DaGwear

The War Is Over?

admin — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 22:21:24 +0000

President Barack Obama made it official Tuesday: Operation Iraqi Freedom is over, and the nation’s No. 1 priority is fixing the economy.

“The end of our combat mission in Iraq” comes at “a time of great uncertainty for many Americans,” Obama said in a nationally televised address from the Oval Office of the White House.

“But this milestone should serve as a reminder to all Americans that the future is ours to shape if we move forward with confidence and commitment,” he added. “It should also serve as a message to the world that the United States of America intends to sustain and strengthen our leadership in this young century.” And it opens up another opportunity “to rebuild our nation here at home,” the president said, declaring that “now, it is time to turn the page.”

The last full U.S. combat brigade actually left Iraq two weeks ago. But Obama waited to mark the end of the combat mission until Tuesday, the deadline he’d announced in February, and he did it without declaring victory, saying that while Iraq’s security was now in the hands of the Iraqis, the advance had had come “a huge price” for the United States.

“We have sent our young men and women to make enormous sacrifices in Iraq and spent vast resources abroad at a time of tight budgets at home,” he said.

Now it is time to “put the millions of Americans who have lost their jobs back to work,” he said. “This will be difficult. But in the days to come, it must be our central mission as a people and my central responsibility as president.”

The president gave no specifics on how he intended to do that, however, saying it was incumbent on the American people to join him in attacking problems at home with “energy and grit and sense of common purpose.”

‘Violence will not end’ in Iraq
Obama’s pledge to end the war helped catapult him into office. Now, as president, he is intent on reassuring Americans and the stretched U.S. military that all the work and bloodshed in Iraq wasn’t in vain.

Obama was careful not to repeat what has come to be considered one of the biggest mistakes of his predecessor, George W. Bush, who boarded an aircraft carrier in May 2003 to deliver a triumphant speech before a banner reading “Mission Accomplished.”

Seven years later, Obama was again declaring an end to the Iraq war, but he was doing it from the sober confines of the White House’s Oval Office.

Partly, that’s because as many 50,000 troops will stay as late as the end of next year to help train Iraq’s forces and because he’s also sending more troops to Afghanistan, the base of theal-Qaida terrorists who carried out the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. It’s also because “violence will not end with our combat mission,” Obama said.

“But ultimately,” he said, “these terrorists will fail to achieve their goals. Iraqis are a proud people. They have rejected sectarian war, and they have no interest in endless destruction.” Obama spoke Tuesday with Bush, who made a similar proclamation seven years ago. Neither the White House nor aides to Bush would reveal what was said in the call, but in his speech, Obama called Bush a “patriot” and credited his “support for our troops [and] his love of country and commitment to our security.”

“Whether you agree or disagree, it was a day to pay tribute to the troops, ad he felt to touch base with the former president was the right thing to do.”

Cost of the war
Obama warned that political paralysis and sectarian violence still clouded the country’s future, saying it was important that Iraq’s leaders “move forward with a sense of urgency to form an inclusive government that is just, representative and accountable to the Iraqi people.”

“When that government is in place, there should be no doubt: The Iraqi people will have a strong partner in the United States,” he said.

Part of bolstering that strength is ensuring the recovery of the American economy, he said.

“This will be difficult,” he said. “But in the days to come, it must be our central mission as a people and my central responsibility as president.”

In that light, Obama said his administration would focus on jobs, education and entrepreneurship, without offering any specific initiatives.

“To strengthen our middle class, we must give all our children the education they deserve and all our workers the skills that they need to compete in a global economy,” he said. “We must jump-start industries that create jobs and end our dependence on foreign oil.”

And “we must unleash the innovation that allows new products to roll off our assembly lines and nurture the ideas that spring from our entrepreneurs,” he added.

New tone from a new venue
The speech was only the second Obama has delivered from the Oval Office, which debuted a new look Tuesday night. The office was overhauled while the Obamas were on vacation last week, and even as TV reporters reported from the White House lawn Tuesday, hammering could still be heard in the background.

Reflecting the economic tenor of Obama’s remarks, the White House was quick to stress that the redesign was funded by Obama’s inaugural committee, working through the nonprofitWhite House Historical Association.

President says nation’s top priority now is repairing economy

The Beat Of New York

admin — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 18:18:43 +0000

This Little Video Captures the Vibe of My New York City. If you never been in the city your missing out, a small preview on the City That Never Sleeps New York.

