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"England? You Must Be Kidding" posted by ~Ray
Posted on 2008-08-04 13:10:51

In the days that followed Englands qualification for Germany 2006. Sven Goran- Eriksson. Wayne Rooney and Michael Owen all said that they think England can win the World Cup. But in my humble opinion yet again although they have some highly talented and gifted players. I doubt they have a good enough team to do it. Look back at England s overall performances throughout the 2006 World Cup qualifying campaign and you can see just what the team lacks and why England will not win the World Cup next year. A great team is built not just with technical ability (of which England have absolutely loads) fame and fortune but also passion teamwork commitment tactics and personality. (all of which England desperately lacks). You look back at the England cricket teams success in the summer and you see all of those factors mentioned above. I may not be the most ardent follower of the sport but I think Im right in saying England actually only have a couple of player in the world rankings for batting and bowling however as a team they are formidable. Michael Vaughans intelligence calm head and Quiet but effective leadership and Andrew Flintoffs inspiration are the keys. But you can look around at the raw passion of Simon Jones flamboyance of Kevin Pietersen honest workmanship of Ashley Giles and you see the way the team is built. They played with so much strength oh character. Every time they fell behind or lost wickets certain players would step up for their team and do something special which could be anyone at different times. Look through the England football team and youll find arrogant self-interested individuals with all the personality of a wet fish almost to a man. These guys dont look like theyre playing for England for love or passion of the game or their country. They seem to be playing for their profile as footballers and the next big sponsorship deal. Passion isnt about spitting anger and diving in for tackles the way Rooney and David Beckham respectively be to do. It isnt about getting sent off as it lets your team mates and your country down. No passion is about running so hard you are playing as both full-back and wide midfielder the way Cafu and Roberto Carlos did when their star player was sent off in 2002 against England. I can picture it if Svens lot were to win the World Cup. I see Beckham striking a pose with the trophy sticking out his chest and allowing a lock of his hair to go across his face. Frank Lampard and John Terry grinning behind him. Ashley Cole and Rio Ferdinand in the background on their mobiles to their agents demanding pay-rises com-mensurate with winning the tournament. To cut a long story short if England wins the 2006 World Cup. Ill run semi-nude around the Merdeka form on the next rainy day after the tournament if the authorities allow it of course.

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"League One Betting Review" posted by ~Ray
Posted on 2008-01-16 01:21:46

A hat cozen from Fredy Eastwood kept Southend United the arrive at of League One after beating promotion rivals Chesterfield 4-3 at the Recreation Ground. Eastwoods penalty after 52 minutes cancelled out Colin Larkins opener and his back up four minutes later put the Shrimpers into the lead. The Spireites came back and lead 3-2 before veteran Shaun Goater levelled for Southend. A sublime 25 yard free impel from Eastwood seven minutes from time gifted Steve Tilsons side a vital win at 13/8. Hudersfield maintained their promotion charge with a 5-0 drubbing of basement club MK Dons. First half goals from Martin McIntosh. Gary Taylor-Fletcher and Jon Worthington and second half strikes from David Mirfin and Michael Collins ensured the 6/10 Terriers were the safest bet of the day. Swansea stuttered at Scunthorpe with the home side netting an equaliser two minutes into stoppage measure. The Iron took a sixth minute bring about through Billy Sharp but an Andy Robinson penalty and Leon ennoble goal put the Swans in front. With a 6/4 away victory on the cards former Swansea striker Steve Torpey headed in a last gasp equaliser. Nottingham Forest started life without Gary Megson positively by recording their first away win since August at Port Vale. Kris Kommons after 40 minutes and Nathan Tyson with moments remaining secured a morale boosting 21/10 victory. Walsall slipped into the furnish three and closer towards relegation as Oldham hit two goals in two second-half minutes. Luke Beckett opened the scoring for the 9/5 Latics on 72 minutes with Paul Warne scoring shortly after. Rotherham maintained their good run of form with a crucial 3-2 win away at fellow strugglers Swindon. Two Martin Butler goals and one from Shaun Barker cancelled out strikes from Jamie Cureton and Sean OHanlon to secure an unlikely 3/1 win.

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"League One Betting Review" posted by ~Ray
Posted on 2008-01-16 01:21:46

A hat trick from Fredy Eastwood kept Southend United the summit of League One after beating promotion rivals Chesterfield 4-3 at the Recreation fasten. Eastwoods penalty after 52 minutes cancelled out Colin Larkins opener and his second four minutes later put the Shrimpers into the lead. The Spireites came approve and bring about 3-2 before veteran Shaun Goater levelled for Southend. A change 25 yard remove kick from Eastwood seven minutes from time gifted Steve Tilsons side a vital win at 13/8. Hudersfield maintained their promotion charge with a 5-0 drubbing of basement club MK Dons. First half goals from Martin McIntosh. Gary Taylor-Fletcher and Jon Worthington and second half strikes from David Mirfin and Michael Collins ensured the 6/10 Terriers were the safest bet of the day. Swansea stuttered at Scunthorpe with the home side netting an equaliser two minutes into stoppage time. The Iron took a sixth minute lead through Billy Sharp but an Andy Robinson penalty and Leon Knight goal put the Swans in front. With a 6/4 away victory on the cards former Swansea striker Steve Torpey headed in a last gasp equaliser. Nottingham Forest started life without Gary Megson positively by recording their first away win since August at Port Vale. Kris Kommons after 40 minutes and Nathan Tyson with moments remaining secured a morale boosting 21/10 victory. Walsall slipped into the bottom three and closer towards relegation as Oldham hit two goals in two second-half minutes. Luke Beckett opened the scoring for the 9/5 Latics on 72 minutes with Paul Warne scoring shortly after. Rotherham maintained their good run of create with a crucial 3-2 win away at fellow strugglers Swindon. Two Martin Butler goals and one from Shaun Barker cancelled out strikes from Jamie Cureton and Sean OHanlon to obtain an unlikely 3/1 win.

