Posts tagged "Conservative News"

United We Stand

Almost everyone has heard the phrase or principle that a “house divided will fall”. The problem is not everyone agrees with it and some could care less if the house (name it) does fall. Barack Obama though has the opportunity that no president I know of since John F. Kennedy (yes that also includes Ronald Reagan) to UNITE our nation and even beyond our borders, the world.  <!–more–>

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I said more than a year ago that Obama has the opportunity to bring racial reconciliation to our nation (not that he solves all problems!) and healing internationally (by virtue of his name if nothing else). Don’t hear that I am saying that he will, but that we have a WINDOW- an opportunity in spite of those who spread divisiveness, discord, and outright antagonisms as their daily menu.

Can you say Hannity & Rush?  

“He’s a man of the people,” said Vicki Starcher, who traveled from Norfolk, Virginia, to help set up the temporary store during the inauguration. “I think the difference is with Obama, he has so much of the younger backing, BET … and the hip-hop community,” co-worker Jasmine Robinson chimed in. Ebony said Obama was one of the Top 25 Coolest Brothers of All Time, alongside Tupac Shakur, Muhammad Ali, Jay-Z and Marvin Gaye. I’m not cool with all of those comparisons, but whatever! 

Two days from the White House, President-elect Barack Obama joined a vast throng Sunday at a joyous pre-inauguration celebration staged among marble monuments to past heroes. “Anything is possible in America,” declared the man who will confront economic crisis and two wars when he takes office. Anything is possible!

And within “anything” is a UNITED nation- for however long it lasts, we’ll take it. At least I will.

Ernie Fitzpatrick
http://www.articlesbase.com/politics-articles/united-we-stand-727298.html

Cheney wanted Scooter Libby pardoned: Conservative perspective on this?

I want to know if any conservatives agree with Dick Cheney and why.

Source:

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/01/22/cheney-differs-with-bush-wanted-libby-pardoned/

Note: I will not criticize your politics.

The prison sentence was excessive, but he did not deserve to have his "good" name back. Bush made the right call by commuting and not pardoning.

What Every Employer Really Wants

While different employers have vastly different needs in functional areas, there are many employer qualities which virtually every employer wants, regardless of the job the employee will perform.

One employer needs an engineer with special training in strength of materials. Another needs a psychology major with a solid background in social work. A third is looking for a financial analyst who’s a whiz with statistics. But all three are looking for candidates who will become highly motivated, responsible employees. They want people who have drive, energy, confidence, integrity, pride and dedication. People who know how to listen, who understand the importance of turning a profit, who can follow instructions meticulously, and who know how to save time and money.

Above all they choose candidates for their enthusiasm and their strength of character. If you truly shine in both of these areas, most employers will be willing to forgive many weaknesses in background, education or experience.

Enthusiasm: An eagerness for the challenge at hand. A positive view of the world. The perception of problems as opportunities for gain and improvement. The belief that the work will be exciting and rewarding, and that the organization will certainly achieve its goals.

Strength of character: Stability. Dependability. Commitment to do what’s right. Avoidance of what’s trivial and petty. Willingness to get the job done, whatever effort is required. Concern for maintaining reputation. High standards. Leadership stature.

This isn’t a sermon. It’s simply a description of what impresses most employers.

It’s also important to note that employers are conservative. Whatever their politics and personal values, employers are rather predictably conservative when it comes to their businesses. In their heart of hearts, they really want rock-solid, squeaky clean people joining their staffs. That doesn’t mean there are no openings for off-the-wall personalities, free spirits or outspoken reformers. There are. But they’re not the easiest jobs to find, because there aren’t that many bosses willing to gamble their businesses on employees others might find offensive—or odd.

When the chips are down, most employers can be counted upon to play it safe. If you want to be a contender for the biggest portion of the best available jobs, don’t stray too far from the conservative path. Think “enthusiasm” and “strength of character” as you talk to a prospective employer, and you’ll never be very far off the mark. You want him or her to look at you and think, “That’s a person I can trust to get the job done.”

