Chinese transport "workhorses" extending military's reach

HONG KONG (Reuters) - China is expanding its long-neglected fleet of supply ships and heavy-lift aircraft, bolstering its military prowess in support of missions to enforce claims over disputed territory and to defend Chinese interests abroad.

These transport workhorses are unlikely to arouse the same regional unease as the steady rollout of high performance fighters, long-range missiles or potent warships, but they are a crucial element of the People's Liberation Army's (PLA) three-decade military build-up, defense analysts say.

Over time, the air and sea support will give the world's second-largest navy greater geographical reach and will enhance the PLA's capacity to assist troops on distant battlefields, potentially including Taiwan if Beijing were to launch a military assault to take control of the self-governing island.

China's state-owned shipyards last year launched two 23,000-tonne type 903 replenishment ships, according to reports and photographs published on Chinese military affairs websites and blogs, with further orders in the pipeline.

Defense analysts say the state-of-the-art ships are undergoing sea trials and should be commissioned into the Chinese navy later this year.

China also confirmed last month that the PLA had conducted the first test flight of its Y-20 heavy lift aircraft from the Yanliang airbase near Xi'an in Shaanxi Province.

State-run television showed footage of the four-engine Y-20, the biggest aircraft built in China, taking off and landing. The Y-20, built by AVIC Xi'an Aircraft Industry (Group) Co Ltd, would have a 66-tonne payload, according to official media reports.

AMBITIOUS GLOBAL POWER

The impending delivery of these support ships and aircraft is further evidence China intends to become a more ambitious global military power in a decisive break with its traditional security priorities of expanding or defending its extensive land borders.

"They are beginning to develop their capacity for power projection, there is no question about that," says Li Nan, an expert on the Chinese military and a professor at the U.S. Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island.

Steep increases in military outlays over three decades have allowed China to build an advanced navy that now ranks second to the United States fleet in terms of raw numbers.

The Chinese navy now has about 80 major surface warships including its first aircraft carrier, the Liaoning. It also deploys more than 50 submarines, about 50 landing ships and more than 80 missile attack boats, according to Pentagon estimates of PLA military strength.

However, construction of support and replenishment vessels in Chinese shipyards has lagged far behind the output of combatants.

China has only five major supply ships to support a fleet that is conducting increasingly intense patrolling and exercises around disputed territory in the South China Sea and East China Sea.

These vessels are also called upon to support the Chinese navy on a growing number of deployments far into the Indian and Pacific oceans.

By comparison, the U.S. navy has 34 big replenishment ships to support about 140 major surface warships, according to Pentagon figures.

The Chinese navy's extended missions include regular deployments of naval task forces to the Gulf of Aden and waters off the horn of Africa as part of United Nations authorized anti-piracy operations.

LOGISTICS CAPACITY STRETCHED

These operations have stretched the logistics capacity of the China's navy with its three most capable supply ships on almost permanent duty, according to details of the deployments announced by the Chinese military.

However, these deployments have provided an opportunity for the ships and crews to practice and refine the ongoing resupply of warships, highly skilled maneuvers that are essential to keeping warships at sea for long periods, naval experts say.

China's defense ministry said that the frigate Mianyang, destroyer Harbin and the supply ship Weishanhu sailed on February 16 from Qingdao on the 14th of these anti-piracy deployments.

While extra supply ships will extend the range and endurance of Chinese fleets, Beijing's strategic objectives still remain relatively limited outside the nearby seas where it is locked in territorial disputes with some of its neighbors.

"They are focusing on securing sea lanes, counter piracy and evacuating Chinese nationals in times of crisis," says Li.

China's expanding military transport capability is unlikely to have an immediate impact on its tense standoff with Japan over disputed islands in the East China Sea that are close to logistics bases on the Chinese mainland, naval analysts say.

"Support ships will not change the nature of operations in the East China Sea but will have an impact on the ability of the Chinese navy to conduct operations at sea, if the support ships are used to grow its professionalism and seamanship," says Alessio Patalano, a Japanese military expert at King's College in London.

LEANER, MOBILE FORCE

For China's top brass, the first test flight of the Y-20 was an important milestone as the PLA continues its transformation from a predominantly mass, ground army to a leaner, more mobile force.

"These aircraft are vital if you need to move a lot of people and a lot of equipment some place very, very fast," says Reuben Johnson, a Kiev-based military analyst and correspondent for Jane's Information Group, who has studied the Y-20 program.

Reports in the official Chinese media said the Y-20 could land and take off from restricted airstrips and had the capacity to carry most PLA combat and support vehicles.

Chinese military planners have drawn lessons from the importance of heavy-lift aircraft in recent U.S. and other Western military operations where the capacity to shift troops and supplies to distant battlefields or trouble spots has delivered an overwhelming advantage, military analysts say.

The U.S. military has a fleet of more than 300 heavy lift Galaxy and Globemaster aircraft in service along with more than 400 smaller-capacity transport aircraft.

Many of these aircraft can operate from short, uneven landing strips in remote and rugged terrain.

The PLA's air-lift capacity is much smaller. It currently operates about 20 Russian-built Il-76 transport aircraft. The Il-76 has a 50-tonne payload compared with the Globemaster's 77 tonnes and 118 tonnes for the Galaxy.

Additional Il-76 aircraft are reportedly on order from Russia but production bottlenecks are holding up deliveries, according to Russian military experts.

If China can introduce a sizeable fleet of Y-20 aircraft over the next decade, it will sharply enhance the PLA's capacity to land troops and equipment on distant battlefields.

Military experts say this capability would be particularly important in an invasion of Taiwan should Beijing decide to use force to establish control there.

Some analysts predict the Chinese military will order hundreds of Y-20s benefiting the group's listed unit, AVIC Aircraft Co Ltd, in coming decades if the aircraft can deliver acceptable performance.

They expect the PLA will also use the Y-20 as the basic airframe for its proposed fleet of in-flight refueling tankers and airborne early warning aircraft.

(Editing by Ken Wills)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/chinese-transport-workhorses-extending-militarys-reach-211722086.html

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Bushnell Golf Pinseeker 1500 Tournament Edition Laser Rangefinder

Your Bushnell Pinseeker 1500 is an advanced premium laser rangefinder comprised of digital technology that allows range readings from 5 to 1,500 yards. Measuring 1.7 by 5.1 by 3.7 inches, the 10-ounce Pinseeker 1500 delivers superb and accurate range performance to +/- one yard. The Pinseeker 1500 features Selective Targeting Modes, superb optical quality, 100% waterproof construction, and Bushnell's RainGuard coating.

The Pinseeker 1500 emits invisible, eye-safe, infrared energy pulses. Its Advanced Digital microprocessor and ASIC chip (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit) results in instantaneous and accurate readings every time. Sophisticated digital technology instantaneously calculates distances by measuring the time it takes for each pulse to travel from the rangefinder to the target and back.

The ranging accuracy of the Pinseeker 1500 is plus or minus one yard under most circumstances. The maximum range of the instrument depends on the reflectivity of the target. The maximum distance for most objects is 1,000 yards, while for highly reflective objects the maximum is 1,500 yards.

The Pinseeker 1500 features a powerful 7x magnification monocular for viewing your target. Optics are fully multi-coated, allowing maximum light transmission for optimum brightness, superb resolution, and contrast for a clear vivid image even in low-light conditions such as dusk or dawn. A liquid crystal display (LCD) is mounted within the optical system and, when activated, displays a reticle for targeting, yards and meters, and Mode indicators.

Laser Rangefinder Features

Standard with Automatic Scan
Scan across the course while viewing a continuously updated LCD display of the distance between you and your target.

