.
An only child alone and wild / A cabinet makers son / His hands were meant, for different work, / And his heart was known to none / He left his home, and went his lone / And solitary way / And he gave to me a gift, I know / I never can repay
A quiet man of music / Denied a simpler fate / He tried to be a soldier once / But his music wouldn’t wait / He earned his love through discipline / A thundering, velvet hand / His gentle means of sculpting souls / Took me years to understand
[Chorus]
The leader of the band is tired / And his eyes are growing old / But his blood runs through my instrument / And his song is in my soul / My life has been a poor attempt / To imitate the man / I’m just a living legacy / To the leader of the band
My brothers’ lives were different / For they heard another call / One went to Chicago / And the other to St. Paul / And I’m in Colorado / When I’m not in some hotel / Living out this life I’ve chose / And come to know so well
I thank you for the music / And your stories of the road / I thank you for the freedom / When it came my time to go / I thank you for the kindness / And the times when you got tough / And papa, I --- don’t think I’ve said / I love you near enough
[Chorus]
[Ending]
I am the living legacy / To the leader of the band.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
PhoneNet Extn User Guide
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Here's the PhoneNet Quick Guide:
(click on picture to enlarge for easy reading)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Here're the detailed PhoneNet User Guides:
PhoneNet Extn User Guide ~ Frequently Used Features:
http://sites.google.com/site/tritioni/Home/phonenet-extn-user-guide/PhoneNetExtnUserGuide~FrequentlyUsedFeatures.doc?attredirects=0
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Here's the PhoneNet Quick Guide:
(click on picture to enlarge for easy reading)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Here're the detailed PhoneNet User Guides:
These files are useful to those of us who use PhoneNet Extn.
Disclamer: These files are correct at time of creation.
PhoneNet Extn User Guide ~ Frequently Used Features:
http://sites.google.com/site/tritioni/Home/phonenet-extn-user-guide/PhoneNetExtnUserGuide~FrequentlyUsedFeatures.doc?attredirects=0
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Lettris
Lettris is a curious tetris-clone game where all the bricks have the same square shape but different content. Each square carries a letter. To make squares disappear and save space for other squares you have to assemble.
Cats ~ Online Jigsaw Puzzle
http://www.jigzone.com/gallery/Cats
Click here for a Bigger-Picture...
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Here're are more links:
http://www.jigzone.com/gallery/Animals
http://www.jigzone.com/gallery/
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Here's the main link:
http://www.jigzone.com/
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Click here for a Bigger-Picture...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Here're are more links:
http://www.jigzone.com/gallery/Animals
http://www.jigzone.com/gallery/
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Here's the main link:
http://www.jigzone.com/
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Cute Kitten ~ Jigsaw Puzzle & Poem
Click here for a bigger picture:
Click on picture to play the Jigsaw Puzzle:
Click on picture to play the Jigsaw Puzzle:
http://www.jigzone.com/puzzles/95055D538DC9
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A Poem
But The Kitten, How She Starts
By William Wordsworth (1770-1850)
But the Kitten, how she starts,
crouches, stretches, paws, and darts!
First at one, and then its fellow,
just as light and just as yellow.
There are many now - now one,
now they stop and there are none:
What intenseness of desire,
in her upward eye of fire!
With a tiger-leap half-way,
now she meets the coming prey.
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A Poem
But The Kitten, How She Starts
By William Wordsworth (1770-1850)
But the Kitten, how she starts,
crouches, stretches, paws, and darts!
First at one, and then its fellow,
just as light and just as yellow.
There are many now - now one,
now they stop and there are none:
What intenseness of desire,
in her upward eye of fire!
With a tiger-leap half-way,
now she meets the coming prey.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
If I Had My Child to Raise Over Again
~ by Diana Loomans (2008)
If I had my child to raise over again,
I'd finger paint more, and point the finger less.
I'd do less correcting, and more connecting.
I'd take my eyes off my watch, and watch with my eyes.
I would care to know less, and know to care more.
I'd take more hikes and fly more kites.
I'd stop playing serious, and seriously play.
I'd run through more fields, and gaze at more stars.
I'd do more hugging, and less tugging.
I would be firm less often, and affirm much more.
I'd build self-esteem first, and the house later.
I'd teach less about the love of power,
And more about the power of love.
If I had my child to raise over again,
I'd finger paint more, and point the finger less.
I'd do less correcting, and more connecting.
I'd take my eyes off my watch, and watch with my eyes.
I would care to know less, and know to care more.
I'd take more hikes and fly more kites.
I'd stop playing serious, and seriously play.
I'd run through more fields, and gaze at more stars.
I'd do more hugging, and less tugging.
I would be firm less often, and affirm much more.
I'd build self-esteem first, and the house later.
I'd teach less about the love of power,
And more about the power of love.
Dolores Hart & Elvis Presley
.
Filmography:
Loving You (1957) .... Susan Jessup (w Elvis Presley)
Wild Is the Wind (1957) .... Angie
Lonelyhearts (1958) .... Justy Sargent
King Creole (1958) .... Nellie (w Elvis Presley)
The Plunderers (1960) .... Ellie Walters
Where the Boys Are (1960) .... Merritt Andrews (w Connie Francis)
Francis of Assisi (1961) .... Clare
Sail a Crooked Ship (1961) .... Elinor Harrison
Lisa, also released as The Inspector (1962) .... Lisa Held
Come Fly with Me (1963) .... Donna Stuart
Filmography:
Loving You (1957) .... Susan Jessup (w Elvis Presley)
Wild Is the Wind (1957) .... Angie
Lonelyhearts (1958) .... Justy Sargent
King Creole (1958) .... Nellie (w Elvis Presley)
The Plunderers (1960) .... Ellie Walters
Where the Boys Are (1960) .... Merritt Andrews (w Connie Francis)
Francis of Assisi (1961) .... Clare
Sail a Crooked Ship (1961) .... Elinor Harrison
Lisa, also released as The Inspector (1962) .... Lisa Held
Come Fly with Me (1963) .... Donna Stuart
Friday, July 24, 2009
Liverpool FC ~ You'll Never Walk Alone
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.gif)
.
.
