TNP Call to Action: CBP Outlaws Knives

US Customs and Border Protection Office, Attn: International Trade Regulations and Rulings, Mint Annex, 799 9th Street, NW Washington, DC 20229// Attn: Intellectual Property and Restricted Merchandise Branch// Commissioner Ahern, I have become aware that CBP is revoking earlier rulings that assisted opening knives (that require manual manipulation to deploy!) are NOT switchblades. Since many courts and legislative bodies rely upon these CBP knife definitions, this revised ruling will have broad and unintended consequences. Your re-definition of these folding knives will create foolish bureaucracy and regulation, criminalize millions of good people, create more economic hardship by destroying the knife and tool industry (and the military/LE access to these items as well), and in the end will only lessen public safety. • Knives are already highly regulated with current laws, both on national and local levels. Millions of good people across the country use folding knives for duty, utility tasks, outdoors activities, emergency services, rescue operations, and for legal defensive purposes. This CBP interpretation burdens law enforcement and will instantly criminalize about 40 million good people. It is very unlikely anyone would dispose of any knives and it will create unnecessary enmity between citizenry and government. • The economy is failing. And yet your ruling will make it worse. The outlawing of assisted opening AND most other folding knives with this ruling will ...



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yTXCoulHxFw&hl=en

Marine ASVAB - Minimum Requirements, Scoring System and Re-Testing Policy

Just like any other branch of the military, the Marines look at your AFQT score which stands for Armed Forces Qualification Test. This score is comprised of four subtests including Arithmetic Reasoning (AR), Mathematics Knowledge ( MK), Word Knowlege (WK) and Paragraph Comprehension (PC).

An ASVAB AFQT score of 32 or higher will get you in to the Marines if you have a high school diploma. You will need a Marine ASVAB score of 50 or higher to qualify for an enlistment bonus, the Marine Corp College Fund or Geographic Area of Choice Program.

The minimum score for enlistment qualification if you hold a GED is 50.

Marine  Job Categories & Scoring Requirements
The Marines use a simple scoring system looking at three scoring categories as follows:

Mechanical Maintenance (MM) - General Science (GS), Auto & Shop (AS), Mathematics Knowledge (MK) and Mechanical Comprehension (MC)

General Technical (GT)  - Arithmetic Reasoning (AR) and Verbal Expression (VE)

Electronics (EL) - General Science (GS), Arithmetic Reasoning (AR), Mathematics Knowledge (MK) and Electronics Information (EI)

Retaking the Marine ASVAB
The Marine ASVAB retake policy is similar to most other branches.  You can retake if your score has expired which is two years if you did not enlist.  The only other way the Marines let you retest is if the recruiter specifically request a retest based on the fact he or she felt like the scores did not reflect your true ability ( based on your education, training and experience).  The Marines will NOT approve a retest based solely on the fact that your scores were too low to qualify for enlistment.

Online Military Loan - Finance For Armed People

People, who are either serving or have ever served in the military forces, might have left some of their needs unattended. Though these people are away from their family but they need to provide financial support to their family members. Generally the military people do not earn a very high salary so; it becomes difficult to cater the needs and requirements. For such people attaining funds from external sources may become necessary. The online military loans are a perfect solution for all these problems.

An online military loan is available to men and women who are serving in the armed forces or who retired with a successful military career. These loans can be both secured and unsecured in form and allow the borrowers with the freedom to apply for these loans as per their needs and budget.

The total amount that can be borrowed through these loans can range from £500 to £ 10,000 which is considered to be a good sum for a totally unsecured loan. The loans are approved for a very short time period till the next paycheck arrives in his account. These online military loans can be used for many different reasons like repair your car, travel, emergency expenses, buy a new TV, buy Christmas gifts, home improvements, education, debt consolidation or to pay off utility bills.

For acquiring online military loans, personnel must possess the military identification along with his personal information. These loans require the military personnel to present their military ETS, bank account statements and information about their salary.

Attaining military loans via internet provides ease and convenience to the borrowers. It just takes a few minutes to fill in an online loan application and collect quotes from various lenders. These forms do not charge you any amount and also do not obligate you to accept the offer. Thus a borrower can easily find out the most profitable deal from the loan market. Through this method a borrower gets a chance to accept the loans with lower interest rates so that their financial aid may not turn into a burden.

"Hell on Earth"-Military Tribute to "I'll Stand By You" by Carrie Underwood

Visit www.CustomMilitaryDogTags.com for your personalized dog tags! My latest military tribute to the men and women of our armed forces. Set to Carrie Underwood's "I'll Stand By You"



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95DjGAIllrA&hl=en

The VA Home Loan - One Way the Mortgage Industry Supports Our Troops

It is time our loyal military veterans see more benefits of being a veteran of the U.S armed forces. One way the lending industry is offering benefits is through the VA home loan. This is no ordinary loan and comes with some great deals created just for our veterans. This is a great economic time to purchase a home and why not take advantage of every offer possible? Veterans who are looking to purchase will be happy to find that they qualify for quite possibly the best home loan available. Better yet, this awesome loan was created specifically for them.

As it has been said time and time again, this is historically the best time to purchase a home. There are several loan programs available along with first time buyer benefits, low interest rates and very affordable properties. However, veterans are seemingly more persuaded to purchase because of the 100% VA home loan available to them.

The VA home loan is much different than a conventional or FHA loan because it requires no down payment. Absolutely 100 percent financing for VA home purchases makes it a great time to be a veteran in this buyer's market. Imagine owing no down payment prior to moving in to a brand new home; that's a luxury for anyone who has had to tap into savings or borrow money for a down payment.

Does the VA loan require PMI?
No. This is such a great program because the veteran saves money on their mortgage payment because there is no additional mortgage insurance (PMI) required. PMI or premium mortgage insurance is an additional cost passed on to the borrower in the event that they default on the loan or go into foreclosure. Most non-veterans have a steeper mortgage payment because of the additional insurance (PMI) incurred with the payment. This is one of the many reasons the VA home loan is among one of the best of all loan programs available.

