A study by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), to be released on Tuesday, warns that the human race is plundering the planet at a pace that outstrips its capacity to support life.

In a damning condemnation of Western society’s high consumption levels, it adds that the extra planets (the equivalent size of Earth) will be required by the year 2050 as existing resources are exhausted.

The report, based on scientific data from across the world, reveals that more than a third of the natural world has been destroyed by humans over the past three decades.

Using the image of the need for mankind to colonise space as a stark illustration of the problems facing Earth, the report warns that either consumption rates are dramatically and rapidly lowered or the planet will no longer be able to sustain its growing population.

Experts say that seas will become emptied of fish while forests – which absorb carbon dioxide emissions – are completely destroyed and freshwater supplies become scarce and polluted.

The report offers a vivid warning that either people curb their extravagant lifestyles or risk leaving the onus on scientists to locate another planet that can sustain human life. Since this is unlikely to happen, the only option is to cut consumption now.

Systematic overexploitation of the planet’s oceans has meant the North Atlantic’s cod stocks have collapsed from an estimated spawning stock of 264,000 tonnes in 1970 to under 60,000 in 1995.

The study will also reveal a sharp fall in the planet’s ecosystems between 1970 and 2002 with the Earth’s forest cover shrinking by about 12 per cent, the ocean’s biodiversity by a third and freshwater ecosystems in the region of 55 per cent.

The Living Planet report uses an index to illustrate the shocking level of deterioration in the world’s forests as well as marine and freshwater ecosystems. Using 1970 as a baseline year and giving it a value of 100, the index has dropped to a new low of around 65 in the space of a single generation.

It is not just humans who are at risk. Scientists, who examined data for 350 kinds of mammals, birds, reptiles and fish, also found the numbers of many species have more than halved.

Martin Jenkins, senior adviser for the World Conservation Monitoring Centre in Cambridge, which helped compile the report, said: ‘It seems things are getting worse faster than possibly ever before. Never has one single species had such an overwhelming influence. We are entering uncharted territory.’

Figures from the centre reveal that black rhino numbers have fallen from 65,000 in 1970 to around 3,100 now. Numbers of African elephants have fallen from around 1.2 million in 1980 to just over half a million while the population of tigers has fallen by 95 per cent during the past century.

The UK’s birdsong population has also seen a drastic fall with the corn bunting population declining by 92 per cent between 1970 and 2000, the tree sparrow by 90 per cent and the spotted flycatcher by 70 per cent.

Experts, however, say it is difficult to ascertain how many species have vanished for ever because a species has to disappear for 50 years before it can be declared extinct.

Attention is now focused on next month’s Earth Summit in Johannesburg, the most important environmental negotiations for a decade.

However, the talks remain bedevilled with claims that no agreements will be reached and that US President George W. Bush will fail to attend.

Matthew Spencer, a spokesman for Greenpeace, said: ‘There will have to be concessions from the richer nations to the poorer ones or there will be fireworks.’

The preparatory conference for the summit, held in Bali last month, was marred by disputes between developed nations and poorer states and non-governmental organisations (NGOs), despite efforts by British politicians to broker compromises on key issues.

America, which sent 300 delegates to the conference, is accused of blocking many of the key initiatives on energy use, biodiversity and corporate responsibility.

The WWF report shames the US for placing the greatest pressure on the environment. It found the average US resident consumes almost double the resources as that of a UK citizen and more than 24 times that of some Africans.

Based on factors such as a nation’s consumption of grain, fish, wood and fresh water along with its emissions of carbon dioxide from industry and cars, the report provides an ecological ‘footprint’ for each country by showing how much land is required to support each resident.

America’s consumption ‘footprint’ is 12.2 hectares per head of population compared to the UK’s 6.29ha while Western Europe as a whole stands at 6.28ha. In Ethiopia the figure is 2ha, falling to just half a hectare for Burundi, the country that consumes least resources.

The report, which will be unveiled in Geneva, warns that the wasteful lifestyles of the rich nations are mainly responsible for the exploitation and depletion of natural wealth. Human consumption has doubled over the last 30 years and continues to accelerate by 1.5 per cent a year.

Now WWF wants world leaders to use its findings to agree on specific actions to curb the population’s impact on the planet.

A spokesman for WWF UK, said: ‘If all the people consumed natural resources at the same rate as the average US and UK citizen we would require at least two extra planets like Earth.’

The world’s ticking timebomb

Marine crisis:

North Atlantic cod stocks have collapsed from an estimated 264,000 tonnes in 1970 to under 60,000 in 1995.

Pollution:

The United States places the greatest pressure on the environment, with its carbon dioxide emissions and over-consumption. It takes 12.2 hectares of land to support each American citizen and 6.29 for each Briton, while the figure for Burundi is just half a hectare.

Shrinking Forests:

Between 1970 and 2002 forest cover has dwindled by 12 per cent.

Endangered wildlife:

African elephant numbers have fallen from 1.2 million in 1980 to half a million now. In the UK the songbird population has fallen dramatically, with the corn bunting declining by 92 per cent in the past 30 years.

If you are one of those who want to have a mixed match of comfort along with style, then you should definitely choose Uggs. The hot favorites of some of the stars like Lindsay Lohan and Mischa Barton have really grown in trend. 

Ugg boots are very well equipped to keep your feet warm during winters. Not only do they keep your feet warm but offer great comfort and style which is rarely seen in other boots. Though these boots are a bit large in size but they greatly enhance your personality and impart a cool look. All these features have led these boots to grow in demand in the past few years.

People usually think that they will have to compromise their comfort if they want to wear a fashionable boot but this is not the case with this boot. The Uggs boot is a lot different from other boots and sets a fashion statement whenever you pass through a crowded area. Do not be conscious wearing these boots because these provide a blend of both style and comfort. Wearing these boots will ensure that you do not compromise on the comfort level and at the same time look fashionable which everybody wants to do. So if you are one of those women who want to look stylish and fashionable you need to check out the features of these winter boots.

The material used for making these boots is pure sheepskin which is why these boots are so popular. The designers of these boots have worked day in and day out to provide the comfort and style to the customers and they must be credited for this task. These boots have just enough for both formal as well as casual wear and are suited to any sort of occasion, whether you are going out to freak out with your friends or you are at work<img src="http://www.articlesfactory.com/pic/x.gif" alt="Business Management Articles" border="0", it just does not matter. These boots can be often taken along while you travel because of the comfort they provide to your feet. So with the comfort level and style these boots are bound to increase your beauty levels.

The most attractive feature of these boots is the warmth they provide in winters because of usage of sheepskin which has led to their popularity. Also these boots provide a lot of comfort along with the warmth. The women who have used these boots are also of the view that these keep your feet absolutely warm even though there may be a lot of cold outside and this is the reason why they are sold widely.

The sole of the Uggs boot is really soft and this increases the comfort of your feet. Also a wide range of colors and sizes are available in these Uggs so the customer has the liberty to choose the one of his/her choice. Once you wear these boots you will forget whether you wearing something in your feet or not. With so many features this boot is giving a tough fight to some of the best boots of other brands and with the response it is getting it will go down as one of the best boots of all time.

