For unions, holiday begins somber election countdown

CHICAGO (Reuters) - After suffering a string of defeats in 2012, U.S. union leaders have little to celebrate, or to look forward to, as they mark the Labor Day holiday on Monday.

Stung by losses in former strongholds such as Wisconsin and Indiana, organized labor has pledged to spend more than $100 million to help President Barack Obama win re-election over Republican nominee Mitt Romney and reverse the Republican Party sweep of state legislatures two years ago.

But as the United States pauses for a national holiday honoring the union movement, there is a growing sense that labor's ability to deliver politically is fading just as it faces what could be its most important election in 80 years.

Organized labor's inability to twist arms of Democratic allies such as California Governor Jerry Brown and New York Governor Andrew Cuomo in recent pension fights has observers questioning whether it can deliver Michigan, Wisconsin or Ohio -- all battleground states run by Republican governors -- to the Democrats this fall.

"This is a very difficult Labor Day for union leaders. All they can really do is talk about labor history -- what there was rather than what there is or what there will be," said Gary Chaison, professor of industrial relations at Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts.

Among labor leaders and experts, the November 6 election is seen as the most important since 1932, when Franklin Roosevelt defeated President Herbert Hoover and pushed pro-labor reforms into law as part of his New Deal program.

The Republicans, who wrapped up their nominating convention on Thursday, produced a platform more hostile to organized labor than any they have put forward in modern history, said Richard Kahlenberg, senior fellow at the left-leaning Century Foundation.

The platform calls for a national "right-to-work" law, a business-friendly, anti-labor measure that would prohibit union contracts from requiring workers to pay dues or other fees to the union.

In the 27 states without right-to-work laws, employees in union-represented workplaces are required to pay dues and fees.

The Republican platform also drops language from previous party planks that endorsed workers' right to unionize and characterizes collective bargaining by public employees as a threat to state and local government finances.

"It's a declaration of war on labor," Kahlenberg said.

TEPID ENTHUSIASM

The Democratic convention, which starts on Tuesday, is sure to produce a more union-friendly platform. However, Obama's track record on labor issues has disappointed some unions and left a palpable enthusiasm gap among rank-and-file members.

The administration's "Race to the Top" education reforms, for instance, designed to boost student performance, are reviled by many unionized teachers because of the emphasis they place on standardized tests and charter schools.

"The Democrats have sold us out, and there's a real questioning of the role the Democrats can play going forward," said Betty Maloney, a retired school counselor from Newark, New Jersey, who protested an appearance by Vice President Joe Biden at a recent teachers' union conference in Detroit.

As a result, organized labor's focus on the election reflects more an opposition to what Romney and the Republicans might do than an endorsement of Obama's track record.

"To me, Mitt Romney represents the wholesale capitulation to the interests of big businesses that don't want any unions in this country," said Roberta Lynch, deputy director of Council 31 for the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees in Chicago.

The location of the Democratic convention, in Charlotte, North Carolina, also rankles some. North Carolina is a right-to-work state with the lowest union penetration of the 50 states, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

That snub aside, unions view the vote as a referendum on the direction of the country and are pulling out all the stops for Obama, said Harley Shaiken, a University of California, Berkeley, professor and labor historian.

"What they fear with a Romney administration is broken backs," Shaiken said. "That focuses the mind."

OBSTACLES HIGH

Unions represent about 11.8 percent of U.S. workers, down from 28.3 percent in 1954 at the peak of the labor movement, and a series of high-profile defeats have left them reeling and revealed potentially troubling weaknesses.

In Wisconsin, a 16-month union campaign failed to unseat Republican Governor Scott Walker, who had pushed through sweeping curbs on collective bargaining by public employees that made him a champion of fiscal conservatives.

Walker supporters out-spent unions seven-to-one, according to the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, which tracks money in state politics. More concerning for unions was that their vaunted ground game, the mobilization of thousands of workers for door-to-door appeals, failed spectacularly.

Also in 2012, Republicans passed a right-to-work law in Indiana, a first for an industrial heartland state.

