Derek Anderson Remains With Cleveland Browns

The clock struck 12:01 A.M. Friday morning and Pro Bowl quarterback Derek Anderson was officially a restricted free agent. After weeks of tireless work by Browns executives to keep their primary signal caller, a deal was unable to be accomplished.

Five hours later representatives for Anderson and general manager Phil Savage agreed to a three-year, $24 million contact with $13 million in guaranteed money.

After throwing for a career high 29 touchdowns and 3,787 yards in 16 games for the 10-6 Browns, it was necessary that a deal was consummated as quickly as possible. If Anderson bolted for another team, Cleveland would have received a first and third-round draft pick.

Porter, Williamson Headed To Jacksonville

In order to provide speed,agility and security for rising quarterback David Garrard, the Jaguars delved into the free agency market by signing Oakland Raiders disgruntled wideout Jerry Porter and acquiring despondent wide receiver Troy Williamson from the Minnesota Vikings.

After spending the first seven years of his career in the Bay Area, Porter was eager for a fresh new start with an established club. In signing a six-year,$30 million contract, Porter is expected to emerge as the Jaguars number one option at wide receiver.

Playing in 16 games last season with an anemic offense, Porter managed to reel in 76 receptions for 942 yards and five touchdowns.

Drafted seventh overall in 2005, Troy Williamson has been a significant disappoint for the Vikings, finding the endzone three times in three seasons.

“We’re giving Troy a chance, an opportunity for him to come down here and rejuvenate himself, have fun, don’t worry about the high expectations that were associated with his selection and his place there,” Del Rio said.

If Williamson is focused and determined to succeed, the Jaguars have an ability to propel to the top of the AFC South.

Free Agent Frenzy Around The NFL

Kris Jenkins, Jonathan Vilma, Shaun Rodgers, Kawika Mitchell, Asante Samuel. These five defensive stalwarts highlight the list of players who took full advantage of the beginning of free agency this morning and will be dawning new uniforms next season.

Jenkins, a three time All-Pro and seven-year veteran, was dealt by the Carolina Panthers to the New York Jets in exchange for draft picks. He promptly signed a new five-year, $35 million contract that is worth $20 million in guaranteed money.

While heralded as the foundation of the Jets 3-4 defense, Jonathan Vilma was unable to acclimate to coach Eric Mangini's system. The totality of the situation was too much for the Jets rising star to adjust to and a shift to the crescent city will do the two-time defensive captain very well. In return for Vilma, New Orleans sends a fourth-round draft pick to New York.

At 340 pounds, overbearing defensive tackle Shaun Rodgers is a force to be reckon with when not inspired. To imagine the impact Rodgers can cement on Cincinnati's porous defense when motivated is very intriguing to Bengals fans now that he's been acquired for a third and fifth-round pick. In 16 games last season, Rodgers compiled 39 tackles, seven sacks and four forced fumbles.

Super Bowl champion linebacker Kawika Mitchell capitalized off of the Giants playoff push by signing a five-year deal worth $17.5 million.

The city of brotherly love will be feeling a lot more joyous this fall when shut down cornerback Asante Samuel takes the field at Lincoln Financial. With two Super Bowl victories to his credit, Samuel has compiled 22 interceptions and 238 tackles in five short seasons. Considered the premier free agent in this year's market, Samuel agreed to a six-year, $54 million contract on the first day of free agency.

Primera tormenta del año 2008 en Orihuela

Ayer en Orihuela estrenamos el año 2008 en el apartado de tormentas. Una tormenta que se formó en el Noroeste Murciano se fue extendiendo hacia el Sureste creándose un núcleo potente con gran aparato eléctrico.

Imagen del satélite MODIS. Obsérvese, señalado con un círculo rojo, la línea de cumulonimbos que componen la linea de turbonada, que en ese momento se desplazaba de oeste a este.

A las 15:46 minutos recibí una llamada de un colega meteorólogo de Molina de Segura (Murcia), informándome que estaba granizando en dicha ciudad y que tenian un cumulonimbus Arcus encima. Yo reaccioné rápido y miré para el oeste de Orihuela donde pude apreciar la mala visibilidad que había debido a la bruma que se formó en consecuencia a la alta humedad y a que el punto de rocío estaba situado a ras del suelo, entonces este se condensa y se forma la bruma anteriormente nombrada. Poco a poco la tormenta se iba acercando hasta Orihuela y el cielo, pese a la mala visibilidad, iba cogiendo un color grisáceo, hasta que este se puso muy negro y realmente amenazante, una demostración de ello es la foto que he puesto abajo.

Aspecto del cielo antes de empezar a llover.

A los pocos minutos comenzó a llover de forma moderada, y al par de minutos lo hizo de forma muy fuerte, registrando 3 litros por metro cuadrado en 3-4 minutos. Al final el temido granizo no apareció afortunadamente y registré 6,96 litros por metro cuadrado, que no esta nada mal para ser la primera tormenta del año y para ser una tormenta que recorrió muchos kilómetros para llegar a Orihuela. Pese a la lluvia aguanté atento al cielo, mi objetivo era cazar un rayo, y lo conseguí (véase la fotografía de abajo).

Tímido rayo al oeste de Orihuela, en plena tormenta.

Al final las precipitaciones recogidas en varias ciudades cercanas han sido bien diferentes. A continuación os pongo los datos de precipitación recogida ayer provocados por dicha tormenta:

Santomera (Murcia): 19,5 litros por metro cuadrado.
Ciudad situada aproximadamente a unos 9 kilómetros de Orihuela.
Murcia (Murcia): 7,6 litros por metro cuadrado.
Ciudad situada aproximadamente a unos 19 kilómetros de Orihuela.
Crevillente (Alicante): 18,0 litros por metro cuadrado.
Ciudad situada aproximadamente a unos 24 kilómetros de Orihuela.

Os he citado la cantidad de precipitación y la distancia aproximada en kilómetros a Orihuela para que veais que la tormenta fue muy local, dejando cifras muy diferentes en lugares relativamente cercanos.Any source

劍客生涯系列（二）──斬人試刀《小說》

小說名：劍客生涯（二）斬人試刀
小說家：池波正太郎
譯　者：高詹燦
導　讀：李長聲
※1973年‧2008年由新朝社授權木馬文化中文版※


啊啊───第二集也、很、好、看（心花朵朵開）！平淡無奇中卻富含無限韻味，池波正太郎的武俠小說就是這般奧妙！XD

　　說到劍術，至少得潛心修習十年方能有成。
　　練了十年後，再練十年，你就能明白對手的實力。
　　等你苦練三十年後，便能明白自己有多弱。
　　等苦練四十年後，你會開始腦中一片混亂，什麼都搞不清楚。

故事設定如同第一集，劇情毫不帶狂氣、風格也不強烈，沒有天外飛來的武林祕笈要奪取，沒有腥風血雨的江湖事跡可暢談，不過《劍客生涯》整體氣勢有帶到，硬是了得啊（拍大腿）！劇情平淡得可以，但重點在對人生感想的看法，細細品味、倒也挺有意思。這一回仍集結七篇單元故事，《鬼熊酒屋》、《斬人試刀》、《老虎》、《惡徒》、《三冬的乳房》、《妖怪小雨僧》、《不二樓蘭之間》，大治郎與三冬這對木頭情侶檔的感情戲在這本小說裡，完全沒有進度可言，唯有弁慶與義經的形容詞出現而已，令人頗感悔恨，倒是小兵衛與大治郎這對父子檔的聯手出擊越來越順手了。

　　……市口孫七郎發出厲聲呼喝，由外廊縱身躍入房內，身形好似飛鳥，不見他拔刀出鞘的動作，刀鋒已掃向小兵衛頸項。
　　小兵衛則是使出鵯鳥般的迅捷動作躲過刀鋒，驚人的刀風從他頭頂呼嘯而過。
　　「哈！」
　　當市口正欲朝他背後歌下第二刀時，大治郎執起裝滿熱騰騰味噌湯的鐵鍋，從旁朝他揮去。
　　市口孫七郎對靜靜低頭站在一旁，顯得平凡無奇的大治郎，幾乎可說是沒任何防備，……

【鬼熊酒屋】描寫出脾氣火爆、不願輕易示弱的頑固老頭，在面對病痛百般折磨、即將不久於人世，卻又嚴峻待人的頑固心境；

【斬人試刀】顧名思義，某人得到把新刀而想試試刀鋒利度，趁著月黑風高、隨機動手斬人，在江戶時代似乎是個慣見的行為，偏偏不長眼的挑上高手小兵衛試刀；

第一集的【雨中的鈴鹿川】裡有提到過，一旦親人死於非命，親人又任職要位，繼任者必需斬殺對方方可繼承職位且不必擔負起殺人重罪，【老虎】則是再進一步說明報仇機制的運作方式－－只要向幕府遞送狀紙而對方赴約並報上名號，便得以真刀對決；

至於《惡徒》，整部小說中我最偏好這一則短篇故事XD！大治郎在街坊市井中出手救人，不久，看中大治郎身手的客人便登門拜訪，奉上所有銀兩懇求大治郎在十日內傳授他劍術、讓他能有一身好本領得以對付惡人，但這份請託卻讓大治郎傷透腦筋，尋求父親意見後，小兵衛反倒認為值得一試；

