAKE a DIFFERENCE in ~OUR~ WO...
Zeitgeist: Addendum !!!
The video posted is a trailer for what you are about to watch.
This is one of the most powerful and informative films ever !!!!
Watching the FULL VERSION will definitely IMPACT the way you THINK and will give you the info NEEDED to understand OUR WORLD TODAY !!!!
Take the time to watch it !!!! I truly believe that we can Save our race and our planet by finding out the truth of what is going on....and THE LAST HOUR OF THE FILM IS ABOUT SOLUTIONS !!!!!!
If you doubt, or think you know about this topic.... then watch it, and then we'll debate...
Here is the Link for the FULL VERSION !!!
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=706520527769592... Zeitgeist: Addendum !!! The video posted is a trailer for what you are about to watch. ... more -
Western Aircraft Forced to Land in Iran
Iranian news reports say Iran forced a Western aircraft that accidentally entered its airspace to land, then allowed the plane to continue after questioning its passengers. Iranian news reports say Iran forced a Western aircraft that accidentally entered its airspace to land, then allowed the plane to cont... more
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Researchers call off controversial autism study
A government agency has dropped plans to test a controversial treatment for autism that critics had called an unethical experiment on children. A government agency has dropped plans to test a controversial treatment for autism that critics had called an unethical experiment on ... more
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House Adopts Plan to Ease Offshore Drilling Ban - NYTimes.com
WASHINGTON — The House on Tuesday night approved a measure that would ease a longstanding ban on offshore oil drilling and try to spur greater use of alternative fuels as Democrats and Republicans engaged in a bitter pre-election clash over America’s energy future.
Under the Democratic legislation, adopted by a vote of 236 to 189, oil companies would lose some tax benefits, utilities would be required to produce 15 percent of their electricity from renewable sources by 2020 and a ban on developing fuel from Rocky Mountain shale would be lifted.
The legislation, which faces significant hurdles to becoming law before Congress breaks at the end of the month, would allow drilling as close as 50 miles from the coastline if adjacent states agree and 100 miles out no matter a state’s position. It would impose stricter oversight on the agency that handles oil leasing and royalty payments after recent disclosures of improper relationships between its employees and oil industry representatives.
“We are opening up to 400 million acres off the Atlantic and Pacific coasts to drilling and expanding the availability of oil by at least 2 billion barrels,” said Representative Nick J. Rahall II, the West Virginia Democrat who leads the Natural Resources Committee. “And we have done so in a balanced, reasonable and responsible manner.”
Republicans, who have made political gains by portraying Democrats as flatly opposed to new drilling, said the measure was a sham intended to provide Democrats cover from voters furious over gas prices. They faulted it for failing to add incentives for coal and nuclear power and for not limiting environmental suits against drilling proposals. They also criticized Democrats for not negotiating with Republicans in writing the bill.
“We are engaged in exactly what the American people are sick of, and that is political games here in Washington that are intended to be political games and have no outcome,” said Representative John A. Boehner of Ohio, the Republican leader. WASHINGTON — The House on Tuesday night approved a measure that would ease a longstanding ban on offshore oil drilling and try to spur... more -
No Tiger no problem,
The United States and its 12 best golfers prepare to dethrone the Euro"s
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An American Carol [2008] Movie Trailer
An American Carol [2008] Movie Trailer :: videos.18d.org :: a cynical, Anti-American “Hollywood” filmmaker sets out on a crusade to abolish the 4th of July holiday. He is visited by 3 ghosts who take him on a hilarious journey in an attempt to show him the true meaning of America.
Cast: Kevin Farley, Kelsey Grammer, Trace Adkins, Robert Davi, Leslie Nielsen, Dennis Hopper, James Woods
Director: David Zucker
Genres: Parody/Spoof, Comedy, Holiday Film
Opens October 3, 2008 An American Carol [2008] Movie Trailer :: videos.18d.org :: a cynical, Anti-American “Hollywood” filmmaker sets out on a crusade to ab... more -
Bush to attack Al Qaida
U.S. President George Bush has reportedly authorized attacks on Taliban and al-Qaida targets in Pakistan. Military officials in Pakistan have condemned the incursions, which threaten the precarious political stability in Islamabad. U.S. President George Bush has reportedly authorized attacks on Taliban and al-Qaida targets in Pakistan. Military officials in Pakist... more
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N.Y.Giants win opener!!
