Samsung invites public to Galaxy S IV debut in Times Square

MADRID, Feb 27 (Reuters) - Lionel Messi has rarely been accused of failing to deliver in big games, having scored in two European Cup finals, but after subdued performances against AC Milan and Real Madrid, questions are being asked. The four-times World Player of the Year and leading scorer in one of the greatest club teams of all time, was a shadow of his usual self at the San Siro in a Champions League last-16 first leg last week, when Barcelona slumped to a 2-0 defeat. ...

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/samsung-invites-public-galaxy-iv-debut-times-square-145050973.html

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Elon Musk says Tesla will repay Department of Energy loan well before 2022 due date

Tesla's CEO, Elon Musk, has been the focus of many headlines lately due to a certain, well-documented kerfuffle with The New York Times. Today, however, the automotive company's chief isn't questioning any reviews. Instead, he's taken to the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Energy summit to share his belief that Tesla Motors will pay off that $465 million loan from the US Department of Energy well ahead of when it's expected to -- in five years, rather than ten, to be precise. Musk's comments shouldn't come as a surprise, however, given that the Model S maker has been paying its DOE-borrowed cash on time and before the deadlines -- something it's been able to accomplish despite being far from a money-making machine at the moment. For the Department of Energy, meanwhile, this all sounds like music to the ears, especially since it knows that not all EVs always work out as planned.

Filed under: Transportation

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Source: Technology Review

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/5CNKk4qLO2E/

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SES New York Keynote Speaker Says Internet is TV's Best Friend ...

The Internet didn?t kill TV! According to Mike Proulx, the Internet has become TV?s best friend. Proulx will be the opening keynote speaker at SES New York 2013. The leading event for experienced marketing and advertising professionals will take place March 25-28, 2013, at the New York Marriott Marquis.

Proulx is a Senior Vice President and the Director of Social Media at Hill Holliday, a renowned advertising agency based in Boston, where he leads a team with a focus on cross-channel integration, emerging and social media. He has spent the last 17 years working at various interactive, high-tech, and new media companies on the agency-side, client-side, and as an entrepreneur. He has spoken at dozens of events and has been widely featured in the press including The New York Times, Fast Company, TV Guide, Forbes, BusinessWeek, Mashable, BuzzFeed, and NPR.

Proulx conceived, produced, directed, and co-host the TVnext summit, which took place in early 2011 and 2012. He is the co-author of Social TV, a best-selling book from Wiley publishing that launched in February of 2012. He is also the host of the social TV web series, ?The Pulse on Lost Remote?. He holds a Master?s degree in Computer Information Systems from Bentley University and in 2012 was named the Ad Club?s Media All Star.

His opening keynote is titled, ?Social TV: How Marketers Can Reach and Engage Audiences by Connecting Television to the Web, Social Media, and Mobile.?

Search Engine Watch (SEW) asked Mike Proulx (MP) five questions about his upcoming keynote. Here are his answers:

SEW: How does the convergence of television with the web, social media, and mobile change our behaviors and shake up our long standing beliefs about TV?

MP: There are those who believe that television is a traditional medium with an impending death. The web, social media, and mobile have evolved TV into a multi-screen experience that transcends devices. Not only are we watching more television than ever before, we?re interacting with programming on the ?second screen? in ways that enrich storylines and bring us together to virtually co-view. The modern era of television is a new media that?s more social, more connected, and more portable?and because of this TV is more alive than it?s ever been.

SEW: How has social media created a new and powerful "backchannel" and why does this fuel the renaissance of live broadcasts?

MP: There are a ton of posts happening in social media about any given TV show as it airs. Since Twitter is open and public, it acts as television?s backchannel filled with real-time commentary and conversation ? And it?s not just about TV series but also TV commercials giving producers and marketers instant feedback about their content. Live television events are seeing some of the highest ratings in years and social media brings a level of community and connection to TV watching the likes of which the medium has never before experienced.

SEW: Can you give us some examples of how mobile devices allow us to watch and interact with television whenever and wherever we want?

MP: Tablets, smartphones, and laptops enable television?s portability but it?s apps like HBO Go, ABC Player, Xfinity Remote, and CNN that deliver ?TV? content via those devices. And in the 4G world of mobile, we can watch TV in places once inconceivable. My favorite spot? Laying out on the roof deck on a warm summer night with my iPad in hand streaming HBO?s The Newsroom.

SEW: Why would ?connected TVs? blend web and television content into a unified big screen experience that will bring us back into our living rooms?

MP: Apple TV, Roku, Boxee TV, Google TV, Samsung Smart TVs, etc. stream online video (that was once relegated to our computer screens) onto the ?big screen? of our living rooms. HD YouTube clips suddenly come to life in ways that are far more impactful and dynamic than tiny smartphone screens further blurring the lines of what?s ?TV.? While the notion of TV everywhere lets us watch TV at will regardless of our physical location, the increasingly seamless ability to channel streaming video through the TV set makes the living room that much more compelling.

SEW: With the television landscape changing, why should brands approach the medium once labeled ?traditional? as new media?

MP: TV has become mashed up with the Web, social media, and mobile. Television networks, providers, brands, and agencies must continue to unshackle themselves from dated business and advertising models and rediscover television as a new medium. This means planning television and digital together to tell stories across devices and engage viewers with TV experiences not just TV shows. The speed, scale, and degree of change that has and is happening create enormous opportunity for those brands who have the courage to innovate.

SES New York 2013 offers a variety of conference passes and on-site training. If you register by Thursday, March 7, 2013, you can save up to $600 on Platinum or All Access passes.

For more information, click on Rates and Registration Details. Group discounts for 4 or more pass holders from the same company are also available by contacting [email?protected] and are the best value for the lowest price possible.

I should disclose that SES New York is a client of my agency. But, trust me, TV is not dead yet.

---

Become an Expert Digital Marketer at SES New York
March 25-28, 2013: With dozens of sessions on Search, Social, Local and Mobile, you'll leave SES with everything and everyone you need to know. Hurry, early bird rates expire February 21. Register today!