You'll Never Walk Alone ~ Lyrics
(Rodgers & Hammerstein)
When you walk through a storm
Hold your head up high
And don't be afraid of the dark
At the end of the storm
Is a golden sky
And the sweet silver song of the lark
Walk on through the wind
Walk on through the rain
Though your dreams be tossed and blown
Walk on walk on with hope in your heart
And you'll never walk alone
(Rodgers & Hammerstein)
When you walk through a storm
Hold your head up high
And don't be afraid of the dark
At the end of the storm
Is a golden sky
And the sweet silver song of the lark
Walk on through the wind
Walk on through the rain
Though your dreams be tossed and blown
Walk on walk on with hope in your heart
And you'll never walk alone
You'll never walk alone (Repeat from Begining)
.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
You'll Never Walk Alone ~ Info & Notes:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/You)
"You'll Never Walk Alone" is a show tune from the 1945 Rodgers and Hammerstein musical, Carousel. In England, the song's most successful performance was recorded in 1963 by the Liverpudlian Merseybeat group Gerry & The Pacemakers (peaking at number one in the singles chart for four consecutive weeks). It quickly became the anthem of Liverpool Football Club and is invariably sung by its supporters moments before the start of each home game.[2][3] The words "You'll Never Walk Alone" also feature in the club crest and on the Shankly Gate entrance to the stadium.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/You)
"You'll Never Walk Alone" is a show tune from the 1945 Rodgers and Hammerstein musical, Carousel. In England, the song's most successful performance was recorded in 1963 by the Liverpudlian Merseybeat group Gerry & The Pacemakers (peaking at number one in the singles chart for four consecutive weeks). It quickly became the anthem of Liverpool Football Club and is invariably sung by its supporters moments before the start of each home game.[2][3] The words "You'll Never Walk Alone" also feature in the club crest and on the Shankly Gate entrance to the stadium.
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A Boy Who Loves His Mum
http://www.xin.sg/
Joshua Ang's mother passes away
Thursday, 2009 July 23
http://sg.news.yahoo.com/xin/20090722/ten-530-joshua-angs-mother-passes-away-3c1b9bc.html
Joshua Ang's mother passed away on Sunday morning (2009 Jul 19, Sun). The 21-year-old boy was in distress when he left the mortuary after collecting her body. Her body is now resting at Singapore Casket.
According to reports, Ang's 49-year-old mother suffered from heart disease and diabetic problems before she passed on.
On Saturday night around 11pm, Ang tried to awake his sleeping mom but to no avail. She was then rushed to Changi General Hospital and was pronounced dead at 12 midnight.
Ang carved a name for himself as a 12-year-old boy in movie I Not Stupid, and was casted as one of the male leads in recent drama Table of Glory.
In an interview held three years ago, Ang revealed that he once had a falling out with his mother and left home, but admitted his mistake to her very quickly.
.
Ang's godmother who fought with cancer for seven months, also recently passed away in January this year.
Police has listed this case as an "unnatural death".
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Joshua Ang grieves over dead mother on his blog
Friday, 2009 July 31
http://sg.news.yahoo.com/xin/20090730/ten-583-joshua-ang-grieves-dead-mother-b-3c1b9bc.html
For the first time since his mother's sudden death on July 20, 21-year-old actor Joshua Ang poured his feelings into his blog (http://www.nutzhen.com/to-my-mommy-dearest%e2%84%a2/) and grieved over his mother's passing. The actor expressed his heartfelt appreciation for being given such a good mother. He also shared how he had started to pine for her every night and would often question himself, "Why does it have to be now for me?"
He mentioned in his blog that his mother hated listening to rock music. So to make her happy, he played this song called "Storm". The actor shared that his mother loves listening to this piece as he would often play it when she sat in his car.
"Storm" was composed and sang by Jason Wade, the lead singer of US rock band Lifehouse, who wanted to express his relationship with God. Ang revealed that he found the courage to pen his feelings down in his blog after he heard the song again on his iPod. Listening to this particular song on loop brought back a lot of beautiful memories shared by the mother and her son.
According to past reports, Ang's godmother battled her cancer condition for seven months and finally passed away in January this year. Half a year later, his mother unexpectedly lapsed into coma on July 19 while resting at home. She was rushed to Changi General Hospital but could not be resuscitated and was announced dead at 12am.
In his blog, the actor thanked the heavens for bringing his mother into his life, and for bringing his mother to some place better. Ang portrayed a rarely-seen mature side to himself on his blog. He also mentioned that he would keep up with his mother's housekeeping ways, and believed that his mother would continue to guide him along.
Ang's god brother wrote an entry titled "Helpless" and expressed his emotions on his blog as he said, "A lot of things are not within our control and it makes us helpless. However, it is only through such times that we know who are the ones we truly need, and who are the ones rallying around on."
Actress Koh Ya Hwee also wrote a blog entry titled "Appreciation", reminding everyone to appreciate their parents.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Joshua Ang's Blog
http://www.nutzhen.com/
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Total Eclipse of the Sun
A solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes in front of the Sun and blocks it either partially or completely.
.
Channel U (Singapore)
TV Live Simulcast
2009 Jul 22, Wednesday Morning between 8-11am
Special highlights: 11.30pm (Same Day)
.
In ancient China, legend has it that a heavenly dog swallowed the Sun! In modern day, astronomers explain that a solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes in front of the Sun and blocks it either partially or completely.
The programme will also cover topics including:
- Why and how do eclipses occur?
- Why is a total solar eclipse so captivating?
- Comparisons of past and current observations and studies
- What are the correct ways to view a solar eclipse
- How eclipses affect and fascinate both the western and eastern cultures in different ways
• LONGEST ECLIPSE OF THE CENTURY
Total solar eclipses are rare events. Although total solar eclipses occur somewhere on Earth every 18 months on average, it has been estimated that they recur at any particular place only once every 370 years, on average. This means we may have to wait as long as 500 years for a chance to see a total solar eclipse from where we live! Totality can never last more than 7 min 31 sec, and is usually much shorter. For comparison, the longest eclipse of the 21st century on 22 July will last 6 min 39 sec, and will not be surpassed in duration until 13 June, 2132.
