Safe Luxury

I have a brinks home security fire resistant safe i lost the combination but have the keys please help!!? I can't get it open and no i did not steal it so don't even suggest that!

where can I buy a fire resistant safe that has 2 hour fire resistance ? vs all those w/only 1/2 hour? For documents etc..

Milner 212 patent fire resistant safe from 1857? while clearing out an old building i stumbled across a giant TWO DOOR milner safe from 1857 in fair condition with the original keys. any idea how much its worth?

Fire Resistant Document Bag Information.? If i were to buy a Fire Resistant Document Bag and put my social security card/passports in a little plastic container and put it in my regular(non fire resistant) safe would anything happen?

what are some fire resistant metals....like the ones used for safes? whats the material used for safes?

If the entire exterior of your house was fire resistant, would your interior be safe from a fire outside?

*urgent* is it safe for me to have a fire inside a medium sized ceramic flower pot? would it explode? im thinking to have a fire in a ceramic flower pot in my backyard with it elevated off the ground with bricks so the holes at the bottom can let air flow in. but my concern is that wud the pot itself crack? explode? it's been in a kiln. so doesnt that mean it's fire resistant? if it's not safe. is metal better?

Is there a way to break into a gun safe without destroying it? Well we have a RedHead® 11/22 Fire-Resistant Gun Safe, it has a keypad for a password and what they call a spoke handle. We locked it on accident and cant get it open. Is there a secret code or something that will open it up, or is there a way to open it without blowing it up?

How do you *KNOW* what size light bulb to use in a light fixture? I'm living in a rental house with a lot of different ceiling fixtures and a lot of different size light bulbs that I need to replace-- it's getting dark in here! Some are chandeliers and ceiling fans with small candle-like bulbs. I also have light fixtures with two traditional shaped light bulbs in them. How do I *KNOW FOR SURE* what "size" bulbs to use in each fixture-- that is, what wattage? Like 40 or 60W candle bulbs or 60, 75, or 100W traditional bulbs? I want the most, brightest light possible (for good Christmas photos!), perhaps even if it costs more-- but I want it to be safe and fire-resistant. Also, the new fancy energy efficient and enviromentally correct bulbs aren't available for these little ceiling fan and chandelier candle-flame bulbs, right??? Thank you in advance!!! :) And I would appreciate any more suggestions in this area.

CANADIAN SECURITY SAFE MANUFACTURERS.? I am in a security class and need to find some Canadian manufacturers for fire resistant safes or burglary resistant safes, PLEASE HELP! Thank you. e.g. manufacturer for example (CHUBB security)

Can collecting guns be a symptom of OCD? I realize this sounds bizarre. I have pretty severe OCD. About 12 years ago I started buying guns. In the first year I bought about 10 of them. In some odd way I think they made me feel safe, but I could never have enough. At the time I lived with my parents, and they became concerned and locked all my guns away. They later moved to another state and took the guns with them. In the last year I've started buying guns again, and I've already accumulated 3. I can't stop thinking about the stupid things. I bought a safe, put the guns in the safe, but now I'm concerned because I bought a lot of ammunition too. I don't know how much, but probably 2000 rounds or so. Although they are stored in the safe I'm concerned that there might be a fire, and the bullets could go off on a fireman trying to put out the fire. (I realize that bullets get very little velocity without being in a barrel, but it still worries me). I was able to fit about 1/3 of the ammo in a fire resistant safe that I have put inside the gun safe. (so yes, I have a safe within a safe). Ok, so I think I should probably bring this up with my therapist/psychiatrist. But I'm concerned that if I bring up guns they will put me in a hospital, and screw that! Ack! And no, I don't want to get rid of the stupid guns. Duh, if it were that easy I wouldn't be having this issue!

