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Not paying Vodafone as we go
Posted by Jeff in Economy | 47 Comments
Anyone that has ever tried to cancel a phone contract will know how arduous a task it can be. One needs to be determined, one needs a certain mental strength and even then it's not unlikely that one will come off the call tied into a new two year contract with a Skype bolt-on to boot, whatever that is.Â
So on one level Patrick Harvie's proposal to cancel the Scottish Parliament's contract with Vodafone should be treated with caution. Even Mike Rumbles could botch the job by not being headstrong enough. These call centre commandos can break the toughest among us.Â
Patrick's central argument that politicians (of all people) shouldn't stand idly by while large companies seemingly avoid paying their fair share of tax is perfectly fair and a convincing proposal. I haven't bought a blouse in Top Shop since UKUncut got going so I like to think I'm doing my bit.Â
Of course, the other side of this £6bn tax avoidance story was the weak contribution from Revenue & Customs. Discussions between the tax body and Vodafone ended surprisingly early and with R&C 'caving in' on its belief that more money was due from the phone giant. However much we don't like it, private companies are not in the business of voluntarily handing over cash to the Treasury so it is no wonder that it's Governments that end up getting tapped for extra cash if Corporation Tax receipts are not as high as they could and perhaps should be.Â
But ripping up a phone contract two months shy of an election, incurring unnecessary charges and all for a symbolic point that realistically not many will heed? I'm not so sure. If this is not the only driving factor and BT or O2 can undercut Vodafone then I say crack on.Â
But surely lobbying the UK Parliament directly and urging MPs to intervene at the core of the issue is better than any well-meaning but ultimately ineffective stunt? Didn't someone once say it's good to talk? Maybe that should include legal arbitration of some sort.Â
The above is not too say that the Scottish Green Party's calls are not a smart move. It is quite understandably attempting to capture the zeitgeist of the moment, to align itself with the protesters and the complainants that see the coalition as taking the country down the wrong path and the official Opposition, be it Labour in London or SNP in Edinburgh, as not doing enough to argue the other way. Who is the party of the Twitter-driven, student-heavy apolitical protest? There's no reason to not expect the radical Greens to win through there.Â
When you are the plucky outsider in the Parliament, not even getting invited to election debates etc, it makes sense to use that to your advantage.Â
Shopping around for a better deal can be tiresome, but it can be worth it just as much for clapped-out phone contracts as it can be for clapped-out political parties. Â Â
This entry was posted on February 24, 2011, 8:58 am and is filed under Economy. You can follow any responses to this entry through RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.
#1 by aonghas on February 24, 2011 - 9:21 am
UKUncut really is the epitome of Twitter – uninformed shouty people reinforcing each others' outrage.
An HMRC spokesperson said: "We cannot comment on the detail of the settlement but we can confirm that it was reached by HMRC following a rigorous examination of the facts and an intensive process of negotiation that tested the arguments of both parties.
"As a result it was agreed that Vodafone's liability was £1.25 billion and at no point was a liability greater than that established. There is no question of Vodafone having an outstanding tax liability of £6 billion. That number is an urban myth."
Screw the facts, we want the money! GIVE US THE MONEYYYY!!!!
#2 by Jeff on February 24, 2011 - 10:35 am
Fair points, and I don't know the detail of Vodafone's tax liabilities so I'm no disciple of UK Uncut by a long chalk.
However, if there was a perception that the Government was right on big businesses tails in terms of paying the right amount of tax then there would be no space for such bodies as UK Uncut to exist. The tax cuts delivered by Osborne, both directly to Corporation Tax and via the jawdropping reduction in tax on foreign income, allow the oxygen for protest groups to breathe, regardless of how baloney the figures may or may not be.
#3 by Nobby Clark on February 24, 2011 - 9:29 am
"the official Opposition, be it Labour in London or SNP in Edinburgh"
Wishful thinking re the SNP?
#4 by James on February 24, 2011 - 10:47 am
I think what Jeff meant to say is that the SNP here should be part of the opposition to the Tories in London. The fact that they've cosied up to the Tories at every opportunity rather weakens that position though.
#5 by Gryff on February 24, 2011 - 9:55 am
I'd be more convinced if Vodafone wasn't the only provider to get halfway reliable signal in the parliament.
Also if Green's expect to eventually be close to power, and claim to be any better than anyone else, they should probably give stupid policies that make political sense a wide berth – look what happened to the LDs over Tuition Fees.
#6 by Indy on February 24, 2011 - 10:14 am
This is just a gimmick. What I think would be more interesting would be to look at whether we can put a legal obligation on public bodies only to enter into contracts with companies that pay their fair share of tax. I don't know how easy that would be to do but it could be something that the parties could look at because there would probably be agreement on that.
Tricia Marwick said in answer that the SPCB already have a clause in that direction. I'd be surprised as a loyal SNP supporter if you thought she'd endorse "a gimmick".
#8 by Indy on February 24, 2011 - 12:25 pm
I am not clear what you are saying there – are you saying that Tricia Marwick said that the SPCB has a clause that requires companies to demonstrate that they pay full UK corporation tax on their profits before being awarded a contract?
#9 by CassiusClaymore on February 24, 2011 - 1:38 pm
So, are the Greens going to stop reading the Guardian, GMG being second to no-one in aggressive UK tax avoidance utilising offshore jurisdictions?
#10 by CassiusClaymore on February 24, 2011 - 1:40 pm
PS I might be more sympathetic to this latest Green policy if a Scottish Treasury actually was the beneficiary of the taxation in question.
The attacks on Vodafone are weird in many respects. It is for a country as a tax collecting authority to collect all the tax it deems each entity (person or company) that is liable to pay tax.
If an entity avoids paying tax through breaking the law, then the full legal might of the state should be brought to bare on that entity. If a country is not happy with the amount of taxes a company is paying then it should investigate it and make a clear assessment as to the tax liability.
Tax is an instrument of the state. If the state didn't have a tax system, entities would not arbitrarily create one. All responsibility for setting rates of tax, assessing tax and collection of tax falls to the state. If anybody wants to change the tax system it is the state that they should lobby.
When I pointed this position out to the Greens yesterday it was compared to the violent racism of apartheid South Africa. http://bit.ly/eYs0h6
That is the problem with cheap stunts. There is little analysis or truth behind the message that is being conveyed. I was going to tweet asking about how many copies of the Guardian (who use schemes to reduce tax bills) are in the Greens offices. Or point out that the host of the Scottish Greens website views Google as a trusted associated despite Googles infamous Dutch Sandwich.
The Scottish Greens have some good and interesting policies, some of which are the only ones that make real sense (fish stocks for example). And when Robin Green was leader they had a real profile that was based on constructive and informed policies. Since Patrick Harvie became leader they have jumped on every left-wing band wagon going. Which is a real pity.
#12 by Jeff on February 24, 2011 - 3:26 pm
Fair points Douglas, though still a bit harsh on the Greens if you ask me.
Companies can of course legally take advantage of loopholes but as consumers we get to decide to what degree such profit-fuelling business decisions are fair game. I go out of my way to not shop at Tesco because I am of the opinion that they are not making a fair contribution to society, financial or otherwise. People are free to agree or disagree accordingly but it's my choice to make. The Parliament is also a consumer as well as a lawmaker so, although I agree there is a stunt element to it, abandoning Vodafone remains a perfectly valid and common sense option for the Parliament if enough people feel as Patrick do.
Tax rules can technically be circumvented but there is surely also a spirit of the rules that, while not legally enforceable, is applicable when we decide which companies we like or dislike. I don't know how many tax accountants Vodafone (or Tesco) or whoever has but that's usually a fair barometer of how keen they are on avoiding paying tax.
At the end of the day, we are all probably somewhere on the spectrum of (1) never thinking that big super-profit companies are paying their share and (2) not wanting to ruffle the feathers of the big boys and always meekly accepting the status quo. Is it not worth erring on the side of busting big business' chops if there's possibly a few bob in it?
#13 by Douglas McLellan on February 24, 2011 - 11:21 pm
If we have elected politicians advocating the breaking of a legal contract why should ordinary people who sign up for phone deals not be able to do the same if they feel that their supplier, whilst acting legally, is not operating to the the moral standards that the person sets? There would be chaos. By all means, the SPCB can seek to change supplier based on a set of unclear moral criteria but surely that would be a legal challenge.
If enough people felt as Patrick does then the Greens would be/about to be a very large party in the Scottish Parliament. But bandwagons are not that popular for voters.
If we had a much more simple tax system there would be fewer opportunities to use tax minimising schemes that are legal. One of the problems is that every economic transaction is taxed, a tax system that can leave people with tax bills that they didn't know they were liable for, a tax system that taxes the saving of money, the spending of money and the transferring of money. As for companies operating internationally the system must be horrendous. Our tax system is greedy and seeks to take money that hasn't been earned in the UK even when it has been taxed elsewhere. A consequence of this is that Usain Bolt won't be in Glasgow.
Research has shown that the biggest advocates of actual tax avoidance is the public in general. Small businesses, in particular the service/construction sector, report that many individual customers ask for 'homers' or 'cash-in-hand' jobs.
Personal choices are fine. Often personal choices are based on a whole range of factors of which ethical positioning is one. You are against Tesco which is fine. I am not a fan of their landbank tactics and the impact of the the smaller cornershop premises on local communities. I think their tax situation is non-controversial so, on a purely financial basis, they contribute taxes and jobs to the UK economy and I cant see how they don't contribute financially enough. Can a business be too profitable? What about profits made overseas? Can they be too high to be acceptable?
Asda and Sainsburys are no better than Tesco at home or abroad. Can I ask if you avoid them as well?
#14 by Jeff on February 25, 2011 - 11:36 am
I do, yes. Haven't been in either for months, if not a year.
Excellent. I know a few people who righteously avoid Tesco but slavishly enter Asda every week.
I am lucky in that my local deli, farmers market, coffee shop and Co-Op meet all but one of my needs. I think that large supermarkets are a real problem but I also think that arbitrary taxes achieve nothing.
Tax systems should be open and transparent and if a company is successful it should not be told to pay extra tax outside of the tax system just because it is successful.
What's wrong with ASDA & Sainsbury? And Tesco? And how big is this list of "dodgy" companies? And what do you have to do to get on the list?
Agreed tax is an instrument of the state. Therefore the state should not give any business to companies which do not pay their fair share of tax on the profits they make. It may be legal to avoid paying tax but as taxpayers why should we subsidise that, which is what we would be doing if we give public contracts to companies which have a policy of tax avoidance.
I don't think it is the case at present that public bodies can – or do – take that into account when awarding contracts but I suggest it should be a factor in future.
Define fair share !?!? Surely the only fair share of tax is what a democratically elected government asks for? If there are schemes to reduce tax bills then surely the state should judge what is fair for a company to use.
I am not opposed to a clear and simple tax system that takes as much tax as society deems acceptable (I know that vodafone dividends fund my pension – why does Patrick Harvie et al want to reduce my pension?). The issue is that complaining and jumping on bandwagons regarding a company acting legally is a clear example of an excercise in futility. If vodafone opts to pay more tax than HMRC asks for then shareholders and shop floor staff will be denied as much for their dividends and sales bonuses.
Lobby HMRC to fix any problems with tax collection, not individual companies.
Define fair share? Well Barclays Bank – to use a different example to Vodafone – paid 1 per cent corporation tax on profits of £11billion. That's not a fair share in my view. They avoid paying corporation tax at the standard rate by shifting their money around the world.
Legally they can do that, as can Vodafone and other companies. I completely agree with you that it is the fault of HMRC and the UK Govt that they are allowed to do that and I agree that people should be campaigning against that policy rather than demonstrating outside shops or making tokenistic gestures.
But at the same time I also think it would be perfectly reasonable for public, taxpayer-funded bodies to say we are not going to give a contract to any company that does not pay the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK on its profits.
#20 by Jeff on February 25, 2011 - 12:58 pm
Indy, Barclays paid 1% UK tax on global profits. I'm sure they paid US tax on US operations, Australian tax on Australian operations and so on. So setting the 1% against the £11bn is a false comparison to make. Furthermore, I believe the 1% applies to 2008 and the £11bn applies to 2009 as tax is paid a year in arrears. And even on top of that, they also carried forward losses from a prior year to offset against future profits, perfectly legally.
There may well be an element of dodginess to the affair (offshores entities tend to point that way!) but the facts seem to be getting in the way of a good story here which lets the Guardian, and everyone else jumping on the bandwagon, down a little bit.
What Jeff said.
In an independent Scotland should an international company have all of its economic transactions taxed both abroad and at home? Is that SNP policy? How many business leaders based in Scotland (not the banks, there are others as well) would be happy with that?
That would be like me working only in France, getting my income taxed in Euros and then HMRC asking for the PAYE as well.
Define profits then? For which the standard rate of tax can be calculated. Which profits from where? From which part of the company?
I'm not sure if you followed my points properly Douglas (and I'm not sure why you're asking me about SNP policy either for that matter!?). I also don't know why you are confusing "economic transaction" for profit. I'm not talking about a Robin Hood tax here, although that idea does have its merits.
I can hardly speak for an independent Scotland as you urge me to but foreign profits are currently taxed in the UK but it depends how much tax has been paid in the foreign country. If Bank of Jamaica is owned by RBS and has paid 10% Jamaican tax on its profits then, as the rules stand now, there will be a further ~17% UK tax applied to that because British tax rules state that UK companies should pay about 27% Corporation tax (or whatever the rate is). If RBS owns a bank of Sweden which has already paid 40% Swedish tax, then there will be no UK tax to pay on the foreign profits that get transferred to Head Office.
To continue your analogy; the above situation (again, as it currently stands) is like you working in France, paying 10% income tax there, but living in UK and enjoying the same public services that you've paid significantly less tax from your gross income to have access to.
To take this further, George Osborne is apparently planning to remove the UK corp tax on foreign income so the Bank of Jamaica example above would not result in the UK charging a reasonable extra levy of tax on big business income. I think, if true, that is a horrendous state of affairs and really quite contrary to the idea of fairness that all parties were aiming for during the election.
You are right – the Guardian is my source and it says Barclays paid £113million in corporation tax in 2009 when it made £11.6bn of profits.
II am crap with numbers but if what you are saying is correct then Barclays must have made a truly pitiful profit in the UK in 2009 because the standard rate of corporation tax is 28 per cent is it not?
Which makes it strange that – according to the story – Barclays actually paid 2 BILLION in taxes to HM Revenue & Customs 2009 but only 113million of that was corporation tax. The rest i.e. almost all of it was payroll.
How does that work, Jeff and Douglas? How can a company employ so many people in the UK that it pays almost 2 million to HMRC in payroll and make an overall profit of 11.6 billion but only pays 113 million in corporation tax?
Do you guys seriously think that is legitimate?
That shpuld be 2 billion in payroll, not 2 million.
