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Tom Thumb Would Love This Popular Product: Toothpick Flags

Zing Master — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 02:41:00 GMT

Tiny Toothpick Flags Causing a Large Commotion

The Flag Company, Inc. has expanded its product line of toothpick flags due to increased demand since its inception last year.

Atlanta, GA (July 10, 2008) -- The Flag Company, Inc., has expanded its already large line of toothpick flags to accommodate the high demand for the unique celebratory item.

Fun. Cute. Nice touch. These are just a few of the words used to describe the effect toothpick flags have on parties and special events. Whether it's a Happy Birthday party, a St. Patrick's Day celebration, or a retirement party, toothpick flags will add that little finishing touch that will make your party just a little more special. They decorate cupcakes, sandwiches, cheese cubes, fruit for drinks - the list is endless, but the "Wow" factor knows no bounds.

The lowly toothpick flag began as an "off-the-cuff" remark last year, but has become the surprising celebrity of the stock merchandise category. Company executives were discussing the range of sizes for the U.S. flag (from 12"x 18" up to 30'x 60'), that the company has on hand and someone joked, "The only size we don't have is toothpicks". It was the ultimate "Ah Ha" moment.

The basic toothpick flag line began with toothpick flags for all the states and all the member countries of the United Nations. These were popular with companies that have locations in multiple states or that conduct business internationally. Additionally, companies asked for corporate logos and other custom designs to be printed to order and assembled for special events.

But The Flag Company, Inc. did not stop there and began adding decorative toothpick flags for all kinds of occasions to its line so that now there are over fifty stock decorative designs. The Flag Company, Inc. has made toothpick flags for every holiday, every type of family celebration, every type of corporate event and for any other social gathering deemed worthy of commemoration.

Designs were created, production commenced, the tech department set them up on the internet, marketing buzz words were settled on and then toothpick flags became a reality on The Flag Company, Inc.'s Internet store.

In 2007, almost 3,000 boxes of toothpick flags were sold. Those are boxes of 100 for decorative, state and international flags. Custom toothpick flags accounted for an additional 135,000+ toothpick flags.

What began as a whim has become a surprising and fun item for people to memorialize first birthdays, weddings, 50th anniversaries, holidays and Super Bowl parties. Companies like them for annual conventions and picnics with the corporate logo or some other suitable design. To find the toothpick flag (http://www.flagco.com/flags/miscflags/toothpickflags/stock_toothpickflags.shtml) to make your own gathering a little more special, visit The Flag Company, Inc.'s website, and browse all the colorful designs readily available. Don't see exactly what you want? Not a problem - The Flag Company, Inc. will make it for you. Just remember the "Wow" factor.

White House Press Briefing on G8 Summit in Toyako, Japan

Zing Master — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 07:47:00 GMT

Press Briefing on the President's Trip to Japan and the G8 Summit

James S. Brady Press Briefing Room

MR. JOHNDROE: Good afternoon. This is an on-the-record, off-camera briefing by Dennis Wilder, National Security Council Senior Director for Asian Affairs; Dan Price, Assistant to the President for International Economic Affairs, and Deputy National Security Advisor; as well as Jim Connaughton, Chairman of the Council on Environmental Quality -- a briefing on the President's trip to Japan and the G8 Summit. We'll start with Dennis.

MR. WILDER: Thank you. Good afternoon. I'd just like to take a couple of minutes to brief you on the bilateral agenda with Japanese Prime Minister Fukuda, as well as the bilateral meeting the President will have with South Korean President Lee Myung-bak, and Chinese President Hu Jintao.

This will be the President's fourth visit to Japan since taking office, and his second meeting with Prime Minister Fukuda since he assumed the office last September. After arriving in Japan on Sunday, July 6th, the President will have an hour-long meeting with Prime Minister Fukuda, followed by a joint press briefing. Later that day, Prime Minister and Mrs. Fukuda have invited President and Mrs. Bush to a small social dinner.

The meeting with Prime Minister Fukuda offers a good opportunity to review the steps the United States and Japan have taken during this administration to strengthen our alliance, which is the cornerstone of our security policy in East Asia. As you may know, we are in the midst of a major force posture realignment in Japan that will see some American forces transferred from Japan to Guam, and other U.S. forces consolidated in areas of Japan away from major urban centers and better suited to military training.

The two leaders will also discuss the way ahead in the six-party talks as we work to put in place a verification regime so that we can verify that North Korea has given up its nuclear ambitions and stopped proliferating nuclear technology.

The President, as he did last Friday, will reassure the Japanese people that he will never forget the abduction of Japanese citizens by North Korea, and that we will continue to cooperate closely with Japan to obtain a swift resolution to the abduction issue.

I'm sure other topics of major international concern will be discussed between them, such as the situations in Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Burma and Zimbabwe. The two leaders will also certainly compare notes just prior to the G8 meeting on major global issues such as how to bring the Doha Round negotiations to closure, and international policy on climate change. They will also likely give special attention to U.S.-Japan cooperation in the area of health and food security, particularly in Africa.

Let me now briefly discuss meetings the President will have on his final day in Japan, that is on July 9th, with President Lee and President Hu. In each of these meetings the President will have a chance to coordinate U.S. strategy in the six-party talks, and explore the best ways to move the process of Korean denuclearization and peace forward. Let me also note that the meeting with President Lee will be an opportunity to lay the groundwork for the visit that President Bush will make to South Korea, which is now scheduled for August 5th and 6th. That is just prior to the President going to Beijing for the Olympics.

As you may remember, President Lee, when he visited Camp David in April, said that he looked forward to creating a 21st-century strategic alliance with the United States. At this meeting in Japan the two Presidents will begin to put real substance to that goal by discussing ways in which to expand the peninsular regional and global dimensions of the alliance. President Bush and President Lee will discuss their commitment to getting their respective legislatures to ratify the U.S.-Korea free trade agreement, which will bring important benefits to workers, farmers, ranchers, and entrepreneurs in both the United States and Korea.