【三冬的乳房】是個結尾令人啼笑皆非的單元，劇情描述三冬撞見一宗兇殺擄人事件並出手相救，原本事件到此應告落幕，但三冬察覺事態有異，反而查探出引發事端的真相起因於家族心結；

為了報杮本師傅之死的仇，伊藤三彌找來協助斬殺仇敵的幫手，【妖怪小雨僧】延續上一集【劍之誓約】的恩怨情仇，為愛痴狂、卻因算計而走偏了路，最後落得自刎下場，也讓伊藤這角色蒙上了悲劇色彩；

【不二樓蘭之間】因居所被伊藤三彌焚毀，小兵衛受到不二樓老闆邀請至不二樓小住一段時間，嘿，這裡正巧有個上一集無意中偷聽到客人陰謀對話而瓦解對方計劃的蘭之間（請見【藝者的轉變】），閒著無事的小兵衛忍不住好奇心，再度躲入蘭之間，偷聽到對方欲前往橫川錢五郎家中殺人盜銀。

　　……小兵衛百無聊賴，在不二樓的走廊上閒晃時，不知不覺又來到〔蘭之間〕門前。
　　這時，傳來女侍阿元的聲音，她正帶領一對年輕男女往這裡走來。
　　小兵衛禁不住衝動的驅使，迅速衝入蘭之間，關上房內拉門，藏身在包廂廁所中。
　　阿元將這對客人帶進蘭之間，詢問他們要點的酒菜。
　　（這樣不行啊。染了要不得的惡習。這樣不就與橫川鐵五郎數金幣為樂沒什麼兩樣嗎……）
　　他眉頭微蹙，伸手搔著銀絲白頭。（第二集完）

相隔沒兩個月吧？好快吶！哇哈哈～，讚讚讚，請木馬繼續維持這樣的神速出版接下來的十二集啊！XD
HomeAny source

被譽為日本四十年來歌聲最美的女歌手－－夏川里美／亞洲之風《音樂》

專輯名稱：亞洲之風精選
歌　　手：夏川りみ
唱片公司：滾石


比起流行樂，其實夏川里美的好歌喉更適合演唱日本地方傳統民謠小調，天生生來就適合的呀，尤其一加上三昧線，不由自主的會很想跟著打拍子，專輯歌曲曲調不只美、歌聲佳，連歌詞都特別經過潤飾、十分優美，不多說了，請直接聽音樂！！

【淚光閃閃“請點我”】
翻著古老的相片簿　對著總是總是
在心中鼓勵著我的人　囁嚅著謝謝兩個字
晴空颯爽也好　大雨滂沱也罷
那時時刻刻浮現的笑容
即使回憶已遠離褪色
我依然追尋絲絲影跡
當它甦醒時總讓我　淚光閃閃

對著第一顆升起的星星祈禱　已經變成我的習慣
在黃昏時仰望的天空裡　滿心尋找你的蹤跡
悲傷落淚也好　歡喜雀躍也罷　你的笑容總會浮上心頭
我相信從你所在的地方看得到我
也相信我們總有重逢的一天而活著

晴空颯爽也好　大雨滂沱也罷
那時時刻刻浮現的笑容
即使回憶已遠離褪色
如此孤單　如此眷戀　對你的思念讓我　淚光閃閃
想見你一面　想見你一面　對你的思念讓我　淚光閃閃


【花“請點我”】
河水湍湍不息　往哪裡流
人潮熙來攘往　往那裡去
希望這潮流所到之處
綻放出繁花朵朵
放聲痛哭啊　盡情歡笑吧
總有一天　總有一天
綻放出繁花朵朵

淚水潸潸滑往　往那裡流
愛情隨波逐流　往那裡去
這潮流　流著流著
希望綻放成繁花朵朵　加以迎接
放聲痛哭啊　盡情歡笑吧
總有一天　總有一天
綻放出繁花朵朵

花自為花　含苞微笑
人自為人　任淚潸潸
這一切都是自然之歌
任繁花朵朵　在心中在心中綻放
放聲痛哭啊　盡情歡笑吧
不論何時　不論何時
掌握住這朵花吧


【安里屋小調“請點我”】
你啊　是不是被野外的薔薇牽絆
天黑了才回來
啊　我心愛的美麗的人兒

啊　男女之間的愛戀　讓人歡喜卻又羞怯
我的他是白百合　你還是死了這條心吧
啊　我心愛的美麗的人兒

啊　陰曆十六的月夜裡　拔著田中雜草的兩個人
意氣相投滴水難容
啊　我心愛的美麗的人兒

啊　讓我為你染一件　藏青色的短袖外衣吧
你要穿上它　象徵我們的情愛
啊　我心愛的美麗的人兒


【沖繩民謠組曲“請點我”】
這組曲非常有趣，沖繩＋夏威夷風格，裡面的「安里屋小調」唱法才是我推薦這張「亞洲之風」裡的收錄唱法，超喜歡這個唱法版本！XD


【祭りのあと風“請點我”】
這支歌曲是在「思念之風」專輯裡，我很喜歡這種節奏感！放專輯時我可是一直跟著背景聲在鬼叫鬼叫的合聲著！


是的，話還是不多說，有興趣的請就近向各大唱片行或網路商城報到啊！XD


【專輯歌曲介紹】
淚光閃閃 (黃品源「白鷺絲」蔡淳佳「陪我看日出」原曲，2002日本唱片大賞金賞)
安里屋小調
童神 (王心淩「飛吧」原曲2003年日本唱片大賞金賞)
島歌 (梁靜茹「不想睡」原曲)
赤田首里殿內
搖籃曲 (江蕙「思念喲」原曲)
花 (周華健「花心」原曲)
Salala
美麗的島嶼
永恆之歌
愛呦 愛呦 (2004日本唱片大賞金賞)
心心相映 (2005日本唱片大賞金賞，2005愛知「愛‧地球」萬國博覽會主題曲)
再見了 謝謝你~天之風~
給我抱抱（哆啦Ａ夢動畫最新片頭曲）


【歌手介紹】
本名兼久里美的夏川里美，天生就擁有一副好歌喉，而且勇於在眾人面前展現，從八歲那年首度參加故鄉石垣有線電視主辦的「第一屆小朋友好歌喉大賽」獲得優勝之後，及不斷稱霸日本各大歌唱比賽，在 12歲時，不僅以沖繩現代表的身份拿下NTV（日本電視台）主辦的「閃亮第八屆日本兒童歌謠大賞」冠軍，更在同年以沖繩縣代表身份出席第10屆「長崎歌謠祭」勇奪第一名的成績，創下大會開辦以來最年輕參賽者榮獲優勝的紀錄，並進而成為知名唱片公司培訓歌手。高一時，更憑藉著過人的歌喉，通過即為嚴苛的 NHK（日本放送協會）歌手審定；並被當時歌手審定委員會委員長藤山一郎（歿）讚譽為「四十年才出現一次歌手」，同時更創下以未發片歌手身份即得以在 NHK電視台歌唱節目中演唱的第一人。

早期的夏川里美雖然在各大歌唱比賽中過關斬將，然而在唱片成績上卻始終顯得時運不濟，雖然曾以星里美的藝名推出過幾張演歌單曲，然而始終沒能大紅大紫，甚至曾一度心灰意冷返回故鄉。1998年1月，夏川里美開始在沖繩的電台主持節目，同時遇上了歌唱生命中的第2次機會，1999年以夏川里美的藝名重返歌壇。2001年夏川里美翻唱了由日本老牌歌手森山良子（暢銷歌手森山直太朗母親）作詞以及同樣來自沖繩石垣島的音樂團體BEGIN作曲的「淚光閃閃」，成為他歌唱事業上的最大轉捩點；這首歌曲推出之後，夏川里美彷彿循著當年Kiroro走紅的模式，首先征服了故鄉沖繩，在沖繩的排行榜上始終保持在TOP20的名次內，2001年底，「淚光閃閃」榮獲沖繩「琉球放送」、「RADIO沖繩」、「FM沖繩」三大電台年度排行榜第一名。2002年5月「淚光閃閃」奇蹟似的在發行超過一年之後首度打進ORICON排行榜，除了最高曾創下第8名的佳績之外，並持續近榜至近將近60週之久。除了排行成績之外，「淚光閃閃」這首歌曲更可以說是日本音樂獎項上的「三冠王」，在2002年底頒發的第44屆日本唱片大賞（日本作曲家協會主辦）中夏川里美以這首歌曲奪下金賞榮譽，而作詞的森山良子則以這首歌曲贏得最佳作詞人獎項，而在2003年初舉辦第17屆日本金唱片大賞（日本唱片工業協會主辦）中夏川里美更以收錄這首歌曲的首張專輯「太陽～太陽‧風的思念～」榮獲演歌 / 歌謠曲部門「年度最佳專輯」殊榮。HomeAny source