Many that have qualified for a VA loan have purchased a new home, built a home or made upgrades to their current home. The VA home loan program is wonderful because it gives veterans the chance to be home owners. There is no better feeling than owning your own home and its nice to give veterans top tier service when it come to purchasing a home. Veterans who qualify for a VA loan will receive the best rates possible. It is almost a steal if a veteran were to buy in this current market. It is no secret that is a buyers market no matter what program you choose.

Who qualifies for a VA home loan?
Anyone who has previously or is currently serving in the armed forces qualifies for the loan program. However, there are some active duty requirements amended by the VA.

This home buyer's market is making history. The services and programs available today should make it hard for anyone to down the chance to purchase a new home. When owning has become just as affordable as renting, there is no better reason to purchase. The $8,000 tax credit for first time home buyers applies to all loan programs is just as easy to get it with a VA loan program.

Buy now, save later. Buyer's market, historically low interest rates, great property values, abundant homes for sale, what's not to like? It's time to move on to bigger and better things, it's time to be a home owner.

The Story of the Third Reich Part 13 of 15

In 1919 the German war machine was shattered and broken, laid waste by the extreme conditions of the Treaty of Versailles. Just 20 years later Nazi Germany had the most powerful armed forces in the world.The Story of the Third Reich explores the momentous events of these years. From Hitler's rise to power in the early thirties to his fall in 1945. Narrated by Robert Powell.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83Ew7nzH8WU&hl=en

The History of Empowerment

Auftragstaktik, also known as '''Mission-type tactics''' (or ''Directive Control'' in the US or Empowerment in Business), are a central component of the tactics of the German armed forces since the 19th century 1.

In mission-type tactics the military commander gives its subordinate leaders a clearly defined goal and the forces needed to accomplish that goal with a time-frame within which the goal must be reached. The subordinate leader then implements the order independently. The subordinate leader is given, to a large extent, [[initiative]] and a freedom in execution which
enables flexibility in order execution. Mission-type tactics free higher leadership levels from tactical details.

For the success of the mission-type tactics it is especially important that the subordinate leaders understand the intent of the orders and are given proper guidance and that they are trained so they can act independently. In contrast to the mission-type tactics is Command and control used by American armed forces.

After the heavy defeat of the Prussians at Jena-Auerstadt by Napoleon the Prussians completely rethought their military approach and as a key part of that aimed to build a college of military capability, the General Staff, as a counter to the individual genius that had soundly beaten them.

As well as institutionalizing excellence within the German Army the role of the General Staff Officer was to make sure each unit could and did perform their assigned mission. After the First World War this monitoring, coaching and training role built a level of trust, competency and understanding across the whole German post-war 4000 strong officer corps which made excellence possible.

Excellence in this case is derived in part from the tradition of Scharnhorst, Carl von Clausewitz, and Helmuth von Moltke the Elder, and was based upon the premise that hardand- fast rules had no place in the environment of war, which was the realm of human emotion, friction, chance, and uncertainty. Under the Auftragstaktik system the selection of combat formations, as well as their route and rate of advance, was based upon a unit's specific mission, the circumstances of the terrain and the enemy's disposition, something Napoleon was also renowned for doing. Building a high level of trust, competency and understanding is key to the effective operation of such a doctrine.

Erst wegen, dann wagen.
- Helmuth von Moltke

This force flexibility assumes effective command is possible once this new formation is created. To this end the German General Staff cross-posted officers and Non-commissioned officer NCO's between the different branches of the army. It was therefore not unusual to find an amour commander with experience of artillery and infantry command. Similarly NCOs with cross-branch tactical experience ensured that these combined-arms teams did articulate and operate in an integrated fashion.

As may be imagined from the above it can be difficult to define the Auftragstaktik doctrine since it is sometimes more important to explain what is not done. The success of the doctrine rests upon the receiver of orders understanding the ''intent'' of the issuer of the orders and acting to achieve their goal even if their actions violated other guidance or orders they had received. Clearly taking the risks of violating other previously expressed limitations as a routine step to achieving a mission is a behaviour most easily sustained in a particular type of innovative culture. That culture is often one associated today with elite units and not a whole army.

Auftragstaktik encourages commanders to exhibit initiative, flexibility and improvisation while in command. In what may be seen as surprising Auftragstaktik empowers commanders to disobey orders and revise their effect as long as the intent of the commander is maintained.

Analysis by the US Army of the Polish September Campaign 1939 German campaign in Poland found that "The emphasis which the Germans placed on the development of leadership and initiative in commanders during years of preparatory training brought its rewards in the Polish campaign. With confidence that these principles had been properly inculcated, all commanders, from the highest to the lowest echelons, felt free to carry out their missions or meet changes in situations with a minimum of interference by higher commanders." They recognised that "initiative, flexibility and mobility" were the essential aspects of German tactics.

1. On the well known Internet Wikepedia encyclopaedia one can find a very clear description of the Auftragstaktik.
Therefore I add this (abridged) description to this article.

sunehray din PTV drama - part04

One of the very best from SHOWMAN



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZdWZ1Nu_puo&hl=en

US army deserters flee Iraq

Last weeks successful election in Iraq was a major step towards the withdrawal of US troops from the country. But some soldiers are jumping the gun. Theyre deserting the US army, insisting the occupation is unjust.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHpdyRavZmY&hl=en

Some of the Most Famous US Navy Seals

Every person who wishes to serve in the armed forces in the US also secretly nourishes the dream of becoming a part of the US Navy SEALs. Unfortunately, only a few of the people are able to realize the dream and become a part of this prestigious group. There have been many Navy SEALs but there are some who have been very famous. Here is a list of then of them.