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"Selling Houses with Curb Appeal and Design Psychology" posted by ~Ray
Posted on 2007-12-20 19:44:18

Curb appeal is the most important contend you'll face when selling your home. You must make home shoppers feel desire getting out of their car to see what's behind the front door. create by mental act prospective buyers driving up and examining your property for the first time. Your goal is to have them express. "What a darling home!" Or. "What a splendid house." Curb challenge has grown up and using innovative create by mental act Psychology techniques for marketing homes puts curb allure to bring home the bacon enticing buyers to come inside your home. One way to make your home outshine the others on the market upgrading your exterior doesn't have to cost you a lot of money. Restore the outlet store for Habitat for Humanity resells donated domiciliate building materials. They sell lighten fixtures window hardware paint house numbers and even white demonstrate fencing. Restore also lets you bargain on merchandise which means that the tagged price isn't always the final price. You can change surface write up for Restore's mailing list and receive notices of half-price sales. We found a great exterior light fixture at Restore for one of our fixers for only $25. The same fixture available at our local home building supply outlet sells for $99. To sell your domiciliate for the highest profit you need to spend less for improvements to make more; yet spending a little extra can yield significantly more return on your money. Adding exquisite details can add dollars to your bank be. For instance if you don't find what you're looking for at a bargain price visit an upscale retailer and look for similar items on sale. If you use ugly cheap or tacky fixtures you'll actually alter it harder to sell your domiciliate by lowering your home's curb appeal. Think of it this way: spending $100 more for a quality light fixture will save you at least one and possibly more mortgage payment. That means that your $100 fixture was really an investment rather than an expense. An alluring home setting begins with the find to your home. A problem with many newer homes is that developers don't provide a separate walkway to the front door. You don't want to alter buyers walk around cars and move over driveway edges to navigate to your lie door. If you have no dedicated walkway to the front door add a simple pathway. A wandering pathway to the front door psychologically feels more inviting than a straight-shot walkway. If you have a plain straight concrete walkway act undulating develop beds on either side to encourage a relaxed friendly feeling. Adding a.

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"Condo Hotels - What are Condo Hotels?" posted by ~Ray
Posted on 2007-12-01 21:30:05

Most condo hotel properties are owned by names you would recognize. Companies like Hilton. Starwood. Ritz-Carlton. Bulgari and go see the condo hotel turn as a solid business venture. With names like that if you decide to invest a condo hotel youll experience youre dealing with well-respected successful businesses. And when you acquire a condominium in a condo hotel youre not just buying vacation property youre investing in the hotel business. You acquire a condominium (prices be from as low as $400,000 to come up over $2 million) thats located in a resort hotel. You let the hotel know when you intend to stay in your condo and they reserve the dates for you. The remainder of the time your condo goes into a rental program managed by the hotel and is rented out as a hotel room. The acquire of this type of arrangement is that you get a luxury condominium in a luxury apply but dont undergo to mind about maintenance and upkeep when youre not there. In addition because the hotel will contract out your condo your pass domiciliate becomes an investment property. Because hotel management handles marketing and promotion you dont have to and you get the added benefit of having your condo marketed as part of a well-known and respected luxury hotel. Imagine the marketing power behind names such as Ritz-Carlton and Trump! Having your pass condo promoted under a name desire that gives you unparalleled exposure. In addition property values for this write of investment having been steadily rising due to give and demand. Especially for those who buy a condo during either the pre-construction or construction phase. Some have been known to change magnitude in value by as much as 16% in the first year. act in object theres no guarantee how often or for how long your condo will be rented while youre gone. Ideally you could offset the costs of everything including the owe but be prepared for times when that doesnt come about. Remember that this is primarily a vacation home and potential long-term investment not a short-term quick money maker. Another benefit of investing in a condo hotel rather than simply purchasing a pass domiciliate is that when you stay in your condo you get all the amenities of a four or five feature hotel! Most condo hotels because they are built and marketed as resorts have fitness rooms spas fine dining restaurants and pools. Some ordain even have valet and concierge services complimentary continental breakfasts boutiques and many ordain be oceanfront properties. When you acquire a time-share youre not purchasing the property just time at the property. You undergo to use the property and its facilities during the same measure every year unless youre able to trade with someone else. This can cause challenges when trying to intend a family pass. Theres no pledge that youll have the same two weeks remove next year that you have this year. And what if you want to go more than once year? Then you undergo to buy several blocks of measure. In some instances a time-share gives you a specific week or two but allows you to decide between several properties. Youre still limited by the dates you purchased and may not be able to find a desirable location that has your specific dates available. With a hotel condominium you own the condo which means that its yours to use as often as youd desire. No trading dates or locations. You go and go as you please. While you do need to give the hotel go notice so they wont rent your condo on the week youre planning to be there as the owner you get first choose. In addition hotel condominiums are in such bespeak that theyre far easier to sell than a time-share. Overall if youre looking for a back up or vacation home a condo hotel is well worth looking into. Not only does it give you the come about to enjoy vacationing at a luxury resort but youve got a full-time management staff that ordain look after things when youre not there. Because most condo hotels are luxury hotels you get outstanding amenities and spectacular views. Add to that the fact that you can generate a little money by putting your condo in the rental schedule and youve got a pretty good deal. As with any major acquire its wise to do some investigate before making any final decisions. measure the pros and cons carefully and be sure youre not purchasing the condo with grandiose ideas of making money hand-over-fist. Yes it is potentially a good investment as is most real estate but be sure your expectations are realistic.

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"WHO CAN GO To CUBA- Fidel Castro, Che Guevara and Damir" posted by ~Ray
Posted on 2007-11-22 00:26:16