► LEGENDS & MYTHS
• In Hindu mythology, solar eclipse occurs when the bodiless demon Rahu swallows the Sun in revenge. The eclipse ends when the Sun slips out of his open neck.
• In ancient Egypt, the pharaohs (the clan of the ruling kings) believed they were direct descendants of the Sun. During an eclipse, they would walk around their main temple of Osiris till the eclipse was over, as the Sun should keep on moving continuously without any obstruction.
• According to the Ojibawas sect of the Red Indians, the solar eclipse signifies the extinguishing of the Sun. Consequently they hurl burning arrows into the sky so as to rekindle its original brightness.
• The Eskimos conceived that eclipses brought the Earth under bad influences, believing further that failure to place their utensils upside down before the deities would lead to widespread diseases. Even today Eskimo women follow this ritual for the duration of the eclipse.
TV COVERAGE:
This Wednesday 22 July 2009, a total eclipse of the Sun will be visible to some parts of the world, making it the longest total eclipse in the 21st century. The path of the moon’s umbra begins from India and crosses through Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar and China. After leaving mainland Asia, the path crosses Japan’s Ryukyu Islands and curves southeast through the Pacific Ocean where the maximum duration of totality reaches 6 min 39 sec.
Seen from Singapore, only 10 to 20 per cent of the Sun will be obscured. However, audience will get to catch the sensational moment of total eclipse live on Channel U. From 8 - 11am on 22 July, Channel U will simulcast live with China Central Television (CCTV) which will present live telecasts from key China cities - Chengdu, Wuhan, Tongling and Hangzhou where the total eclipse will be seen at its most spectacular. Special highlights will be shown at 11.30pm on the same day.
..
.
Channel U (Singapore)
TV Live Simulcast
2009 Jul 22, Wednesday Morning between 8-11am
Special highlights: 11.30pm (Same Day)
.
In ancient China, legend has it that a heavenly dog swallowed the Sun! In modern day, astronomers explain that a solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes in front of the Sun and blocks it either partially or completely.
The programme will also cover topics including:
- Why and how do eclipses occur?
- Why is a total solar eclipse so captivating?
- Comparisons of past and current observations and studies
- What are the correct ways to view a solar eclipse
- How eclipses affect and fascinate both the western and eastern cultures in different ways
• LONGEST ECLIPSE OF THE CENTURY
Total solar eclipses are rare events. Although total solar eclipses occur somewhere on Earth every 18 months on average, it has been estimated that they recur at any particular place only once every 370 years, on average. This means we may have to wait as long as 500 years for a chance to see a total solar eclipse from where we live! Totality can never last more than 7 min 31 sec, and is usually much shorter. For comparison, the longest eclipse of the 21st century on 22 July will last 6 min 39 sec, and will not be surpassed in duration until 13 June, 2132.
► LEGENDS & MYTHS
• In Hindu mythology, solar eclipse occurs when the bodiless demon Rahu swallows the Sun in revenge. The eclipse ends when the Sun slips out of his open neck.
• In ancient Egypt, the pharaohs (the clan of the ruling kings) believed they were direct descendants of the Sun. During an eclipse, they would walk around their main temple of Osiris till the eclipse was over, as the Sun should keep on moving continuously without any obstruction.
• According to the Ojibawas sect of the Red Indians, the solar eclipse signifies the extinguishing of the Sun. Consequently they hurl burning arrows into the sky so as to rekindle its original brightness.
• The Eskimos conceived that eclipses brought the Earth under bad influences, believing further that failure to place their utensils upside down before the deities would lead to widespread diseases. Even today Eskimo women follow this ritual for the duration of the eclipse.
TV COVERAGE:
This Wednesday 22 July 2009, a total eclipse of the Sun will be visible to some parts of the world, making it the longest total eclipse in the 21st century. The path of the moon’s umbra begins from India and crosses through Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar and China. After leaving mainland Asia, the path crosses Japan’s Ryukyu Islands and curves southeast through the Pacific Ocean where the maximum duration of totality reaches 6 min 39 sec.
Seen from Singapore, only 10 to 20 per cent of the Sun will be obscured. However, audience will get to catch the sensational moment of total eclipse live on Channel U. From 8 - 11am on 22 July, Channel U will simulcast live with China Central Television (CCTV) which will present live telecasts from key China cities - Chengdu, Wuhan, Tongling and Hangzhou where the total eclipse will be seen at its most spectacular. Special highlights will be shown at 11.30pm on the same day.
..
Monday, July 20, 2009
Bible ~ Links On The Internet
~~~
Catholic Readings, Gospels & Reponsorial Psalms
http://www.usccb.org/nab/
Please note that the link format for the Daily Readings has changed. In order to access a specific date please enter the Month/Date/Year after the main portion of the link.
For example, if you would like to access the Readings for
January 7, 2009, please enter
www.usccb.org/nab/readings/010709.shtml
~~~
Internet Bible
http://bible.logos.com/
~~~
Bible Study Tools
http://biblos.com/
http://bible.cc/acts/1-7.htm
~~~
Catholic Readings, Gospels & Reponsorial Psalms
http://www.usccb.org/nab/
Please note that the link format for the Daily Readings has changed. In order to access a specific date please enter the Month/Date/Year after the main portion of the link.
For example, if you would like to access the Readings for
January 7, 2009, please enter
www.usccb.org/nab/readings/010709.shtml
~~~
Internet Bible
http://bible.logos.com/
~~~
Bible Study Tools
http://biblos.com/
http://bible.cc/acts/1-7.htm
~~~
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Poem ~ eMAIL a Friend
.
We're so busy, it's hard to meet
The least we can do, just this little bit
To send an email, now and then
To return an email, from a friend
~ PGA 2009Jul19, Sun, 1155hrs
We're so busy, it's hard to meet
The least we can do, just this little bit
To send an email, now and then
To return an email, from a friend
~ PGA 2009Jul19, Sun, 1155hrs
Comic ~ Chew On It!
http://chewonitcomics.blogspot.com/
Check this out the comic-strips at this BLOG.
Here're some samples of what you can find there, all done by Lee Chee Chew, creator of 'Chew On It'!
