Discrimination is defined in AME as an asthetic variance in taste or desire.

As initial solicitation for admission into the Kingdom of AME is universal & visitors are anonymous, race, gender & sexual orientation  are unknown and unimportant.

In effect search keywords are the blood of the AME advertising circulatory system. Keywords represent the cumulative scale of individual tastes and desires. Keywords reflect what people want, but not the why of the want. An individual may search for “nude celebrity” for any number of reasons (titillation, masturbation, research, etc.) and in the kingdom we do not discriminate against the keyword for any reason other than it could only be directly responsible for illegal activity.

This is where problems arise. The kingdom is set up to keep things as simple as possible but the global reach of AME requires introspection into the laws of the countries within the kingdom. A complex issue indeed. However as AME builds its foundation the philosophy shall be that all popular searches have equal merit no matter the look of the keyword on its face.

As an example we will look at the longer tail keywords arising from the cumulative internet searches of the word “Sex.” Sex is the driving force behind human existence. Without it you would not be reading this. The sexual tastes and desires of all plant and animal species are what have led each one to look as they do now. To disregard sex as a search marketer would be foolish if not suicidal. Yet as you work your way down the list of the sex theme you quickly find the theme of “teen sex” as a highly popular cumulative search term. In the United States teen sex is not illegal between consenting teens, but is illegal between an adult and a consenting or of course non-consenting teen. Pedophilia is also illegal and the face of “teen sex” is necessarily one of a large group of individuals with a fetish for young boys or girls looking on the internet to satisfy their titillating desires.

In AME the search term “teen sex” would be discriminated against in the following way:

1. The term “teen sex” may not be used to profit from the sale of any products unless the product being sold promotes understanding of the problems involved with teens having sex or a solution to problems created by those who have had teen sex or desire sex with teens salaciously (products are defined as any physical or intellectual property).

2.  “Teen sex” should be used as a forum for discussion about the dangers of sexually transmitted diseases, an avenue to purchase medical tests, help teens find when they are being or have been pressured into having sex, or help adults desiring illegal sexual contact with teens to find help and counseling.

Because of the global nature of the Kindom of AME teen sex is necessarily seen differently by those in cultures outside of the United Sates where the Kindom of AME is based, however in the kingdom if in doubt refer to the laws of the US for similar keyword decisions.

In summary any keywords which on their face represent cumulative searches for illegal activities are discriminated against by AME but not thrown out as the popularity of the search requires their use in a positive manner.

Decreed be it that…

In the kingdom of AME mathematics will be taught in the following way:

1. Geometry will be the first order of business. When possible it will be taught in preschool and if not training is to begin in kindergarten. Blocks, balls, and rules are to be used as implements bridging play with the universal laws of geometry.
2. Children will continue to be taught the laws of geometry as they progress through elementary school. Those grasping the concepts more quickly will be exposed to algebraic concepts sooner rather than later. All students will learn addition, multiplication and division beginning in the 2nd grade. Before graduating from elementry school every student must understand the concept of fractions.
3. Middle school students with aptitude or inclination will continue to be schooled in algebra, advanced geometry or beginning chemistry. All students must comprehend fractions and be able to balance a check book prior to advancing to high school.
4. Comprehension of accounting principles and business mathematics are required prior to obtaining a degree from high school. Advanced algebra, trigonometry, calculus, physics, chemistry, statistics and other forms of higher mathematics and logic are to be encouraged and available to all.
5. Grades in the Kingdom of AME are to be for the student not the teacher or system. Students may take a class in higher mathematics and logic as long as they wish to grasp the concepts. They will only be required to successfully prove an understanding in basic math and accounting as they progress through the public educational system.
6. Students must be able to read and write before graduating public school.
7. Students must take a foreign language in the 5th grade. Students who wish to continue with foreign language studies will be allowed to regardless of grades.
8. Students must take music lessons by 4th grade. Those wishing to continue with musical studies are to be allowed to regardless of previous grades.
9. Cummulative GPA is to have no meaning in AME. Students who wish to learn higher mathematics and pure sciences are to be given instruction until they choose to apply their knowledge or quit. In a word all mathematics, music & science classes will be free for every student who wishes to take them as long as they wish to take them. Students may take these classes without being required to take any other classes in a university or college that receives any amount of direct funding from the Kingdom of AME, or a state or city that provides funding and is the recipient of any money from the Kingdom of AME in any way.
10. Colleges and Universities may charge whatever the market will bear for all other classes or courses of study besides mathematics, music and hard sciences.
11. Any public school principal or school board member who tries to circumvent these laws is to be forced to work at the nearest DMV for 1 year.
12. Any chancellor or college president who tries to circumvent this law is to be strapped to a chair and forced to watch “Animal House” and “Revenge of the Nerds” in a continuous loop at Guantanamo Bay for 3 years.