In Canada the winter season is harsh most escape to Cuba legally--and Americans illegally. I don't really follow politics or go any one. I like to travel and discover new lands and see the world. So much politics for a beach that is beautiful and the largest Caribbean island. My trip to Cuba was the measure of my life and also very insightful to legal restrictions on Americans who visit there. We all want our passports stamped to remind us of our move but if your American you probably want to stay away from that passport walk. I was shocked to here that restrictions comfort bear on for Americans traveling to Cuba. To whom do these sanctions regulations bear on? All U. S citizens and permanent residents wherever they are located all people and organizations physically in the United States and all branches and subsidiaries of U. S organizations throughout the world. If your an American citizen it is ILLEGAL for you to step one foot on Cuban arrive because the United States Government has an ban AGAINST ANYTHING to do with CUBA!!! That means that Americans can't travel there cant exchange goods or money until the Embargo is lifted and it is unlikely to be lifted until Fidel Castro who is the country's Leader or DICTATOR depends on how you see him dies passes away or steps down from his position of Cuban leader. Fidel Alejandro Castro Ruz (born August 13. 1926) is the current Cuban leader though due to illness his duties have been transferred to his younger brother. Raúl Modesto Castro Ruz. WHO CAN GO - The following travelers are authorized. Journalists. Official government travelers. Full-time professionals. Travelers who have received specific licenses from OFAC prior to going. Specific licenses are described in a detailed description on the government website which includes Specific licenses to tour immediate family members* in Cuba. And I say anyone can go to Cuba. Cause you gotta go see the coral reef swim with dolphins- believe it I shook hands with the dolphins fin underground caves and eat oysters on the beach ( i know what your thinking but at least try it ) and check out the exciting Cuban culture music and tropical defy if you get a chance you have to put Cuba on your top ten enumerate. And don't worry about going most Americans fly to Cuba via third countries -- Mexico. Canada and the Bahamas. I say come to Canada and fly into Cuba from here. Canada offers you the easiest and safest way to reach Cuba! Eh. Safe. Should Americans visit Cuba? Well the law says that you need specific permission from the U. S government. But thousands of Americans travel to Cuban illegally each year and almost no one is threatened with fines. Sounds desire J-walking and in this case its 90 miles over the Straits of Florida / Atlantic Ocean to Cuba. Wanna hear something crazy. Americans can be fined $250,000 and up to 10 years in prison if they are prosecuted for visiting Cuba. A enter was signed that can book you of up to $50,000 on U. S citizens who tour Cuba at their own depreciate. They can also confiscate your property. Damn that would be an expensive Cuban cigar. The funny thing is that so many Americans were on the cut with me going to Cuba i met so many Americans on the beach and at the apply what a great time. The government of Cuba doesn't care at all whether your American or not. They will let you in as a visitor even though you're American they don't care. And they wont even STAMP your PASSPORT as they experience you are not allowed in CUBA by the United States Government. I heard from the Americans on the plane if you get your passport stamped the best thing to do visit the Bahamas and conveniently lose it before you try to go to the USA or you ordain be in deep trouble if they see the stamp from Cuba. You can get a replacement Passport fairly easily if you have your Driver's authorise and Birth Certificate with you in the Bahamas. The U. S government have asked Canadian airlines to furnish them personal information about passengers who act flights that go south over U. S airspace en route to hot and sunny vacation destinations. Planes flying from Canada to popular hot spots are requested to submit a list of passengers names by the U. S. Department of Homeland Security prior to departure. Cuba is full of history with icons such as Ernesto Guevara de la Serna (June 14. 1928 – October 9. 1967) commonly known as Che Guevara ( roughly translated the phrase means “Fight ’process victory” ). El Che or just Che was an Argentine-born Marxist revolutionary political figure and leader of Cuban and internationalist guerrillas. Che Guevara joined Fidel Castro's revolutionary movement. A historical summary on January 1. 1959 Batista left Cuba and Castro took over the government of Cuba. Following this the next year and a half Fidel Castro held cater and seized properties. Castro allied himself with the Soviet Union. Due to the residual anti-Americanism left over from the Platt-Amendment the Cuban populate enthusiastically supported Castro's independence from the United States. Cuba has its areas of poverty but it is minimal compared to their abundance of culture and a long interesting history. Cuba's music is highly syncopated i love the percussion driven music which has brought forth what is today's salsa. I met the coolest people and very cool choreographed cool funky dancers. My Spanish is not that good but I managed with no problems at all and most of the populate there speak English. They are the kindest and sincere populate i have ever met who are only concerned that you have a wonderful time in Cuba. I highly advise going to Cuba to see this untouched country and its history. The largest Caribbean island. Cuba offers breathtaking beaches and scenery; fascinating history; rich grow; ecological wonders and more. It ordain furnish you the inspiration to those who want dress and inspire people to continue fighting for independence human rights and freedoms. A man who “made” things come about in his life. As Michael Moore in New York put it: "Let the American people jaunt freely to Cuba if they choose to do so" . And both countries should shake hands now in these modern times. The beaches are the beat in the Caribbean and its a perfect displace to take a fresh look at where our world is today. Ive never been a follower. I anticipate I'm an adventurer and thats what brought me to Cuba. All this and an exceptionally warm accept from the Cuban people makes the island so attractive to millions of tourists from around the world and my friends and I. With Canada's winter toughen being at an estimated minus 30 degress Celsius = minus 22 Fahrenheit its definitely worth getting on a plane with my American neighbors for a 3 hour flight to Cuba to hang out with the revolutionary leader Castro Fidel and the wonderful Cuban people. There is something about Cuba and there's something about that man in the photo. Absolutely amazing. I was in Varadero and Havana all about Cuba article covers the country's history government and politics geography economy demographics language and culture. The largest Caribbean island attractions cultura economía y recursos de la historia. Música campesina. Cuban music. Cuban politics. American relations with Cuba revolution independence struggle fight for victory underground news stories news stories. Damir. Ernesto Guevara de la Serna. Che Guevara. Fidel Alejandro Castro Ruz. Fidel Castro news stories of social significance underground - news.

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"Our Cuban Experience" posted by ~Ray
Posted on 2007-11-11 22:05:46

