legitimate beatify: January 2013

Thursday, January 31, 2013

Bout: Play a Round of Photo One-Upmanship

Who among you can snap the funniest photo? Bout will settle the score. More »

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Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Bishops' briefing on same-sex marriage Bill: full text - Catholic Herald

The Catholic Bishops? Conference of England and Wales Briefing to Members of Parliament on the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill

Tuesday 29th January 2013

We urge Members to oppose this legislation at Second Reading for the following reasons:

1. THE MEANING OF MARRIAGE MATTERS

This Bill, for the first time in British history, fundamentally seeks to break the existing legal link between the institution of marriage and sexual exclusivity, loyalty, and responsibility for the children of the marriage. If the Bill passes, several previously foundational aspects of the law of marriage will be changed to accommodate same sex
couples: the common law presumption that a child born to a mother during her marriage is also the child of her partner will not apply in same sex marriages (Schedule 4, para. 2); the existing provisions on divorce will be altered so that sexual infidelity by one of the parties in a same sex marriage with another same sex partner will not constitute adultery (Schedule 4, para. 3); and nonconsummation will not be a ground on which a same sex marriage is voidable (Schedule 4, para. 4).

Marriage thus becomes an institution in which openness to children, and with it the responsibility on fathers and mothers to remain together to care for children born into their family unit, is no longer central to society?s understanding of that institution (as reflected in the law). The fundamental problem with the Bill is that changing the legal understanding of marriage to accommodate same sex partnerships threatens subtly, but radically, to alter the meaning of marriage over time for everyone. This is the heart of our argument in principle against same sex marriage.

The existing approach to marriage in British law encourages a particular understanding of marriage and the obligations taken on by those who marry. British law currently provides, for example, that a marriage is between two, rather than several, individuals; that the commitment of husband and wife is meant to last for their lifetime; that there is a sexual aspect to the relationship (in the requirement of consummation for there to be a valid marriage); that the husband is presumed to be the father of the child carried by his wife; and that the partners to the marriage will remain loyal to the relationship to the exclusion of all other sexual partners.

Those elements of the law of marriage are not arbitrary, archaic, or reactionary; they serve to show that marriage has an important and unique function.

These provisions cannot be understood unless they are seen as intimately related to the conception and rearing of children. This view is one held particularly strongly by the Catholic Church, but it is not a uniquely religious view.2 As Bertrand Russell said: ?But for children, there would be no need of any institution concerned with sex ?. It is through children alone that sexual relations become of importance to society, and worthy to be taken cognizance of by a legal institution.?

We recognise that there is an alternative view of what constitutes the ?good? of marriage, and we understand that proponents of same sex marriage often adopt this alternative view, in good faith.

Under this alternative view, the ?good? of marriage is that it fosters intimacy and care-giving for dependants, builds trust, and encourages openness, and shared responsibilities.3 We accept, of course, that these are, indeed, important aspects of marriage. But we believe that marriage is not only the institutional recognition of love and commitment. Marriage, as legally recognised in this country, is also the institutional recognition of a unique kind of relationship in which children are raised by their birth-parents. Even if this is not always possible in practice, the law, by recognising this core understanding of marriage, sends a vital signal to society of an ideal.

We recognise, of course, that British law does not limit marriage to those who intend to have children; nor does it deny marriage to those who are infertile. We also recognise that many same sex couples raise children in loving and caring homes. Nevertheless, marriage has an identity that at its core is distinct from any other legally recognised relationship, no matter how much love or commitment may be involved in these other relationships. Marriage has,
over the centuries, been the enduring public recognition of this commitment to provide a stable institution for the care and protection of children, and it has rightly been recognised as unique and worthy of legal protection for this reason. Marriage furthers the common good of society because it promotes a unique relationship within which children are conceived, born and reared, an institution that we believe benefits children.

2. RETAINING MARRIAGE SOLELY FOR OPPOSITE SEX COUPLES IS NOT DISCRIMINATORY

We believe, along with those who support same sex marriage, that the law matters both in terms of the
signals that it sends and the effects of those signals on future behaviour. We disagree that the signal that
is sent currently, by restricting marriage to opposite sex couples, is one of disparagement of same sex
relationships.

The basic argument that is advanced in favour of same sex marriage is one of equality and fairness. But we suggest that this intuitively appealing argument is fundamentally flawed. Those who argue for same sex marriage do so on the basis that it is unjust to treat same sex and heterosexual relationships differently in allowing only heterosexual couples access to marriage. Our principal argument against this is that it is not unequal or unfair to treat those in different
circumstances differently. Indeed, to treat them the same would itself be unjust.

The Government, in proposing this change to the law and definition of marriage, has itself not sought complete equivalence between same sex couples and heterosexual couples. We have already shown how significantly the Bill distinguishes between same sex and opposite sex marriages (there is no consummation requirement, there is no common law presumption as to the parenthood of any children, and adultery will not be a ground for divorce). What results in the Bill is a distinct set of differences between opposite sex marriage and same sex marriage. In addition to these differences incorporated in the Bill, civil partnerships will remain an option for same sex couples, but heterosexual couples will not be given access to civil partnerships and the Government has made this decision against the views of the majority in the consultation.

The Government itself recognises, therefore, that it is not necessarily unfair discrimination or a breach of the principle of equality to treat different people differently, if they are different in a relevant way. So too, retaining different institutions in order to serve differing functions is not unfair, but a recognition of relevant differences in the functions served by those institutions.

Catholic teaching, whilst it does not condone same sex sexual activity, condemns unfair discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. We note that same sex couples already effectively enjoy equivalent legal rights as heterosexual couples by virtue of the Civil Partnership Act 2004. A Civil Partnership in essence entitles a same sex couple to equivalent legal benefits, advantages and rights as heterosexual couples6 . Therefore the changes proposed in the Bill
are not needed in order to provide legal recognition to and protection for same sex relationships. Our opposition to same sex marriage is not based in discrimination or prejudice; it is based in a positive effort to ensure that the unique social values currently served by marriage carry on being served by that institution in the future.

3. THERE IS NO MANDATE FOR THIS CHANGE AND THE VIEWS OF MANY HAVE BEEN IGNORED

Fundamentally changing the definition of marriage is a major constitutional change and Parliament should not be rushed into making a decision that will have far reaching long-term consequences, many of them unintended. Once this understanding of marriage is fundamentally weakened, its unique value will be lost. The risk, if this Bill becomes law, is that the true meaning of marriage will gradually, over time, be lost, to the detriment of future generations. This Bill, we repeat, will change the meaning of marriage for everyone.