Nearly 2 billion to HMRC for employees but only 113 million in corporation tax.
Ok. Lets try this.
In 2009 Barclays Group made £11.6bn. This is not in dispute. It, in fact, represents an increase of 95% on the year before.
The first point though to note is that taxes paid that year are from the 2008 financial year. So instead of profit on £11.6bn we need to be looking at tax on the 2008 profit of £5.2bn across the Barclay Group.
In 2008 47% of Barclays profit came from economic activity abroad. Given that each country levies its own taxes on economic activity in their own country (like India/China does to whisky) why should this incur further UK taxes? So lets half (for ease of calculations) the UK profit to £2.6bn. From that was paid the tax on 2007 profits of £790m. Which gets us to £1.8bn, Further tax deductions clearly stated in their publicly available accounts reduce this further (losses from some operations in 2007 were still affecting the accounts) it becomes earlier to see how the £113m is arrived at (although I guess there were several tax reduction schemes employed beyond the usual adjustments).
The point is Indy that these issues are never as clear cut as they are made out in the papers or on Twitter. Do I think that Barclays could be more clear? Yes. Do I think HMRC needs to be resourced effectively to ensure that all companies pay a fair amount of tax? Yes. Does this country need a clearer tax system? Yes. Do I think that Vodafone, Barclays and others are doing anything other that operating within the law and operating to the benefit of their shareholders? No.
And, to prepare you for follow-up misleading headlines next year, the operating profit of Barclays is actually less than the 2008 figure being £4.8bn. It was the sale shares in an asset that raised the overall profit figure to £11.6bn. Just so you know, a lot of that can be accounted for without paying tax – the substantial shareholdings exemption so the coloration tax paid by Barclays is likely to fall.
Incidentally the comments about the SNP "cosying up to the Tories" are becoming a little tedious.
Clearly I can't speak for anyone else but I am a nationalist. I don't see it as the job of the Scottish Government to cosy up to any administration in London, whether Labour or Tory, but to fight to get the best deal for Scotland as long as we are in the UK and to make the case at every opportunity for leaving the UK.
The Green tactic on the other hand appears to be to cosy up to the UK Left – a position which pre-supposes that Scotland is going to remain a part of the UK and that the only viable way to escape Tory rule is the kind of Life-of-Brian campaigning where people march about waving placards and competing about how right-on they are while achieving absolutely zilch, as the vast majority of ordinary punters pay absolutely no attention to them.
I am clear that there is an alternative to the UK cuts agenda. That alternative is for Scotland to become an independent country, raise and spend its own money and determine its own priorities with no reference to Westminster at all.
It would be good if the Greens shared that ambition – but its becoming pretty clear that they don't. Instead it seems they would prefer to see Scotland tied into the endless, dreary cycle of defining every political issue by how much you hate the Tories – despite the fact that there is as much chance of the Tories being elected to run Scotland as there is of Colonel Gadaffi being invited onto the next series of Strictly Come Dancing. It's not completely impossible in other words but highly unlikely.
#27 by Daniel J on February 24, 2011 - 3:47 pm
Funnily enough when it comes to the 'The UK cuts agenda' the SNP are all talk, even then it seems rather half hearted (oh I'm sorry did forget the pretty insignificant £30 Million 'tesco tax'?).
Why are some Nats so infuriated that the Greens support independence while not campaigning on it as a central piece of policy. My god might it not be central to their current policies?! Would you say the same thing of those within the SNP who advocate a slower move towards independence?
When it comes to the UK cuts agenda every politicaian is all talk – what do you want them to do? Start smashing up windows?
I am not infuriated by the Greens preferring to campaign against the SNP instead of in favour of independence, but I think it is disappointing.
As I said, the only reason we are in this situation is because the Tories won the Westminster election. They didn't win any election in Scotland – and they wouldn't win any election in Scotland.
So, rather than spending all your time campaigning against the Tories, it would seem more sensible to me to just cut the link with Westminster and have a Scottish Government elected by the Scottish people and accountable only to them.
It is a shame that logic escapes you but there you go.
The thing is Indy, sometimes I forget that the SNP's main objective is independence. They have settled into Holyrood so well and not really pushed the cause as hard as they could, and perhaps, should have done. I am sure many in the SNP would agree with me, I know so infact. Consequently, it does seem a bit cheeky to be having a go at the Greens for not making up for the lack of Nationalist heave of late.
The Greens presumably don't see independence as being a key issue in the 2011-15 term, just as it wasn't in the 2007-11 campaign, so why not focus on what can be short term – namely offsetting the worst of the coalition's cuts.
I can understand that you'd rather the Greens acted as the environment wing of the SNP but surely you can see how unlikely that is when SGP is a party with its leader currently a the 7th and final Glasgow regional MSP and the other one retiring. Party survival trumps joining the Nats in a bit of London-bashing and if that involves a few Tartan Tory jibes and differentiating themselves as revenue raisers to prevent job cuts then, well, isn't it best to play the ball and not the men?
#30 by Indy on February 25, 2011 - 9:45 am
Jeff when you are looking at the situation with handling the cuts, independence is the only issue as it is the only viable alternative to getting stuck in a cycle that we have been stuck in before.
But the Greens have painted themselves into a corner whereby they accept that Westminster will decide what our budget is and all they can do is protest about it in juvenile ways and propose that Scottish people should pay more tax to compensate for the fact that Westminster has decided to give us back less of our own money to play with,
It all reminds me of the 1980s and I recall something Jim Sillars said – he said imagine if all the energy that goes into fighting the Tories and defending Scotland's egalitarian values could go into creating a better nation.
Because we don't NEED to fight the Tories or the cuts. We are only in this position because we are still governed from Westminster. I agree maybe you don't hear this all that often and maybe it's our fault for just assuming that everyone knows this is what the SNP is about. Because for us it is pretty obvious and if the Greens actually understood or believed in independence it would be pretty obvious to them as well.
#31 by James on February 25, 2011 - 10:06 am
I believe in independence, and will campaign for it. But given we're not currently independent, let's use the powers we have rather than choosing cuts. The current apathy and opposition to that from the SNP is actually undermining the case for more powers, just as letting the SVR lapse did (which incidentally SNP Ministers just got harshly criticised for by the Finance Committee, Convenor Andrew Welsh MSP).
#32 by Indy on February 25, 2011 - 10:52 am
I'm not going to argue with you because we are just not talking the same langauage.
Your whole case revolves around accepting Scotland's position within the UK and using the powers we have to wring more money out of ordinary working Scots while our oil revenues are used to subsidise illegal wars and nuclear weapons.
That difference in oerspective is too big to be bridged and it is what I mean by saying you don't get independence.
#33 by John Ruddy on February 24, 2011 - 4:58 pm
I would suppotr such a move – if it could be done without additional cost. The clause alluded to by Tricia Marwick indicates that might be a possibility, as many contracts have such an early release clause (or rather a clause to extend which doesnt have to be taken up).
Even if Vodaphone is the cheapest, it is not always the best. My own experience at Angus Council bears this out. Angus went for Voda on the basis of being the cheapest (also as endorsed by the Scottish Parliament via its procurement quangoes) when the reception is pish-poor. For instance, most council buildings are in Forfar, and the biggest dead spot for voda in Angus is…. Forfar. And as for anywhere near a glen – forget it!
If I might make a suggestion? The SP (and other public bodies) should opt for O2. Very good customer service, excellent reception and its the only operator which recognises a trade union – so the workers aren't treated like dirt.
Oh you and your 'trade unions' John….
No, just joking, fine suggestion and evidence-based too. Maybe a Labour/Green coalition would work just fine….
It's clearly what they are aiming for
Not ruled out if what I heard today is true. The Greens gaining significantly on the list at the expense of the SNP can only benefit Labour – and if it makes a Red/Green coalition more likely, even better.
#15 Daniel
What exactly are the SNP supposed to do about the 'cuts agenda'?
Westminster gives us a block grant, comprising most (but not all) of the tax paid by Scottish taxpayers. The Scottish Government then decides how to cut it up. That's more or less it, because of the very limited tax raising powers available to the Scottish Government.
Raising Council Tax just punishes the poorest. The income tax varying power is unavailable. The SNP's attempts to introduce a local income tax were vetoed by the other parties. Likewise the proposed supermarket tax.
So, what's your suggestion for what the SNP should do?
Just to dig a bit deeper on Green policies, how are the SPCB supposed to ascertain why a relevant supplier is 'paying their fair share'? Presumably the Greens aren't recommending that the SPCB just take UK Uncut's word for it…..so, who decides, and on what basis?
#39 by Observer on February 24, 2011 - 7:27 pm
Shouldn't the Greens be campaigning for closing down tax loopholes instead of changing supplier. I think that would actually make them more popular with voters because you know they do actually come across more & more as Rik from the Young Ones.
So do the Uncut people. Do they actually think anyone is going to stop shopping in Top Shop because they stage a few demos outside them?
Rik – v – Kate Moss. It's not hard to figure out who wins in the popularity stakes.
There isn't anything we can do about the cuts as long as the Tories are in charge of our pocket money. We can protest as much as we like but they are still going to happen. There is no way to avoid them unless you just ignore them, in which case it would end up like Liverpool under Hatton sending round taxis with redundancy notices.
Gesture politics won't get us anywhere. At the *very least* we need fiscal autonomy. The Greens would be a lot better off campaigning for that rather than all this twitterati stuff that most people don't pay any attention to.
#40 by douglas clark on February 24, 2011 - 9:18 pm
Cassius Claymore @ 21 / 22.
I don't think that is the right target. It is a question of morals that appear to have been bent, transcended, whatever, by HMRC.
It is pretty clear that some folk – y'know, those that think about these things – that Vodaphone were allowed to get off a bit lightly. You may disagree, but the corporate entities that are described as having the same 'rights' as you or I – human rights – do not appear to have the same responsibilities.
I cannot escape income tax, I cannot set up weird tax haven or fancy footwork to avoid my responsibilities to keeping this creaking state off it's uppers. The corporate entities can.
It is pretty disgusting that one legalistic concept of a human being – a corporate – is able to bring sufficient firepower to the table in the sense of corporate lawyers when you and I cannot.
That is the injustice of it all.
That is why people are a tad upset.
#41 by Douglas McLellan on February 25, 2011 - 12:14 am
Its not just corporate entities but also rich people who can pay accountants or clever people themselves that have these rights. And even people with modest amounts of money to save can avoid tax on those savings (which are in effect profits from working).
Our tax system is so convoluted that, even with the best of intentions, tax reduction schemes are exploitable. Rather than seek to exploit emotions and implement intangible and flexible moral positions why not make the tax system simpler?
And how is the SPCB cancelling a contract with Vodafone going to change that situation?
It won't, it is pure gesture politics. A gimmick.
I would agree with putting in place a system that made it a requirement that any company bidding for a public contract had to demonstrate that it paid tax in the UK on the profits it makes.
That would be a policy and it would be a policy that we might even be able to find some consensus on.
#43 by Doug Daniel on February 25, 2011 - 2:33 pm
That sounds like the best way to implement such a stance.
Overall though, Mr McLellan (with his excellent first name) is right that what really needs to be done is to close these tax loopholes. It's not going to happen at Westminster of course, especially not with the current government. However, one would hope that once Scotland becomes independent, tax avoidance schemes are consigned to history. Gordon Brown made the tax system so convoluted, and what we need is a simple system. If there are genuine reasons for people or companies to not pay tax, then why do they have to be hidden under a quagmire of clauses and regulations?
#44 by CassiusClaymore on February 24, 2011 - 11:36 pm
#24 Douglas
You say Vodafone got off lightly – maybe, maybe not. Neither you nor I are in a position to judge. Neither, most assuredly, are "UK Uncut". The fact is that we have to trust HMRC to enforce the law. Why wouldn't they? I'd be amazed if HMRC had just decided not to collect 4.5m from Vodafone. Why on earth would they do that? The truth is highly likely to be that Vodafone were not obliged to pay any more than they did.
People are definitely upset about corporate tax avoidance. Unfortunately, those people are rarely fully informed due to an unfortunate combination of a superficial, celeb-obsessed press and the populist, ill-informed, never-had-a-job student politicians who currently infest our political class.
If people are upset about our tax laws (rightly or wrongly), then they should be lobbying the government to change them, rather than loitering outside Top Shop playing Citizen Smith. You and I don't volunteer to pay more tax than we are legally obliged to, so why should Vodafone/Guardian Media Group? If you want companies to pay more tax, the Westminster Government are the only people who can make it happen.
"I believe in independence, and will campaign for it. But given we're not currently independent, let's use the powers we have rather than choosing cuts."
If that is the essence of the Green argument then you are in a very strange place.
You seem to be arguing that we should use tax raising powers to make Scots pay more to make up the shortfall from the Tory cuts, rather than trying to get more powers – over taxation, welfare, etc, which could actually prevent Tory policies being implemented here.
The best way of closing tax loopholes & ensuring that we have as fair a system as possible is to demand the powers to do these things ourselves. That doesn't mean independence. It could just mean fiscal autonomy. If a consensus could be built up around that – which would include much of civic Scotland who are ahead of the game here – then that would prove far more effective than a million people standing outside Top Shop or changing their mobile phone providers.
#46 by James on February 25, 2011 - 7:13 pm
The irony is that your position involves us going cap-in-hand to Westminster to ask for more powers, whereas ours involves Scotland acting now. I think I know which of these is more likely to work.
#47 by douglas clark on February 27, 2011 - 12:21 am
Cassius Claymore,
As usual you miss the point. Unless you yourself happen to be some sort of super rich individual or foreign billionaire resident here or, to the point, a corporate entity, your room for manoeuvre is limited. I would argue it is non existent.
We are tied down and they are not. That is not a level playing field.
Your idea that no-one pays taxes willingly is only half of a half of a story. But one of the points about a democracy is to mediate between our desire to have everything for nothing and the realistic expectation that security and education and health cost. Next there is the question of how we should pay for common services that we need. It is a generally settled view in Western Europe that state provision for certain services is preferable. That is what people have voted for.
So, we come to the subject of taxation, on which you appear to have an entirely libertarian view, one I do not share. It seems to me that you would argue black is white on the subject of taxes. We, those of us who pay PAYE, are the serfs of the system, and your heroes are those that don't. For they have 'clever' avoidance mechanisms that are not available to the rest of us.
Just out of curiosity, how many people commenting here have the ability to do what Vodafone did here?
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/nov/14/vodafone-tax-evasion-revenue-customs
Paying damn all might be a reasonable objective, but, if it is, it is a reasonable objective for every citizen, not just corporate entities that can pull political strings.
Frankly, Cassius Claymore, I think you cry too much for the rich and don't really give a damn about the rest of us.
There are enough corporate lawyers and, these days, politicians, who firmly believe that what is good for the rich is good for the rest of us and their mistakes ought to be taken from the PAYE drones.
There is nowt wrong with direct action. Usual caveats apply.