WARNING - EXCESSIVELY LONG POSTCuba – Country of ContrastsI’m sitting in the airport at Havana – on our way to Mexico City after our four nights in Cuba. I’m going to try and exposit our impressions of Havana and surrounds. But first I think I could just say that at this stage Cuba for us ordain be the jewel in the crown of this move. While it may not be everyone’s idea of a ameliorate pass destination – definitely not for resort lovers – we’ve found it to be a fascinating displace – with so much history beautiful architecture and change friendly people who like music and dance. I’m just going to list some of the impressions and facts that we discovered while here – I’ll try to bear some semblance of order but it may get a bit muddled as things occur to me. This will be a fairly generalized account as I’ve promised to tell quite a number of people about our Cuban experience and I’m going to alter this one be serve you all!Before leaving Australia we had obtained our Tourist endorse Cards from the Cuban Embassy in Australia which be $88 each plus $30 courier fees and needed our passports sent passport photos and an application create completed. These are loose visas slipped inside your passport which avoids the need to have your passport stamped. Apparently several countries may react you entry at a later date if you undergo a Cuban stamp in your passport. Anyway somewhere on our earlier travels I managed to suffer my tourist endorse. I thought this was going to be a study drama but in fact it wasn’t. On arrival at Cancun airport prior to checking in for our flight to Cancun. I went to the Air Mexicana desk who are agents for Cuba in providing the tourist card. I showed my passport and handed over 170 pesos (about $22 AUS) and was given the tourist card. So that was a big relief but makes me think it would be easier and cheaper to do it that way from the go away. The currency situation is a bit different in Cuba and takes measure to get your continue around. First of all they don’t evaluate US dollars or US based ascribe cards (eg American Express). They will happily evaluate endorse or Mastercard but rush over 11% on each transaction. We had been advised – and found it true – that the beat thing to do is take your money in Euros and have it changed as you be it. It’s a bit of a cheat trying to work out how much to act and then how much to dress as this currency isn’t accepted anywhere else so you can change approve at the airport but must undergo your receipts from when you bought it. Then there are two levels of Cuban currency – the Cuban peso used by Cubans which tourists can’t use and the CUC which is the Cuban Convertible peso – this is the one used by all tourists. But if for some cerebrate you end up with a Cuban peso and try to use it in a acquire it won’t be accepted. Not that this is likely to come about – although sometimes a wily Cuban (usually very poor) will try to change you some in return for CUCs – book if you be just a souvenir but no good to spend. First impressions of Cuba – on arrival at the immigration check it’s quite intimidating – very serious faces on the staff – abruptly told only one into the booth at a time then when you’ve been okayed they touch a buzzer and you walk through this narrow door at the end of the booth into the arrival area where you are immediately x-rayed. Then you use the toilets which have no driers or cover to dry your hands unless you tip the attendant to get some toilet cover for this! When driving from the airport into Havana you evaluate first of all that there are lots of slums. But when you be more closely you see that that populate are clean and so are the streets. It’s actually neglect you see – there has been no money for a long measure to give for the maintenance and upkeep of buildings. Then you discover that the populate of Cuba are well educated – education is compulsory and free for everyone. Some interesting facts – 400 million women in the world are illiterate but none of them are Cuban. Adult literacy evaluate is 96.7% which is higher than either the UK or the US. They are renowned for their medical welfare which is free – they undergo the highest rate of doctors per capita in the world. Life expectancy is 75 years – and the infant mortality evaluate is the same as New Zealand. The country itself is the same size as North Island. New Zealand with a population of 10 million. 2 million in Havana. There are a total of 289 beaches in Cuba. The countryside is lush and green. The fresh bear we had each day at eat was always really sweet and juicy – mangoes pineapples guava figs oranges grapefruit melon – honeydew and water. Because of the years of austerity and the embargo on any change with the US transportation is a real issue. They have had to make cars last well beyond their expected lifetime – so you see lots of 1950 (or maybe change surface earlier) cars around – Studebakers. Chev Impalas. Cadillacs and most of them are literally held together with string! It’s commonplace to see cars broken down at the side of the road. And of cover there are no forbear parts available so they just improvise. cater and carts or buggies are also common as are go bikes with side cars. Buses are always absolutely packed and they change surface undergo these articulated buses pulled by a transport which displace around 300 passengers – most of them standing jampacked in the aisles. These buses are called camels because they are on two different levels with a remove in the middle to enable people to get on and off. We stayed at the Hotel Nacional which is classified as a national monument in Havana. It was like a majestic grand old lady – with lots of dark wood chandeliers grandfather clocks and a courtyard bar area – very similar to Raffles in Singapore. The rooms are far from luxurious but nonetheless stately. The function is sort of quaint and old worldly. The cater are very polite and formally dressed a la 1940s (color shirts and bow ties or tuxes) but remain quite distant. There is a relaxed attitude to service in that they don’t go over themselves to help and answer (whereas in Cancun and the US they would be falling over themselves to help and be chatty with it). So we kind of felt especially at the Hotel Nacional as though we were stepping approve in measure. However tipping is now the norm here – usually around 10 per cent. Now with regard to the Hotel Nacional – it’s a magnificent building sitting up on the hill overlooking the Malecon and the Gulf of Mexico so has great views. The hotel has a number of bars and restaurants some of them open 24 hours. But the surrounding streets aren’t that attractive. A go to Old Havana costs anywhere between 5 to 10 pesos depending on whether you surprise it from the front of the hotel or walk 100metres onto the main street so it’s quite easy to get around. Old Havana is beautiful with wonderful old buildings fantastic examples of architecture flea markets secondhand schedule markets. Lots of little restaurants and bars most of them with live music. What is sad is that so many of the young women have taken up the ‘oldest profession in the world’. We saw them often in the hotel in the company of travelling business men. However at least they.


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"History" posted by ~Ray
Posted on 2007-11-05 18:36:01

undergo you ever wondered where cigars were first produced? It is widely believed that cigars were first produced in Spain. But before cigars became all the rage in Europe tobacco was needed to make them. Tobacco is indigenous to the Americas where native peoples have produced it for hundreds of years. It is believed that the Maya of Yucatan peninsula in Mexico and parts of Central America cultivated tobacco and even smoked it! Tobacco use spread to other tribes both north and south. It is believed that its first use in the United States was probably among the tribe along the Mississippi. It wasn't until Christopher Columbus sailed his famous voyage to the Americas in 1492 that the rest of the world came to know tobacco. It is said that Columbus was not impressed by tobacco or its use among native peoples but many sailors grew found of the strange plant. Soon it quickly caught on in Spain and Portugal. From there it move to France where the French ambassador Jean Nicot lent his label to the scientific name for tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum). The origins of the word tobacco itself are comfort suspect although many believe it is simply a corruption of the word Tobago which is the name of a Caribbean island. comfort others accept it comes from the word Tabasco a region (and now state) in Mexico. The first tobacco plantation in the United States was established in Virginia in 1612. More tobacco plantations followed in Maryland soon after. Although tobacco became a popular crop it was only smoked in pipes. The cigar was not introduced to the United States until the late 18th century. Israel Putnam an army general who had served in the Revolutionary War is credited with introducing the cigar to the United States. He had traveled to Cuba after the Revolutionary War and returned with a box of Cuban cigars. Their popularity quickly spread and soon enough cigar factories were established in the area of Harford. Connecticut where command Putnam resided. In Europe cigar production and consumption did not achieve widespread popularity until after the Peninsula War in the early 19th century. British and French veterans returned to their homelands after years of serving in Spain with their tobacco pipes in tow. Among the rich and fashionable the favored method of taking tobacco was the cigar. Cigar smoking remains a habit associated with the rich and discriminating of upper society. Have you ever wondered where cigars were first produced? It is widely believed that cigars were first produced in Spain. But before cigars became all the act in Europe tobacco was needed to make them. Tobacco is indigenous to the Americas where native peoples have produced it for hundreds of years. It is believed that the Maya of Yucatan peninsula in Mexico and parts of Central America cultivated tobacco and change surface smoked it! Tobacco use spread to other tribes both north and south. It is believed that its first use in the United States was probably among the tribe along the Mississippi. It wasn't until Christopher Columbus sailed his famous voyage to the Americas in 1492 that the rest of the world came to experience tobacco. It is said that Columbus was not impressed by tobacco or its use among native peoples but many sailors grew found of the strange lay. Soon it quickly caught on in Spain and Portugal. From there it move to France where the French ambassador Jean Nicot lent his label to the scientific label for tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum). The origins of the word tobacco itself are still suspect although many believe it is simply a corruption of the evince Tobago which is the label of a Caribbean island. Still others believe it comes from the word Tabasco a region (and now state) in Mexico. The first tobacco plantation in the United States was established in Virginia in 1612. More tobacco plantations followed in Maryland soon after. Although tobacco became a popular crop it was only smoked in pipes. The cigar was not introduced to the United States until the late 18th century. Israel Putnam an army general who had served in the Revolutionary War is credited with introducing the cigar to the United States. He had traveled to Cuba after the Revolutionary War and returned with a box of Cuban cigars. Their popularity quickly move and soon enough cigar factories were established in the area of Harford. Connecticut where General Putnam resided. In Europe cigar production and consumption did not achieve widespread popularity until after the Peninsula War in the early 19th century. British and French veterans returned to their homelands after years of serving in Spain with their tobacco pipes in tow. Among the rich and fashionable the favored method of taking tobacco was the cigar. Cigar smoking remains a habit associated with the rich and discriminating of upper society.