Excerpt
The following is an excerpt from the book Bat Boy Lives!

Weekly World News began covering American politics and U.S. foreign affairs with its own brand of kickass, take-no-prisoners journalism more than two decades ago — and the world hasn’t been the same since!

While its stodgy competitors dished up only the most yawn-inducing account of each day’s news, WWN ’s network of brash, highly skilled reporters has managed to ferret out the ugly, often titillating, truth behind the headlines, sending jittery officials around the globe scurrying for cover.

By exposing the mind-boggling secrets and underhanded shenanigans that world leaders have tried so desperately to conceal, WWN has repeatedly changed the course of human history — for the better, most would say.

–When Weekly World News revealed in 1994 that 12 U.S. senators were space aliens, the senators readily admitted having extraterrestrial origins. Their cover blown, the politicians from Planet X vowed to work harder than ever to improve conditions on Earth.

–When WWN reported that then-First Lady Hillary Clinton wanted to paint the White House blue to leave her mark on Washington, an outraged public demanded that she settle for painting her toenails and leave the White House . . . .well, white.

«And when the tabloid disclosed that Al Qaeda was secretly implanting bombs in the breasts of buxom lady terrorists to blow American buildings and American citizens to smithereens, Osama Bin Laden’s own followers were so disgusted by the affront to womanhood that they forced the idiot terror chief to back off his ghastly plan.

“ Weekly World News has put government big shots everywhere on notice that there will be no more secrets,” one insider said.

“If the President plots to abolish Social Security or the First Lady is having her way with some scrawny little E.T. or Saddam Hussein tries to shrink the penis of every American man or Teddy Kennedy is turning tricks with a Bigfoot hooker, you can bet that Weekly World News will spill the beans every time.

“Public officials have to act with more caution these days because they know Weekly World News is watching them — and that makes the world a better, safer place for all of us.”

The newspaper’s unceasing quest for the truth has been fraught with danger, however — and, on occasion, marred by tragedy.

–In 1989, agents of Cuban kingpin Fidel Castro — angered over WWN ’s revelation that the dingbat dictator was madly in love with TV fatty Roseanne — burst into the office of the newspaper’s Havana bureau and dragged two hapless reporters into the street. They were never heard from again.

–In 2001, Chinese fighter planes forced the Weekly World News corporate jet to land on a small island in the East China Sea, where Commie airmen held WWN reporters and photographers at gunpoint for six terrifying hours while attempting to dissuade them from opening a news bureau in Taiwan. The Chinese finally allowed the jet to go on its way after reporters regaled them with stories of their adventures around the world.

–In 2004, a correspondent who had slipped into North Korea to report on Kim Jong’s decree that all citizens do the Hokey-Pokey or be executed on the spot choked to death while chewing on a stringy shih tzu leg in a posh Pyongyang restaurant.

The risks have been great — but WWN’s hit-’em-where-it-hurts reporting has changed the way the world does business. Its journalists have been so dogged and so dedicated, in fact, that Russian President Vladimir Putin insists that Weekly World News almost single-handedly brought about the collapse of Communism beginning in 1989.

“Communism requires a closed and secret society, and it simply proved impossible to operate in secrecy with Weekly World News badgering our government night and day,” Putin said. “Finally, Communist leaders just threw in the towel and said, `You win.’”

Copyright (c) 2005 David Perel and the Editors of the Weekly World News

“…An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign…” Matt. 12:39

If Jesus considers those that seek after signs as evil and adulterous, why did He entertain His disciples request for the signs of His coming? Is it because they are evil and adulterous why they ask Him for the signs of His coming and the end of the world (Matt. 24:3)?

There is a clear distinction between the Pharisees asking Jesus for a sign to prove that He is the promised Messiah, and the disciples requesting of Him to tell them the signs of the end of the world. In addition, the contexts in which both requests are made are quite different.

Let us look at the case of the Pharisees. Jesus has just healed a man who was both blind and dumb on account of being demon possessed. The scribes and Pharisees accused Him of using the power of Satan to perform that miracle. Then in the midst of this blasphemous accusation, one of the Pharisees made this presumptuous request:

“Master, we would see a sign from thee.” Matt. 12:38.

Why should this man request a sign when he has just seen one!? And if they have already concluded that Jesus worked miracles by the chief of demons, why should they expect Him to show them a sign that is not of the Devil!? Now we can see why Jesus made the above mentioned remark, which happens to be in the next verse!

Where the disciples were concerned, their request for a sign came in the context of Jesus’ response to their fascination with the magnificence of the temple at Jerusalem. Jesus told them that both the city and the temple will be so thoroughly destroyed that not one stone will be left upon another (Matt. 24:2). In great astonishment, the disciples began to ask what will be the sign of His coming. Their purpose for making this request is to know what to look for as a sign of the end of the world. In common with the rest of the Jews, the disciples believed that Jerusalem is an eternal city. So, when they were told about its destruction by One whom they know cannot lie, they promptly began to ask for signs because, for them, this must be the end of the world!

The fact that Christ has seen it fit honor their request is an indication that He does not consider it a sign of presumption on their part. Furthermore, He saw the need for them to be told of these things not for their benefit only, but also for the comfort of later disciples, especially those who will be living near the end of the world when those signs are to be fulfilled.

For the comfort of the last-day church, the Lord will give signs of His coming to show that their “redemption draweth nigh” (Luke 21:28) and that what they have been preaching for years and decades is about to come to pass. This will be very important for those Christians living on the threshold of the end of the world. For so long they have been ridiculed and made to appear to be some crazed alarmist living for a ‘piped dream’.

When they see the signs fulfilling, then they will be confirmed and strengthened, as never before, in the belief that they “have not followed cunningly devised fables” (2Pet.1:16) when they testified about the coming of their Lord in the clouds of heaven. And, for obvious reasons, these are not the signs that this evil and adulterous world would wish to see!

May we be comforted as we see the signs of the end of the world fulfilling in our day.

Steve Sterling has been studying end-time Bible prophecy for over 25 years. He has written an e-book entitled ‘End-time Prophecy E-course’. If you wish to get further information on major events foreshadowing the end of the world, go to: Prophecy ecourse.

There is more to consider in terms of expense when you are thinking about purchasing a classic corvette than the price tag. As with any other major vehicle purchase, there are several other items that must be considered when analyzing if a classic car can fit into your budget. With these collector’s items, it is important to remember that the traditional vehicle expenses can be a lot more on a collector item.

Insurance: Insurance on a classic corvette is going to be a lot more pricy than on a regular vehicle. The car will not come with devices considered safety standards in the industry today, and the price of the insurance will reflect that. Custom classic cars are also ripe targets for auto theft, as they are not compatible with anti-theft devices. This too will be reflected in the insurance costs. Auto insurers know that owners of classic cars are only going to insure their vehicles for driving during the good seasons, and seasonal insurance carries rates reflecting this reality.

