Acting on the belief that America can and should influence events on the ground in Iran will get a lot of people killed and gravely harm our regional interests.
Posts Tagged ‘power’
How to Maximize Power Utilization in the Data Center
July 13th, 2009 |
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Today’s CIOs are managing reduced budgets with limited resources. They must investigate how to optimize as much power out of the data center as possible. With the right kilowatt-focused strategy, a CIO can grow the data center, while simultaneously reducing power requirements. Here, Knowledge Center contributor David Robbins explains why CIOs should be concerned about kilowatt budgets, outlines strategies that can be employed to optimize the data center, and shares some lessons learned by implementing a kilowatt reduction strategy.
– A recent report from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on server and data center efficiency concluded that servers and data centers in the United States consume around 61 billion kilowatt hours of energy, costing around $4.5 billion and making up 1.5 percent of the total energy consumed in t…
‘Fatwa’ on electricity thieves in Pakistan
July 13th, 2009 |
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A power company in Pakistan has obtained a decree – or fatwa – from 12 senior Islamic scholars, declaring the theft of electricity a sin.
The Karachi Electricity Supply Company (KESC) says the thieves are costing it 1bn rupees ($12.3m) a month.
People had to realise, it said, that stealing electricity was as illegal and immoral as any other form of theft.
Many people in Karachi either siphon power from overhead cables, or slow down their electricity meters.
The 12 scholars said that, according to Islamic Sharia law, unpermitted use of any commodity, and gaining benefit from it, was "sin, theft and usurpation".
Legal action against the thieves was fair, they said, and allowed under the teachings of Islam.
And they directed Muslims to pay back an amount equal to the power they had stolen.
The company already has the right to fine those caught stealing electricity.
Much of Pakistan is suffering power problems, caused by increases in demand, a lack of investment in infrastructure and the theft from the electricity grid.
Karachi, known as the "city of lights" has a population of about 16 million and is Pakistan’s biggest city and commercial hub.
Last Saturday, there were street protests after rain and high winds again brought power cuts.
And on 17 and 18 June, millions lost their electricity supply for hours due to what the KESC descibed as a "technical fault".
It left people without fans and air-conditioning in the summer heat, and brought industry to a halt.</p
This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.
Jonathan Tisch: Restaurant Week and the Power of We
July 13th, 2009 |
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Restaurant Week is about the power of partnerships — a great example of how businesses can successfully join in a common cause thereby benefiting themselves, their industry, and the community at large.
Snooping through power sockets
July 13th, 2009 |
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Power sockets can be used to eavesdrop on what people type on a computer.
Security researchers found that poor shielding on some keyboard cables means useful data can be leaked about each character typed.
By analysing the information leaking onto power circuits, the researchers could see what a target was typing.
The attack has been demonstrated to work at a distance of up to 15m, but refinement may mean it could work over much longer distances.
Hotel attack
"Our goal is to show that information leaks in the most unexpected ways and can be retrieved," wrote Andrea Barisani and Daniele Bianco, of security firm Inverse Path, in a paper describing their work.
The research focussed on the cables used to connect PS/2 keyboards to desktop PCs.
Usefully, said the pair, the six wires inside a PS/2 cable are typically "close to each other and poorly shielded". This means that information travelling along the data wire, when a key is pressed, leaks onto the ground wire in the same cable.
The ground wire, via the PC’s power unit, ultimately connects to the plug in the power socket, and from there leaks out onto the circuit supplying electricity to a room.
Even better, said the researchers, data travels along PS/2 cables one bit at a time and uses a clock speed far lower than any other PC component. Both these qualities make it easy to pick out voltage changes caused by key presses.
A digital oscilloscope was used to gather data about voltage changes on a power line and filters were used to remove those caused by anything other than the keyboard.
"The PS/2 signal square wave is preserved with good quality… and can be decoded back to the original keystroke information," wrote the pair in a paper describing their work.
They demonstrated it working over distances of 1, 5, 10 and 15m from a target, far enough to suggest it could work in a hotel or office.
"The test performed in the laboratory represent a worst case scenario for this type of measurement, which along with acceptable results emphasizes the feasibility of the attack on normal conditions," they added.
The pair said their research was "work in progress" and expect the equipment to get more sensitive as it is refined.
The attack is due to be demonstrated at the Black Hat conference that takes place in Las Vegas from 25-30 July.</p
This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.
Central village electrification project to be reviewed
July 13th, 2009 |
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Power Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde on Monday said that a three-tier committee has been constituted to monitor the implementation of the Rajiv Gandhi Viddyuti Karan Yojana to provide electricity to Below Poverty Line (BPL) families.