The British public, as a whole, did not seek this change; none of the mainstream political parties promised it in their last election manifestos; there has been no referendum; there was no Green or White Paper; and when the Government launched its consultation it did not ask whether the law should be changed, but how the law should be changed. There is no clear mandate for this change.

In pressing forward with this Bill the Government has set aside the views of over 625,000 people who signed a petition opposing the change, and effectively ignored the submissions of many others to the Equal Civil Marriage Consultation who also opposed the change. Whilst we accept that there is support for this change among a section of the British public, we believe that such a major constitutional change should not be decided on the basis of simple head counts. In short, we suggest that that there is no public consensus on this issue and that there is not sufficient public demand for so
fundamental a change to the definition of marriage.

It is essential that Parliament proceeds with extreme caution before fundamental alterations are made to an institution that provides the primary tried and trusted context in which children are born and raised. We have made it clear that there are major arguments in principle against this change, but even leaving these to one side, any such changes should await considerably more evidence about child bearing and child rearing in the context of same sex unions.

4. THE BILL PAVES THE WAY FOR YET MORE FUNDAMENTAL CHANGE

By fundamentally altering the definition of marriage, the Government will leave the law on marriage vulnerable to even more radical change in the near future, however much the Government protests that this is not its intention. Over the last two decades, the laws have changed continually, despite assurances at each stage that the law would change no further. In 2004, for example, the Civil Partnerships Act was passed and religious organisations were excluded, but this was later changed (after assurances that it would not be) to allow civil partnership ceremonies to be conducted on religious premises. At the time the Civil Partnerships Act was debated there were also assurances that the definition of marriage would not be affected but, only a few years later, the Bill now before Parliament seeks to alter the fundamental meaning of marriage.

If the law is changed and the existing core understanding of marriage is lost, further changes both in Parliament and through the courts can be expected. Previous experience shows that statutory changes to fundamental institutions pave the way for further changes going well beyond what the drafters of the original measure considered desirable, or even conceivable. Slippery slope arguments are often overused, but in this case the evidence is clear: by making these changes, it is more likely that the law and core understanding of marriage will be altered further in the coming
years.

5. THE PROPOSED ?SAFEGUARDS? ARE INADEQUATE

The Government?s safeguards, although well intentioned, will not provide adequate protection for individuals or religious organisations with conscientious objections to same sex marriage.

(a) The Religious Protection Provision Inadequately Protects Individuals:

The Bill is likely to generate further difficulties and barriers for individuals with conscientious objections to same sex marriage both inside and outside the work place.

The government purports, in Clause 2, to protect individuals from being ?compelled? to conduct same sex marriages even if their religious organisations have opted-in; but it has failed to protect individuals in other circumstances, where the state is involved. Carefully tailored protections are needed for individuals who have a conscientious objection to same sex marriage in several other contexts.

For example, such individuals should be able reasonably to express views that relate to same sex marriage without fear of criminal prosecution under public order legislation. Freedom of expression is one of the hallmarks of a democratic society and it is central to achieving individual freedoms. It deserves to be protected explicitly.

The right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion of employees may also be limited as a result of the Bill. Protection should be accorded to those working in the public and religious sectors. Individuals should be able reasonably to excuse themselves from activities, or be able reasonably to express views, that relate to same sex marriage without fear of being reprimanded or losing their jobs.

(b) The Religious Protection Provision Inadequately Protects Religious Organisations:

The Prime Minister personally, and the Government in general, have also sought to reassure religious organisations that they will not be required under any circumstances to conduct same sex marriages if they object to them. Clause 2
of the Bill seeks to protect religious organisations in two ways: by providing that religious organisations may not be ?compelled? to opt-in, and by providing that religious organisations may not be ?compelled? to conduct same sex marriages.

Whilst we welcome the recognition that protections are necessary, we do not consider that these provisions adequately address the problem, because it is entirely unclear what the protection from being ?compelled? in law means in these circumstances.

As regards Clause 2(1), there remains a significant risk that religious organisations that conduct legally recognised opposite sex marriages (in the civil and religious sense) will be regarded as ?public bodies? for the purposes of the Human Rights Act 1998 and judicial review. This could result in legal challenge to a decision not to ?opt in?, thus limiting the breadth of the discretion of those religious organisations. This is a significant threat and even if such litigation may ultimately be successfully resisted, it would only be after significant costs had been incurred. Religious organisations should not be exposed to such costs, and more explicit protections are therefore
needed.

(c) The Implications of the Public Sector Equality Duty Have Not Been Addressed:

A similar problem arises under section 149 of the Equality Act 2010. Most public authorities, such as local authorities, are under a duty to have ?due regard? to the need to ?advance equality of opportunity between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic and persons who do not share it.? In particular, public authorities must have ?due regard? to the need to ?remove or minimize disadvantages suffered by persons who share a relevant protected
characteristic that are connected to that characteristic?.

The Bill does nothing to prevent public authorities from taking into account a decision by a religious organisation not to opt-in to same sex marriage. The Bill does nothing to prevent religious organisations which do not opt-in to same sex marriage from being treated less favourably by public authorities, for example by refusing to award public contracts or grants to religious organisations. It is not at all clear that Clause 2(1) protects religious organisations from such less favourable treatment.

(d) Interference with the autonomy of other Churches establishes a dangerous precedent:

We have made it clear that the Catholic Church will not be conducting same sex marriages. But our concerns extend beyond the effect of the Bill on the Catholic Church. We are concerned also about the significant inroads that the Bill makes on the internal affairs of other religious organisations, in two respects.

First, Clause 2(3) makes it unlawful for the Church of England to conduct same sex marriages. Whether or not religious organisations wish to provide same sex marriage ceremonies is a decision that must be made by the religious organisations alone. The Bill establishes a dangerous precedent for government interference with other religious organisations. Second, there is a further problem of principle.

Clause 2(2) seeks to allow individuals, connected to a religious organisation which has opted-in to same sex marriages, to refuse to conduct or be present at a same sex marriage ceremony. This will undoubtedly generate conflict and the religious freedom of individuals will (under the Bill) be accorded greater weight than the institutional autonomy of religious organisations. The major effect of this safeguard will be to undermine the traditional institutional autonomy of religious organisations, providing scope for further dispute and division between religious organisations and their members. Were this protection to be accorded to individuals outside the religious sector as well, this interference would be justified. The fact that this is directed only at religious organisations is disturbing.

(e) Sharing Religious Buildings ? Creating Future Friction Between Religious Organisations:

Clauses 44 A-D of Schedule 1 will generate friction between religious organisations and damage interfaith relations. This provision is likely to lead to division between religious organisations that share buildings but have opposing views on same sex marriage. It will result in disputes over whether or not one religious organisation has the right to veto the use of shared religious buildings, and it will hinder inter-faith relations by engendering a reluctance to share buildings and resources in the future.