Meters/Yards
You can quickly choose between these standard measuring units with a simple press of a button.

Reticle
The distance to objects targeted in these crosshairs will be displayed on the Distance Readout with the press of a button.

Battery Indictor
Flashes when battery power is low.

Target Quality Gauge
Gauge indicating amount of energy pulses being received back from the target.

Pinseeker 1500 Targeting Modes

BullsEye
Geared for close-range use, this mode acquires the distances of small targets and game without inadvertently measuring background target distances. When more than one object is acquired, the closer of the two objects is shown on the LCD display.

.

Brush
Ignores the foreground, such as brush, boulders and tree branches, and provides distances on the LCD display to background objects only.

.

PinSeeker
Designed exclusively with the bottom of the cup in mind, this mode allows easy acquisition of the flag without inadvertently capturing background target distances. When more than one object is acquired, the closer of the two objects is shown on the LCD display.

.

Laser Rangefinder Tech Talk

A laser rangefinder is a distance-measuring instrument that uses laser technology to calculate the distance to targeted objects. Accuracy is +/- 1 yard, and the distance is displayed instantaneously on a built-in, through-the-lens Liquid Crystal Display.

How a Laser Rangefinder Works
Bushnell's Yardage Pro rangefinders use an invisible, eye-safe Class 1 Laser beam (as classified by the FDA) which is "bounced" off distant objects with the press of a button. Then, the rangefinder's high-speed digital clock measures the time it took for a laser beam to reach a target and return to the unit. Next, using advanced digital electronics, the rangefinder instantly calculates the distance within +/- 1 yard and shows the range in either yards or meters on a through-the-lens LCD Display. The entire process is so fast that less than a second elapses between the time you press the button to generate a laser beam to the time the exact range to your target is displayed.

Reflectivity of Target Types
Because rangefinders "bounce" a laser beam off the target in order to take a measurement, their range is partially determined by the reflectivity of the target. In other words, hard or "reflective" targets -- like a rock cliff or semi-truck -- can be measured at greater distances than soft surface targets, like a deer. Ranges for moderately reflective targets, like trees, fall somewhere in the middle. Most experienced hunters will use their rangefinder to frequently estimate ranges to near and distant landmarks before they actually encounter a game animal. By "pre-measuring" ranges to spots where a trophy is likely to appear, they can concentrate on making an accurate shot when the moment of truth arrives.

Source: http://www.golfballdriver.com/bushnell-golf-pinseeker-1500-tournament-edition-laser-rangefinder/

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NRA uses Justice memo to accuse Obama on guns (The Arizona Republic)

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

Source: http://news.feedzilla.com/en_us/stories/politics/top-stories/286884737?client_source=feed&format=rss

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Russian parliament demands return of orphan from U.S

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian lawmakers appealed to U.S. Congress on Friday to help return a Russian boy living with a Texas family, after the death of his three-year-old brother intensified a dispute over international adoptions.

The motion, approved overwhelmingly without any votes against by the lower house, is likely to increase tension between Moscow and Washington in a row that has contributed to a gradual cooling of relations since Vladimir Putin returned to the presidency last May.

Moscow has seized on the death of Max Shatto to justify a ban imposed on Americans adopting Russians on January 1, which was itself a response to U.S. legislation that imposes visa and asset bans on Russians accused of violating human rights.

Texas officials say Max Shatto was last seen alive on January 21, and U.S. authorities are trying to determine exactly what happened to him. His adoptive mother Laura Shatto, who is still looking after Max's two-year-old brother Kirill, said she found Max unresponsive in the backyard and he was taken to hospital where he died.

Russia has announced an inquiry into allegations he was beaten before his death but U.S. police and child welfare authorities only say the matter is part of a criminal investigation.

The parliamentary motion, using the brothers' original Russian surname, called on U.S. Congress to "support the Russian Federation in deciding the matter of returning Kirill Kuzmin back to the country of his origin for the sake of humanitarian reasons and the child's security".

The lawmakers, who did not specify how U.S. Congress could help in the case, also called on the United States to ensure the safety of adopted children and pass on any details of abuse of Russian-born children.

The boys' biological mother launched an emotional plea this week for Kirill to be sent back to Russia.

AMBASSADOR "TROUBLED"

The U.S. ambassador to Russia, Michael McFaul said he was "troubled" by responses in Russia to Max Shatto's death.

"It is time for sensational exploitations of human tragedy to end and for professional work between our two countries to grow, on this issue and many others," he wrote in a blog post.

Russia banned U.S. adoptions in retaliation for the U.S. Magnitsky Act, drawn up over concern about the death in prison of anti-corruption lawyer Sergei Magnitsky in 2009. The act will deny visas to Russians accused of human rights abuses and freeze their assets in the United States.

Until the ban, Americans adopted more Russian children than any other country, with more than 60,000 cases since the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union, including 962 in 2011.

Russia considers more than 650,000 of its children to be orphans and nearly 129,000 awaiting adoption in late 2011.

Tens of thousands protested in Moscow in January against banning U.S. adoptions, some calling Putin a "child-killer".

Russia's children rights ombudsman Pavel Astakhov, an ally of Putin, told a news conference this week that foreign adoptions caused "colossal harm" to society.

But Putin's spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, said the Kremlin was against a full ban on all foreign adoptions.

Kremlin critics say the campaign against abuse of Russian-born children abroad is partly aimed at lifting Putin's approval ratings among conservative voters with nationalist views.

A February poll by the independent Levada Centre showed 47 percent of Russians considered the adoption ban to be a fitting response to the "Magnitsky Act".

(Reporting By Sonia Elks; Editing by Jason Webb)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/russian-parliament-demands-return-orphan-u-162736494.html

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UNION ? Mrs. Aileen Vaughan Ivey, 93, 137 Frank Hill Loop Extension, Union, wido...

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Source: http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=10151502810366031&id=187653561030

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Bora's Picks (February 22nd, 2013)

This Is How Your Brain Deals With Google And Facebook Ads by Allison McCann:

Alicia Jenkins is 24 and doesn?t plan on getting married anytime soon. But she says it?s rare that her Facebook feed doesn?t have at least one advertisement for ?ethical engagement rings,? wedding dresses, or honeymoon packages ? she helped plan her sister?s wedding last fall and just returned from her best friend?s engagement party ? so now Alicia has been effectively placed in the wedding registry hell category of Facebook?s advertising partners. ?

Testing a tastier tomato by Kate Prengaman:

The best part of the annual AAAS meeting (which I am attending in Boston for the first time) is also the worst part of the meeting? there are SO many awesome, fascinating sessions to pick from, but you can?t attend them all, you have to pick. Selecting this session, however, was easy? I knew I would love ?Fixing the Broken Tomato: What We Like and Why We Like It.? The session was led by researchers from the Institute for Plant Innovation at the University of Florida who are studying what makes a tomato delicious. Harry Klee started off explaining the fundamentals of flavor?

Fainting at the sight of blood by Jordan Gaines:

I remember the day so well because the circumstances were so ridiculous. It was my freshman year of high school, the Friday before homecoming weekend. Football players and cheerleaders wore their respective uniforms to class, I had a blue pawprint painted on my face, and everyone in class was antsy in anticipation of the pep rally at the end of the day?.

Without a pinch of salt by Rachael Stubbins:

In 2003 the Department of Health and the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) launched a two-pronged attack to reduce salt intake. One part was a multimedia campaign to raise public awareness of the dangers of a high salt diet. This used comical TV adverts such as Sid the Slug. The other was to work with the food industry to cut out added salt in processed foods?.