Replying to supplementaries in the Rajya Sabha, Shinde said that more than 62,000 villages have already been electrified under this scheme.
Shinde [...]
Lawyers challenge Niger president
July 13th, 2009 |
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Niger’s lawyers have called a strike, as President Mamadou Tandja begins his campaign to hold a referendum for a third term in office.
The lawyers say their action is to show solidarity with the Constitutional Court, which was dissolved after declaring Mr Tandja’s plan illegal.
The president wants citizens to vote on 4 August to allow him to hold office for three more years.
The EU has delayed some aid to the uranium-rich country over the row.
The General Assembly of the Order of Lawyers said in a statement, it has decided to "lay down its robes", reports Reuters news agency.
Mr Tandja has reportedly imposed restrictions on the private press in his bid to hold the poll, despite mounting opposition at home and abroad.
The EU is the first body to impose financial sanctions on the government over Mr Tandja’s efforts to remain in power, although it has also been condemned by the US and former colonial power France.
"Because of the influence this could have on the management of public finances, it has been decided to postpone the payment of a tranche of budget support," a European Commission official in Brussels told Reuters.
President Tandja’s term is due to end in December. Opponents have said they fear a return to dictatorship if he stays on.
Widespread opposition
President Tandja has insisted the people of Niger want him to stay beyond the end of his second five-year term.
Last month, the constitutional court ruled that Mr Tandja, 70, was breaking his oath of office by trying to stay on.
"The president… cannot seek the amendment of the constitution without violating his oath," the judges ruled.
He has also dissolved parliament, which opposed his plans, and says he will rule by decree.
Mr Tandja was first elected in 1999, and then again five years later.
He had previously promised to quit in December this year, a month after presidential elections are due to be held.</p
This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.
Promise Technology Offers Digital Media Server
July 13th, 2009 |
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Promise’s NAS media server offers cost-conscious businesses and home office users power and performance while reducing the amount of power needed to run it.
– Promise Technology, known as the originator of SATA/ATA redundant
array of inexpensive disks (RAID) products, announced a digital media server
aimed at small business and home office users, the SmartStor NS4600. The
server, priced at $399 and available through retail and reseller channels,
offer…
Gordon Brown: Green Revolution Will Power Britain’s Recovery
July 12th, 2009 |
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wo centuries ago, Britain was at the forefront of a new industrial age that transformed our small island into the workshop of the world and a global economic powerhouse.
Caryl Rivers: Ban the Burka? You bet!
July 12th, 2009 |
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by Caryl Rivers I am writing this from Paris, where Nicholas Sarkozy’s proposal to ban the burka in his country is still a hot topic….
Tough love
July 12th, 2009 |
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By Will Ross
BBC News, Ghana
He may only have been in Africa for 21 hours but it was long enough for Barack Obama to send out his inspiring message across the continent – "A New Moment Of Promise," he called it.
He urged Africans to stop laying the blame elsewhere and to take control of their own destiny.
He encouraged the younger generation to catch the "Yes We Can" fever that had assisted his own rise to the White House.
Strengthening democracy from the grassroots requires some brave foot soldiers and Mr Obama singled out the work of civil society groups such as Zimbabwe’s Election Support Network, which struggled to ensure people’s votes counted in the face of a violent state-driven clampdown.
"Make no mistake: history is on the side of these brave Africans, and not with those who use coups or change constitutions to stay in power. Africa doesn’t need strongmen, it needs strong institutions," Mr Obama stated.
Ghana is a case in point – one of the reasons for Ghana’s successful election late last year was its strong electoral commission.
Along the West African coast the Sierra Leone People’s Party was voted out of power in 2007 amid growing anger at government corruption.
The election worked because the National Electoral Commission, headed by Christiana Thorpe, was strong and did not buckle under pressure to fix the vote.
The strong institutions are certainly lacking in Barack Obama’s African home – Kenya.
When Mwai Kibaki was announced the winner of the 2007 election, the head of the government-appointed electoral commission, Simon Kivuiti, admitted that he did not know for sure if Mr Kibaki had won.
"He said if you want to play ball on the international level you have to play by the international rules"
Kwesi Aning
Kofi Annan Peacekeeping Institute
During his speech Barack Obama did not name and shame leaders – that is not his style.
But his denunciation of Africa’s "strong men" will have made a few leaders squirm in their presidential palaces.
Mr Obama seemed to be adding his voice to the collective despair across West Africa as Niger’s president, Mamadou Tandja, tears up the rule book in an attempt to stay in power.
Cameroon’s Paul Biya, Senegal’s octogenarian President Abdoulaye Wade, Uganda’s Yoweri Museveni and several others have also changed the rules in order to remain in office.