The Villa Rose collection, first presented by François Azambourg at the Exposition du Design de la Villa Noailles de Hyères, has met with great success. So it was quite natural for François Azambourg to design this new armchair in black-stained solid ash, the results of which are just as successful as what has gone before. This new version combines classic distinction and highly contemporary design details.
An optional seat cushion (in anti-combustion Bultex polyurethane foam 60 kg/m³ - 7.5 kPa) is on offer to bring warmth to the lines and bring a touch of additional comfort.


text:
Community groups get ready to compete for £150,000 Big Lottery Fund awards
And Belfast Live readers can vote as five community groups battle for three awards of around £50,000 each
Jilly Beattie
Foyle Down Syndrome Trust celebrate with members of the Waterside based group in Derry after they won £49,710 in the Big Lottery Fund's People's Projects competition in 2016. The competition which was voted for by the public enabled the Recipe for Success project to build a kitchen and run cookery courses and other activities for young people aged 16 to 30 with a learning disability to encourage independent living.
Five groups from across Northern Ireland have been chosen to take part in a competition that could win them up to £50,000 in National Lottery funding to make big changes in their communities – and Belfast Live readers can help decide who wins the cash.
The People's Projects, which will be showcased on Belfast Live from Monday for a week, will see community groups compete to win a Big Lottery Fund award for life-changing projects.
Three projects will be awarded the money as a result of public votes.
The Big Lottery Fund
On Monday, March 20, the B.U.I.L.D project by the Coast Office in Portballintrae, Co Antrim, will be featured.
If successful, they will receive £50,000 to connect people including schoolchildren and older people with each other and their local coastal countryside.
Activities include traditional boat building and maritime skills workshops.
On Tuesday it will be the turn of Connecting Care Homes by Linking Generations based in Belfast.
Helping communities
They hope to receive £50,000 to bring older and younger people together to build relationships and carry out activities including art projects in Antrim, Holywood, Banbridge, Larne, and Crossmaglen.
On Wednesday Down Right Brilliant Youth Club by Newry and Mourne Downs Syndrome Support Group will be showcased.
They are competing for £49,955 to set up a youth club in Newry for children and young adults with Down Syndrome and their siblings.
On Thursday we'll feature Food for the Soul by Via Wings in Dromore, Co Down, who hope to receive £48,900. They want the money to set up a year-long catering and hospitality and work placement programme for young people and adults facing issues including unemployment and learning disabilities.
The final project on Friday will be Harmony Hubs by Everyday Harmony Music Therapy based in Belfast. If successful, they will receive £50,000 to bring music therapy to more people by setting up treatment sessions in rural hubs in Tyrone, Fermanagh and Antrim.
You will find out all the details including how to vote and the terms and conditions on The People's Projects website - www.thepeoplesprojects.org.uk.
Voting opens at 9am on Monday 20 March and closes at noon on Monday 3 April.
The three projects that gain the most votes across the campaign period will take home awards of up to £50,000, with the winners announced on 6 April.
Julie Harrison, Big Lottery Fund NI Chair, said: "The People's Projects is a chance for you to decide how National Lottery funding can benefit your local community, so make sure you have your say on who you think should win."
Click here to go to The Peoples' Projects website to vote from 9am on Monday.
A postal vote option will also be available for people who are not online. The address is FREEPOST THE PEOPLE'S PROJECTS (must be in CAPITAL LETTERS). To help ensure the postcard arrives in time, it is best to send it by last post Wednesday 29 March, 2017. Use a standard postcard with voting details on the left and FREEPOST address on right.
Co Antrim
Holywood