(f) Recourse to the ECHR renders the ?safeguards? questionable in any event:

Parliament may seek to provide protections for religious individuals or religious organisations under domestic law but it cannot ensure that these protections themselves will withstand complaints against them to the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR).

There is a risk that the ECtHR will find that the protections provided by the Bill are incompatible with the Convention under Article 89 alone, or Articles 8 and 1210, read with Article 14,11 on the ground that the Bill adopts a discriminatory regime by enabling some religious organisations to refuse to perform same sex marriage ceremonies.

A key reason for this increased risk is that Britain, by changing the law on ?marriage? as such would open up the prospect that a discrimination claim could succeed because the claimed discrimination would then come ?within the ambit? of Article 12. It is clear that a challenge directly under Article 12 would be unlikely to succeed (because the ECtHR has held there is no right to same sex marriage under Article 12) but a claim under Article 14 read with Article 12 is a different matter.

The Government has argued that the chance of a successful challenge to the protections in the ECtHR is low on the basis that Article 9 (protecting freedom of religion) would protect the safeguards. But the recent judgment by a Chamber of the ECtHR in the case of Eweida and Others v The United Kingdom [2013] (Application nos. 48420/10, 59842/10, 51671/10 and 36516/10)12 illustrates that the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion (Article 9) does not
provide adequate protection when there is a clash between it and other competing rights and interests. The Government cannot therefore guarantee that the ECtHR would accept the safeguards put in place to protect the position of individuals and organisations that have a conscientious objection to same sex marriage, should a challenge be brought.

There is no precedent from the ECtHR on the acceptability under the Convention of balancing religious protections with sexual orientation in the context of a same sex marriage law that has been introduced by a Member State.13 Previous case law has involved the question whether Member States should introduce same sex marriage, not on how it legislates for same sex marriage. What we know from case law, however, is that the Court often accords Article 9 rights relatively little weight, and accords a Member State a considerable margin of appreciation in deciding how to protect that right.
Much greater weight is given to equality on the basis of sexual orientation, meaning the margin of appreciation is correspondingly reduced. Differences in treatment based on sexual orientation can be justified only with very considerable difficulty, as indicated by the case law of the ECtHR.

It is also likely that challenges will be made under the Human Rights Act in domestic courts, where, of course, the margin of appreciation does not apply. The proposed ?safeguards? may turn out not to be safeguards at all.

6. THE WIDER CONSEQUENCES OF THE BILL HAVE NOT BEEN ADEQUATELY ADDRESSED

The consequences of the Bill will be wide-ranging. The Government has not identified all these consequences and they certainly have not all been addressed. Three of the wider potential repercussions are explored below, but there are and will be many others.

(a) Unknown Implications For Public And Private Law:

Clause 11(1) is extremely broad and its implications cannot possibly be known in advance. It states: ?In the law of England and Wales, marriage has the same effect in relation to same sex couples as it has in relation to opposite sex couples.? The intention is to ensure, as the default position, that same sex marriage is for all legal effects the same as opposite sex marriage. To incorporate such a broad provision is a dangerous substitute for the detailed (and extensive) inquiry that is necessary. Inadequate thought has been given to the repercussions of such a significant change, no doubt because of the rushed way in which the legislation was prepared. This provision is likely to lead to costly litigation, the need for continuing ad hoc parliamentary engagement, or both.

Given the constitutional importance of this proposed change of law, such a clause (with extensive and unknown consequences that may detrimentally affect a number of people and institutions) is unacceptable.

(b) Education ? Freedom of Expression and Freedom of Religion:

A change in the definition of marriage will have an adverse impact on schools because the Secretary of State is under a statutory duty to issue guidance on ?the nature of marriage and its importance for family life and the bringing up of children? under s.403 of the Education Act 1996. A statutory change may therefore result in religious schools being compelled to teach a definition of marriage contrary to their own understanding and thus impact on previously accepted and protected religious freedoms.

There is also a danger that teachers will be limited in their freedom of expression both inside and outside school as far as same sex marriage is concerned. It is imperative that freedom of expression and the freedom of thought, conscience and religion, are protected in the school curriculum, when individuals are teaching, or where teachers publicly express dissenting views in other contexts. The Bill fails to do this.

In marriage, legal and religious institutions are thoroughly intertwined. It is one of the central examples in Britain where there is, at present, no clear separation of church and state. This is true not just with regard to the special role of the Church of England, but more generally. Britain, unlike most continental European countries, provides that ?religious? marriages are also valid ?civil? marriages.

The effect of the Bill, if it is passed, will be to make a more complete separation of church and state in the area of marriage almost inevitable. ?Civil? marriages will be performed by state officials only and the state will determine the legal benefits, rights and duties that accompany marriage, but these will not be regarded as marriages in the eyes of many Churches. ?Religious marriages? will be performed by religious institutions according to their own doctrine and rites, and will have no effect on legal relations. Over time, civil and religious marriages will become fundamentally
distinct institutions.

Some will welcome that development; some will not. But either way it is important that Members of Parliament are fully aware of the longer-term effects of the Bill in this respect. The choices that Parliament is being called to make will have profound implications for the future architecture of relations between church and state in Britain.

Source: http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2013/01/29/bishops-briefing-on-same-sex-marriage-bill-full-text/

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Dell B2360d

Although the Dell B2360d is best thought of as a personal mono laser printer, thanks to having a USB port as its only connector, it offers a level of capability you'd expect in a shared printer for a small office or workgroup. It is, in short, a potentially good choice if you need a printer for unusually heavy-duty use by personal printer standards. That's a little too narrow a niche to make it an Editors' Choice, but if that's the niche you're looking to fill, it promises to be a good fit.

The B2360d is directly competitive, for personal printer use at least, with the Editors' Choice Brother HL-6180DW. It lacks the network support that makes the Brother HL-6180DW far better for sharing, but if you're planning to connect by USB cable, there's no point in paying extra for Ethernet and Wi-Fi. There are other differences too, with the Brother HL-6180DW offering a higher paper capacity (at 550 sheets standard and 1,050 sheets maximum) and the B2360d offering faster speed on our tests, but the differences add up to making the two well-matched overall.

Basics
Although the B2360d doesn't offer as high a paper capacity as the Brother HL-6180DW, its paper handling is suitable for a micro or small office, which makes it more than ample for heavy-duty personal printer use. In addition to a 250-sheet drawer and 50-sheet multi-purpose tray, for a total 300-sheet capacity, it includes a duplexer (for automatic two-sided printing) as standard. If you need more input capacity, you can get an optional 550-sheet tray ($239.99 direct for the standard version or $284.99 for a lockable version) for a maximum total of 850 sheets.