Unions also faced an aggressive overhaul of public employee pension and retirement programs in more than a dozen states, often spearheaded by erstwhile allies.

The reforms have been popular with voters and arguably were necessary to address big deficits but represent de facto pay cuts for public workers.

Unions have aimed to stem the tide, sometimes facing opposition from Democrats as well as Republicans.

In Michigan, they have pushed a voter initiative -- opposed by Republicans -- to enshrine collective bargaining rights in the state constitution for all workers.

In Chicago, public school teachers have voted to strike the country's third-largest district for the first time in 25 years if they cannot reach agreement to end an escalating fight with Mayor Rahm Emanuel -- a Democrat and former top aide to Obama.

The presidential contest traditionally begins in earnest after Labor Day, and unions are planning for a final push. AFSCME alone has pledged to spend $100 million between now and November on get-out-the-vote efforts.

Experts say labor's return on that investment, however, is likely to be minimal.

"One candidate, Romney, is opposed to their objectives," Chaison said. "The other, Obama, is only a fair-weather friend who asks for support by saying, 'I'm better than the other guy. If he wins, it will be worse.' It's not much of a choice."

(Editing by Ellen Wulfhorst and Eric Beech)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/u-unions-holiday-begins-somber-election-countdown-180343156.html

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Help teach robots to see - with your Kinect

1 day

Swedish researchers are hoping to create a visual dictionary to improve the ability of robots to understand the world around them, but they can't do it alone. They need your help ? if you've got a Kinect.

Robots are smart in that they can store tons of information and process it quickly, but unlike humans they haven't been walking the Earth for long, and have very little practical knowledge of common objects. How heavy is a coffee mug? No data, though a human could easily size it up and make a good estimate. What's that thing on the floor? A human would recognize it as a shoe, but to a robot, it could be anything.

A project called Kinect@Home is being led by Alper Aydemir at Sweden's Royal Institute of Technology. Aydemir?hopes?that by outsourcing that common knowledge to humans, robots will develop a better idea of their surroundings. To that end, he has started a database of 3-D models of everyday objects like books and shoes, captured with the cheap and effective Kinect.

Microsoft's Kinect is normally an accessory for the Xbox 360 that detects the position and movements of players in 3-D. But it's also a very cheap way to give a computer or robot vision with depth perception, and can be used to create nearly instant 3-D models of any household object. Robots can then use this data and compare it with what they see, perhaps making a match.

Aydemir started the project this week and hopes that many people will contribute, and that the database will be widely used. He tells the BBC: "This way, people get easy access to the ever improving state-of-the-art 3-D modelling techniques for free and researchers gain insights as to what works and what doesn't by using the data."

You can browse a gallery of objects in 3-D here, from people to guitars, and even submit your own. The ones there are a little crude, but with care, a Kinect can actually produce very accurate models; it is advised to move slowly and keep the object within a few feet of the device.?

If you feel like helping out, there's a link to download a Web?browser plugin at the project page.?It works in Windows 7 and 8 and actually for Xbox as well if you want to point your console's browser there, after which you can click "make recording" and help some robot somewhere get a little wiser about the world.

Devin Coldewey is a contributing writer for NBC News Digital. His personal website is coldewey.cc.

Source: http://www.nbcnews.com/technology/gadgetbox/help-teach-robots-see-your-kinect-974579

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Max Online ? Don't Ever Get Into A Relationship To Stay Away From ...

Posted By Henry on September 2, 2012

Some individuals love into a commitment for the sake of not being alone. This can be a mistake. Acquiring into a commitment with someone purely for the sake of not being alone is not very smart. TNT Software Relationships show some methods for you to deal with this fear of loneliness.

Acquiring into a commitment with someone for the sake of not being by yourself might cause difficulties down the path. What happens should you decide choose the wrong individual? Let us say you select someone and you will get with someone. After 5 or 6 months, you start to comprehend that you have made a error in deciding this individual. What do you do now?
Its not fun being alone but being with someone that you can barely endure is not the solution. After you love married and have kids, it can be extremely hard to escape of the commitment if things turn south. Result in the smart choices today and dont leave loneliness become an issue in your relationships.