Click on image to enlarge for easier reading...
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Here's what the artist has to say at his BLOG:
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"Hello. I am Lee Chee Chew, creator of the comics strip CHEW ON IT!, published in The Sunday Times in Singapore. Welcome to my archive. Here you can view my past works, plus stuff that have never been printed before.
But the main purpose of this blog is to provide constant assistance to Phung Thien Nhan, a Vietnamese toddler. Abandoned at birth and left to die, Thien Nhan was mauled by a dog which bit off his right leg, testicles and penis. He was adopted by a Vietnamese family in Hanoi, and is now seeking sponsors to help pay for his medical care, rehabilitation and education…
{read more at his BLOG: http://help-thien-nhan.blogspot.com/}."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Check this out the comic-strips at this BLOG.
Here're some samples of what you can find there, all done by Lee Chee Chew, creator of 'Chew On It'!
Click on image to enlarge for easier reading...
.jpg)
Here's what the artist has to say at his BLOG:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Hello. I am Lee Chee Chew, creator of the comics strip CHEW ON IT!, published in The Sunday Times in Singapore. Welcome to my archive. Here you can view my past works, plus stuff that have never been printed before.
But the main purpose of this blog is to provide constant assistance to Phung Thien Nhan, a Vietnamese toddler. Abandoned at birth and left to die, Thien Nhan was mauled by a dog which bit off his right leg, testicles and penis. He was adopted by a Vietnamese family in Hanoi, and is now seeking sponsors to help pay for his medical care, rehabilitation and education…
{read more at his BLOG: http://help-thien-nhan.blogspot.com/}."
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Friday, July 17, 2009
Purple Girl ~ Changing Hair-Style
.
Still shots of the 5 Hair-Styles are shown below in Horizontal & Vertical formats. Scroll down to view them.
Same face, different hair-styles creates a variety of effects on the face... creates a variety in life. Don't do it if you want to blend in and NOT be noticed. Do it if you want to stand-out in a crowd. Don't do it too often because others will come to expect it and that would spoil the element of surprise, along with the difficulty to keep-up with the changes, not forgeting also --- how much it will cost.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The 5 Hair-Styles (Horizontal View):
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The 5 Hair-Styles (Vertical View):
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Still shots of the 5 Hair-Styles are shown below in Horizontal & Vertical formats. Scroll down to view them.
Same face, different hair-styles creates a variety of effects on the face... creates a variety in life. Don't do it if you want to blend in and NOT be noticed. Do it if you want to stand-out in a crowd. Don't do it too often because others will come to expect it and that would spoil the element of surprise, along with the difficulty to keep-up with the changes, not forgeting also --- how much it will cost.
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The 5 Hair-Styles (Horizontal View):
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The 5 Hair-Styles (Vertical View):
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Lion ~ Amazing Hug,
http://eletter.multiply.com/video/item/2/Lion_Amazing_Hug_wmv
Lion ~ Amazing Hug (wmv) Dec 3, '07 7:44 PM
for everyone
This woman in the video found this lion 6 years ago malnourished & injured in the forest awaiting death. She took the lion with her and nursed the lion back to health. When the lion was better she made arrangements with a zoo to take the lion, and to give him a new and happy home. This video was taken when the woman (after 6 years later) went to visit the lion to see how he was doing.
Watch the lion's reaction when he sees her. Amazing!!!!!
Lion ~ Amazing Hug (wmv)
Lion ~ Amazing Hug (wmv) Dec 3, '07 7:44 PM
for everyone
This woman in the video found this lion 6 years ago malnourished & injured in the forest awaiting death. She took the lion with her and nursed the lion back to health. When the lion was better she made arrangements with a zoo to take the lion, and to give him a new and happy home. This video was taken when the woman (after 6 years later) went to visit the lion to see how he was doing.
Watch the lion's reaction when he sees her. Amazing!!!!!
Lion ~ Amazing Hug (wmv)
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
.jpg)
Artist ~ Stephen B Whatley
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stephenbwhatley/
Go to the above link to view his art.
Below here is a sample of his art.
Go to the above link to view his art.
Below here is a sample of his art.
Monday, July 13, 2009
YouTube ~ Embedded Video Trial
My first embedded Video from YouTube.
Amended Code :
(amendment at the TOP, 'object width' of the code)
(object width="410" height="370")
Original Code:
(object width="580" height="360")
Note that this gives a bigger picture BUT a lot of the infomation is lost, especially on the right-side of the video. Compare the video below here with the one at the top and you'll be able to get a "better picture".
Ad ~ Evian Babies (Video)
http://www.youtube.com/user/EvianBabies
Evian Roller Babies international version
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQcVllWpwGs
Baby Break Dance
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLUJdpDfXZA
Baby MoonWalk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9a64ySqzM8Y
Evian Roller Babies international version
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQcVllWpwGs
Baby Break Dance
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLUJdpDfXZA
Baby MoonWalk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9a64ySqzM8Y
Tuesday, July 07, 2009
.jpg)
Saturday, July 04, 2009
Baked Almond Nuts ~ Nature's Wonders Brand
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Nature's Wonders (Brand Name)
Baked Almond Nuts
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ways to enjoy the snack:
• Toppings for salads, desserts, cakes
• Perfect with yoghurt and fruits
• Healthy afternoon snack
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Manufactured for:
TAI SUN (LIM KEE) FOOD INDUSTRIES PTE LTD
255 Pandan Loop, Singapore 128433
Website: http://www.taisun.com.sg/
Tel: (+65) 6779 6611
Email: info@taisun.com.sg
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Manufactured by:
TAI SUN LIM KEE FOOD INDUSTRIES (M) SDN. BHD.
8 Jalan Istemewa 1, Taman Perindustrian Desa Cemeriang,
81800 Ulu Tiram, Malaysia,
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Nature's Wonders (Brand Name)
Baked Almond Nuts
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ways to enjoy the snack:
• Toppings for salads, desserts, cakes
• Perfect with yoghurt and fruits
• Healthy afternoon snack
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Manufactured for:
TAI SUN (LIM KEE) FOOD INDUSTRIES PTE LTD
255 Pandan Loop, Singapore 128433
Website: http://www.taisun.com.sg/
Tel: (+65) 6779 6611
Email: info@taisun.com.sg
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Manufactured by:
TAI SUN LIM KEE FOOD INDUSTRIES (M) SDN. BHD.
