October 23, 2009 Nº 833 - Vol. 7
"Talent alone won't make you a success. Neither will being in the right place at the right time, unless you are ready. The most important question is: `Are your ready?'"
Johnny Carson
In today’s Law Firm Marketing, short words and big words: how they add power and impact to your writing.
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Read Migalhas LatinoAmérica in Spanish every Tuesday and Thursday. Visit the website at www.migalhas.com/latinoamerica
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FCC votes to begin crafting 'net neutrality' rules
Federal regulators took an important step Thursday toward prohibiting broadband providers from favoring or discriminating against certain kinds of Internet traffic. Despite the concerns of the telecommunications industry and the agency's two Republicans, the Federal Communications Commission voted to begin writing so-called "network neutrality" regulations to prevent phone and cable companies from abusing their control over the market for broadband access. FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski said regulations are needed to ensure that broadband subscribers can access all legal Web sites and services, including Internet calling applications and video sites that compete with the broadband companies' core businesses. "Internet users should always have the final say about their online service," Genachowski said.
France approves wide crackdown on net piracy
France thrust itself into the vanguard of the global battle against digital piracy on Thursday, approving a plan to deny Internet access to people who illegally copy music and movies. The country's highest constitutional court approved a so-called three-strikes law after rejecting the key portions of an earlier version last spring. Supporters say they hope that France, by imposing the toughest measures yet in the battle against copyright theft, will set a precedent for other countries to follow. Britain appears set to introduce similar legislation next month.
US coal stands in way of Copenhagen
The UN climate change treaty, signed in 1992, committed the world to avoiding "dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system". Yet, since that time, greenhouse gas emissions have continued to soar. The US has proved to be the biggest laggard in the world, refusing to sign the 1997 Kyoto protocol or to adopt any effective domestic emissions controls. As we head into the global summit in Copenhagen in December to negotiate a successor to the Kyoto protocol, the US is once again the focus of concern. Even now, American politics remains strongly divided over climate change – though President Barack Obama has new opportunities to break the logjam. There are several reasons for US inaction – including ideology and scientific ignorance – but a lot comes down to one word: coal. No fewer than 25 states produce coal, which not only generates income, jobs and tax revenue, but also provides a disproportionately large share of their energy. Per capita carbon emissions in US coal states tend to be much higher than the national average. Since addressing climate change is first and foremost directed at reduced emissions from coal – the most carbon-intensive of all fuels – America's coal states are especially fearful about the economic implications of any controls (though the oil and automobile industries are not far behind). Under the US constitution, domestic legislation (as opposed to international treaties) requires a simple majority in both the House of Representatives and the Senate to be sent to the president for signature. To ratify a treaty requires the support of 67 of the Senate's 100 members, a nearly impossible hurdle. Getting 50 votes for a climate change bill (with a tie vote broken by the vice president) is almost certain. But opponents of legislation can threaten to filibuster (speak for an indefinite period and thereby paralyze Senate business), which can be ended only if 60 senators support bringing the legislation to a vote. Otherwise, proposed legislation can be killed, even if it has the support of a simple majority. That will certainly be true of domestic climate change legislation. Securing 60 votes is a steep hill to climb.
Before you open the door to the boardroom, peek through the keyhole!
Michael Page specializes in the placement of candidates in permanent, contract, temporary and interim positions within client companies around the world. Have a look at the new section of the Migalhas website and discover the professional development opportunities with large corporations, in legal and business fields, presented by Michael Page International. Click here to peep through the hole!
1- Lawsuit: Madoff's workplace was rife with cocaine, sex (click here)
2- Greenpeace protests genetically modified corn in Mexico (click here)
3-Federal court grants stay of execution for fourth Ohio inmate (click here)
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100% Migalhas: www.migalhas.com
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China opens 'Nasdaq-style' market
China is launching its long-awaited Nasdaq-style stock market in the southern city of Shenzhen. Twenty eight small- and medium-sized enterprises are expected to debut on the new exchange. It is designed to attract financing for new industries with the potential for high growth.
Nobel laureate Krugman says China is devaluing currency, `stealing' jobs
Nobel laureate Paul Krugman said China is devaluing its currency and undermining the global economic recovery by "stealing" jobs that otherwise would have gone to nations that aren't growing as quickly. China's government said employment is "stable" and the nation will add 2 million more urban jobs this year than its target of 9 million, aiding an economic recovery that's gathering pace.