Mutual responsibility
The question is whether those leaders are going to play the blindest bit of attention to the words of an African-American who is far more popular than they are.
They may well have reached for the television remote control and found something less uncomfortable to watch.
Barack Obama said the partnership between Africa and America must be one of mutual responsibility.
"He threw the ball into our own court and said if you want to play ball on the international level you have to play by the international rules," said Kwesi Aning of the Kofi Annan Peacekeeping Institute.
It will not be easy to change some old, corrupt habits but if Africa plays its part Barack Obama is promising a great deal in return including assistance to boost agriculture, trade and healthcare.
But, in a difficult economic climate, the US may be hard pushed to fulfil some of its promises.
In Uganda, for example, there is mounting concern as funding constraints are forcing health centres to stop enrolling new patients for US-funded anti-retroviral treatment under the President’s Emergency Plan for Aids Relief (PEPFAR) initiative which George Bush started.
Being an African-American means Barack Obama is listened to as a brother in Africa rather than as a condescending visitor.
Whiff of hypocrisy
People agreed with him rather than dismissing him when he hit out at some of the practises holding back the continent.
"No business wants to invest in a place where the government skims 20% off the top, or the head of the Port Authority is corrupt.
"No person wants to live in a society where the rule of law gives way to the rule of brutality and bribery. That is not democracy, that is tyranny and now is the time for it to end," he said.
Inside the conference centre, Ghanaian politicians cheered, applauded and gave a standing ovation. Some smelt hypocrisy there.
"The political leaders were clapping and cheering the speech. But when we plead for an end to the same problems that Obama highlighted we are threatened, abused and sidelined," said Mr Aning.
He commended the speech for being honest, direct and lacking spin but suggests the same cannot be said for some of the politicians who were listening to it.
"You have the power to hold your leaders accountable," Mr Obama said, aiming his message at the youth.
But it can be dangerous trying to stand up and call for better governance.
In March, two Kenyan human rights activists – Kamau Kingara and John Paul Oulo – were gunned down in broad daylight shortly after helping an investigation into extrajudicial killings by the Kenyan police.
"It won’t be easy. It will take time and effort. There will be suffering and setbacks," Mr Obama stated as he called for the continent to take responsibility for its future.</p
This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.
Power completely cut off to Serb enclave
July 12th, 2009 |
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A Kosovo company distributing electricity has cut off the Serbs living in Sirnićka Župa region from the power grid at midnight. The households there were previously allowed to use the so-called humanitarian electricity, when they were reconnected daily from midnight until 7 o’clock in the morning.
Obama Ghana Speech: FULL TEXT
July 11th, 2009 |
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Here are President Obama’s remarks, as prepared for delivery, from his speech to Ghana’s parliament, Saturday July 11, 2009.
Good morning. It is an honor for me to be in Accra, and to speak to the representatives of the people of Ghana. I am …
Lee Schneider: Money and Power and Swimming with Sharks
July 10th, 2009 |
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I strive, therefore I am. Some sharks are like that — they can’t stop swimming because then they stop breathing.
Take Back Your Personal Power (Part 2)
July 8th, 2009 |
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Time to Make Waves
In part one of this post we discussed the tendency some of us have to allow situations, circumstances, events and even other people to control our lives; in essence, giving away our power in an attempt to be accepted, valued, appreciated and loved. By trying to “fit in and not make waves†(as someone shared with me recently) it seems that some of us have lost our identity and sense of self. The good news is that we can take back control of our life and still be that kind, generous and thoughtful person – who also happens to be strong, confident, assertive, productive, successful and powerful. And no, we don’t need to compromise our beliefs, goals, character or core values to do so. In fact, taking back our power can be the most important step towards living a life of true purpose, alignment (with our core values), integrity and joy.
While the following strategies are very effective, they are not always comfortable or easy to implement, so it’s a good thing that you and I are all about doing what works – not what’s easy! Not every point will be relevant for every person, so see what resonates for you. Also be warned that I may be a little… er… blunt in places (surprising, I know), so if you’re feeling a bit presh you may wanna read from behind a cushion (like in a scary movie). Enjoy.