Safety: As touched on above, there are many safety features that are taken for granted in the modern car that are not available in a classic corvette. No corvette comes with air bags, child seat anchors, reinforced structure, or impact-resistant siding material. Many corvettes do not even have seat belts in the back seats. It is not too likely that you are going to be shipping your babies or grandbabies around in your classic car, but driving without seatbelts and other standard safety features may prove an expensive prospect in the event of an accident.

Accessories: One of the big purchases for a corvette owner besides the car is a place to store the car during the winter and also in transportation. Big trailers suitable for your corvette do not come cheap, and are an expense to factor in when considering your budget.

Gas: Make no mistake, the corvette was designed in an age where materials were abundant and the horizon was limitless. These cars were built for power and speed, and anyone who suggested economy in the corvette era would have had his horn-rims shoved into his face by a fist at the end of a leather-clad arm. Times have changed, and the corvette is still designed for mid-century pump prices. Driving your classic around at today’s prices is going to be a very pricy prospect.

International cost of living rankings are the result of comparing the cost of an expatriate’s personal budget, using the local prices for the same defined quantities of the same goods and services in each country throughout the world.

Our findings show that the compound impact of the multifaceted global economic trends that impact each country in one way or another, are contributing to rapid substantial changes in the relative cost of living of countries around the world. The changes in relative cost of living are large and have occurred in a relatively short period of time. The reason for this is due to the fact that so many economic crises are occurring simultaneously. 2008 saw the housing bubble burst followed by the failure of a number of global fund / asset management, insurance and banking giants. Some have been liquidated or taken over; others have been bailed out with government funds. In 2009 we have seen the continued fall in house prices which many believe have yet to bottom out. Stock prices and market indexes are down to levels last seen a decade or more ago. The trend towards decreased inflation and lower interest rates continues in developed and developing markets. We are also experiencing exchange rate volatility with a number of large economies seeing their currency weaken considerably in the past year. The economic impact is continuing to spread around the globe. We are currently seeing a truly global recession with reduced demand for manufacturing inputs and outputs as well as reduced energy demand and large scale job losses.

This study of 276 global locations covered every country in the world. The study comprised the cost of several hundred items that expatriates typically spend their pay on, grouped into 13 Basket Groups. The findings as at 1 April 2009 have been compared to the previous findings of 1 December 2008. The Index uses New York as the base (New York = 100). An index greater than 100, means that the cost of living is higher than New York, an index less than 100, means that the cost of living is lower than New York.

Geneva has a cost of living index of 110 for example. That means that on average, goods and services that cost $100 in New York, cost $110 in Geneva. Each city is ranked according to their overall cost of living index which includes the cost of all basket groups.

A cost of living index increases or decreases based on the local price of the goods and services used in the study and the ruling exchange rate. As a general principle, a country with a currency that has increased against other currencies (stronger currency) and which has relatively high local inflation (rapid/large price increases), will generally experience an increase in cost of living compared to other countries. On the other hand, a country with a currency that has decreased against other currencies (weaker currency) and which has relatively low local inflation will generally experience a decrease in cost of living compared to other countries. It is important to note that we are talking about relative changes. Take London as another example. As recently as December 2008, London was still ranked the 6th most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live. As at April 2009 it is the 23rd most expensive place in the world for expatriates. That does not mean that the local cost of living for expatriates living in London has decreased. What it does mean is that relative to other places in the world, London is no longer as expensive as it was last year. What makes London’s cost of living relatively lower than it was is mainly due to the increase in the cost of living elsewhere together with the weaker British Pound.

These relative changes have a substantial impact on expatriate employees. An expatriate working in a high cost of living – strong currency country such as Hong Kong where the Hong Kong Dollar is pegged to the US Dollar illustrates this point. The high cost of living makes it difficult to save due to high local prices; Household (Accommodation including utilities) in particular is very expensive. However, an expatriate working in Hong Kong will now likely find that remitting money back home provides greatly increased spending power at home. In the past year the Hong Kong Dollar has increased 15% against the Malaysian Ringgit, and 30% against the Indonesian Rupiah and the Australian Dollar.

The Top 10 Most Expensive Places for Expatriates to Live

Tokyo has retained its status as the most expensive city in the world for expatriates to live. The cost of living index for Tokyo has increased from 126 in December 2008 to 143 as at 1 April 2009, and the Yen has strengthened against the US Dollar. At the other end of the scale, Harare has retained its status as the least expensive city in the world and is ranked 276 with an index of just 17 and a currency which is still in free-fall. Tokyo is ranked 1st for Healthcare expenses, 2nd for Groceries and 2nd for Household (Accommodation including utilities).

Hong Kong is now ranked 2nd overall having climbed from 33rd place in December 2008. Its cost of living index has increased from 103 to 121 and is ranked 1st for Household expenses and 2nd for Healthcare. It is interesting however to note that Hong Kong is not expensive in all categories. It is ranked 202nd for Alcohol & Tobacco, 226th for Recreation & Culture, 227th for Education, and 247th for Furniture & Appliances.

Lagos is the 3rd most expensive city in the world for expatriates, having previously been ranked 11th. It is ranked 1st for Groceries and for Furniture & Appliance expenses, 6th for Healthcare, and 18th for Restaurants, Meals Out and Hotels.

Caracas has moved substantially up the rankings to 4th, having been ranked just 32nd in December 2008. It is ranked 1st for Education expenses, 5th for Healthcare, and 6th for Household expenses (Accommodation including utilities).

Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea is the 5th ranked overall most expensive city for expatriates due to most goods and services being imported from Australia. Port Moresby is ranked 6th for Recreation & Culture, 7th for Communication and for Healthcare, and 8th most expensive for Clothing.

Geneva has dropped slightly to 6th, having been ranked 4th in December 2008. It is ranked 3rd most expensive for Transport expenses, 11th for Recreation & Culture, 15th for Healthcare, and 20th for Clothing.

Dubai has moved into the top 10 most expensive places in the world for expatriates to live for the first time. Dubai is now ranked 7th, substantially up from 34th in December 2008. Its cost of living index has increased from 103 to 109 since December 2008. It is ranked 1st for Restaurants Meals Out and Hotel expenses, 6th for Clothing, 11th for Healthcare, and 16th for Groceries. Dubai is currently ranked 4th for Household expenses (Accommodation including utilities), however evidence is emerging that this will decrease significantly in the next quarter as it has been hit relatively hard in the property sector with falling property prices and rentals.

Doha has moved up in the global rankings faster than any other city. In December 2008, Doha was ranked the 45th most expensive city for expatriates, it is now 8th. The overall cost of living index has moved up from 101 to 109, equal to that of Dubai. It is ranked 2nd for Restaurants, Meals Out and Hotel expenses, 3rd for Clothing, 7th for Household expenses (Accommodation including utilities), 8th for Groceries as well as for Recreation and Culture, and 10th for Healthcare.

Denmark has dropped slightly to being the 9th most expensive place in the world for expatriates, having been ranked 3rd in December 2008. It is ranked 3rd most expensive for Groceries, 5th for Transport, and 15th for Furniture and Appliances.