Nuclear Bombs Made It Possible to Carbon Date Human Tissue by Rose Eveleth:

In the 1950s, the world tested a bunch of nuclear bombs, and today we?re still carrying around the evidence?in our muscles. Here?s how that works. Between 1955 and 1963, the use of atomic bombs doubled the amount of carbon-14 in our atmosphere. Carbon-14 exists in the air, and plants breathe it in during photosynthesis. Animals eat those plants; we eat those animals; and carbon-14 winds up in our bodies, incorporated into our tissues. And carbon-14 has a half life?11 years?.

Revisiting the Grandmother Hypothesis: Do post-menopausal women deserve the credit for humans? long life span? by Roni Jacobson:

The Hadza people of northern Tanzania are Africa?s last surviving culture of hunter-gatherers, subsisting mostly on meat, honey, fruit and tubers. In 1985, a team of anthropologists embedded within a band of Hadza foragers noticed that the elderly women in the group were particularly industrious ? they spent more time foraging for their families than younger women. The anthropologists concluded that the food the grandmothers gathered contributed to their grandchildren?s survival, thus strengthening the likelihood that their own genetic disposition towards long life would be passed on to future generations?.

Genes, beer and psychosis by Jo Poole:

On the last day of my placement the psychiatric consultant told us, jokingly, that her children were banned from alcohol and drugs until at least 25, in light of recent research indicating the brain is still developing until this time?.

Lovers? Hearts Beat At The Same Rate Everyday by Khalil A. Cassimally:

This graph shows something quite wonderful. It shows that in a couple, the heart rates of a man and woman are in sync. Yes, when you?re involved in a romantic relationship, your heart beats as fast as your partner?s. This couple was one of the 32 heterosexual couples in a study conducted by physiologies at UC Davis in the US that aimed to see if people in romantic relationships co-regulated their physiologies with their partners. By co-regulated, read change; by physiologies, read heart rates?.

Alcohol and Pregnancy: A ?Safe? Mix? by Danielle Taubman:

People tend to freak out about the pregnant lady drinking the small glass of wine at the dinner party. A flood of whispers inevitably fills the room and the next day this ?indiscretion? is the talk of the town. But is this a blameworthy issue? Are concerns about a sporadic drink during pregnancy valid??

Ozone levels linked to cardiac arrest by Kathryn Doyle:

Cardiac arrests are more likely when levels of air pollution ? especially soot-like particles and ozone ? have been high in recent days or even hours, according to a large study from Texas. Evidence already links airborne particles with heart disease and lung problems but the new findings are the first to show that high ozone may immediately raise the risk that a person?s heart will stop beating?

?Lightsaber? Spines Help Strange Shark Ward Off Predators by Douglas Main:

Austin Powers? Dr. Evil had one simple request: ?sharks with frickin? laser beams attached to their heads.? Velvet belly lantern sharks may not satisfy that demand, but perhaps they?re even better: They come ready-made with glowing spines that look like lightsabers, research shows?.

Anti-choice or anti-gender bias? Politicians and activists argue over whether legislation is the right way to curb sex-selective abortions by Naveena Sadasivam:

When Maneesha Kelkar, the director of a South Asian women?s organization in New Jersey, strode into her office one morning in the winter of 2008, she was greeted by a voicemail from Arizona congressman Trent Frank?s office. The friendly voicemail informed her of a bill that Franks was planning to introduce to help curb gender based abortions, and asked for the organization?s support in making it into law. Since this was an issue Kelkar was working on in the South Asian community, she was at first excited about the bill. But then she felt that ?something just didn?t seem right at all.??

What makes you who you are? by Sedeer el-Showk:

?I?m sorry about what happened yesterday. I?I wasn?t myself.? Those words, or something like them, have been offered countless times as an explanation for (mis)behaviour, but what do they actually mean? People seem to have a sense of an intrinsic self, a personality they identify with, and many people are concerned about how outside factors might (like birth control pills) influence this personality or change the way they behave. In this post, I?d like to explore how we construct and define our sense of self, but rather than writing an essay on the subject, I?m hoping to start a discussion about it?.

It?s just a flesh wound! by Jon Tennant:

Fossils, as we typically think about them, tell us about the death of an animal. The teeth, bones, shells, fragmented pseudopods and other weird and wonderful bits of carcass all only ever reflect one thing: a permanent geological limbo. These types of fossil are known as body fossils. The other major group of fossils, that are generally less common, less researched, less known about, but arguably more important for guiding our understanding of the history of life on Earth, are trace fossils. The study of trace fossils is called ichnology, and the fossils don?t represent death; they represent life, behaviour, activity. They can paint us a picture of a particular event in time, a scene from a play with ghosts of the actors and decayed fragments of script. We?re the audience and the directors, and we have to fill out the act, using the trace fossils draw the concluding freeze frame?.

Monster Goldfish Found in Lake Tahoe by Tanya Lewis:

A new kind of lake monster has been found, in the depths of Lake Tahoe: gigantic goldfish. Researchers trawling the lake for invasive fish species scooped up a goldfish that was nearly 1.5 feet long and 4.2 pounds?.

Clinical research: Oxytocin may improve quality of life by Laura Geggel:

People with autism who inhaled regular doses of the hormone oxytocin were better at recognizing others? emotions and reported a higher quality of life than those who took a placebo, according to a small study published 5 December in Molecular Autism?.

Source: http://rss.sciam.com/click.phdo?i=0d08d7437775d09381bf48178c929f83

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Increasing E-Commerce Revenues via Social Media

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The rise of the Internet has drastically changed various aspects of an organization?s operations and structure. Some traditional marketing strategies are now completely outdated, others have been deeply transformed, and new digital marketing strategies are continuously emerging based on the unprecedented access to vast amounts of information about products, firms, and consumer behaviors.

The Internet results in today?s e-Commerce and what leads to its ultimate success is none other than the social media. Indeed, there?s no stopping of the growth of social media today! The exponential growth of social media is an encouraging factor for ecommerce business worldwide as it helps to skyrocket their revenues amazingly.

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There are some pointers on how the social media sites like Facebook and Twitter help to increase the sales of your e-Commerce business as mentioned by apptha:

1. The Facebook impingement

2. Creating Facebook traffic

3. Shopping cart abandonment and ?Social login? solution

4. Creating referral traffic using ?Social Affiliate? plugin

To understand more regarding how social media can boost your businesses? revenues, attend Asia?s largest internet and mobile business event this April! The Internet and Mobile Show Asia 2013 features distinguished speakers from Asia?s renowned brands such as Japan Airlines? Vice President of Web Sales & Marketing, Tomohiro Nishihata; he will be speaking on the topic ?Leveraging Social & Mobile Media and Digital Marketing to enhance E-Commerce revenues?.

Nishihata has been responsible for JAL?s Web/Mobile, SNS strategy, web revenue & branding since December 2010. During his tenure, the JAL official Facebook pages were awarded the Grandprix of social networking in the 5th Japan WEB Grandprix in December 2011.? In addition, the JAL web site received the No.1 award of 232 sites for WEB Equity 2012 in Japan in September 2012. Prior to his current position, Nishihata also held the position of Vice President of JAL?s Domestic Passenger Sales Planning Department.

Click here to download our brochure now to find out more about the agenda of the event!

For registration, please visit our website, or contact Yee Lim at yeelim.tan@terrapinn.com to understand more about group bookings. Do register before 15 March 2013 to enjoy maximum savings!

Source: http://blogs.terrapinn.com/mobile-apps/2013/02/22/increasing-commerce-revenues-social-media/

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Do Multiple Monitors Make You More Productive?