Understanding how to approach women can eliminate loneliness. Have a pet or unpaid at your town pet shelter. Walking or petting the creatures can be extremely effective in managing loneliness. Creatures are a great provider for companionship.
Have a pastime. Find something you love to do and love involved. If you prefer to play volleyball, consequently find a town team. If you prefer to carry dumbbells, consequently go to a gym. Doing something you love keeps you active and assist you to render pals.

Develop a network of pals. A individual who has pals may not be as alone in terms of someone that is constantly by themselves. Again, join a group that enables you to progress durable friendships.
Finally, if finding out to be cheated by ex troubles you that much consequently its best to see a knowledgeable. He or she can give you ideas for you to better regulate your fear of being alone. There is nothing wrong with being alone. In fact an average joe spends time alone during their lifetime.???

Source: http://www.maxonline.org/?p=166

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Updates: Information Technology and Intellectual Property Law ...

1. Apple v Motorola in Germany ? user interface features Citation: C.I.P.A.J. 2012, 41(3), 122-123 Subject: Intellectual property; Information technology; Telecommunications ? Keywords: European patents; Germany; Infringement; Mobile telephones; User interfaces Documents: Legal Journals Index Abstract

2. Copyright: CJEU considers general filtering obligation for social media network Citation: C.I.P.A.J. 2012, 41(3), 148-149 Subject: Intellectual property; European Union; Information technology Keywords: Copyright; EU law; Electronic monitoring; File sharing; Online infringement; Social media Documents: Legal Journals Index Abstract

3. Legal fight for online names at record high (Article ? Newspaper)Source: Times, August 28, 2012, 15. Also reported in Independent, August 28, 2012 (Online edition); Guardian, August 28, 2012 (Online edition)Subject: Intellectual Property; Communications/Media/IT ? Information technology Keywords: Cybersquatting; Domain names; Intellectual property claims; WIPO Added: August 28, 2012 08:45 (GMT)

4. Jurisdiction for trade mark infringements via the internet Citation: C.I.P.A.J. 2012, 41(3), 147-148 Subject: Intellectual property; Conflict of laws; European Union; Information technology Keywords: Advertisements; Allocation of jurisdiction; EU law; Keywords; Online infringement; Search engines; Trade marks Documents: Legal Journals Index Abstract

5. Unpredictability: understanding the US enablement requirement Citation: C.I.P.A.J. 2012, 41(3), 141-145 Subject: Intellectual property Keywords: Disclosure; Patents; Sufficiency; United States Documents: Legal Journals Index Abstract

6. Merseyside meeting Citation: C.I.P.A.J. 2012, 41(3), 153-154 Subject: Intellectual property Keywords: CIPA; Conferences; Patents Documents: Legal Journals Index Abstract

7. An antidote to poisonous divisionals?Citation: C.I.P.A.J. 2012, 41(3), 120-121 Subject: Intellectual property Keywords: Amendments; Divisional applications; European patents; Novelty; Patent claims; Priority date Documents: Legal Journals Index Abstract

8. Patent decisions: added subject-matter Citation: C.I.P.A.J. 2012, 41(3), 133-134 Subject: Intellectual property; Health Keywords: Added subject matter; European patents; Pharmaceuticals Documents: Legal Journals Index Abstract

9. EPO decisions: opposition grounds and filing dates of divisional applications Citation: C.I.P.A.J. 2012, 41(3), 139 Subject: Intellectual property Keywords: Divisional applications; European patents; Filing date; Opposition Documents: Legal Journals Index Abstract

10. EPO decisions: exercise of discretion in admitting late-filed grounds of opposition Citation: C.I.P.A.J. 2012, 41(3), 140 Subject: Intellectual property Keywords: Admissibility; European patents; Late filing; Opposition proceedings Documents: Legal Journals Index Abstract

11. EPO decisions: late-filed arguments in appeal proceedings having the effect of amending the party?s case Citation: C.I.P.A.J. 2012, 41(3), 140-141 Subject: Intellectual property. Keywords: Admissibility; Appeals; European patents; Late filing Documents: Legal Journals Index Abstract