Is this beggining of my story ok? Once there was a young boy his name was John. He was in a very wealthy family. He would see something on he commercial and if he wanted it his parents would buy it. He could get anything he wanted. until one day. And that day was horrible. He woke up to the sound of the fire alarm. Smoke filled his room he could here the crackle of he fire outside his door. But lucky for him he had a fire escape ladder. Quickly he through the ladder out the window and attached it to his window. He filled a backpack with the most valuable stuff he has and climbed out he window. On his descent fear rippled through his body. But he knew that once he and his parents got out they would buy everything over again so he decided not to worry. Then he touched down and at that moment the local fire department got there put out the fire. everything was destroyed. He searched around he crowd of people searching for his parents. His panic rose steadily he could not find his parents. He ran into the burnt remains of the house but only found obscure piles of ash. His parents were gone.....forever. That day he would remember forever. The police drove him to the nearest orphanage. Where he would live until he was of age or was adopted. The first night was hard he could not sleep at all with the thought of his parents burning to death. He decided that the would sneak to his house and look for anything that he cold salvage from the huge pile of wood and ashes. Then he fell asleep for about 3 hours. And he woke to a bunch of other orphans staring at him. As he got up he acted like he didn't notice. He reached into his bag and pulled out a picture of his family. As he forced back is tears a young girl comes to his attention she walks over to him slowly like she is scared he is going to kill her. He pulled everything out of the bag and lays it out on his bed. The girl sits on he bed and looks at the things that he pulls out of his bag. She takes lots of interest of a mini wolf carving. In a hushed voice she asks if she can look at it and hold it John responds with a slight nod of his head. She picks it up and stares at it with amazement. But he is wondering why she is so amazed so he asks her. Why are you so amazed? She responds in a sad, sad tone. She responded with this. I have lived in this orphanage all of my life I have hardly seen anything but basic things like pictures. And small figures. He reaches into his bag and pulls out his last thing. His fire-resistant. Safe he pulls the key out of his back pocket and opens the safe facing away from everyone. In his safe he has $200 some cookies, gum and his dads and moms medal for serving their country. He pull them out and carefully pulls them out of their case. He examines them like if the get damaged at all the world will end.

What is a safe way to light your self on fire? Gonna try a stunt on tv but lack the means to light myself on fire safely.Is there a suit or something that is resistant to flames yet somehow also catches on fire?

Fires resistant...? I'm doing some DIY and I'm making a feature of where the fireplace used to be in the main bedroom. I'm looking for some sort of solution or paint that's fire resistant as I want to put some candles etc in the fire. Does anyone know of anything? It's only going to be a few candles so it wont be getting that hot but better to be safe than sorry. It would be to protect some plasterboard that I forgot to tile. Tilling isnt an option now as it's a cost factor.

What invention made it practical to locate factories at the top of ten-story skyscrapers in the late 1800s? a. the electrical lightbulb b. the telephone c. the electric elevator d. the sewing machine Also, What invention might have prevented the death of some of the 149 workers who perished in the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory? a. allowing workers to join unions b. building safer passenger elevators c. using fire-resistant fabrics d. keeping factory doors unlocked

What is a safe alternative to using pressure treated lumber for vegetable garden beds? I'm making raised beds for my vegetable garden and for obvious reasons can't use pressure treated lumber. I was thinking of using 1x10s, but cedar or redwood are not in my price range. does anyone know of anything I could do to treat pine that won't leach into the soil and kill me? also, I have a ton of the original siding from my house (built in 1948) up in my attic. it's about 1" thick and 8" wide and I have it in lengths of 8-10' long. It's been painted on one side, and I'm not sure what kind of wood it is. does anyone know if old siding is historically treated w/ anything nasty to make it fire resistant or age better? and would the paint pose a potential problem? the wood is in good shape, but I'm not sure how safe it would be to use. any thoughts?

Where can I get a small, inexpensive safe with these features? I'm looking for a safe with about 0.5-1.0 cu-ft, or so. I'd like for it to be fire-resistant. I'd also like a lock would pose some difficulty for a professional lock smith, and the safe must be able to be bolted to the floor. Any ideas?