Some of us are so used to using multiple monitors, it would be near impossible to give them up. Others are happy with just one display. Do you think multiple monitors make you more productive?

Decent monitors are not very expensive and many systems already have the hardware necessary to drive more than one display. Some claim the productivity boost from using multiple monitors is a myth, but when we asked before, most of you said you use more than one monitor.

So, tell us:

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/lifehacker/full/~3/whEIqnP9M2s/do-multiple-monitors-make-you-more-productive

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Pinterest Rival Fancy Reportedly Buys Samplrs.com To Beef Up Its Artisanal Food Business

We haven't heard too much from Fancy.com -- a competitor to Pinterest and other sites focused on social commerce -- since they raised $26 million in October 2012, but it looks like this is changing today. Fancy has apparently acquired Samplrs.com -- a specialist in artisanal foods, which it sells by subscription as well as a la carte. The news, which we received via anonymous tip, was reportedly sent out in a customer email from Samplrs today. When you visit the site, it now redirect to Fancy.com.

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

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Notre Dame Football: Which Quarterback Will Win the Irish a National Title?

Notre Dame is fast establishing a reputation for yearly quarterback?controversies. While detractors criticize Brian Kelly and company for causing insecurity in the minds of the players, many Irish fans see it as healthy competition for what is arguably the most?important?position on the field. From Crist to Rees, Rees to Golson, there has been a regular rotation of new faces.?

This year promises to be no different with 5-star recruit Gunner Kiel emerging from his redshirt year to challenge the?incumbent?Everret Golson for the top spot. Further down the road, both contenders will have to fend off the powerful Malik Zaire, who will most likely redshirt this season. Indeed, it will be a true accomplishment for any of these men to spend their senior season on the field with all the top talent Kelly has been?recruiting.?

So who is most likely to win Notre Dame a national championship? Let's take a look at each candidate and weigh the pros and cons.?

Everett Golson

Golson, forgive the comparison, was like The Little Engine That Could last year. He pulled the Irish through all but one?he missed the game against BYU due to concussion?of their regular season games. However, his reputation as the perfect quarterback was tarnished by several key plays where Rees stepped in for him to finish the job, often on third downs. Indeed, it was Notre Dame's top-ranked defense that was grabbing all the headlines last season, as the offense often struggled.

It is not my intention to?diminish?Golson whatsoever, in fact I really like him, but there is room to improve. Improving is something he did a lot of last season, though. In his first four games with the Irish, he rushed for a total of minus-11 yards. The Irish QB stepped it up?significantly?against Miami, running for 51 yards.

The following week, he brought his A-game again, rushing for 41 yards against the fierce Stanford defense.?In the last seven games Golson played during the?regular?season, he rushed for an?average?of 45.1 yards?(via?sports-reference.com), a vast?improvement?over the beginning of the year.?

Gunner Kiel

Kiel, at the time he was?recruited, was supposed to be the savior of the Irish offense. That all changed when Golson took the team to a national championship, so it appears Kiel will have to?distinguish?himself substantially in order to oust Golson.?

One thing Kiel has going for him is his huge arm. This kid can throw, and he has more confidence in the pocket than Golson. He also has a substantial?height?advantage, standing five inches taller than the current Irish quarterback.

The concerns I have with Kiel are not so much?toward him as a player, but the way the Notre Dame offense is set up. Kiel is a passing quarterback. Yes, his highlight reel shows he can run, but he lacks the elusiveness that made Golson so effective on his feet last season.

Notre Dame's offense,?thus far, has been pretty heavy on running plays. So if Kiel gets on the field, who will he throw the ball to? Sure?DaVaris Daniels and T.J. Jones will be around, and they are both great players, but we are missing a real star wide?receiver?who could really?capitalize?on Kiel's passing skills.?

Kiel also displayed less than stellar skills at last year's spring game, so he may be having trouble adjusting at the college level.?

Malik Zaire

The inclusion of Zaire?presupposes?that neither Kiel or Golson will bring home the crystal football this season, and Zaire will most likely redshirt, but for argument's sake, I included him anyways.?

Which quarterback be the first to win a national championship for Notre Dame?

Which quarterback be the first to win a national championship for Notre Dame?

• Everett Golson

• Gunner Kiel

• Malik Zaire

Total votes: 0

Zaire's highlight reel shows a quarterback who not only has an?incredible?arm, but who is also quick on his feet and doesn't panic when plays?deteriorate and the pocket is compromised. Above all, what I love about this guy is his confidence.

Like Golson,?height?may be an issue for Zaire, as he currently stands at an even 6'. Zaire does have a 26-pound weight advantage on Golson though, which will definitely be an asset when he has to muscle in those tough yards.?

So who will bring home a national championship for the Fighting Irish?

Kiel is the most obvious contender, but he will need to overcome the issues that made him ineffective last spring. The?receivers?will also have to elevate their game in order for him to be truly effective. It would appear that Brian Kelly has already anticipated this issue, though.

According to?Jake Brown of Rivals.com, 4-star junior wide?receiver?Corey Holmes is expected to take his third visit to the Notre Dame campus?during?the?offseason.?

If Kiel can't pull it off, he will have to contend with Zaire, and we all know how Brian Kelly loves to stoke a little healthy competition among his quarterbacks.?

No matter who is starting, there is a very real chance that one of these men will bring the crystal football to South Bend in the near future.?

*Unless otherwise noted, all?statistics?and star rankings are?referenced?from Rivals.com

Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1530108-notre-dame-football-which-quarterback-will-win-the-irish-a-national-title

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Amash in twitter battle with Jay Carney and establishment Republican twitter hacks!

Jay Carney (EOP) ?@PressSec
GOP Rep. Amash says "it's a mistake on the part of Republicans to try to pin the sequester on Obama. It's totally disingenuous."
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3h Justin Amash ?@repjustinamash
.@PressSec It's even more disingenuous for Pres O to call sequester "devastating" when he came up w/it & signed it into law.
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28m Jay Carney (EOP) ?@PressSec
.@repjustinamash Sir - whole point of sequester, as u know, was to avoid it, BECAUSE it's devastating. Need to pass balanced buy-down.
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15m Justin Amash ?@repjustinamash
.@PressSec Is that a serious tweet? You don't sign a bill unless you're OKAY w/the consequences. It's Being President 101. @BretBaier

Source: http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?404486-Amash-in-twitter-battle-with-Jay-Carney-and-establishment-Republican-twitter-hacks!&goto=newpost

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Video: Dorner home invasion victim: ?I prayed for him?

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Source: http://video.today.msnbc.msn.com/today/50807676/

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Beyonce joined by Oprah at documentary premiere

NEW YORK (AP) ? Oprah Winfrey made a surprise appearance Tuesday night at the premiere of Beyonce's HBO documentary, 'Life is But a Dream,' posing with the star and speaking of the candor she showed in making it.

The film takes a no-holds-barred look at moments in the 31-year old singer's life, including her miscarriage, reports of faking her pregnancy, and firing her father as her manager.

While the revelations Beyonce makes about herself in the film are comparable to the results Winfrey usually gets from her tough style of interviewing, the talk show host gave kudos to the singer.

Winfrey said Beyonce did a "much better job" of telling her own story. "I wouldn't have been in the bedroom and in the closet and in the car and on vacation," she said.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/beyonce-joined-oprah-documentary-premiere-054454697.html

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Police confirm NZealand girl not Madeleine McCann

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) ? DNA tests have confirmed a New Zealand girl is not missing British youngster Madeleine McCann, police said Wednesday.