China courts sentence 6 to death for organized crimes
Two courts in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality sentenced six individuals to death on Tuesday for their connections with organized crime gangs. The First Intermediate People's Court sentenced two gang leaders to death and two other members to death with a two-year reprieve. Five other members of the gang were sentenced to 11 years to life in prison for violent crimes committed over an eight-year period. In another trial at the Third Intermediate People's Court, the leader of a 22-member gang was sentenced to death and his accomplice sentenced to death with a two-year reprieve. The gang had been held responsible for the killing of one person and injuring at least four others last year. The gang's other 20 members were given sentences of one to 17 years. The convictions are the first in a series of organized crime trials expected to continue over the coming weeks.
Short words add power and impact to your writing
by Trey Ryder
Some people like to use long words, for many reasons. They think using long words makes them look smart. Or proves they know words the reader might not know. Or they've learned it's quicker to use jargon than to reduce words to their shorter counterparts.
Here's the bottom line: Long words are harder to read than short words. They are also harder to understand. They require more energy and brain power to decipher. As a result, they sap your reader's desire to continue reading. So your reader sets down your materials, fully intending to get back to them later Sometime. Maybe. Well, I guess not. And -- your materials end up in the round file.
Short words sound friendly because most people speak in short words. Short words keep readers reading because they don't have to translate long words into short words they can understand.
Don't be concerned about the number of words you use. People often think it's more efficient to use one long word in place of three or four short words. But three or four short words are still much easier to understand and digest than one long word. So don't look at word count. Instead, look at word length. If you can replace a long word with shorter words, it's almost always a good idea to do so.
Look at what you read over the next few days. Likely, the things you enjoy reading are written with short words. Things you dread reading are written with long words. In the battle for ease, understanding and impact, short words win every time.
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(Editor's Note: This is one of my favorite pieces, written some years ago by Joe Ecclesine. Hope you enjoy it.)
Big words are for the birds
by Joseph Ecclesine
When you come right down to it, there is no law that says you have to use big words in ads.
There are lots of small words, and good ones, that can be made to say all the things you want to say -- quite as well as the big ones.
It may take more time to find the small words -- but it can be well worth it. For most small words are quick to grasp. And best of all, most of us know what they mean.
Some small words -- a lot of them, in fact -- can say a thing just the way it should be said. They can be crisp, brief, to the point. Or they can be soft, round, smooth -- rich with just the right feel, the right taste.
Use them with care and what you say can be slow, or fast, to read -- as you wish.
Small words have a charm all their own -- the charm of the quick, the lean, the lithe, the light on their toes. They dance, twist, turn, sing... light the way for the eyes of those who read, like sparks in the night -- and stay on to sing some more.
Small words are clean, the grace notes of prose. There is an air to them that leaves you with the keen sense that they could not be more clear.
You know what they say the way you know a day is bright and fair -- at first sight. And you find as you read that you like the way they say it.
Small words are sweet -- to the ear, the tongue, and the mind.
Small words are gay -- and lure you to their song as the flame lures the moth (which is not a bad thing for an ad to do).
Small words have a world of their own -- a big world in which all of us live most of the time (which makes it a good place for ads, too).
And small words can catch big thoughts and hold them up for all who read to see -- like bright stones in rings of gold.
With a good stock of small words, and the will to use them, you can write ads that will do all you want your ads to do -- and more, much more.
In fact, if you play your cards right, you can write ads the way they all say ads should be done: in words like these (all the way down to the last one, that, is) of just one syllable.
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© Trey Ryder
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Negocios
El colombiano Banco Colpatria informó que adquirió el negocio de crédito de la energética Codensa, la filial local de la española Endesa.
Minera
La subsidiaria peruana de la minera estadounidense Newmont recibió autorización del gobierno para desarrollar 20 proyectos en la zona de frontera con Ecuador.
Honduras
Los negociadores que representan al depuesto presidente de Honduras Miguel Zelaya dieron un ultimátum, hasta las 06H00 GMT de hoy viernes, al gobierno interino de Roberto Micheletti para restituir al mandatario en el poder o darán por concluida la instancia del diálogo.
Argentina – Brasil
Luego de la difusión de nuevas trabas brasileñas a la importación de distintos productos argentinos sacudió el clima comercial entre los dos mayores socios del Mercosur, la presidenta Cristina Fernández de Kirchner se quejó de las restricciones que impone Brasil a los camiones argentinos.