In the meeting with President Hu, President Bush will review developments and Sino-U.S. economic and political relations since their last meeting at APEC in Sydney almost one year ago. The President will be eager to hear from President Hu firsthand about the improvements in cross-strait relations and what the future holds there. He will also want to hear about the negotiations between Beijing and the representatives of the Dalai Lama that are going on even as we speak in Beijing today.

The President will also want to discuss a range of international issues with President Hu, where we hope to see China play a constructive role, such as on Darfur, Iran, Zimbabwe and Burma. As always, the President will remind China's leader of the importance the United States places on human rights and religious freedom. The two leaders are also likely to touch on the work of our two governments in forums such as the Strategic Economic Dialogue and the Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade, aimed at improving the U.S.-China economic relationship. Finally, the President will stress to President Hu the need for China to actively contribute to a successful market-opening Doha Round.

And on that note, let me turn it over.

MR. JOHNDROE: Before I introduce Dan Price, let me just say the President will also have several other bilateral meetings while he is there in Toyako, and we'll have those for you tomorrow or on Thursday.

All right, Dan.

MR. PRICE: Well, good afternoon. I'm going to sketch out the kind of choreography of the summit, what is likely to happen on each day, and then focus on a few of the critical issues.

The summit will take place in Toyako, on the island of Hokkaido, and it will cover three days. On Monday, July 7th, it will begin with a lunch and working session involving the G8 leaders and leaders from seven African countries: Algeria, Ethiopia, Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania and Senegal. We expect that these sessions will look at global issues, as well as development issues. The first day will finish with a dinner for the G8 leaders and spouses.

The second day, Tuesday, July 8th, will be devoted to the meetings of the G8. Leaders will have four sessions. We expect that they will discuss a broad range of issues, including development, Africa, food security, trade and investment policy, energy security, climate change, and issues relating to the global economy, including oil prices. We also expect that day the G8 leaders will discuss regional political issues, counterterrorism and non-proliferation.

On the third day, Wednesday, July 9th, it will begin with an outreach session with the G8 leaders and the leaders of Brazil, China, India, Mexico and South Africa. These are the five outreach countries involved in the Heiligendamm process that was launched by Germany last year.

Following this session with those five countries there will be the leaders' meeting of the major economies. This is the G8, plus the five Heiligendamm outreach countries, plus Australia, Indonesia and South Korea. The major economies leaders' meeting will be followed by an outreach session and a discussion involving the G8 plus all of the outreach countries, and we expect that issues relating to the world economy and food security will figure prominently in those discussions.

Now I'd like to focus on a couple of issues that are of particular significance to the United States and that we think will receive considerable attention during these three days. The first has to do with the subject of accountability. The President has underscored the importance of ensuring the G8 members follow through on meeting commitments that had been made at previous summits. It's not enough for the G8 leaders to meet and issue declarations and make good promises; G8 members need to follow through with actions to make good on those promises.

We, together with our colleagues, have this year been focusing on enhancing G8 accountability and establishing mechanisms to ensure that G8 commitments are met. I'm not going to review in detail all of the prior G8 commitments, but there are some very significant ones that were made with respect to malaria, HIV/AIDS, polio, assistance to Africa, and committed levels of funding to fight AIDS, malaria, TB, and other infectious diseases.

The United States has strongly encouraged efforts to produce G8 accountability reports that will provide greater transparency into actions to implement these specific commitments. We would also like to see accountability become a fundamental part of the G8 going forward, and are seeking to ensure that the accountability reports released this year are updated annually.

Let's start with health. At this year's G8 summit, we expect leaders will be discussing efforts to fulfill past commitments on HIV/AIDS, malaria, and polio. The United States is meeting its pledges in all of these areas. To date, through PEPFAR, the United States has supported lifesaving treatments for nearly 1.7 million people in sub-Saharan Africa. The President's reauthorization request for $30 billion over the next five years would provide treatment for 2.5 million people, prevent 12 million new infections, and provide care for 12 million people, including 5 million orphans and vulnerable children.

At least year's G8, the United States challenged the G8 to match our efforts under the reauthorization request for PEPFAR. The G8 agreed, and is committed to provide treatment for 5 million people, prevent 24 million new infections, and provide care for 24 million people.

On malaria, through the President's Malaria Initiative, the United States is working, itself, to reduce malaria-related deaths by 50 percent in the 15 hardest-hit African countries. At Heiligendamm, at last year's summit, again, the United States challenged the rest of the G8 to match our efforts under PMI, and again the G8 took up that challenge, committing to meet the needs in a total of 30 of the hardest-hit countries in Africa. In 2007, more than 25 million people have benefitted from the President's Malaria Initiative, dealing with prevention and treatment interventions such as the provisions of nets, spraying, and medicines.

There was also a commitment on polio at past G8s. And here again the United States has honored its commitments by maintaining its level of contributions. We've provided over $1.4 billion for polio eradication since 1988, almost double what any other country has done. We have urged our G8 partners to honor the pledge to maintain or increase their funding levels. We are committed to finish the job and eradicate polio.

We also expect that the President will discuss with his counterparts two new initiatives that he has announced in the area of health care. One is training of health care workers, and the other is fighting neglected tropical diseases. Like the malaria and HIV/AIDS initiatives last year, these initiatives -- we have suggested that these initiatives also include benchmarks for measurable results.

On health worker training, you may recall that during the visit of Prime Minister Brown in Washington, the President and the Prime Minister announced an initiative to increase the number of health care workers in four African countries, to work towards the World Health Organization's minimum threshold of 2.3 health workers per 1,000 people. The U.S. and the U.K. will be working together in partnership with Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique and Zambia towards this goal. And the United States is investing at least $1.2 billion over five years toward the effort in these five -- these four countries. We expect to discuss this initiative with other G8 leaders.