Hamilton in Bermuda completes the top 10 moving from 26th in December despite the overall cost of index remaining 108. Hamilton is ranked 4th most expensive for both Education and Healthcare, 10th for Personal Care, 11th for Household expenses (Accommodation including utilities), and 15th for Groceries.

The full overall cost of living ranking list from Xpatulator as at 1 April 2009 is as follows:

RankLocation

1 Japan, Tokyo
2 China, Hong Kong
3 Nigeria, Lagos
4 Venezuela, Caracas
5 Papua New Guinea, Port Moresby
6 Switzerland, Geneva
7 United Arab Emirates, Dubai
8 Qatar, Doha
9 Denmark, Copenhagen
10 Bermuda, Hamilton
11 Angola, Luanda
12 Switzerland, Zurich
13 Russia, Moscow
14 Solomon Islands, Honiara
15 Cameroon, Douala
16 Chad, N’Djamena
17 Taiwan, Taipei
18 Liechtenstein, Vaduz
19 USA, New York NY
20 New Caledonia, Noumea
21 Greenland, Nuuk
22 Ireland, Dublin
23 United Kingdom, London
24 France, Paris
25 Norway, Oslo
26 Italy, Milan
27 San Marino, San Marino
28 USA, San Francisco Calif
29 Monaco, Monaco
30 Austria, Vienna
31 Bahamas, Nassau
32 Central African Republic, Bangui
33 Nauru, Yaren
34 USA, Boston Mass
35 Finland, Helsinki
36 Italy, Rome
37 Kazakhstan, Almaty
38 Cote D’Ivoire, Abidjan
39 Bahrain, Manama
40 Micronesia, Palikir
41 Isle of Man, Douglas
42 Haiti, Port-au-Prince
43 USA, San Jose Calif
44 Cameroon, Yaounde
45 Djibouti, Djibouti
46 Palau, Melekeok
47 Guinea-Bissau, Bissau
48 Azerbaijan, Baku
49 Benin, Cotonou
50 Slovakia, Bratislava
51 Belgium, Brussels
52 Netherlands, Amsterdam
53 Sao Tome and Principe, Sao Tome
54 Jersey, Saint Helier
55 Mali, Bamako
56 Gabon, Libreville
57 United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi
58 Croatia, Zagreb
59 Singapore, Singapore
60 Ghana, Accra
61 Spain, Madrid
62 Ukraine, Kiev
63 USA, Philadelphia Pa
64 Cayman Islands, George Town
65 Sierra Leone, Freetown
66 Germany, Berlin
67 Czech Republic, Prague
68 USA, San Diego Calif
69 Jordan, Amman
70 Trinidad and Tobago, Port-of-Spain
71 USA, Los Angeles Calif
72 USA, Washington DC
73 Estonia, Tallinn
74 USA, Baltimore Md
75 Falkland Islands, Stanley
76 Saudi Arabia, Riyadh
77 Guernsey, St Peter Port
78 Comores, Moroni
79 Sudan, Khartoum
80 Germany, Bonn
81 Vatican City, Vatican City
82 Canada, Toronto
83 Timor-Leste, Dili
84 Hungary, Budapest
85 USA, Seattle Wash
86 Brazil, Brasilia
87 Lebanon, Beirut
88 USA, Miami Fla
89 Vanuatu, Port Vila
90 Luxembourg, Luxembourg
91 Jamaica, Kingston
92 Australia, Sydney
93 Kuwait, Kuwait City
94 Moldova, Chisinau
95 Congo Democratic Rep, Kinshasa
96 Germany, Frankfurt
97 Tuvalu, Funafuti
98 Iceland, Reykjavík
99 Barbados, Bridgetown
100 Portugal, Lisbon
101 Mozambique, Maputo
102 Senegal, Dakar
103 Canada, Vancouver
104 Niger, Niamey
105 China, Beijing
106 Ethiopia, Addis Ababa
107 Turkey, Ankara
108 Togo, Lome
109 Equatorial Guinea, Malabo
110 Martinique, Fort-de-France
111 Armenia, Yerevan
112 USA, Chicago Ill
113 Liberia, Monrovia
114 Gibraltar, Gibraltar
115 Sweden, Stockholm
116 Somalia, Mogadishu
117 Portland Ore
118 Israel, Jerusalem
119 Malta, Velletta
120 Puerto Rico, San Juan
121 Canada, Calgary
122 Rwanda, Kigali
123 Guam, Hagatna
124 Burkina Faso, Ouagadougou
125 Zambia, Lusaka
126 Andorra, Andorra la Vella
127 Cyprus, Nicosia
128 USA, Las Vegas Nev
129 Samoa, Apia
130 Saint Helena, Jamestown
131 Tanzania, Dar es Salaam
132 Greece, Athens
133 Poland, Warsaw
134 Maldives, Male
135 Malawi, Lilongwe
136 Thailand, Bangkok
137 Indonesia, Jakarta
138 USA, Jacksonville Fla
139 Antigua and Barbuda, Saint John’s
140 Gambia, Banjul
141 United Kingdom, Glasgow
142 Lithuania, Vilnius
143 Belarus, Minsk
144 USA, Dallas Tex
145 Australia, Canberra
146 India, Mumbai
147 Australia, Melbourne
148 USA, Denver Colo
149 Algeria, Algiers
150 Georgia Republic of, Tbilisi
151 Honduras, Tegucigalpa
152 USA, Atlanta GA
153 USA, Cleveland Ohio
154 Canada, Montreal
155 USA, Milwaukee Wis
156 Congo, Brazzaville
157 Guinea, Conakry
158 Saint Kitts and Nevis, Basseterre
159 USA, Detroit Mich
160 Panama, Panama City
161 Latvia, Riga
162 Uganda, Kampala
163 Korea Republic of, Seoul
164 USA, Charlotte NC
165 Marshall Islands, Majuro
166 Australia, Perth
167 USA, Phoenix Ariz
168 USA, Columbus Ohio
169 USA, Austin Tex
170 Madagascar, Antananarivo
171 USA, Tampa Fla
172 United Kingdom, Birmingham
173 Afghanistan, Kabul
174 Grenada, Saint George’s
175 Vietnam, Hanoi
176 USA, Indianapolis Ind
177 USA, St Louis MO
178 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Kingstown
179 Peru, Lima
180 Syria, Damascus
181 USA, Fort Worth Tex
182 Slovenia, Ljubljana
183 Mauritania, Nouakchott
184 USA, El Paso Tex
185 Philippines, Manila
186 China, Shanghai
187 USA, Memphis Tenn
188 USA, Pittsburgh Penn
189 Belize, Belmopan
190 India, New Delhi
191 Romania, Bucharest
192 Guatemala, Guatemala City
193 Iran, Tehran
194 Cape Verde, Praia
195 India, Chennai
196 USA, Houston Tex
197 Canada, Ottawa
198 Costa Rica, San Jose
199 Dominica, Roseau
200 Nicaragua, Managua
201 Guyana, Georgetown
202 Dominican Republic, Santo Domingo
203 Bulgaria, Sofia
204 Suriname, Paramaribo
205 Cuba, Havana
206 Oman, Muscat
207 India, Calcutta
208 Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar
209 Tajikistan, Dushanbe
210 India, Hyderabad
211 Burundi, Bujumbura
212 USA, San Antonio Tex
213 Myanmar, Yangon
214 Uruguay, Montevideo
215 Paraguay, Asuncion
216 Albania, Tirana
217 Brunei, Bandar Seri Begawan
218 Mauritius, Port Louis
219 Fiji, Suva
220 Egypt, Cairo
221 Australia, Brisbane
222 El Salvador, San Salvador
223 Korea Democratic Republic of, Pyongyang
224 Laos, Vientiane
225 Mexico, Mexico City
226 Morocco, Rabat
227 India, Bangalore
228 Saint Lucia, Castries
229 New Zealand, Auckland
230 Kiribati, South Tarawa
231 Kosovo, Pristina
232 Kenya, Nairobi
233 Serbia, Belgrade
234 Bangladesh, Dhaka
235 Pakistan, Lahore
236 Bolivia, La Paz
237 Colombia, Bogota
238 Botswana, Gaberone
239 Sri Lanka, Colombo
240 Pakistan, Islamabad
241 Turkmenistan, Ashgabat
242 Kyrgyzstan, Bishkek
243 Macedonia, Skopje
244 Pakistan, Karachi
245 Australia, Adelaide
246 Montenegro, Podgorica
247 Chile, Santiago
248 Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur
249 China, Macao
250 Eritrea, Asmara
251 Iraq, Baghdad
252 Argentina, Buenos Aires
253 Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sarajevo
254 Uzbekistan, Tashkent
255 Ecuador, Quito
256 Nepal, Kathmandu
257 Tunisia, Tunis
258 Yemen, Sanaa
259 Bhutan, Thimphu
260 South Africa, Johannesburg
261 China, Shenzhen
262 Tonga, Nuku’Alofa
263 China, Dalian
264 South Africa, Pretoria
265 Lesotho, Maseru
266 China, Wuhan
267 Namibia, Windhoek
268 Libya, Tripoli
269 South Africa, Cape Town
270 China, Guangzhou
271 Seychelles, Victoria
272 South Africa, Durban
273 Cambodia, Phnom Penh
274 Swaziland, Mbabane
275 China, Tianjin
276 Zimbabwe, Harare