Roy Boehm is one of the most famous US Navy and is referred to be the godfather of all the seals that have ever passed out of the training. He was the one who was given the charge of the seal team two. He served in the military for a period of 30 years and later became the part of the elite group. He was skilled in implementing the strategies made and also designed the strategies for his force.

Rudy Boesch is also one of the retired US Navy who appeared in a reality TV as well. the series was called 'survivor'. He was the oldest of the competitors and still was able to make it to the third place in the show. His record as a seal is marvelous and had earlier been in the military for around 45 years.

Another famous US Navy SEALs is Scott Helvenston who was also the youngest of all to complete the training. He joined the Navy at an age of 16 and after he retired, he continued working with the Blackwater Security. He died an inevitable death when he was sent to Iraq and was killed in the Fallujah ambush.

The current head of the US special operations command is Eric T. Olson and he proudly owns the status of being the only navy seal to get this position. He done his training and passed out in the year 1974. The team six of the seals was headed by him and they were basically a special team to counter terrorism.

Jesse Venture is also one of the retired US Navy. He turned to professional wrestler and then became a part of the political scenario as well. He was also the governor of the US state of Minnesota. His career is full of different activities and he also was an actor, television talk show host and radio show host.

Another officer that holds a place of importance and is remembered by everyone is Christopher Cassidy. He was associated with NASA and successfully became an astronaut. Eh has served the US Navy SEALs for almost ten years and toured Afghanistan and Mediterranean for the missions.

Michael P. Murphy is remembered for the Medal of Honor that he got for the impeccable courage he has shown in the Afghanistan war. After the Vietnam War took place, no other person has been awarded this prestigious award.

Thomas R Norris holds an important place in the Navy as he was the one responsible for carrying on the rescue missions during the Vietnam War. Two other Navy SEALs members are Richard Machowicz and Richard Marcinko who have taken up different professions but were very famous.

Anti-Gun Group Backpedals

Noted gun rights attorney Evan Nappen debates anti-gun President of CeaseFire, extracting admission that the 2nd Amendment protects an individual right, contraverting their long held position that gun onwership is reserved only for those serving in the Militia - seemingly the Armed Forces or law enforcement. Trust us, folks, they were wrong then, and they're wrong now. Everything they say is a lie and the bit about "gun violence" is intellectually and morally bankrupt.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shlAsZrpZ30&hl=en

Family Law Attorneys Uphold the Rights of Children

The Convention on the Rights of a Child is an edict from the United Nations that legally binds member nations to honor the rights of children. In most nations, a child is a person under the age of eighteen, but in some nations, the legal age for adulthood may be younger. The articles of the convention state that the rights, as outlined, extend to all children, no matter their race, religion or nationality. It guarantees that all nations legally bound by the convention must insure that the rights of the child are protected using any means available. Considering that the human rights are being compromised the world over, this convention is extremely important to insure that children are protected against such injustices as torture, kidnapping, disfigurement, and exploitation, to name but a few.

Many nations are guilty of crimes against children, but there are nations where these abuses are committed with such frequency that the rest of the world cannot help but take notice. In Sudan, for example, thousands of children have been left orphaned and homeless by civil war. Many of these children have escaped to refugee camps, but they are often refused access because of overcrowding. Without any sort of sanctuary, the children are forcibly conscripted into armed militias.

Thousands of these children died in civil conflicts, and many more received devastating injuries, injuries for which they received no care. Under the U.N. Convention on the Rights of a Child, children injured or dislocated in times of war must be cared for to the fullest capability of their nation, and no child shall be forced to fight with or enlist in the armed forces. The Convention also states that the exploitation, abduction, kidnapping, and trafficking of children will be interrupted using all available means.

Under the convention, all children have the right to live, so governments should take reasonable means to foster the health and well-being of the children within their nation. The convention also allows families the right to retain authority over the child, unless they can be proven negligent or unfit. The use of corporal punishment in households is often considered unlawful in many of the nations covered under the convention, but whether or not it is prosecutable depends largely on the degree of corporal punishment. In Singapore, children are caned for being disobedient or breaking the law. Caning is an extremely violent form of corporal punishment that can cause permanent scarring and death. In the United States, this form of corporal punishment is unlawful and is considered assault.

According to the convention, not only is the health and welfare of the child to be taken into consideration, but there is also a financial component. The parents of a child or children will honor their familial obligations, including facilitating the care and feeding of the child. Also, each child has the right to an education in accordance with the standards of his/her nation. Children also have the right to social security and health care assistance from their government.

What makes the welfare of children so important is that the world's children represent a wealth of potential. To allow for a better tomorrow, nations of the world must promote the health and welfare of their children. Vital in protecting these rights is the role that family law attorneys can provide in all manner of cases that involve the rights of children.

Armed Forces Veteran's Anger!

Armed forces resettlement is by no means straight forward as we have discussed in previous articles. One major problem ex-forces personnel are likely to encounter is Managing Anger. Anger is quite a negative emotion as it causes blood pressure to raise, tunnel vision, lack of reasoning and the fight or flight response which could spell trouble for the angry person.

Managing anger then is essential if someone going through the transition from a military to a civilian life is to have a successful resettlement. But in order to get a grip of this problem let's take a closer look at what anger really is.

Anger is a natural emotional response to external stimuli perceived by the individual to pose a threat. In recent times anger has become the focus for the attentions of the scientific community. It is seen in some cases to be the precursor to an aggressive or violent outcome. The great thing is you can become angry without a negative outcome simply by Managing anger.