Big Ups to Tim Hahne for creating a master piece.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Don’t Ask Don’t Tell

admin — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 02:03:00 +0000

The Pentagon wants to know what military spouses think of the plan to repeal the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy of barring openly gay and lesbian soldiers from military service.
The survey, mailed Friday to about 150,000 spouses of active duty and reserve personnel as part of a larger Pentagon evaluation of the policy, asks recipients if they would want their husband or wife to leave the military earlier if the policy is changed.
It also asks whether the spouses would attend a social event if a gay or lesbian service member were in attendance with his or her partner.
In a “Dear Military Spouse” letter introducing the 44-question survey, Defense Secretary Robert Gates explained the questionnaire is part of his efforts to best implement a repeal of the law, should that occur.
“Your responses to this survey will help us assess the impact of a change in the ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ law and policy on family readiness and recruiting and retention,” Gates wrote. “We need you to participate.”
The questions ask about subjects such as military retention (“Would a repeal of ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ affect your preference for your spouse’s plans for his or her future in the military?”), military life (“If a gay or lesbian service member lived in your neighborhood with their partner, would you stay on-base or would you try to move out?”) and family readiness (“If the partner of a gay or lesbian service member participated in a family support program, would it affect your participation?”).
The survey’s first question asks the respondents’ marital status and directs divorced or widowed spouses immediately to the final question, where all participants are asked to share written thoughts and opinions about the policy.
Aaron Belkin, director of the Palm Center, a University of California research institute studying the impact of gays in the military, said that while it’s very important for the Pentagon to hear from military families about changes in policies such as “don’t ask, don’t tell,” “Questions are being raised about gays and lesbians that would never be asked about other minorities.”
“Would they ever ask, ‘Would you be OK if you lived next to a Chinese officer?’ It suggests gays and lesbians are second-class citizens,” he said.
“That can send a signal that undermines what the Pentagon is trying to do, which is to promote equality,” Belkin said.
Alexander Nicholson, executive director of Service members United, a nonprofit advocacy group for gay and lesbian troops and veterans, said in a statement that the survey is “poorly designed, biased and derogatory.”
Nicholson, a former Army interrogator who was ousted from the military under “don’t ask, don’t tell,” said the issue will have minimal impact on military spouses.
“The Pentagon should be concerned with real family readiness issues like excessive deployments, inadequate mental health screenings and support, low troop pay, reductions in housing subsidies for military families and inadequate spousal employment support,” instead of spending money “on a politically motivated and unnecessary survey about gays,” Nicholson said.
Calls to the Pentagon had not been returned by Tuesday afternoon.
J.D. Smith, co-director of the group OutServe (formerly Citizens for Repeal), a self-described underground organization of actively serving gay troops, said he predicts low participation in the survey, similar to the approximate 30 percent response rate the Pentagon said it has received to a separate survey sent directly to some 400,000 troops in July.
“It wouldn’t be a big deal to military spouses if ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ is repealed,” Smith said.

The House of Representatives voted to repeal the policy in May as part of the defense authorization bill. The Senate Armed Services Committee passed a similar measure, but it has not yet been taken up by the full Senate.

What Are You Doing Paris?

admin — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 01:39:17 +0000

Paris Hilton was released from a Las Vegas, Nevada, jail Saturday morning after being arrested late the night before on suspicion of cocaine possession, police said Saturday.
The hotel heiress was riding in a black Cadillac Escalade which was pulled over in front of the Wynn Hotel on the Vegas strip at about 11:30 p.m. after police detected the smell of marijuana coming from the SUV, Lt. Wayne Holman said.
The driver, whom police identified as Cy Waits, was arrested for driving under the influence, he said. Waits is a Las Vegas nightclub mogul and the rumored boyfriend of Hilton.
Hilton was taken to the Clark County jail. She was released after authorities determined she was not a flight risk, Holman said.
“This matter will be dealt with in the courts, not in the media, and I encourage people not to rush to judgment until all of the facts have been dealt with in a court of law,” Hilton’s attorney, David Chesnoff, said in a statement.

Last month, Hilton was briefly detained in South Africa for allegedly smoking marijuana at the World Cup. Her publicist called the July 2 incident “a complete misunderstanding,” and the case was dropped.