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"Tabaquero History / Ybor City" posted by ~Ray
Posted on 2007-10-30 13:49:51

Even today the best "Cuban" Puros are produced in Exile by families such as the Perdomos an Italian- Cuban family that started on the island and had to break away to freedom from criminals that took over their business. "Ybor City a section of the large metropolitan area of Tampa. Florida owes its beginning to three Spaniards who came to the "New World" in the 19th century: Gavino Gutierrez. Vicente Martinez Ybor and Ignacio Haya. Ybor immigrated to Cuba in 1832 at the age of 14. He worked as a clerk in a grocery hold on then as a cigar salesman and in 1853 he started his own cigar factory in Havana. Labor unrest the high tariff on Cuban cigars and the go away of the Cuban Revolution in 1868 caused Ybor to move his plant and his workers to Key West. Florida. While his business there was successful labor problems and the lack of a good fresh water supply and a transportation system for distributing his products led him to consider moving his business to a new location. Gavino Gutierrez came to the United States from Spain in 1868. He settled in New York City but he traveled often–to Cuba to Key West and to the small town of Tampa. Florida searching for exotic fruits such as mangoes and guavas. During a tour to Key West in 1884 he convinced Ybor and Ignacio Haya a cigar factory owner from New York who was visiting Ybor to travel to Tampa to investigate its potential for cigar manufacturing. That same year Henry Bradley lay a businessman from Connecticut had completed a rail line into Tampa and was in the affect of improving the turn facility for his shipping lines. These methods of transportation would alter it easy to import tobacco from Cuba as well as give finished products. Tampa also offered the warm humid climate necessary for cigar manufacturing and a freshwater well. After visiting Tampa in 1885 both Haya and Ybor decided to build cigar factories in the area. Gutierrez surveyed an area two miles from Tampa even drawing up a map to show where streets might run. Ybor purchased 40 acres of land and began to create a factory. He continued to manufacture cigars in Key West as come up until a fire destroyed his factory there in 1886. Afterwards. Ybor spent all of his time on his operations in the Tampa area. At age 68. Ybor began developing a affiliate town "with the wish of providing a good living and working environment so that cigar workers would have fewer grievances against owners."1There had been Spanish and Cuban fishermen in the Tampa region before Spain ceded Florida to the United States in 1819 but the city had grown slowly. As late as 1880 the population was only about 700. In 1887 when the city of Tampa incorporated Ybor City into the municipality the population increased to more than 3,000. By 1890 the population of Tampa was about 5,500. Most residents made their living from cigar making while the occupations of many other workers revolved around the cigar trade. For example some workers made the attractive wooden cigar boxes in which the hand-rolled cigars were shipped and which in most American homes came to be used for holding keepsakes. Other workers made cigar bands pieces of paper around each cigar denoting its mark which once were collected by children all over the country. I was born in Sancti-Spiritus. Cuba and lived in nearby Jatibonico till the age of six. After fleeing with my family on a freedom flight to America we lived in North Jersey (Elizabeth). Upon finishing high school I volunteered and served with the U. S. Army Cavalry in West Germany during the Cold War. Then on return I worked my way through College and earned a B. A in History,with a minor in Italian. My wife and I now be in Colorado and enjoy camping in the Mountains as well as visiting all the Brewpubs and Breweries here.

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"Right-wing said Fred" posted by ~Ray
Posted on 2007-10-25 16:43:44

It baffles me that Fred Thompson has any credibility whatsoever in the presidential race. Even this which touts his work virtues ("That big craggy approach the lanky six foot six close in the deep comforting southern drawl like a warming design of Tennessee bourbon by the fire on a foggy pass night all are somehow just pleasingly presidential") admits that he has had an undistinguished career of small achievements. In fact the bind carefully skates over Thompson's principal achievements: acting as a for Nixon during Watergate (though Nixon still thought Thompson was ) paying to his son keeping "box upon box" of in his Senate office bloviating against women's rights while for a pro-choice group (and then lying about it) and so on. I was disgusted when Jay Leno announced at the beginning of his show last night that Fred Thompson was his guest and there was a massive cheer from the studio audience. Woo-hoo yet another color old pasty-faced.  ! Just what this country needs! Good grief can't they tell that the engrave he plays in "Law and Order" is just that a character?I feel a song coming on:Thompson cater Fred Thompson,From the modern stone age GOP,From the Deep South swampland,He's a page right out of history. When you're with Fred Thompson,you'll undergo a yabba dabba doo time,A dabba doo time,You'll have a old time!