1. Stop looking for easy and start “doing†effective. Today.
All too often our desire to live a comfortable, painless, easy and safe existence (all things driven by fear) is the very thing that kills our potential, our productivity, our ability to develop and ultimately, our spirit. It is no coincidence that we (the society) have both (1) a widespread aversion to anything that makes us uncomfortable and (2) a high percentage of people who regularly feel frustrated, unfulfilled, lost and miserable. Ironically, it is our aversion to working against resistance that stops us from growing, learning, evolving and adapting. Sometimes (in the moment) we believe it’s simply easier to just “fit inâ€, to compromise and to bite our tongue. While this is understandable on occasion, over the long term this kind of behaviour and thinking will set us up for unhealthy relationships, stagnation, disconnection, frustration, desperation and misery. In order to take back your power you will need to be courageous (that’s a choice by the way), you will need to be prepared to get uncomfortable (that’s where you learn, grow and adapt) and you will need to do things that may piss other people off – perhaps the ones who previously pulled your strings for their own gain.
2. Face your fears.
You can never take back your power until you confront the things that scare you. By the way, being fearful does not represent weakness but rather humanity.
“Show me the person who fears nothing and I’ll show you an idiot.â€
*There’s also an argument that the person who fears nothing might also be the person who has reached enlightenment… but that’s a discussion for another day.
If things only have the power and influence that we assign them (and they do), then fear is something we can control and use for our own personal development. For the most part fear is a completely personal thing. It’s not about the situation, circumstance or environment but rather US in it; how we react to, process, cope with and interpret the events in our world. That’s why we can see two people doing the exact same thing at the same time (a bungee jump for example); one is excited and having a great time, while the other is terrified and having the worst time ever. That’s because it ain’t about the jump; it’s about the jumper. Keeping in mind that each jumper creates his or her own reality. Of course there are healthy fears – not wanting to swim with a shark for example – but what we’re talking about here are those destructive and unhealthy fears that have been known to make people prisoners of their own mind. For a lifetime.
3. When nice isn’t. (Nice)
Seek to be strong not nice. Too many nice people get chewed up and spat out because all they have is a bunch of “nice-ness†and zero personal power. Sometimes nice-ness is actually a euphemism for weakness and far too often our need to be seen as the “nice person†(oh, please) is what brings us undone. Endeavouring to keep everyone in your world happy is an exercise in futility, frustration and exhaustion. And stupidity. In short, it can’t be done. It’s not your job to “make†people happy; it’s your job to be you. And not the “you†that people want you to be, but rather, your authentic self. The one who has clarity, certainty, contentment and calm about who and what they are. And no, being you does not mean being selfish.
4. Stop being a victim.
The world isn’t fair. The majority don’t care about you or your issues. S**t happens. Bad things happen to good people. And lots of people are selfish and nasty. There — we’ve cleared that up. Now, stop seeking pity, attention and sympathy and get on with it. Stop having the same pointless discussions about the same issues, stop waiting to be “saved†and stop giving away your power. You don’t need universal approval, acceptance or endorsement, you need a different attitude.
5. Win respect through your actions.
Talk less, do more. What you do will tell the rest of us far more about who you are than any words that might come out of your mouth. Words are cheap and often meaningless. Most big talkers are just that. And nothing more.
6. Keep re-inventing yourself.
Being stagnant and inflexible in a dynamic world is a sure-fire way to become redundant, unnecessary and powerless. While your core values, beliefs and standards might remain constant, it is important that you continue to adapt, learn, grow and develop with your ever-changing world.
7. Value yourself.
Stop treating others as though they are of greater worth than you. Nobody is more important than anyone else. And nobody is more important than you. Nobody. This is not about having a massive ego or being self-righteous; it’s about stopping all the self-sabotage. You know what I mean. It’s about not rationalising mediocrity and failure any more. It’s about changing your standards and your thinking. It’s about not letting your poor self-esteem get in the way of your potential and your possibilities. It’s about not letting your past become your future. In case you don’t know or you haven’t been told, I will tell you now; you are worthy, you are talented, you are good enough and you are powerful. More than you know. If you don’t believe those words then you don’t value yourself as you should.
*By the way, power and humility can go comfortably hand in hand.
8. Fiercely protect your brand.
Don’t associate with people, organisations, situations or products that will damage your reputation. In the professional world (where many of us spend a great deal of our lives) your brand is your power. The stronger your brand, the more power you have (in that world). Prospective employers, potential business associates and customers will all “buy what you’re selling†based largely (if not solely) on their perception of you; your product, your service, your ability, your skill, your integrity and your value to them.
Craig Harper (B.Ex.Sci.) is a qualified exercise scientist, author, columnist, radio presenter, television host, motivational speaker and university lecturer. For the past 25 years he has been a leading presenter, educator, motivator and commentator in the areas of personal and professional development. You can visit Craig’s blog at Motivational Speaker.
FREE eBook – So… You’ve Decided to Get in Shape (Again)
Craig’s FREE eBook takes 20 – 30 minutes to read, and addresses the REAL getting-in-shape issues based on his 25 years of experience. To get Craig’s FREE eBook click here, weight loss books.