Quality Fireproof Safe? Anybody have any suggestions for a good quality brand fireproof safe and price(s)? I am in the process of organizing paperwork and have several important documents that I would like to put the originals in a safe. I don't need a huget one but yet I need one that can hold some documents and have room for future documents/items. I know that most are only fire resistant up to a certain temperature and only for a specific amount of time--but does anybody have any quality suggestions for one? Possibly one that you've seen evidence of it's "fire resistance"? I was considering getting a safe deposit box, but I would really prefer to have the documents on hand at home anytime. Any suggestions?

If I line the inside of a lockbox with ceramic tiles, will it be more resistant to heat? I don't have enough cash for a fireproof safe, but I have metal coins I would like to have survive an average house fire. I have access to tile supplies for free.

I found an old safe, how can I find out more information about where it came from? I found it at the bottom of the river where I live, Its a fire resistant Montgomery Ward safe, its appear that it was pried open with so much force that the bolt snapped inside of it, perhaps it had something to do with a robbery? The safe was definitely broken into, but why, would someone throw there safe to the bottom of the river if they were that desperate to get into it, it was definitely not the owners safe, AKA it was stolen, so I want to know more about it, the serial number is B559. I don't know the model number, but if anyone could please find some more information for me, or point me in the right direction, that would be appreciated, also, do you think I should call the police and tell them what i've found? P.S. The safe was empty ;|

Can airline safety be improved? I believe flying can be vastly safey than it currently is.Ive had some bad experiences in the air and have followed this area for many years.We are constantly told its safer than driving.Well statistically it ISNT.They simply twist the figures to make it sound as if it is. Measures can, and SHOULD be taken to passenger carrying aircraft to increase our chance of survival.As wild as some ideas might sound, they would likely save lives in the event of a catastrophic mechanical failure. So lets presume youre hurtling to earth at over 300mph.Not much chance of survival youd think? Wrong!There are substances available to lesson an impact well beyond what the body is normally able to withstand. eg fire resistant impact foams activated by the pilots. Ok, the impact will likely shatter the aircraft into a million pieces but if your body can be cussioned to give you one slight chance of survival then why dont they do it? Or a controlled break up of the fuselage with individual parachutes? In 2004 - 347 died worldwide due to air traffic accidents while in the UK alone 3,221 died due to road accidents. Which on the face of it makes air travel at least ten times safer (not even taking in account all the other road deaths in the world). However, as things work out its never so simple. For example, the number of UK flights in the same period numbered 3.5 million while car journeys can be estimated to be in the region of 22 billion. So the reality is that car travel is actually safer per journey than air travel, and by some margin. Killed in an airline flight - 0.0001369863013698630136986301369863% Killed by car - 0.00000001826484018264840182648401826484% FACT: Parachutes for planes exist and CAN handle the weight if a controlled breakup of the fuselage was orchestrated by the captain. FACT:Impact foam has been recognised as an important safety feature in Executive motor cars. Please see above In answer to Renny. Also, if youre ever unlucky enough to be on board a blacked out 737 in a dive while people cry and pray all around you. I promise, you will be very glad of the chance of a controlled parachute descent or at best, a cabin filled with impact foam.IT IS POSSIBLE and one day will be the norm. Mike, its a great point.Just takes one brave airline to raise this topic of safety and realise ita money making concept, and not necessarily a loss.I for one would fly much more if I felt safer after my own experiences.An airline that could promote safety woudl be well ahead of the ever competing pack of profit orientated airline.All this technology exists.NASA and Mercedes have used both the ideas I have touched upon to start this debate.Thanks to all who have contributed so far. To Gerald J.Thanks for your contribution, but you stick to your figures, if its makes you feel better.I disagree.Another FACT you will never hear the airline talk about is the odds of surviving a serious motor vehicle crash are in your favour.The odds of surviving a serious plane crash are almost Nil. Also, as an Ex skydiver I have never suggested giving passengers parachutes.Too many factors involved there.I am talking about a controlled separation of the plane, in the event of a non recoverable failure with multiple parachutes for each .If you read up, something I have researched for many years, this is perfectly possible and could save hundreds of lives god forbid, if that occured.Its all down to cost.Airlines hate talking about safety.I suggest you make efforts to contact them as I have and see what response you get. Unfortunatley, Its cheaper to pay out to grieving families than make more safety alterations to aircraft. Also, Impact foam in cabins is not a new idea