No, that doesn’t mean be a stiff. It just means be solid.

Bruce Bloom
http://www.articlesbase.com/careers-articles/what-every-employer-really-wants-72035.html

Despite ‘exceptional’ Credit Metrics, S&p Worries About Bhp’s Liquidity Buffer

Despite ‘exceptional’ credit metrics, S&P worries about BHP’s liquidity buffer

The outlook on BHP Billiton has been revised to stable from negative after Standard & Poor’s review of management’s strategic direction following the abandonment of its all-share takeover offer for Rio Tinto.

Describing BHP Billiton’s credit metrics as “exceptional” while praising the company’s “solid prudential framework,” Standard & Poor’s analysts, nevertheless, said, “We remained focused on management’s ability to retain a sizeable liquidity buffer to allow the successful completion of its near-term strategic aspirations.”

Primary Credit Analyst Craig Parker and Secondary Credit Analyst Anthony Flintoff said  BHP’s ‘A+/A-1’ ratings “reflect the group’s excellent market position, substantial portfolio diversification, strong cost profile, conservative financial policies, and successful track record of positive development.”

However, the analysts added, “Partly offsetting these credit positives are BHP Billiton’s exposure to volatile commodity prices, an uncertain near-term demand outlook for its raw materials and a measured exposure to higher risk emerging markets.”

Parker and Flintoff also warned “…we will closely monitor the group’s capital-expenditure needs and its ability to continue its organic growth in light of near-term softening demand for its commodities.”

At the end of June, the group’s funds from operations (FFO)-to-debt ratio was 107% and its free-operating cash flow (FOC)-to-debt ratio was 47%. Nevertheless, the analysts noted, “While these credit metrics are superior, they also reflect the peak of the commodity price cycle.”

S&P gave BHP Billiton an ‘A-1’ short-term rating due to the group’s “strong liquidity, sizeable cash holdings, and undrawn committed bank facility” that “minimizes any potential for financial stress in the near term.” As of the end of June, BHP had US$4.2 billion in cash and $3.5 billion of short-term debt maturing during fiscal 2009. The company also has access to a US$3 billion committed revolving credit facility.”

BHP’s outlook has been upgraded from “negative” to “stable”, assuming that the company’s FOC after dividend payments will stay positive year-on-year. Parker and Flintoff said the rating could be raised “if the company were to implement more conservative financial policies and derive a greater proportion of cash flow from contracted bulk commodities rather than spot-priced commodities.”

S&P would lower its rating “if the company were to operate outside of its financial policy ranges for a prolonged period of time, either due to a major acquisition, aggressive capital expenditure, weaknesses in operating performance, significantly greater exposure to higher sovereign risk, or a persistently weak commodity price cycle,” the analysts concluded.

tristass
http://www.articlesbase.com/international-business-articles/despite-exceptional-credit-metrics-sp-worries-about-bhps-liquidity-buffer-685415.html

Leadership by Saying No

Great leaders have always been posed with the challenge of pressures from numerous directions; in accommodating all. Most of us recognize the thick skin leaders must have to be successful and effective. In most situations leaders want to be in a position to appease and keep everyone content and often dread the position of having to say No in order to maintain the solvency of an organization.  As we have become a more comprehensive world decisions have also become more difficult and required the boldness and courage of leaders to make the right decision. Leaders have to become gutsy to say No when the need to have the foresight for the betterment of a country or whatever the situation may be. It truly needs to be reviewed from a perspective of timing and weighing the positive and negatives to a situation.

Let’s now take a look at past great leaders whom have been placed in a situation of leadership by saying No. During President Ronald Reagan’s administration he was confronted to make a bold decision; when the threat of a strike by the Air Traffic Controls had tried to strong arm the President. The Air Traffic Controllers had been lobbying for higher wages and had forgotten about their employment contractual agreement. Their Position of Striking would have placed America in a very vulnerable position domestically and internationally. President Reagan had forewarned the Air Traffic Controls that if they strike they would immediately be fired on the spot without recourse; they had forgotten about the governmental regulations and security policies issues that directly impacted their profession. Some called the President some pretty awful names, a fascist being one of them.  In my view President Ronald Reagan indeed has been one of Americas great Presidents and without a doubt amongst the greatest; if not the greatest, in knowing how to communicate to the people of America. Therefore, President Reagan saying No to the Air Traffic Controls was like what it must have been like seeing Picasso doing his very artistic work, seeing President Reagan handling leadership by saying No was observing political Art at its best.