深海城市夜未眠－－深海蒐集人《漫畫》

漫畫名：深海蒐集人
漫畫家：かまたきみこ
集　數：兩集
※2002年‧由朝日ソノラマ授權東立2003年中文化※


風平浪靜的日子⋯⋯
靠近陸地，昔日的建築就會從波浪的縫隙中展現姿態。
在我出生的許久以前，聽說每個地方的氣溫都很低。
漸漸地冰河開始融化⋯⋯住家首先沈沒，接著是大廈⋯⋯
於是，許多人移到船上居住。
在洶湧波浪上漂浮的狹窄船隻裡，無法裝進過多的家具跟書，
在進行海水防腐處理，將門上鎖後，
當有一天要住在陸地時，即打撈上岸。
所以，有許多財產都在海底沉睡著。
圖書館在得到主人的許可後，將它們蒐集起來，加以修補，
讓現代的我們可以閱覽陸地文化的繁榮與衰退之夢。


基本上，《深海蒐集人》是套完全違反生理機能的鬼扯蛋漫畫（大笑）！不過，我喜歡它的劇情表現，即使かまたきみこ的表達能力有待加強，但深海城市夜未眠的奇妙氛圍確實有暈染開來。現在哪，偏好情緒收放自如的漫畫，很用力的去愛、再很用力的去恨、接著很用力的喊出自我存在主張，最後反而有種人被掏空、變得好空乏的感覺，總覺得現在的自己對那一類型的漫畫已經有些力不從心，像《深海蒐集人》這樣，溫溫煦煦、輕輕柔柔的傳達自我看法，讓人感覺舒服多了。而剛柔交錯的中性路線，也讓科幻故事帶了點浪漫冒險的味道。

劇情描述溫性效應造成地球海平面急速上升，絕大部份的陸地與市鎮皆被海水覆蓋，所剩無幾的珍貴土地由富人所瓜分，平凡老百姓們則成了海上人家，而因應陸地城市被淹沒的變化，深海蒐集人這項新興行業就此孕育而生，米米喬茲便是其中翹楚，因愛書與惜畫，國立圖書館資料蒐集局成了米米的重要委託者。

其實這套故事並沒有劇情需要蘊釀，所以かまたきみこ是直接切入主題來發揮幻想力，這也讓《深海蒐集人》一本裡雖擠進四個單元，但故事的整體性搞不好比畫了三四本漫畫的還要清楚明瞭。

首先是【深海蒐集人】馬康泰魯家族委託米米進入麥路茲大宅，尋求印證最新一位領導者雅路的血統相關證明書，但米米所找到的家書卻不利於雅路，不拘一格的雅路雖不在意，卻也因此招來殺機；【水上的音樂】伯明罕新港即將舉辦入港儀式，米米受聘到此地、並與知名作曲家史賓塞相遇，陷入瓶頸的史賓塞彷彿遇上謬思女神，譜出一首又一首的海上人家樂曲，此舉卻惹來經紀人的不滿；【萬花筒】為感謝米米總能找到漂亮的萬花筒素材，知名藝術創作家亞藍隨手贈送她兩副萬花筒，米米轉而贈送給非常照顧她的國立圖書館資料蒐集局長、吉諾爸爸，不料政府當局追查出吉諾私下坑殺潛水員的事證；【沙漠中的海】這故事我喜歡！以米修爾教授為主的考古團體在沙漠州長的贊助下，發掘出最具神秘色彩的歐羅民族遺址，相傳此民族國王即殘忍又暴虐，不僅對其它民族燒殺擄掠、趕盡殺絕，還喜於以活人為祭品，也因形象太過邪惡，一般的潛水員皆畏懼於歐羅國王的詛咒，均無法順利潛水探查，國立圖書館因而推薦米米到此協助。

本來是單行本，應該是日本反應還不錯的關係，才會有第二集的問市，不過，我猜想，東立要出第二集的機率很低吧……所以，找不到第一集單行本封面，第二集也只好上場代打了，上上上！XD

【かまたきみこ官網】HomeAny source

BVI FSC Supplements Anti-Money Laundering Legislation

On 25 February, BVI FSC published 3 new documents related to Anti-Money Laundering legislation. The documents were gazetted on February 22, 2008. The largest document, including 127 pages, is Anti-Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Code of Practice, 2008. It is divided into 8 parts and 2 schedules and covers such important topics as:

• general duties of Financial Investigation Agency and the Financial Services Commission;
• information on establishing internal control systems, i.e. duties and responsibilities of Officers and employees, reporting on suspicion, etc.
• requirements on customer due diligence, general verification, verification of legal person, requirement for certified documentation;
• prohibition of shell banks and restrictions on corresponding banking relationships;
• wire transfers, requirements on record keeping and on employee training.
• information exchange between public authorities and with private sector, application of counter-measures, guidance on the types of suspicious activities and transactions, etc.

Schedule 2 of the above document includes the list of offences and administrative penalties for failure to execute this code of practice. For example, failure to keep records of full originator information on payer is punishable with $3,500 penalty both to Corporate body and Individual, but failure to review and keep up-to-date customer due diligence information in the required manner will be punished with $1,500 penalty for individual and $2,500 penalty for corporate body.

Non-Financial Business (designation) notice, 2008 is the shortest one from three Anti-Money laundering documents published on the BVI FSC site and it clarifies that any person engaged in the business of buying and selling high-valued goods and accepting/making cash payments in the amount more than $15,000, or equivalent in another currency, “is designated as an entity vulnerable to activities of money laundering and terrorist financing, and shall comply with the requirements of the above-named Code of Practice. This document complies with the newly adopted Anti-Money Laundering/countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) regime, extending coverage of anti-money laundering measures to high-end goods dealers.

The third document is Anti-Money Laundering Regulations, 2008 and it includes identification procedures in relation to new and continuing business relationships, exceptions to identification procedures, maintaining record of transactions and reports, maintaining register of money laundering reports and inquiries, duty to appoint Money Laundering Reporting Officer, due diligence audit, establishment of procedures in relation to suspicious transactions, etc.

Brian Obvi,
Offshore Analyst

Article any source

超完美銀行搶案－－臥底《電影》

電影名稱：Inside Man
導　　演：史派克李 (Spike Lee)
編　　劇：羅素葛沃茲 (Russell Gewirtz)
製　　片：布萊恩葛瑟 (Brian Grazer)
配　　樂：泰倫斯布藍察 (Terence Blanchard)
演　　員：丹佐華盛頓 (Denzel Washington)、
　　　　　茱蒂福斯特 (Jodie Foster)
　　　　　克里夫歐文 (Clive Owen)、
　　　　　克里斯多夫普拉瑪 (Christopher Plummer)
　　　　　Willem Dafoe、Chiwetel Ejiofor、
　　　　　Carlos Andrés Gómez、Kim Director
發行年份：2006年


銀行搶案類型電影用個二分法來說、非黑即白吧，要不熱鬧滾滾、安排各個巨星走位，要不就中途擦槍走火、搶匪死於非命，兩者發展看似平行卻有共通點，說來吊詭，它們皆追尋著各自的正義，只是終究沒有能談得更多的地帶，直到看見擅長探討種族議題的史派克李拍攝了《臥底》，他毫無困難的在主流電影中呈現出權勢角力、種族議題、背德與利益至上的種種對峙局面，才察覺到只要面相夠多元，即使舊元素也能拍出新創意！

影片採取穿插回憶的方式進行劇情，一開始，搶匪頭目對著鏡頭與觀眾說了：「我是道頓羅素，目前正在準備一場完美的銀行搶案，因為我辦得到。」超完美銀行搶案隨即展開，四名裝扮成油漆工的搶匪來到了象徵白人權力核心的華爾街某信託銀行行搶，並挾持職員與顧客近五十名人質。道頓一行人首先與霹靂小組對峙，和警察談判專家費雪警探談及條件，接著與政商界關係良好的掮客麥德琳魏特交換利益，中場時間並帶出信託銀行創辦人的過往醜聞。沒錯，這群銀行搶匪仍是銀行搶匪，事態發展卻逐漸悖離警察所預測的方向……

整起銀行搶案之所以能成功，說穿了，就是混淆警察／觀眾掌握的訊息與不按牌理出牌，關鍵處就在「數字」。

《臥底》劇情整個處於一種極度內斂的氛圍中，銀行內部宛如置身於沉靜冰冷的深海裡，外界警察每一次的反應在進入銀行內部，彷彿成了拍打於淺海面上的聲波般、一次比一次遙遠而幅度也越來越小，好似完全干擾不到內部正進行的小小陰謀；另一方面，演員成熟精湛的演技卻又將觀眾的情緒挑逗得極為高昂，這股極冷又極熱的反應毫不牽強地交融在一起，導演、演員、劇本、配樂、攝影、剪接，無一不讓人給予極高評價。而通俗電影之所以沒有流於俗套，在於導演史派克李拍出劇情層次的豐富感，沒有過多的提問，依賴的是觀眾自身對於權勢與種族之間紛爭的認同素養。

好樣的，我被中文片名徹底誤導了啦～囧rz，但也實在無法苛責中文譯名，代理商若再取個更芭樂的片名，就太糟蹋這部從頭到尾絕無冷場的電影傑作！中文片名其實只有貼切到表面劇情而已，Inside Man確實可以解釋成「在屋裡的男人」，但真正的涵義應該是「知情的人」，所以，重點在執行一椿「超完美銀行搶案」嗎？不對、不對，你還沒看到精髓處，請再回去看一遍吧。