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Curious about how much of your personal and financial information marketers are collecting behind your back? You're in luck.
One of the world's largest data brokers, Arkansas-based Acxiom Corp., has lifted the veil covering its vast trove of consumer data and, for the first time, is allowing people to see just how much it knows about them.
To gain access, though, you have to cough up some sensitive personal details first, including birth date, address and last four digits of your Social Security number. In exchange, it promises to let you in on the personal and financial information that it's collected without your knowledge.
It also knew that I'm a voter, but couldn't nail down my political party since I haven't voted in a primary election. In addition, Acxiom accurately confirmed that I'm a high school graduate; but as far as the data broker is concerned, high school is as far as I got. (I guess my time at Sarah Lawrence didn't count.) The rest of the site's categories — including economic and shopping data — drew blanks.
Determined to find out more about Acxiom's behind-the-scenes data collection, I asked my husband for permission to use his personal information and see what it had collected about him.
Acxiom knew what kind of car my husband used to drive and when his insurance was due. It knew that he frequently uses his Visa card, but couldn't identify precisely what kind of credit card he used.
It accurately estimated his income (not including mine) and confirmed that he indeed has life insurance.
Even more disconcertingly, Axciom knew where outside of the U.S. my husband has traveled on vacation.
My husband insists that much of the information that Acxiom has collected about him is outdated by at least five years. But, even then, the level of detail that it has amassed — even if it's old — was surprising.
Apparently, it's not the only information Acxiom has on file either.
According to the New York Times, the personal and financial details that Acxiom has chosen to make public on aboutthedata.com are just a small fraction of the actual data that Acxiom collects and sells to corporate marketers.
Acxiom also peddles much more detailed — and controversial — information, says the New York Times' Natasha Singer, such as whether you've got a diabetic in the household, whether you're likely to inherit a windfall from your moneyed relatives and whether you're caring for an aging parent. However, that information is currently reserved for Acxiom's high-paying corporate clients, says Singer.
On its website, Acxiom promises to add more information in the future about the data it currently holds. However, it's unclear just how many of their secrets they'll actually let slip — particularly since those details could ignite a lot more controversy than the information that Acxiom is currently willing to uncover.
The good news is that if you're creeped out by the data that Acxiom collects and are unwilling to have your personal details sold like a bag of goods, you can opt out of Acxiom's marketing program.
According to Acxiom, the data may take a while to fully update and only applies to Acxiom partners.
To opt out of having your data collected by other companies, you can also fill out a form provided by the Direct Marketers Association or write directly to companies that are bombarding you with unsolicited ads.
To opt out of preapproved credit offers, you can also call 888-5-OPTOUT for more information on how to get your name off marketers' rolls.
Wow, Kelly, pretty scary stuff. I do not know whether to use it or opt out of it. One question: If you opt out and they scrub your record could this hurt you on things like insurance when such companies no longer have information?


text:
HomeAssociationsCase studies abound at PATA sustainable event
Case studies abound at PATA sustainable event
Theodore Koumelis
The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA<.>) will focus on achievable and practical initiatives during the…
The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA<.>) will focus on achievable and practical initiatives during the 1st PATA Sustainable Tourism Conference and Mart (October 23-26, 2002 in Banten, Western Java, Indonesia).
Under the theme Protecting Indigenous Culture and the Environment for Sustainable Growth, the programme is being led by international experts who will discuss the development and promotion of sustainable tourism initiatives. The keynote address will be delivered by the U.K.'s most popular botanist and ecologist, Dr. David Bellamy, who will be speaking on Tourism: The Way Ahead to Sustainability and Beyond.
Plenary sessions cover a compelling range of issues. Mr. Emil Salim, Former Minister of Environment, Indonesia will deliver a presentation called Cultural and Heritage Protection: Marketing It Right, which will focus on marketing culturally-sensitive products.
Mr. Peter Trautmann, Vice President, Munich International Airport, Germany, will explain the green airport concept using Munich International Airport as an example. Munich airport prides itself on its power-saving management techniques and environmental buffer zones.
Mr. Greg Kaufman, Pacific Whale Foundation, Hawaii, United States, will showcase a unique environmental project funded by tourists who pay to be part of research missions — illustrating that preservation projects can be commercially viable.
Ms. Jaranya Daengnoi, General Manager, Responsible Ecological Social Tours (REST), Thailand, will present a success story in sustainability, proving that educating and training are vital to develop successful sustainable tourism projects.
A one-and-a-half day mart at the event will feature the region's sustainable tourism-related products, facilities and services. Delegates will also have the chance to experience hands-on cultural audit exercises during off-site breakout sessions at indigenous Indonesian villages. Pre- and post-Conference tours allow delegates to choose from three Indonesian sustainable tourism products.
Co-Founder & Managing Director - Travel Media Applications | Website | + Posts
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
https://www.traveldailynews.com/author/theodore-koumelis/
UK travellers are the most idle across all Europe when it comes to working out on holiday, according to research by Marriott Bonvoy
Piazza Hospitality's Healdsburg Collection announces return of Meaningful Meetings Program
Carnival Corporation orders fourth `Conquest-class` vessel for Carnival Cruise Lines unit
Spa Resources Middle East in Ionithermie regional distribution deal


Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 (SP1) includes the latest updates, enhancements, and new functionality for Windows Server 2003. SP1 can help to improve the security, reliability, and performance of Windows Server 2003.
Also be sure to check out the TechCenter page for the SP here.
where is vs.net2003 can download?


