Koreas to hold talks this week (CNN.com)

Koreas to hold talks on reopening Kaesong complex

By K.J. Kwon, CNN

updated 10:21 AM EDT, Thu July 4, 2013

South Korean troops stand at a checkpoint on a road leading to North Korea's Kaesong Industrial Complex in April.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• Talks set to be held at building on North Korean side of neutral border village
• Joint industrial complex at Kaesong closed in May amid increasing tensions
• Some $2 billion worth of goods have been produced in Kaesong since operations began in 2005

Seoul, South Korea (CNN) -- Pyongyang has agreed to South Korea's offer for working-level talks on reopening the suspended joint industrial complex at Kaesong, the South Korean Unification Ministry said.

The talks are scheduled to be held at 10 a.m. Saturday (9 p.m. Friday ET) at Tongilgak, an administrative building on the North Korean side of the neutral border village of Panmunjom.

Kaesong, which is a bellwether of North-South ties, was closed this spring -- a casualty of increasing tensions between the two Koreas after the North warned that war could erupt.

Each side will have three-member delegations, South Korea's Yonhap News Agency said, citing the Seoul government.

"The agreement came after North Korea, revising its earlier stance, did not insist that South Korean businessmen should be allowed to visit their plants in Kaesong at the same time or ahead of the government contact," Yonhap reported. "South Korea maintained that government contact should precede any visit to Kaesong by South Korean businessmen."

The North wanted the talks to be held at Kaesong and with South Korean businessmen permitted to accompany the delegation, proposals the South rejected.

Seoul's proposal for talks came a day after North Korea invited businessmen from South Korean companies to return to the zone to check on their facilities and equipment.

The talks "were in consideration of the damages to the companies operating in Kaesong after three months of suspension and the beginning of monsoon season," Kim Hyung-suk, South Korea's Unification Ministry spokesman, said in a briefing. "The Kaesong issue can only be resolved through dialogue by government authorities."

The operation was completely shut down in May when the last remaining South Korean workers left the facilities, but work had been winding down for about a month amid heightened tensions. In April, North Korea restricted South Korean workers' access to the zone. Workers had to leave when supplies such as food, water and raw materials were cut off.

Read: Nuclear weapons: Who has what?

The North-South tensions seemed to be easing somewhat after Pyongyang agreed to high-level talks with the South in June. Those talks were called off at the eleventh hour after disagreements over the level of the delegates who would represent each side.

On Wednesday, North Korea also restored the Panmunjom communication hotline with the South, which had been cut off repeatedly over the past four months.

Read: Pondering Pyongyang: Beijing's problem child

"North Korea is probably feeling an unprecedented level of diplomatic isolation with pressures coming from the international community. It is also fully aware of the value of the Kaesong Industrial Complex, which provides a considerable amount of hard foreign currency," said Kim Tae-woo, former president of the Korea Institute for National Unification.

"But stirring tensions, then going back to dialogue, is part of North Korea's usual tactics. We don't need to attach too much weight to this easing of tension," he added.

North Korea already had barred South Korean workers from entering the complex before May. In 2008, access was restricted after a human rights group distributed propaganda leaflets via balloon into North Korea. South Korean workers were blocked again in 2009 during an annual U.S.-South Korean military drill.

Some $2 billion worth of goods have been produced in Kaesong between initial operations in 2005 and the end of 2012, according to the South Korean Unification Ministry.

The average wage for North Korean workers in Kaesong Industrial Complex is $134 per month, according to the South Korean ministry. North Korean authorities take about 45% of their wages for various taxes.

CNN's Diana Magnay and Joe Sterling contributed to this report

Budget by Crisis? We Must Demand Better via National Priorities.org

The word Sequestration is being thrown around quite a bit lately. 