Periodontics in Sydney goes beyond the basic health of your teeth. This area of dentistry goes to the root of many dental problems by maintaining healthy gums. When the gums become diseased, they no longer provide a healthy base for the teeth and other problems like tooth loss can result. The good news is that many periodontic problems can be easily treated. This article will provide valuable tips for choosing a dentist for this important purpose.

A periodontist may be a doctor who specializes in this field of dentistry or a dentist who incorporates this area into his regular practice. When you are choosing a doctor for this purpose, it is important to ask how much experience he has working with gum health. Find out if the dentist is board certified and ask about his level of education. By inquiring about these factors, you will get a good idea of whether this particular dentist is qualified to offer services in periodontics in Sydney.

It is also important to find out if a particular dentist is included on your insurance plan. Many periodontic procedures are covered by dental insurance as long as you use a doctor in your network. Most dentists will accept a variety of insurance plans so you can easily find out if the doctor you are considering is a part of your network. If not, you will want to know what type of payment plan the office provides to ensure you can pay your dental bills in a timely manner. Most dentists will offer some type of financing options for their patients.

Another factor to consider is how well the periodontists in Sydney keep up with the latest procedures. For example, dental implants have become a popular treatment for tooth loss today. Instead of dentures that can come loose or cause problems with eating or speaking, dental implants look and feel like your natural teeth. If this is a treatment you are considering, you will want to find out if the particular Sydney periodontist you are considering has ample experience in the procedure. This will be true of any specific treatment in periodontics that you might require.

Periodontal treatment is an important component for good oral hygiene and health. If you are experiencing bleeding gums, pain while chewing or loose or missing teeth, speak with a dental clinic.

After reading this article, you may have some questions. If you would like to have them answered, or to book an appointment, visit a friendly, experienced and professional clinic for periodontics in Sydney.

While a Texas junior bank lending officer in 1978, a small town in New York also was functioning as a test site for checkless, cashless living~~ and it was going quite well. Unfortunately at the time, having spent a year in seminary study of Revelation, she would find she was armed with man’s interpretation of Revelation 13:11,16-17; recited:

“I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth and he had two horns like a lamb and he spake as a dragon. He causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: and that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark or the name of the beast or the number of his name.”

During that time she believed the lifestyle would fulfill this prophecy~~ UNTIL the Holy Spirit provided God’s much simpler yet more precise and exceedingly logical response. There was and remains no doubt that the two-horned lamb is the United States, for there are many Biblical passages to validate the premise. The symbolic lamb denotes: 1) its Christ-like appearance, and 2) this country’s youth (having arisen from the wilderness) as opposed to ancient nations (rising from waters), who’ve been around for thousands of years. Contrarily, it has two horns indicating: 1) its power over its own people (church) and 2) those of other nations, which power the U.S. has exercised for many years and continues to do so. The horns also reveal, 3) America is NOT as harmless to Christ’s true church as it might first seem, but rather a beast supporting the first beast; thus, as opposed to being truly a lamb it is rather a goat kid.

Speaking like the dragon refers directly to a purportedly Christian nation contrarily allowing all manner of ancient Rome’s paganistic doctrines and traditions within its boundaries, while claiming to be “one nation under God” and which “in God we trust.” One might wonder then to which god does this nation refer? Neither its Constitution nor any other legal national document reveals the identity of the god to which it points allegiance and from which it gains its power.

Additionally, the lamb with horns promotes purportedly Christian denominational dogmas seemingly teaching on behalf of Yeshua yet speaking on behalf of the great whore beast. And, America does support her because it houses her harlot daughters thus is responsible for their blasphemous message spanning the globe. While heathenism was and is all over the world and the U.S., contrary to the Bible speaking to the everyone, it speaks only to Christ’s church and pagan Rome is used prophetically to point to events directly affecting Christ’s small flocks during any given era~~ after His ascension.

For a checkless/cashless society to work, there also must be Federal Laws to insure that all State Laws are enforced from the highest level in the event of disobedience in one or more States, or individuals for that matter. Such a law, of necessity, must support the blasphemous “mark of Satan”, which just happens to be a counterfeit likeness of God’s seal of authority (Exodus 20:8-11). Both seals are symbolic in nature inasmuch as they are spiritual marks (that which is not seen), therefore recognized by individual and/or group behavior as opposed to some hitherto unknown tangible identification.

Having said that, then we are pointed to the World Council of Churches continuing to lobby our Government, for over 30 years, urging creation and approval of a Federal Sunday Blue Law in order to control all State Blue Laws’ with deadly police power (as exercised during the Puritan age: see “Dateline Sunday, USA” by Warren L. Johns, esq.), thus bringing to bear its ability to threaten and/or take life when or as necessary. Such deadly power attached to those old laws was NOT long ago abolished. It is very much alive today, just not exercised for a very long time~~ but they will be.