Source: http://searchenginewatch.com/article/2250850/SES-New-York-Keynote-Speaker-Says-Internet-is-TVs-Best-Friend

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naturalization characteristic: Writing and Speaking: Article Marketing

Article marketing is arguably one of the best ways of building links to your site. Now I'm almost sure I don't need to explain the importance of link building to you, or do I? Having links to your site is like humans having air to breathe. Yes, it's that important. Every SEO strategy you employ is basically for the sole purpose of getting links to your site, to increase your ranking in the search engines, to get more traffic, to generate more sales, to have a profitable online business, so you can achieve your goals.
Article marketing is basically using articles to expose your website. You can do this by submitting articles to various directories such as EzineArticles, GoArticles, ArticlesBase etc. Once your article has been approved and published, you'll receive a link to your site. You not only get a link from the directory but if other website owners find your article useful they can publish it on their site. If they leave your resource box intact, which is the ethical thing for them to do; you get another link to your site from the website that published your article. So the better your articles the better chance you stand of getting more links.
Article marketing requires you to be patient and consistent. You can't use this method for only a few weeks and expect to get to the top of the search engine page just like that. Decide how many directories you're submitting to, you want to choose only from the top ten. Then be consistent with your submissions. This can be a challenge if you don't consider yourself a good writer or if you don't have the money to outsource this function. But if you submit even one article per week, be consistent.
When done properly and with time, article marketing can get you great results by building strong links. These are natural links that the search engines love. Links from article directories are permanent and they are considered to be links from authoritative sites, at least the tops anyway. While website owners can remove your link from their websites, the only person that can remove your link from the directories is you. So your link from the directory will remain for as long as your article remains there.
Link building is imperative to your online success and though it's a slow process, article marketing is still one of the best ways to build quality links. Like I said before, be patient and consistent. You can reap the rewards of your labor for years to come.

Source: http://writing-asadeszw.blogspot.com/2013/02/article-marketing.html

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Source: http://naturalization-characteristic.blogspot.com/2013/02/writing-and-speaking-article-marketing.html

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Money and Mission - The Chronicle of Philanthropy

Collaborations and mergers among nonprofits certainly aren?t new, but much of what nonprofit leaders know about them comes from our for-profit counterparts.

Nonprofit collaborations are no better and no worse than those done by for-profits. They?re simply different. As I wrote in a previous post, for-profit collaborations and mergers are driven by financial motivations including cost savings, but charities are unlikely to reap any savings for years, if at all. For nonprofits, the primary driver to merge or collaborate should be to help them achieve their missions. Mergers and collaborations are strategic tools. They do not have to be a last resort.

The Great Recession and the protracted recovery have sparked renewed interest in nonprofit collaborations. But resources dedicated to helping them carry out their plans are scarce, so many groups don?t know where to begin.

For two years, the Nonprofit Finance Fund has worked with five major grant makers on the Catalyst Fund for Nonprofits, which provides guidance and technical assistance for Boston-area organizations that are exploring, planning, or implementing strategic collaborations and mergers. And in an effort to demystify the process for all nonprofits, the fund has produced two free publications?a case study and a report about the first two years of the Catalyst Fund?s work.

The case study tells the story of one nonprofit merger, and the report includes interviews with 40 people involved in various ways with mergers or collaborations: those who have provided financial support, executives and board members of groups that received support?and of some that were denied support?as well as consultants and others.

So what are we learning about successful collaboration? What does it take?

Effective leadership.? The level of organizational change dictated by a collaboration or merger requires leadership from many people close to the nonprofit. Leaders?both board and staff?with prior collaboration experience can be invaluable assets, lending perspective and raising important issues.? And a talented and organized chief financial officer can help facilitate the exchange of information and reporting that is a critical part of due diligence.

Part of what makes leaders effective in nonprofit collaborations is the ability to build trusting relationships. In the merger featured in our case study, between two agencies that provide services for the homeless, an executive reflected that early in the process ?someone should have held a cocktail party? to help build personal relationships between staff and board members. In her experience, when conversations got tense or an agreement felt elusive, personal relationships helped move conversations forward.

Clear and aligned objectives.? Partner organizations with a strong sense of their own priorities are often better positioned to achieve the common goals of their collaboration. We?ve found that when organizations have recently undertaken a strategic-planning process, their reasons and goals for collaboration were clearer and it was more likely to be a success. In my experience, it?s when the goals of the groups were unclear or conflicted that the collaborative venture can stall or stop altogether. The simple question, ?What are we trying to achieve together and why?? can lead to candid conversations among partners and help prevent roadblocks. The motivations and goals of the partners don?t have to be identical, but articulating them clearly fosters transparency and helps manage expectations throughout the process.

Resources and expertise.? The reality is that strategic collaborations are expensive and require professional guidance. Experts can provide technical assistance and help with governance, finance, program design, and legal issues, and they can facilitate challenging discussions and negotiations. In Catalyst Fund ventures, nonprofits rely on the fund?s technical assistance but are also urged to tap experts on their board or draw on staff members who have collaboration experience. Pro bono help is great when you can get it, but expert assistance isn?t always free.

Costs can add up, and the participating groups may need additional dollars for advisory services, new technology, severance pay, or a re-direction of staff time. Once the merger is complete, the groups may be able to save money, but there is a long time horizon for realizing those savings.

Sources of financial support for collaborations, like the Catalyst Fund, can go a long way, but there?s a limit to how much they can do. In Boston, we aren?t able to support every proposal, and as groups that we do support move closer to their objectives, their needs may grow beyond the level that the fund can finance.

As the landscape of the social sector changes, it?s incumbent upon all grant makers and donors who care about preserving, improving, and expanding programs and services to support these strategic organizational tools.

At the Catalyst Fund, we hope that insights from our work supporting collaboration can help change inaccurate perceptions about nonprofit collaborations and mergers?and we are not alone. Grant makers in Charlotte, N.C.; Cuyahoga County, Ohio; New York City, and across California have also been working together to advance strategic collaboration in their communities. Their work, too, is enriching the available body of knowledge and building a track record of inspiring examples.

Source: http://philanthropy.com/blogs/money-and-mission/what-it-takes-to-succeed-in-a-nonprofit-collaboration/28099

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Tech leaders plan virtual push on immigration (The Arizona Republic)

Share With Friends: | | Politics - Top Stories Stories, RSS Feeds and Widgets via Feedzilla.

Source: http://news.feedzilla.com/en_us/stories/politics/top-stories/287284061?client_source=feed&format=rss

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100% 56 Up

All Critics (51) | Top Critics (21) | Fresh (51) | Rotten (0)

What ultimately is so compelling about 56 Up is the universality of the experiences. We were all once children. And we all will die. And in between, there is everything else.

We feel good, refreshed and depressed in watching these people get older, also embarrassed in moments and cautioned about the passage of time.

Apted, himself now in his early 70s, says he hopes to continue the series further. Long may it live.