So I decided to do a little research (So you wouldn't have too). Here is the 411 on those infamous Sequester Cuts that appointed representives had the ability to prevent but due to their lack of action and responsiveness to the needs of the American People (Shocker there, huh) recently went into effect

While Sequestration is most definitely not the Optimum Condition for the people of one of the greatest nations in the world, enlightenment is. Hence a little information from me to provide you with just that. Never forget... knowledge is power:

se·ques·ter  

/səˈkwestər/

Verb Isolate or hide away (someone or something): "the artist sequestered himself in his studio for two years".

Noun A general cut in government spending.

Sequestration, a looming government shutdown, no President's budget proposal for 2014, the debt ceiling... these crises are failures of Congress to fulfill its responsibility to our nation. We must demand a better federal budget.

Enough is enough.

We've succumbed to sequestration.

We're facing a looming government shutdown on March 27.

We're threatened with the expiration of a debt ceiling suspension in May.

And at the same time, we may be embarking on a broken FY 2014 budget process.

Join us in demanding more from our elected officials in Washington D.C.! Take Action Now .

Demand a Better Federal Budget

What we're asking for is not a lot. In fact, all it requires is lawmakers to do their jobs.

1. Repeal Sequestration: Slash and burn budgeting fails our democracy

This widely unpopular legislation was never meant to happen - and for good reason. Approximately $85 billion in automatic, across-the-board federal spending cuts in fiscal year 2013 will affect nearly every Americanover the next months and years.

2. Pass a 2013 Budget: Governing without a budget is irresponsible

Our federal government has been operating without a formal budget since Oct. 1, 2012. The continuing resolution only serves as a stop-gap measure to continue funding at 2012 levels. This means our nation is in a time warp.

3. Give us an accountable 2014 budget process: Our democracy and people deserve it

Our federal budgeting process is broken. Americans deserve a transparent and accountable budget process - the level of dysfunction we've seen in recent years flies in the face of government by and for the people. See our analysis of 2014 budget proposals from the House, Senate, and Congressional Progressive Caucus.

4. Avoid expiration of the debt ceiling: We don't need another crisis

Failure to raise the debt ceiling would cost the government many billions of dollars in higher borrowing costs and would trigger a government shutdown. We need to raise the debt ceiling limit beyond the May 18 expiration to ensure continued operation of our government.

More Information: FY2013 Budget

Since Oct. 1 the government has been running on a stop-gap spending measure called a continuing resolution (CR), which basically maintains status quo funding levels from 2012. The current CR expires on March 27, which means that the federal government will shutdown on March 28 unless Congress passes new legislation to continue to fund its operations. Cogress is currently considering a new CR that will fund the government through Sept. 30, 2013.

• What is a continuing resolution (CR)?
• Why it's a bad idea for our government to run on a continuing resolution
• What's going on in the House and Senate CR bills

More Information: FY2014 Budget

You've likely heard news in recent days about the release of the Paul Ryan budget, plus budgets put out by the Senate Budget Committee and the Congressional Progressive Caucus. Those budgets are proposals for fiscal year 2014 – which starts Oct. 1, 2013. In other words, Congress has begun the 2014 budget process even though the fiscal 2013 budget is still up in the air.

• The top 5 things you need to know about the three budget proposals
• A detailed side-by-side comparison of the three proposals

More Information: Sequestration

As of March 1, nearly every American will begin to feel the impact of sequestration – approximately $85 billion in automatic, across-the-board federal spending cuts in fiscal year 2013 focused almost exclusively on discretionary spending. What does it mean for you?

• Build a Better Budget: an on-line game that shows you an array of budget proposals and the impact of sequestration
• An overview of how sequestration is failing all Americans
• Find out what is sequestration and how will it affect you
• A state-by-state analysis of how sequestration will affect the Pentagon and domestic programs
• A snapshot of how non-defense programs will be hit by sequestration
• How sequestration will lead to less informed budgeting

Additional Resources

• A Fight for the Future : How budget dysfunction harms young people
• The Untold Story of Deficits in Washington : How tax cuts and loopholes contribute to budget deficits
• Entitlement reform : The debate about changing earned-benefit programs
• Two Webinars : One focused broadly on the elements of Fiscal Cliff II and another looking specifically at the Pentagon.