Therefore, MAN’S INTERPRETATION of those Revelation scriptures is that this nation and the world must first accomplish three things BEFORE Christ will return, which is to declare that Christ will not arrive until:

1) A Federal Blue Law requiring all US citizens to adhere strictly to a Sunday sabbath is passed and duly enforced, for which consenting persons will receive an identifying tattoo or special credit card (all bearing the same number) or some other form of identity equally tangible and seen by the naked eye. The corporeal “mark” supposedly grants a person the power to buy or sell, as they will, while those without it cannot at any time. This belief has been around at least since Social Security came in following the 1920’s great depression, requiring the assignment of an identifying number to every card-carrying living-breathing U.S. citizen. Albeit, such numbering systems have existed since time immemorial. Also,

2) A checkless, cashless global society in which only those persons identified according to such law would be able to live as they always have~~ amply enjoying excesses in shelter, clothing, food and desirable luxuries~~ and,

3) To rebuild the Holy Temple in old Jerusalem, which would be a third construction, allegedly pursuant to prophecies spoken by Isaiah and Jeremiah, without any regard for Daniel’s portent (Daniel 9:26-27). THEN, and only then is it supposed that Christ will return for a 1000-year reign… upon earth (another fallacy). The recent euro ostensibly is just one global step in this direction. So too is corporate Christendom’s encouragement upon a misguided Israel to rebuild the Holy Temple.

Oops! If those three events must take place, then the whole Bible is rendered three times a lie: 1) by bold statement filled with irrelevant facts; 2) by implication; and, 3) by omitting crucial facts. Worse, rebuilding the Holy Temple implies Messiah never came in the flesh (I John 4:2-3). All over the world, corporate Christendom teaches that Daniel’s 70-weeks/490-years prophecy (which began in 457BC) stopped at 69-weeks/483-years or at the close of 26AD. Supposedly, the 70th week or final 7 years just resumed at the beginning of 2001 and is anticipated to conclude either sometime in 2006 or 2007 or maybe as late as 2008! If it is 7 years, why not state it WILL end at the close of 2007?

Contrarily, they state that Christ did begin His ministry in 27AD and He died in 31AD at age 33 years 7 months; and, Stephen died at 34AD. Yet, they deny 70-weeks were then fulfilled in total: thereby implying Christ never came in the flesh. In any court of our land a lie is a lie: whether it be by bold statement filled with irrelevant facts or by implication–which is to manipulate words–or by omission of crucial facts or by all three methods: which makes the latter worse.

As it is on earth, so it is in heaven. Concerning Daniel’s 490-years prophecy, organized religions have compounded their lies three-fold, thus rendering the harlot daughters’ sin greater than their great whore mother’s iniquity (Ezekiel 16:44-52).

There are several facts denying those three man-predicted events misleading the church, whether they are put into practice or not. Each may well take place, or at least to a minor degree, but none ever will be fully in place for more than a year because: 1) Sealing God’s people (Rev 7:3), and by implication the simultaneous marking of Satan’s goats, began with the Philadelphia church age (1844AD) during which the Lord’s hidden truths “about to die” (Revelation 3:2), discovered near the Sardis church age closing (1843AD), began to be revealed globally in 1844–simultaneous to Ishi’s call to, “Come out of her my people (Rev 18:4).”

And, 2) the Philadelphia era ended in 1991, heralded by an exceedingly loud trumpet called Desert Storm announcing the final church age of Laodicea opening: which will be very short indeed–as Christ promised. Last but not least,

3) Daniel’s prophecy was completed by 34AD with the stoning death of minister Stephen: which fulfilled the 70-weeks/490-years. The remainder of Daniel’s portent warned beyond 490-years when it spoke of the “sanctuary” or the Holy Temple’s destruction. Thus, Daniel prophesied, then Christ stated, “not long from now” the Temple would be destroyed: which very timely was in 70AD. Additionally, Daniel 9:26-27 makes it very clear that after such destruction the temple would never be built again upon this old earth, “not even until the consumption”; which means not even until redemption. Therefore, the prophecies of Isaiah and Jeremiah, together with supporting historical data relating events to gaining the appropriate permits, are and absolutely were merely the furtherance of fulfilling Daniel’s portent~~ not separate prophecies calling for a third Temple building.

Aside from those facts, there currently and contrarily sits upon the Holy foundation a new Moslem Mosque. What are they going to do? Blow it up? Perhaps, albeit more pressing is the fact that New Jerusalem will be built in heaven during the sheep’s thousand years reign IN heaven, and it will come down from heaven onto a restored-to-like Eden earth. Scripture further advises that there will be no temple therein because God and His Christ ARE the temple. So… What… would be the point of building a temple in Old Jerusalem now? There absolutely is not one verse throughout the entire Bible indicating it necessary as a warning sign of Christ’s return. Therefore, only one entity could possibly benefit from such a destructive lie~~ Lucifer himself… at least until Jesus arrives in the clouds.

Man’s interpretation, via Satan’s machinations, of these crucial prophecies is to deceive people (Christ’s church) into believing His return is a long way off… perhaps even a thousand years. As predicted, many are saying that things go on as they always have. But, it behooves us to consider the possibility that those three events MUST take place BEFORE Jesus returns so there will be no doubt that His arrival would of necessity be far into the future. Know this: If those events must occur, then the Bible and God and Jesus are each rendered a lie and we all might as well throw up our hands in utter defeat with no hope for life eternal.

More importantly, corporate Christendom is reacting just as did the Pharisees when Jesus began His earthly ministry: they expected greater things and personage than what they saw with their own eyes… because they did not discern by way of the Holy Spirit but rather compared Christ with a worldly perspective. Why, how could Jesus be King of the Jews? He had no rich and powerful country under His rule (unless they were ignorant enough to believe He indeed came from heaven and was the Son of God).

Christ had neither royal robes (only sackcloth and ashes) nor fancy chariots in which to travel rapidly and comfortably (only a donkey colt). For that matter, Jesus didn’t even LOOK kingly. He was black, as black as Solomon’s curtains and Kedar’s tents. Wow! That should wreak havoc with Klu Klux Klan belief! Anyway, not only was Jesus black, but His face was so marred and His short body so deformed that people would turn away from looking at Him. Indeed, He could be compared to the hunchback of Notre Dame! As scripture cites, there was nothing comely or beautiful about Christ’s appearance that would have encouraged people to follow Him. My, my! Isn’t God’s wisdom absolutely perfect? It’s all about the inward person, after all. Additionally, Hebrew leaders then completely disregarded their own prophecies and so do Christian leaders of today. (Solo 1:5; Isa 52:14; 53:2-3; Psalm 119:141; 139:14-16; Luke 19:30,35; Matt 21:2-5)

But worse! Jesus actually lived on the streets and slept out in open fields or in caves. A destitute street person AND trouble maker, for pity sake! The son of an impoverished carpenter who was raised in a dry hot wilderness as opposed to the luxuries of city dwelling. Ah, but most convincing to Jewish leaders was finding Jesus NOT followed by numerous well-trained, armed legions of tireless warriors defeating all of Israel’s enemy nations. Gees, Louise! He was even buried in a borrowed tomb!