As is typical for a printer with this level of paper handling, the B2360d is relatively big, weighing a hefty 31.1 pounds. However, it measures only 10.3 by 15.7 by 15 inches (HWD), giving it a smaller footprint than many inkjets. Even if you'd rather not have it sitting on your desk, you shouldn't have a problem finding room for it nearby. Setting it up and installing the drivers on a Windows Vista system for my tests was standard fare.

Speed and Output Quality
Dell rates the B2360d at 40 pages per minute (ppm), which is a touch slower than Brother's rating for the HL-6180DW. On our tests, however, the Dell printer was convincingly faster. I timed it on our business applications suite (using QualityLogic's hardware and software for timing), at an effective 14.8 ppm compared with just 10.7 ppm for the HL-6180W. It's also significantly faster than most other printers in its price range, although the slightly more expensive Canon imageClass LBP6300dn is statistically tied with it, at 14.5 ppm.

Dell B2360d

Output quality for the B2360d is a touch below par overall, but easily good enough for most business needs. Text quality is a step below the low end of the range where most mono lasers fall, but unless you have an unusual need for small fonts you shouldn't have any complaints about it.

Graphics output is absolutely par for a mono laser. Depending on how much of a perfectionist you are, you may or may not consider it good enough for handing out to important clients or customers when you want to convey a sense of professionalism. It's certainly good enough for any internal business use. Photos are a bit below par for a mono laser. Although the photo quality is good enough to print recognizable images from photos on Web pages, I wouldn't recommend using the printer for, say, a client newsletter with photos.

Other Issues
One other plus for the B2360d is a relatively low running cost, at 2.0 cents per page. That's a touch more than the 1.8 cents per page that Brother claims for the HL-6180DW. But with a 0.2 cent difference per page, you'd have to print 20,000 pages to make up the $40 difference in initial cost between the two. For printing anything less than 20,000 pages over the printer's lifetime, you'll still save money with the B2360d.

If your print needs are heavy duty enough to justify getting the Dell B2360d, you should obviously be taking a look at the Brother HL-6180DW as well. And if need to share a printer on a network, need the Brother printer's greater paper capacity, or expect to print enough pages to save money in the long run from the Brother printer's lower running cost, the HL-6180DW may be your preferred choice. If none of those issues applies, however, the Dell B2360d will probably be the better fit, and it certainly doesn't hurt that it offers faster speed and a lower initial cost.

More Laser Printer Reviews:
??? Dell B2360d
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Mary Wells, singer of 'My Guy,' gets posthumous Rock Hall push

(Reuters) - Mary Wells, Motown Records' first female star who paved the way for the success of Diana Ross and The Supremes, shot to fame in the early 1960s only to fade away as a footnote of the longtime Detroit record label.

Now, some two decades after Wells' death in 1992 at age 49, the singer who scored a No. 1 hit with "My Guy," is receiving a push for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Peter Benjaminson, the author of the first Wells biography, "Mary Wells: The Tumultuous Story of Motown's First Superstar," has spearheaded the campaign for the singer, who he said has not received the recognition afforded to the likes of The Supremes or Martha and the Vandellas.

Benjaminson, 67, believes that aside from Wells' merits as an R&B singer and as Motown's first big female star, she deserves consideration as a pioneer who crossed the black-and-white racial divide in the United States.

"I think it's unfair to have Mary, who set the path for so many superstars today, be excluded from an honor like this, which she should've gotten a long time ago," Benjaminson told Reuters by phone from his home in New York's Harlem neighborhood.

Wells was born into a broken household in Detroit in 1943 and contracted spinal meningitis and tuberculosis at a young age, which left her partially blind and deaf.

After graduating high school Wells set her sights on Berry Gordy, the founder of Motown, with a song she wrote herself, "Bye Bye Baby."

"Gordy kept refusing (a meeting), but she kept persisting," Benjaminson said. "Finally, he got so annoyed that he asked her to sing it right there ... He was so impressed he signed her up the next day as a Motown singer."

FACEBOOK CAMPAIGN

"Bye Bye Baby," rose to No. 45 on the Billboard Top 100 chart in 1960, a rare feat for a black, female singer, Benjaminson said.

"She really paved the way for the other women who came after, including Diana Ross," Benjaminson said. "She showed how quickly a woman could rise on the charts with Motown."

Wells was nominated for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986 and 1987, but never made the cut for induction.

"I don't know what happened in 1986 and 1987, but she's certainly due the honor this late in the game," he said.

Benjaminson is hoping first to get Wells inducted into the Legends Hall of Fame at the Apollo Theater in Harlem, a prominent historical venue for African-American musicians.

"I think that would help in getting her into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame," said Benjaminson, who hopes his book may play a role in resurrecting Wells' reputation.

Benjaminson has set up a Facebook page called "Induct Mary Wells into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame," that urges fans to send letters to the foundation that runs the Cleveland, Ohio-based Hall of Fame (http://www.rockhall.com/).

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum was established in 1983 and has inducted some 700 performers, songwriters and record producers, chosen by some 600 artists, music historians and industry members.

After scoring other hits such as "You Beat Me to the Punch," in 1962, Wells landed atop the chart for two weeks in 1964 with "My Guy," her final Motown hit.

Wells left Motown at the height of her popularity over compensation issues and never found the same success again. She died in 1992 after a battle with throat cancer.

Benjaminson's biography of Wells, published in November 2012, is his third book on Motown.

(Reporting by Kurt Anthony Krug in Detroit,; editing by Eric Kelsey, desking by G Crosse)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/mary-wells-singer-guy-gets-posthumous-rock-hall-223037515.html

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Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Yemeni troops and tanks attack al Qaeda stronghold

SANAA (Reuters) - Yemeni troops backed by tanks attacked an al Qaeda stronghold on Monday after talks to free three Western hostages collapsed, an official and residents said, leading to a retaliatory militant raid that killed three soldiers.

Tackling lawlessness in the impoverished Arabian Peninsula state, which flanks the world's biggest oil exporter Saudi Arabia, is an international priority. The United States views Yemen as a frontline in its struggle against al Qaeda.

A Finnish couple and an Austrian man, who were studying Arabic in Yemen, were snatched last month by tribesmen in the capital Sanaa. They were later sold to members of al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), and transferred to the southern al-Bayda province, a Yemeni official told Reuters earlier this month.

A separate government official said the army began its Monday offensive after AQAP rejected demands to release the hostages.

Residents said they saw dozens of tanks and armored vehicles moving at dawn towards al Qaeda's al-Manaseh stronghold in al-Bayda.