So let it be written so let it be done.

If you have other sites related to Heart Disease and heart health please post them in a comment below:

• American Heart Association
• American College of Cardiology
• Heart Failure Society of America
• American College of Cardiology
• National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

Please forward links you use to reference help for Obesity:

NIH: 2004 Strategic Plan for Obesity Research

NIDDK: Weight Control Information Network

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

American Obesity Association

International Association for the Study of Obesity

North American Association for the Study of Obesity

If you find a link you like applicable to diabetes let us know and we will add it here:

Diabetes:

The American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists

American Association of Diabetes Educators

American Diabetes Association

Canadian Diabetes Association

The Endocrine Society

European Association for the Study of Diabetes

International Diabetes Federation

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

Taking Control of Your Diabetes

This is an ugly story with this company losing over half its market value in the last six months, 5% of it yesterday. With the consensus opinion that of a US recession it makes it hard to see the bulls getting the upper hand on West Marine (WMAR) anytime soon.

That said the company did just depose and replace top management (see quote from Form 8-K below) last month. Even so if recession does come consumer luxury items are going to suffer. AskAme believes WMAR will continue to fall until the question of how much less disposable income people have as the result of the real estate crash is answered.

GEOFF EISENBERG SUCCEEDS PETER HARRIS

AS PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF WEST MARINE

WATSONVILLE, Calif —(BUSINESS WIRE)—Dec. 10, 2007—West Marine, Inc. (Nasdaq:WMAR), the nation’s largest boating supplies and accessories retailer, today announced that the Company’s Board of Directors has named Geoff Eisenberg, 55, to the position of President and Chief Executive Officer, succeeding Peter Harris, 63, who resigned from the Company effective today, December 10, 2007. Mr. Harris has agreed to assist during the transition through the end of the year.

“On behalf of the Board of Directors, I am pleased to welcome Geoff aboard in his new role as CEO,” said Board Chairman and Company Founder Randy Repass. “Geoff has been closely involved with West Marine for almost 32 years. He knows the Company, played a key role in developing our mission and values, and shares our passion for the business and customers of West Marine. Geoff is a highly disciplined operational strategist and a gifted leader. He has had a hand in shaping our service-driven culture and in formulating our current growth strategy, as both an executive of the Company and a member of our Board. We are highly confident in his ability to lead the Company and drive the next phase of our growth.”

Mr. Repass added, “Speaking for the Board, I also wish to thank Peter Harris for his leadership these past three years. It has been a tough period for our entire industry. The difficult management decisions Peter had to make along the way have produced encouraging progress on a number of important fronts and set the stage for further operational improvements in the period ahead. We wish Peter well in his future endeavors.”

“It is an honor to lead West Marine,” Mr. Eisenberg said. “I have a long and cherished history with this great company. West Marine remains the most respected brand name in the boating supplies industry. We intend to leverage the power of our brand and further
strengthen our connection with boaters in ways that can fuel our growth and profitability.”