Members of the public have twice mistakenly identified the New Zealand girl as Madeleine. The first sighting was last March and the second on New Year's Eve.

Madeleine was 3 years old when she vanished nearly six years ago during a family vacation to Portugal. Her disappearance drew attention as well as false sightings around the globe. Portuguese police closed the case in 2008 after failing to find out what happened to her.

New Zealand police said in a statement they sent DNA samples to Scotland Yard at the request of British police still investigating Madeleine's disappearance. New Zealand police say the unnamed girl's family has requested privacy, so no more details about the girl were available.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/police-confirm-nzealand-girl-not-madeleine-mccann-014130573.html

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iPad Case Review: TheCover by Graphique de France for iPad Review

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Source: http://www.mobiletechreview.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Board=news&Number=44219

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MacFarlane gets Oscar-hosting advice from Crystal

FILE - In this Jan. 13, 2013 file photo, 2013 Oscar host Seth MacFarlane presents the Academy nominations for the 85th Academy Awards in Beverly Hills, Calif. MacFarlane discussed his preparations for the Oscar ceremony during interviews Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2013, at the Dolby Theatre. The 85th Annual Academy Awards will take place on Sunday, Feb. 24 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP Photo, File)

FILE - In this Jan. 13, 2013 file photo, 2013 Oscar host Seth MacFarlane presents the Academy nominations for the 85th Academy Awards in Beverly Hills, Calif. MacFarlane discussed his preparations for the Oscar ceremony during interviews Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2013, at the Dolby Theatre. The 85th Annual Academy Awards will take place on Sunday, Feb. 24 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP Photo, File)

LOS ANGELES (AP) ? Despite getting advice from Billy Crystal and working as hard as he can to prepare to host the Academy Awards, Seth MacFarlane thinks his hosting gig is a "one-off" and that he'll be "flayed by the press" no matter what he does.

Speaking to reporters Tuesday from the Dolby Theatre, where he'll host the 85th annual Oscar ceremony on Feb. 24, the entertainer was alternately confident and self-deprecating.

"I'm not feeling a lot of pressure from myself," he said. "There is sort of a comfort in knowing that no matter what you do, you're going to get the same reactions in the reviews. So I could put on the worst or the best show in the world and I will still be flayed by the press."

Still, he said he's spent five months trying to strike a comedic balance that will satisfy the fans of his animated shows and the comparatively highbrow audience inside the Dolby Theatre.

"I've set myself up for the hardest job in the world because the fans of 'Family Guy' and 'Ted' and the shows and whatnot that I do are expecting one thing. If I deliver that, this crowd will walk out," he said.

He promises to add bite to the show ?"The whole point of their bringing me on was to give it a little bit more of an edge"? but acknowledges there will be a lot of ego in the audience.

"You have a room full of people who are at the top of their game ? they're successful, they're being honored, they're attractive ? and yet this is also the group with the thinnest skin on the planet," he said, "so it's a tough group."

Ultimately, he hopes to hybridize the pointed barbs of three-time Golden Globes host Ricky Gervais with the classy style of Crystal, who hosted the Oscars nine times, most recently last year.

The 39-year-old entertainer said Crystal gave him some helpful advice, including "get comfortable with your shoes before you go on stage."

MacFarlane will sing during the show and is also a nominee for his original song for "Ted," but said he expects to lose the category to Adele.

He's aiming for "very much a classic Oscars with a much more current edge," and said, "It's impossible to work any harder than I have in preparation for this," but he still doesn't think he'll be invited back.

"This will probably be the only time I'm asked to do this," he said. "It feels like a one-off. But I'm still thrilled to be doing it. It's going to be a lot of fun. I will very much enjoy having done it once it's over."

___

Contact AP Entertainment Writer Sandy Cohen at www.twitter.com/APSandy.

___

Online:

www.oscars.org

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/4e67281c3f754d0696fbfdee0f3f1469/Article_2013-02-13-Oscars-Seth%20MacFarlane/id-09345076efce4380baba46af7175bd89

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HBT: Sox owner has no plans to sell club

Last fall there was a curious report from Fox Business Network that John Henry and the other Red Sox owners were exploring a sale of the team. Curious because, unlike a lot of these sorts of things, it was not met with silence or businesspeak denials. It was met with a pretty pointed and specific refutation by Red Sox owner John Henry.

Today Henry met the media down in Fort Myers and once again made it clear that the Red Sox were not for sale:

?You just don?t get an opportunity to own something like the Boston Red Sox. As long as we can do it, the three of us are committed to being here,? Henry told reporters, while acknowledging team president Larry Lucchino and chairman Tom Werner. ?These thoughts that we?re somehow selling, those are just not true.?

In an age when a baseball team can sell for $2 billion, it?d probably be irresponsible to not at least look around to see what your team is worth. But it doesn?t sound like Henry is at all interested in getting out of the baseball business.

Source: http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/02/11/john-henry-reiterates-that-he-is-not-selling-the-red-sox/related/

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Adorable Toilet Paper Tree Lets You Proudly Display Your Extra Rolls

Why hide your toilet paper stock in a cabinet that guests will just have to hunt through when they run out? This stylish laquered steel tree can be mounted to the wall near your loo where it will store up to 14 extra rolls in plain sight, without looking like an eyesore. More »

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/z-RSyHhdGDk/adorable-toilet-paper-tree-lets-you-proudly-display-your-extra-rolls

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Eagles Sports: UCBAC Wrestling Tourney This Week - in Aberdeen ...

Check out the?Aberdeen Patch calendar?for all your local events.

Each week, though, we highlight upcoming gamges on the Aberdeen Eagles calendar with an article.?Game times and locations are subject to change, so be sure to also check out the?Eagles official athletics page here.

Want to be in the know with Eagles sports??Sign up for our newsletter, and follow us on?Facebook?and?Twitter. Contact editor?Sean Welsh?with any news tips or questions.

Want to write on your own? Skip the middle man.?Join our Local Voices.

Upload your game?highlights and photos here.

Here's this week's schedule:

MONDAY

• Wrestling vs. Fallston, 5:30 p.m.

TUESDAY

• Boys basketball vs.?Patterson Mill, 6:45 p.m.
• Girls basketball at?Fallston,?6:45 p.m.

WEDNESDAY

• Boys basketball vs. C. Milton Wright, 6:45 p.m.

THURSDAY

• Girls basketball?at?C. Milton Wright, 6:45 p.m.

FRIDAY

• Wrestling at UCBAC Championship, 4 p.m.
• Boys basketball at Fallston,?6:45 p.m.

SATURDAY

• Wrestling at UCBAC Championship, 9 a.m.

Are you attending any of these games? Shoot some photos and?submit them to our community gallery.?Better yet:?join our Local Voices!
?
NEW:?Shooting photos from your smart phone? Tag @ aberdeenmdpatch on Instagram!

Don't see your game or fundraiser listed on our calendar??Add it!

Source: http://aberdeen.patch.com/articles/eagles-sports-this-week-aberdeen-eagles-sports-schedule-basketball-wrestling-swimming-feb-11-2013

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National Oilwell Varco: Best Way To Invest In The Oil Renaissance

Company Overview

National Oilwell Varco (NOV) is the global leader in providing capital equipment to the upstream oil and gas industries. NOV primarily serves drilling contractors, shipyards, well servicing companies, pressure pumping companies, oil and gas companies, supply stores, and pipe-running service providers. The company's products include major mechanical components for on and offshore drilling. NOV's three business segments include: Rig Technology, Petroleum Services and Supplies and Distribution Services. To begin, NOV's Rig Technology segment designs, manufactures, sells and services complete systems for the drilling, completion, and servicing of oil and gas wells. Furthermore, the Petroleum Services and Supplies segment provides a variety of consumable goods and services used to drill and complete oil and gas service flowlines. Lastly, in the Distribution Services segment, NOV provides maintenance, repair and operating supplies to drill sites and production locations worldwide.