Miner’s Trap In Chile

admin — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 01:11:46 +0000

The 33 men trapped in a mine 2,300 feet below the surface in northern Chile in Copiapo, face a physical, social, psychological and sanitary ordeal as they await a rescue that could take four months.
The miners are sharing a space the size of a small U.S. apartment. They don’t have a toilet, and it’s damp and hot with little air circulation. They won’t see the light of the sun until sometime in November or December.
Doctors have given the men advice about how to keep their limited living space clean: Portions of a 131-foot-long (40-meter) shaft are being used as a latrine. The shaft is connected to the main 538-square-foot (50-square-meter) cabin, which is being used for sleeping, washing and praying.
The men have split into two shifts so half can rest, while the others keep busy doing tasks, exercising or playing card games or dominoes. Stretchers that were stored in the rescue cabin are being used as beds.
The rescue shelter was stocked with a first aid kit, rubbing alcohol, medicines, deodorant, toothpaste and other necessities.
The men sole lifeline to the outside world is a tube about 3.2 inches (8 centimeters) in diameter, through which food, water, clothing, video and radio equipment and whatever else is needed are stuffed. It takes 20 minutes for objects to make the trip.
Initially, the miners survived by draining water from a water-cooled piece of equipment. To stay hydrated in the 85-degree Fahrenheit (29 Celsius) heat, each miner must drink eight or nine pints (4 liters) of water per day.
Doctors and officials are feeding the men carefully, making sure they are properly nourished while seeing to it that all will be slim enough to fit into the 24-inch-wide (60 centimeter) rescue shaft being drilled for them.
A social structure has formed, officials said. A shift leader at the San Jose copper and gold mine is fulfilling a leadership role, and another man with nursing experience is carrying out basic medical and psychological tests.
They hold daily meetings and make decisions by consensus, according to a video the men sent to the surface Thursday.
Maintenance mechanics among them have helped organize the space.
Three or four of the miners are showing signs of anxiety and depression, Chilean Health Minister Jaime Manalich said. The youngest trapped miner, Jimmy Sanchez, 19, is afraid of the dark, his girlfriend said.
Mario Gomez, 63, a miner since he was 12, has emerged as a spiritual leader on whom others can depend for support, officials said. He has asked that religious figurines be lowered into the mine so that he can set up a shrine.
Victor Segovia has been identified as the group’s scribe, keeping a journal of the experience since it began with a tunnel collapse August 5.

Pray For them!!!

DaGwear Welcomes Unit Eight Photography

admin — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 03:03:51 +0000

Always wanted to see how daily life looks thru the lens of a camera well you have arrived to the best place. Unit Eight 8, this urban commercial photography company would capture life how is intended to see it. What make our style so special is the way we mix elements of advertising with fashion, personal insight and artistic flair. Our images have been described as fun, refreshing, energetic, gritty, bold, hauntingly beautiful, edgy, thought provoking, truly original and ‘absolutely stunning’, and other adjectives we won’t repeat here!

GWear Is Here

admin — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 02:25:19 +0000

GWear
My product

How to Find Your Body’s Best Jeans

admin — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 02:11:55 +0000

The right pair can make you feel taller, sexier, even—dare we say it?—happier.

If you’re tall…
No capris, a slightly boyfriend-y cut gives a cute shape, longer inseams mean no high-water effect, straight, not-too-skinny jeans work, a higher waist shows off endless legs.

If you’ve got skinny legs…
Lots of styles can work; just avoid anything too fitted. Contrast stitching on a dark pair of jeans is awesome. Faded denim adds curves to a slim frame, cuffs add a kittle width. A darker wash with fade gives volume too. Pegged legs are OK if the fit is relaxed.

If you’re an hourglass…
Create balance all over. Boot-cut styles flatter lots of shapes. Remember: roomy, yes; baggy, no! Straightness cuts even out your natural curves, a mid rise smooths in all the right places, clean lines minimizes–Simply Fab!!

If you’re apple shaped…
Try a low or midrise that doesn’t get too close and personal in the midsection, and boot cut, not cut for Barbie–thank goodness. Fuss-free waistbands flatten the midsection, skinnies emphasize a slender bottom half, a classic pair wins if it fits to perfection.

If you’re short-waisted…
Try a flared cut in a darkish wash and pick a top that hits at hip-length to balance long legs. A low-waisted pair streamlines the torso. Wide cuffs + heels = a longer line everywhere. A stretchy fit means you can adjust them, a sexy pair can tall=ify your entire figure.

If you have short legs…
Just keep your jeans skinny. (Cropped styles work too.) 26 to 30 inches is your ideal inseam range, pocket detailing (hello, hardware!) adds oomph. Skinnies that are extra comfy–yes, please! But slim and snug styles fit you best.