North Korea food shortage 'desperate'
North Korea's food situation is desperate because of economic restrictions and world reactions to nuclear tests, the UN says.
Freddie Mac's secrecy pacts face court test
Some former employees said they are eager to talk about the fraud case, but their severance packages say they cannot.
Santander allegedly failed to act on Madoff concern, investors say in suit
Banco Santander SA, the Spanish bank that lost about $3.2 billion in Bernard Madoff's fraud, failed to protect clients after discovering in 2002 that the con man deviated from industry standards by acting as custodian of his own funds, investors said in a revised U.S. lawsuit.
Secrecy still shrouds Srebrenica
Former Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic has told The Hague he will boycott the start of his trial on Monday. The prosecutor in the forthcoming trial will set out to prove Karadzic's responsibility for the massacre of around 8,000 men and boys at Srebrenica on 11 July 1995. But will the trial deliver on its wider mandate - to air all the relevant facts, and set the record straight over the alleged complicity of Western governments, so that the victims and their relatives receive the justice international law promises?
Uruguay's ex-ruler Alvarez jailed
The former military ruler of Uruguay, Gregorio Alvarez, has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for murder and human rights violations.
EU warns Oracle over Sun takeover
Oracle has so far failed to produce evidence to ease concerns that its purchase of Sun Microsystems would be anti-competitive. Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes said she was "disappointed" by the lack of proposals to placate EU worries. The EU is concerned the deal could breach competition rules, leading to higher prices and less choice.
Afghan opium fuels 'global chaos'
Afghanistan has a monopoly on illegal opium production that has devastating global consequences, a UN report says. UN findings say an opium market worth $65bn funds global terrorism, caters to 15 million addicts, and kills 100,000 people every year. The UN says corruption, lawlessness and uncontrolled borders result in only 2% of Afghan opiates being seized locally.
Democrats push to end insurers' antitrust exemption
In the ongoing health care overhaul drama, the Obama administration and the health insurance industry have gone from uneasy allies to bitter adversaries. One result is that health insurers stand to lose a privilege their industry has enjoyed for the past 64 years: They have been exempt from federal antitrust laws. Congressional Democrats are now pushing to strip the health insurance industry of that exemption.
Sweden church allows gay weddings
The synod of Sweden's largest church votes overwhelmingly to conduct same-sex marriages from next month. Sweden's government introduced a new law in May allowing gay couples the same marriage rights as heterosexuals.
Bailed-out corporate execs face forced pay cut
An Obama administration official announced the cuts Thursday.
Nokia sues Apple alleging iPhone patent infringement
Nokia filed suit Thursday against Apple in the US District Court for the District of Delaware, alleging that Apple infringed 10 of its patents on its iPhone. The patents cover wireless data transmission, speech coding, and security/encryption, specifically GSM, UTMS (3G), and WLAN standards. Nokia alleges that Apple has infringed its right to exclude others from those technologies since the first iPhone was released in 2007. Nokia's Vice-President of Legal and Intellectual Property Ilkka Rahnasto said that: “those companies who contribute in technology development to establish standards create intellectual property, which others then need to compensate for. ... By refusing to agree appropriate terms for Nokia's intellectual property, Apple is attempting to get a free ride on the back of Nokia's innovation.”
La Familia Mexican drug-cartel raids lead to more than 300 arrests in U.S.
More than 300 people were arrested in the U.S. during the last two days in the largest American law enforcement action against a Mexico-based drug cartel, according to the Justice Department.
Congress Votes To Give Gays Hate Crime Protection
Physical attacks on people based on their sexual orientation will join the list of federal hate crimes in a major expansion of the civil rights-era law Congress approved Thursday. The measure expands current law to include crimes based on gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability.
Sarkozy's Son Drops Bid to Head Business District After Nepotism Claims
Sarkozy's 23-year-old son dropped a bid to be elected chairman of EPAD, the planning board for the La Defense business district west of Paris, bowing to protests that he wasn't qualified.