Sensibility and practicality define the 2019 Kia Sorento. Smooth gearshifts are achieved thanks to the 2.4 liter 4 cylinder engine, and all wheel drive keeps this model firmly attached to the road surface. Kia prioritized fit and finish as evidenced by: delay-off headlights, an outside temperature display, front bucket seats, tilt and telescoping steering wheel, heated door mirrors, rear wipers, and much more. Third row seats provide an even greater maximum passenger capacity. Kia ensures the safety and security of its passengers with equipment such as: head curtain airbags, front side impact airbags, traction control, brake assist, ignition disabling, and 4 wheel disc brakes with ABS. Electronic stability control stands out as a technologically savvy innovation, keeping you better connected to the road. We have a skilled and knowledgeable sales staff with many years of experience satisfying our customers needs. We'd be happy to answer any questions that you may have. Stop by our dealership or give us a call for more information.


text:
Directed by Petra Epperlein, Michael Tucker
History, Eastern European, Politics, European Studies, Women Directors
Twenty-five years after the collapse of the German Democratic Republic (GDR), filmmaker Petra Epperlein returns to the proletarian Oz of her childhood to find the truth about her late father's suicide and his rumored Stasi past. Had he been an informant for the secret police? Was her childhood an elaborate fiction? As she looks for answers in the Stasi's extensive archives, she pulls back the curtain of her own nostalgia and enters the parallel world of the security state, seeing her former life through the lens of the oppressor. Reconstructing everyday GDR life through declassified Stasi surveillance footage, the past plays like dystopian science fiction, providing a chilling backdrop to interrogate the apparatus of control and the meaning of truth in a society where every action and thought was suspect.
Petra Epperlein
Sound: Stereo 2.0
""Karl Marx City," Michael Tucker and Petra Epperlein's unsettling new documentary, is a smart, highly personal addition to the growing syllabus of distressingly relevant cautionary political tales."
A.O. Scott, The New York Times
"Dozens of documentaries have been made about the repressive Communist regimes of the former Eastern bloc, but few have been as visually striking or as deeply personal as Karl Marx City."
"I love how no matter where she goes, Epperlein carries her faux-fur-covered microphone (the cover is to dampen the wind) and points it almost like a weapon to make sure she does not miss one detail with a determination that deserves a standing ovation. What she does is what great documentary filmmaking is all about and 89 minutes here is never boring, always informative and offers all kinds of facts and truths long, long overdue. Go out of your way to see this one and you too will be impressed. "
Nicholas Sheffo, Fullvue Drive-In
"A hypnotic work of cinematic autobiography that leverages one woman's fear to exhume the paranoia that once defined an entire country."
David Ehrlich, IndieWire
"Essayistic and very effective."
Ignatiy Vishnevetsky, AV Club
"Shot in evocative black and white, "Karl Marx City" is a sleek, absorbing detective story, a fascinating primer on mass surveillance in the pre-Snowden era, and a roving memoir of East German life."
Justin Chang, Los Angeles Times
"Karl Marx City is that rarest of objects: an exploration of family history that avoids solipsism and manages to connect the personal to much broader things."
Michael Sicinski, Cinema Scope
"Filmmakers constantly work through their personal matters through the documentary medium, but rarely is the result as intriguing and enriching as this."
Christopher Campbell, Thrillist
CPH:DOX
Toronto Int'l. Film Festival
Stockholm Int'l. Film Festival
Palm Springs Int'l. Film Festival
Chicago Int'l. Film Festival
LINE 41 documents a Holocaust and Lodz Ghetto survivor's return back to today's Lodz (Poland)


text:
#region Copyright
//
// DotNetNuke® - http://www.dotnetnuke.com
// Copyright (c) 2002-2016
// by DotNetNuke Corporation
//
// Permission is hereby granted, free of charge, to any person obtaining a copy of this software and associated
// documentation files (the "Software"), to deal in the Software without restriction, including without limitation
// the rights to use, copy, modify, merge, publish, distribute, sublicense, and/or sell copies of the Software, and
// to permit persons to whom the Software is furnished to do so, subject to the following conditions:
//
// The above copyright notice and this permission notice shall be included in all copies or substantial portions
// of the Software.
//
// THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS", WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED
// TO THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NONINFRINGEMENT. IN NO EVENT SHALL
// THE AUTHORS OR COPYRIGHT HOLDERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY CLAIM, DAMAGES OR OTHER LIABILITY, WHETHER IN AN ACTION OF
// CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE, ARISING FROM, OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE SOFTWARE OR THE USE OR OTHER
// DEALINGS IN THE SOFTWARE.
#endregion
#region Usings

using System;
using System.Globalization;
using System.Threading;

using DotNetNuke.Common;
using DotNetNuke.Common.Internal;
using DotNetNuke.Common.Utilities;
using DotNetNuke.Entities.Portals;
using DotNetNuke.Entities.Users;

#endregion

namespace DotNetNuke.UI.Modules
{
    public abstract class ProfileModuleUserControlBase : ModuleUserControlBase, IProfileModule
    {
        #region IProfileModule Members

        public abstract bool DisplayModule { get; }

        public int ProfileUserId
        {
            get
            {
                if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(Request.Params["UserId"]))
                {
                    return Int32.Parse(Request.Params["UserId"]);
                }

                return UserController.Instance.GetCurrentUserInfo().UserID;
            }
        }

        #endregion

        #region Protected Properties

        protected bool IsUser
        {
            get { return ProfileUserId == ModuleContext.PortalSettings.UserId; }
        }

        protected UserInfo ProfileUser
        {
            get { return UserController.GetUserById(ModuleContext.PortalId, ProfileUserId); }
        }

        #endregion

        #region Private Methods

        private string GetRedirectUrl()
        {
            //redirect user to default page if not specific the home tab, do this action to prevent loop redirect.
            var homeTabId = ModuleContext.PortalSettings.HomeTabId;
            string redirectUrl;

            if (homeTabId > Null.NullInteger)
            {
                redirectUrl = TestableGlobals.Instance.NavigateURL(homeTabId);
            }
            else
            {
                redirectUrl = TestableGlobals.Instance.GetPortalDomainName(PortalSettings.Current.PortalAlias.HTTPAlias, Request, true) +
                              "/" + Globals.glbDefaultPage;
            }

            return redirectUrl;
        }

        #endregion

        #region Protected Methods

        protected override void OnInit(EventArgs e)
        {
			if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(Request.Params["UserId"]) &&
                            (ModuleContext.PortalSettings.ActiveTab.TabID == ModuleContext.PortalSettings.UserTabId
                                || ModuleContext.PortalSettings.ActiveTab.ParentId == ModuleContext.PortalSettings.UserTabId))
            {
                try
                {
                    //Clicked on breadcrumb - don't know which user
                    Response.Redirect(Request.IsAuthenticated
                                          ? Globals.NavigateURL(ModuleContext.PortalSettings.ActiveTab.TabID, "", "UserId=" + ModuleContext.PortalSettings.UserId.ToString(CultureInfo.InvariantCulture))
                                          : GetRedirectUrl(), true);
                }
                catch (ThreadAbortException)
                {
                    Thread.ResetAbort();
                }
            }

            base.OnInit(e);
        }

        #endregion
    }
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
Impact acquires international roster spot for 2019 season
June 25, 20199:49AM EDT
MONTREAL – The Montreal Impact announced on Tuesday that the club has acquired an international roster spot from the Colorado Rapids for the remainder of the 2019 season, in exchange for $100,000 in General Allocation Money.
After the three-week international break, the Impact will return to action on Wednesday, June 26, at 7:30pm, to take on the Portland Timbers at Stade Saputo (TICKETS – TVA Sports, 98.5, TSN 690). The team will then visit Atlanta United on Saturday, June 29, at 6pm (TVA Sports, 98.5, TSN 690).
Transaction: The Montreal Impact has acquired an international roster spot from the Colorado Rapids for the remainder of the 2019 season, in exchange for $100,000 in General Allocation Money.
Pregame - MTL v TOR
Real Madrid to hold public training at Stade Saputo
Impact and York9 FC draw 2-2
Kinumbe and Choinière to take part in MLS Homegrown Game


Sunday Services: 9.30am Morning Worship and Sunday Club, with coffee to follow. There are occasional Evening Services at 6.30pm.
A loop system is available for hearing aid users.
Our schoolroom is available for private hire. It is carpeted and comes with use of a modern clean kitchen + toilet facility.
Suitable uses include children's parties, discussion groups, small classes / demonstrations.
Could YOU make use of this village facility?
Children meet in the schoolroom on the first Sunday in the month for breakfast and fun, joining the congregation in church for the last hymn. Biscuits and drinks follow!
An open invitation is extended to all children in the village to join in.
for young people in years 5-9.
Snacks, games, crafts, socialising and fun!


This was a really easy way to make a cute Christmas craft. All you need is a toilet paper roll, paint, and scissors.
1. Paint/decorate your cardboard tube and let it dry before you cut it. If you try to paint it after you've cut it, the cardboard will lose its shape.
2. Cut a wide spiral up your toilet paper roll.
3. Now cut the spiral in half again so you have two pieces.
4. Bend each piece into a spiral shape. It's best to have the flat end at the bottom of each piece.
Wasn't that easy? We also added some stars on the top of our trees.
Christmas Tree Farm by Ann Purmell This book describes what happens at a Christmas tree farm. Not just during the holidays, but all year long. The narrator is the owner's grandson and he helps plant seedlings, trim trees, and haul the freshly cut trees. I didn't know if my preschoolers would be interested in it because they've never actually been to a tree farm (we're a fake tree family), but they really enjoyed the story.
Be sure to stop back tomorrow! We have another fun idea for these!
*Disclosure - This post contains affiliate links.
If you liked this post, please check out our other 10 ideas for making Christmas trees.
These are so cute! I love crafts that are this easy.
These are adorable! Love TP Roll crafts!!
Super simple, but very cute. I've pinned them to save them for next year!
Very cute Christmas tree craft, and the story sounds pretty interesting. Thanks for sharing with The Children's Bookshelf!
Very clever! Thanks for linking up to The Children's Bookshelf.
How do you get them to stay up so nicely and not be all squashed and bent?
I'll have to check if my library can bring that book in... I love it when books help explain to kids random little details of life.
The cardboard is thick enough to hold up by itself. You can see the one in the middle has a bunch of creases because my daughter played with it and scrunched it up but I was able to bend it back.
It's a cute book! Hope you find it!
What a fantastic idea - I am going to pin these to my Christmas toilet roll holder craft board.