8 Jalan Istemewa 1, Taman Perindustrian Desa Cemeriang,
81800 Ulu Tiram, Malaysia,
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The Jacksons: An American Dream (1992)
I remember watching this movie on Singapore TV, probably after 1992.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Jacksons:_An_American_Dream
'The Jacksons: An American Dream' is a five-hour TV Movie broadcast in two halves on ABC, based upon the history of one of the most successful musical families in show business and the early and successful years of the popular Motown group ‘The Jackson 5’. Jermaine Jackson was one of the producers. It was based on Katherine Jackson's ‘My Family’ autobiography. It was originally broadcast on November 15 and November 18, 1992.
The film was mostly based on the autobiography written by Katherine Jackson, who issued the 1990 biography, ‘My Family’ and the film's main focus was based on how Joseph and Katherine managed to raise their children, first in Gary, Indiana, then later dealing with the Jackson 5's early fame and its consequences. Another main focus on part two of the film was based on the struggles of young Michael Jackson as he dealt with his brothers marrying early into the Jackson 5 success, his problems with acne as a teenager and his eventual solo superstardom based on the success of the Off the Wall and Thriller albums and his difficult relationship with his father.
FACTUAL INACCURACIES:
There were a few liberties taken with the film to dramatize its purpose including a scene in which Tito Jackson first played guitar for his father after he had caught him using the guitar after seeing one of its strings break. In the scene it showed Jackie, Tito, Jermaine and Marlon performing for him but in reality, Marlon didn't sing with his brothers until the group signed with Motown in 1969. The film also chronicled that as soon as Michael made his singing debut at his elementary school that he joined his brothers' band and became lead singer in 1964. In reality, however, both Michael and Marlon joined the band as percussionists and Michael didn't begin singing and dancing with his brothers until 1966. In several scenes, young Michael has a pet rat but Katherine Jackson states that Michael didn't have pet rats until well after the Jackson 5 established themselves in Motown.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
On YouTube:
The Jacksons: An American Dream (Part 01/25)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QsHpcvZygM
This Link Plays All 25 Parts
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QsHpcvZygM&feature=PlayList&p=63E99C7542BA5C4A&index=0&playnext=1
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Jacksons:_An_American_Dream
'The Jacksons: An American Dream' is a five-hour TV Movie broadcast in two halves on ABC, based upon the history of one of the most successful musical families in show business and the early and successful years of the popular Motown group ‘The Jackson 5’. Jermaine Jackson was one of the producers. It was based on Katherine Jackson's ‘My Family’ autobiography. It was originally broadcast on November 15 and November 18, 1992.
The film was mostly based on the autobiography written by Katherine Jackson, who issued the 1990 biography, ‘My Family’ and the film's main focus was based on how Joseph and Katherine managed to raise their children, first in Gary, Indiana, then later dealing with the Jackson 5's early fame and its consequences. Another main focus on part two of the film was based on the struggles of young Michael Jackson as he dealt with his brothers marrying early into the Jackson 5 success, his problems with acne as a teenager and his eventual solo superstardom based on the success of the Off the Wall and Thriller albums and his difficult relationship with his father.
FACTUAL INACCURACIES:
There were a few liberties taken with the film to dramatize its purpose including a scene in which Tito Jackson first played guitar for his father after he had caught him using the guitar after seeing one of its strings break. In the scene it showed Jackie, Tito, Jermaine and Marlon performing for him but in reality, Marlon didn't sing with his brothers until the group signed with Motown in 1969. The film also chronicled that as soon as Michael made his singing debut at his elementary school that he joined his brothers' band and became lead singer in 1964. In reality, however, both Michael and Marlon joined the band as percussionists and Michael didn't begin singing and dancing with his brothers until 1966. In several scenes, young Michael has a pet rat but Katherine Jackson states that Michael didn't have pet rats until well after the Jackson 5 established themselves in Motown.
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On YouTube:
The Jacksons: An American Dream (Part 01/25)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QsHpcvZygM
This Link Plays All 25 Parts
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QsHpcvZygM&feature=PlayList&p=63E99C7542BA5C4A&index=0&playnext=1
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SPUR
SPUR = Skills Programme for Upgrading & Resilience
Info below correct at time of publishing. For current info, please go to the links provided.
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http://app2.wda.gov.sg/web/Contents/Contents.aspx?Id=174
SPUR or Skills Programme for Upgrading and Resilience, is an enhanced funding support scheme developed by the Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA) in consultation with the tripartite partners including the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) and the Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF).
The programme is a national response to help Singaporeans cope with manpower challenges as we enter a period of slower economic growth due to the global financial crisis.
SPUR leverages on the extensive CET training system built up over the years to scale up training programmes to help companies and workers during the current economic downturn and build stronger manpower capabilities for the recovery. It brings together a full range of skills upgrading programmes covering over 800 courses for companies and workers to tap on over the next two years from 1 Dec 2008.
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http://www.ntuclearninghub.com/spur.asp
SPUR or Skills Programme for Upgrading and Resilience ~ is an enhanced financial support scheme developed by the Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA) in consultation with tripartite partners, Ministry of Manpower (MOM), National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) and the Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF). Leveraging on the extensive CET training system built over the years to scale up training programmes, SPUR brings together the full range of skills upgrading programmes with enhanced financial support that companies and workers can tap on over the next two years.
SPUR For Employers
SPUR encourages companies affected by declining business to retain workers by sending them for training, as opposed to retrenching them. This will help employers to save on manpower costs, better manage their excess manpower during the downturn and at the same time, upgrade their workers to strengthen business competitiveness for the upturn.
SPUR For Workers
SPUR aims to redeploy unemployed workers as well as help in-employment workers to up-skill for new and better jobs. Employed and unemployed workers no longer need to wait for their employers to send them for training, as they can now sign up for training at CET Centres directly.
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Friday, July 03, 2009
Pretty Blue Eyes (African Beauty)
.....................................................................................