Illinois lawyer in hot water over lurid Craigslist posting
The Legal Profession Blog reported on Wednesday about a strange disciplinary complaint filed against an Illinois attorney over an ad the lawyer reportedly posted on Craigslist. The attorney at issue, according to the complaint, Samir Chowhan, worked as a solo practitioner in an office with a handful of other solo practitioners. The post, listed in the "Adult Gigs" section of the site, was entitled: "Loop lawyers hiring secretary/legal assistant." It read as follows:
Loop law firm looking to hire am energetic woman for their open secretary/legal assistant position. Duties will include general secretarial work, some paralegal work and additional duties for two lawyers in the firm. No experience required, training will be provided. Generous annual salary and benefits will be provided, including medical, dental, life, disability, 401(k) etc. If interested, please send current resume and a few pictures along with a description of your physical features, including measurements. We look forward to meeting you.
According to the Illinois disciplinary complaint, an applicant shortly thereafter responded to the ad. The next day, the attorney reportedly responded with this email:
As this is posted in the "adult gigs" section, in addition to the legal work, you would be required to have sexual interaction with me and my partner, sometimes together sometimes separate. This part of the job would require sexy dressing and flirtatious interaction with me and my partner, as well as sexual interaction. You will have to be comfortable doing this with us.
If you think you're comfortable so far, please let me know and we can proceed with the process.
The next step is to set up an interview. When are you available to interview? I am free to interview today. Please let me know what your availability is.
Lastly, we've actually hired a couple of girls in the past for this position. But they have not been able to handle the sexual aspect of the job later. We have to be sure you're comfortable with that aspect, because I don't want you to do anything that you're not comfortable with. So since that time, we've decided that as part of the interview process you'll be required to perform for us sexually (i didn't do this before with the other girls i hired, now i think i have to because they couldn't handle it). Because that aspect is an integral part of the job, I think it's necessary to see if you can do that, because it'll predict future behavior of you being able to handle it when you have the job.
If you're still okay with everything, let me know what you're availability is and we can figure out a time for you to come in and interview. Let me know. Thanks for your interest.
According to the complaint, the applicant complained to the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission, which then opened an investigation. Chowhan initially responded that: "it appears that somebody with malice intentions has used my business information to post the advertisement on Craigslist. I did not post the advertisement for a legal secretary." However, according to the complaint, the Chowhan later owned up to posting the ad and sending the follow-up email.
Germany appeals court rules trial of accused Nazi guard can proceed
The Federal Constitutional Court of Germany rejected appeals by alleged Nazi war criminal John Demjanjuk on Wednesday, setting the stage for his trial to begin next month. The rejected appeals were filed in regards to Demjanjuk's health issues and the decision to keep him in custody. The decision upholds an earlier determination by the Munich Regional Court that he is fit to stand trial. Demjanjuk faces 27,900 accessory counts stemming from his alleged involvement as a guard at the Sobibor concentration camp. The former Ohio resident was deported by the US in May after exhausting his appeals and after the German courts rejected his bid to block extradition. The court's decision that the trial may proceed is final and cannot be appealed.
SLM's Mahjoub Hussein Talks to Asharq Al-Awsat
Asharq Al-Awsat, Pan-Arab daily, London, England
U.S. asks Switzerland to extradite Roman Polanski
Haaretz, Liberal daily, Tel Aviv, Israel
POLITICS-US: Pro-Israel Group's Money Trail Veers Hard Right
IPS Middle East, International cooperative of journalists, Rome, Italy
Wayward camels cause tension on Israel-Egypt border
JPost, Conservative, Jerusalem, Israel
Crash Probe Begins Amid Sadness
Khaleej Times, English-language daily, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Emirates Islamic Bank opens Nad Al Hamar branch
Middle East North African Network, Online financial portal, Amman, Jordan
Southeast Asian Leaders Launch New Human Rights Body
Nahamet, Online news portal, Beirut, Lebanon
Panel formed on Lebanon poll law
Saudi Gazette, English-language daily, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