Similarly, with respect to neglected tropical diseases, as you may recall, the President announced a U.S. $350 million initiative to fight certain major neglected tropical diseases. That $350 million figure is a commitment over a five-year period that would provide treatment for more than 300 million people in Africa, Asia and Latin America.

At the U.S.-EU summit, the European Union announced support for both the neglected tropical disease initiative and the health care worker initiative, as did Prime Minister Brown during his visit here. The President will be discussing this initiative -- or these initiatives with his colleagues at the G8.

At the Gleneagles summit in 2005, the G8 pledged to double aid to Africa by 2010, and noted this commitment, in combination with other donors, would result in an increase of aid to Africa by $25 billion in 2010. At that same summit, Gleneagles, President Bush announced that the United States would double our assistance to sub-Saharan Africa between 2004 and 2010, and we are on track to meet that goal and increase our assistance to $8.67 billion by 2010.

Let me turn now to the subject of food security. We expect that the leaders will be discussing the G8's response to the rise in food prices and to efforts to boost food security through short-, medium-, and long-term approaches. We think it's important that the G8 address immediate food aid needs, including through the local purchase of food aid and providing essential non-food assistance such as seed and fertilizers. It's also important to improve coordination among assistance providers to work towards the goal of increasing agricultural production and improving delivery of food aid.

And finally, it's necessary that we address the suite of policies that inhibit agricultural production, or inhibit the development of open and efficient agricultural markets, such as restrictions on exports or restrictions on biotechnology. We hope to discuss among the G8 how we can work with African-led frameworks, such as the Comprehensive African Agricultural Development Program to boost agricultural production.

As far as USG actions go, as you know, on May 1, the President announced a new initiative to provide $770 million to support food aid and development programs, bringing to nearly $1 billion total additional USG funds announced to address the food crisis since mid-April. With these additional funds, the United States is on track to provide a total of nearly $5 billion to fight global hunger in 2008 and 2009.

Let me turn to trade and investment liberalization. We expect the G8 leaders will discuss the necessity of maintaining and promoting open markets for trade and investment, particularly in the light of growing protectionist sentiment. With respect to Doha, we anticipate that the leaders will discuss the importance of achieving an ambitious conclusion to the Doha Round, focusing on the three market access pillars of the negotiation: agriculture, industrial goods, and services. The United States believes that the Doha negotiations have made progress in recent days, although there is much work ahead of us. The United States will continue our intensive efforts to resolve differences, and if other developed and major developing countries work with us in that spirit, we can achieve success.

With respect to international investment, we think that the G8 leaders are likely to discuss the benefits of international investment to the global economy in terms of stimulating growth, creating jobs, enhancing productivity, and fostering competitiveness. We believe the G8 leaders should discuss the importance of the G8 countries themselves embracing, and encouraging others to adopt, certain core principles on open investment, such as fair, equitable and non-discriminatory treatment; the need for transparency and predictability; and the importance of ensuring that any governmental review of proposed foreign investments be focused on national security concerns.

Let me turn to the issue of climate. As we have prepared for the G8 summit and the major economies leaders' meeting, we have found increasing recognition that meeting the challenge of global climate change requires contributions from all the major economies, and that climate change policies must be compatible with economic growth and energy security.

In the view of the United States, and increasingly in the view of others, a post-2012 climate change agreement under the U.N. Framework Convention will be effective only if all major economies undertake greenhouse gas mitigation actions reflected as binding commitments in a future international agreement.

Now let me address some of the issues that could be discussed within the G8 and within the major economies meeting. We think that the G8 countries, due to their resources and capabilities, have crucial roles to play in addressing climate change. Technology change is key to achieving our interlinked objectives on climate change, energy security and economic development.

At the G8 summit, we are hopeful to see support for the launching of a clean technology fund that will facilitate the spread of clean technologies in the developing world. The United States has committed $2 billion to this fund. In addition, we would like to see G8 governments enhance and increase their funding for R&D involving clean energy technologies, which are the key to addressing climate change. In this regard the United States is investing more than $4 billion this year, and has requested the same for next, for research and development of technologies to reduce, avoid, or sequester greenhouse gas emissions.

This year alone, the United States alone will make available more than $40 billion in loan guarantees to support investment in innovative clean technologies. We also hope to find support for a wide range of actions to accelerate energy efficiency in G8 countries.

Now let me say a word about the major economies leaders' meeting. We think that the meeting, the major economies leaders' meeting, will be an important demonstration of leadership on climate change by the world's largest economies, developed and developing. In support of the U.N. negotiations, the major economies meetings, or MEM, process can advance some important themes: First, emphasizing that climate change is interlinked with energy security and economic development, getting all of the relevant parties -- all of the major economies that together constitute 80 percent of emissions and 80 percent of energy use, recognizing and discussing how these challenges interrelate.

We also think that leaders will be in a position to discuss the value and contribution of the major economies meetings in building confidence, identifying common ground and making recommendations to the broader U.N. negotiating group. We also think that it will be possible for leaders to spotlight the importance of developing and deploying technology in achieving large-scale emissions over the long term.

Building on the work of the leaders' representatives, -- and Jim Connaughton, our leaders' representative, is here -- the leaders of the major economies will, for the first time -- the leaders will meet for the first time to discuss as a group a range of issues, including the need for a long-term global goal; national mitigation goals and plans; concrete early actions, including the desirability of sectoral approaches, technology cooperation, forestry; intensified WTO discussions to address trade issues relevant to climate change; and improving measurement methods. We remain focused on finding outcomes that are ambitious, realistic and achievable, and we believe that others share this view.