Take Action with our #BetterBudget campaign!

We deserve a budget that reflects the voices of the people.

Join us to Demand a #BetterBudget from Congress and the President. We're using social media to spread awareness and action so that our legislators hear our voices and listen to our nation's priorities for the federal budget.

We must make our voices heard.  Join the Demand a Better Budget campaign !

Ways to Take Action Now:

• Tweet to your Congressperson demanding a #betterbudget. (Scroll down to see sample tweets)
• Share #betterbudget images on  Facebook . (See sample posts below.)
• Join our mailing list  for updates and news on Fiscal Cliff II
• Follow us on  Twitter  and  Facebook  

Tweet your Congressperson!

Find the Twitter handle  for people who represent you in Washington.

Use one of these tweets or write your own to Demand a #BetterBudget!

• We need a  #betterbudget  for our nation. @[name] please avoid  #fiscalcliff2  with equitable fiscal solutions.
• .@[name] a  #betterbudget  will reflect the priorities of people. Get our  #democracy  back on track.  #fiscalcliff2
• .@[name] I'm tired of dysfunction in  #Congress . Deliver on your responsibility to give the nation a  #betterbudget .
• .@[name] for the future of our children, we need a  #betterbudget  for our nation that reflects people, not politics.
• .@[name] don't let our nation go over  #fiscalcliff2 . Get the work done on a  #betterbudget  before it's too late.

Voice your priorities for a #betterbudget on Facebook

Share one of NPP's Facebook images or post to your wall and tag the White House or your Congressperson. Here's a sample Facebook post:

• Our nation is facing another Fiscal Cliff if Congress doesn't take action to resolve our budget challenges. It's time for a #betterbudget that reflects the priorities of people, not politics. [Add a statement about YOUR OWN priorities for how your tax dollars should be spent.]
• Share NPP's #betterbudget images on Facebook .

27 Lessons from 27 Years by Josh Linkner

Dan Gilbert is a busy guy.  He's the founder and chairman of Quicken Loans, the largest online mortgage company in the world.  He's the majority owner of the Cleveland Cavilers, owner of two casinos in Ohio, and primary investor in over 60 other companies.  He is leading a massive charge to revitalize Detroit, and has purchased millions of square feet of office space in my hometown.  He's a deeply committed philanthropist, who has pledged to give away half his wealth to charity (along with Bill Gates and Warren Buffet).  He's an incredible leader, entrepreneur, humanitarian, and even part-time radio host.  He's also my long-time business partner, mentor, and friend.

Dan recently shared the "27 things I've learned in 27 years of business." As an inspiration to so many, I wanted to share his powerful lessons with you.  Enjoy!

27: Don't get distracted by people who want you to review the receipts for the paintbrushes. Your job is to paint.

26: Building anything great is messy.

25: The one who tells you there is food on your face is your friend.

24: The price of knowing is often way too high.

23: Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted. (Thanks Albert E.!)

22: Spreadsheets are for measuring the past, not the future. Remember, 57.392% of statistics are made up on the spot.

21: The more you give, the more you get. It's as simple as that.

20: Winning on the hard stuff does not make the easy stuff easy.

19: It's not so frickin' funny when it's you, is it?

18: There is no better joy than helping people around you go to levels higher than they ever thought they could.

17: Working longer hours does not automatically make you more successful. Working smarter does.

16: People who are constantly negative, pessimistic and cynical are not spewing their venom towards you or your ideas. They are talking about themselves. Never forget that.

15: The little things DO matter. Especially to people.

14: Think big, huge, large, enormous, immense, jumbo, walloping, gigantic, king sized, mammoth, massive, thundering. You have to think anyway... so why not?