HBO目前正播放中，有興趣者，請密切留意節目表時間。^_^


HomeAny source

怪奇冒險浪漫協奏曲──黑博物館·彈簧腿傑克《漫畫》

漫畫名：黑博物館·彈簧腿傑克
漫畫家：藤田和日郎
協　力：仁賀克雄、谷川俊太郎
集　數：單行本
※原文版2007年·2008年由講談社授權青文中文化※


前半部改編自英國都市傳說Spring Heeled Jack，後半部則以肅殺外加童趣味十足的英國鵝媽媽童謠編制、並將前半部主要人物延續帶入，故事不具新意，但，這真是本好看到不行的漫畫（笑）！結構性非常完整，畫風成熟至極，再搭配上藤田式的酷帥風格，看完後整個陷在男子的浪漫想望中、且無不帶了點遺憾感──正牌主角沃爾特沒能抱得美人歸──，不過，就因這份遺憾感，反而讓漫畫更增添無限韻味。

其中的四份「黑博物館館報」由仁賀克雄撰寫，結合時事、和改編自關於Spring Heeled Jack無從考究的猜測和耳語，以八卦小報的軼聞方式，傳達出當代倫敦的種種文化面相。讀者即使抽離掉彈簧腿傑克的虛構故事，四份館報仍舊很有看頭，例如英國警察局的設置由來，仁賀克雄簡短談到了倫敦的發跡過程，城市崛起帶來了大量人潮，經濟繁榮的背後卻是讓霧都成為龍蛇混雜、暴力滋生的溫床，英國政府為因應與日俱增的犯罪事件，採取警政雙首長制，並將民間審判官納入政府管理，從此之後，蘇格蘭場就成了英國負責治安的警政代名詞（啊，拷，見鬼了，我一直以為蘇格蘭場是蘇格蘭某中樞警局名稱∼囧rz）！另外還說明沃爾特取樣自真人真事，並特別介紹其貴族的生平。

我在想，若藤田沒有將「異聞·鵝媽媽童謠」單元收錄進去，這本作品還是好看，但就會覺得少了點什麼吧，我很喜歡這段對話：「呵呵⋯和你母親真像啊，都很有膽識⋯看來，輸給你們了。茱麗葉，妳要小心別迷上他。斯德雷得家的人對這種人最沒輒了。」情感份量的前呼後應就整個跳出來了。而前半部「彈簧腿男」劇末有個意外性的設定，看到那張面孔時我有笑出來，藤田確確實實有領悟到古典黃金推理時期的精髓啊。

真好看！會想購買絕對是衝著專屬於藤田大師那一份男子內斂特質的浪漫情懷！XD


【資料附註·感謝維基百科的貢獻】
　　蘇格蘭場 (New Scotland Yard，又稱Scotland Yard、The Yard)，指英國首都倫敦警務處總部。負責地區包括整個大倫敦地區的治安及維持交通等職務（倫敦城City of London除外）。蘇格蘭場位於倫敦的威斯敏斯特區(Westminster)，離上議院約200碼。
　　所以，蘇格蘭場本身既不是位於蘇格蘭，也更不負責蘇格蘭的警備。蘇格蘭場這個名字源自1829年，當時首都警務處位處舊蘇格蘭王室宮殿(可能是蘇格蘭國王訪問英國時使用的宮殿或蘇格蘭國王駐英國大使使用的宮殿)的遺跡，因而得名。1890年曾遷至維多利亞堤區(Victoria Embankment，離今天英國國防部不遠)，1967年遷至現址。這兩個新地址也被稱為「新蘇格蘭場」。
　　最老的蘇格蘭場後來被英國陸軍占用，成為陸軍的徵募所和皇家軍警的總部。今天原來的建築已經所剩無幾。一座古建築是今天的一個警察站。1890年的新蘇格蘭場原址的一部分也依然是警察站。
　　蘇格蘭場的犯罪數據庫被稱為Home Office Large Major Enquiry System，其縮寫是HOLMES，來紀念小說中的大偵探歇洛克·福爾摩斯。 蘇格蘭場過去的電話號碼是1212，今天，倫敦大多數警察局和蘇格蘭場本身的電話號碼依然以1212作為最後四個號碼。HomeAny source

Atención a las tormentas de esta tarde

Jornada interesante la que se presenta en todo el sureste peninsular, debido a la actividad tormentosa que puede aparecer esta tarde. Este posible episodio tormentoso, puede dejar cantidades significativas en algún punto del sureste, y va a ser extraordinario, si tenemos en cuenta las fechas en las que nos encontramos, a dos días de finalizar el invierno meteorológico. Evidentemente, debido al carácter tormentoso de la precipitación, esta será bastante irregular entre zonas cercanas, pasando de zonas en las que casi no verán llover, a zonas muy locales donde se caiga el cielo por unos minutos, sobre todo coincidiendo con zonas de montaña. A continuación vamos a realizar un análisis de la posible situación de esta tarde, para que todo el mundo pueda entender el por qué de las tormentas de esta tarde.Mapa de superficie previsto para las 18Z del 28/02/08. Isobaras en superficie (líneas negras), cobertura nubosa en % (áreas grises), precipitación acumulada en 6 horas (áreas en tonos verdes y azules), viento en superficie (flechas naranjas).

Si nos fijamos en el mapa superior, podemos ver como, en superficie, vamos a tener una situación denominada de “pantano barométrico”. Esto se intuye fácilmente al ver que no existen casi ninguna isobara trazada sobre la Península Ibérica y por tanto los vientos son casi inapreciables. Esto es un factor importante a la hora de iniciarse la convección o lo que es lo mismo, la formación de las nubes de tormenta.

Mapa a 500 hPa previsto a para las 18Z del 28/02/08. Altura Geopotencial (líneas blancas), temperatura a 5500 mts (áreas coloreadas), viento a 500 hPa (flechas marrones).

Pero la situación de “pantano barométrico” mencionada anteriormente, no explica de forma clara el posible episodio tormentoso que se puede dar esta tarde. Por tanto tenemos que subir un poco más en la atmósfera. Concretamente nos vamos a situar a una altitud de 5500 mts sobre la vertical del Sureste peninsular. Justo en ese punto vamos a tener un pequeño embolsamiento de aire frío o DANA (Depresión Aislada a Niveles Altos) que favorecerá que, esas burbujas de aire cálido que se forman en superficie por el calentamiento del Sol, asciendan hasta las capas altas de la atmósfera y se condensen formando las nubes de tormenta. Esta DANA albergará en su seno, temperaturas de hasta - 23ºC a esa altura de 5500 mts.

Mapa del CAPE y L.I

Estos factores hacen que se genere energía suficiente como para impulsar esas burbujas de aire cálido hacia arriba. Esta energía la encontramos por ejemplo en L.I, el cual alcanzará un valor de – 2 o el CAPE, que estará sobre los 400 J/Kg. Estos dos parámetros nos indican que la inestabilidad sobre el Sureste durante esta tarde puede llegar a ser moderada. Por tanto esto se traduce en tormentas que, localmente, pueden llegara ser fuertes en zonas cercanas a los relieves. También hay que destacar la importante cantidad de humedad que tendremos en los niveles medios y altos de la atmósfera, con valores de hasta el 90% en altitudes de hasta 3000 mts.

En los mapas superiores (como complemento a la explicación) se puede ver como esta tarde, se creará una zona de ascensos convectivos en el interior del Sureste y del Levante, que favorecerán el desarrollo de dichas tormentas.

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天殺的、原來政府是這樣在呼嚨我？！──公平賽局《書刊》

小說名：公平賽局：經濟學家與女兒互談經濟學、價值以及人生意義 (Fair Play)
小說家：史帝文．藍思博 (Steven E. Landsburg)
譯　者：劉復苓
※原文版1997年‧2008年由城邦經濟新潮社中文化（舊版為金錢出版發行）※


我已經有心理準備，這篇書薦的點擊率絕對是本棧台最少的一篇（……窩在角落裡畫圈圈），但我仍忍不住地希望所有的臺灣公民吶，請務必考慮將此書列入你們的閱讀書單中，因它不單單只是一本通俗的經濟讀物，它還為你重新演繹公平、容忍、道德和正義的真切定義，史帝文希望所有的公民都具備獨立思考的判斷能力，質疑威權體制之下一切似是而非的謬論，並進一步期待讀者能反駁並挑戰他的學術論證，讓彼此真誠的交換見解與想法。

史帝文首先以父母切蛋糕、總有孩子會大喊著：「這不公平，為什麼他的比較大！」為開頭，說明生而為人，上天賦予每個人富貴貧賤、資質高低本就不公，但如此的不公平並不代表你就有權掠奪並重新分配一切，而針對這樣晦暗艱深的人生問題，史帝文提出值得深思的反詰：「人與人之間，究竟彼此虧欠什麼？」，進而打破、並挑戰讀者個人的思想脈絡，以經濟學的基礎，佐以他的生活態度，提出透澈而中肯的公平真理，結論看似冷血，但其中也包含了寬容的態度。