And finally, as the President has made clear, the United States is prepared to sign on to binding international commitments if all major economies also are prepared to make binding international commitments, recognizing that what each economy commits to will differ according to its national circumstances, demographics, energy needs and other relevant factors.

I think I'll stop there, and while we have the benefit of Jim's presence, entertain any questions you may have on climate or the other topics.

Q Yes, I was interested to hear you talk about it's time for a long-term global goal. Is there any possibility at this summit on getting an agreement of a global goal of a 50-percent cut in greenhouse emissions by 2050?

MR. PRICE: Let me say that there's been a lot of discussion about whether the major economies leaders' meeting or G8 would establish a numerical long-term goal for emissions reductions. And we've had good discussion really in both fora. I think there's broad recognition among all major economies that having a long-term goal is desirable in pointing us all in the right direction and indicating the scale of the challenge we face.

There's also recognition that progress toward any long-term goal will require the efforts of all major economies, not just the G8. Indeed, with evidence mounting of rapidly rising emissions from emerging markets, action by the G8 alone will not be effective to address this problem. That's why we believe that all major economies and indeed all parties to the U.N. convention need to be part of the discussion on setting a long-term goal.

To us, it is not appropriate for the G8 countries alone to set a goal or to pick a numerical target and then seek to impose it on major developing economies. Those countries need to be part of the discussion, and they have been part of the discussion, through the major economies process.

The Bali Action Plan makes clear that in respect of the shared vision and long-term goal, it's for all to decide, and here leadership by all major economies is needed in coming up with that shared goal. What is important, and what has become important in these discussions, is that all major economies are moving toward a shared vision on how to achieve a low-carbon future, again recognizing that what each economy does will differ according to its national circumstances. And we're making progress on this in the major economies process.

We've discussed a range of ideas on a long-term vision and goal, including a 50-percent reduction by 2050, and have been exploring in the major economies process the implications of particular goals for both long term and mid term. We've advanced that discussion in the major economies process. We expect that the advances in this discussion at the leaders' rep level will be reflected in the discussion among the leaders themselves, and no doubt reflected in the declaration next week.

Critically, ultimate agreement in the U.N. on a long-term goal will gain confidence through the work we do together on important topics like global technology R&D, accelerating commercial deployment through clean technology, and the establishment of national mid-term goals and plans, and through work on sectoral approaches. These discussions, whether in the G8 or in the major economies process, in July are not the end of the story. These discussions will continue just as our work in the UNFCCC negotiations will continue, heading towards the meeting in Copenhagen in December 2009.

Q Given the President's expression of strong support for the dollar, do you expect exchange rates to take any role in the discussions, and will the United States move to try to get the other G8 members to support some kind of exchange rate stability statement?

MR. PRICE: I have no comment on that at this time.

Q It's not on the agenda, though, is it?

MR. PRICE: Issues relating to the global economy are on the agenda. And when leaders get together they're, of course, free to discuss whatever it is they wish to discuss.

Q Thank you, Mr. Price. Earlier this year, at the last World Bank-IMF meeting here, President Zoellick spoke of a new deal, of putting more money directly into countries hit hardest by the food crisis, notably Haiti. And he called for immediate and large aid. Now, twice I have asked in this briefing, has the United States weighed in in support of the World Bank's new deal? Will this come up at the G8 agenda? And has the position changed from the U.S. at all, and does it support it now?

MR. PRICE: Well, I think the issue of food aid will certainly be discussed among the leaders, and the United States is firmly supportive of the view that we need to meet immediate food aids. We have midterm developmental goals that we need to seek to achieve in terms of boosting agricultural activity. We've got infrastructure bottlenecks we've got to address, and we've got a set of policy questions that also need to be addressed. So the issues that you raise will certainly be discussed.

Q So do you back the World Bank's new deal, or not?

MR. PRICE: As I said, the 10-point plan outlined by President Bob Zoellick has many points that are in common with the U.S. approach, so I do not see any conflict at all between what the World Bank has suggested as the focus of considerations and what we are also focusing on.

Q Two questions on HIV/AIDS. First, the President's PEPFAR reauthorization is kind of stalled on Capitol Hill, so how can he go in there and ask the other G8 leaders to live up to their commitments when he's having trouble getting Congress to live up to his commitment here? And then, secondly, there have been some news reports that say the draft communique on HIV/AIDS doesn't even mention the $25 billion goal by 2010. And so it that -- is this communique acceptable to the President?

MR. PRICE: Let me start -- I'm not going to comment on the text of a draft communique that is not yet public. Let me say that there is no intention by any G8 member of which I am aware to backtrack on any of the pledges that have been made. And as I said, we believe it is important not only to make clear that we intend to fulfill our commitments, but to produce tangible evidence of that in the form of progress reports.

Q Can I just follow, though? Does it not weaken the President's hand that he doesn't go into the G8 with a PEPFAR reauthorization signed and ready to go?

MR. PRICE: I think the G8 and the African beneficiaries of PEPFAR know the commitment of this administration towards dealing with HIV/AIDS, as well as other diseases that have had such a debilitating effect on Africa. No country's commitment is greater than that of the United States.

Q You mentioned that oil prices are going to be on the agenda on Tuesday, I think. What is it that the G8 can actually do or say that could have any impact on oil prices?

MR. PRICE: I think leaders will want to discuss the issue of the rise in oil prices. They may wish to discuss outcomes from the recent conference. There's a whole set of issues that they may wish to talk about in connection with oil prices.

Q Two questions, if you will. The first: Why is it that the G8 and the major economies as a group is not a large enough group to reach some kind of understanding on a commitment to greenhouse gas emission reductions by 2050? What's the point, if not -- what's the point of the meeting?

MR. PRICE: Well, I think that there are a number of things that have come out of the major economies process; consideration of a long-term goal is one of them, and it's an important one. It will be up to the leaders, as they sit there and discuss, to see how far they wish to go on quantifying a long-term goal.