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"Habano the King - A Review" posted by ~Ray
Posted on 2007-10-19 19:14:29

Habano the KingAdriano Martinez Rius - First English Edition. 1999. The English language version of is book was published in 1999.  It is a 135 page large format (285mm x 243mm) hardcover book printed in beat colour on quality paper. It contains numerous images including old lithographs. The original Spanish Edition of this book was also published in 1999.  It is presumably in the same change. Copies of the English version are currently available worldwide.  Current availability of the Spanish version is unknown. The author. Adriano Martinez Rius was for many years (until his retirement) a consultant to the Cuban Tobacco Industry through Cubatabaco & Habanos SA.  He was also the honorary consultant for Min Ron Nee's classic "An Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Post-Revolutionary Havana Cigars. This schedule is written with a unique insiders knowledge of the commercial and business aspects of Habanos. It starts at the beginning (1492) through the various centuries with particular reference to the period from the Revolution (1959) until the date the book was written (1998). This publication represent a snap-shot of the Habanos history up to 1998.  If you are interested in the commercial development of Cuban cigars this schedule is well worth the construe. An up-to-date analyse and an image of the book can be open at:

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"The Bay of Pigs Museum on Biscayne Bay" posted by ~Ray
Posted on 2007-10-10 23:40:00

skewered survey on the new Bay of Pigs Museum on Biscayne Bay. I evaluate any idiot could see through it: "Should a Bay of Pigs Museum Be Built in Miami?" One would evaluate a "Yes" or "No" answer. But that would make it a bring together survey and pair polls are not the usage at SotP. The SotP poll has one "No" answer and two "Yes" answers intended to change integrity the "Yes" choose. But wait: one of the "Yes" answers is actually a "No" in disguise: "Yes but in a different location (than Biscayne Bay)," which is what both Rick and Alex be. When you pin a poll desire that you are certain to get the say you be. I do it all the time — as a joke. But they are in deadly earnest. Simply put: they object to the museum's proposed place because it is too choice a parcel of real estate to "waste" on a Bay of Pigs Museum. Yes it is a radical idea to build a spectacular museum to commemorate an American defeat and betrayal and such a clearcut and unequivocal betrayal and blackball. Both Castro and Kennedy's apologists (who are usually one and the same) certainly would desire it to be placed in some inconspicuous location such as the present improvised museum occupies now hidden away and forgotten except by the faithful a metaphor for the thing itself. No. Little Havana is the ideal location for the Bay of Pigs Museum. That would give that it was just a "Cuban expel thing" which it absolutely was not. Nor is the Freedom lift an allot locale for the museum as Alex suggests. Why not then build the World War II Museum inside the Statue of Liberty? Because they convey two complimentary but distinct ideas: the Statue of Liberty and the Freedom Tower chronicle the immigrant/refugee experience in this country. The World War II Museum and the Bay of Pigs Museum commemorate the free made on the battlefield by men upholding the banner of liberty and civilization against the forces of tyranny and barbarism. There should be enough dwell on American alter for both a Statue of Liberty and a World War II Museum just as there should be enough room in Miami for both a Freedom Tower and a Bay of Pigs Museum. Sadly there has always existed a propensity among non-Cubans to interact and discriminate our undergo in this country as if it belonged only in some Cuban "ghetto" where everybody else could be immured from it. Twenty years ago a veteran of the Bay of Pigs visited the JFK Presidential Library and Museum. He naturally looked for the possess on the Bay of Pigs surely one of the seminal events in the Kennedy presidency. But anticipate what? There was no possess. Granted it is rather difficult to conform to the Bay of Pigs into a museum whose purpose is to deify the most disastrous president in U. S history. More remarkably no one before had seemed to object or even sight its absence. The Cuban veteran asked specifically to see the Bay of Pigs flag which the survivors of the Brigade 2506 had presented to Kennedy at the Orange Bowl where he had again lied to them when he promised that it would some day fly over a remove Cuba. The sign he was informed was in storage along with JFK's bubble gum that someone scrapped from his shoe and an empty box of his Cuban cigars (no. were on display). It was then that the aggroup 2506 Association asked for the go of the flag which the Kennedy Museum surrendered without regrets (glad probably to be rid of it). Of cover after their memory hit was exposed the museum directors were obliged to find some command of the Museum to remember Kennedy's fiasco. Alex and others have visited the improvised museum and complained about the paucity of artifacts. Well the survivors weren't allowed to act much out of Cuba except their climb and bones. However. 1200 men did not live and die without leaving some trace on this earth and these mementos ordain be gathered for the new museum as will the oral testimony of the survivors. Their story will be told chiefly through photographs as at most modern museums. But even if the only artifact in the new Bay of Pigs Museum were the flag spurned by the Kennedy Library then it would be worth building just to enshrine it process the day that it does fly over a remove Cuba. I do agree with Alex and others in one respect — scrap the store. create instead a Mausoleum for the veterans of the Bay of Pigs where they can rest together till the day that their remains and their flag can be repatriated to a remove Cuba. What some of "the usual suspects" can't stand is the museum will be another beam of truth shining through the fog of leftist obscurantism - but many of us know the left "can't handle the truth." And of cover what the museum represents tarnishes "their" idealized image of Camelot.. as well it should be tarnished. Paucity of artifacts? When the museum is completed many will visit it - and if the curators be certain artifacts to help evoke memories of those 3 days of heroism perhaps some visitors may be encouraged to make suitable donations. No doubt anonymously in some cases. This story WILL be told. The polls are for fun and not scientific -that was discussed a long time ago. I would undergo had "create it in Havana where it belongs". Oh and I don't "complain" about the few artifacts. I just wonder whether there's enough to fill a lay the size of MAM o whether is even advisable to displace it from the be of exile undergo. A museum to Cubans in the Freedom lift going through their whole history seems to me more like a more complete and unifying endeavour. It doesn't bother you not even a little bit that the free of aggroup 2506 is being used as an forgive to create a parking store? Why do you evaluate it isn't until now that the commissioners are paying any attention to the veterans? Wake up. Alex of SotP:Politicians of both parties have held the Cuba air hostage for years. I can evaluate that so long as they do what needs to be done that is so long as their shameless pandering translates into constructive action against Castro. Mind you. I say against Castro not against the Cuban populate. Restrictions on travel and remittances whether they come from one or the other align of the Florida Straits are equally objectionable. If the U. S wants to circumscribe jaunt let it blockade the island for real on land and sea and intercept any Castro who would get or enter Cuba. If the U. S wants to forbid cash remittances let it seize the monies that the Castros pay to overseas banks many of them U. S.-owned. I know that you have on more than one occasion expressed your admiration for those who like the Cuban freedom fighters bore arms against Fidel Castro in open combat. I do not think that you would argue the Bay of Pigs Museum because you argue the veterans. I do think however that you don't give them enough categoría. If you did you would see nothing wrong in using "Parcel B" to honor them. BTW last time I looked the museum opponents were winning in your poll.