Watching "56 Up" gives you the wonderful feeling of seeing a sociological experiment blossom into something novelistically rich and humane.

Time has been neither kind nor cruel to the 13 men and women profiled in "56 UP." It has just been time, which is what this groundbreaking series is about.

We are all older now, and this series proves it in a most deeply moving way.

Those British kids are now 56

Watching the eighth film is intriguing but, in a way, disappointing. At this point in the game, it feels as if all the characters have determined their lots in life and are simply plodding through their interviews.

Quite simply one of the great documentary projects in the history of cinema, an engrossing sociological experiment on film; and though this mostly mellow installment isn't as revelatory as some earlier ones, it's still a remarkable document.

... feels like a retrospective and summation of the whole series, with ample quotation from the previous films, an approach that makes it interesting even for viewers who haven't seen the previous installments.

A completely unique and remarkable documentary project.

Apted skillfully weaves old footage with the new, and we become poignantly aware of another factor shaping their lives (and our own): biology, as the we watch the once-cute kids grow gray and heavy.

Perhaps the boldest and probably longest running sociological experiment on film.

I think the best thing about this movie (and the entire series) is that it forces the viewer to think about their own lives. It's kind of an awakening experience.

Once again, Apted assembles a captivating documentary that's profoundly educational, essential viewing to aid the understanding of the human experience.

"56 Up" is well worth seeing.

56 Up is still moving and philosophic, though not as exciting as earlier episodes, which had more drama.

The running time is over two hours, but the lives here are richly revealed and vastly rewarding.

Apted possesses the unsettling ability to shape perceptions of their lives and personalities from inside an editing suite, a fact that the members of his flock begin to recognize at varying points throughout their adult years.

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Source: http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/56_up/

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Twitter Announces App For Firefox OS

Twitter has announced that Twitter for Firefox OS will be available in the Firefox Marketplace when devices powered by Mozilla's new operating system start to ship.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Techcrunch/~3/Nf5xaeMUQEI/

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Former Romney Strategist 'Obsessive' About Twitter, But Warns Technology Is Not The GOP's Panacea

ABC News' Michael Falcone reports:

It's not over yet. The 2012 presidential campaign, that is. At least not if you ask Mitt Romney's former top strategist, Stuart Stevens, who has been writing and talking a lot about blame lately.

"There seems to be a desire to blame Republicans' electoral difficulties and the Romney campaign's loss on technological failings," Stevens wrote in an Op-Ed in the Washington Post on Monday. "I wish this were the problem, because it would be relatively easy to fix. But it's not."

Stevens went onto argue that it was a generation and message gap that ailed the GOP last year and ultimately paved the way for President Obama's victory over Romney. The Democrats' superior technology - and Republicans' weaknesses in this area - was only part of the problem, he wrote.

Stevens, who along with a handful of other strategists helped guide the Romney campaign throughout the election ccyle, has been re-litigating the campaign in Op-Eds as well as in interviews, like his recent conversation with ABC's Jonathan Karl on "This Week" and another one with CNN's Howard Kurtz, host of "Reliable Sources."

Of Romney's loss last November, Stevens told Kurtz that he takes "full responsibility."

"Just blame me," he said in an interview that aired on Sunday. "That's fine. And let's move on."

But Stevens did reserve some criticism for the new social media environment - exemplified by Twitter - that he says has led to a strained relationship between political operatives and the press. Reporters, he said, "need a news story every two hours, and that's a great pressure."

"It creates, I think, an environment that is very conducive to the creation of news, the invention of news," he added.

As for Twitter, Stevens acknowledged that he has an account (which he he checks "obsessively") but he does not tweet himself. "It's a great thing and it's a very dangerous thing," he said.

And in an interview with ABC's Jonathan Karl earlier this month, he underscored his analysis in Monday's Washington Post Op-Ed that technology is only part of the prescription for his party.

"It would be a great mistake if we felt that technology in itself is going to save the Republican Party," he told Karl in an interview on Feb. 17. "Technology is something to a large degree you can go out and purchase, and if we think there's an off the shelf solution that you can with the Republican Party it's wrong."

Even so, Republicans have dispatched national party chairman Reince Priebus to California this week to tackle the GOP's technology gap with Democrats. According to Roll Call's David Drucker, Priebus plans to visit the San Francisco Bay Area, meeting with technology executives as well as representatives from Facebook. He will also reportedly head to Seattle for meetings aimed at improving Republicans' early voting efforts.

And we're about to get a chance to hear from Romney, himself, about what went wrong in 2012 - and where the GOP should go from here. The former Massachusetts governor and his wife, Ann, are set to appear on "Fox News Sunday" next weekend. It will be the former Republican presidential hopeful's first major interview since the election. One week later, he is scheduled to address the annual Conservative Political Action Conference outside Washington, DC.

Also Read

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/former-romney-strategist-obsessive-twitter-warns-technology-not-224231303--abc-news-politics.html

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Long list of employers at Douglas College career fair

Students looking for jobs and a career can get some help when Douglas College hosts its 23rd Annual Career Exploration Fair. The event Wednesday, March 6, from10 a.m.-3.p.m. in the Atrium, Douglas College, Coquitlam Campus, 1250 Pinetree Way is presented by the Douglas College Alumni Association.

This free event is an opportunity for students, alumni and members of the community to explore career options and find out what kinds of skills and knowledge they need for the future workplace. This event will highlight the values, knowledge, personal resources and skills necessary for individual, social and occupational success.

Exhibitors at the Career Exploration Fair include:

? BC Hydro

? Canadian Association of Specialized Kinesiology

? Canadian Property Stars

? Developmental Disabilities Association

? Douglas College Coop

? Douglas College

? Enterprise Holdings

? Get Youth Working! Program

? Nannies on Call

? Institute of Chartered Accountants of British Columbia

? Paladin Security

? RCMP

? Royal Bank of Canada

? School District 42 Maple Ridge

? Sun Life Financial

? Surrey Fire Service (SFS)

? The Salvation Army

? Thompson Rivers University MBA

? Training Group

? Training Innovations Inc.

? Vancouver Police Department

? Yellow Pages Group

? YMCA of Greater Vancouver

dstrandberg@tricitynews.com

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Source: http://www.tricitynews.com/business/191878801.html

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Refinance first and second - Zillow Mortgage Advice

Sorry, Readability was unable to parse this page for content.