"A few hours later, army forces started shelling. We could hear explosions," a man who gave his name only as Abdullah told Reuters by telephone.

Militants retaliated by attacking a military checkpoint in Radda, a town near al-Manaseh. At least three soldiers were killed and 10 wounded in the attack, medical sources said.

The kidnapping of Westerners occurs sporadically in Yemen, mostly by tribesmen seeking bargaining clout in disputes with the authorities or by al Qaeda militants.

Washington and other Western governments regard AQAP, which has planned attacks on international targets including airliners, as one of the most dangerous offshoots of the global militant network founded by Osama bin Laden.

There have been dozens of killings of security and military officials by suspected al Qaeda gunmen in the past year, suggesting AQAP remains resilient despite increased U.S. drone strikes and an onslaught by government forces.

(Reporting by Mohammed Ghobari; Writing by Mahmoud Habboush; Editing by Rania El Gamal and Pravin Char)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/yemeni-troops-tanks-attack-al-qaeda-stronghold-120246959.html

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Before 2014 Corvette hits road, it goes to Milford

AAA??Jan. 28, 2013?3:19 AM ET
Before 2014 Corvette hits road, it goes to Milford
AP

In a Jan. 17, 2013 photo, a Chevrolet Suburban is driven through the uneven terrain course at the General Motors Milford Proving Grounds in Milford, Mich. It's in this northwest Detroit suburb that GM has its testing facility, which, according to GM consumer affairs chief James Bell, exists for the purpose of beating "the heck out of a vehicle before the customer can.? Founded in 1924, the 4,000-acre Milford Proving Grounds was the first dedicated automotive testing facility in the world, and remains one of the largest to this day. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

In a Jan. 17, 2013 photo, a Chevrolet Suburban is driven through the flood test at the General Motors Milford Proving Grounds in Milford, Mich. It's in this northwest Detroit suburb that GM has its testing facility, which, according to GM consumer affairs chief James Bell, exists for the purpose of beating "the heck out of a vehicle before the customer can.? Founded in 1924, the 4,000-acre Milford Proving Grounds was the first dedicated automotive testing facility in the world, and remains one of the largest to this day. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

In a Jan. 17, 2013 photo, a Chevrolet Malibu is subjected to a water test at the General Motors Milford Proving Grounds in Milford, Mich. It's in this northwest Detroit suburb that GM has its testing facility, which, according to GM consumer affairs chief James Bell, exists for the purpose of beating "the heck out of a vehicle before the customer can.? Founded in 1924, the 4,000-acre Milford Proving Grounds was the first dedicated automotive testing facility in the world, and remains one of the largest to this day. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

MILFORD, Mich. (AP) ? General Motors, like other automakers, showed off its newest, shiniest offerings at this month's Detroit auto show.

GM's biggest splash at the show was the 2014 Chevrolet Corvette, which the carmaker says will go on sale later this year.

Before it does, though, the new Vette needs to go where nearly all of the company's vehicles go before they head to dealer showrooms: to Milford.

It's in this northwest Detroit suburb that GM has its Proving Grounds facility, which, according to GM consumer affairs chief James Bell, exists for the purpose of beating "the heck out of a vehicle before the customer can."

Founded in 1924, the 4,000-acre Milford Proving Grounds was the first dedicated automotive testing facility in the world and remains one of the largest to this day.

Associated Press
People, Places and Companies: Detroit

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/386c25518f464186bf7a2ac026580ce7/Article_2013-01-28-GM%20Proving%20Grounds/id-4b98595866224598bdc8b7ce355d21be

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ITU approves the H.265 video format, takes us closer to high-quality mobile video

Any smartphone owner who's ever watched a streaming HD video buffer... and buffer... and buffer on even LTE connections will appreciate the ITU's speediness today. Just months after MPEG proposed the extra-miserly H.265 video codec, the ITU has approved it as an official standard. As it's greenlit so far, the format (also known as High Efficiency Video Coding) includes 8-bit, 10-bit and photo-oriented profiles that should cover most 2D capture and playback. Pros are promised 12-bit and chroma profiles in the future, while there's work on 3D for all of us. We'll have to wait for both software support and hardware acceleration to reap the rewards, but there should be many: the halved bandwidth requirements have obvious benefits for cellular devices as well as 4K media delivery for that rash of giant TVs about to hit the market. Let's hope that camera and mobile device makers are just as impatient as we are.

Filed under: Cameras, Software, HD

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Via: TechCrunch

Source: ITU

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/01/27/itu-approves-h265-video-format/

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Monday, January 28, 2013

More Than Meets the Eye About Death, Dying, and Afterlife: The ...

By Nelson Berry

One of the hardest things in life that you have to deal with is death in the family. Perhaps you already know that there's no easy way to say good-bye. However, you also don't want to miss the moment to do so.

There are no golden rules, but you can take heed of the following steps:

1. Remind them of the good things they've done. Even at their last moments, you definitely want them to feel that their lives are not in vain. They have contributed something not just to you but to the rest of the world. Talk about the good things and the pleasant memories. You can create a scrapbook or an album you can show to the dying. He or she can then turn the pages if he or she wishes to reminisce.

2. Don't treat the person too differently. Families and friends tend to treat the dying with a lot of pity and sadness. Unknown to you, the dying actually has a very excellent observation skill. They can easily detect if it's too hard for you to let go. In turn, it will be hard for them to say good-bye. Don't see them as totally different person. As hard as it may be, act as you usually do when he or she is still completely well.

3. Allow them to say good-bye. It's not only you who has to say good-bye. A lot of dying patients want to take the opportunity to do that too. After all, they are the ones who are going to do the leaving. It's essential you give them the liberty to bid farewell. Don't say, "You are still not dying" or "You still have a lot of days to live." You are only making things harder for them.

4. Listen very carefully. There are a lot of things the dying would like to talk to you. Perhaps there are still some activities they wish to accomplish, people they wish to see, or they just want to reflect on the possible death they are going to experience. Just be there to listen. There's really no need to give some advice unless he or she asks you.

5. Be there when the time comes. The dying may tell you they want to go alone, but the truth is it makes them really scared. So be there for them at the moment of death. It's going to be quite difficult, but it's one of the best things you can do for the beloved. Your inner strength may also be needed by friends and family who have weaker hearts than yours.

6. Keep yourself strong. Strength is one of the things you definitely need when you're about to face grief. When you know that it starts to dissipate, just use subliminal messages. There are many subliminal messages you can recite before seeing the dying or when you're meditating. These subliminal messages may be the following:

I am blessed by the friendship and love of (name of the dying).
I accept the process of death and grief.
I embrace the pain.