Q Are you suggesting they might actually reach one, then?

MR. PRICE: It is up to the leaders to, I think -- and then I'll invite Jim to comment -- the test of whether the MEM is or is not successful is not whether, at this stage in July, all 16 agree on a long-term goal. This process will continue. Certainly from our perspective, to reach an agreement on a long-term goal is desirable and something we think the major economies needs to work to. Whether it is in a position to do so at this point, or make other statements about the long-term goal, that remains to be seen.

Let me invite Jim Connaughton to offer a comment on this.

MR. CONNAUGHTON: Again, this goes to your -- the reason to get together. Actually, there's a quite dynamic agenda to the major economies meetings. A long-term goal is just one piece, but that's a long-term vision. The more essential aspects of the discussion actually center on each nation's development of their own midterm plans and goals, and the structure by which those can be reflected in a new international agreement. That goes to the core of what we're going to do now and in the mid-term.

In support of that, we've also initiated conversations about shared sectoral approaches, which is a bottom-up approach: How do we get our steel sector, our aluminum sector, our transportation sectors focused on the best outcomes that each of our nations can achieve? We do some things really well in America that aren't being done in India right now. If India can replicate that, they can make further progress on emissions. So this is a very practical set of conversations on pushing for best practices in key emitting sectors.

With that, then, comes the ability to do much more technology exchange on the technologies that are central to solving the problem. It's coal-produced power, it's personal transportation, and it's forestry and land use. These are the big drivers of climate-related emissions and activities. The major economies are the ones that engage in most of that activity. And so we've got very specific conversations going on on forestry, for example; a very specific conversation about more technology exchange on carbon capture and storage from coal. We're even talking about how do we get large-scale renewable projects going, and how do we get nuclear energy going at a pace that far exceeds the current level of investment. So these are very practical discussions that, really, this group of countries will make that happen.

Finally, you may have read a bit about just the issue of measuring emission reductions. We do pretty good about measurement in America and a few of the other developed countries, but we've got an accounting system on greenhouse gases that is not as precise as it could or should be, and even getting common ground on measures is going to be important in order to demonstrate the success of different policies.

So just note, you'll see, as a result of this conversation, a fairly expansive set of activities that this group has generated in the near term that will help lead to an agreement next year, but also that will sustain a whole variety of other activities in support of an agreement next year.

Q If I could add a second question, which is the reassurance the President will give to Japan that the U.S. will never forget the North Korean abductions. How does that square with the movement toward removing North Korea from the list of terrorist sponsors? Some members of the Japanese Diet believe that that is an abrogation of promise.

MR. JOHNDROE: I think you heard Dennis already address that, and you've heard Secretary Rice and the President address that last week when the North Koreans made their agreement and -- or presented their declaration --

Q They didn't address whether or not there was an agreement between the United States and Japan that the U.S. would, in fact, hold off on this until the abductions issue was resolved. Some Japanese think there was at least that understanding.

MR. JOHNDROE: No, what the U.S. position has always been -- and the Japanese and everyone in the six-party process are well aware of this -- is that the United States would remain committed to the resolution of the abduction issue. And I think President Bush and Prime Minister Fukuda had a very good conversation about this last week. Secretary Rice had a very good visit to Japan this past week, as well. And I think the Japanese government and the Japanese people should know that the United States will not forget the abduction issue. And so the Japanese and the DPRK are involved in discussions, as well, and we want to see those progress.

We'll take two more and then we have to go.

MR. PRICE: Mike, right?

Q Just one on the accountability issue that you talked about, Dan. I'm just a little bit unclear about specifically what the President is seeking at the summit from the other members. And secondly, is he -- are you going to be naming names of other countries that have not met their commitments? Can you tell us today who those countries are?

MR. PRICE: We, the United States, will not be naming names. We -- and we're not naming names today and we don't intend to name names. That's not the point. The point is for the G8 countries themselves to produce reports showing how each of them is meeting the pledges made in the G8.

Q But what animates the President's concern? There must be -- are the G8 collectively not meeting its commitment right now? Are we not on target?

MR. PRICE: I think it is fair to say that in respect of a certain number of these pledges, we are challenged in meeting them. As I said, the United States has met its commitments as made in past G8s. And it's important to demonstrate for the world and for the beneficiaries of these pledges that we are meeting the commitment; that we are not, year after year, simply making promises without looking back to see, are we fulfilling them. And we think it would enhance transparency, credibility and reliability of what the G8 says to institute such a mechanism in respect of their core pledges.

MR. JOHNDROE: One last question from Mark.

Q Dan, the President goes to this G8 as his last G8 summit and he goes with just seven months remaining in office. How does that alter the dynamic of what he expects to achieve at this summit?

MR. PRICE: I think the President has been fairly consistent in what he has sought in these G8 summits, in terms of addressing these critically important health and development issues in Africa; in addressing questions of global security; in addressing questions of the need to maintain open economies; the need to promote democracy and growth. I think that at this G8 the President's messages will be consistent with those that he has carried to each G8 since he's become President.

Q Is his clout diminished at all?

MR. PRICE: I certainly do not believe so. This is the President of the United States. He has stood for some very important principles and policies. He has been a catalyst within the G8 for a number of those principles and policies, and will continue to do so.

Thank you very much.

Mom, Apple Pie, July 4th, Fireworks and ..... Cold Beer!

Zing Master — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 03:04:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, July 1 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ Celebrating our nation's independence is a time-honored tradition, typically marked by barbeques, fireworks -- and also, a cold beer.

Top Period for Beer Sales

Last year, July 4th was the biggest beer-selling holiday of the year, with beer sales at supermarkets across the country topping 23 million cases during the holiday period, according to The Nielsen Company. Beer sales during this period also accounted for approximately 5.2 percent of total annual beer sales in 2007, helping generate billions of dollars in economic activity for our nation.