Source: http://www.zillow.com/advice-thread/Refinance-first-and-second/479954/

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Get-Good-Information-Here-About-Solar-Energy-To-Help-You-Decide

From HOPE

Gain an understanding of your own energy usage. If you are considering solar panels, realize how much power you use. In order to pick the right size, this information is critical. You should look at your yearly energy bill since costs vary by season.

Generally speaking, a solar energy system for home heating costs $4000 - $6000. Think about how fast you will earn that back through savings and then continue forward in the green for years and years. Solar panels can always be installed a few at a time.

Your solar panel vendor's reputation is key. Find online reviews, talk to former clients, and ask for a few references before signing the paperwork. If you cannot find good reviews for a vendor, you should keep looking even if the prices are interesting.

It is best that you purchase a solar panel system after you have already paid off your home. However, think long and hard before doing so. If there is a chance of losing your home, you will also lose any money you invest in it.

A lot of governments throughout the world could offer tax credits for those that use solar energy. You might get as much as 30% of the installation cost back! You should do some research on the Internet or get in touch with your local government to find out more about the incentives and programs you are eligible for.

Pathway lighting is a simple and affordable means to take advantage of solar energy. The lights seem diminutive, but they pack a punch; they quietly gather the sun's rays in the daytime and then light up at night. They are a set-and-forget way to improve your outdoor space.

As far as solar panels go, bigger is not always better. There are many things to consider with regards to solar panels, such as materials used, build quality, etc. Consider every one of these points before making any decisions.

If you're not ready to fully change to solar energy, check out attic fans that are solar powered. The fan will turn itself on when your attic gets too hot. This can help reduce energy costs by removing heat. Also because it's run by solar energy, you won't have to pay for the electricity it creates.

Don't work with pushy salespeople. This industry has a lot of salespeople like this. You should be able to tell them that you'll consider a deal later instead of right away. If a salesperson is relying on pressure to close sales, he probably has a very low level of confidence in the quality of his product. Pressure can lead to poor decisions.

Select a mounting system that allows the orientation of the solar panels to be changed. These panels offer the best results due to their ability to change with the seasons. Look to solar energy experts for insight on the most effective position for solar panels.

With your new information in hand, you ought to understand the amazing potential of solar energy. Be proactive and add solar energy to your house. Implement the tips you've just read and reap the benefits of solar power.

For more helpful information please pay a visit to fresno solar power

Source: http://wiki.hope.net/index.php?title=Get-Good-Information-Here-About-Solar-Energy-To-Help-You-Decide&diff=90548&oldid=prev

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A simple Facebook message from a heartbroken friend of one of the tenants who lo...

Sign UpConnect and share with the people in your life.

• A simple Facebook message from a heartbroken friend of one of the tenants who lost almost everything three weeks ago in a deadly fire at Huntley?s Woodcreek Apartments has snowballed into a communitywide effort. http://shawurl.com/iu2

Source: http://www.facebook.com/nwherald/posts/10151587146382573

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SACS President Belle Wheelan Addresses Livingstone Founder?s Day

By Laurie D. Willis
Livingstone College News Service

An educator whose illustrious career has spanned more than three decades and whose name will go down in history told Livingstone College students on February 7 there are no dumb questions, they should be as respectful of janitors as they are board chairmen and they should take care of themselves spiritually, mentally and physically.

Dr. Belle Wheelan, president of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, gave a spirited speech during Livingstone College?s 134th Founder?s Day ceremony. Instead of trying to impress people with her vast knowledge, Wheelan imparted practical, yet sage advice to the college?s students, faculty, staff and special guests.

She spoke before a packed audience inside Varick Auditorium, which included Salisbury Mayor Paul Woodson, Salisbury City Councilman Pete Kennedy, Catawba College President Dr. Brien Lewis, Rowan Cabarrus Community College President Dr. Carol S. Spalding, retired AME Zion Bishop George W.C. Walker, Sr. and other dignitaries.

Wheelan was introduced by Livingstone College President Dr. Jimmy R. Jenkins Sr., who read a list of African-American firsts before bringing her to the podium. He began by citing Carol Mosley Braun, the first African-American woman elected to the U.S. Senate, and ended by mentioning President Barack Obama. Then he rolled off a list of accomplishments by Wheelan, the first woman and first African-American to serve as president of SACSCOC, the organization that serves as the regional body for the accreditation of degree-granting higher education institutions in the Southern states.

Wheelan set the tone for her speech within seconds by asking the students to sit on the edge of their seats before asking them to stand, raise their arms in the air and shout hallelujah. After the students sat back down Wheelan quipped, ?You probably won?t remember a word I said today, but at least you can say I had you on the edge of your seats and shouting hallelujah.?

Wheelan told the students she wanted to share 10 important lessons with them and did so in a way that was simultaneously serious and vivacious.

She began by encouraging them to have goals and work hard to achieve them. Then she spoke to the importance of giving back ? whether by purchasing a box of Girl Scouts cookies or by one day funding a scholarship at Livingstone. Wheelan followed those points by assuring the students there are no dumb questions. Education should be continuous throughout life, she said. ?If you are lacking in knowledge you have no one to blame but yourself.?

Wheelan told the students they should always stand for something before stressing the importance of taking care of their bodies, souls and minds. For the sixth lesson she borrowed from ?Life?s Little Instruction Book? and told the students to be kind to everyone, despite their positions. To bring home the point, she said college presidents are no more important than students ? or other employees ? at colleges or universities.

Wheelan spoke of having good manners for her seventh point, saying it doesn?t hurt to say hello to people, to speak to others in passing or to say excuse me when you have to step in front of someone.

She concluded her lessons by telling students to be proud of their heritage, including Livingstone College, to learn to laugh and not take life so seriously and to remember the word American ends in the letters i-c-a-n.

She spoke of the civil rights struggles of the 1960s, the emergence of women?s rights in the ?70s, the country?s focus on individuals with special needs in the ?80s, the way people of diverse sexual orientation began making their voices heard in the ?90s, and the concentration of issues relating to immigration in the 2000s.

?We are all Americans,? Wheelan said.

After her speech, Wheelan was given a standing ovation by the audience and a presidential award by Jenkins.

As Thursday?s program got underway, the audience rose to its fee to sing ?The Star Spangled Banner? and the Negro National Anthem, ?Lift Ev?ry Voice and Sing.?

Bishop W. Darin Moore, a member of the Livingstone College Board of Trustees, gave the invocation. He said there are voices in the atmosphere, including voices of violence, racism, sexism and classism. The good news, however, Moore said, is there is still the voice of God, which rings louder than all other voices combined.