Let’s take a look of what a great management guru has said about leaders whom have said No and the necessity to say No. Through discussion of this article I want to paraphrase the great Peter Drucker who during an interview once said that “Good leaders know how to establish a mission. And another thing, they know how to say No. Dr. Drucker further stated: “Effective leaders are the ones who learn how to say No and stick with it. It is important to keep in mind that leaders ought not to be leaders for the purpose of being popular for those whom at time end up being popular are also the one’s who get nothing done.

When one of America’s industrial great leaders such as Henry Ford the founder of the Ford Motor Company was posed with his employee’s of threatening to strike while they were attempting to unionize Mr. Ford said to them “If you strike on me I’ll starve you.” The workers didn’t strike but Mr. Ford formed one of the best employee benefit package for his employees of his time. When Mr. Ford said No he meant it and No was absolutely No. But yet his leadership led to taking care of his employee’s and his employee’s loved him, just like most American’s love Ronald Reagan.

Dr. Richard C. Baiz, D.B.A.
http://www.articlesbase.com/leadership-articles/leadership-by-saying-no-705010.html

The Many Different Kinds of Carpal Tunnel Procedures

When the patient’s disorder in the hand is already heavily damaged, there is a need to undergo surgery. Carpal tunnel procedure is a major operation that is known as “release.” Procedure is of two kinds namely, carpal tunnel open release and carpal tunnel endoscopic release.

Carpal tunnel open release is the traditional procedure used to correct carpal tunnel syndrome. It consists of making an incision up to two inches in the wrist and then cutting the carpal ligament to enlarge the carpal tunnel. This type of carpal tunnel procedure is generally done under local anesthesia on an outpatient basis, unless there are unusual medical considerations.

On the otherhand, carpal tunnel endoscopic release may allow faster functional recovery and less postoperative discomfort. The surgeon makes two incisions (about 1/2″ each) in the wrist and palm, inserts a camera attached to a tube, observes the tissue on a screen and cuts the carpal ligament. This kind of carpal tunnel procedure is two-portal where it is generally performed under local anesthesia. It is effective and minimizes scarring even scar tenderness, if there is any.

Over 200, 000 cases in the United States have been documented going through carpal tunnel procedure; thus, making it among the most common surgery of the hand.

Until now, the decision whether to have either of the carpal tunnel procedures to correct the syndrome has been puzzling a lot of patients. Electrodiagnostic tests for nerve conduction, ultrasound examination and magnetic resonance imaging scans are used to determine severity. However, there are no tests that can fully determine which patients will benefit most from which of the carpal tunnel procedure.

Here are the findings of candidates that are less likely to respond to conservative therapy and might end up benefiting more from the carpal tunnel procedure Older than 50 years.Symptoms have lasted 10 months or longer. Continual numbness. The muscles in the base of the palm have begun to atrophy (shrink). Symptoms occur within 30 seconds during a Phalen’s test.

A study conducted in 2002 revealed that if one of those factors mentioned above are present, then conservative therapy, such as wearing wrist splints and taking anti- inflammatory agents, are effective in about two- thirds of the candidates. It was also found that the traditional approach was not proven effective in some of 60 patients if only one of those said factors were present.

Not only those with carpal tunnel syndrome need to know but also the general public that carpal tunnel procedure does not totally cure the syndrome. There is the notion that because the carpal ligament is permanently cut, some wrist strength is lost. A lot of orthopedic specialists suggest aggressive conventional treatment before choosing the more invasive option.

Jada Slover
http://www.articlesbase.com/diseases-and-conditions-articles/the-many-different-kinds-of-carpal-tunnel-procedures-734706.html