I just came across this song 'African Beauty ~ by Jimmy Reid'. The Tune & Lyrics were so familiar. It took me sometime to recall that the Tune & Lyrics actually belong to a song originally titled 'Pretty Blue Eyes' (the version I remember is sung by Donny Osmond). All lyrics exactly the same except that 'Pretty Blue Eyes' was switced to 'African Beauty'. Enjoy it everyone.
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African Beauty ~ by Jimmy Reid:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHv4zpFWyds
.....................................................................................
Original Lyrics:
Donny Osmond
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HhKax3l2xPI
Lettermen
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0oR16bQ9oN8
Teddy Robin & The Playboys
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cy_ZcYyry7w
Steve Lawrence
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ct2L-PYYUWc
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Thursday, July 02, 2009
.jpg)
LOVE STORY meets VIVA LA VIDA
This is beautiful. Listen to how the music is layered in & the setting of the mood.
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LOVE STORY meets VIVA LA VIDA
Piano & Cello arr by Jon Schmidt & Steven Sharp Nelson
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0v3d6SFcDys
Hi...Jon Schmidt here. This arrangement is dedicated to Sarah, my 7 year old daughter who loves the song Love Story by Taylor Swift. Because of a common rhythm element between the tunes, I decided I could mish/mash the two. My great friend Steven Sharp Nelson (cello percussion) really makes this tune. The download will be available from my site (http://www.jonschmidt.com/) in a couple of weeks. The entire album which will be titled "Bonus Tracks" will be available on iTunes summer 2009. Sheet music will also be available at my site May 2009. I am an unsigned recording artist and composer.
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Inspired by:
LOVE STORY (Taylor Swift)
VIVA LA VIDA (Coldplay)
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Piano arr by: Jon Schmidt
http://www.jonschmidt.com/
http://www.youtube.com/user/carlosian2
All songs from all my albums can be listened to for free on my site. I have transcribed many of them for piano. The first 2 pages of each song can be previewed before purchasing. There are also several free song and sheet music downloads including All of Me PDF and MP3.
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Cello arr by: Steven Sharp Nelson
http://stevensharpnelson.com/
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
LOVE STORY meets VIVA LA VIDA
Piano & Cello arr by Jon Schmidt & Steven Sharp Nelson
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0v3d6SFcDys
Hi...Jon Schmidt here. This arrangement is dedicated to Sarah, my 7 year old daughter who loves the song Love Story by Taylor Swift. Because of a common rhythm element between the tunes, I decided I could mish/mash the two. My great friend Steven Sharp Nelson (cello percussion) really makes this tune. The download will be available from my site (http://www.jonschmidt.com/) in a couple of weeks. The entire album which will be titled "Bonus Tracks" will be available on iTunes summer 2009. Sheet music will also be available at my site May 2009. I am an unsigned recording artist and composer.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Inspired by:
LOVE STORY (Taylor Swift)
VIVA LA VIDA (Coldplay)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Piano arr by: Jon Schmidt
http://www.jonschmidt.com/
http://www.youtube.com/user/carlosian2
All songs from all my albums can be listened to for free on my site. I have transcribed many of them for piano. The first 2 pages of each song can be previewed before purchasing. There are also several free song and sheet music downloads including All of Me PDF and MP3.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Cello arr by: Steven Sharp Nelson
http://stevensharpnelson.com/
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Ventriloquism
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ventriloquism
Ventriloquism is an act of stagecraft in which a person (a ventriloquist) manipulates his or her voice so that it appears that the voice is coming from elsewhere. The act of ventriloquism is ventriloquizing and the ability to do so is commonly called in English the ability to "throw" one's voice.
Ventriloquism is an act of stagecraft in which a person (a ventriloquist) manipulates his or her voice so that it appears that the voice is coming from elsewhere. The act of ventriloquism is ventriloquizing and the ability to do so is commonly called in English the ability to "throw" one's voice.
Vitiligo ~ Skin Disorder
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vitiligo
Vitiligo is a relatively common chronic disorder that causes depigmentation in patches of skin. It occurs when the melanocytes, the cells responsible for skin pigmentation which are derived from the neural crest, die or are unable to function. The precise pathogenesis, or cause, of vitiligo is complex and not yet fully understood.
Vitiligo is a relatively common chronic disorder that causes depigmentation in patches of skin. It occurs when the melanocytes, the cells responsible for skin pigmentation which are derived from the neural crest, die or are unable to function. The precise pathogenesis, or cause, of vitiligo is complex and not yet fully understood.
Wednesday, July 01, 2009
Swindle ~ Ponzi Scheme
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ponzi_scheme
Hypothetical Example
Verbal constructions that sound impressive but are essentially meaningless will be used to dazzle investors: terms such as "hedge futures trading," "high-yield investment programs," "offshore investment" might be used. The promoter will then proceed to sell stakes to investors — who are essentially victims of a confidence trick — by taking advantage of a lack of investor knowledge or competence. The Madoff scandal of 2008 showed that investors presumed to be sophisticated, such as hedge fund managers and international bankers, can also be tricked into joining a Ponzi scheme by a promoter with a well-established (if spurious) reputation for financial skill. Claims of a "proprietary" investment strategy, which must be kept secret to ensure competitive edge, may also be used to hide the nature of the scheme. Bernard Madoff, for example, only permitted one accounting firm, run by his brother-in-law, to perform audits on his hedge fund, claiming the need to keep his strategy secret.
Without the benefit of precedent or objective prior information about the investment, only a few investors are tempted, usually for small sums. Thirty days later, the investor receives the original capital plus the 20 percent return. At this point, the investor will have more incentive to put in additional money and, as word begins to spread, other investors grab the "opportunity" to participate, leading to a cascade effect deriving from the promise of extraordinary returns. However, the "return" to the initial investors is being paid out of the investments of new entrants, and not out of profits.
One reason that the scheme initially works so well is that early investors — those who actually got paid the large returns — commonly reinvest their money in the scheme (it does, after all, pay out much better than any alternative investment). Thus, those running the scheme do not actually have to pay out very much (net) — they simply have to send statements to investors showing them how much they earned by keeping the money, in order to maintain the deception that the scheme is a fund with high returns.