Nelson Berry is The Pioneer of Subliminal Messages Audio & Video Online and Subliminal Messages Expert for More Than Two Decades! You Love The Way That YOUR Life *Flows* and LOVE the Feelings, Fun, Fortune and Happiness it gives YOU! YOUR Dreams Really Do Come True!! Click Here for a FREE Subliminal Messages Video Download ($39.95 Value) Right Now -- Today! Try It: http://www.subliminalmessagesdownloads.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nelson_Berry

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
For more information, you might enjoy reading my book,?More Than Meets the Eye True Stories about Death, Dying, and Afterlife.?Purchase paperback on Amazon.com. It's also on Amazon as an e-book for those who have Kindle or Sony Readers. The audio book is now available!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Source: http://deathdyingafterlife.blogspot.com/2013/01/the-dying-process-how-to-properly-say.html

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Sunday, January 27, 2013

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Review of Speak Like Yourself: No, Really! - Business, finances, forex

Front-Cover-SM Have you ever given a business presentation and thought to yourself, ?The words aren?t coming out right. ?That doesn?t sound like me. ?That?s not what I intended to say.?

Or have you ever sat down to prepare a business speech to present in front of your company or an industry group and had absolutely no idea where to begin?

Do you panic, get sweaty palms or sick to your stomach, just before a business presentation?

If you can relate to any of the above business situations, I may have just the book for you to read that can help you become a better speaker no matter what business circumstance you find yourself in.

When the book came across my desk, I thought to myself:

?Oh, it?s just another book on public speaking.?

Then I started to leaf through the pages. What caught my eye was the title: ?Speak Like Yourself ? No, Really! ?Follow Your Strengths and Skills to Great Public Speaking? by Jezra Kaye.

What I learned very quickly in the book is that to be an effective speaker: You?ve got to be yourself.

You need to be your authentic self when you make a business presentation no matter the size of your audience. In order for people to buy your message, they first need to accept who you are and what you represent. That?s why you need to ?Speak like yourself ? No, really!?

Kaye, @jezrakaye,?takes you step-by-step through the public speaking process from first thought to the closing sales pitch or final bow.

You?ll learn how to:

Prepare a speech that brings value to your prospects or customers, employees or listening audience; practice giving it powerfully; and connect with your audience.
Be a relaxed, confident, competent business speaker.
Successfully handle pitches, PowerPoint, meetings, Q&A, off-the-cuff remarks, small talk, job interviews, networking, public speaking panic, and a host of other communications challenges.

The book is for speakers at all levels of experience.

If you?re new to public business speaking, you?ll find a road map for success that demystifies this sometimes-scary process, and allows you to move forward, with confidence, at your own pace.

If you?re an experienced business speaker, you?ll learn to refine and focus your presentations, practice for more predictable?success, and connect with your audience at a whole new level.

What I Really Liked

I really like that the book is its own presentation. This easy-to-read book speaks directly to you through its words. The chapters are organized as though Kaye is having a private one-on-one session with you.

The book also includes an ?Instant Speech Worksheet? plus how to ?Discover Your Public Speaking Personality ? are you a Reliable, a Helper, an Improver or an Experiencer??

At the very end of the book, Kaye talks about having fun during speaking engagements.

By reading this book and going on the journey of finding, practicing and defining who you are as a business speaker, you really will find that speaking can be fun ? rather than something that just goes with the job and you must do it.

The post Review of Speak Like Yourself: No, Really! appeared first on Small Business Trends.

Source

Source: http://news.business-news-blog.eu/review-of-speak-like-yourself-no-really/

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What will Michelle Obama do with 4 more years? (The Arizona Republic)

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Saturday, January 26, 2013

Syrian forces escalate offensive in Homs

BEIRUT (AP) ? Syria's army unleashed a barrage of rocket and artillery fire on rebel-held areas in a central province Friday as part of a widening offensive against fighters seeking to oust President Bashar Assad. At least 140 people were killed in fighting nationwide, according to activist groups.

The United Nations said a record number of Syrians streamed into Jordan this month, doubling the population of the kingdom's already-cramped refugee camp to 65,000. Over 30,000 people arrived in Zaatari in January ? 6,000 in the past two days alone, the U.N. said.

The newcomers are mostly families, women, children and elderly who fled from southern Syria, said Melissa Fleming, spokeswoman for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. She said the UNHCR was working with the Jordanian government to open a second major camp nearby by the end of this month.

Many of the new arrivals at Zaatari are from the southern town of Daraa, where the uprising against Assad first erupted nearly two years ago, the Britain-based Save the Children said Friday.

Five buses, crammed with "frightened and exhausted people who fled with what little they could carry," pull up every hour at the camp, said Saba al-Mobasat, an aid worker with Save the Children.

The exodus reflected the latest spike in violence in Syria's civil war. The conflict began in March 2011 after a peaceful uprising against Assad, inspired by the Arab Spring wave of revolutions that toppled leaders in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya and Yemen, turned violent.

Despite significant rebel advances on the battlefield, the opposition remains outgunned by government forces and has been unable to break a stalemate on the ground.

In Lebanon, the leader of the Syria-backed Lebanese Hezbollah group, Sheik Hassan Nasrallah, said Friday in a speech that those who dream about "dramatic changes" taking place in Syria should let go of their fantasies.

"Particularly those who were expecting the fall of Damascus," he told supporters, adding that military, political and international developments point to the futility of such dreams.

Activists said the army recently brought in military reinforcements to the central province of Homs and launched a renewed offensive aimed at retaking patches of territory that have been held by rebels for months.

An amateur video posted online by activists showed rockets slamming into buildings in the rebel-held town of Rastan, just north of the provincial capital, Homs. Heavy gunfire could be heard in the background.

Another video showed thick black and gray smoke rising from a building in the besieged city. "The city of Homs is burning ... day and night, the shelling of Homs doesn't stop," the narrator is heard saying.

Troops also battled rebels around Damascus in an effort to dislodge opposition fighters who have set up enclaves in surrounding towns and villages. The troops fired artillery shells Friday at several districts, including Zabadani and Daraya, according to the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

Another activist group, the Local Coordination Committees, said regime warplanes carried out airstrikes on the suburb of Douma, the largest patch of rebel-held ground near Damascus.

The Observatory, which like the LCC relies on a network of activists around Syria, said at least 80 people were killed in violence across the country Friday, including 11 in Homs.

Other video showed devastation in the Damascus neighborhood of Arbeen, following what activists said were two airstrikes there. A bleeding, wounded man can be seen being helped out of the rubble of the destroyed building. The videos appeared consistent with Associated Press reporting on the fighting.