12. Breach of confidenceCitation: C.I.P.A.J. 2012, 41(3), 151 Subject: Intellectual property; Civil evidence; Media and entertainment. Keywords: Confidential information; Intellectual property; Newspapers; Private investigators; Privilege against self-incrimination. Documents: Legal Journals Index Abstract

13. IPReg consultation on litigators? rights. Citation: C.I.P.A.J. 2012, 41(3), 157-159 Subject: Intellectual property; Civil evidence. Keywords: Patent attorneys; Patents County Court; Rights of audience. Documents: Legal Journals Index Abstract

14. Apple victory wipes USD 12bn off Samsung value (Article ? Newspaper)Source: Times, August 28, 2012, 33. Also reported in Financial Times, August 28, 2012, 1,18,28; Independent, August 28, 2012, (Online edition); Guardian, August 28, 2012, 20; Daily Telegraph, August 28, 2012, Business 1; Financial Times, August 27, 2012, 17; Daily Telegraph, August 27, 2012, Business .Subject: Intellectual Property; Communications/Media/IT ? Telecommunications Keywords: Designs; Information technology; Infringement; Mobile telephones; Patents; United States Added: August 28, 2012 08:15 (GMT)

15. NATCO v Bayer: Indian patent authority grants its first ever compulsory license on pharmaceutical products Citation: G.T. & C.J. 2012, 7(7&8), 326-330 Subject: Intellectual property; Health Keywords: Cancer; Compulsory licences; India; Patents; Pharmaceuticals Documents: Legal Journals Index Abstract

16. Claim drafting to maximise patent box opportunities Citation: C.I.P.A.J. 2012, 41(3), 123-124 Subject: Intellectual property; Tax. Keywords: Corporation tax; Patents. Documents: Legal Journals Index Abstract

17. Patent decisions: validity of SPC ? whether to refer to CJEUCitation: C.I.P.A.J. 2012, 41(3), 135 Subject: Intellectual property; European Union; Health Keywords: Declarations of invalidity; EU law; Method claims; Patents; Pharmaceuticals; References to European Court; Supplementary protection certificates Documents: Legal Journals Index Abstract

18. Patent decisions: applications to amend ? declarations of non-essentiality Citation: C.I.P.A.J. 2012, 41(3), 136 Subject: Intellectual property Keywords: Amendments; European patents; Infringement; Revocation; Validity Documents: Legal Journals Index Abstract

19. Copyright: screening of broadcasts of football matches to the public Citation: C.I.P.A.J. 2012, 41(3), 149-150 Subject: Intellectual property; European Union; Hospitality and leisure; Media and entertainment; Sport Keywords: Copyright; EU law; Football; Infringement; Pubs and bars; Satellite televisionDocuments: Legal Journals Index Abstract

20. Infringement of a registered Community design (RCD) by a later RCD Citation: C.I.P.A.J. 2012, 41(3), 150-151 Subject: Intellectual property; European Union Keywords: EU law; Infringement; Registered Community designs Documents: Legal Journals Index Abstract

21. Patent decisions: entitlement: s.8Citation: C.I.P.A.J. 2012, 41(3), 138 Subject: Intellectual property Keywords: Entitlement; Inventors; Patent applications Documents: Legal Journals Index Abstract

22. Patent decisions: sufficiency: s.14(3)Citation: C.I.P.A.J. 2012, 41(3), 138 Subject: Intellectual property Keywords: Amendments; Patent applications; Sufficiency Documents: Legal Journals Index Abstract

23. Patent decisions: costs Citation: C.I.P.A.J. 2012, 41(3), 133 Subject: Intellectual property; Civil procedure Keywords: Appeals; Costs; Patents; Reasonableness Documents: Legal Journals Index Abstract

24. The threat from within Citation: J.L.S.S. 2012, 57(8), 40-41 Subject: Information technology; Legal profession Keywords: Data protection; Data security; Law firms Documents: Legal Journals Index Abstract