In addition to his 30 years on the Board of West Marine, Mr. Eisenberg served the Company in various senior executive positions from 1976 until 1994. He has been active with the Company in one senior capacity or another right through his current appointment as President and CEO. Most recently, he ran a highly successful management and strategic consulting business specializing in CEO training and professional management development. Mr. Eisenberg is also a past CEO of Salz Leathers Inc., a manufacturer of high quality leather based in Santa Cruz, CA, and is a past CEO of Greenhorn Creek Associates, a Real Estate and Golf Development company based in Angels Camp, CA.

Mr. Eisenberg serves on the Boards of Directors of LiveOps Inc, a leading distributed call center technology and services provider, and Logispring LTD., an international venture capital firm specializing in supply chain focused companies. He has participated, both as skipper and crew, in many offshore sailing races.

IRBT is commonly known as the company that makes the little Roombas running around homes cleaning the floors while owners toil at work. Everyone with a Costco card has seen them on an aisle corner this holiday shopping season.

The stock is trading mid range of its annual average price and with recent patent dispute wins and the garnering of a US military bomb disposal contract December 16th (see iRobot press release below) this stock looks like more of a defense complex takeover play than a consumer products company.

As it does not yet make money it is of course a speculative call, but unless peace breaks out in the middle east AskAme.com thinks a few of these iRobots will need replacement after getting blown up in Iraq this year.

iRobot Wins $286 Million U.S. Army Contract
Company Selected to Deliver up to 3,000 Military Robots in Expanded, Broad-Scale Robot Deployment to U.S. Infantry Forces

BURLINGTON, Mass., Dec. 18, 2007 – iRobot Corp. (Nasdaq: IRBT) today announced it has been awarded the xBot contract, a $286 million Indefinite-Delivery/Indefinite-Quantity (IDIQ) contract from the U.S. Army Program Executive Office for Simulation, Training, and Instrumentation (PEO STRI), on behalf of the Robotic Systems Joint Project Office at Redstone Arsenal, Ala. Under the terms of the contract, the Army could order up to 3,000 military robots, spare parts, training and repair services over the next five years.

The award marks a turning point in the way the Army uses robots in combat, which until now have been deployed in limited numbers only to explosive ordnance device (EOD) specialists. With this award, the Army broadens the deployment of robots in larger scale to general infantry forces for a variety of critical missions in addition to EOD. iRobot immediately will begin to deliver the first 101 robots for urgent deployment.

“This new generation of robots is set to arrive in theater and change the way the Army fights,” said Joe Dyer, president of iRobot Government and Industrial Robots. “Robots give our troops the distinct advantage of completing critical missions at a safe distance; more robots create a greater strategic advantage. We are honored to serve our troops by delivering these robots for urgent deployment.”

iRobot was selected to fulfill the contract as the lowest priced, technically qualified bidder deemed able to deliver as a responsible contractor. iRobot’s winning xBot prototype robot is based closely on the combat-proven iRobot® PackBot® military robot platform. xBot is a generic name, and the robots delivered to forces under the contract will be named iRobot PackBot 510 with FasTac Kit. These robots are smaller and lighter than the iRobot PackBot 510, with a robust gripper and an observation mast equipped with a low-light-capable zoom camera.

iRobot has delivered more than 1,200 PackBot robots, which are at work conducting dangerous missions while warfighters remain out of harm’s way.

About iRobot Corp.
iRobot is a provider of robots that perform dull, dirty or dangerous missions in a better way. The company’s proprietary technology, iRobot AWARE™ Robot Intelligence Systems, incorporates advanced concepts in navigation, mobility, manipulation and artificial intelligence. This proprietary system enables iRobot to build behavior-based robots, including its family of consumer and military robots. For additional information about iRobot, please visit www.irobot.com.

This article was just published in SolarJoules.com and is republished here with permissions.

“We have stumbled across a great political blog with news and opinions off the beaten path of traditional news outlets.

Antiwar.com is a site with the libertarian slant on why the United States should not be stationing troops in 737 different military bases outside of its borders.