Social effects of explosive anger:

· Violent offending
· Murder
· Manslaughter
· Marital Violence
· Family violence
· Increased risk of Heart disease
· High blood pressure
· Loss of social status
· Loss of job
· Loss of liberty

Anger can also be a side effect of alcohol and substance use and even be a symptom of PTSD. The list could go on but I think that there are some pretty serious issues that need to be considered by those with anger problems. Therefore it would seem that managing anger is an essential part of your strategies when considering leaving the armed forces. If you have already made the transition and have noticed that you have difficulties controlling anger then you need to seek help with that too before you or someone else ends up seriously hurt.

"How can I control my anger"? Well as with anxiety there are ways that anyone can successfully control their anger. Remember managing anger is essential in order to have a successful resettlement. So we will briefly look at a strategy that can be employed, relaxation techniques. Basically this involves a daily routine of controlling breathing, and tension exercises (more detail on this can be found in the article: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Related Panic Attack & Anxiety).

These exercises when practised on a daily basis twice a day (each set takes about 5 minutes) can help a person to become more aware of their bodies reaction to tension and relaxation. When becoming angry the breathing exercises can be employed to achieve a much calmer persona although you may still be angry the reaction to the stimuli will be much more considered thus avoiding the explosive anger which could lead to aggression or violence.

Another technique that could be used in Managing Anger is a process of reflection. All this really means is looking back on that days/weeks events or anytime in the past and thinking of a situation that caused you to feel angry. Focus on that event, ask yourself: What was it? How did I feel about it? What did I do about the situation? How could I have reacted differently? How could I react next time a similar situation occurs for a more positive outcome? Write each of the questions and your answers to them down in a journal to keep a record. This will help you to identify triggers to your angry responses. In identifying triggers you will be better placed to find solutions to these triggers. This is a useful exercise in managing anger.

Also you need to remember that Transition from military to civilian life is a process of change. This can bring about some emotional responses to the change of situation and you guessed it managing anger plays a key role. Changes in role, social status, pay, security, accommodation and other conditions can make life seem difficult, dull, boring and in some extreme cases even pointless.

When it seems that nobody cares about you or your military background, when people seem to think that their opinions are worth more than your own - this can make you feel angry. But remember there is nothing wrong with the emotion of anger so long as you are controlled and successfully managing anger.

Know the Uses of GPS Trackers

GPS tracker came into existence in 1980. The prime use of this device was focused on supporting military. This system plays significant role in various tasks performed by armed force. They can track the positioning of their enemies; track various paths and directions throughout their journey. GPS system is used for various purposes and help people lead stress-free life. GPS tracker is also useful for creating models and maps of the objects on earth. You will feel safer than ever when start using this system in your day-to day life.

However, with the passage of time this became popular for cars as tracking system. Nowadays, the system is widely used for tracking the position of the object. The system has been implemented in cars, cell phones and trucks. The companies which offer cap services and have numerous vehicles use this device to track their taxis so that they can operate the services well. This has proven to be an effective method to track their stolen and damaged vehicles in case there is a road accident.

GPS tracker consists of mainly three segments: The satellite, the user and the control system. GPS tracker can be used in finding the navigation, position and location of any object the earth. This is used or determining the position of planes and ships as well. Some people use this system to keep an eye on their children and check the speed of the vehicle with which they drive it. This system is also helpful for the safety of small kids as they can be easily tracked with this system. These benefits are real time and people have started relying on this technology. With the help of GPS tracking, people have started feeling more secure and safer. This system is easily affordable and can be purchased from a reputed retailer.

Military Backgrounds

As a civilization man has been very adaptive in the logic that we have withstood all the spectacular blows of nature and history in order to tolerate our ground firmly and stay on top of the food chain. Life biologically is and has every time been the survival of the fittest. The guns involved in armed forces has undergone a long and mind-numbing process of evolution. It is very fascinating how man can get to deep down within his feelings and produce facilities that achieve as his ally and protection. Let's venture through time and witness the glory of military weaponry growth and development.

Time and again it has been proven that technological breakthrough in terms of military organization and facilities dictate who comes on top. It all started with clubs and spears and the development was quite fascinating where maces, bow and arrows and slings were featured. Animal-drawn vehicles were formulated to aid man in his fighting quests. Donkeys and horses became famous for their aid in rush and eases of transportation. Units such as infantry, cavalry, and auxiliaries came into existence as systems of combat were formulated.

Great civilizations spiced things up by marking their own brand of troops. Romans marched in legions while Greeks took pride in their impenetrable phalanxes. Athens then called on the cavalry and raised warfare into new levels. Due to changes in military organization, the conception of combined forces came into life. The infantry, artillery, and of course the ever trustworthy cavalry was the buzz of society. The battle then reached the seas and naval battles came into being. Engineering and architecture took the stage and ships of all sorts and sizes navigated the seven seas for the reason of attaining armed forces supremacy around the globe. Battleships were equipped with devastating cannons.

The medieval epoch then paved the way for the birth of genuine warriors and fighters that inked their status contained by the books of history. Some of which that we come to know and admire are stories of knights, samurai, pikeman, cataphract, janissary, and the artillery. Simple makeshifts of bow and arrow rose into innovation as English longbows and crossbows were showcased in the battlefield.

Things happening to heat up in the birth of gunpowder. Guns and cannons fired their way into sizzling combat arenas. Fire ships were at that time used to burn the opponent down to the ocean depths. Technology then took the lead role in this quest for supremacy when submarines subjugated ocean floors. This improved the spying aspect of war. It was not only hitting and firing that was of significance. Brains became a vital cog in victories. Guns were not only restricted to small hand held varieties.

The longer and more devastating types were developed. Bayonets, rifles, and machine guns were then consistently used to fend off enemies in war. The battles were then taken high up in the skies. Aviation was now part of the gruelling sequences that took the globe by storm. Cruisers, aircraft carriers, and helicopters flew off the ground.

They served as resources of attacking the enemy in flight and transporting military personnel as well. Sad to say due to man's unrelenting thirst for victory chemical, atomic, and nuclear war brought about destruction the planet has never seen before.