US envoy to UN pays quiet visit to West Bank
The Daily Star, Independent daily, Beirut, Lebanon
Iran denies nuclear talks with Israel
Times of Oman, English-language daily, Muscat, Oman
Griffin attacks Islam on BBC show
BBC News, Centrist newscaster, London, England
Kirkland and Scharner doubtful for Wigan
BreakingNews.ie, Online news portal, Cork, Ireland
Fugitive hippo shot by police
Daily Express, Conservative tabloid, London, England
Jeered, scorned and ridiculed - still BNP's Nick Griffin milks his moment in spotlight on Question Time
Daily Mail, Conservative daily, London, England
TP avoids separation with UKE agreement
DMeurope, Online news portal, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Sex attack on girl, 9, as she walked to school
icLiverpool, Online news portal, Liverpool, England
Man arrested after woman found dead
Manchester Online, Independent daily, Manchester, England
State institute found to be illegally collecting personal medical data
Radio Prague, Online news portal, Prague, Czech Republic
'Disgusting' Griffin Defends Ku Klux Klan
Sky News, Independent newscaster, Middlesex, England
Opinion: The Black Widow Chancellor
Spiegel International, Liberal newsmagazine, Hamburg, Germany
Britain expected to climb out of recession today
The Guardian, Liberal daily, London, England
Honduras crisis talks collapse
The Irish Times, Centrist daily, Dublin, Ireland
BNP on BBC's Question Time: key quotes
The Telegraph, Conservative daily, London, England
Oil spill in Timor Sea is causing 'massive marine disaster'
Times Online, Conservative daily, London, England
Kadin hails economic team of new cabinet
Antara News, News agency, Jakarta, Indonesia
10th Seoul International Financial Forum Kicks Off
Chosun Ilbo, Conservative daily, Seoul, South Korea
Nineteen days of bloodshed in Pakistan
Dawn, English-language daily, Karachi, Pakistan
PM to meet Chinese premier at ASEAN meet
India Express, News portal, Mumbai, India
Child molester dies of thrashing
India Times, Conservative daily, New Delhi, India
Astro Boy
Japan Times, Independent centrist, Tokyo, Japan
Budget 2010: PM Najib's speech
Malaysian Star, Online news portal, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
Chatting pilots fly 240kms past destination
New Zealand Herald, Conservative daily, Auckland, New Zealand
Funding shortfalls may threaten critical assistance to Somalia, UNICEF warns
People's Daily Online, English-language, Beijing, China
Rees would have El Masri in his team
Sydney Morning Herald, Centrist daily, Sydney, Australia
Congress, NCP retain power in Maharashtra
The Hindu, Left-leaning daily, Chennai, India
Lawmaker takes developers to task
The Standard, Business daily, Hong Kong
Woman shot after attempted rape
Antigua Sun Online, Independent daily, St. John's, Antigua
Two more die from H1N1 in Trinidad and Tobago
Caribbean News Portal, Online news aggregator
Bahamas judge declares mistrial in Travolta extortion case
Caribbean360, Online news portal, St. Michael, Barbados
Controversy over new legal aid plan
Cayman Net News, Online news portal, George Town, Cayman Islands
Four Haitians shot dead for burning trees in Dominican border zone
Dominican Today, Independent daily, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
US-HONDURAS: Republicans Take Up Banner of De Facto Govt
IPS Latin America, International cooperative of journalists, Rome, Italy
New 'Dudus' delay - Coke extradition request faces more delays as ministry seeks additional information
Jamaica Gleaner, Independent daily, Kingston, Jamaica
Peru: Garcia and Correa say binational meeting is 'unprecedented in history'
Living in Peru, News portal, Lima, Peru
Examining the undefeated
The Globe and Mail, Centrist daily, Toronto, Canada
Ontario deficit billions more than expected
Toronto Star, Liberal daily, Toronto, Canada
Daly and Mendes kiss and make up
Trinidad Guardian, Independent daily, Port-of-Spain, Trinidad
Ethiopia asks for urgent food aid
BBC News, Centrist newscaster, London, England
Zimbabwe Power-Sharing Rivals Step Up Regional Lobbying Ahead of Crisis Talks
CongoPlanet.com, Independent online news aggregator
NRM wants top EC bosses sacked
Daily Monitor, Independent daily, Kampala, Uganda
Delamere grandson leaves jail
Daily Nation, Independent daily, Nairobi, Kenya
Corruption in the Judiciary is rife - Report
GhanaWeb, Online news portal, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Honduras resumes talks
iafrica, Online news portal, Cape Town, South Africa
R3,3m house for Cele - report
Independent Online, News portal, Cape Town, South Africa
Zenawi appeals for food aid for 6.2 million
Jimma Times, Online news portal, Jimma, Ethiopia
Measles claims mom of two
News24.com, Online news portal, Cape Town, South Africa
Anambra distributes N80m drugs to hospitals
Vanguard, Independent daily, Lagos, Nigeria
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