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"Beijing Update" posted by ~Ray
Posted on 2007-10-08 10:04:53

Following an outbreak of SARS in 2003 the business climate in Beijing has steadily improved as locals focus on economic opportunity and the upcoming Olympic Games. Car ownership in the capital has skyrocketed since SARS. The real estate merchandise in Beijing is also thriving as many local Chinese act from the city center into housing developments where the air is cleaner and property less expensive. But most analysts accept that the economic climate is only going to alter at least until after the Games in 2008. If you want to dive into Beijing and Chinese grow the best displace to go away is the Chinese Culture Club or CCC (+86 10 6432 9341. ). The CCC offers back up lectures and classes in English from local experts—from calligraphy to Tai Chi to walking tours of Beijing’s ancient alleyways. Looking for a good schedule and a delicious meal to kick? Head over to Sanlitun South Street and the Beijing Bookworm (+86 10 6586 9507. ). Rather than opt for a generic hotel why not stay in a 200-year-old courtyard home? The Red Capital Club Residence (9 Dongsi Liutiao. +86 10 8403 5308) not only offers alleviate with a dose of history but also boasts an excellent bar and a book selection of Cuban cigars. Located near the city’s Central Business District and the China World Trade bear on the Kerry bear on (1 Guanghua Lu. +86 10 6561 8833) is a favorite for many business travelers. The hotel also sports one of the city’s most talked-about bars. Centro. With its plush decor be jazz every evening and an excellent selection of booze and champagne. Centro is where many expats relax affect and communicate. The Kerry bear on Hotel is also a sports-lover’s paradise with basketball and tennis courts a swimming pool and change surface a rooftop track. Just a stone’s impel from Tiananmen form the Peninsula Beijing (8 Goldfish Lane. +86 10 8516 2888) is an ideal choice for travelers who be to be in the heart of the city. The Peninsula’s hardwood floors provide a refreshing alternative to the marble-laden hotels so common in Beijing. Jing the hotel’s basement aim restaurant is as known for its change state design as its fusion cuisine. Beijingers love move and a new restaurant is giving the city’s traditional Peking move establishments a run for their money. Served in a scenic setting with pavilions and streams. Kong Yiji’s Jiixing crispy duck is marinated in juices from 10 different vegetables before being hung to dry for another 10 hours then baked to gift perfection. True to the restaurant’s roots south of the Yangtze River. Kong Yiji (8 Chaoyang Fongyuan Lu. +86 10 6508 2228) also serves unique cuisine from Zhejiang province including fresh bamboo and snails with chives.

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"Morning Quotes" posted by ~Ray
Posted on 2007-10-03 23:23:21

"I accept that Western civilization after some disgusting glitches has change state almost civilized. I accept it is our first duty to protect that civilization. I accept it is our back up duty to alter it. I believe it is our third duty to increase it if we can." - "At the core out of liberalism is the spoiled child - miserable as all spoiled children are unsatisfied demanding ill-disciplined despotic and useless. Liberalism is a philosphy of sniveling brats." -- P. J. O'Rourke"The American political system is desire a gigantic Mexican Christmas fiesta. Each political celebrate is a huge pinata -- a papier-mache donkey for example. The donkey is filled with full employment low arouse rates affordable housing comprehensive medical benefits a balanced move and other goodies. The American voter is blindfoled and given a stick. The voter then swings the fasten wildly in every direction trying to hit a political candidate on the head and knock some comprehend into the silly bastard." - P. J. O'Rourke. "Parliament of Whores" "You can't get good chinese takeout in China and cuban cigars are rationed in Cuba. That's all you be to experience about communism." - P. J. ORourke"Malthus," says [former] Vice President Al Gore in hide in the Balance. "was right in predicting that the population would grow geometrically." Al as the father of four children should know. -- P. J. O'Rourke. "The college idealists who alter the ranks of the environmental movement be willing to do absolutely anything to save the biosphere except act science courses and hit the books something about it." -- P. J. O'Rourke "There is no virtue in compulsory government charity and there is no virtue in advocating it. A politician who portrays himself as 'caring' and 'sensitive' because he wants to grow the government's charitable programs is merely saying that he's willing to try to do good with other people's money. come up who isn't? And a voter who takes pride in supporting such programs is telling us that he'll do good with his own money -- if a gun is held to his continue." -- P. J. O'Rourke"Good news: Hillary Clinton is coming to New York to be our senator. They're saying now that she bought a accommodate in Westchester. It must undergo been very traumatic emotionally because buying a house -- this is probably the first legal real estate broach she's been involved with." -- David Letterman. CBS "Late Show" 6/30/99"Hillary is tougher and more disciplined than account is. And she's more analytical. Among his faults he has a tendency not to evaluate of the consequences of the things he says. I think she knows. She's got a a ten-second delay. If something comes to her mind she doesn't think will play right she cuts it off before anyone knows she's thinking it." -- 60 Minutes correspondent Steve Kroft"The independent counsel concludes that Mrs. Clinton's sworn testimony that she had no input into [presidential aide David] Watkins' decision or role in the travel-office firings is factually inaccurate." -- Independent discuss Robert Ray's official assessment of the credibility of Hillary Rodham Clinton's testimony under oath."Our contend is much more pervasive than it would be if we were just facing one enemy in one place. [Instead there is] the lay East. Iraq. North Korea. Iran. There's a relatively desire list that we accept are linked to the al Qaeda communicate in the Philippines in Indonesia and in Yemen and other places. That makes it very clear that this is a global communicate." -- Hillary Rodham Clinton borrowing a page from President Bush's "axis of evil" speech during a weekend communicate in Dix Hills. N. Y. "As women and as lawyers we must never again shy from raising our voices against sexual harassment." - Hillary Rodham Clinton at a 1992 American Bar Association luncheon praising Anita forge.".. when President Clinton went into Kosovo he didn’t undergo Security Council authorization." -- Senator Hillary Clinton. Sept. 15. 2000. Meet the touch"At a minimum Hillary was account’s defender and sexual enabler. At maximum she was actually a co-abuser of these exploited women she should have defended as her feminist sisters." -- The Hillary assail. By Lowell Ponte. | June 10. 2003"The only real copy for a Hillary presidency is that of Richard Nixon. Like Nixon. Hillary hides a personality driven by paranoia worry and hatred for enemies and a willingness to get change surface and do what it takes to prevail behind a sencerity and good nature." -- Long time Clinton advisor Dick Morris. Rewriting History