What is the safest home structure, 2x4, cinder block, adobe, concrete, rammed earth, bamboo, or log? or log cabin? Safe in general, meaning resistant to fire, termites, earthquake, flood, tornado, etc.

Is it safe to use charcoal in a gas barbecue? My neighbor is thinking about using charcoal instead of natural gas in his gas barbecue because he thinks it will cook and taste better. I think he might damage his barbecue and start a fire. Anyone know if gas barbecues are heat resistant for the higher temperatures charcoal burns at?

need help with geography assignment? the assignment is to build a bushfire safe house plan: what is a fire resistant material i can use to build the walls and floors from? its a bushfire- safe, house plan. so its SAFE from BUSHFIRES and its a HOUSEPLAN. seriously..

Where to store my removable drives? I have setup a workstation with 6 removable drives (they slide in and out of docking bays). For the work we do, we need to swap drives out for different work projects. What is the best way to store them when they are not in the docking bays? I want to put them somewhere safe. I'm not really all that concerned about fire safes and such (though it's not a bad idea). What I'm really concerned about is finding a place to store them where they can't slide around or bump into one another. Maybe some kind of anti-static, shock resistant (padded) storage container or something. I've searched around, and I don't think anyone makes such a thing (or do they?). I also thought about putting them into an empty multi-drive-bay, but I'm not sure what kind to get. I'm using 3 SATA-VAULT units. http://www.cooldrives.com/usb2-sata-mini-raid-system-sata-raid.html I cannot switch to some other kind of medium, this medium is perfect... because they are fast 10,000rpm drives, and being removable, it disconnects them from the system (from the OS, and via hardware/visually) which is they way we like it.

Is it safe to keep a lot of ammo in a single safe? I recently upgraded to a larger gun safe, to accommodate my growing collection of firearms. I keep a couple boxes of ammo per gun in my new safe, but have converted my old safe to hold the bulk of my ammo. I have about 7,500 rounds of various calibers (everything from .22LR to .308 to 12 gauge slugs) in my old safe now. But this afternoon, when showing a friend my new setup, he warned me that I had basically turned my old safe into a 1,000+ pound bomb (yes, it is fire resistant). I figured locking up the ammo in a single place would be the smart way to keep it safe (out of reach of prying hands, never mind the monetary value of it), but he claims otherwise. So is it a dumb move to have that much powder in such a confined space, or is it better than leaving cases of ammo throughout the house (strategic planning aside)? Thanks.

Could someone help me hide a PS3? I've wanted a PS3 for a long time, and my dad finally said yes! My only dilemma is that my mom is gruesomely cruel when it comes to video games, and so we ordered it behind her back. Now when we pick it up and bring it home, I need a place to store it where she won't look and won't get suspicious. I'm a young cartoonist, and have lots of unfinished and imperfect artwork that I leave just lying around, so maybe she'd like it if I got a safe for it all? Is there a safe that's big enough to hold a PS3 in its box, plus some books and papers? It doesn't need to be fire-resistant or electronic or fancy or indestructible. The cheapest safe that can even just barely fit a PS3 in its packaging would be perfect. Thanks in advance! Keep in mind (Outkast) that I'm only hiding it when I'm not playing. I can't play video games when my mom's home because she can sense happiness and it gives her an allergic reaction (dead serious, no joke, very ill for years until I learned to be depressed). alo ppl, that seems like a good idea, but I don't have an extra computer. Maybe you can think of another something I can "gut". That was creative, though, thanks!