I put the recommended around in my morning smoothie and it has made my life much easier than trying to mix in Aloe Vera liquid. I just keep the powder in the freezer, take out 1 tsp, and mix with my other ingredients. I get the benefits of Aloe without the mess. Powder smells good and of good quality.
I like the soft texture of the powder.i have already mix some to my black soap mix,i hope it works for my skin.
Incredibly fine. To the point where it's not usable without a mask. It's gets all in your nose and mouth instantly upon unzipping the bag and it's bitter taste stays for hours. It consumes the area you opened it in like a long-lasting bitter uncontrollable vapor. It really should be made in a way where it's more stable during use. I've put it in a ziplock which helps and at this point I'm afraid to open it.
I've been using this in a mixture I make for a deep conditioning treatment. It's great! My curls seem more defined & my hair has been getting stronger and doesn't break off as easily when combing.
I make my own hair products and I use Ayurvedic herbs to help to strengthen, nourish, cleanse, and prevent hair fall. These herbs are an essential part of my healthy hair regimen.
High quality aloe vera powder.The most amazing thing is that it brings wonderful health results.Thank you,Just Jaivik!
This is a good addition for homemade hair production and lotions/ creams. Just make sure it's completely dissolved in the liquid portion to avoid lumps. Could also be used in health drinks.
I enjoy using this product to add to my home made hair masks! The product has provided me with great moisture!
This thickens into a coarse smelly brown lumpy paste. I cannot imagine what it's good for. I question if it's even aloe. It's not like any aloe powder I've ever purchase & I've bought tons. Should have known t the price was too good to be true. Quality aloe is a fine powder (like cornstarch) that is white or cream in color. When dissolved in water, good aloe has a thin watery consistency. It does not gradually thicken into lumpy gravy.
I should have listened to the other reviews that said this powder gets everywhere. It's so fine that it even gets through whatever I use to cover my mouth and nose when using it. I have to store it in a ziplock bag because the bag it comes in does lite to contain it. Trust me when I say, you dont want aloe vera powder floating around your house and going down your throat.
Just used product,put it in my protein drink. It was so bitter,had to dispose of it ....have used other bulk aloe vera on Amazon, will order that today.
No issues. I've been using it in a mix for my hair. So far so good.
It's best if you eat it put little in your food. I use it add little to my facial scrub.
I love this stuff! I use it in my hair mask. I find it makes my hair feel soft to the touch.
Very Nice and super fine. The smell isn't overpowering and it Blends very well with anything that I've put it into.
I haven't actually used it yet, as I'm trying to figure out how to incorporate it into my regimen, but it was a good amount of product for the price. It does say that it had to be repackaged into an air tight container after opening. But seeing as it comes in a bag, that's a no brainier.
Very nice product; finely milled.
This is a great product with so many uses as a natural remedy for all kinds of ailments. This brand always has high quality products that I order regularly to make my own ayurvedic hair cleansers and conditioners.
Bought to use in my ayurvedic hair journey.
Promptly shipped and exactly as described.
This tastes terrible. I've had white before that was tasteless. It changes the taste of my smoothies.
Loved the product and timely fashion in which I received it.
Great for those who suffer from irregular bowel movements.
This product was made by using excellent quality material. The product did not have a bad smell. This product mixed with essential oils helped with hair growth.
I started mixing this with aloe Vera powder and add it to my henna gloss and henna strengthening tea. I've seen a difference with my hair being more softer and shinier. I use to use aloe Vera juice and rose water and had to refrigerate my home made hair products but now I don't have to with these powders!!! The aloe Vera juice would make my scalp dry and itch like crazy!!
Love this product! I make my own hot oil treatments and I add this to my concoction to bring moisture and balance out the strengthening agent I use. It also cane very quickly and in a resealable pouch.
This aloe powder was a purchase to use to add to my henna hair masks to add moisture and slip since henna is not smooth to apply to your hair. I love that this aloe powder came in a resealable package.
This bag was supposed to have 227 G of aloe vera powder. I weighed this on two separate scales and basically I was over an ounce short. If the seller wants to make good on the mistake I will change the review. But really, over an ounce short in error? That seems to be a little more than an honest mistake.
Great product but hard to reconstitute.
This helps moisturize my hair when I use it in my hair masks.
I bought this and was extremely pleased. The power seems to be nicely ground. The. bag it's packaged in is aluminum free which I preferred. The company contacted me after my sale to follow up, which I appreciated. Shipping was fast.
This aloe vera powder is the dried powdered version of the aloe leaf. Aloe is an excellent choice to use on skin for things like rashes, burns, sunburn, and other irritations and inflammation. This powder can be tossed into recipes for facial masks, scrubs, and other skincare products. It doesn't smell bad, and it's a versatile product for those who love making bodycare products. Encapsulating and ingesting the powder is also an option. I know ingesting aloe gel can be cooling and healing to the digestive system, for inflammation, and for pain. The consistency and quality of this powder is fine. I used this aloe vera powder in some natural recipes recently, and it worked great. I made natural exfoliating soap bars with walnut shell powder, chopped dry flowers, plant oils, and this aloe vera powder. I also used it in a facial scrub with walnut shell powder, Vitamin C powder, and other natural ingredients.
Very disappointed. I was aware that this product was supposed to have a green tint, however, it is not merely a tint it is a gritty, non-inviting, green sludge color. I think this powder was created from the outer husk of the Aloe Vera plant and not the inside gel. I can't use it in my products because it makes the product look as if it went rancid. I won't be buying this again.
Great product...added this to my favorite oils for my hair!
Used to getting fillet only concentrate that is of much higher quality. Also more expensive. Will go back to the more expensive aloe next order.
I have used many different kinds of aloe vera powders over the years and never had any reaction to any of them. After ingesting this product for several days in a row I suddenly began having difficulty breathing and swallowing. The effects lasted about 30 minutes. I immediately stopped taking the product and I did not have any further symptoms. I have no idea what kind of aloe vera (or other substance?) could cause such a violent reaction when no other brand or type of aloe vera has a ever effected me like that. I would have returned it but unfortunately I did not have this experience until after the return window closed. So hopefully this review helps others to try it soon enough to return it if it effects them the same way.
Taste awful, but appears to be what I ordered.
Using in my hair challenge for the next 6 months and can't wait to see the results.
I use this to add to deep conditioner for my hair and in a hair 'tea'. My hair is much softer since adding this to my conditioner. An odd smell-no smell. Not strong or noticeable but odd when mixing. This is a very fine powder so be careful as it flies all over when you dip a spoon on the bag. Will be purchasing again.
It is a good product for making soap. I love it.
Really good for my hair! Found a little bit of a leaf after I rinsed out tho but still good and moisturizing and almost gives a cleansing feeling actually.
Have your very soft and nice, just the smell is very strong. Overall I love it!
I didn't really like the smell but it would be OK in soap with some fragrant essential oils.
Nice quality. Nice price with a good amount. Works great as a base for face masks, though it does not taste good.
I really enjoy this powder. I use it in a tea rinse. Great stuff .
I add Aloe Vera powder to my conditioner to add that extra moisture. This powder is great!
I make my own DIY hair, skin and face products. This Aloe Vera powder is perfect for my hair conditioners and face masks. I don't take the powder internally but use it on my skin and hair. I love it so far. Packaged well. Received perfect and in tacked and so far I love it. I don't like preservatives or chemicals I myself personally so I always prefer powders over liquid if I can find them. Yes it is a hassle and harder to repeatedly make small batches of DIY items but to me, having nice hair and skin without artificial ingredient is worth the extra work. If anything changes I'll update.
I mixed this aloe vera powder in my pre-shampoo oil (coconut oil,castor oil, jojoba and olive oil with amla, hibiscus, fenugreek powders...). I massaged my scalp and let this oil mixture sit in my hair for 3 hours. Let me tell you, I did not need a conditioner, my hair felt like silk and minimal hair fall!
I really liked this. I use it in my hair mask treatments and it makes my hair so soft.
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I added a few tbsps to my indigo and henna hair dye mixes and it significantly prevented skin irritation. Next time I will add a little more aloe powder and hopefully eliminated scalp itch entirely.
returned product ! I did mot like the quality!


I liked The Spy Who Came in from the Cold so much that I got another le Carré novel, The Looking Glass War .
This one is about a different agent, and he so far seems to be surrounded by incompetents. It's interesting going from The Spy Who Came in from the Cold where everyone was pure genius and things were subtle and smart, to this one where everyone so far is being an idiot. I wonder if it is just to contrast how brilliant the agent, Avery, is. I hope so, a book full of people screwing up is less interesting to me.
The writing is great either way, though.
Next PostNext Who wrote this?