Up to this point there is constant military hardware evolution in the forces. Let's just hope and pray that these innovations don't push man into the brink of extinction.

The Unpredictable Monarch - The Most Dominant Force Forever! Part-14

Aarthi was watching television. Surprisingly a Tamil movie. Karthik entered "Hi Aarthi". He hugged her from back. "Ennada, You are watching Tamil movie. Can you understand?" asked a surprised Karthik. "I am trying to understand. You are not going to teach me. I will learn from myself. If 68 million people across 4 countries can understand and speak that, even this London girl can."

Her confidence was extraordinary, but it sounded stupid to Karthik.

"Hey! No one will recognize you as a London girl. You look like a perfect south Indian girl."

Aarthi smiled at Karthik, went into the kitchen, brought him a cup of coffee. He sipped it with an exaggerated sound.

"How was your day, Karthik?" she queried.

"Work load was little less. Good. How did you pass time, Hum?"

A cold stare from Aarthi forced Karthik to apologize and call her 'Aarthi' again. After all it is his lips that called her 'Aarthi' while his heart cheered 'Humairah'.

"I went to Temple and a little shopping after that. I am tuning to 'Vedic civilization' and not 'Indus Valley civilization' said a matured Aarthi.

"Are you really comfortable, da?" Karthik really felt for her.

"You have given "Allah" a form. You have made 'Allah' into thousands of statues, so that everyone feels his presence in different ways. It is the same God, whom I prayed all these years. But you also have 'Goddess'. I can imagine how women are treated equally in this society. Religion is just a way to conduct oneself properly and everyone should understand that all religions lead to the same destination. God is there. Certainly. Even here, the people are fooled by a self proclaimed atheist group, which is only against Particular community and their practices. After all they fool people for money." Lectured Aarthi as Karthik finished his coffee.

"Why don't you write some novels or books, when you know so much. You think so much. You speak so much." Uttering these words slowly he moved towards her. He forced his face on her neck and started probing her all over. The gentle game continued till a child knocked the door for tuition.

Karthik's words were definitely a remedy for her thirsty mind. Karthik was sleeping. Aarthi woke him up.

"Karthik, Can I really try writing?" She asked.

Karthik with half closed eyed questioned "What will your write?".

"About 'Haj stampede', where 244 people are killed or about 'The return of the King' (Oscar winner) or 'The return of Putin as Russian chief' or about 'The bird flue-'Sars' or about 'Indo-pak peace process' or 'Brain Lara's world record' or 'Enlarged European Community' or 'crude oil price hike' or 'Russians domination in women tennis' or 'Ronald Reagan's last riots".

Her reply irritated Karthik. He stopped her by shutting her mouth with his hand.

"You are a real genius. You remember everything. Tomorrow morning we will sit and discuss this. Relax now. Sleep." He calmed her.

"Watch out for your thoughts, for it determines your words.

Watch out for your words, for it determines your actions.

Watch out for your actions, for it determines your habits.

Watch out for your habits, for it determines your Character.

Watch out for your character, for it determines your destiny", blabbered a great thinker.

A girl loved a man and that little change in her thinking, brought a change in her destiny. Yes, Humairah changed in to Aarthi. This brought her to India. Now that she's ready to rock this world. Perhaps her 'Foreign origin' will not be a problem, unless she eyes politics.

Thoughts, words, actions, habits and character changed in Aarthi and hence her destiny too. Yes, life is a variable entity. The extent of variation is small in some cases and huge in others. Man is not always totally in control of his thinking and hence his destiny. It is the fate which controls his thinking and the nature is always the superior ruler.

Does Sarah Palin know anything about foreign policy? Rachel Maddow examines her recent interview

McCain and Obama favor admission of Georgia into NATO and have spoken out against the Russian invasion of Georgia. That part of her response to ABC's Gibson on how to respond to Russian aggresison in Georgia was fine. But what appalled me about Palin's remarks was her casual "perhaps so"—not in answer to a question formulated as, "Would we have to assist Georgia" if Georgia joined NATO...Legally, the NATO treaty doesn't require us to "go to war"—it just doesn't. If a fellow NATO member is attacked—in a manner satisfying the treaty terms—the treaty obligates parties to "assist the Party ... so attacked by taking forthwith ... such action as it deems necessary, including the use of armed force, to restore and maintain the security of the North Atlantic area." Palin is trying to tell us that she is ready to be commander in chief—right away!—if something should happen to McCain. She needs to know this stuff...no one in the mainstream of either the Democratic or Republican Party thinks that we should "perhaps" get into an actual "war" with nuclear Russia over Georgia's borders. And for that reason, no one ever, ever says that "perhaps" we'll have to go to war with Russia—because there is just no "perhaps" about this. We're not going to do this. It would be—to bring back a phrase from not so long ago—mutually assured destruction. And we actually do not want to return to that era, which was far more dangerous than the current era. No one wants that. That's why there is some ...



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYk2C1R8O8c&hl=en

Become an Army Officer

A job in the armed forces is considered one of the top jobs the people can become and the army is no exception. Within the army forces there are many different career paths that you chose and it is up to you as a candidate to select the career path that you want.

Another benefit of joining the army is that anyone can join regardless of qualifications. There are positions available for those who left school with their G.C.S.E's and are looking for an exciting challenging career path. Or even those candidates who have been all the way through the education system and have achieved college or university degree's. These candidates can often enter at a higher level but the point is that there is an opportunity for everyone.

Whether it is the air force, navy or army that you want to join there is a selection process you must join before you can be considered for the role. Most candidates just turn up to army selection day without really understanding what is required of them.

In this article we are going to examine the role of the British Army Officer and what selection steps you need to complete before you can achieve this job. Army officers can earn anything from £23,000 per year to £97,000 depending on your rank and how quickly you progress. With a number of promotion opportunities available there a no limits to what you can achieve in your officer career.