Source: National Oilwell Varco

The Opportunity

National Oilwell Varco is a great way to invest in the oilfield equipment revolution that is impacting both on and offshore drilling. NOV is the dominant provider of equipment used worldwide for drilling in all environments. I believe NOV is the only major oil service company that supplies other oil service companies, the on and offshore drillers, and the oil companies, as NOV supplies everybody. In fact, NOV is commonly nicknamed "No Other Vendor." I think that the NOV story is shifting from a relatively new rig constructor to a rapid earnings growth play for investors seeking opportunity in the oil equipment upcycle. NOV is trading near a 5-year low relative to peers on P/E, indicating that the market's view on this rig cycle is overly pessimistic. At 13 times earnings, NOV is trading near a 30% discount to its peers, and is also cheaper than other alternatives such as Halliburton (HAL). I argue that the rig-building cycle is no longer the most appropriate industry for NOV's future earnings. The market is not giving NOV any credit for its ability to invest the cash it generates, despite having a long history of successful acquisitions. In situations such as these, it seems that the Street is taking a pessimistic view on a company that has a clear outlook where high returns are made. It is quite clear that: 1) the company will continue to make acquisitions, and 2) current earnings numbers do not incorporate any earnings potential from future acquisitions.

(click to enlarge)

Wall Street Estimates Exclude Future Acquisitions, Hiding Potential Earnings Power

NOV has acquired hundreds of companies since its IPO in 1996 but Street estimates assume the company just sits on its growing pile of cash. NOV's management has been quite successful in preventing what Peter Lynch calls "diworseification," in that they make smart acquisitions that generally don't constrict margins or narrow their moat. With a $3 billion cash depot and $2-3 billion more free cash generated yearly, NOV's true earnings power is likely much higher than the Street's view. Assuming a conservative 15% ROE, nearly every $3 billion used to make acquisitions can add around $1 of earnings each year.

(click to enlarge)

Key Drivers

Key Driver 1: The New Offshore Rig Building Upcycle Continues

To begin, NOV is the dominant rig equipment provider and is playing a key role in the replacement of the world's aging offshore rig fleet. The deepwater business is quite premature in what analysts expect to be a multi-decade expansion, and it is believed that the current new building cycle will reach more than 200 units. Deepwater is the main theme of this cycle and recent success in new areas such as French Guinea, East Africa and Southeast Asia are only adding an already strong demand for new deepwater equipment. In addition, roughly two-thirds of the global fleet is older than 25 years and will need to be replaced. With a dominant market share nearing 70-80%, NOV is the beneficiary of the upcycle.

Source: S&P

Key Driver 2: FPSOs are set to begin replacing rig orders starting in 2013

In addition, NOV's current award potential is $120-150 million per vessel, and that figure should grow over time as the company continuously expands its portfolio. As deepwater production gains traction later this decade, additional flexibility in oil and gas processing will prove to be quite useful. With a current floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) fleet of only 150 vessels, the fleet has the ability to double over the next decade and NOV is readying itself to become a massive independent provider of FPSO equipment.

Key Driver 3: The Onshore Rig Upcycle Is Accelerating

Furthermore, it seems apparent that contractors are retiring older models and are beginning to seek out new replacements that can meet the demands of unconventional drilling techniques. Roughly 150 mechanical rigs have been retired by public drilling contractors, just this year alone. Only 25% of all rigs are using new technology, and analysts believe over 1,000 new land rigs will be ordered this cycle. Each complete land rig order represents around $20 million for NOV. This signals a tremendous revenue boost over the next 10 years for "No Other Vendor." Also, a growing rig fleet in addition to increasing safety standards will drive margins even after the upcycle.

Key Driver 4: Essential In The Current "Oil Renaissance"

Finally, after many years of lackluster production, there are now more oil than gas rigs in the U.S. Without NOV's rig equipment and technology, the revival of the North American oil industry would be impossible. Key players in the oil field are now beginning to invest in NOV's technology, signaling huge earnings increases over the next decade.

Conclusion

In conclusion, NOV makes a great investment in the current oil upcycle. As opposed to the competition, NOV is trading at a large valuation discount nearing 30%. Investors should consider purchasing exposure, as shares are modestly priced at the moment. Through a multitude of factors, the price will continue to be driven over a long-term outlook.

Disclosure: I am long NOV, SLB. 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. (More...)

Source: http://seekingalpha.com/article/1172041-national-oilwell-varco-best-way-to-invest-in-the-oil-renaissance?source=feed

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Hurricane Sandy Survivors Demand Climate Change Action From Obama

Long Island Residents, Many Still Without Power, Continue To Clean Up After Superstorm Sandy

LONG BEACH, NY - NOVEMBER 09: A man walks past a destroyed section of the boardwalk at the base of Lincoln Boulevard as Long Islanders continue their clean up efforts in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy on November 9, 2012 in Long Beach, New York. New York Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo has said that the economic loss and damage to homes and business caused by Sandy could total $33 billion in New York, according to published reports. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Storm-Damaged Communities On East Coast Hit By Nor'Easter

NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 08: Alex Vila, 2, carries a box of cereal after visiting an aid station for people affected by Superstorm Sandy on November 8, 2012 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. Household supplies and groceries were distributed to Red Hook neighborhood residents by Catholic Charities at the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary church. Meanwhile a nor'easter storm plunged temperatures to below freezing, bringing more misery to many Red Hook residents still without power, heat nor running water in their public housing apartments. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

US-WEATHER-STORM-SANDY

Boats and docks damaged by Hurricane Sandy are seen at the Mansion Marinia on the shores of the Great Kills community November 7, 2012 on Staten Island, New York. New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg on Tuesday announced a limited evacuation of some neighborhoods ahead of harsh weather barreling toward a city still recovering from superstorm Sandy. The national weather service forecast heavy rain and likely snow on Wednesday and Thursday, accompanied by gale force winds gusting as high as 43 mph (69 kmh). Though barely half the strength of Sandy, the autumn storm will lash already damaged buildings and bring lower temperatures for tens of thousands of people still struggling without electricity. Bloomberg told a news conference that parks and beaches would close. The worst-hit patches of waterfront neighborhoods, including Rockaways in the Queens borough, and in Staten Island, were being asked to evacuate again. AFP PHOTO/Paul J. Richards (Photo credit should read PAUL J. RICHARDS/AFP/Getty Images)

Storm-Damaged Communities On East Coast Hit By Nor'Easter

LONG BRANCH, NJ - NOVEMBER 08: Debris from Superstorm Sandy is seen on a beach November 8, 2012 in Long Branch, New Jersey. Meanwhile a nor'easter storm plunged temperatures to below freezing, bringing more misery to many residents throughout New York and New Jersey still without power. (Photo by Allison Joyce/Getty Images)

Long Island Residents, Many Still Without Power, Continue To Clean Up After Superstorm Sandy

OCEANSIDE, NY - NOVEMBER 09: (L-R) James Vouloukos and William Ferris sort through donated clothes at a site maintained by the Town of Hempstead in cooperation with FEMA at Oceanside Park during in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy on November 9, 2012 in Oceanside, New York. New York Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo has said that the economic loss and damage to homes and businesses caused by Sandy could total $33 billion in New York, according to published reports. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Funeral Held in Brooklyn For Two Young Brothers Killed During Superstorm Sandy

NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 09: New York sanitation department workers watch as a hearse arrives with a casket carrying the bodies of two brothers killed during Superstorm Sandy for a funeral at the St. Rose of Lima Catholic church on November 9, 2012 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. Brandon Moore, 2, and Connor Moore, 4, were swept away from the arms of their mother Glenda Moore as she fled Superstorm Sandy floodwaters in New York's Staten Island borough to seek safety with family in Brooklyn. She is married to New York Sanitation worker Damian Moore, and dozens of workers and officials from the sanitation department attended the funeral ceremony. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

Long Island Residents, Many Still Without Power, Continue To Clean Up After Superstorm Sandy

ISLAND PARK, NY - NOVEMBER 09: (L-R) Residents Paul and Donald Zezulinski and their dog 'Plywood' of Island Park show their appreciation to first responders during their clean up efforts in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy on November 9, 2012 in Island Park, New York. New York Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo has said that the economic loss and damage to homes and business caused by Sandy could total $33 billion in New York, according to published reports. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

FILE - In this Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2012 file photo, people stand next to a house collapsed from Superstorm Sandy in East Haven, Conn. While Connecticut was spared the destruction seen in New York and New Jersey, many communities along the shoreline, including some of the wealthiest towns in America, were struggling with one of the most severe storms in generations. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill, File)

Meg Dolan holds her dog "Nellie" during Sunday mass at St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Breezy Point, in the wake of Superstorm Sandy, Sunday, Nov. 4, 2012, in New York. With overnight temperatures sinking into the 30s and hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses still without electricity six days after Sandy howled through, people piled on layers of clothes, and New York City officials handed out blankets and urged victims to go to overnight shelters or daytime warming centers. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

A representative of the Salvation Army walks past homes destroyed by Superstorm Sandy in Breezy Point, Sunday, Nov. 4, 2012, in New York. The beachfront neighborhood heavy populated by firefighters and police officers was devastated during the storm when a fire pushed by Sandy's raging winds destroyed 100 or more homes and buildings. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

Ginny Flanagan, right, and her sister go through photographs and mementos that were recovered from Flanagan's flooded bungalow in Breezy Point, in the wake of Superstorm Sandy, Sunday, Nov. 4, 2012, in New York. The beachfront enclave heavy populated by firefighters and police officers was devastated during the storm when a fire pushed by Sandy's raging winds destroyed 100 or more homes and buildings. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

US-WEATHER-STORM-SANDY-MARATHON

Runner Jonathan who would have run the ING New York City Marathon, spend the afternoon volunteering by unloading and organizing emergency supplies near Midland Beach as New York recovers from Hurricane Sandy on November 4, 2012 in Staten Island, New York. AFP PHOTO / Mehdi Taamallah (Photo credit should read MEHDI TAAMALLAH/AFP/Getty Images)

A woman with her groceries passes a group of National Guardsmen as they march up 1st Avenue towards the 69th Regiment Armory, Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012, in New York. National Guardsmen remain in Manhattan as the city begins to move towards normalcy following Superstorm Sandy earlier in the week. (AP Photo/ John Minchillo)

Patrons on foot carrying gas canisters line up for gasoline at a Hess station in the New Dorp section of the Staten Island borough of New York, Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012. Those on foot reported waits up to 40 minutes while motorists lined up for two hours as Staten Islanders fueled up to run their generators and automobiles in the wake of Superstorm Sandy. (AP Photo/Eileen AJ Connelly)

Girls hold hands during Sunday mass at St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Breezy Point, in the wake of Superstorm Sandy, Sunday, Nov. 4, 2012, in New York. With overnight temperatures sinking into the 30s and hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses still without electricity six days after Sandy howled through, people piled on layers of clothes, and New York City officials handed out blankets and urged victims to go to overnight shelters or daytime warming centers. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

Many streets in the Silver Lake section of Belmar, N.J., remain underwater Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012, Neighbors and volunteers clean out homes Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012, in Belmar, N.J., five days after the storm surge by superstorm Sandy. (AP Photo/Ben Nukols)

Water from superstorm Sandy is pumped from a flooded basement of an office building near New York's Battery Park, Friday, Nov. 2, 2012. The massive storm that started out as Hurricane Sandy slammed into the East Coast and morphed into a huge and problematic system, killing at least 96 people in the United States. The cost of the storm could exceed $18 billion in New York alone. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

Cars that were uprighted and submerged by Superstorm Sandy remain at the entrance of a subterranean parking garage in New York's Financial District, as the water is pumped out, Friday, Nov. 2, 2012. . The cost of the storm could exceed $18 billion in New York alone. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

National Guard in Lower Manhattan

The National Guard 827th Engineer Company helps hand out MREs to Lower Manhattan residents at the Alfred Smith Playground on Friday Nov. 2, 2012. (Damon Dahlen, AOL)

National Guard in Lower Manhattan

The National Guard 827th Engineer Company helps hand out MREs to Lower Manhattan residents at the Alfred Smith Playground on Friday Nov. 2, 2012. (Damon Dahlen, AOL)

Grand Central Terminal, New York City

People walk through Grand Central Terminal as the sun rises during a subdued morning rush on Nov. 1, 2012 in New York City. Some trains are back up and running into Grand Central following shutdowns in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy. Subway train service in the city is back in a limited capacity, but with much of lower Manhattan still with out power, trains are not running there and busses are replacing them.

Seaside Heights, N.J.

A roller coaster sits in the Atlantic Ocean after the Fun Town pier it sat on was destroyed by Superstorm Sandy on Nov. 1, 2012 in Seaside Heights, New Jersey. With the death toll continuing to rise and millions of homes and businesses without power, the U.S. east coast is attempting to recover from the effects of floods, fires and power outages brought on by Superstorm Sandy.

National Guard in Lower Manhattan

The National Guard 827th Engineer Company helps hand out MREs to Lower Manhattan residents at the Alfred Smith Playground on Friday Nov. 2, 2012. (Damon Dahlen, AOL)

Charging Station Provided By AT&T

Phillip Melly charges the phones of Hurricane Sandy victims at Kimlau Square in Lower Manhattan on Friday Nov. 2, 2012. The generators used were brought in by AT&T to help out the residents of Lower Manhattan in New York City who currently have no power. (Damon Dahlen, AOL)

Stocking Up On Ice

United City Ice Cube Company workers who refer to themselves as "Icemen" take in a shipment of ice into their 45th and 10th ave. store on Friday Nov. 2, 2012. The workers who asked not to be identified by name said there had been a run on ice purchases due to Hurricane Sandy and they were stocking up in anticipation of more demand in the coming days. (Damon Dahlen, AOL)

Car Crash Due To Power Outage

The power outage in Lower Manhattan due to Hurricane Sandy has created a gauntlet of dangerous street intersections as can be seen by this car accident at the Houston and Varick Street crossing on Friday Nov. 2, 2012. (Damon Dahlen, AOL)

Car Crash Due To Power Outage

The power outage in Lower Manhattan due to Hurricane Sandy has created a gauntlet of dangerous street intersections as can be seen by this car accident at the Houston and Varick Street crossing on Friday Nov. 2, 2012. (Damon Dahlen, AOL)

Clean Drinking Water

Pedestrians fill up on water at a drinking station that had been setup at the corner of Centre and Canal Streets in Chinatown on Friday Nov. 2, 2012. The stations use water from fire hydrants and have been erected due to the blackout caused by Hurricane Sandy in Lower Manhattan. (Damon Dahlen, AOL)

Trash Picking In Chinatown

A pedestrian looks through discarded food near a supermarket located at Henry and Market Streets in Chinatown New York on Friday Nov. 2, 2012.