Major Economic Contributions

Rising sales of beer are contributing heftily to the U.S. economy - nearly $190 billion, in fact. According to an economic impact study commissioned jointly by the Beer Institute and the National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA), the beer industry also contributes more than 1.7 million jobs paying almost $55 billion in wages annually. The production of beer helps support other segments of the economy as well. For example, the study showed more than $4 billion in economic contributions for the agricultural sector, including malting barley ($537.8 million), hops ($280.7 million), brewers rice ($222.9 million), and brewers corn ($58.4 million).

Promoting Responsibility

In addition to bolstering the U.S. economy, the beer industry devotes considerable time and resources into campaigns that promote the responsible consumption of its products. This summer, the Beer Institute again announced its support for a federal government social responsibility campaign called "We Don't Serve Teens" (WDST). The campaign aims to promote awareness among parents, legal-age siblings and other adults - the primary sources of alcohol for those under 21 - about the consequences of providing alcohol to minors.

Due to the hard work of the beer industry, parents, law enforcement, educators, federal and state alcohol beverage regulators, and other community groups, illegal underage drinking and drunk driving have declined over the past 25 years. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, the number of fatalities in drunk-driving crashes during the 4th of July holiday has declined 31 percent since 1982. In addition, according to the federal government's most recent National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 83 percent of adolescents, ages 12 to 17, are doing the right thing by not drinking.

Preventing Keg Theft

As beer consumption rises during the July 4th holiday, so does the problem of keg theft. It is estimated that the beer industry loses more than 300,000 kegs each year, primarily due to thieves seeking to sell them to scrap metal dealers. Keg loss is a major financial burden for brewers and beer importers, costing the industry more than $50 million each year.

"The Beer Institute has been quite successful in raising awareness about the rising cost of keg theft to local businesses and consumers. Now, we're cracking down on the problem and seeing real results," Beer Institute President Jeff Becker said. "For example, since 2007 nearly 30 states have passed keg loss or scrap metal legislation to prevent theft." Brewers are also reminding retailers and bar owners to exercise vigilance this holiday weekend, and secure any loose kegs on their property.

The complete Beer Serves America Economic Impact study, including state-by-state and congressional district breakdowns of economic contributions, is available at the Beer Serves America Web site, www.beerservesamerica.org.

The Beer Institute, established in 1986, is the national trade association for the brewing industry, representing both large and small brewers, as well as importers and industry suppliers. The Institute is committed to the development of sound public policy and to the values of civic duty and personal responsibility: www.beerinstitute.org.

Ma Bell Hangs Up on San Antonio: Dallas Here We Come!

Zing Master — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 04:04:00 GMT

AT&T Corporate Headquarters to Move to Dallas

SAN ANTONIO, June 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) , the world's largest telecom company, announced today that it will move its corporate headquarters from San Antonio to Dallas to gain better access to its customers and operations throughout the world, and to the key technology partners, suppliers, innovation and human resources needed as it continues to grow, domestically and internationally.

The move will begin in the coming weeks and is expected to be complete around year end. It is expected to involve about 700 of the company's nearly 6,000 San Antonio-based employees.

"We're a growing global company with customers and operations around the world," said Randall Stephenson, AT&T chairman and CEO. "Being headquartered in Dallas will benefit our long-term growth prospects and human resources needs, and our ability to operate more efficiently, better serve customers and expand the business in the future.

"San Antonio is a great city with much to offer and it's been good for AT&T as we've grown from primarily a five-state local phone company to the world's largest telecom company," Stephenson said. "San Antonio will continue to be a major operations and employment center for us."

Following the move, AT&T will have about 1,700 more employees in San Antonio than before it relocated its corporate headquarters to the city from St. Louis in 1992. The company's Telecom Operations group, which serves residential and regional business customers in 22 U.S. states, will remain in San Antonio.

Moving to Dallas puts AT&T's corporate headquarters near many of its key technology suppliers and other telecom companies that have major operations in Dallas, such as Alcatel-Lucent, Cisco, Ericsson, Fujitsu, Huawei, Nokia, Nortel, RIM and Samsung. The Dallas area is home to one of the country's largest communities of telecom companies, nearly 1,300 strong with 45,000 employees.

With customers and operations in all 50 U.S. states and 160 countries, air travel to and from Dallas will be more convenient, time efficient and cost effective. The DFW airport is the third largest in the U.S. and one of the top six in the world, offering daily nonstop service to 35 international and 133 U.S. destinations. Additionally, Dallas enjoys a second major airport; Love Field -- the 50th largest U.S. airport -- offers more than 160 nonstop flights daily.

Being headquartered near leading air transportation facilities is critical to global companies like AT&T as the airline industry continues to consolidate and reduce hubs and flights amid higher fuel prices and industry economic pressures.

Atlanta will continue to be the headquarters for AT&T's Mobility group. New Jersey will continue to be the headquarters for the company's Global Business Services group and AT&T Labs. St. Louis will continue as home to the company's Directory operations.

Parents.com Launches $2,500 Photo Competition for Pregnant Bellies

Zing Master — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 17:08:00 GMT

Enter Your Pregnant Belly Photos and Pictures of Pregnant Bellies into the Parents.com Best Baby Bump Contest

Take your best pregnant belly shots – from little baby bumps to big pregnant bellies – and upload those pregnant belly pictures to the Parents.com photo contest

New York, NY (June 27, 2008) -- Parents.com today invited readers to enter their pregnant belly photos and pictures of pregnant bellies into its Best Baby Bump Contest. It’s easy to enter: Just sign in at http://www.parents.com/bump-contest and upload your pregnant belly pictures.