It all brings to mind: “What was is and what is will be and what will be was. There is absolutely nothing new under the sun.” The physical description of Jesus speaks volumes to a global population bent on worldly riches belonging only to the bold and beautiful followers of corporate Christendom. And, indeed, they are right… because it is all they will ever have, for they will not inherit Ishi’s kingdom.

Nevertheless, by presenting these facts it is hoped one can determine that in denying natural cataclysmic events such as the world has never seen (which actually have been happening since 1991 as portended) while contrarily expecting the highly visible events above discussed (which if they do occur, mean absolutely nothing and neither will delay nor hasten redemption): then the simple signs of Christ’s imminent return are missed just as easily as Hebrews missed His Messianic visit. Such spiritual blindness results in utter destruction… for Jesus comes as a thief in the night. And that metaphor is exactly what El Shaddai’s Truths describe. Nevertheless, the Holy Spirit offers Eloi’s interpretation:

1) The spiritual sealing/marking work concluded with Desert Storm, thus man’s tangible marks are meaningless as well as useful only as a consistent means to persecute Jesus’ small flocks. Thus, the only thing remaining is for Christ’s few straggling sheep to exit HER, which has been happening every day in each generation and from every creed in the world since the beginning of the Philadelphia age; and,

2) A Federal Blue Law is not required to fulfill these end days’ prophecy inasmuch as there is a little known Federal law giving the U.S. government, at its discretion and in the absence of a matching Federal law, full power to enforce any and all State laws. So, fighting for a Federal Blue Law is just another ruse intended to make it seem as if Christ’s return is far off. After all, that law has not been passed. Actually, it’s never made it to the table. Corporate Christendom uses this trick also to perpetuate greed: higher oil, food, clothing and shelter prices literally causing many to wind up on the streets. Is that not to prevent buying and selling? If a Federal law is unnecessary, then what about not being able to buy or sell if we bear the seal of the One True Living God? The implication is that those sealed of God will not be able to buy or sell AT ALL, which brings us to:

3) Not being able to buy or sell AT ALL belies scripture stating that Christ’s sheep at no time will be without life’s necessities or go begging for food right up to redemption. Before Blue Laws and since the first such laws enacted during America’s Puritan age (but as early as 200AD Rome), no person whose behavior demonstrates God’s Seal has ever been able to buy or sell on the Father and Son’s Sabbath. However, because of Blue Laws, neither are they able to buy or sell on Satan’s black sabbath enforceable by laws of the land. In short, Ishi’s sealed obey God absolutely and in all things.

Therefore, and by similar behavior, all goats bearing Satan’s mark always have and always will, at least for a short time to come, freely buy and sell seven days a week while those with the Seal of God may only buy and sell five days a week. Why is that? 1) The Lord said to obey His Sabbath AND the laws of the land. These State requirements are labeled as unfair business tactics~~ then and now~~ yet not one government official or Christian lobbying group deigns to present a bill for change, thus goats always have had an economic advantage, even more noticeable since 1844.

Pray it has been shown herein that it is the spiritual simplicity of God toward which all should look. In conclusion, Christ is even at the door and about to come through it. Since 1991, the writer has told everyone who would hear with understanding that this nation would be hit toward the latter end of 2001. How and by what manner? It was certain only that fire and a disease “in small dust” like that of Moses’ Egypt would be involved and directed at this nation’s wealth and military power. America was struck as Revelation prophesied~~ at the monuments erected to its god of mammon and military power~~ right in the midst of harvest time, September 2001.

The Spirit says to Christ’s churches: in abject obedience to God’s Statutes of Life, all ye sheep watch the clouds, for HARVEST TIME is nearer than the moral majority choose to believe. Why in the world would any true follower of Christ want to delay His arrival by attempting to change what cannot be changed, what is and always was predestined: the unchangeable? Only Satan “hope(d) to change times and laws,” (Daniel 7:25, fulfilled by 348AD and revealed in 1843AD).

And this is “WHY” the writer so very encouraged and even excited. Actually jumping up and down, shouting praises and singing Hallelujah! For it all proves just how quickly Jesus will walk through that door to take up His sheep to meet Him in the air! Freeing us all from the mess mankind has made of God’s Word and His beautiful creation.

HALLELUJAH, PRAISE THE LORD! FOR HE IS GREAT AND MIGHTY AND HIS WAYS ARE JUST! Harvest time… Remember… Harvest Time!

~~article END

___________________________

© 1978-2002 Bonita M Quesinberry
“Bind Up the Testimony, Seal the Law”, coming soon from Infinity Publishing, availability to be announced
http://www.geocities.com/pen_for_god
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TruthSeekers_Speakers

Genie, Chamberlain, Sears, Wayne-Dalton, Linear, and Universal (SkyLink) make some of the most popular garage door openers on the market. In this article E-GarageDoorOpeners.com reveals a useful product review for those in the market for a garage door opener.

Genie uses state-of-the-art technology in its garage door openers. The Intellicode® remote access security system changes the security code to one of billions of combinations each time the transmitter is used, thus making it one of the safest systems in the world. Its Sate-T-Beam™ infrared beam system can sense the presence of objects in the door’s path and can thus prevent damage to equipment. Genie garage door openers can be installed on both single as well as double doors. They use ½ horsepower and can work on doors that are up to 8 feet high.  Genie garage door openers open twice as fast as other garage door openers but close at normal speeds. They are very quiet, have a bright, wide-angle lighting and powerful motor design and can work in any weather conditions. Such advanced technologies make the Genie brand of garage door openers most popular in the world.

Chamberlain GmbH based in Saarwellingen, Germany is a principal supplier of residential garage door openers, commercial and residential gate operators, and remote controls in the world. The company has offices in France, England, the Netherlands, Poland, Slovak Republic and Singapore. Chamberlain products are available almost across the whole world.

Chamberlain offers garage door openers in commercial as well as residential varieties. Chamberlain®, Whisper Drive® and Power Drive® Garage Door Openers are the most popular brands from Chamberlain.

LiftMaster® is the most popular brand from Chamberlain. This range also includes the Liftmaster garage door opener remotes, replacement parts, mini transmitters, keychain remotes and other accessories. LiftMaster garage door openers are available in different drive and horsepower modes and are combined with a wide range of accessories and options. The LiftMaster range contains: the Estate Series, the Premium series and the Contractor series. These are available in the belt drive; screw drive as well as in chain drive models.

Chamberlain’s Power Drive® and Whisper Drive® belong to the residential garage door opener category in the do-it-yourself range. The Elite™ range contains premier residential and commercial gate operators and access control systems. The Sentex® range is for secure residential and commercial garages.

Sears Holdings Corporation, parent of Kmart and Sears, Roebuck and Co., is the third largest broad line retailer in the US. Sears Holdings is a leading supplier of tools, lawn and garden, home electronics, and automotive repair and maintenance.  It supplies the Craftsman range of garage door openers.