13: Try to please everyone all of the time, and you will end up pleasing no one most of the time.

12: Be curious.

11: Any ounce of energy you spend regretting mistakes you made in the past is taking away energy you need from doing things right in the present.

10: Nothing great and long-lasting is built overnight, but you MUST take the first step NOW.

9: Appreciate everything.

8: Light yourself on "fire," and many people will join your mission.

7: I never learned anything talking.

6: Thinking (going deep) about problems, challenges, new ways of doing things and creativity is one of THE hardest things you will ever do. It also will bring you the finest results.

5: There is always a way to turn a problem into an opportunity. Find it.

4: Some people WILL NEVER get it. Get them out of your team, club, house, life, etc... and both of you will be happier.

3: If you believe tomorrow will be even more exciting than today, then you have discovered what passion really means.

2: Nothing clarifies like clarity.

1: When you love what you do, there is no such thing as "work."

We remember...

Today, September 11, marks the 11 year anniversary of the tragic terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.  Below is the Presidential Proclamation made by President Barack Obama declaring September 11 to be Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance.  Please take a moment today to read this proclamation and to remember those affected by this tragedy.

In the aftermath of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the American people demonstrated that in times of hardship, the values that define us do not simply endure -- they are stronger than ever.  As a Nation, we responded to unthinkable tragedy with an outpouring of service and goodwill.  On that dark day, first responders rushed into a burning Pentagon and climbed the stairs of smoking towers on the verge of collapse, while citizens risked their own health and safety to prevent further heartbreak and destruction.  As Americans, we came together to help our country recover and rebuild.

Today, we pay tribute to the selfless heroes and innocent victims of September 11, 2001, and we reaffirm the spirit of patriotism, service, and unity that we felt in the days and months that followed.  By volunteering our time and unique skills, we can enrich communities across our country, and together, we can strengthen our Nation to meet the challenges of the 21st century.

In the days to come, I ask all Americans to join together in serving their communities and neighborhoods in honor of the victims of the September 11 attacks.  Today and throughout the year, scores of Americans answer the call to make service a way of life -- from helping the homeless to teaching underserved students to bringing relief to disaster zones.  I encourage all Americans to visit Serve.gov, or Servir.gov for Spanish speakers, to learn more about service opportunities across our country.

As we join in serving causes greater than ourselves and honoring those we lost, we are reminded of the ways that the victims of 9/11 live on -- in the people they loved, the lives they touched, and the courageous acts they inspired.  On Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance, we pledge to carry on their legacy of courage and compassion, and to move forward together as one people.

By a joint resolution approved December 18, 2001 (Public Law 107-89), the Congress has designated September 11 of each year as "Patriot Day," and by Public Law 111-13, approved April 21, 2009, the Congress has requested the observance of September 11 as an annually recognized "National Day of Service and Remembrance."

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim September 11, 2011, as Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance.  I call upon all departments, agencies, and instrumentalities of the United States to display the flag of the United States at half-staff on Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance in honor of the individuals who lost their lives on September 11, 2001.  I invite the Governors of the United States and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and interested organizations and individuals to join in this observance.  I call upon the people of the United States to participate in community service in honor of those our Nation lost, to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies and activities, including remembrance services, and to observe a moment of silence beginning at 8:46 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time to honor the innocent victims who perished as a result of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this ninth day of September, in the year of our Lord two thousand eleven, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-sixth.

BARACK OBAMA 

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2012 - Completion

If the Mayans are right, we have about eleven months and seven days before the bottom drops out of everything and all H - E- double hockey sticks breaks loose. I personally (because of my faith) don't subscribe to that but hey.....if you do who am I to say that you're wrong. I do believe that 2012 is going to usher in some unprecedented change the world over. A "changing of the guard" so to speak. Which to me would most definitely represent the Optimum Condition. I also study Biblical Numerology. With that being said, I have unearthed some information that I figured I would share. Those of you that know me know that i just love to share whatever I have whenever I can......