Bishop Dennis V. Proctor, also on the Board of Trustees and president of the Board of Bishops, read from Proverbs, including 3:5-6 which says, ?Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy paths.?

Greetings were given by Bishop George E. Battle, Jr., senior bishop in the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church and Chairman of the Livingstone College Board of Trustees, Dr. Carolyn W. Duncan, president of the college?s Faculty Senate for 2012-2013, Dorian R. Edwards, president of the Student Government Association, and Rev. William E. Simmons, president of the Livingstone College National Alumni Association.

Battle, a member of the Livingstone College class of 1969, spoke with loving pride of his alma mater. He also discussed growing up on a tobacco farm but achieving success despite the odds. Also during the ceremony, Roslyn Burrough, a Broadway singer who has performed for Obama and former presidents Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter, gave a powerful rendition of ?To God Be the Glory.?

Founder?s Day commemorates the life and accomplishments of Livingstone Founder Dr. Joseph Charles Price, the college?s first president. Born on Feb. 10, 1854, in Elizabeth City, N.C., Price graduated valedictorian in the class of 1879 from Lincoln University in Pennsylvania, completing a three-year theological course in two years.

Price was known as a brilliant scholar, great gospel preacher, world famous orator and advocate for the common man. He served as Livingstone?s first president for 10 years until his death in 1893.

Price?s grandson, Dr. Richard W. Sherrill of Virginia Beach, Va., his wife, Phyllis Lett Sherrill, and their son, Philip C. Sherrill, director of corporate/foundation relations at Norfolk State University, attended the Founder?s Day celebration. Another grandson, Charles P. Sherrill of Salisbury, passed away last month. A resolution honoring him was read during the event.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/HBCUDigest/~3/QrC9WhRkW_E/

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Ford F-150

Discerning drivers will appreciate the 2013 Ford F-150. It features four-wheel drive capabilities, a durable automatic transmission, and 5 liter 8 cylinder engine. Ford prioritized comfort and style by including: a tachometer, variably intermittent wipers, a rear step bumper, air conditioning, tilt steering wheel, remote keyless entry, and 1-touch window functionality. Audio features include an AM/FM radio, and 4 speakers, providing excellent sound throughout the cabin. Passenger security is always assured thanks to various safety features, such as: head curtain airbags, front SIDE impact airbags, traction control, ignition disabling, and 4 wheel disc brakes with ABS. For added security, dynamic Stability Control supplements the drivetrain. You will have a pleasant shopping experience that is fun, informative, and never high pressured. Please don't hesitate to give us a call.

Source: http://www.jackyjones.com/blog/video/2013/february/22/2013-Ford-F-150-Cleveland-GA-0999a6da0a0a000201559ccff16d6f4d.htm?locale=en_US

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Samsung takes fight to Apple's Silicon Valley backyard

There is no getting around the fact that Samsung and Apple have one of the most complex relationships in the tech world. While Apple may be looking to change this, the fact is that Samsung is one of the largest suppliers of components used in Apple products, and the legal battles between the two tech-giants will continue regardless of the goods exchanged.

Well, it turns out that Samsung has decided that they need to step up their game against their rival, albeit, in a passive aggressive way. Already the company has opened up a new innovation center in Menlo Park, planning a research and development lab in San Jose, and is working on opening up a startup incubator in Palo Alto, but that apparently isn't good enough.

In a move to compete with Apple's proposed spaceship-like campus, Samsung is going to build a massive semiconductor campus with a distinctive design as well. Samsung claims that its Silicon Valley expansions are needed in order to bring more entrepreneurial DNA into the company so that it can move from being an innovation leader instead of a follower.

Samsung's chief strategy officer Young Sohn believes the company needs to do this in Silicon Valley because it is the center of disruptive forces and he wants the company to be a part of those disruptions.

In order to make that shift, the company wants to get rid of the insular culture that Samsung has been focusing to develop most of its technologies and products internally. To do this, Samsung is partnering and investing with startups, supporting other innovators, and being a more active buyer of other companies.

Sohn also says that much of the company's innovation is currently done in Korea, but he believes that they need to reach out to global hot spots and how Samsung taps into global innovation will dictate their success.

The new semiconductor campus will cost Samsung $300 million and sport an open-air design meant to rival both Apple and Facebook?s.

via Phys.org

Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/samsung-takes-fight-to-apple-s-silicon-valley-backyard/19047.html

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Effectiveness of magnetic device for treatment of reflux disease demonstrated

Feb. 22, 2013 ? A study published Feb. 21 in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) provides clinical evidence of the safety and effectiveness of a new magnetic medical device to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Santiago Horgan, MD, professor of surgery at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine and study co-author, was the first surgeon in the United States to implant the FDA-approved device.

"What we found is that the LINX magnetic device can solve GERD's underlying problem, a weak spincter," said Horgan, chief of minimally invasive surgery, UC San Diego Health System. "The device corrects an anatomical defect that allows acids to move up the throat. For my patients this has been an effective way to permanently treat this painful condition, improve their quality of life, and end the need for over-the-counter medications."

The LINX system is composed of a series of titanium beads, each with a magnetic core, that are connected to form a ring shape. It is implanted at the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), a circular band of muscle that closes the last few centimeters of the esophagus and prevents the backward flow of stomach contents.

As reported in the study, after sphincter augmentation with the LINX System, the majority of patients were able to substantially reduce or resolve their reflux symptoms, while eliminating use of their reflux medications such as proton pump inhibitors. Severe regurgitation was eliminated in 100 percent of patients, and nearly all patients (93 percent) reported a significant decrease in the need for medication. More than 9 in 10 patients (94 percent) reported satisfaction with their overall condition after having the LINX System, compared to 13 percent before treatment while taking medication.

Horgan said the device is an alternative to Nissen fundoplication which involves irreversibly wrapping the stomach around the esophagus. The LINX System allows surgeons to leave the stomach intact and support the weak sphincter with a small device that can be removed.

More than 20 percent of the U.S. population experiences the painful burning symptoms of GERD. For these 20 million Americans, the first line of defense is medication. GERD can cause both pain and injury to the esophageal lining and may lead to a precancerous condition called Barrett's esophagus. Symptoms of GERD include heartburn and regurgitation, often associated with the inability to sleep and dietary constraints.

The LINX system was studied in a controlled, prospective, multicenter trial involving 14 U.S. and European medical centers as part of the FDA approval process. The patients in the study reported suffering from reflux symptoms for a median of 10 years and taking reflux medications for a median of five years.