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Wisconsin Republicans vote to kill Medicaid expansion
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin Republicans voted Thursday to scrap expanding Medicaid, legalizing medical marijuana, raising the minimum wage and a host of other priorities of Democratic Gov. Tony Evers as they begin dismantling his two-year budget plan.
Evers and Democrats remain defiant, saying the public is on their side in support of expanding Medicaid. They ran on their promise to expand the health program for the poor and believe their victories in 2018 were due in large part to that position. Polls also show broad public support.
"Medicaid is being removed in this first motion because you're losing," said Democratic Rep. Evan Goyke. "This is a popular item supported by the people of the state of Wisconsin and every single day it's getting more popular."
But Republicans who control the Legislature aren't bending from their long-held opposition, which they believe is popular with their base of supporters, even as some GOP lawmakers have publicly talked about trying to find a compromise. State Rep. John Nygren, the Republican co-chair of the budget committee, said Thursday that he wouldn't compromise on taking something less than full expansion, rejecting that as "Medicaid light."
Democratic members of the committee said they were open to reaching a deal, but Republicans were not offering any alternatives.
"No is not a compromise," Democratic state Sen. Jon Erpenbach said. "No is not a place to start. No is irresponsible, reckless. It's hard to negotiate with someone who just says 'No.'"
In response to Democratic criticism that rejecting expansion hurt poor people, Republican Sen. Tom Tiffany said: "I do not have a moral problem."
"We have been responsible to the taxpayers of the state of Wisconsin and we have done the right thing," he said.
The GOP-controlled budget committee voted along party lines to kill Medicaid expansion and a host of Evers' other priorities with one of its first votes Thursday. In the coming weeks, the Joint Finance Committee will be voting to reshape the $83 billion Evers budget into something Republicans can vote for later this summer.
Evers said the vote was disappointing but "not the end."
"I'm going to keep reminding Wisconsinites what's at stake and I'm going to keep fighting to expand Medicaid," he said.
Republicans are refusing to listen to the will of the people or work together, and Wisconsin residents will pay the price, Evers said.
He's already released data showing how each of the state's 72 counties would benefit from accepting $324 million in federal money for expansion, which would leverage $1.6 billion in more spending on health care across the state. Of that, $836 million comes at no cost to the state.
That includes increasing reimbursement rates for doctors and other health care providers, raising county aid for crisis mental health and substance abuse services, and spending more on women's health care initiatives, dental health care and fighting lead poisoning.
To date, Wisconsin has missed out on $1.1 billion in federal money for Medicaid expansion. It is one of only 13 states that have not accepted Medicaid expansion money and the only one that did a partial expansion without taking the money.
The Republican moves will create a $1.4 billion hole in the budget, roughly the amount Evers proposed spending on K-12 education. Republicans have already said they weren't on board with spending that much on schools. Republicans will have to come up with other cuts, or tax increases, to make up the difference.
Under the Evers plan, about 82,000 people are expected to become Medicaid-eligible as the income cutoff increases from 100% of poverty to 138%. That would raise eligible annual income from $25,750 for a family of four to $35,535. For a single person, it would increase from $12,490 to $17,236.
Of those 82,000, about half are buying heavily subsidized plans through the marketplace now. Part of the Republican argument against expansion is it doesn't make sense to put people on Medicaid when they can buy affordable plans through the exchange. Republicans also say the move would disrupt the private insurance market, and that they're concerned the federal government will decrease its reimbursement to the state, leaving taxpayers to foot a larger bill for more people on Medicaid.
Robert Kraig, executive director of Citizen Action of Wisconsin, which supports Medicaid expansion, said removing the plan from the budget now doesn't mean the fight is over.
"Until the governor signs his budget, it's not final," Kraig said. "It's going to be a long debate and there's still plenty of time for the public to be heard."
Follow Scott Bauer on Twitter at https://twitter.com/sbauerAP
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Located in the eponymous Shibuya district, home to the city's leading music, cultural and arts venues, Shibuya-AX has a long tradition of being on the cutting edge of sound technology, and a unique system was supplied to meet the specification requirements of the venue. This resulted in a custom three-bay extender being supplied with a standard five-bay surface.
Ever since its installation in January 2007, engineers and operators who have worked on the XL8 have all commented on its sound quality. One of the reasons for this is due to the preamps on the DL431 input splitters, which give the XL8 that classic Midas sound, while the transition from analogue copper to CAT 5 cabling dramatically reduces noise degradation, again increasing the sound quality.
The new Midas XL8 at Shibuya-AX joins a Heritage 3000-56 monitor console, making this the first venue in the world to combine Midas digital and analogue technology in one live sound system.


As you identify items in your home to be moved, our team will pack and have them ready for the movers on moving day. You make the decisions, we do the work!
Unpacking services also available. We will hang your pictures and set up your electronics too! Disposal of all empty boxes and packing paper on day of move.


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Plan releases to decide what to deliver when
Plan what to deliver when
As you prioritize what to build now, next, and in the short-term, you'll want to begin tracking when that functionality will be available.
That's where releases come in handy.
You can group features by release on the Features board.
And you can also use releases to group features on the Roadmap.
The Roadmap can be a helpful visualization for you to fine-tune your plans.
It's also the best way to help communicate your priorities to stakeholders across your organization, while indicating approximately when certain functionality may be available.
How to define your releases
You can define releases around sequential numbers (e.g. R17, R18, R19), broader time horizons (e.g. January release, February release, March release), or relative timeframes (e.g. Now, Next, Later).
Agile organizations often use a hybrid of the above, defining releases in a more granular way in the short-term and then getting more broad when extending further into the future (e.g. February, March, Q2, 2H, Later).
If you're using your releases to indicate when features might be available, the key is to avoid committing to specific dates (or narrow timeframes) whenever possible – particularly with regard to anything beyond the short-term. Having the flexibility to adjust plans as you learn more about the problems you're solving for, and the objectives you're pursuing, is a requisite for success with Agile.
Adding features/subfeatures to releases
On the Features board, use release columns to add features to one or more releases.
Features can span multiple releases.
Press shift while adding a feature to a release to add it as an additional release, rather than updating the previously scheduled release.
You can also indirectly add a feature to an additional release by adding one of its subfeatures to a new release.
Features span all releases their subfeatures have been added to.
Features may also be added to additional releases that none of their subfeatures have been added to.
Subfeatures can be added to releases in a similar way as features, but can only be added to one release in any given release group.
A feature/subfeature can also be added to a release by dragging and dropping it into a new release grouping. This can be done from the Features board or Roadmap when grouped by release.
Finally, a feature/subfeature can be added to a release from its details pane.
Creating multiple release groups
Multiple release groups is available on the Scale and Enterprise plans.
If you have multiple teams working out of the same productboard workspace, each using a different release schedule, you can manage each as a separate release group.
Create a new release group from release field configurations.
You could also create multiple release groups to manage when features are getting worked on, or when they are tentatively planned to be released, separately from the broader releases that are shared with your organization on the Roadmap.
Multiple release groups example
In the example below, a Roadmap buckets release group is used to manage the releases appearing on the Roadmap whereas the Team A release group is used to manage more granular releases for coordinating work with engineering.
If you're using the Jira integration, these more granular releases could even be mapped to Jira fix versions.
In the case above, a given feature owned by Team A would be added to a Roadmap bucket release as well as a Team A release. If the timeframe for a feature changed, you'd need to update its releases within each of the release groups. In many cases, this is preferable because it gives you complete control over how a feature's future availability is communicated to all on the Roadmap.
Sharing settings for release groups
While release groups are visible to everyone by default, you can also restrict access to just makers, or keep a release group private. This can be especially helpful for waiting until tentative release plans are finalized before rolling them out to stakeholders.
Displaying release groups
On the Features board, you can show columns from multiple release groups simultaneously. When grouping features By release you can only use releases from one release group at a time.
On the Roadmap, you can only display releases from one release group at a time. So if you're using release groups to manage different teams' release schedules, features for each of these teams will need to be captured on a different saved view.
Watch our on-demand webinar!
Learn best practices around planning your releases. A member of team Productboard will explain key concepts, share tips, and answer questions so you feel prepared to hit the ground running.
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Grindley are pleased to announce the commencement of Catholic Healthcare's new aged care home in Casula. After several months of working together to ensure a viable construction budget, we are due to start construction of the 144 bed home.
We are thrilled to be working with the CHL team once again.