以社會福利為例，在第九章「完美稅制」中，史帝文提到：

⋯⋯我們仍想要一個龐大的社會安全網，但我們發現支撐這張安全網成了就業者的負擔，我們不希望他們有朝一日因為負擔過重，而決定讓這項體制崩潰。為拯救該體制，我們必須縮小它的規模。但是該縮小多少呢？
⋯⋯在考量反誘因效果之後，我們要供養的失業人口不再是23%，而是1%的十分之六──換言之，幾乎等於零。⋯⋯也就是說，我們會同意把福利國家支解到幾乎不存在的地步。
⋯⋯這都是成本和效益的問題。能夠保護底層23%人口的安全網，若能防止它被濫用（有人假裝是23%人口的一員），則錢花得相當值得。可是，如果已經確定有部份比例會被濫用，則整個體制成本會過高，讓我們寧可捨棄，只留少許金額來保護底層1%人口的十分之六。⋯⋯

你認為史帝文是基於什麼事實，認為福利不該多給？如果在前幾章裡有融會貫通，那便能明白史帝文其中的道理，不過在第十章「解構完美稅制」中的這一段非常適合做為此論述的最佳註解。

⋯⋯前幾天，有個聰明伶俐的十九歲少女告訴我，如果她能擁有無限的收入供她揮霍兩年，她就可以在二十一歲時快樂滿足地死去。我說我不相信，因為，如果她真的那麼重視所得，她現在應該在外面努力賺錢，而不是和我閒聊。她說，如果有機會，她一定會像我所說的努力賺錢，只可惜在她居住的地區，這種賺錢的機會實在太少了。她的話語讓我不寒而慄。
⋯⋯機會太少！這名年輕少女已經檢視週遭環境，並且看透這世界再也沒有改變的可能。
⋯⋯有一種特質，我不確定該如何稱呼，但和進取心很接近。它結合了知道該做什麼的敏銳性、想出如何去做的創造力、以及放手去做的專注毅力。那些只會等待適當機會到來，以及過度關心工作職責範圍的人，缺乏的就是這種特質。⋯⋯

史帝文由自由貿易談起，提到保護主義的缺失、福利政策的弊端、訴諸道德原則的是勒索、盲從的權威體制會限制社會的發展、文化偏見無法帶動社會進步、累進稅制與人頭稅的比較性、國賠與責任歸屬問題、多子多孫多福氣的人口永不嫌少⋯⋯，一切的一切，史帝文皆以經濟為主導，並更進一步禪述，在自由市場裡，人各有志，你可以走出安逸的人生，也可以決定衝撞出一條康莊大道，而在這前提之下，政府不該過度干預，製造反誘因社會，而每個人也要抱持寬容態度，清楚任何的選擇都是自我意志所決定，但選擇之後請為自己負責，也理解他人的抉擇，公平才能從中蘊育而生。

確實，經濟議題不是很好懂，政策分析不是很有趣，這書讀起來很勞累，但看下去後卻會覺得它很迷人！藉由史帝文的評論，我才知道政治與經濟是完全分不開，再進一步則發現，原來政府是這樣把我呼嚨大的（苦笑），逐條分析後，看清歷屆執政者的思想偏見與僵化作為，便更能理解，在整個社會本質與稅務價值觀已扭曲卻又無法改變的當下，任何一方黨派的勝利、牽動的僅僅是另一方的情緒波動罷了，對於你的現狀與未來的期待也於事無補；你反而要擔心的是，開出越多福利政策支票與越是傾向於保護主義的政客，越要小心他將你和你子孫的未來給逐步拖垮。

還記得台灣去年有過一波調整最低工資的協商動作嗎？出面喊話的政府難為、工商業者大罵與喊著要關廠、勞工界不肯退讓；但你知道調整最低工資的最大輸家是誰嗎？消費者。

⋯⋯調整最低工資就如同對一小群人（企業經營者）大幅加稅，然後把增加的稅收花費在員工福利上。如果執政者明白宣布如此反覆無常的課稅與支出計劃，則選民會反彈。若將它偽裝成調漲最低工資，甚至還能順利獲得共和黨國會的同意。視市場狀況，經營者最後可能會調漲產品價格，以便把加稅的部份負擔轉嫁到消費者身上，而且，也可能將負擔全數轉嫁（不過機率不高），如此一來，經營者反而是調漲最低工資的最終贏家。不過，這絲毫未能減輕稅負的獨斷性和複雜性，它只意謂著有另一小群人──消費者──分攤了這獨斷又複雜的稅負。⋯⋯

史帝文的分析從某個角度來看或許會覺得吊詭又辛辣，但對於他所提出的各種公平見解，倒是可以幫助看清現代社會的眾多迷思。


後續補充說明：
書看得越多，越容易發現，史帝文藍思博的說法越來越不容易站住腳，立基點雖好，看似完美，但一實行，全是－－屁！我很懷疑在未來，他如何能告訴女兒，全球化與自由化讓財富池集中，富者越富、貧者越貧，地方文化凋零、城鄉差距過大、人文景觀消失，這樣的自由貿易論述是正確而經得起檢驗？話又說回來，其實看看這本書也好，至少能瞭解，到底自由貿易是什麼，如何一步步荼毒全球各地。HomeAny source

Steelers’ former radio announcer Myron Cope dies at 79

A true pioneer of the sports broadcasting industry and inventor of the famous Terrible Towel, Cope leaves a tremendous legacy and foundation throughout Pittsburgh and the United States.

By ALAN ROBINSON, AP Sports Writer

PITTSBURGH (AP)—Myron Cope spoke in a language and with a voice never before heard in a broadcast booth, yet a loving Pittsburgh understood him perfectly during an unprecedented 35 years as a Steelers announcer.

The screechy-voiced Cope, a writer by trade and an announcer by accident whose colorful catch phrases and twirling Terrible Towel became nationally known symbols of the Steelers, died Wednesday at age 79.

Cope died at a nursing home in Mount Lebanon, a Pittsburgh suburb, Joe Gordon, a former Steelers executive and a longtime friend of Cope’s, said. Cope had been treated for respiratory problems and heart failure in recent months.

Cope’s tenure from 1970-2004 as the color analyst on the Steelers’ radio network is the longest in NFL history for a broadcaster with a single team and led to his induction into the National Radio Hall of Fame in 2005.

“His memorable voice and unique broadcasting style became synonymous with Steelers football,” team president Art Rooney II said Wednesday. “They say imitation is the greatest form of flattery, and no Pittsburgh broadcaster was impersonated more than Myron.”
One of Pittsburgh’s most colorful and recognizable personalities, Cope was best known beyond the city’s three rivers for the yellow cloth twirled by fans as a good luck charm at Steelers games since the mid-1970s.

The Terrible Towel is arguably the best-known fan symbol of any major pro sports team, has raised millions of dollars for charity and is displayed at the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Upon Cope’s retirement in 2005, team chairman Dan Rooney said, “You were really part of it. You were part of the team. The Terrible Towel many times got us over the goal line.”

Even after retiring, Cope—a sports talk show host for 23 years—continued to appear in numerous radio, TV and print ads, emblematic of a local popularity that sometimes surpassed that of the stars he covered.

Team officials marveled how Cope received more attention than the players or coaches when the Steelers checked into hotels, accompanied by crowds of fans so large that security guards were needed in every city.

“It is a very sad day, but Myron lived every day to make people happy, to use his great sense of humor to dissect the various issues of the sporting world. … He’s a legend,” former Steelers Pro Bowl linebacker Andy Russell said.

Cope didn’t become a football announcer until age 40, spending the first half of his professional career as a sports writer. He was hired by the Steelers in 1970, several years after he began doing TV sports commentary on the whim of WTAE-TV program director Don Shafer, mostly to help increase attention and attendance as the Steelers moved into Three Rivers Stadium.

Coincidentally, a pair of rookies—Cope and a quarterback named Terry Bradshaw—made their Steelers debuts during the team’s first regular season game at Three Rivers on Sept. 20, 1970.

Neither Steelers owner Art Rooney nor Cope had any idea how much impact he would have on the franchise. Within two years of his hiring, Pittsburgh would begin a string of home sellouts that continues to this day, a stretch that includes five Super Bowl titles.

Cope became so popular that the Steelers didn’t try to replace his unique perspective and top-of-the-lungs vocal histrionics when he retired, instead downsizing from a three-man announcing team to a two-man booth.

Just as Pirates fans once did with longtime broadcaster Bob Prince, Steelers fans began tuning in to hear what wacky stunt or colorful phrase Cope would come up with next. With a voice beyond imitation—a falsetto so shrill it could pierce even the din of a touchdown celebration—Cope was a man of many words, some not in any dictionary.

To Cope, an exceptional play rated a “Yoi!” A coach’s doublespeak was “garganzola.” The despised rival to the north was always the Cleve Brownies, never the Cleveland Browns.

Cope gave four-time Super Bowl champion coach Chuck Noll the only nickname that ever stuck, the Emperor Chaz. For years, Cope laughed off the downriver and often downtrodden Cincinnati Bengals as the Bungles, though never with a malice or nastiness that would create longstanding anger.