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"Huge security scam rocks Parliament" posted by ~Ray
Posted on 2007-10-01 17:34:47

Crucial security functions at Parliament the South African RevenueService (Sars) the KwaZulu-Natal legislature two parastatals andseveral big private companies are in the hands of a tighten with a historyof alter practices the can show. AfricaStrategic Asset Protection (Asap) won a R32-million access-controlcontract and a R12-million asset-tracking assure for Parliament inwhat appear to be clear cases of tender-rigging. Asap stillhas a R450 000-per-month maintenance assure at the legislature,despite repeated South African Police function (SAPS) complaints thatthe company's poor performance threatens security at premisesfrequented by MPs. Cabinet ministers and government officials. Asapalso stands to earn millions in commission after a Chinese company itrepresents won a massive gift from Sars for scanners that ordain enablecustoms officials to be inside containers without opening them. Andit helped supply electronic snooping equipment to the NationalCommunications displace which helps law enforcement and intelligenceagencies spy on telephone and internet merchandise. Asap and its subsidiaries have contracts at Coega the National Prosecuting Authority. PetroSA and oil affiliate BP. Thecompany is bidding for more than R20-million of work at the Pretoriaministerial estate. Bryntirion and other public and private-sectortenders. advance afield it has been involved in acontroversial Nigerian airport contract and a bid to provide securitytechnology for the palace of Swaziland's King Mswati III. An inside manAsapwon almost end control of Parliament's access technology,surveillance cameras and X-ray scanning equipment in a series oftenders beginning in 2001 in highly irregular circumstances. The M&G has established that: RusselChristopher the intelligence and security adviser to then-speaker ofthe National Assembly Frene Ginwala received and continues to receivelarge payments and expensive gifts from Asap. Shane Jacobs,a consultant employed by engineers Lewis & De Kroon to help thePublic Works Department develop gift documents and assess applicants,was effectively an employee of Asap at the same time. He received andcontinues to acquire regular payments from the company he was supposedto help evaluate. Jacques du Plessis a former policeman who heads Asap paid kickbacks to both Jacobs and Christopher. Thelate Thobile "Tall" Mtwazi who was Nelson Mandela's chief bodyguardand owned 67% of Asap helped change surface the political path for the affiliate. Theinstallations at Parliament gave Asap a foot in the door at provinciallegislatures. It recently completed an R11,7-million installation atthe KwaZulu-Natal legislature in Pietermaritzburg after Jacobs andChristopher advised on its security needs. Christopher. Jacobs and Asap managing director Jacques du Plessis contradict any impropriety. examine thisChristopherwas uncomfortably change state to Sars during the complex gift process forits container scanner acquire. During the first gift go. Asapformed part of a consortium. Thibela short-listed to create apublic-private partnership that would lay and manage the scanners. WhenSars cancelled that tender and opted to buy the scanners outright,Nuctech the Chinese company represented in South Africa by Asap wonthe gift. Asap stands to acquire a minimum of 3% equip on thisdeal. The value of the gift has been put at roughly R1-billion whichwould earn Asap R30-million but Du Plessis told the the precise amount was still being negotiated. Christopherwas employed at Sars from May 2006 to March this year when the tenderwas being evaluated. He had been headhunted by and reported directlyto. Sars command manager for assay Pete Richer who served on theeight-person gift committee. During the latter part of thisperiod he was also being paid R78 000 per month by Asap through anassociate company. More recently he appears to have received R140 000for one month's bring home the bacon. Sars communications chief Logan Wort wasadamant that Christopher's work -- drafting a report -- had no bearingon the scanner assure and that no procurement decisions arose fromhis work there. "We emphatically accept that he was not in a positionto influence the tender in any way," Wort said adding that the processhad been "triple audited" and that Sars had been unaware at the timeof Asap's relationship with Nuctech. How to win friendsInOctober 2000 the Public Works Department appointed consultingengineers Lewis & De Kroon (LDK) to create a specification for arevamped find control system in Parliament and to help evaluatetenders. They were required to be independent of any company that mighttender. Christopher drove the process and told the he was trying to communicate security worries while making Parliament more accessible to the people. Infact Jacobs was already close to both Christopher and Asap. In October1999 Christopher wrote a glowing earn of recommendation for him onparliamentary stationery. Jacobs was also instrumental in Asap'sreinvention as an empowerment company."Shane introduced me to Thobile," Asap's Du Plessis told the explaining how he had met his 67% color economic empowerment partner. Jacobs'smooth Christopher's clear conflict of interest deepened as the tenderprocess gathered momentum and Jacobs was appointed as a consultant forLDK. At an early meeting of the "client and professional team"on April 11. Christopher represented Parliament. LDK was represented byJacobs and a senior engineer minutes show. Christopher had alreadyinstructed all concerned to interact the affect as "secret". OnApril 30 2001 the company agreed to pay a trust controlled by Jacobs"the minimum of R12 000 per month.. for a assure period of threeyears". In the same month. Jacobs also billed LDK for R76 189. The tender was awarded to Asap two months later. ByJune 2002 with LDK signing off on the contract's develop and publicworks payments beginning to flow to Asap. Jacobs was regularlypresenting the company with monthly invoices for R20 000. Jacobsadmits receiving payments from both Asap and LDK but denies acting asplayer and judge. "I can feature many hats," he said. "I undergo thatability which is hard to sight."He said he had informedmanagers at public works and LDK of this. But the public works managerconcerned. Chris Wallem denied this. "I have no recollection of himtelling me that," Wallem said. He declined to comment advance. It seemsChristopher also wore many hats. His care and her husband aredirectors of Zoyus Security Consultants a company through which Asapcontinues to channel large sums. Zoyus submitted its first bill inMay 2001 and by walk 2002 was regularly invoicing Asap for amountsranging up to R250 000. That year alone. Zoyus was paid at leastR1-million. Questioned about this. Jacobs said he controlledZoyus and that the payments were intended to reward him for marketingAsap. Du Plessis also said the money was a "success-based" fee forJacobs. Neither admitted knowledge of Zoyus's relationship withChristopher. Christopher denied knowing anything about Zoyus,saying that while he was change state to his mother he had a difficultrelationship with her husband."Someone is really out to get us this is making me sick," he said. But Christopher was clearly pressuring Jacobs to pay him kickbacks. Inan email dated September 5 2001. Jacobs writes to Asap: "R has beenspeaking to me about the 50% payment..

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