To become an officer in the army you will need to apply to the Army Officer Selections Board which is also known as the AOSB. If you are successful in your application you will then need to attend a selection process that lasts for 3 days and this will test both your physical and mental suitability to the role of an army officer.

These mental tests will involve a number of psychometric tests which can often be difficult to pass and a great deal of practice is required for these.

You will also need to show you have a high level of fitness as this is essential to your role as an officer in the army and those that demonstrate a poor level of fitness are unlikely to be successful.

The final part to the selection day will involve an interview with the AOSB interview board and you will need to make sure you are fully prepared for this stage as it is the final stage of the process. During the interview you will be asked a number of questions relating to you, how you see the role of the officer and will be tested on whether you match these criteria.

Combat Photojournalist hit by sniper in Afghanistan

In late September 2008, while embedded with US Marines and Afghan Paramilitary Units, Keith Lepor was shot by a sniper. This is the helmet camera footage showing the attack, and the marine that saved his life that day. Support the men and women who continue to fight for freedom and democracy throughout the world. Keith was hit by a sniper round in his chest armor, a few inches above his heart. The US Marine who saved his life heard the shot and called for Afghan forces to launch an RPG attack. He then noticed Keith on the ground, and pulled him to safety. Keith indicated that he was not shot, but later it was determined that the bullet hit him just above his name plate, square in the chest. This is the moment that changed his life. Seeing first hand what the men and women of the armed forces do every day to preserve our freedom convinced Keith to honor them by running for congress in his home district (9th Congressional District, Massachusetts). I have met Keith, and I support his campaign for Congress. This was not a political trip. He put himself in the middle of everything to show what these soldiers deal with every day. Support his campaign here: www.keithlepor2010.com Thank you to all men and women of the US Armed Forces!



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVwKnO3yP84&hl=en

Military Spouses Scholarships - Take Advantage of Scholarships For Military Dependents

If you are planning on going back to school and your spouse is a member of the armed forces, you can take advantage of one of the many different kinds of scholarships for military dependents and specifically the military spouses scholarship. These programs are specifically created for those married to a member of the army, the navy, the air force or even the marines. It really does not matter whether your spouse is currently enlisted and serving or if he or she has already retired from the military. It all depends on the specific financial aid program that you chose and you should check directly with them.

For example, there are programs with more restrictions than other and the amount that you can receive varies. But in general, one of the easiest ones to apply and actually win is the $10,000 Free Military Scholarship. This is a military scholarship that is awarded monthly and in order to participate you need to register on the web by filling out a short application form. This will take no more than 3 minutes. Once you have confirmed your registration you will be automatically entered. Another advantage of this program is that you can participate even if you are not in the military yourself.

The money that you will receive if chosen as a winner, can be used to cover your education expenses like computers, books, meals, software, transportation or other costs that you may incur while enrolled in school. Another advantage of this scholarship for military dependent is that the competition is not too much and this will increase your chances of winning.

NLP to Help With Leaving the Armed Forces

Neuro linguistic Programming can be a difficult concept to introduce to the military mind, but I'm going to try because the fundamental principles are the key to a happy transition from leaving the armed forces into civilian life.

When I first wrote this article, it was for a website to help people understand the changes they may need to make to run a successful business. However, the principles hold true for anything, and especially for leaving the armed forces.

Here's a bit of basic background stuff to start off with...

The human mind is the most fantastic bio-computer ever created, but we don't easily get to understand the coding. It's not very user friendly. NLP is to our brain, or bio-computer, what Windows is to the PC. It gives us access to all the programmes and installs software updates.

When you understand the principles of Neuro Linquistic Programming (NLP) you:

- get it that each person will react differently when experiencing the same event.

- can change how you feel and act, and therefore, what you get done.

Our inputs, thought processes and actions are something of a chain reaction, just like this.

What we see and hear affects what we then think about...

How we think about what we see and hear then becomes what we feel...

Our feelings influence our reactions and behaviour - our actions...

Actions become habits...

Our habits, or consistent behaviour, determines our destiny!

Spooky, Woo Woo New-Fangled Stuff?

Afraid not. It's been around for eons, it's just been called a bundle of other things. We can find it lurking in parables, fables and the autobiographies of our great leaders and corporate magicians.

Go and have a read of the Bible to find lots of stuff like 'Seek And Yee Shall Find.' Pure NLP.

NLP is the acronym for Neuro-linguistic-programming.

Neuro

The neuro refers to our nervous system, the pathway for our five senses so we can see, hear, taste, feel and smell.

If you need convincing this stuff is real, then think about this. Have you ever got the rush of an aroma from your childhood - granny's lavender water scent or the smell of cookies from the kitchen? Or how about a long forgotten tune? Suddenly, you shoot back in time with all the old feelings flowing through you. That's it working.

Linguistic

This is about our ability to use language and the understanding of how specific words and phrases mirror our mental worlds. It can also be the silent world of gestures, postures and habits, which can reveal our thinking styles, beliefs, and more. So sit up straight and put your shoulders back. Paying attention...Well here it is in action...

I'm going to tell you NOT to think about Freddy Crouger. By now you should have a picture or be thinking about a bloke in a strange hat and stripey top with a wicked manicure. Now let's make it real... I'm going to tell you NOT to think about messing up that interview next week.

Our brains can't do negatives, and so they have to think about whatever it is we want to blott out. So when you think about NOT messing up that interview, then you are, in fact, focusing on messing it up.

Some people repeatedly talk about how shattered they are; they are exhausted and can't shake it off. Hardly surprising when 'shattered' sounds and feels so final. An irreparable condition. On the other hand, others, who may be equally knackered, say they need to get more energy or have to get livened up. This sounds more doable and has a forward momentum towards increased vibrancy.