Last month, the UNHCR said it needed $1 billion to aid Syrians in the Mideast, and that half of that money was required to help refugees in Jordan.

The agency says 597,240 refugees have registered or are awaiting registration with the UNHCR in Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq and Egypt. Some countries have higher estimates, noting many Syrians have found accommodations without registering, relying on their own resources and savings.

In Turkey, U.S. officials announced that the United States was providing an additional $10 million in assistance to help supply flour to bakeries in the Aleppo region.

Nancy Lindborg, assistant administrator for the U.S. Agency for International Development, said the aid would help provide daily bread for about 210,000 people for the next five months.

She said that with the new assistance, the United States was providing a total of $220 million to help Syrians.

"Too many people ? an unconscionable number of Syrians ? are not able to get daily bread, in addition to other supplies," Lindborg told journalists after a visit to a Syrian refugee camp near Turkey's border with Syria.

In a rare gesture, Syria's Interior Ministry called on those who fled the country during the civil war to return, including regime opponents. It said the government will help hundreds of thousands of citizens return whether they left "legally or illegally."

Syrian opposition figures abroad who want to take part in reconciliation talks will also be allowed back, according to a ministry statement carried late Thursday by the state SANA news agency.

If they "have the desire to participate in the national dialogue, they would be allowed to enter Syria," it said.

The proposed talks are part of Assad's initiative to end the conflict that started as peaceful protests in March 2011 but turned into a civil war. Tens of thousands of activists, their family members and opposition supporters remain jailed by the regime, according to international activist groups.

Opposition leaders repeatedly have rejected any talks that include Assad, insisting he must step down. The international community backs that demand, but Assad has clung to power, vowing to crush the armed opposition.

More than 60,000 people have been killed since the conflict began, according to the U.N.

Activists also said two cars packed with explosives blew up near a military intelligence building in the Syrian-controlled part of the Golan Heights, killing eight. Most of the dead were members of the Syrian military, the Observatory said.

The Syrian government had no comment on the attacks, which occurred Thursday night in the town of Quneitra, and nobody claimed responsibility for them.

Car bombs and suicide attacks targeting Syrian troops and government institutions have been the hallmark of Islamic militants fighting in Syria alongside rebels trying to topple Assad.

Quneitra is on the cease-fire line between Syria and Israel, which controls most of the Golan Heights after capturing the strategic territory from Syria in the 1967 war.

___

Associated Press writers Albert Aji in Damascus, Syria, Suzan Fraser in Ankara, Turkey and Zeina Karam in Beirut contributed to this report.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/syrian-forces-escalate-offensive-homs-184013373.html

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Leading Senate liberal Harkin of Iowa to retire

DES MOINES (Reuters) - Senator Tom Harkin, a veteran Iowa Democrat and one of the most liberal senators, said on Saturday he will not seek re-election in 2014, putting at risk what was considered a safe Democratic seat.

Harkin, 73, who has focused much of his nearly 40-year congressional career on farm policy, education and expanding rights for people with disabilities, is the third senator facing re-election next year who has announced his retirement, following Democrat Jay Rockefeller of West Virginia and Republican Saxby Chambliss of Georgia.

"It's somebody else's turn. It's time for me to step aside ... . I think that's not only good for our party, it's good for our state and for our nation," Harkin said in an interview with Reuters.

He said he had no health problems but had promised his wife that he would quit before it was too late to enjoy other things in life.

Iowa, site of the country's first presidential nominating contest, is considered a political swing state. Republican Charles Grassley is Iowa's other U.S. senator.

In remarks to the Iowa Democratic Party central committee after his announcement, Harkin said he would stay politically active.

"I'm not quitting today. This is not a time for legacy talks or anything like this," said Harkin, who has served in Congress since 1974.

Several committee members had tears running down their cheeks as he spoke.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, a Nevada Democrat, in a statement described Harkin as "a passionate progressive, whose deeply held principles have provided a guiding light to Democrats for decades."

SEARCH IS ON

Party officials said Harkin's announcement, coming early in the current two-year election cycle, provides ample time to recruit a strong Democratic candidate.

Among Democrats, U.S. Representative Bruce Braley is widely seen as a front-runner. U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, a former Iowa governor, and his wife, Christine Vilsack, who ran unsuccessfully for Congress last year, are also viewed as potential candidates.

Among Republicans, U.S. Representatives Tom Latham, a moderate, and Steve King, a conservative, are mentioned as possible candidates, which could produce a divisive Republican primary.

Democratic President Barack Obama won Iowa in the November election. But the state has a Republican governor, and a divided legislature and congressional delegation.

Harkin's retirement "just reinforces our belief that a grassroots Republican comeback can take place in 2014. Let's have it start in Iowa," Iowa Republican Party Chairman A.J. Spiker said in an email appeal to state Republicans.

The party needs to pick up six seats in the mid-term elections next year to take a majority in the 100-member Senate.

One of the last of the Senate's old-guard liberals, Harkin angrily opposed the White House over the recent fiscal cliff compromise that Vice President Joe Biden negotiated with Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky.

Harkin said the deal that raised taxes only on the very rich helps the wealthy at the expense of the middle class.

First elected to the House of Representatives in 1974 and to the Senate in 1984, Harkin said someone younger needs to take his place.

"I've been there 40 years. I'm 73. By the time I run (for re-election), I'd be 75," he said.

(Additional reporting by Richard Cowan, David Morgan, Charles Abbott and Vicki Allen in Washington; Editing by Greg McCune and Xavier Briand)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/democratic-senator-tom-harkin-not-seek-election-aide-161442576.html

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A nation of takers (Powerlineblog)

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Saiyan Soul needs characters!

Welcome everyone to the player's wanted ad for Saiyan Soul, an RP based off of the Dragon Ball manga and anime by Akira Toriyama.

Now I know what you're thinking. "So this is just going to be a Dragon Ball RP right?", well not really. Though it contains much the same in the way or lore such as the Saiyan race and its transformations, as well as the Dragon Balls, it will not be in the Dragon Ball universe. There will be no use of known characters, nor will there be any use of known locations such as "West City" or "Satan City". This RP has its own story and characters, and while it will give nods to the Dragon Ball franchise, it will never exactly copy it.

This RP is going to be long, as there is a system for keeping track of each individual player's power level throughout the RP. To give you some scale, your initial power level is going to be 450 or lower. After each battle, if you're human, your base power will increase by 15%, and no more. If you're a Saiyan, it'll be 20%. It will require a Saiyan a power level of at least 500,000 before they will be allowed to transform into a Super Saiyan. So as you can see, we'll be going through plenty of battles and near death experiences before we come anywhere close to that.