The super bowl champs roll over helpless redskins. 16-7
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But on the other hand
Fox and the 3% of the Bush supporters disaagree wih world!!!
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No more free rides!!!
I can't wait until next year with all the team changes with JR Tony etc.
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Some pros stay pros after retiring
The New York Giants first to last ?
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How do they do this.
Thanks Kim start every saturday morning with you.
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Another reason not to vote for this man!
This man spent time with McCain the truth comes out in that situation.
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The couple who lived in a mall
After Michael Townsend and Adriana Yoto found their skyline blighted by a colossal mall, they protested it in an unusual way -- they moved in.
Excerpt - "They never intended to undermine the mall or its corporate structure, or to make a spectacle of themselves. Townsend describes himself as "wired for happiness" and Yoto's idea of a good time is cataloguing all the items in a store and rating their desirability from "gift-worthy" to "if-it-were-the-apocalypse-and-I-was-looting-I-would-take-it." Which is precisely what they did during their stint living at the mall. Every day.
Each of them voted in one item (a flashlight, space blanket, sketchbook and facecloth) and accepted an allowance of $20. "I had a lot of tea," said Yoto. They camouflaged themselves, carrying empty Nordstrom bags and wearing mall outfits -- nice slacks and button-down shirts (more of a stretch for Townsend, who will happily wear the same pair of sneakers until they're held together with tape). At night they had to skirt through a 2-foot-wide passage to the dark space Townsend had found, its walls and ceiling coated in what Yoto described as "opaque gray oatmeal mixed with the contents of a lint trap." They made a bed of cardboard and insulation tiles where they spent cold nights, not risking capture by using the mall off-hours. They washed up -- it was dusty -- in mall bathrooms, while Yoto arrived at the porcelain sink in the Origins store each morning, sampling its face cleansers. Occasionally, they leafed through books at Borders.
They were, after four days, both completely bored and totally ecstatic. "I felt this vacation-like euphoria that I've never felt till then or since then," Townsend said. "It was better for me than any nature walk I've every taken." Let's be clear: He's not being ironic -- this is wired-for-happiness talking. They felt they had subverted the mall's reason for existence by not buying anything, yet they had achieved what it promised: a release from the burdens of everyday life, within walking distance." After Michael Townsend and Adriana Yoto found their skyline blighted by a colossal mall, they protested it in an unusual way -- they m... more -
Female British aid worker gunned down as Taliban ambush kills four in Afghanistan
A British woman was among four aid workers killed on Wednesday when their vehicle was ambushed by Islamic militants in Afghanistan.
Dr Jacqueline Kirk, said to be of British-Canadian descent, was gunned down along with three other International Rescue Committee members as they traveled through Logar province to Kabul.
The aid workers were attacked despite their vehicle being clearly marked with the IRC logo, said a spokesman for the New York-based charity, which is yet to name the victims as it tries to contact their families.
Dr Kirk died along with two other female workers - a Canadian and Trinidadian-American - the IRC said. The fourth casualty was their Afghan driver.
The charity said it would be suspending humanitarian aid duties in Afghanistan after 20 years operating in the country.
IRC President George Rupp said: 'We are stunned and profoundly saddened by this tragic loss.
'These extraordinary individuals were deeply committed to aiding the people of Afghanistan, especially the children who have seen so much strife.
'Words are inadequate to express our sympathy for the families and loved ones of the victims and our devoted team of humanitarian aid workers in Afghanistan.'
The attack was carried out by five Islamic militant gunmen who stepped out of a small village area and fired at the IRC vehicle on the main road.
The attack on the eastern outskirts of the capital on Monday afternoon also wounded two other soldiers from 16 Signal Regiment.
Afghan officials said three civilians were killed and 12 injured. A British woman was among four aid workers killed on Wednesday when their vehicle was ambushed by Islamic militants in Afghanistan. ... more -
Baggage Fee Increase
Find out which airlines are charging up to $50 bucks for checked baggage.
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Kundumani
Tribute to a song about a girl named Kundumani
using dance and movement.
the singer: Freddy Silva(passed on some time ago)
Kundumani tribute : performance art piece
Sri Lankan-American style.
Created & Taped Jan. 2008 by LJEI Tribute to a song about a girl named Kundumani using dance and movement. the singer: Freddy Silva(passed on some time ago) ... more
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