Liz Zack, Executive Editor of Parents.com, says, “We want you to take your best pregnant belly shots – from little baby bumps to big pregnant bellies – and enter them into our Baby Bump Contest. While you’re there, rate and comment on other people’s pregnant belly images, too.”

The Best Baby Bump Contest starts today and ends September 30, 2008. Vote for your favorite bump photo from October 6 to 21. The winner will be announced on Thursday, October 23. The prize is $2,500 cash.

Photos must be .jpeg or .bmp image formats and cannot exceed 3 MB. Photos must be original, unpublished and may not have won any prize or award. Entries must be received by 11:59 p.m., E.T., on September 30, 2008.

Zack adds, “Show us your gorgeous belly! Enter your best big, beautiful belly pics in our Belly Photo Contest now for the chance to win $2,500.”

20 Years of Correspondence Provide a Window into America 1950-1970

Zing Master — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 14:37:00 GMT

Recently Discovered Collection of Letters Explores the Lives of Two Princeton Friends From the 1950s Through the 1970s

The Next Will Be Better by Fred Slivon and Frants Albert is a collection of the authors' correspondence from student days through army stints and burgeoning careers.

Novato, CA (June 21, 2008) -- The Next Will Be Better by Fred Slivon and Frants Albert is an inspirational collection of letters between two college roommates whose correspondence portrays the depth of an enduring friendship. The collection includes a brief foreword by classmate, novelist and poet Ned Conquest.

Poet and printer Fred Slivon met architect Frants Albert while both were undergraduates at Princeton in the 1950s. Their friendship flourished with the rich and eloquent letters they wrote to each other. Separated by circumstances of life for more than five decades, the beginnings of their friendship were revealed when they discovered that each had kept a cache of the other's letters. Amazingly, the two are once again neighbors.

This is a captivating correspondence which mirrors some of the American experience of the 50s and 60s. In letter after letter, the authors struggle to discover their talents, even as they discuss the difficulties of youth, self-discovery, and love.

Riveting and profound, The Next Will Be Better offers a rare look over time into an uncommon and lifelong friendship.

About the Authors

Fred Slivon graduated from Princeton University in 1952 and from Harvard Law School in 1955. He became a senior vice president for RR Donnelley, the world's foremost printing company which produces The New Yorker, Time, and more. A poet for more than 50 years, he lives with his wife in San Rafael, Calif.

Frants Albert came to America from Denmark at age 15, graduated from Princeton University and received an M.A. from University of California, Berkeley. He became an architect and planner in California and subsequently professor of architecture and director of the Urban Design Program at Washington University in St. Louis, Mo. He later returned to practice in the San Francisco Bay area. He and his wife live in Novato, Calif.

GOT HARLEY? Chopper Fans and Divas to Support Cross-Country Breast Cancer Run

Zing Master — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 16:43:00 GMT

Harley-Davidson Helps Divas Put The Brakes On Breast Cancer

Company Supports Divas For A Cure Breast Cancer Motorcycle Run.

Milwaukee, WI (June 20, 2008) -- Harley-Davidson Motor Company is proud to announce its participation in the third annual Divas For A Cure (DFAC) Annual Cross-Country Breast Cancer Motorcycle Run (http://www.divasforacure.org).

Hundreds of motorcyclists and motorcycle enthusiasts will make their way to Atlanta, Ga., to kick off the event on July 19. The annual motorcycle run is organized by DFAC, a service-based nonprofit organization dedicated to raising cancer awareness through early detection, education, screenings and supporting research for eradicating cancer. Last year DFAC raised $50,000 for breast cancer research. The organization is looking forward to reaching a target of $100,000 from this year's ride. The DFAC motorcycle run is scheduled to take place from July 16 to Aug. 6 with donations presented to the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center - Nellie B. Connally Breast Center.

Along with Harley-Davidson attendees, the ride features the "Divas" including Founder and President of the organization Jan Emanuel-Costley, Vice-President Aj Coffee, Cynthia Marcy and Elaine Thomas. Road captains will accompany the "Divas" from the National Association of Buffalo Soldiers & Troopers Motorcycle Club. The DFAC run will include "Meet and greet" events at various participating Harley-Davidson dealerships along the route where people will have the opportunity to make donations or register to ride. The "Divas" are also scheduled to participate in a VIP tour of the Harley-Davidson Museum on July 22 guided by Curatorial Director, Jim Fricke. "We are very excited to have Jan Emanuel-Costley and her supporters tour our exciting new museum. Similar to Jan's commitment and passion to bring awareness to breast cancer, we are just as committed to support great efforts like the Divas For A Cure ride and other community-focused initiatives," said Jim Fricke.

The 6,000-mile ride is scheduled to depart from Brown Mills, N. J., to official kick-off city of Atlanta; Atlanta to Canada; Canada to the National Bikers Roundup in Pennsylvania; down the East Coast; and finally returning back to Atlanta.

For more information on Divas For A Cure, registration, donation information, dates and event times, visit http://www.DivasForACure.org. For further information or to schedule an interview with Jan Emanuel-Costley or Harley-Davidson during the event, please contact Charisse Browner at (323) 469-8680 ext 240.

Beat the Heat and Pocket Some Extra Cash: 8 Tips to Reduce Summertime Debt

Zing Master — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 20:32:00 GMT

Baltimore, MD (June 16, 2008) -- The first strategy for a consumer struggling to manage his or her debt is to reduce expenses and improve spending habits. This is especially difficult in the summer months as gas prices soar, families take vacations, and air conditioners are running up electric bills.

"Consumers must budget for those added expenses the summer can bring," says CareOne Credit Counseling Services Spokesperson Clarky Davis. "It's tempting to splurge on extras like summer travel, but, if you are in debt, taking a trip can put you in a bigger financial hole. Instead, reschedule your vacation for when your finances are not so shaky. Reexamine your budget to account for necessary expenses - gas to get to and from work and energy to keep you cool. Don't forget to take advantage of seasonal food items that are found at your local farmers' market for a low cost."