SolarJoules.com is not a particularly political entity, however our message is relevant to their conversation in this regard:

If only the USA and other industrialized and industrializing nations would reduce the use of fossil fuels significantly we would have no need for most of those 737 military bases around the world.

Pretty simple. If we use existing solar technology and stop burning natural gas and coal, continue to develop battery storage capacity in order to power and build vehicles that no longer require the burning of gasoline and oil, we then are no longer dependent upon politically unstable governments surrounding the oil spout in the Red Sea.

Religious radicals may topple a government but the world economy will not be in danger of collapse. We might then still have moral obligations to prevent genocide or uphold treaty obligations to engage militarily in conflicts, but our intentions could not be questioned.

Alternative energy supplies like wind and solar power are now more cost effective then ever, have always been and will always be clean and renewable, and will not require one soldier to protect it.

One man’s opinion.

05Jan2008 By Steve Laurvick of SolarJoules.com

Antiwar.com is a site for news you won’t find in the LA or New York Times. While the theme would seem ultra left it is actually a libertarian blog.In my opinion they have the most relevant anti war argument.

Here is my first offering for their site:

Antiwar.com’s theme revolves around reducing our foreign military footprint. They sometimes echo my belief which is that the USA has become a bloated bureaucracy controlled by government employees not the elected representatives of the citizens.

Our elected officials (from city government on up to the current occupant of the White House) are supposed to be giving orders to salaried government employees not being led around by the nose by them. Bureaucrats (the salaried employees of government) have become the largest lobbying groups in the nation. They can represent “liberal” or “conservative” causes.

As examples I give you the city employee unions of San Diego, California who control the seats of one of the most corrupt city counsels in the country.

In “America’s Finest City” the current mayor took over a city on the brink of bankruptcy. The city was in the midst of one of the longest periods of explosive economic growth in its history. How the city could be in such dire financial straits was truly baffling.

In sifting through the aftermath of uncovered fiascoes here is a typical example: San Diego leases parcels of land with billboards on them. Leases on the billboards were renewed year after year at the same rate. The city is one of the largest billboard advertisers in the city. While the leases for the billboard space were never renegotiated the cost of advertising steadily rose. The city was paying hundreds of thousands of dollars more to advertise on their own billboards then they were collecting in leases for the land. Later it turned out the city didn’t even know how much land it did own. There was no accounting system for city land.

Incompetent city employees with a union that is the top source of funding for the city counsel members who did no oversight of their bureaucracy. Add to that citizen or corporate greed and you have wasted taxpayer money.

Many like to cite the “weapons of mass destruction” issue leading to the Iraq war. I would submit that the FBI was responsible more even than the military industrial complex, and again it is more because of incompetence caused by bureaucracy.

A Minneapolis, Minnesota FBI agent identified one of the 9/11 mass murderers while the scheme was in the production stage and she could not get her voice heard beyond FBI headquarters. She was alerted to an aviation student of Arabic origin who was taking lessons but was disinterested in learning how to land safely. The flight school instructor alertly notified the federal agency and the agent rightly rang the alarm bell and nothing happened.

How such a thing could be possible is beyond belief, but, easily explained by bloated bureaucracy and incompetent salaried employees of the federal government who cannot be fired. Had there been fewer layers of bureaucracy or competent high ranking FBI bureaucrats the “Twin Towers” would still be standing and we would never have invaded Afghanistan. Though we could have rightly gone back into Iraq for Gulf War treaty violations, it is highly unlikely we would be there now either.

In both cases incompetence & bloated bureaucracy have squandered the treasuries of what should be one of the richest cities, in what should be, the wealthiest nation in the world. Instead both teeter on the brink of bankruptcy.

As Walt Kelly penned on a 1970 Earth Day poster, “YEP, SON, WE HAVE MET THE ENEMY AND HE IS US.”

05Jan08 Steve Laurvick of AskAme.com