Among those longtime listeners was a Pittsburgh high school star turned NFL player turned Steelers coach—Bill Cowher.

“My dad would listen to his talk show and I would think, `Why would you listen to that?”’ Cowher said. “Then I found myself listening to that. I (did) my show with him, and he makes ME feel young.”

Cope, who was born Myron Kopelman, was preceded in death by his wife, Mildred, in 1994. He is survived by a daughter, Elizabeth, and a son, Daniel, who is autistic and lives at Allegheny Valley School, which received all rights to the Terrible Towel in 1996. Another daughter, Martha Ann, died shortly after birth.

Google search to be the default for Opera's mobile browsers

Posted by Michael Fisher, Mobile Strategic Partner Development Manager

If you're one of the millions of people with an Opera Mobile or Opera Mini browser on your phone, you may be pleased to know that Google will soon be the default search engine on the browser start page. We're certainly excited about it -- it will now be even easier for Opera's new and current mobile users to get the information they need, whenever and wherever they need it.

For more details about our new collaboration with Opera, please check out their press release. To learn more about Opera or to download one of their mobile browsers, head here. As always, you can read more about Google mobile products on our website.Any source

Sigue aumentando levemente la Reserva Hídrica

Parece que las lluvias registradas en la pasada jornada del domingo, han acabado beneficiando a las reservas hídricas de nuestra zona. El agua embalsada del Embalse de la Pedrera ha vuelto a aumentar. Ha aumentado 3 hm3 (1,22%) en la última semana situándose de esta manera en el 30,08% de su capacidad.
Any source

Ayer llegaron a Orihuela los primeros yunques de tormenta en lo que va de año

Ayer llegaron a Orihuela los primeros yunques tormentosos procedentes del Noroeste de la Región de Murcia. Varias tormentas explotaron en dicha Región dejando precipitaciones poco significativas pero con considerable aparato eléctrico. A Orihuela llegaron los "avisos" de dichas tormentas en forma de nubes medias y altas que cubrieron el cielo al atardecer.

Fotografía que nos muestra el cielo cubierto al oeste de Orihuela.

Este amago de tormenta en Orihuela no es normal en estas fechas invernales, pero las altas temperaturas y el considerable nivel de Cape y L.I. formaron estas tormentas. Parece ser que el jueves tendremos otra vez una jornada tormentosa, a ver si tenemos suerte y alguna tormenta se pasa por Orihuela.


Imagen del Radar de Almería a las 17:20 horas de ayer. Obsérvese el núcleo tormentoso con reflectividades de hasta 54 hDz entrando en la provincia de Murcia por Caravaca de la Cruz, que luego se extenderia hacia el Oeste quedando relativamente cerca de Orihuela.Any source

BVI FSC Appoints Brodrick Penn as New Investment Business Director

Last week, BVI FSC formally appointed the director of investment business. With effect from January 1, 2008, Brodrick Penn took the place of Ruth Chadwick who had been the head of the BVI regulator's investment department from 2002 until last year.

As Director of Investment Business, Penn will bear responsibility for regulation and supervising mutual funds and investment business in the Territory. He will also provide assistance in the development of the regulatory regime for investment business in the jurisdiction, and advise the commission on strategic and operational issues related to the funds and investment industry.

Brodrick Penn has more than 10 years experience of work in the area of mutual funds and investment business. He started to work in this field as the assistant registrar of mutual funds with the government's Financial Services Department, the predecessor to the commission. Between 2001 and June 2002, he was acting as the registrar of mutual funds, before assuming the role of Deputy Director of investment business. On several occasions he has also been the director of investment business – the most recent being May to June 2007. Penn completed a five-month secondment in Dublin with GAM Fund Management – a fund administration firm belonging to the GAM group, a world leader in multi-manager investing, which has domiciled nearly 100 alternative funds in the BVI.

Penn's professional qualifications include bachelors of science degree received in 1997, and LLM in International Tax Planning received in 2005 (with certifications in Offshore Financial Centres, AML/Compliance, and Trust and Estate Planning).

Managing director/CEO of the FSC Robert Mathavious has commented on Penn's appointment saying that his expertise across a wide range of regulatory issues in the financial services arena will be extremely valuable for the FSC as it faces more complex issues working with partners inside and outside of the BVI.

Brian Obvi,
Offshore Analyst

Article any source

The milk quotas mess

As the debate goes on in the EU about whether milk quotas can be increased by 2 per cent as part of the soft landing when they are eventually abolished in 2015, it is an opportunity to reflect how milk quotas have affected the UK dairy industry.

They were introduced in 1984 to ease the severe budgetary crisis brought about by the structural surplus of milk in Europe. They worked in terms of limiting production growth and coping with the budgetary crisis, but they brought a lot of unintended (or intended) problems in their wake.

The basic problem is that milk quotas ossify structures. Some member states do permit trading of milk quotas within their boundaries, but despite the existence of an internal market, they cannot be traded across national borders. Hence, it is difficult to transfer production from less efficient producers to the more efficient or from less efficient regions to the more efficient.

Of course, some politicians welcome this as a means of enabling farming to survive in these areas. French politicians proudly proclaim that quotas are the reason that milk is still produced in every corner of France. In many areas of Europe only the quota system can guarantee prices high enough to keep farmers in business.

But all this comes at a price. Europe's share of world dairy markets has been falling. Third country markets for dairy products are being captured by more efficient producers in North and South America.

Dairy farmers like them, of course. Their arrival gave them a windfall capital gain and a retirement pot that can be worth as much as €1m.

There was a bare qualified majority in the Special Committee on Agriculture for the quota increase. Germany with a Bavarian farm minister is against, as are Austria, Finland (where there are quite a lot of dairy farmers) and Malta (where there are very few). France would like to delay, but the change will probably be go through and a small step will have been taken towards a more market oriented system.Any source

La lluvia llegó ayer a Orihuela con contundencia

Esta vez la lluvia ha llegado con más contundencia hasta Orihuela. Desde que comenzaran las precipitaciones a las 03:26 horas ayer, estas no cesaron hasta bien entrada la tarde. Aunque las intensidades no fueron muy importantes, si que hay que destacar su persistencia durante horas y horas, lo que permitió que la tierra captara toda el agua precipitada. Estas lluvias supongo que han sido muy beneficiosas para el campo oriolano en general.

Toda la Península Ibérica bajo la influencia de la Borrasca situada al suroeste de Portugal.

La cantidad de precipitación recogida ayer es la siguiente:
Orihuela: 18,73 l

Otras cantidades de precipitación recogidas ayer relativamente cerca de Orihuela:
Torrevieja (Alicante): 20,2 l
Albatera (Alicante): 19,1 l
Novelda (Alicante): 18,0 l
Yecla (Murcia): 15,5 l
Castalla (Alicante): 15,0 l
Murcia (Murcia): 14,5 l
Elda (Alicante): 14,4 l
Cartagena (Murcia): 13,9 l
Onil (Alicante): 12,6 l
San Vicente de Raspeig (Alicante): 12,2 l
Aeropuerto El Altet (Alicante): 11,6 l
Alcoy (Alicante): 11,0 l
Molina de Segura (Murcia): 10,9 l
Alicante (Alicante): 10,8 l
Jumilla (Murcia): 10,8 l
Villena (Alicante): 9,2 l

*Las cantidades de precipitación están recogidas en litros por metro cuadrado.Any source

Cameron bangs food security drum

The popularity of the new rhetoric of food security is shown by its adoption by British Conservative Party leader, Dave Cameron, in address to the 100th anniversary conference of the National Farmers' Union. He revealed that he is himself a NFU member, although presumably one of the 'green welly' variety.

The job of the Leader of the Opposition is to question government policy and one can't blame him for jumping on any convenient bandwagon that comes on. Food security gave a coherent theme to a speech that was otherwise trying to push every possible button. Raising the spectre of a return to food rationing is a good way of dramatising some of the current changes in global food supply.

It's a bit harder to tease out from the speech what his remedies are. What he does make clear is that he is against a return to protectionism and trade barriers and to production linked subsdidies.

He seems to think that British farmers could produce more food for the domestic consumer if the burden of regulation was reduced. Standards in Britain are claimed to be more onerous than elsewhere in the EU. So, it is argued, one needs regulation that is based on outcomes, not processes, and on trust. What this seems to mean is more self-regulation and reliance on peer pressures with penalties only for the tiny minority of farmers who abuse trust.

All fine in principle, but how does this square with his emphasis on failings in animal health regulation at the beginning of his speech? Of course, the NFU is now blaming 'hobby farmers' for the second wave of the foot-and-mouth outbreak in Surrey last September. Smallholders have hit back by claiming that they often spend more on proper prevention practices than do commercial farmers, while others have argued that hobby farmers should not be demonised.