Providers of CareOne Credit Counseling Services offer the following tips and advice for consumers wanting to save on summer expenses:

1. Gas prices affect not only long distance driving trips and vacations, but also flight costs. Take vacations closer to home if possible. Some common, local vacation spots may include amusement parks, national parks, camping grounds, ocean or lake beaches, or historical sites. Also, consider day trip ideas such as museums or the theatre, for relaxing, air-conditioned entertainment.

2. The high cost of fuel in the summer also affects day-to-day driving. To save even more money, try to consolidate errands into fewer trips when possible (such as buying groceries directly before or after picking up the kids from a play date). Carpooling is another option to save money on fuel. Run errands with a friend or neighbor so that you both can take advantage of the savings.

3. An air conditioner can run up an electric bill quickly. Minimize these expenses by setting the thermostat to around 78 degrees during the summer, and don't turn it on during the season until absolutely necessary. Leave it turned off whenever possible and, instead, open a window if there is a breeze outside. Avoid heating up household items too quickly again by keeping shades drawn and closing off areas of the home that do not need to be cooled (such as closets, bathrooms, and spare bedrooms). Finally, if you are using a window A/C unit, ensure there are no gaps allowing warm air in through the window.

4. Grocery bills can increase during the summer for families with children who are temporarily back home. Plan meals ahead of time to take advantage of store sales and coupons and supplement the weekly meal schedule with leftover ideas to stretch groceries further.

5. Even cooking regular meals can rack up summer costs. On top of the typical gas or electric costs of operating a stove and oven, the added heat can force consumers to leave air conditioners or fans running longer than necessary. Instead, use the microwave, plan cold meal options (such as sandwiches or salads), or cook outdoors on a grill.

6. Many consumers like to eat outdoors during the summer months. If eating outside frequently (such as for picnics) is commonplace, invest in inexpensive dishes and utensils that can be used outside rather than repeatedly purchasing disposable materials year after year.

7. Hang clothes outside to dry. This not only saves money on utilities but also decreases the amount of extra heat being released into the home, again cutting down on the dependency on an air conditioner.

8. Don't run up utility bills by over-watering the lawn. For those who insist on having a lush green lawn at all times, water it early in the morning or later in the evening. Mid-day watering costs you more as the more direct sun evaporates more water than earlier or later in the day, meaning it takes more water to get the same effect.

What Is The Bid For This Fine New Mexico City?

Zing Master — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 20:28:00 GMT

White's City, NM (June 16, 2008) -- Higgenbotham Auctioneers International announced today that their firm would sell at auction White's City, New Mexico. The entire municipality as well as its surrounding acreage will be offered on July 14th at 11am. The city, which was founded in the early 1920's by Charlie L. White, is a national icon and has been managed by the White family since its beginnings in the roaring 20's.

Situated at the entrance to Carlsbad Caverns National Park, White's City thrives on the parks national draw of daily visitors and boasts many amenities, which cater to the constant flow of vehicular traffic and tourist. The city has two operating motels with 105 rooms, RV park with 46 spaces with water and electricity, 25 campsites, U.S. Post Office, grocery store, two restaurants, gift shops, gas station, museum, opera house, ice cream parlor and all the desert beauty of the Guadalupe Mountains.

Included in the auction are all the assets of the city, which include its water rights for 460 acre-feet of daily potable water usage. This amounts to 150,000,000 gallons per year from its three Artisan wells. As the only source of potable water for nearly 20 miles, this asset is truly significant as it is the life's blood of the community.

For four generations, the White family has managed the assets of the city. Over the years the family has witnessed the city's dynamic growth and prosperity. The city has been the family's way of life. Each day rising to meet the needs of the countless visitors and maintain the various businesses, their work has been rewarding and profitable.

Discussing the decision to sell is emotional, "It's time to move on," states Charles Dugger, the oldest of the family members who manage the legacy left to them. "We have spent our lives here, our children have interest outside this area and have chosen not to continue. We our excited to offer this city, our home to a new visionary that will continue its 80 year legacy," he concluded.

Location is paramount to its continued success. The White's City proper abuts Carlsbad Caverns National Park at the only entrance and exit to the park. Each year hundreds of thousands of tourist must pass through the city to gain access to this worldwide treasure which took an estimated 250 million years to create.

Each day visitors fill the shops and stores and enjoy food and fun at the City's attractions. White's City features New Mexico's only resort water-park. Visitors can ride the exciting open and dark water slides, play in the Pirate Ship lagoon or bask under the Mushroom water drop cooling them from the deserts heat.

In the hands of the right investor, entrepreneur, or philanthropist White's City can be returned to its heyday splendor. The auction will literally place the keys to the city in the hands of the winning bidder. Outlying acreages will be offered absolute to the last and highest bidder.

"The potential here is awesome," commented Laura Whitt, National Business Director for HAI. "Realistically speaking, there are ten individual business enterprises operating in White's City with each of them being profitable and self sustaining. Combined, the assets are a watershed that has unlimited potential. Much of the city's potential is yet untapped. There is room for growth and development with more shops and service based businesses topping the list," she said.

Also to be sold at auction will be the 30,000 items that are currently housed in the city's Million Dollar Museum. Items include a collection that spans a period from prehistoric to the Victorian era. By today's standards it would be nearly impossible to assemble a collection of similar variety, quality and value. These unique items are rare even by olden standards. Many items would make the wish list of museum curators worldwide.

A short list features firearms, antiques, collectibles, countless items of a by gone era, carriages, geological and archeological fossils, dollhouses, clocks, china, glass, furniture, precious stones, southwestern antiquities and so forth. These items will be offered individually and the auction will be held after the close of the real estate sale and will span three days, July 14th through 16th.