Promoters also try to minimize withdrawals by offering new plans to investors, often where money is frozen for a longer period of time, in exchange for higher returns. The promoter sees new cash flows as investors are told they could not transfer money from the first plan to the second. If a few investors do wish to withdraw their money in accordance with the terms allowed, the requests are usually promptly processed, which gives the illusion to all other investors that the fund is solvent.
The catch is that at some point one of three things will happen:
• The promoter will vanish, taking all the remaining investment money (minus the payouts to investors) with him.
• The scheme will collapse under its own weight as investment slows and the promoter starts having problems paying out the promised returns (the higher the returns, the greater the chance of the Ponzi scheme collapsing). Such liquidity crises often trigger panics, as more people start asking for their money, similar to a bank run.
• The scheme is exposed because the promoter fails to validate the claims when asked to do so by legal authorities.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hypothetical Example
Verbal constructions that sound impressive but are essentially meaningless will be used to dazzle investors: terms such as "hedge futures trading," "high-yield investment programs," "offshore investment" might be used. The promoter will then proceed to sell stakes to investors — who are essentially victims of a confidence trick — by taking advantage of a lack of investor knowledge or competence. The Madoff scandal of 2008 showed that investors presumed to be sophisticated, such as hedge fund managers and international bankers, can also be tricked into joining a Ponzi scheme by a promoter with a well-established (if spurious) reputation for financial skill. Claims of a "proprietary" investment strategy, which must be kept secret to ensure competitive edge, may also be used to hide the nature of the scheme. Bernard Madoff, for example, only permitted one accounting firm, run by his brother-in-law, to perform audits on his hedge fund, claiming the need to keep his strategy secret.
Without the benefit of precedent or objective prior information about the investment, only a few investors are tempted, usually for small sums. Thirty days later, the investor receives the original capital plus the 20 percent return. At this point, the investor will have more incentive to put in additional money and, as word begins to spread, other investors grab the "opportunity" to participate, leading to a cascade effect deriving from the promise of extraordinary returns. However, the "return" to the initial investors is being paid out of the investments of new entrants, and not out of profits.
One reason that the scheme initially works so well is that early investors — those who actually got paid the large returns — commonly reinvest their money in the scheme (it does, after all, pay out much better than any alternative investment). Thus, those running the scheme do not actually have to pay out very much (net) — they simply have to send statements to investors showing them how much they earned by keeping the money, in order to maintain the deception that the scheme is a fund with high returns.
Promoters also try to minimize withdrawals by offering new plans to investors, often where money is frozen for a longer period of time, in exchange for higher returns. The promoter sees new cash flows as investors are told they could not transfer money from the first plan to the second. If a few investors do wish to withdraw their money in accordance with the terms allowed, the requests are usually promptly processed, which gives the illusion to all other investors that the fund is solvent.
The catch is that at some point one of three things will happen:
• The promoter will vanish, taking all the remaining investment money (minus the payouts to investors) with him.
• The scheme will collapse under its own weight as investment slows and the promoter starts having problems paying out the promised returns (the higher the returns, the greater the chance of the Ponzi scheme collapsing). Such liquidity crises often trigger panics, as more people start asking for their money, similar to a bank run.
• The scheme is exposed because the promoter fails to validate the claims when asked to do so by legal authorities.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Swindler ~ Bernard Madoff
There's definitely more than meets the eye. Can one man really pull this off, on his own?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I am sorry, I don't ask for forgiveness. I leave a legacy of shame to my family. I am responsible for a great deal of suffering and pain. I live in a tormented state... I cannot offer an excuse for my behavior... How do you excuse deceiving investors... and 200 employees? How do you excuse lying to my sons and two brothers? How do you excuse lying to a wife who stood by you for 50 years and still stands by me? There is no excuse for that."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Informative Links:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernard_Madoff
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ponzi_scheme
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Ponzi_schemes
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'Evil' swindler Madoff jailed for 150 years
http://sg.news.yahoo.com/afp/20090630/tts-us-fraud-finance-madoff-972e412.html
AFP - Tuesday, June 30
NEW YORK (AFP) - - Wall Street swindler Bernard Madoff was sentenced Monday to 150 years in jail for masterminding an "evil" multi-billion-dollar investment scam that cheated thousands of people around the world.
"It is the judgment of this court that Bernard Madoff should be sentenced to 150 years in jail," Judge Denny Chin said as he handed down the maximum term possible on 11 charges of fraud, theft and perjury.
He described Madoff's crimes as "extraordinarily evil" and said it was "not merely a bloodless crime that takes place on paper but one that takes a staggering human toll."
The tough sentence came even after Madoff, the former chairman of the Nasdaq, made a courtroom apology to his victims. "I am sorry," he told them simply. "I don't ask for forgiveness."
"I leave a legacy of shame to my family. I am responsible for a great deal of suffering and pain. I live in a tormented state," said the disgraced 71-year-old financier who now faces spending the rest of his life in prison.
"I cannot offer an excuse for my behavior," he added. "How do you excuse deceiving investors... and 200 employees?"
"How do you excuse lying to my sons and two brothers? How do you excuse lying to a wife who stood by you for 50 years and still stands by me? There is no excuse for that."
Some of Madoff's victims vented their fury as they addressed the court.
Cheryl Weinstein blasted Madoff as "a monster" and a "beast."
"He walks among us. But he is a beast who has fed upon us to satisfy his own needs... I am asking you to keep in a cage behind bars," she said.
Breaking into tears, Burt Ross, who lost five million dollars, said Madoff "has truly earned his reputation of being the most despised person in America today."
"I only hope that his jail sentence is long enough so that his jail cell becomes his coffin," said Michael Schwartz, 33, who said the money stolen from his family had been set aside to take care of his mentally disabled brother.
Judge Chin gave Madoff 10 days to appeal the sentence, but noted there had not been a single letter from friends or family testifying to his good deeds. "The absence of such support is telling," he said.
Madoff's wife, Ruth, finally broke her silence Monday to lash out her husband, saying: "All those touched by this fraud feel betrayed; disbelieving the nightmare they woke to.