The LINX? Reflux Management System is manufactured by Torax Medical which funded the study.

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The above story is reprinted from materials provided by University of California, San Diego Health Sciences.

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

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Journal Reference:

1. Robert A. Ganz, Jeffrey H. Peters, Santiago Horgan, Willem A. Bemelman, Christy M. Dunst, Steven A. Edmundowicz, John C. Lipham, James D. Luketich, W. Scott Melvin, Brant K. Oelschlager, Steven C. Schlack-Haerer, C. Daniel Smith, Christopher C. Smith, Dan Dunn, Paul A. Taiganides. Esophageal Sphincter Device for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease. New England Journal of Medicine, 2013; 368 (8): 719 DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa1205544

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/Z-70c8g6y4E/130222143138.htm

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Pope clears decks with appointments, tweaks

FILE - This July 18, 2012 file photo shows Vatican Undersecretary for the Relations with States, Mons. Ettore Balestrero speaking during a press conference at the Vatican. Pope Benedict XVI on Friday, Feb. 22, 2013 transferred a top official from the Vatican's secretariat of state to Colombia amid swirling media speculation about the contents of a confidential report into the Vatican's leaks scandal. Mons. Balestrero was named undersecretary of the Vatican's Foreign Ministry in 2009. Benedict XVI on Friday named him ambassador, or nunzio, to Colombia. (AP Photo/Domenico Stinellis, files)

FILE - This July 18, 2012 file photo shows Vatican Undersecretary for the Relations with States, Mons. Ettore Balestrero speaking during a press conference at the Vatican. Pope Benedict XVI on Friday, Feb. 22, 2013 transferred a top official from the Vatican's secretariat of state to Colombia amid swirling media speculation about the contents of a confidential report into the Vatican's leaks scandal. Mons. Balestrero was named undersecretary of the Vatican's Foreign Ministry in 2009. Benedict XVI on Friday named him ambassador, or nunzio, to Colombia. (AP Photo/Domenico Stinellis, files)

Bishop Juan Ignacio Arrieta, right, flanked by Vatican spokesman, Rev. Federico Lombardi, gestures during a press conference at the Vatican, Friday, Feb. 22, 2013. Pope Benedict XVI may enact a new law governing the upcoming conclave to elect a new pope amid continued uncertainty over when the voting can begin. Lombardi, said Wednesday that he didn't know for sure if the new law under consideration would address the timing of the conclave following Benedict's Feb. 28 resignation. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

Bishop Juan Ignacio Arrieta gestures during a press conference at the Vatican, Friday, Feb. 22, 2013. Pope Benedict XVI may enact a new law governing the upcoming conclave to elect a new pope amid continued uncertainty over when the voting can begin. Lombardi, said Wednesday that he didn't know for sure if the new law under consideration would address the timing of the conclave following Benedict's Feb. 28 resignation. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

Bishop Juan Ignacio Arrieta, right, flanked by Vatican spokesman, Rev. Federico Lombardi gestures during a press conference at the Vatican, Friday, Feb. 22, 2013. Pope Benedict XVI may enact a new law governing the upcoming conclave to elect a new pope amid continued uncertainty over when the voting can begin. Lombardi, said Wednesday that he didn't know for sure if the new law under consideration would address the timing of the conclave following Benedict's Feb. 28 resignation. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

FILE - This July 18, 2012 file photo shows Vatican Undersecretary for the Relations with States, Mons. Ettore Balestrero arrives for a press conference at the Vatican. Pope Benedict XVI on Friday, Feb. 22, 2013 transferred a top official from the Vatican's secretariat of state to Colombia amid swirling media speculation about the contents of a confidential report into the Vatican's leaks scandal. Mons. Balestrero was named undersecretary of the Vatican's Foreign Ministry in 2009. Benedict XVI on Friday named him ambassador, or nunzio, to Colombia. (AP Photo/Domenico Stinellis, files)

VATICAN CITY (AP) ? Pope Benedict XVI is clearing the decks of his pontificate, tweaking the rules of the conclave, finessing the religious rites used to launch the next papacy and making some eyebrow-raising final appointments before he retires next week.

The Vatican newspaper L'Osservatore Romano said in editions published late Friday that Benedict had signed a decree earlier in the week making some changes to the papal installation Mass, separating out the actual rite of installation from the liturgy itself.

He is also studying the text of a separate document governing the rules of the conclave, though it's not known if it will address the thorny issue of whether the election can begin earlier than March 15, by some interpretations the earliest the vote can start under the current rules.

And on Friday, the Vatican announced Benedict had transferred a top official in the secretariat of state, Monsignor Ettore Balestrero, to Colombia ? an appointment that came amid swirling media speculation about the contents of a confidential report into the Vatican's leaks scandal.

Italian newspapers have been rife for days with unsourced reports about the contents of the secret dossier that three cardinals prepared for Benedict after investigating the origins of the leaks. The scandal erupted last year after papers taken from the pope's desk were published in a blockbuster book. The pope's butler was convicted in October of aggravated theft, and later pardoned.

The Vatican has refused to comment on the reports, which have claimed the contents of the dossier, delivered to Benedict in December, were a factor in his decision to resign. Benedict himself has said he simply no longer has the "strength of mind and body" to carry on.

The Vatican spokesman, the Rev. Federico Lombardi, has indicated that Benedict would meet with the three cardinals before stepping down Feb. 28, in one of his final private audiences.

Given the rivalries, turf battles and allegations of corruption exposed by the leaks themselves, there is some speculation that cardinals entering the conclave might want to know the contents of the dossier before choosing a new pope.

Balestrero was head of the Holy See's delegation to the Council of Europe's Moneyval committee, which evaluated the Vatican's anti-money laundering and anti-terror financing measures. He has had a hand in the efforts by the Vatican bank to be more transparent and is close to Benedict's No. 2, the Vatican secretary of state Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone.

The Vatican submitted itself to Moneyval's evaluation in a bid to improve its reputation in the financial world.

The Vatican passed the test on the first try in August, and Moneyval said it had made great progress in a short amount of time. But the Holy See received poor or failing grades for its financial watchdog agency and its bank, long the source of some of the Vatican's more storied scandals.

Some of the documents leaked in the midst of the "Vatileaks" scandal concerned differences of opinion about the level of financial transparency the Holy See should provide about the bank, the Institute for Religious Works. However, Balestrero himself wasn't named in any significant way in the leaks.