25. Intellectual property protection in Africa ? is it deserving of its reputation?Citation: C.I.P.A.J. 2012, 41(3), 132 Subject: Intellectual property; Legal profession Keywords: Africa; Intellectual property; Law firms; South Africa Documents: Legal Journals Index Abstract

26. Patent decisions: application to commit for contempt Citation: C.I.P.A.J. 2012, 41(3), 134-135 Subject: Civil procedure; Intellectual property; Personal injury Keywords: Adjournment; Committal orders; Contempt of court; Failure to attend; Patents County Court; Road traffic accidents Documents: Legal Journals Index Abstract

27. Trade marks: Helena Rubinstein SNC v Office for Harmonisation in the Internal Market (Trade Marks and Designs) (OHIM) (C-100/11 P)Citation: C.I.P.A.J. 2012, 41(3), 146-147 Subject: Intellectual property; European Union Keywords: Community trade marks; Cosmetics; EU law; Earlier trade marks Documents: Legal Journals Index Abstract

Source: http://cylaw.info/?p=1094

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Car accident stops 80eDays Tesla Roadster from completing world tour

Car accident stops 80eDays Tesla Roadster from completing world tour

A unfortunate traffic accident brought Rafael de Mestre's electric trek across the globe to an abrupt halt today, stopping his Tesla Roadster a scant kilometer from the finish line. "Game over," the world traveler wrote on Facebook and Twitter, posting a picture of the damaged vehicle and assuring readers that he survived the ordeal. Since then, he's only offered a small update, lamenting the loss of his faithful electric carriage and sharing a short video of the accident's aftermath. Lend the dejected driver some moral support (or just engage in digital rubbernecking) at the source links below.

Filed under:

Car accident stops 80eDays Tesla Roadster from completing world tour originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 02 Sep 2012 11:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceChargelocator (Twitter), Electric Race (Facebook)  | Email this | Comments

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/09/02/car-accident-stops-80edays-tesla-roadster-from-completing-world/

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KInder Morgan Energy Partners Provides Both Attractive Yield And Growing Dividend

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More ?

At this point in time Kinder Morgan Energy Partners LP (KMP) may provide the best investment potential of the largest energy MLP choices. The Kinder Morgan focus on steady growth, the diverse asset holdings of KMP and the near 6% dividend yield currently put KM Energy Partners a little ahead of the large cap MLP competition.

Kinder Morgan Energy Partners has a current market cap of $28.5 billion. This puts KMP in second behind $47 billion Enterprise Product Partners LP (EPD). Coming in at a distant third is Williams Partners L.P. (WPZ) with a market value of $17.8 billion. All three companies draw the bulk of their revenue from natural gas or natural gas liquids pipelines and storage and all three have been and will continue to be very good investment prospects.

Kinder Morgan Assets

One advantage of Kinder Morgan Energy Partners is the diverse asset holdings and resulting semi-non-related streams of income. A recent presentation shows 38% of earnings from natural gas pipelines, 20% from CO2 oil production, 15% from products pipelines, 16% from product terminals and 7% from the transport and sale of CO2.

Capital spending plans for future growth cover all of the different asset classes. Kinder Morgan Energy Partners will see additional growth in the natural gas pipeline sector as assets from the El Paso Corporation acquisition are dropped down from Kinder Morgan Inc. (KMI) into the limited partnerships.

Dividend Growth

KMP Dividend Chart

KMP Dividend data by YCharts

The three big energy MLP companies have rewarded investors with steady dividend growth as noted in this chart. The projected $4.98 per unit in distributions for 2012 is an 8% increase on the 2011 payout. This growth is significantly better than the 5% dividend growth rate of the previous 3 years from Kinder Morgan Partners. One area of consistency is that KMP has met or exceeded its distribution forecast 11 out of the last 12 years. In 2006, the distributions totaled $3.26 instead of the forecast $3.28.

The KMP distribution rate should increase for each of the final two quarters of 2012. This means that investors buying at the current share price will earn at a 6% annual rate and then growing from there. The 6% yield is the main advantage of KMP currently over Enterprise Product Partners. EPD currently yields under 5%. The higher yield from KMP may be due to the flat share price so far this year, while the EPD share value has increased by 15%.