If you’re plus-sized…
Look for clean lines and a straight fit through the leg, and a darker rinse is your denim BFF. A little legroom goes a long way, a nipped-in waist gives definition. Torrid is an awesome store for you to shop at…these babies go up to a woman’s size 28!! Denim with spandex = major comfort!!

If you’re pear shape…
It’s all about flare-on-bottom. (Leggings-cut types can work too, but only with a longer top.) A relaxed boot-cut is forever flattering. Try a ’70′s-cut pair for graceful proportions. Faded patterns distract the eye, but dark washes put the spotlight up top.

How To Get Through The 5 Stages Of Marriage

admin — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 00:42:29 +0000

How To Get Through The 5 Stages Of Marriage

All marital unions are not created equal — but they all go through some predictable stages. The timing may differ, and the way a couple manages the phase they’re in varies, but understanding the stages gives you the tools you need to move through with your loving union intact.

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Stage 1: Honeymoon

Usually the first year or two (or three, depending on the arrival of children as well as whether you lived together beforehand) is a passion-fueled period that’s all about the two of you and your intense focus on the attraction that made you want to walk down the aisle to begin with.

The Challenge

As much as this stage is full of lovely things like lust, affection and late-night romps, you’d be wise to also use this time to cement your sense of coupledom outside the bedroom. Who are you, as a couple? Spend time figuring out how you envision the rest of your marriage.
Stage 2: Settling In

This encompasses the realization stage, during which you learn things you might not have known (or happily ignored) about your spouse’s strengths, weaknesses and personal habits. Also in this post-honeymoon, pre-children stage, power struggles can arise as the two of you work toward both separate and shared goals.
The Challenge

As the shine fades a bit and reality sets in, you need to safely navigate what can be the first divorce danger zone of a young marriage. After a couple of years, too many couples find that their values and goals aren’t always on the same page.
Stage 3: Family

Welcome to the “meat” of marriage — the years most couples spend raising their families, buying a home, building and/or changing careers and all-around trying to hold a busy, crazy modern life together. This can be another danger time, you may have a couple of kids, a mortgage, demanding jobs — this puts enormous strain on the resources of a marriage.
The Challenge

Pay close attention to your marriage. Don’t assume your relationship will be OK if one or both of you is on autopilot. One thing that’s essential to building an enduring marriage is open, honest and tender communication. Give yourselves a chance to communicate by — if you have to — scheduling together time or planning a regular date night.
Any Time: Explosion

This is less of a discrete stage than the others, because it can happen at any time in a marriage. It’s when major life stressors interrupt the forward motion of your life together — such as fertility issues, a death in the family, a major illness or the loss of a job that leads to serious economic upheaval.
The Challenge

Seek support, both separately and together, depending on the situation. Never feel you have to power through problems on your own, or your marriage may suffer. Seek advice and guidance from friends, family members, religious counselors or professional therapists. Pay attention to your own physical and emotional health and well-being.
Stage 4: Just You Two

Some call this stage the “empty nest,” but that implies that your home is devoid of love (i.e. empty) after your children grow up and leave. Hopefully, it’s not that way (though it can be). In the best scenario, this stage is about reunion. You are getting to know each other all over again, unpacking old baggage and having fun.
The Challenge

Assuming you’ve weathered the earlier storms of marriage, this time can be exhilarating. But many couples find it a struggle to be together again with nothing else to concentrate on. Spend some time figuring out things you can do together and apart. If the issue is that you’ve ignored resentments toward your partner while you were busy with work and kids, you’ll need to be honest about these thorny problems.
Stage 5: You Did It!

You’ve enjoyed the lust, lived the love and come through the chaos of family life — without splitting up in the face of troubles. You’ve reached completion, a stage that retired, empty-nest couples who still enjoy being together can bask in for the rest of their lives.
The Challenge

Continue to show each other affection and attention. Remember, if you’ve remained a loving, harmonious couple, you won’t have an empty nest for long. Children and grandchildren gravitate back to the happy home they remember.

Madden 11 Is Coming to Ipad

admin — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 12:39:12 +0000

EA Sports has brought its hit football franchise to the Ipad. This week, the gaming powerhouse of EA sports will be bringing the virtual game that we all love to play to a device that’s even better suited for its touchscreen gameplay: the iPad.

Madden 2011 has been released for the iPad on Tuesday, you could download this thru your famous Itune store and it would run you for about $12. After playing it for 3 hrs straight I would say its worth the 12 bucks as this game would keep me entertain during long flights. So go ahead and pick up a copy of this app, because is worth it.