The Vatican is now working to comply with Moneyval's recommendations before the next round of evaluation. Lombardi said the lengthy Moneyval process would simply be handled by someone else now that Balestrero is leaving.

Lombardi said Balestrero's transfer had been months in the works, was a clear promotion and had nothing to do with what the Vatican considers baseless reporting.

Lombardi noted that the nunciature in Bogota is one of the most important in Latin America, with the headquarters for the Latin American bishops' conference as well as the regional organization for religious orders, and is usually headed by someone who has had experience as a nuncio in at least two other postings.

"The procedure for this nomination was started some time ago, as evidenced by the fact that the agreement (with Colombia) has already been reached," Lombardi told The Associated Press. "It was started well before the pope's resignation, so it's completely unfounded to link it to the news articles in recent days."

Asked if the transfer had anything to do with the broader Vatileaks investigation, Lombardi said he was declining comment in line with the Vatican's decision not to confirm or deny any specifics of the investigation.

Spanish Cardinal Julian Herranz, the Opus Dei canon lawyer who headed the cardinal's commission, has spoken in vague terms about the report and the well-known divisions within the Vatican Curia that were exposed by the leaks.

"Certainly, it has been said that this was a hypothesis behind the pope's resignation, but I think we need to respect his conscience," Herranz told Radio24 last week. "Certainly, there are divisions and there have always been divisions, as well as clashes along ideological lines. These aren't new, but yes, they have a weight."

___

Follow Nicole Winfield at www.twitter.com/nwinfield

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/cae69a7523db45408eeb2b3a98c0c9c5/Article_2013-02-22-Vatican-Pope/id-86b59cf037a3407eb2347536477dbfcd

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DOMA Hurts Gay Military Couples After DADT Repeal, Says U.S. Marine Corps Captain Matthew Phelps

Marissa Gaeta And Citlalic Snell Claim A Navy Tradition

Dubbed <a href="http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/nationnow/2011/12/a-public-embrace-between-two-female-sailors-from-california-is-being-hailed-as-the-kiss-heard-round-the-world-by-activists-wh.html">?the kiss heard ?round the world,?</a> two female sailors, Petty Officer 2nd Class Marissa Gaeta and Petty Officer 3rd Class Citlalic Snell locked lips in Virginia, Beach, VA last December. Gaeta won the coveted and traditional Navy "first kiss" after spending $50 on raffle tickets. Navy officials say it is the first time a gay couple has won the "first kiss" raffle. ?It's nice to be able to be myself. It's been a long time coming," said Gaeta, who had just returned from an 80 day assignment in Central America.

No Consequences

The <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/10/dont-ask-dont-tell-study_n_1868892.html?utm_hp_ref=gay-voices">first academic study</a> of the military?s post-DADT, open-service policy shows that there are no detrimental effects regarding the repeal. Published by the Palm Center, a research branch of the Williams Institute at University of California Los Angeles Law School, the study comes almost one year after DADT ending.

Randy Phillips Comes Out On YouTube

Immediately after the repeal, then 21-year-old Randy Phillips, who serves in the U.S. Air Force, captured everyone?s attention by taping his <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVAgz6iyK6A&list=UUFC8Uw64ucDytNm04K60K4w&index=41&feature=plcp">coming out to his father</a> and placing it on Youtube. Phillips?s video went viral and has over 6 million views to date. Later, the young soldier <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/09/29/airman-comes-out-to-mother_n_988047.html">came out to his mother in a similar fashion</a>.

Gay Military Organization Celebrates Repeal

<a href="http://outserve.org">OutServe</a>, the association of actively serving LGBT military personnel, hosted its first <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/16/outserve-summit-ends-with_n_1014265.html">Armed Services Leadership Summit</a> one month after DADT?s repeal. The keynote speaker, Douglas Wilson, assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs and the highest-ranking openly gay official in Pentagon history, summed up everyone?s thoughts by saying, ?This is freaking amazing.?

First Gay Civil Union Ceremony On A Military Base

Tech Sgt. Erwynn Umali and his partner, airman Will Behrens, were the first same-sex couple to have a <a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/life/the_wedding/2012/07/erwynn_umali_and_will_behrens_the_first_gay_wedding_on_a_military_base_.html">civil union on an American military base</a> in New Jersey, where gay marriage is not legal. The ceremony, which took place in front of 150 friends and family, was held on Umali?s home station, McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst.

Openly Gay Soldiers March At San Diego Gay Pride

This July was the first time gay active servicemen and women marched in uniform in a <a href="http://articles.latimes.com/2012/jul/22/local/la-me-gay-military-20120722">Pride parade</a>, after the Department of Defense allowed the city of San Diego the honor. The celebration drew in an estimated 200,000 attendees who cheered LGBT personnel from different military branches. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYtILoMz_e4">Click here to watch a video with interviews with the participants</a>.

A Gay Military Proposal

When Navy veteran, Cory Huston, dropped to one knee and asked his boyfriend, U.S. Marine Avarice Guerrero, to marry him, they became the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/27/gay-marine-marriage-proposal-military-base_n_1460179.html">first gay couple to get engaged on a military base</a>. Guerrero returned from deployment and was greeted by Huston at San Diego?s Camp Pendleton, where family and friends watched the joyous occasion.

Stephen Hill Gets Booed

When <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/09/22/republican-debate-dadt-repeal-rick-santorum_n_977105.html">Stephen Hill</a>, an American soldier in Iraq, asked Rick Santorum if he?d ?circumvent the progress that?s been made for gay and lesbian soldiers in the military,? the crowd booed Hill. The incident occurred at the Republican presidential primaries in Florida soon after the repeal of DADT. President Obama chastised the GOP candidates for not saying anything to the crowd <a href="http://newsfeed.time.com/2011/10/02/obama-blasts-republicans-for-silence-after-gay-soldier-booed-during-debate/">when he spoke at the HRC?s annual national dinner</a> and proclaimed that a commander-in-chief must support all military personnel -- gay or straight.

Social Networks Go Crazy Over Gay Soldier Kiss

Perhaps the most <a href="http://miamiherald.typepad.com/gaysouthflorida/2012/02/marine-partner-reflect-on-gay-kiss-seen-around-the-globe-the-world-went-away-for-a-few-minutes.html">memorable gay military kiss</a>, with a picture that garnered 37,000 Facebook ?likes,? shared online and on news outlets everywhere, Marine Sgt. Brandon Morgan jumped into his boyfriend?s arms (Dalan Wells), wrapped his legs around Wells?s body, and kissed him. Morgan returned from Afghanistan to Hawaii and said, ?The world went away for a few minutes.?