With the current 6% yield and the steady long-term growth provided by the Kinder Morgan group of companies, Kinder Morgan Energy Partners looks to be the most attractive of the three big MLP stocks. Also, for IRA investors, Kinder Morgan Management, LLC (KMR) is a KMP clone except the dividends are paid in additional KMR shares resulting in no IRA problematic K-1 or UBTI.

Additional Reading: Williams Partners Increases Dividend, Lowers Near-Term Guidance

Enterprise Product Partners Sitting In The Middle Of A U.S. Energy Resurgence

Disclosure: I have no positions in any stocks mentioned, and no plans to initiate any positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

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Source: http://seekingalpha.com/article/841081-kinder-morgan-energy-partners-provides-both-attractive-yield-and-growing-dividend?source=feed

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Steelhead Capital Welcomes Back Founder Peter Slaugh

San Francisco, CA (PRWEB) August 31, 2012 ? Originally founding the company in 1998, Peter Slaugh now returns to lead the firm and looks forward to a productive year ahead with the recent improvements in the commercial real estate financing market.

Since the collapse of the capital markets in 2008/2009, commercial real estate lenders have been nearly non-existent. While apartment lending remained brisk throughout the downturn, liquidity for financing commercial real estate projects is just beginning to thaw. Today?s announcement of the return of Mr. Peter Slaugh to the management team of Steelhead Capital signals a new beginning for the company.

?There is a great opportunity in the current market to match qualified investors with an increasing number of capital sources getting back into the market,? says Slaugh. ?Especially for those investors with solid strong balance sheets and previous experience in commercial real estate, Steelhead Capital can put together very effective commercial loan packages that might not be available through traditional banking institutions.?

Peter Slaugh founded Steelhead Capital ? a San Francisco-based commercial mortgage banking platform ? in 1998. Prior to founding Steelhead Capital, Mr. Slaugh originated commercial loan transactions for all property types at GMAC Commercial Mortgage.

Over the last decade, Mr. Slaugh has originated well in excess of $3 billion in commercial real estate debt, mezz debt and equity transactions. His extensive knowledge of the capital markets significantly enhances the his clients? ability to aggressively leverage acquisition and renovation costs in order to maximize investor returns.

About Steelhead Capital:

Since 1998, Steelhead Capital, Inc. has been a premier provider of commercial financing solutions and advisory services for commercial real estate investors.

Steelhead Capital brings an extensive network of lending sources, structured finance experience with a focus on acquisitions, and a clear commitment to personalized customer service to investors financing properties in any of the 50 states.

For additional information about Steelhead Capital or to submit a commercial loan request, contact Peter Slaugh or visit http://www.steelheadcapital.com.

Source: http://news.steelheadcapital.com/commercial-lending/08-31-12-commercial-loan-rates/

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The Demand On Crossbows For Hunting

The amazing thing is, other than the blueing being worn off in some area's, most people would never even know that the gun was 100 years old. Which got me thinking about today's crossbows and the archery industry as a whole. Why is it that we feel crossbow manufacturers need to come out with new models every year, but gun manufactures have been making the same models for centuries and we as hunters find that perfectly acceptable? It is well documented that crossbows have been around longer than firearms. So shouldn't crossbow manufacturers have gotten things right by now? Or did the founding fathers of the firearms industry just so happen to get it right the first time?