Craftsman supplies power tools, storage chests and cabinets, bench power tools, mechanics tools, power tool accessories, general hand tools, compressor tools, carpentry tools and home security and garage door openers and accessories. The Craftsman range of garage door openers consist of simple ½ hp garage door opener, ¾ hp garage door opener in chain drive models. Other products include the universal remote control conversion kit with 1 remote, the 10ft chain drive extension kit, the 10ft extension kit for garage door opener, the 8ft extension kit for garage door opener, the 8ft rail extension kit, the Remote control, 3-function security, keyless entry pad, plug-in light control for garage door opener, the wireless garage door monitor and the extension kit (screw drive).

Wayne Dalton, established in 1954, is the producer and supplier of the safest residential and commercial garage doors and garage door openers in the US. Wayne Dalton supplies two kinds of garage door openers: wall mount and ceiling mount. The wall mount openers, an exclusive product from Wayne Dalton, can be mounted on the wall beside the door. This helps to eliminate the chains, belts, screw drive and tract that usually clutter the garage ceiling. This model also helps to eliminate noise and vibration to a large extent.

The Linear Corporate is a major producer of security systems like garage door and garage door openers. Linear produces garage door openers accessories like the Linear Act 21 key chain transmitter, Linear DR3A Linear Moore-O-Matic gate or garage opener receiver, Linear DT2A gate or garage door opener replacement transmitter, Linear DTC Moore-O-Matic Delta 3 Remote (same as DTD or DT) gate or garage door opener replacement transmitter, Linear DTKP wireless keypad, Linear MDR Megacode System single channel receiver, Linear MDT-1 and MDT-2 Megacode gate or garage door openers, Linear MDTK wireless keypad model, Linear MT-1B channel visor block coded transmitter, Linear MT-2B channel visor block coded transmitter etc.

Linear also makes the Stanley range of garage door opener parts and accessories like Vemco, Quiet Glide, LightMaker, Home Innovative, Whistler, Popular Mechanics<img src="http://www.articlesfactory.com/pic/x.gif" alt="Free Reprint Articles" border="0", SecureCode.

Article Tags:
Garage Door Openers, Garage Door Opener, Garage Door Opener,, Most Popular, Garage Door, Door Openers, Door Opener, Chain Drive, Door Opener,, Transmitter, Linear

Just when the International Olympic Committee was congratulating itself on the successful staging of the Athens games after a precarious build-up it is again having to deal with uncertainties involving a host city.

Organisers in Turin have insisted that the games are on track despite a $242m (£125m) shortfall in an overall budget of $1.1bn and a police investigation into allegations of bid fixing for infrastructure contracts.

Sergio Chiamparino, the mayor of Turin and a member of the games organising committee Toroc, threatened last week that at its next meeting on December 21 the Toroc board would be unable to approve the revised and inflated budget without further spending commitments from sponsors and the Italian government.

“Before December 21 there must be certainties, or at least precise commitments from sponsors and the government, or the conditions for approving the budget will not be there,” he said.

Chiamparino, whose city is perhaps best known for Fiat, Juventus and the holy shroud, has staked a great deal on staging a successful winter games. Just as London plans to do if it wins the 2012 summer games, Turin is using the impetus of the games to regenerate swaths of industrial wasteland.

The looming deadline for the opening ceremony of February 10, 2006, has spurred on public projects including extending the motorway from Turin to Pinerolo, a town at the foot of the Alps where Britain will defend the curling title Rhona Martin and her rink won in Salt Lake City two years ago.

“When the games end, we’ll be left with buildings we can use as sports complexes, concert halls, university residences and houses,” Chiamparino said. “But just as importantly the Olympics should give a huge boost to tourism by giving Turin the chance to show it is a modern city, brimming with culture and life, not an old factory churning out cars.”

However, only 20% of the 69 Olympic venues have been completed and there remain doubts about whether there will be enough accommodation in Sestriere, which will host the Alpine skiing events.

In answer to claims that Turin will not be ready in time, Valentino Castellani, head of Toroc, said that Italians were used to leaving things late but that everything would be completed in time for the opening ceremony.

He is also in no doubt that the Italian government will help to make up the financial shortfall. “I’m rather confident [the budget problem] will be resolved in the coming weeks, before the end of the year,” he said. “I don’t see any scandal, any particular insoluble difficulties.

“I can’t believe for a country like Italy that this will be a problem. In this country, a southern country, we are a little bit, not like Athens, but we are also people of the last minute.”

Games organisers can claim with some justification that they have been hit by bad luck. Alitalia, Italy’s national airline, had to withdraw its $7.7m sponsorship deal after the state-owned company reached the brink of bankruptcy.

Then there was the bobsleigh track, the location of which had to be moved last year. The 1,405-metre run was due to be carved out of the rocks at the Sauze D’Oulx ski resort but, when engineers dug down they discovered a field of asbestos and called a halt.

This being Italy, it is also no surprise there has been a political dispute. The left-wing Castellani, a former mayor of Turin, offered to resign from Toroc last month after the right-leaning government appointed Mario Pescante, culture ministry undersecretary and an influential IOC member, as overall supervisor of the games. Castellani agreed to stay on after being reassured that Pescante would not undermine his position.

Among other issues organisers have had to deal with is a police raid on the offices of Agenzia Torino 2006, the company contracted by the Italian government to build the 65 infrastructure projects needed for the games.

Police have notified nine executives that they are under formal investigation for allegedly fixing bids and abusing their authority.

Castellani has said that, while there was a “risk to the image of the Olympic games”, the investigation related only to road works and not directly to the event itself.

In an echo of visits to Athens during the run-up to this year’s summer games, Jean-Claude Killy, the French skiing legend who is the chairman of the IOC’s co-ordination commission, has constantly expressed concerns about Turin’s progress towards the 2006 games but always concluded that everything will be fine.

“There is still much work to be done but I remain confident that everything can be completed on time, as long as we make the most of every moment between now and the games,” Killy said after a visit there last week.

The one thing that Killy and his IOC colleagues can rely on is that, as Salt Lake City and Athens proved, everything usually turns out all right in time for the opening night.

Winter of discontent

Accommodation

A new law was needed to help ease the issuing of rental contracts and construction permits after fears over a shortage of accommodation and long driving distances.

Budget

There is a $242m shortfall in the budget and it cannot be approved without further spending commitments from sponsors and the Italian government, Turin’s mayor Sergio Chiamparino has said.

Corruption

Agenzia Torino 2006, the organisation in charge of supervising infrastructure construction, is being investigated over suspicions that some officials took bribes to rig bids for road-building.

Politics

Valentino Castellani, the former left-wing mayor of Turin, briefly resigned after the right-wing government appointed an IOC member to oversee things. He returned after being reassured that it was not a sign of distrust.

Promotion

The IOC president Jacques Rogge has told officials that they need to do a better job of promoting the games.

Venues

The IOC coordination commission has said that it is impressed by the works already completed for the games but warns that construction deadlines are very tight.