In time Dave Cameron may come to learn that the politics of farming brings you few votes and a lot of grief.Any source

Financial Exclusion of Indian Muslims

Syed Zahid Ahmad, AICMEU's Baitulmal Co-operative Credit Society Ltd, Mumbai. aicmeus@yahoo.com

Muslims as Minority Community in India:

Though Indian Muslims along with other communities initiated, struggled and sacrificed their lives for freedom of India, perhaps the incident of partition (and origin of Pakistan) shadowed those sacrifices. The awful situation is that, not only those Muslims, who choose India as their own country, became undesirable; but the Muslims born in India after freedom, who had nothing to do with formation of Pakistan, are still paying the price of that partition and are made to feel their fundamental rights as obligations. Today, the community is almost detached from the mainstream and rated as the most under-privileged community after Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) in India. The feeling that Muslims are deprived of sharing development fruits has caused great sense of alienation among the Muslims. With lot of showmanship, it was decided in 2005, by present central government to investigate the plight of Indian Muslim.

Even Justice Sachar Committee did not justice:

This investigation report, popularly known as Sachar Committee Report was published in November 2006, revealed some factual data about the nature and degree of Muslim backwardness; but some section of the report did not justified with the fact findings. As it would not be possible here to discuss all those injustices, with due regard and thanks to Justice Sachar Committee members; I would like to point out the following five points related to deprivation of Indian Muslims religious rights and their financial exclusion in banking and finance sector, where it seems misappropriated.

1. Indian Muslims not prefer to deal with interest based banking or financial services and is seeking policy initiative to operate interest-free banking and finance in India.

2. The prohibition of interest in Islam is a root cause of lower participation of Muslims in employment and business activities in banking sector.

3. Indian Muslims reluctantly use interest based banking services to avail security for their individual deposits and credit for their business requirements.

4. The demand for interest-free banking by Indian Muslims has been deserted for over 60 years and the policies regarding Interest-free financial Institutions in India (IFFIs) are also causing hurdles in growth.

5. In absence of Interest-free banking in India, there is annual financial exclusion of Indian Muslims over Rs. 22,000 crores.

What is unjust in Sachar Committee Report?

It is admirable that through Justice Sachar Committee Report, the Indian Government attempted to divert thinking of Indian Muslim leaders towards general development plans. Since the concerned persons for preparation of the said report used to live in civil society; they miss to include the psychological approach of Muslim majority (living in slums or poor villages with lower tolerance over issues related to religion and community affairs) in preparation of the report. This made the report reflecting the ideology of civil society, and the real observations and feelings of general Muslims were not transmitted in the said report. It is a fact that the demand for interest-free banking by Muslims in unorganized sector is more acute than by Muslims living in civil societies.

Why Muslim's participation is low in banking Sector?

Muslims do not prefer to interact with interest based banking and finance because Islam strictly prohibits interest. The pre-dominant role of interest in our fiscal and monetary system caused exclusion of Indian Muslims from banking and finance sector. The general Muslims are more reluctant to interest based systems as compared to those living in civil society. This is also clear from the observation that majority of Muslims associated to civil society tends to use interest-based banking and the general Muslims who do live in slums and rural areas are more reluctant to interest based banking, and they prefer financial exclusion compared to being part of interest based banking and finance. They like to transact through IFFIs, as they provide interest-free banking and financial services.

Why Interest is prohibited in Islam?

Interest (Riba) is such a forbidding sin in Islam that the Creator of Universe Has Announced War against those who take Riba. Those who devour Riba would be under fire (Hell) forever after death, because Riba is a cruel practice against humanity; which ruins the sublime human feelings like sacrifice, charity and help etc. from civil society and helps promoting such a ruthless society, where instead of 'humanity'; the capitalist forces (with their wealth) rules the society. In fact Riba is just not meant for a value addition as 'interest' over principal sum of deposit or lending, but it could be defined as a practice to take undue advantage from the needy with providing conditional credit. Riba could be observed in different forms while practicing trade and commercial activities. It's important to note that enabling someone to indulge into Riba is indirectly meant for promoting Riba. So those who deposit savings at banks (capitalist forces) are indirectly empowering banks to execute Riba by lending loans on interest (with help of extended finance through savings). The sin of Riba is quite evident after thousands of farmer's suicides cases.

Unjust reporting by Justice Sachar Committee:

In the largest secular democratic country 'India', even after 60 years, the Muslims are not allowed practicing their religious rights in banking sector because while Islam strictly prohibits interest, Indian banking acts does not allow opening an interest free Bank in India. The community being in minority could not fight against it. If someone ever tried to rise voices, that been diplomatically denied by government officials. The latest example could be illustrated from the incidence how the Justice Sachar Committee Report (which is considered as ever best gift to Indian Muslims) denied doing justice with the Community. This demand of interest free banks for Muslims as raised by a few community leaders before delegates of Justice Sachar Committee was not only denied but perverted with just following three sentences.

"Some felt that it was desirable to create separate financial institutions for Muslim entrepreneurs. Others argued that the existing minority financial institutions have been a failure and a decentralized micro-credit schemes through self help groups (SHGs) is the most viable option. Some existing SHGs for Muslim women entrepreneurs that have been successful were cited as examples that could be emulated."

Here in the first sentence; it seems that the committee with intention to avoid discussing over 'Interest-free banking' instead of clarifying the nature of desired 'separate financial institution' for Muslims just said that "Some felt that it was desirable to create separate financial institutions for Muslim entrepreneurs". The very next sentence further sliced the demand by reporting others argument about minority financial institutions that "the existing minority financial institutions have been a failure" (means Muslims are inefficient to manage interest-free financial institutions). Again with intention to avoid any possible uproar over interest-free banking, instead of discussing about causes of these failures (and also about role of government authorities in such failures), in the same sentence, the committee tried to divert the topic towards Micro-Credit Schemes, quoting that "and a decentralized micro-credit schemes through self help groups (SHGs) is the most viable option". The third sentence further strengthens this attempt of diversion by quoting that "Some existing SHGs for Muslim women entrepreneurs that have been successful were cited as examples that could be emulated".

This way without citing the 'taboo' word 'Islamic Banking', the government officials not only denied the demand of interest free bank in India and left the Muslims deprived of their religious right to transact interest free banking; but also tried to divert Muslim's attention from Interest-free Banks to Micro–Credit Schemes, where the rate of interest is relatively higher than SCBs, creating scope for more financial loss to the community.

Muslims have lowest employment share in RBI:

About lower percentage of Muslims in banking sector, the committee writes that –

"The Census, 2001 data (Fig. 6.12) shows that the percentage of households availing banking facilities is much lower in villages where the share of Muslim population is high."

It indicates that generally Muslims avoid interest based banking and wherever the community is higher in concentration, they tend to operate interest-free financial institutions. The committee further mentioned that -

"The representation of Muslims is very low at 2.2% in bank employment overall, just 1.7% at higher levels and 2.5% at lower level positions. "

"Similarly, available estimates suggest that the number of Muslim employees in the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is 150 out of nearly 19000 employees."

The committee did not like to discuss about reasons of lowest percentage (0.78%) of Muslims in RBI and SCBs (2.2%). The intention could be simply to avoid any discussion over possible reason - 'prohibition of interest in Islam' and thus real need of interest-free banking, which seems unacceptable to RBI and SCBs rather they might in reality seek exclusion of Muslims for monetary and financial system. Unless our policy makers take some policy initiative to recognize the real demand of interest-free banking for Muslims, percentage of Muslims in banking sector is not going to increase.

Manipulated observations and recommendation by Sachar Committee:

The committee did not justify with some of the following sections of recommendations related to banking and finance.

"The chapters on Bank Credit and Government Programmes have highlighted the fact that flow of credit to Muslims is quite limited. While part of this could possibly be due to lower demand for credit due to low income levels of the Community, low access to credit cannot be ignored. Lack of access to credit is a more serious problem for the Community as a significantly larger proportion of workers are engaged in self-employment, especially home-based work."

Here in above observation, it was truly reported that flow of credit to Muslims is quite limited; but wrongly interpreted that it might be due to low income of people, because already in chapter 6, the committee has found and quoted the following facts contradictory to the above statement of low income as a reason for low credit demand.

"Muslims constitute about 12% of all ASCBs account holders. ... It is noteworthy that the share of Muslims in the 'amount outstanding' is only 4.7%".

Unfair Recommendation by Sachar Committee:

So, it is clear from the above statement of the committee that, Muslims share in PSA accounts (12%) is closure to their percentage share in population (13.43%), moreover the demand for Credit by Muslims is much higher as compared to granted loans under PSA by SCBs. Moving ahead with intention to promote interest based banking among Muslims instead of recognizing demand for interest-free banking, the committee further recommends the following -

"The Committee, therefore, recommends promoting and enhancing access to Muslims in Priority Sector Advances. Any shortfall in achievement of targeted amount in minority specific programmes should be parked with NMDFC, NABARD and SIDBI and specific programmes should be funded with this amount. However, the real need is of policy initiatives that improve the participation and share of the Minorities, particularly Muslims in the business of regular commercial banks"

The committee in a way told Indian Muslims that they should either forget prohibition of interest in Islam and start participating in interest based banking as other communities do participate; otherwise remain out of the credit system. This is very clear from the fact that the committee instead of discussing about prohibition of interest in Islam and financial exclusion of Muslims by SCBs, advocated inclusiveness of Muslims in SCBs business.