It's no secret it's in our DNA as humans to want to go bigger, faster, and further. We are always trying to invent a better mousetrap, right? Is this the reason that the crossbow manufactures come out with new models every year? Or has the industry just not gotten it right yet? Why is it OK to have 10 or 20 year old shotgun but not a 5 year old crossbow? Crossbows from 20 years ago are still killing deer just as dead as the crossbows of today. So why must we feel the need, or almost demand, that
manufacturers offer new models each and every year? Are these new crossbows really new and "improved" or just new? Sure crossbow technology continues to change, slightly. Other than different configurations of cam orientation and limb direction, crossbow technology has pretty much stayed the same since there inception 1,000s of years ago. They all have some sort of bow, some sort of stock, and some sort of trigger system to release an arrow. Sure today's manufacturers are using new and advanced materials, but as stated before the, the overall concept has not changed. So why keep building new models? I think we as consumers are partly to blame. Americans are consumed with out doing each other in the day to day world. In the world of crossbows this also holds true too. We want to have a crossbow that is faster than the other guys. Or a crossbow that is quieter or lighter, or looks cooler. But in the end, it come down to ones personal hunting skills that gets the job done, not what crossbow he or she uses. The reason for this article isn't to discourage crossbow manufacturers from designing and building new bows. Or to put a limit to crossbow technology. But it was to make you think about your old 870 shotgun and wonder why you don't feel the need to replace it every year or every other year, but the second a new crossbow comes to market, we put our old ones up for sale.


Maybe because the demand for crossbows wasn't very high until recent years; crossbow manufacturers were stuck in a rut when it came to thinking "outside the box"
when it came to designing new models. One thing is for sure. Every year there seems to be two to three states that are adjusting their hunting regulations, allowing crossbow participation of some sort. Either included in the entire archery season like it should be, or maybe just a separate crossbow season or permit. With this new influx of crossbow hunters, we are already starting to see some crossbow manufactures break from the norm and offer innovative designs. We are also seeing seeing or hearing rumors about new crossbow manufacturers entering the market. I believe all of this new design and competition is good for us, the consumer. We now have more choices than any other time in history. I myself will admit that I can't wait to see what the future may hold in the way of new crossbow manufacturers and designs. But I always wonder if their will ever be one manufacturer that offers one particular crossbow model, that just get's
everything right like your favorite old shotgun or rifle.

I know this scenario sounds far fetched, like some sort of dream world. But receiving my grandpa's 100 year old shotgun that is still shootable and more than capable of hunting afield, got me thinking about how many bows and crossbows I have owned over the years. I wonder if I will ever find the one crossbow that will stand the test of time, or will we always want more? Only the future knows the answer to that question. In the meantime, I guess we will have fun trying to figure it out. The scary thing is with most items in general, we don't realize that the one we always wanted is the one we just got rid of.

Source: http://www.artipot.com/articles/1358891/the-demand-on-crossbows-for-hunting.htm

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Stowaway cat from China says 'ni hao' to new home

LOS ANGELES (AP) ? A stowaway kitten who survived a three-week ocean voyage from China to California trapped in a storage container without food or water has found a new home.

Los Angeles County animal control officials said Friday that the cat, which has been named Ni Hao (NEE' how) or "hello" in Chinese, will leave the animal hospital he's called home since turning up in the U.S. last month to start life next week with a family in the LA suburb of Redondo Beach.

The family has not been further identified, but officials say it was chosen from more than 80 serious candidates who applied to adopt the stowaway.

The now 5-month-old kitten was found July 11.

It couldn't walk, see, or make any sounds.

An officer said the kitten had shallow breathing and was "curled up in a ball with his eyes shut," said animal control official Aaron Reyes.

"And he actually appeared deceased," he added said.

The cat was rushed to a care center where veterinarians say he has thrived.

The only lingering sign of trauma is a limp, which Reyes describes as "his own strut."

The kitten suffered considerable muscle atrophy on the journey, causing him to walk with a ginger, unusual gait, Reyes said.

Ni Hao is "still a bit wobbly" and "may end up being a special needs kitty for life," said Reyes, deputy director of the county's animal control department.

But, Reyes said, "he's gone from this shriveled up little kitten with shallow breathing and knocking on death's door to this curious, playful, bouncy, affectionate, patient, little furry kitty."

Ni Hao created a media buzz while at the center. Dozens of news outlets from all over the globe have visited. At one time, there were so many requests, the shelter set up a media day to handle them all.

County shelter workers have a couple of theories to explain how Ni Hao survived, Reyes said. They think he ate or drank something just before wandering into the container, he said, or "he is so young his resilience is off the charts."

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/stowaway-cat-china-says-ni-hao-home-195921409.html

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