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Select other Braves Acuña Jr., Ronald Albies, Ozzie Blevins, Jerry Camargo, Johan Culberson, Charlie Donaldson, Josh Flowers, Tyler Freeman, Freddie Fried, Max Jackson, Luke Joyce, Matt Keuchel, Dallas Markakis, Nick McCann, Brian Minter, A.J. Newcomb, Sean Riley, Austin Sobotka, Chad Soroka, Mike Swanson, Dansby Swarzak, Anthony Teheran, Julio Tomlin, Josh Toussaint, Touki Ynoa, Huascar Braves Roster
Ozzie Albies
AVG HR RBI
.293 14 50
Team: Atlanta Ht / Wt: 5-8 / 165
Position: 2B Born: 1/7/1997 Birthplace: Willemstad, Netherlands Antilles
Bats/Throws: S/R Draft: Undrafted by Braves (2013)
General Batting
Date Opp Result AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB K SB CS AVG OBP SLG
3/28 @Phi L4-10 4 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .250 .250 .250
3/30 @Phi L6-8 3 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 .286 .375 .286
Mar. Totals 10 0 3 0 0 0 0 2 1 1 1 .300 .417 .300
4/1 ChC W8-0 4 2 3 2 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 .429 .529 .571
4/5 Mia W4-0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 .423 .516 .615
4/6 Mia L2-4 5 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 .387 .472 .548
4/8 @Col W8-6 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 .350 .422 .475
4/11 NYM L3-6 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 .327 .389 .449
4/13 NYM W11-7 3 2 2 0 0 0 0 2 1 0 0 .321 .397 .429
4/14 NYM W7-3 5 2 2 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 .328 .397 .459
4/16 Ari L6-9 5 2 2 0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 .333 .397 .500
4/20 @Cle L4-8 4 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 .288 .345 .438
4/20 @Cle W8-7 5 1 1 0 0 0 2 0 2 0 0 .282 .337 .424
4/21 @Cle W11-5 5 2 1 0 0 0 2 0 1 0 0 .278 .337 .411
4/23 @Cin L6-7 5 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 .274 .330 .400
4/24 @Cin W3-1 3 2 1 0 0 1 1 2 0 0 0 .276 .343 .429
4/26 Col L4-8 4 1 2 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 .282 .351 .427
4/28 Col W8-7 5 3 3 0 0 2 2 0 0 0 0 .292 .355 .487
4/29 SD W3-1 4 1 2 0 0 1 2 0 0 0 0 .299 .359 .513
4/30 SD L3-4 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .289 .348 .496
Apr. Totals 111 24 32 5 1 6 12 8 20 2 1 .288 .342 .514
5/1 SD W5-1 4 1 2 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .296 .353 .520
5/2 SD L2-11 5 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .292 .348 .508
5/3 @Mia W7-2 5 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .289 .342 .496
5/6 @LAD L3-5 4 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 .280 .329 .487
5/9 @Ari L2-3 5 0 1 1 0 0 1 0 3 0 0 .280 .326 .476
5/10 @Ari W2-1 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 0 0 .275 .324 .467
5/14 StL L3-14 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 .263 .309 .441
5/15 StL W4-0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 .257 .303 .432
5/16 StL W10-2 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 .254 .307 .427
5/17 Mil W12-8 3 2 3 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 .266 .319 .441
5/18 Mil W4-3 3 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 .267 .322 .440
5/19 Mil L2-3 3 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .268 .322 .438
5/20 @SF W4-1 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 .261 .315 .427
5/21 @SF L3-4 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 .259 .312 .423
5/24 @StL W5-2 4 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 .263 .319 .418
5/25 @StL L3-6 3 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 .264 .322 .421
5/28 Was L4-5 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 0 0 .263 .322 .415
5/29 Was L4-14 3 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 .264 .323 .414
5/31 Det L2-8 3 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .265 .323 .413
May Totals 109 8 26 4 1 1 12 9 23 1 0 .239 .294 .321
6/1 Det W10-5 4 1 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .269 .325 .419
6/2 Det W7-4 3 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 .266 .320 .414
6/4 @Pit W12-5 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 .261 .318 .407
6/5 @Pit L4-7 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 .259 .318 .403
6/10 Pit W13-7 4 2 2 0 0 2 2 0 0 0 0 .269 .336 .435
6/11 Pit W7-5 3 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 .270 .338 .445
6/14 Phi W9-8 4 1 2 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 .279 .345 .457
6/15 Phi L5-6 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 .275 .341 .450
6/16 Phi W15-1 5 2 3 2 0 0 2 0 1 0 0 .281 .345 .460
6/18 NYM L2-10 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 .283 .346 .468
6/21 @Was L3-4 4 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .282 .343 .465
6/22 @Was W13-9 5 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 .284 .344 .464
6/23 @Was W4-3 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 .282 .343 .460
6/24 @ChC L3-8 4 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .284 .345 .460
6/25 @ChC W3-2 3 1 1 0 0 1 2 1 0 0 0 .285 .347 .468
6/28 @NYM W6-2 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 .280 .340 .465
Jun. Totals 101 19 32 7 1 6 22 10 14 2 0 .317 .386 .584
7/2 Phi L0-2 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .278 .340 .461
7/3 Phi W9-2 4 1 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .281 .341 .467
7/4 Phi W12-6 3 2 2 0 0 1 3 1 0 0 0 .284 .346 .478
7/12 @SD W5-3 4 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 .289 .349 .483
7/15 @Mil W4-2 4 1 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .293 .351 .482
Jul. Totals 38 7 15 6 0 1 4 2 4 1 0 .395 .425 .632


text:
Home Forums > Archived Forums > Archives > Cricket Forums Archive > The Ashes 2009 >
Should Ricky Ponting give up captaincy after Ashes
Discussion in 'The Ashes 2009' started by irottev, Jul 3, 2009.
Should Ponting hand over Captaincy after the Ashes
Poll closed Aug 2, 2009.
Yes - Regardless of result
No - He's still got some years in him yet and no one else in the side would do as good a job
Maybe - If Australia perform poorly he should, if they perform well he should keep it
Page 5 of 5 < Prev 1 2 3 4 5
Will_NA Chairman of Selectors
I hope he doesn't. We may not win it again if he does.
The_gas Chairman of Selectors
Adil Gashid
National Team:
Domestic Team:
If Clarke is ready to replace him then yes, otherwise no.
NICK_GIFF Club Captain
Possibly his last Ashes as captain, but I reckon he will (and should) stay as captain for a bit longer. Clarke isn't quite ready yet - although over the next year they have a great chance to prepare him for it with Ricky's guidance.
Plus he's had a pretty sound series captaincy wise - unlike '05 where his leadership abilities were a bit more questionable.
PhilD123 International Coach
No! Ponting must stay!
shravi National Board President
Chennai Superkings, Tamil Nadu, South Zone
He should stay. I love the look on his face when he's losing and when he's lost. Wouldn't be the same if he wasn't captain.
StinkyBoHoon National Board President
I dunno, there was a lot of talk about how this was "his" team after warne and mgrath retired. it was an oppertunity for to develop something that was more than sum of it's parts. the old australia didn't need to be more than the sum of it's parts because the parts in question included 5 or 6 of the best players in the world.
but his record is looking a little hideous now. the win against india was marred with controversy, they were then soundly beaten by india in india and lost out to a gritty south africa at home, even the highlight of this period, the win in south africa, had the shine taken off it when they were smashed in the last test leaving most people thinking "what if south africa hadn't so tamely collapsed in the other tests." (not that it wasn't a good win largely down to an on fire johnson, but for me anyway, I was left feeling that it hadn't really been as much of a fight as I expected) of course along the way there has been some typically comfortable wins against the lesser opponents.
I still feel like he has more to offer, mostly because I can't see clarke doing a much better job, but that's perhaps unfair until he's had a chance to prove himself, going into a period of tests they should win, perhaps now is the time for some new players to blood themselves.
pcfan123 Guest
He will deffo captain them in the next Ashes in Oz and we will probably get our teeth kicked in
Therbs PCPL Season 2: Best Bowler (Division 2)
Avatar says " Words will never hurt you, eh?"
SCG - Members' Bar
He'll stay on as captain until the Ashes next year at least.
aus5892 Chairman of Selectors
Our record under Ponting is far from poor. He showed he is still the number 1 man for the job this series. Clarke does seem ready, but Ponting doesn't deserve to have it stripped off him.
Some Guy.... School Cricketer
It's not the time for him to step down. He's still the rock in the batting line up, and he's still got something to prove.
Gilly75 School Cricketer
He wont give up the capaincy lightly. I'm convinced that he will be there to win back the ashes in 18 months time as captain.


Microsoft is adding more features to its OneNote Web Clipper add-on for Chrome, Safari and Internet Explorer browser users. It adds features like a preview mode, support for adding YouTube videos and more.
Convenience and brand recognition should help Apple Pay on the web pose a serious threat to PayPal right out of the gate, a new analysis predicts, forecasting that Apple's new browser-based payment service will see a major overlap with PayPal acceptance when it launches this fall.
New York, May 26 (IANS) A team of researchers has listed some web apps that help people work collaboratively and complete shared tasks online, often over long distances.


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text:
Toxicology and Environmental Health Sciences
Abbreviation: J. Toxicol. Environ. Health Sci.
DOI: 10.5897/JTEHS
JTEHS Home
About JTEHS
Table of Content: May 2017; 9(5)
Biosorption of heavy metals onto different eco-friendly substrates
Fungi play an important role in biosorption of heavy metals in heavily contaminated soil. Five metals-tolerant fungal species were isolated from two different contaminated soil (soils 1 and 2). The number of fungal colonies isolated from the contaminated soil 2 was higher than that of soil 1. The most resistant fungal species for the toxic studied metals (Pb, Cd, Cu and Zn) was Rhizopus stolonifier followed by...
Author(s): Eman M. Fawzy, Fatma F. Abdel-Motaal and Soad A. El-zayat
https://doi.org/10.5897/JTEHS2017.0385
Article Number: 36A24FA64028
Evaluation of occupational exposure to metal dust on the liver of road construction workers in Abuja metropolis
Increasing air pollution levels due to rapid urbanization and growth in infrastructural facilities coupled with low level of standard safety procedures have been observed in Nigeria, and become a major source of concern. The study evaluated the effects of occupational exposure to metal dust on the liver of road construction workers in Abuja metropolis. Blood samples were used in the measurement of Lead, cadmium,...
Author(s): Ojevwe, D. D. and Osadolor, H. B.
Article Number: E8529A064031
View articles in press


The Institute is geared to an understanding of Genealogy/Lineage which is the essential connection between the acknowledged Master Instructors of the past and the various individuals who have participated in the formation of key organizations in the New England area.
Eugene Gaudreau has served as President of the Oriental Culture Institute since 1988.
Many key staff members of the Institute have immigrated to the United States from their native China. In China, they acquired the necessary skills to open medical clinics and educational institutions, establish private practices, and to effect the conveyance of critical information.
We have been extremely fortunate to have interacted with two sons of Yang Chen-fu, both Yang Zhen-shi and Yang Zhen-duo, with Ma Liu Liang and Fu Zhong-wen (who have since passed on), all Grand-Masters in the world of Taichichuan and Chigong.
For more information about the Oriental Culture Institue, please contact Eugene L. Gaudreau Jr.
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