The Bible numerology code for the number 12

Bible numerology is concerned with the study of numbers mentioned in the Holy Book of Christianity- the Bible. These numbers are present in a definite pattern and are attributed with different religious incidents taking place in the Bible. In the number of stories of Old testaments and new testaments, numbers play a vital role and thus it is necessary to study their hidden meanings to reveal the secrets of Bible and to understand the scripture properly. Biblical numerology is now taken as a specialized field of biblical studies and there are many people who keep a keen interest in knowing about the Holy Scripture. In the following piece of writing, we will know about the significance of bible number 12 and its numeric representation in the Book.

Bible numerology number 12 signifies what is finished or completed forming a harmonious, perfect entity. It symbolizes completion or plentitude of a thing and expression of the Trinity to the four bends of the Horizon, that is, 3 x 4. Bible number 12 represents the good and the command and also rules the time and space. This is the reason why bible number 12 is also regarded as the cosmic number which also attributes to the cosmos or the administration of the world. It is the symbol of spiritual and material food as there were 12 breads which were last broken by Jesus Christ in His last supper and he himself was the “Bread of Life”. Twelve is the product of two numbers- three and four- that stands for heavenly number and earthly number respectively. Since it is the multiple of these two numbers, it represents multiplication and perfection of the administration.

You will find a number of references attributing to the meaning of bible number 12. According to New testaments, there were 12 apostles of the Christ who are named as Peter, James and John, Thomas, Andrew, Philip, Matthew, Bartholomew, James, son of Alphaeus, Zealot, Judas Iscariot and Jud, son of James. In the Bible, there was a woman who was relieved by Jesus Christ from her 12 years long curse of hemorrhage. In Old testaments, in the celestial city, there were twelve gates and twelve types of precious stones. A woman wore a crown with twelve stars in it and also there was a tree of life that bears twelve crops of fruits, one fruit in one month in a year. There were twelve sons of Ishmael and twelve priests of the Chronicles. There were twelve stones of the altar of Elijah and of the alliance. On the pectoral, you will find twelve names engraved. On the golden table, there were twelve loaves of enduring offerings. For confining the choice of Aaron, there was the total of twelve branches. The number of explorers sent to Canaan is also twelve.

In the Holy Scripture, there were twelve animals which were scarified and also there were twelve springs of the Elim. For the dedication of Altar, there were twelve silver bowls that were offered in the series of three. Moses proclaimed twelve curses to all the men of Israel. Also Jacob had twelve sons and in Israel, there were twelve tribes, namely, Judah, Gad, Reuben, Asher, Simeon, Manasseh, Issachar, Levi, Joseph, Benjamin and Zebulun. The cloak of Ahijah was used to make twelve strips and the whole of Israel was governed by twelve administrators of the Solomon. For making a monument, twelve men offered twelve stones in the Jordan. These are some of the instances that are mentioned in the Holy Bible that symbolize the significance of bible number 12 in the religion and how it can help in understanding the scripture in a better way.


(Here's my favorite part right here)

In the last book of Bible, the Revelation, bible number twelve appeared many times. It stated that the kingdom of God had twelve gates that were guarded by the twelve angels. If you are a superstitious person, then you will definitely believe that it is unlucky to wash your hair on day twelve of each month. Also if you saw a dream that contained number 12, then your tough circumstances soon will be resolved. 


There are many other things that are related to number 12 and are believed by the followers of God. By knowing more about the bible numerology number 12 we can have a better understanding about the administration of the universe and how it has brought to perfection by the Almightily. There is lot more to explore in Bible and to have a better understanding of the religion and teachings of Jesus Christ and how this universe came into existence, you should know about the symbolic representation of the numbers and their patterns used in the Holy Bible. Many bible scholars regard this scripture as the treasure of numbers and hidden meanings.