"The man who committed this horrible fraud is not the man whom I have known all these years," she said in a statement.
White House spokesman Robert Gibbs weighed in later by saying the maximum sentence handed to Madoff would send an effective warning to other investors.
"The judge wanted to send a very strong signal to anybody that invests money on behalf of others of the amazing responsibility that they have to those investors and to the country," he said, adding "that message will be heard loud and clear."
The former Wall Street icon can expect to face a high security experience in jail rather than a more lax "prison camp" that other white collar criminals might be receive, according to former federal prosecutor William Devaney.
The decision, Devaney told AFP, is not for the judge but the court can make recommendations to the Bureau of Prisons.
Defense attorney Bradley Simon told AFP he thought Madoff would end up "with people who have committed other type of offences, more violent..."
The verdict came some six months after the biting economic downturn forced Madoff to unmask himself as behind one of the biggest financial scams in history.
Prosecutors say about 13 billion dollars was handed to Madoff. The financier himself has talked about losing some 50 billion dollars, which is believed to be the amount that would have been paid out had the funds been properly invested.
Among Madoff's victims were Hollywood celebrities, international movers and shakers, some of the world's most famous banks and Jewish charities, some of which were forced to close after the scheme unraveled.
Madoff told the court in March that of the billions of dollars that passed through his hands during the three-decade scam, he never invested one cent in the market. Instead he stashed the funds in a Chase Manhattan bank account.
The funds were then used to pay out "dividends" to investors in what is known as a "Ponzi scheme."
One lingering issue is how to return the stolen funds. Of the billions of dollars that were lost, prosecutors say only one billion dollars has been recovered.
The judge deferred the issue of restitution for another 90 days to give court-appointed liquidators more time to recover the missing funds.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I am sorry, I don't ask for forgiveness. I leave a legacy of shame to my family. I am responsible for a great deal of suffering and pain. I live in a tormented state... I cannot offer an excuse for my behavior... How do you excuse deceiving investors... and 200 employees? How do you excuse lying to my sons and two brothers? How do you excuse lying to a wife who stood by you for 50 years and still stands by me? There is no excuse for that."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Informative Links:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernard_Madoff
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ponzi_scheme
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Ponzi_schemes
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
'Evil' swindler Madoff jailed for 150 years
http://sg.news.yahoo.com/afp/20090630/tts-us-fraud-finance-madoff-972e412.html
AFP - Tuesday, June 30
NEW YORK (AFP) - - Wall Street swindler Bernard Madoff was sentenced Monday to 150 years in jail for masterminding an "evil" multi-billion-dollar investment scam that cheated thousands of people around the world.
"It is the judgment of this court that Bernard Madoff should be sentenced to 150 years in jail," Judge Denny Chin said as he handed down the maximum term possible on 11 charges of fraud, theft and perjury.
He described Madoff's crimes as "extraordinarily evil" and said it was "not merely a bloodless crime that takes place on paper but one that takes a staggering human toll."
The tough sentence came even after Madoff, the former chairman of the Nasdaq, made a courtroom apology to his victims. "I am sorry," he told them simply. "I don't ask for forgiveness."
"I leave a legacy of shame to my family. I am responsible for a great deal of suffering and pain. I live in a tormented state," said the disgraced 71-year-old financier who now faces spending the rest of his life in prison.
"I cannot offer an excuse for my behavior," he added. "How do you excuse deceiving investors... and 200 employees?"
"How do you excuse lying to my sons and two brothers? How do you excuse lying to a wife who stood by you for 50 years and still stands by me? There is no excuse for that."
Some of Madoff's victims vented their fury as they addressed the court.
Cheryl Weinstein blasted Madoff as "a monster" and a "beast."
"He walks among us. But he is a beast who has fed upon us to satisfy his own needs... I am asking you to keep in a cage behind bars," she said.
Breaking into tears, Burt Ross, who lost five million dollars, said Madoff "has truly earned his reputation of being the most despised person in America today."
"I only hope that his jail sentence is long enough so that his jail cell becomes his coffin," said Michael Schwartz, 33, who said the money stolen from his family had been set aside to take care of his mentally disabled brother.
Judge Chin gave Madoff 10 days to appeal the sentence, but noted there had not been a single letter from friends or family testifying to his good deeds. "The absence of such support is telling," he said.
Madoff's wife, Ruth, finally broke her silence Monday to lash out her husband, saying: "All those touched by this fraud feel betrayed; disbelieving the nightmare they woke to.
"The man who committed this horrible fraud is not the man whom I have known all these years," she said in a statement.
White House spokesman Robert Gibbs weighed in later by saying the maximum sentence handed to Madoff would send an effective warning to other investors.
"The judge wanted to send a very strong signal to anybody that invests money on behalf of others of the amazing responsibility that they have to those investors and to the country," he said, adding "that message will be heard loud and clear."
The former Wall Street icon can expect to face a high security experience in jail rather than a more lax "prison camp" that other white collar criminals might be receive, according to former federal prosecutor William Devaney.
The decision, Devaney told AFP, is not for the judge but the court can make recommendations to the Bureau of Prisons.
Defense attorney Bradley Simon told AFP he thought Madoff would end up "with people who have committed other type of offences, more violent..."
The verdict came some six months after the biting economic downturn forced Madoff to unmask himself as behind one of the biggest financial scams in history.
Prosecutors say about 13 billion dollars was handed to Madoff. The financier himself has talked about losing some 50 billion dollars, which is believed to be the amount that would have been paid out had the funds been properly invested.
Among Madoff's victims were Hollywood celebrities, international movers and shakers, some of the world's most famous banks and Jewish charities, some of which were forced to close after the scheme unraveled.
Madoff told the court in March that of the billions of dollars that passed through his hands during the three-decade scam, he never invested one cent in the market. Instead he stashed the funds in a Chase Manhattan bank account.
The funds were then used to pay out "dividends" to investors in what is known as a "Ponzi scheme."
One lingering issue is how to return the stolen funds. Of the billions of dollars that were lost, prosecutors say only one billion dollars has been recovered.
The judge deferred the issue of restitution for another 90 days to give court-appointed liquidators more time to recover the missing funds.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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