Fort Lee, N.J.

People wait in line for fuel at a Shell Oil station on Nov. 1, 2012 in Fort Lee, New Jersey. The US death toll from Hurricane Sandy rose to at least 85 as New York reported a major jump in fatalities caused by Monday's storm. Fuel shortages led to long lines of cars at gasoline stations in many states and the country faced a storm bill of tens of billions of dollars.

New York City

Commuters ride the F train Nov. 1, 2012 in New York City. Limited public transit has returned to New York. With the death toll continuing to rise and millions of homes and businesses without power, the U.S. east coast is attempting to recover from the effects of floods, fires and power outages brought on by Superstorm Sandy.

Toms River, N.J.

A gas station displays a "No Gas" sign on November 1, 2012 in Toms River, New Jersey. With the death toll continuing to rise and millions of homes and businesses without power, the U.S. east coast is attempting to recover from the effects of floods, fires and power outages brought on by Superstorm Sandy.

Fort Lee, N.J.

Cars wait in line for fuel at a Gulf gas station on Nov.1, 2012 in Fort Lee, New Jersey. The US death toll from Hurricane Sandy rose to at least 85 as New York reported a major jump in fatalities caused by Monday's storm. Fuel shortages led to long lines of cars at gasoline stations in many states and the country faced a storm bill of tens of billions of dollars.

Brooklyn, N.Y.

New Yorkers wait in traffic as they head into Manhattan from Brooklyn as the city continues to recover from superstorm Sandy on Nov.1, 2012, in New York, United States. Limited public transit has returned to New York and most major bridges have reopened but will require three occupants in the vehicle to pass. With the death toll currently over 70 and millions of homes and businesses without power, the US east coast is attempting to recover from the effects of floods, fires and power outages brought on by superstorm Sandy.

Hoboken, N.J.

Mud and debris liiter a street on Nov.1, 2012 in Hoboken, New Jersey. Hurricane victims continue to recover from Hurricane Sandy, which made landfall along the New Jersey shore, and left parts of the state and the surrounding area flooded and without power.

Washington, D.C.

Firefighters shoot water into a building in the 1200 block of 4th St., NE, near the recently opened Union Market, after responding to a blaze that broke out around 9pm Wednesday night.

Seaside Heights, N.J.

Debris lies on the boardwalk in front of the Casino Pier, which was partially destroyed by Superstorm Sandy on Nov.1, 2012 in Seaside Heights, New Jersey. With the death toll continuing to rise and millions of homes and businesses without power, the U.S. east coast is attempting to recover from the effects of floods, fires and power outages brought on by Superstorm Sandy.

Brooklyn Battery Tunnel, N.Y.

A New York City Police Department (NYPD) officer looks over flood waters at the entrance to the Brooklyn Battery tunnel in New York, U.S., on Nov. 1, 2012. The New York region is replacing a rail network built over a century with a patchwork constructed day-by-day to move its 8 million people again as it struggles back to life after Hurricane Sandy.

New York City

Residents charge their cell phones and computers on the East River esplanade in New York, U.S., on Nov. 1, 2012. The New York region is replacing a rail network built over a century with a patchwork constructed day-by-day to move its 8 million people again as it struggles back to life after Hurricane Sandy.

Toms River, N.J.

An American flag flies in front of a home damaged by Hurricane Sandy on Nov. 1, 2012 in Toms River, New Jersey. With the death toll continuing to rise and millions of homes and businesses without power, the U.S. east coast is attempting to recover from the effects of floods, fires and power outages brought on by superstorm Sandy.

Lower Manhattan

Water is pumped on to the street in lower Manhattan in New York, U.S., on Thursday, Nov. 1, 2012. The New York region is replacing a rail network built over a century with a patchwork constructed day-by-day to move its 8 million people again as it struggles back to life after Hurricane Sandy.

North Bergen, New Jersey

A woman leaves an Exxon gas station which was out of gas on Nov. 1, 2012 in North Bergen, New Jersey. The US death toll from Hurricane Sandy rose to at least 85 as New York reported a major jump in fatalities caused by Monday's storm. Fuel shortages led to long lines of cars at gasoline stations in many states and the country faced a storm bill of tens of billions of dollars.

Manhattan from Hoboken, N.J.

People board the NY Waterways ferry with the Manhattan skyline in the background Nov.1, 2012 in Hoboken, New Jersey. Hurricane Sandy, which made landfall along the New Jersey shore, left parts of the state and the surrounding area without power including much of lower Manhattan south of 34th Street.

South Ferry 1 Train Station, New York City

Joseph Leader, Metropolitan Tranportation Authority Vice President and Chief Maintenance Officer, shines a flashlight on standing water inside the South Ferry 1 train station in New York, N.Y., Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2012, in the wake of superstorm Sandy. The floodwaters that poured into New York's deepest subway tunnels may pose the biggest obstacle to the city's recovery from the worst natural disaster in the transit system's 108-year history.

Seaside Heights, N.J.

John Okeefe walks on the beach as a rollercoaster that once sat on the Funtown Pier in Seaside Heights, N.J., rests in the ocean on Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2012 after the pier was washed away by superstorm Sandy which made landfall Monday evening.

Grand Central Terminal, New York City

People exit a Metro-North train arriving in Grand Central Terminal during the morning rush on Nov. 1, 2012 in New York City. Some trains are back up and running into Grand Central following shutdowns in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy. Subway train service in the city is back in a limited capacity, but with much of lower Manhattan still with out power, trains are not running there and busses are replacing them.

Brooklyn, N.Y.

Pedestrians look over a fence at a pile of boats flooded inland at the Varuna Boat Club on Oct. 31, 2012, in the Brooklyn borough of New York. Sandy, the storm that made landfall Monday, caused multiple fatalities, halted mass transit and cut power to more than 6 million homes and businesses.

Queens, N.Y.

People walk by a destroyed section of the Rockaway boardwalk in the heavily damaged Rockaway section of Queens after the historic boardwalk was washed away during Hurricane Sandy on Oct. 31, 2012 in the Queens borough of New York City. With the death toll currently at 55 and millions of homes and businesses without power, the US east coast is attempting to recover from the affects of floods, fires and power outages brought on by Hurricane Sandy. JFK airport in New York and Newark airport in New Jersey expect to resume flights on Wednesday morning and the New York Stock Exchange commenced trading after being closed for two days.

Queens, N.Y.

Damage is viewed in the Rockaway neighborhood where the historic boardwalk was washed away during Hurricane Sandy on Oct. 31, 2012 in the Queens borough of New York City. With the death toll currently at 55 and millions of homes and businesses without power, the US east coast is attempting to recover from the affects of floods, fires and power outages brought on by Hurricane Sandy. JFK airport in New York and Newark airport in New Jersey expect to resume flights on Wednesday morning and the New York Stock Exchange commenced trading after being closed for two days.

Atlantic City, N.J.

A damaged car is shown in the wake of superstorm Sandy, Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2012, in Atlantic City, N.J. Sandy was being blamed for at least six deaths across the state plus power outages that at their peak Monday affected 2.7 million residential and commercial customers.

Brooklyn, N.Y.

A worker picks up debris outside of the damaged Tatiana Grill on the Brighton Beach boardwalk, on Oct. 31, 2012, in the Brooklyn borough of New York. Sandy, the storm that made landfall Monday, caused multiple fatalities, halted mass transit and cut power to more than 6 million homes and businesses.

Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/11/hurricane-sandy-climate-change_n_2664563.html

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