Take Back Your Personal Power (Part 1)
July 1st, 2009 |
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“But I know What’s Best for You…”
Do you ever feel like you’re a mere pawn in someone else’s game; a powerless player that is regularly used, abused and manipulated for the gain and self interest of others? Self interest that’s often thinly disguised as some kind of action, decision or “plan†that’s somehow in your best interest? Isn’t it amazing how some people know what’s best for their life and yours? If only you and I had the ability to think and choose for ourselves; things could be so different. Have you ever felt like your life (or part of your life) has been taken hostage by someone else’s ego, insecurity and/or greed?
Welcome to a very large club.
Manipulators of the Masses
Perhaps you feel like you’re trapped in some kind of on-going poker game where you’re never dealt any decent cards. As a result you feel like you have no real power or leverage… just the occasional bluff. The truth is, knowingly or not, many of us have given away our personal power (or part thereof) and allowed situations, circumstances and other people to dictate, direct and control our reality for far too long. Some of us have let others tell us what we can do and what we can’t do. What we should think. What we should believe. Where we can go. Who we should spend time with. Why we’re here. What our future holds and even what our life purpose should be. And because on some level we all want acceptance, approval, connection, security and love (and a whole bunch more), far too often we compromise… and compromise… until we eventually lose the real “us†and become a simulated version of us: looks like you and me – but isn’t.
Surrendering of Self
Clearly this “surrendering of self†– that is dreams, goals, ideas, values, beliefs (not to be confused with the Christian notion of “dying to selfâ€) – ain’t a great personal strategy for my life or yours. So if it’s all the same to you manipulators and self-centred control freaks, the rest of us will find our own life purpose, discover our own limits, explore our own potential and keep our personal power. Thanks anyway. Not.
“People can only take our personal power if we give it to them.â€
Being a humble, generous and occasionally selfless individual is to be admired and respected but being a person who has essentially handed over the reigns of their life is tragic, sad and ultimately terminal. Someone who has given away their personal power is a person who has given away control, hope and happiness.
“It’s nice to be nice but it’s stupid to be a doormatâ€
Some people confuse feelings with reality. Not “feeling†powerful doesn’t necessarily equate to not “being†powerful. Unless we make it that. For the most part, feelings (read, fear) merely get in the way of our potential, personal power, growth and success. As a rule, our emotions and thoughts are in no way an indicator of our potential or the incredible future we might create and results we might produce if we should choose to use our power rather than give it away — as we have done in the past. Just because you don’t “feel†powerful or consider yourself to be powerful doesn’t mean that you’re not or you can’t be; it simply means you’re denying your potential and buying into a fear mindset. A feeling is only a feeling and a thought is only a thought until you make them a reality; good or bad.
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.†Marianne Williamson
Just to clariff: I just re-read what I’ve written so far and I want to make a few things clear:
- We give away our power – people can’t take it without our permission;
- We allow people and things to have an unhealthy level of control and influence in our life;
- Getting angry, bitter and/or resentful at others will fix nothing – although it’s totally understandable;
- Positive change starts with awareness, understanding and acknowledgement; and
- The situation will change when you change – and you can change any time you like.
Now, is that me over-simplifying the complicated or you complicating the simple?
You decide.
The Last Bit…
Even as you read this right now, some of you might be rationalising your less-than-desirable existence and situation (1) to make yourselves feel better (thereby ignoring those buttons I just pushed) and (2) to avoid confronting the things you know you should deal with. My advice? STOP IT! Your world will change — when you do.
You have the ability, you have the understanding and you have the reasons – now find the courage.
Next time I will share some ideas to help you shift your reality from power-less to power-ful.
Peace.
Craig Harper (B.Ex.Sci.) is a qualified exercise scientist, author, columnist, radio presenter, television host, motivational speaker and university lecturer. For the past 25 years he has been a leading presenter, educator, motivator and commentator in the areas of personal and professional development. You can visit Craig’s blog at Motivational Speaker.
FREE eBook – So… You’ve Decided to Get in Shape (Again)
Craig’s FREE eBook takes 20 – 30 minutes to read, and addresses the REAL getting-in-shape issues based on his 25 years of experience. To get Craig’s FREE eBook click here, weight loss books.
Mainstream News Organizations Entering the Web’s Link Economy Will Shift the Balance of Power and Wealth
October 17th, 2008 |
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The New York Times published an article this week about mainstream news organizations embracing link journalism and news aggregation. Gawker and others scoffed that they are late to the game, which they are, but that misses (predictably) the BIG story.
If news orgs like the NYT, Washington Post, and hundreds of newspaper sites start linking to [...]