So, if you think you are up to the challenge of being part of a long RP which will focus on combat, then check out the RP. To keep things as fair as possible, I will only allow one more Saiyan aside from my own character to be introduced into the RP. All others will be human. There will be restrictions on the Saiyan's role in each battle, as well as special bonuses granted to the human characters throughout the RP to keep them relatively around the same power level in the beginning. As time goes on, the Saiyans will pull ahead, so consider yourself warned now. However, the story will center around the human characters much more so than the Saiyans, and most of the action will take place around them as well.

I know everyone will be wondering why I'm only allowing two Saiyans in the RP, even if it is meant to balance things out a little bit. The answer is quite simple. This RP is going to require a very special breed of role players who do not mind it when their characters are not always the center of attention. In today's world of self centered people, everyone wants the spotlight and will do whatever they have to in order to grab it and keep it. In this RP, everyone will have their time to shine, and each player will have their turn to be the strongest character throughout the RP.

For this RP, I need role players who are flexible, dedicated, resourceful and cooperative. If you can't live with the idea of your character not always being equal to the others, then this RP is not for you.

So if you can live with that, then please come check out the RP!

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/RolePlayGateway/~3/JhYY54uQqIs/viewtopic.php

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Friday, January 25, 2013

How To Prepare Yourself For Business Networking Events

Preparing yourself for business networking events is easier said than done. Many people completely misunderstand the point of networking events and have little idea why they are attending them apart from hunting for business, or what they should be doing in order to enhance their credibility at the events.

Over the past year, how many business networking events did you attend?

Were the events you attended helpful?

Out of all the people you met at those events, how many of them are you still in contact with right now?

Working The Room

Working the room is exactly as it sounds.? Work the crowd, whether individually or as groups, and produce results through finding good contacts and opportunities. You do this by spending your time interacting; talking with people, listening to people and answering any questions people may have about your industry or your business. Likewise, ask them questions about their business and their industry. Make the topic of conversation about them as this is smarter and more strategic to networking then talking about yourself the entire conversation.

There are different reasons why people attend business networking events.? Some attend so that they can meet specific people. Others take part to meet people who are in the same industry as they are, and some people attend to meet potential clients. However, remember that a networking event is not a hunting ground and if you go in with the attitude ?let me sell my services to see how much business I can pick up? then you won?t get very far.

Preparing yourself for business networking events

There are also people who attend networking events not only for business, but to identify with other people and see where socialising will lead. Possibly to make new friends, to see if there is a potential job vacancy at other businesses or the opposite, to recruit or headhunt brilliant candidates to join your team. Whatever the reason for attending a networking event, you must prepare yourself so that you will produce the positive results that you seek.

6 Tips To Prepare Yourself For Business Networking Events

Establish The Mindset Of A Networker

Give yourself a few minutes to tap into the right mindset. To do this, focus on your goals. You are going out there to connect with new people. You want to leave those new people with a good, lasting impression. You are also going out there to find people who can help you and people you can help. Have an open mind and show a genuine interest in the people you meet. Use your smile to break the ice. Be mindful of mutual benefits and figure out how you can help other people first, and then they will naturally help you in return.

Having the networker mindset will help you remain focused on your goals and guide your intentions perfectly when you approach people. By this, you?re making yourself attractive to others.

Be Knowledgeable Of The Event

Before you attend an event, you need to make sure you know what? kind of event it is and be knowledgeable of the theme. Here is a list of things you should figure out prior to attending:

- The Key Topic

- Who The Keynote Speakers Are (if any)

- What They Will Discuss

- The Industries That Will Be Discussed

- The Crowd The Event Will Draw

By figuring out this information beforehand, you will know what to expect at the event and who will be there. This will help you assess what you will be able to gain and how you can potentially help other people who attend the event.

Who Will Be There

This is an important tip. You should find out who or which company representatives will be at the event. For many business networking events, you can actually find out the complete list of people attending. You may find the list of attendees at the event?s website or by calling the organising team. If the event has set up a ?meet up??page then this can provide a complete list. There are also networking event apps like ?Bizzabo??that can reveal this information for you if it?s being used by the organisers.

After you have seen the list of attendees, make a note of specific people that you would like to talk to at the event. Research the attendees through searching on Google? and social platforms like Linked In where you can learn more about the people before you meet them. This valuable information will help you approach them in confidence and talk about what interests them which in turn, will leave a lasting impression of you.

When you attend a networking event with people in mind, and you have gathered information about those people, you will be able to break into conversation and form connections instantaneously. This is a great way to maximise the effectiveness of networking.

Be Memorable

You should aim to attract people by being visible. Firstly, you need to wear nice clothes that adhere to the dress code of the event. Secondly, why not add something to your outfit that makes you standout such as carrying a unique, vintage notebook, wearing an outstanding tie that speaks character or even a lapel pin which can be a conversation starter. These little additions will draw people to you and give them something to remember you by.

Business people at a business networking group

When you dress well, you exhibit self-respect. You also show that you respect your position and the position of others. The additional accessories like the vintage notebook makes you stand out and people may find that interesting enough to strike up a conversation.

Prepare Your Introduction

The first impression you make on someone is very important. Before the event, prepare your introduction pitch. Use these tips to help you prepare:

Focus your pitch on who you are and what you are looking for.
Also, express your personality. Add some emotion and passion to your personal story, and try to be less informative and monotonous.
Repeat your name twice in your introduction and at least one more time during your discussion.

Use this format:??Hello, my name is John.? ?Stop for a second and continue with, ?John Smith.? Then in the conversation insert your name, here is an example: ?A great piece of advice I received from him was when he said, ?John??.?

This will reflect your confidence and express your personality. This will help you communicate your message effectively and also, leave little chance of the person forgetting your name as they may be a little hesitant on asking for it again.

Do Not Forget Your Business Cards

I firmly believe that the more prepared you are for an event, the better you will be able to set good foundations. The people you meet at business networking events could be some of your best connections with whom you can build long term relationships that are mutually beneficial.

Business people at business networking events

So, you really want to keep business cards at hand and plenty of them. During the conversation, exchange business cards and actually make note on one side where you met the person. If for some reason you don?t have any cards, don?t worry take their card and promise them you?ll be in touch.

I am honestly interested in what you do to prepare for networking events. Are there any benefits you feel you have gained from your preparedness?

Please share your experiences and ideas in the comments below!

Author: Lirone Glikman

Networking Specialist, providing practical tips to achieve business and life goals. Marketing Specialist and an Entrepreneur. Loving life, people, travel and arts.

Source: http://www.myvideopress.com/business-marketing/how-to-prepare-yourself-for-business-networking-events/

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