Here's a little story about how I tried this out on my son Elliot. Elliot had taken his laptop round to his mates for a New Years Eve party (yep really!). The laptop got broken (wow) because someone stood on it - but that person didn't own up. The insurance agreed a replacement but Elliot was incandescent with rage that one of his mates could break something and not come clean.

Over the next 3 days he was ringing me up and shouting things like "I'm so furious," "I'm f..king livid," and he was. Trust me you could tell and each time he called up it was worse. I'm a patient Mum, but crikey. Eventually I got him to switch to saying "I'm really miffed." Perhaps those of you with older teenage boys can hear the monotone grunting.

Clearly, this is a testament to my extraordinary parenting skills, power over teenagers and ability to screech very loudly when provoked beyond reason. "Say it again," I told him, and on it went until finally he laughed and asked when his new laptop would be delivered. "Bye Mum." Job done.

However, what had really changed? The programme started reacting to being miffed instead of livid. Can you jump up and down, do red in the face and pounding fists while yelling about being miffed? Or sustain miffiness for longer than a nano-second? Programming

Sinister?

It's more about awareness and change. Instead of saying what we don't want, say what we do want. When you go for that first job interview after leaving the armed forces then instead of focusing on not panicking and messing it up, just focus on being relaxed and confident.

It's also about understanding that not everyone, and that includes our colleagues and families think and feel the same as we do.

For example, there's a reasonable chance that if you've been in the armed forces a while, and were largely happy there, that the concept of doing your duty and the importance of punctuality are almost second nature to you. You should expect to find that many people in civvy street don't give a figgy about duty and are more concerned that the job is done than they are about getting to their desk by a certain time.

The principles of NLP are affecting you every single day, so you might as well use them, and you can pick up enough from the better references to start seeing significant changes. Even a few tweeks to your everyday language and thinking can cause a change.

Know More About the ASVAB Practice Test

Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery, known in short as ASVAB is a manifold aptitude test that you will have to complete within a given time. The test is given in over 14,000 schools and Military Entrance Processing Stations all over the country. This test has been created, conducted and upheld by the Department of defense. It is one of the most extensively used multi-aptitude tests all over the world.

The test also gives you an idea about your strengths and weaknesses and your prospects of success in the future. There are four major areas in the ASVAB: Arithmetic Reasoning, Word Knowledge, Paragraph Comprehension and Mathematics Knowledge. The scores in these vital areas will tell you if can qualify for the Armed forces Qualifying Test and it is the AFQT scores that will establish whether you meet the criteria to join the US military.

The ASVAB has three completely different versions namely the CAT (Computer Adaptive Test), the MET-site-ASVAB and the Student-ASVAB. Each of them has their respective advantages and restrictions.

The ideal way to study and prepare for the ASVAB is to attempt as many practice tests that you possibly can. Log on to the internet for free preparation tests, but remember to keep a timer by your side. Time is your worst opponent for the test so you have to get used to the time limitations. Attempt to do the whole test at one stretch exactly like you would do on the date of the real test, only then will you be able to condition yourself for a full three hours.

These ASVAB practice tests will tell you what areas you need to study more, helping you to improve your prowess in the process of guessing and elimination. Concentrate on the four major areas mentioned earlier if you are planning on general enlistment, but if you have specific intentions then enquire into the requirements for that particular post.

The Swedish Armed Forces Team Test

Because the best aptitude test for joining the army is an extremely buggy internet flash game. team.forsvarsmakten.se



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xC9AD-ERlpU&hl=en

AT EASE - Film Trailer (Watch in HD)

Trailer for the film AT EASE, hitting festivals Summer 2009. AT EASE is about a young Naval Aviator who is killed in action just days before he was to be discharged under "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" for being gay. Now, his loved ones must reconcile their individual pasts with his enduring legacy.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXepODvev0s&hl=en

The Story of the Third Reich Part 5 of 15

In 1919 the German war machine was shattered and broken, laid waste by the extreme conditions of the Treaty of Versailles. Just 20 years later Nazi Germany had the most powerful armed forces in the world.The Story of the Third Reich explores the momentous events of these years. From Hitler's rise to power in the early thirties to his fall in 1945.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Qc3Xk3RVUY&hl=en

WWE Tribute to the Troops -- On Tour

WWE Superstars take a tour of Iraq to hang out with the men and women serving in the US armed forces. The special Tribute to the Troops episode of Monday Night Raw airs December 24th at 8 PM only on USA. For more info, please visit www.wwe.com



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9fDr6jLhypI&hl=en

Overview of VA Loans

VA Loans

VA is an abbreviation for Veterans Administration. Veterans is a term used in the United States for citizens who have served in the United States Armed Forces. VA Loans is a mortgage loan program under the ownership of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs and managed by Veterans Administration. The objective of this department is to help the US veterans and their families obtain a loan for the purpose of buying a home. The loans however are arranged by banks or financial institutions and the Veterans Administration itself does not provide the loans. The objectives of setting up the Veterans Administration are three fold:

o Ensure all the veterans have complete papers to apply for VA loans. Determine all those people who are qualified to obtain a loan under this category. In order to qualify for a VA loan, the borrower shall have to provide the lender with a formal proof of his working with the US armed forces.

o Formalize the term and conditions of the mortgage offer and

o Ensure there are no defaults against VA loans. The VA loans are guaranteed by the United States government and hence have nil probability of default. This guarantee is off course subject to certain safeguards for the government such as evaluating the credit rating of the veteran. This essentially means establishing that the veteran has the necessary credit rating and financial strength to support for payment of the mortgage.

The Veterans Administration charges a funding fee ranging from 0-3.3% of the value of the loan. One is also allowed to take a loan to finance this funding fee as well. There are a host of advantages that accrue to US citizens who avail VA loans. There is no prepayment penalty against these loans. One does not have to undertake a private mortgage insurance against this loan. The loan is at rates less than the rate at which mortgage loans are available to non-veterans. As long as it is proved beyond doubt that one is a US veteran, other qualification and eligibility criteria are easier compared to conventional loans.