Sachar Committee supported practice of financial exclusions of Muslims:

About role of specialized financial institutions like SIDBI and NABARD, the Committee submitted the following recommendations.

"The Committee also recommends that the coverage under Public Programmes should be extended to include more schemes and should also include lending by NABARD and SIDBI. SIDBI should set aside a fund for training for minorities under its Entrepreneurial Development Programme. Such programmes should not only aim to improve skills of artisans in traditional occupations but also reequip them with modern skills required to face the adverse effects of globalization in their area of artisanship. Given the substantial presence of Muslims in these occupational groups special attention should be given to them."

"While the available data is inadequate, there is a widespread perception that the participation of Muslims in the Self Help Groups (SHGs) and other micro-credit programmes is very limited. A policy to enhance the participation of minorities in the micro-credit schemes of NABARD should be laid down. This policy should spell out the intervention required by NABARD through a mix of target and incentive schemes based on the population percentage of Muslims in the village in order to enhance the participation of Muslims in micro-credit. In any case, data on the participation of different SRCs in such schemes should be collected and shared with the RBI or the NDB. The implementation of such schemes may need to be tailored to specific situations."

In the above recommendations, the committee not even liked to discuss about reasons and consequences of financial exclusions of Muslims by SIDBI and NABARD. If we see that there is less than 4% share of Muslims in finances extended by NABARD and even less than 0.48% share in loans granted by SIDBI, the above recommendation of the committee bound us to think that, the committee wants to see continued financial exclusion of Indian Muslims by SIDBI and NABARD.

Annual Financial Exclusion of Indian Muslims

Analysis of data available at Sachar Committee Report shows that there is annual financial exclusion of Indian Muslims worth over Rs. 22,000 crores. The following table shows how Indian Muslims are being financially excluded. Due to errors in data of 25 SCBs, the Sachar Committee used data of only 31 SCBs. The analysis of these data shows annual financial exclusion of Indian Muslims worth Rs. 11,170.40 crores.

Loans / Deposits	Rupees in Crores		% to Muslims
	All SRCs	Muslims
1. Outstanding loan amounts under PSA granted by 31 SCBs	328,755.00	15,685.00	4.77%
2. Loans disbursed by SIDBI	26,592.58	124.12	0.47%
3. Production refinance by NABARD	9,167.65	290.83	3.17%
4. Investment refinance by NABARD	8,485.48	333.41	3.93%
5. Total outstanding loans by 31 SCBs, SIDBI and NABARD	373,000.71	16,433.36	4.41%
6. Total individual deposits at 31 SCBs	528,541.00	39,112.03	7.40%
7. Total deposit loan ratio (7=5/6)	70.57%	42.02%	-28.56%
8. Net annual financial exclusion of Indian Muslims	Rs. 11,170.40 Crores

If we assume that the other 25 SCBs whose data been excluded by Sachar Committee would follow the same ratio in deposit and credit amounts, it is supposed that the remaining 25 SCBs will share around 45% of total deposits and loans of 56 SCBs while 31 SCBs will share 55% of total deposits and loan amounts. With this ratio, the annual estimated deposits and outstanding loans at 25 SCBs could be as following:-

Estimated Deposits and Loans at 25 SCBS	Rupees in Crores		% to Muslims
	All SRCs	Muslims
9 Total outstanding loans under PSA accounts by rest of 25 SCBs	146,756.23	7,001.78	4.77%
10. Total individual deposits at rest of 25 SCBs	235,940.70	17,459.61	7.40%

If we sum up the figures of 31 and 25 SCBs deposits and loan amounts, there is estimated annual financial exclusion of Indian Muslims over Rs. 15,025 crores due to deficit in deposit loan ratio for Muslims, based on assumption that all 56 SCBs would maintain the same ratio as 31 SCBs did whose data used by Justice Sachar Committee.

Estimates of all SCBs, SIDBI and NABARD	Rupees in Crores		% to Muslims
	All SRCs	Muslims
11. Estimated total individual deposits at all 56 SCBs	764,481.70	56,571.64	7.40%
12. Estimated total credit issued by 56 SCBs, SIDBI and NABARD	519,756.94	23,435.14	4.53%
13. Estimated total credit deposit ratio (13=12/11)	67.99%	41.43%	-26.56%
14. Net annual financial exclusion of Indian Muslims	Rs. 15,025.43 Crores

If annual interest earned by SCBs over Rs. 7,000 crores (with estimated PLR of 12.5% p.a.) due to deposits by Muslims accumulated to deficit in credit due to deficit in deposit loan ratio, the annual financial exclusion of Indian Muslims amounts to Rs. 22,000 crores.

Analyzing the above table, we may further conclude that Muslims contribute 7.4% of national individual deposits at SCBs and get only 4.7% of outstanding loans; it shows SCBs are more interested in mobilizing deposits from Muslims and neglects them while it comes to granting loans. If this financial exclusion of the community had been checked earlier, the percentage of Muslims living under BPL would have dropped considerably.

Sachar Committee supported Economic Assassination of Indian Muslims:

For Indian Muslims, already suffering from severe economic backwardness, this sort of financial exclusions is proved to be an act of economic assassination by so called secular democratic system. The Justice Sachar Committee Report should have pointed out this financial exclusion of Indian Muslims and suggested measures to check this exclusion. Instead the Committee supported the financial exclusion of Indian Muslims by avoiding to quote anything about this exclusion rather suggested recommendations for inclusiveness of Muslims in the existing banking and financial system. The genuine reason for this might be to avoid any possible uproar among minority community for this exclusion and demand of interest-free banking. The committee is not supposed to let any chance for creating anti incumbency factor for the present government, thus they accordingly prepared the report and tried to avoid any uproar among the Muslim community.

This financial exclusion may spread communalism:

But it is just not possible to hide the fact for a longer time. How long a paper boat could float in the sea? If justice is not given to a community, it will lead to revolution and may disrupt the system as well. It is expected that sooner or later, the Indian Muslims would revolt against this financial exclusion and may also agitate by demanding interest-free system to have due share of credit on their savings. By that time, it would be too late to handle the issue, because if it gets the communal touch, it may communalize our economic and financial structure as well. The community with 67% poverty and over 90% workers associated with unorganized sector, the Indian Muslims need special financial facilities. And in view of the extended credit requirement, if the financial exclusion is not checked, it may really create a sense of communal uproar among Indian Muslims. And by that time, it would be really very difficult to justify the negligence of demand for interest-free banking and measures to control financial exclusion of Indian Muslims.

Immediate Policy Initiatives required:

Some Muslim leaders have already submitted plea to Ministry of finance and office of the Prime Minister of India to consider application for permission of interest-free banking in India. It is high time our government authorities should consider the sensitiveness of this issue and handle it tactfully. With current decline in growth rate it may be the right time to take due policy initiative for allowing interest-free banking business in India to facilitate the entrepreneurs and individuals associated with our unorganized sector. The issue related to feasibility of interest-free banking and its compatibility with RBI, may be discussed in exclusive meetings with advocates of interest-free banking with RBI legal advisors. Any further silence over it may certainly defame our secular democratic governance at international level; if it leads uproar of just following fact that -

"Indian Muslims, being in minority; despite 60 years of secular democracy are deprived of practicing their religious rights in banking and finance sector, and there is annual financial exclusion of Indian Muslims over Rs. 22,000 crores. "

Time is running out for justice!

Indian Muslims seek justice over their financial exclusions and demand for permission to open interest-free banking. If they got permission, it could pacify; otherwise it is not possible for the authorities to compensate losses of Indian Muslims due to this financial exclusion. With passing days, this issue may lead to communal tensions in our country and could also yield anti incumbency factor for UPA government because after all this matter has to be solved by the central government.

Considering proportionate lower share of unorganized sector in GDP growth rate, the UPA government should think about its impact on majority of Indian community. The ministers and policy makers should come out of evaluating growth of organized sector by reading the sensex per day. This sensex reading lead to feel 'Shine India' by NDA government and kept in dark about dissatisfied general Indian associated to unorganized sector. Again our ministers and stakeholders of national economic policies are more interestingly watching stock market and formal sector growth only. There is still to notice any considerable growth sign in unorganized sector. RBIs should also focus to provide financial inclusiveness to 60% potential customers who are still out of credit system.

Majority of people associated with unorganized sector needs comprehensive credit facility with lowest possible interest and not Micro-Finance where rate of interest is even more than PLR of SCBs. With possible dissatisfaction among majority of unorganized sector workers, any uproar by Indian Muslims would be additional burden and may cost the UPA government to loose support of patent voters in next election.

So, before the air of anti UPA blow, the ministers and administrators should come out of projecting over 9% growth rate by screening formal sector indicators like stock exchange and RBI estimates. Its time to listen the people's voice associated to unorganized sector that constitute 90% human capital of Indian economy.

It is expected that if Interest-free Banking is incept operation in India, it may immediately induce Direct Foreign Investments (DFI) around Rs. 1,00,000 crores from Gulf market. Considering present trend of recession in American and international market, it would certainly be preferred to induce DFI from gulf market. For further queries in this regard please feel free to call the undersigned.

Any source