Midnight Marriage

Right at the stroke of midnight on Sept. 20, 2011, Navy Lt. Gary Ross <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/09/20/dont-ask-dont-tell-repeal-wedding_n_971128.html#s366377&title=Gays_in_Military">wed his partner</a>, Dan Swezy, in Vermont just as the repeal of DADT became official. The couple had been together for 11 years and traveled all the way from Arizona to get married in the first state to allow same-sex civil unions.

Tammy Smith Becomes First Openly Gay General

Just last month, <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/13/tammy-smith-first-openly-gay-general_n_1771605.html">Tammy Smith</a> became the first openly gay general officer. Because of DADT?s repeal, Smith can serve without worrying about dismissal based on her sexual orientation.

Support From Panetta

Defense Secretary <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/15/leon-panetta-gay-troops-pride-month-dadt_n_1599642.html?utm_hp_ref=mostpopular">Leon Panetta saluted gay soldiers</a>, saying, ?Now you can be proud of serving your country, and be proud of who you are.? Panetta?s statement came just before the Pentagon?s gay pride celebration in June.

Gay Pride At The Pentagon

LGBT troops gathered in June for a <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/30/pentagon-gay-pride-us-troops_n_1639658.html?utm_hp_ref=mostpopular"> Pride celebration hosted by the Pentagon</a>. This was the first time such an event occurred, where gay soldiers (former and current) could be in uniform and openly talk about their pre- and post-DADT experiences with government officials.

A Holiday Engagement To Remember

Getting home for the holidays got even better for a lesbian solider whose <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/09/lesbian-soldier-engagement-leave_n_1195057.html?utm_hp_ref=dont-ask-dont-tell">girlfriend proposed to her</a>. The heart-warming moment was captured on video and was set to Chester See?s ?You?re Beautiful.?

Veterans Day 2011

Last year?s <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/12/veterans-day-2011-dont-ask-dont-tell_n_1090053.html?utm_hp_ref=dont-ask-dont-tell">Veterans Day</a> was the first since DADT?s repeal. Cities across the nation honored those who have served with heartfelt tributes.

Gay Military Students Enjoy New Benefits

Graduation season took on new meaning for <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/27/military-gay-students-graduation_n_1548880.html?utm_hp_ref=dont-ask-dont-tell">gay students at our nation?s military service academies</a>. LGBT students celebrated their pomp and circumstance openly for the first time and have enjoyed various other benefits (clubs for gay students and the ability to take their same-sex partners to dances) since the repeal of DADT.

HRC Celebrates Repeal

Last year?s <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/01/dadt-repealed-gay-servicemembers-uniform_n_990550.html?utm_hp_ref=dont-ask-dont-tell">HRC fundraising dinner</a> saw gay servicemen and women in uniform for the first time, something that could not have happened with DADT in place. Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) said, ?It warms my heart, and I'm so proud of them, and thank them so much for their service to our country."

A Soldier Reenlists

<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/25/lee-reinhart-chicago-vete_n_1030624.html?utm_hp_ref=dont-ask-dont-tell">Lee Reinhart</a> was dismissed from service under DADT but became Illinois? first openly gay man to reenlist in the U.S. Armed Forces. Rep. Mike Quigley (D-Ill.) administered the <a href="http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2011-10-24/news/ct-met-dont-ask-dont-tell-1024-20111024_1_lee-reinhart-gay-veteran-sexual-orientation">soldier?s oath</a> in front of a crowd in Chicago?s Center on Halsted, a community resources center for LGBT people.

U.S. Marine Corps Leader Supports Gay Personnel

Late August saw the head of the U.S. Marine Corps, <a href="http://www.washingtonblade.com/2012/08/28/top-u-s-marine-openly-gay-servicemembers-not-an-issue/">James Amos</a>, who first opposed the repeal of DADT, say openly gay servicemembers haven?t been an issue. Amos said, ?I?m very pleased with how it?s turned out. I?m very proud of the Marines.?

McCain Backs Repeal

Presidential hopeful John McCain said he would <a href="http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0111/47149.html"> support the repeal of DADT</a> in January, after initially opposing Obama?s decision. McCain said, ?I?ve got to do whatever I can to help the men and women who are serving, particularly in combat, cope with this situation.?

DNC Platform Clearly States Position For Marriage Equality

The <a href="http://assets.dstatic.org/dnc-platform/2012-National-Platform.pdf">2012 DNC platform</a> states, ?We support the right of all families to have equal respect, responsibilities, and protections under the law. We support marriage equality and support the movement to secure equal treatment under law for same-sex couples,? in its ?Protecting Rights and Freedoms? section. This written statement comes after Obama?s announcement that he supports marriage equality in May.

RNC Platform Shows Some Progress

In its corresponding <a href="http://whitehouse12.com/republican-party-platform/">2012 platform</a>, the RNC says they will continue to defend DOMA. But the platform also states (perhaps in regards to the repeal of DADT), ?We will support an objective and open-minded review of the current Administration?s management of military personnel policies and will correct problems with appropriate administrative, legal, or legislative action.?

Gay Military Couples Sue Federal Government

Although the repeal of DADT was a joyous occasion, gay military couples still do not have benefits equal to those of their straight colleagues because of the Defense Of Marriage Act, which doesn?t recognize same-sex marriage at a federal level. The <a href="http://www.sldn.org">Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, along with several gay military families, </a> filed a lawsuit <a href="http://www.advocate.com/news/daily-news/2011/10/27/gay-service-members-sue-equal-benefits">against the federal government</a> just one month after the historic repeal to secure equal benefits.

Romantic Reunion At Sea

After six months at sea, gay U.S. Navy sailor Trent was greeted with a <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/24/us-seaman-romantic-reunion-uss-carl-vinson_n_1542457.html?utm_hp_ref=dont-ask-dont-tell">passionate kiss from his boyfriend</a>, Lee, at the Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego.

A Pinning Worth Remembering

Last December, Air Force Col. Ginger Wallace (right) was promoted in a <a href="http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=66924">customary pinning ceremony</a>, where her partner, Kathy Knopf, had the honor of being by Wallace's side. This is believed to be the first time a same-sex couple participated in such a celebration since DADT's expungement.

Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/21/doma-effect-gay-couples-matthew-phelps-_n_2735677.html

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