In order to apply for a VA loan, the most important requisite is the possession of a veteran's certificate of eligibility and the VA-assigned appraisal. The possession of the certificate of eligibility in itself does not imply that one would be sanctioned a loan, it merely means that one is eligible to apply for a VA loan. Besides these 2 documents, the application process is very similar to other mortgage loans Even the loan processing procedure would be as rigorous as a conventional mortgage loan.

The other notable aspect of VA loans is that it is expected that the VA loan borrower would take the possession of the property within 60 days of the closure of the loan. Hence it is not legal to rent out the property purchased by way of VA loan arrangement. While availing the VA loans, one has to certify that the property is being for self consumption and is for personal use only.

Kargil war By Air & Sea - NDTV special documentary Episode 1 of 2

The Kargil War, also known as the Kargil conflict,was an armed conflict between India and Pakistan that took place between May and July 1999 in the Kargil district of Kashmir and elsewhere along the Line of Control (LOC). The cause of the war was the infiltration of Pakistani soldiers and Kashmiri militants into positions on the Indian side of the LOC, which serves as the de facto border between the two states. During the initial stages of the war, Pakistan blamed the fighting entirely on independent Kashmiri insurgents, but documents left behind by casualties and later statements by Pakistan's Prime Minister and Chief of Army Staff showed involvement of Pakistani paramilitary forces, led by General Ashraf Rashid. The Indian Army, later on supported by the Indian Air Force, recaptured a majority of the positions on the Indian side of the LoC infiltrated by the Pakistani troops and militants. With international diplomatic opposition, the Pakistani forces were forced to withdraw from Indian positions along the LOC. The war is one of the most recent examples of high altitude warfare in mountainous terrain, which posed significant logistical problems for the combating sides. This was only the second direct ground war between any two countries after they had developed nuclear weapons, after the Sino-Soviet border conflict of 1969; it is also the most recent. (India and Pakistan both test-detonated fission devices in May 1998, though the first Indian nuclear test was conducted ...



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSeJmlGOsbA&hl=en

The Beginning For Jeep

What people know today as the fun, off road, versatile vehicle we call the jeep, had its beginnings in far different circumstances. American Bantam built the first Jeeps as Prototypes for the Department of the Army. While the Army was impressed with the overall design of the vehicle, the engine in the first prototype was too small and did not produce the power the Army was looking for in a field vehicle. There was also concern over the fact that Bantam was a very small company with only one manufacturing plant and any attempts at sabotage by the enemy could result in a halt in production. For these reasons the both the Willys-Overland and Ford Motor Companies were allowed to come up with a second design. The Army liked what Willys came up with and granted the contract to both Ford and Willys. The contract was awarded to both companies because again, the military felt that Willys was too small to produce the number of vehicles required.

Many different companies have owned the name Jeep and even the origins of the name itself have been questioned. What is known for certain is that the Jeep was originally designed for the American Armed Forces and is one of the most recognizable vehicles in the world.

In 1941, Willys produced the first Civilian Jeeps. The initials CJ stand for Civilian Jeep and thus the first model name was born. Willsy sold the brand to Kaiser in 1953 and it became Kaiser-Jeep. Kaiser-Jeep began to suffer financial difficulties and was forced to sell the brand to American Motors (AMC) in 1970. AMC capitalized on the Jeep's International and government markets and had quite a lot of success with the brand. When Chrysler purchased AMC in 1987, Chrysler also acquired the Jeep trademark and still holds it until today.

Jeep has always been known for it's off road capabilities. The Jeep Wrangler is the only off road vehicle offered in the United States that has solid rear axles for both the front and back. It is due to the solid axle design that Jeeps are so rugged and dependable in extreme off road situations. With the lack of rubber boots, there is nothing for sticks and rocks to snag on and because solid axles have better articulation, ruts are much easier to clear. Solid axles are less expensive to lift as well so it is easier to increase the distance between the center of the axle hub and the chassis. This allows for extra large tires to be installed giving the vehicle even more ground clearance. Today, all Wrangler models come with four-wheel drive, a Dana 35 rear axle, and a Dana 30 front axle.

Jeeps are unique in several other aspects as well. They come in both hard top and soft-top varieties. The soft top can be removed, transforming the automobile into something like a convertible. The Jeep is also the only vehicle in the United States to have removable doors.

The off road Jeep brand has developed something of a cult following and off road events are held all over the country that are open to Jeep owners only.

Free Gift Cards For Military - A Gift For Those Serving in the Armed Forces

Gifts cards meant for the Armed Forces can come from nearly any store in America and they would be great appreciated by the great heroes who risk their lives to protect our freedoms on a daily basis. We can talking about a twenty or forty dollar gift card from Wal-Mart and the personnel member who receives this will still think it is wonderful because they can use the discount card to chip in on the cost involved with getting school clothes for their kids. When you are overseas for a long period of time you surely feel a little bit disconnected from your child's educational upbringing. This is why being given a gift card in order to tackle some of these educational costs can really boost your confidence and make you feel like you are truly involved.

A discount card for a Best Buy store is a good purchase for people who happen to serve in the Armed Forces. The more great technological devices such as laptops and internet connections that they can purchase the less they feel ostracized from their life back home by their service commitments. Best Buy can also hook them up with a walkman which they can use to listen to music so they can stop thinking about all the danger potentially around them if only for a minute.

The Best Buy discount card also remind them of the video games and the good times that they will get to have with their children once they get home. It may make them a little sad at first, but they understand that the exchange of electronic goods for currency is a sign of freedom and needs to be cherished. Best Buy occasionally also organizes free giveaways to children of military personnel so they should be commended for that. The founder of Best Buy Bradbury Anderson in particular should be commended for this effort.