Was 9/11 a conspiracy? I encourage all of you to research/Google/Youtube the things that I am saying. Ever since Wikileaks came out, I've started to doubt the American Government. I do not feel safe anymore. This doubt has made me question everything that they do and have done. I am not into politics and do not own a TV, therefore, I do not watch the news. I came across a Youtube video that talked about a 9/11 conspiracy. What I would usually do is take it as a joke but, this time I viewed it. I couldn't believe how some of the things they mentioned made complete sense, not that I'm saying it's true. For example: 1. Why did Building 7 collapse? 2. Why are there rarely any stories of tall buildings/skyscrapers collapsing after a fire, excluding the WTC's? Keep in mind that the WTC's used "high-strength, load-bearing perimeter steel columns" that were sprayed with fire resistant material. 3. In many videos of both collapses, you see columns of windows bust out seconds before the collapse, insinuating that dynamite was set off INSIDE the tower. 4. Why did one of the survivors of that day suddenly die a few years later, and his death is unknown to this day. This is the same survivor that first mentioned to the media that he heard bombs going off in Building 7 and right before they went off, he was confronted by an unknown man that told him that he better get out of there. That same unknown man stayed in the building at the time of the explosions. 5. Why did the White House order the EPA to lie about the air quality in the city and that it was 'safe' to breath. In fact, 70,000 residents might have long term health problems due to the asbestos-filled air. 6. How could jet fuel, which burns at a temperature of 1832 degrees Fahrenheit, MELT steel, that is melted at 2732 degrees Fahrenheit? 7. How could a 110 floor building of that quality not just collapse, but pancake collapse, when the plane's impact hole extended from the 92nd floor to the 98th on the North Tower and the 78th to 82nd on the South Tower? 8. The government says that the jet fuel melted the steel (but as I previously mentioned, the temperatures do not add up). If that is the case, then the impact site and the steel columns would of been blazing hot. There is a video on Youtube of a women who is standing at the end of the impact zone, leaning against the wall, without any burns and is waving. 9. How did the supposed terrorist's passports survive an explosion? I want to hear what you guys think but be nice. Jeff- Do you mean Popular Mechanics 9/11?

Is there anything more safe than this for my car? 7-way camlock racing harness with a chest buckle, sliding tether post mount HANS Device, foam neck support, full face helmet, full fire-proof racing suit, fireproof shoes with reinforced lateral sides, racing gloves that are fireproof and reinforced to prevent the fingers from extending backwards, safety fire system, arm restraints, and fire-proof nomex and carbon-X clothing under race suit (long-sleeved shirt, pants, socks, and boxers). Whole interior of the car is 10-point roll caged with fully bars covered in fire resistant (self-extinguishing) foam padding, as well as window nets on all windows and lexan glass. There are also dual "stroud-style" drag chutes, angled away from each other at 15 degrees, and up at 45 degrees behind the rear spoiler, anchor positioned at the exact center of the rear of the car. There may be some stuff I'm missing, but can't think of anything else. Let me know if I'm missing anything. I am planning on buying all of this in the near future, I will look into the racing seat and buy the best I can find. I will get the fuel cell as well. On the seat, is it better to have a kevlar or carbon seat? And what material seat cover is best? The seat will have a side back-support plate as well. Also, as far as brakes, I have DOT 5 brake fluid, steel braided hose, 8 piston calipers, 15-inch carbon-carbon 4-wheel disc brakes that are vented, slotted, and cross-drilled, carbon metallic brake pads, vacuum brake booster for power brakes, and ABS. additional details on the full face helmet: the helmet has a carbon shell and nomex lining, it has vents in the front and sides, the face shield is made of lexan, it is cleaned daily with anti-fogging cleaner (forget the specific name), the chin straps are kevlar, inside a nomex sleeve (which kind of adds padding so it doesn't rub against your neck) and it has a UV tinted lexan visor on the top. Forgot to add also: a rubber mouth guard that covers top and bottom teeth ear plugs 2-eye-hole Carbon X head Mask racing goggles with thick elastic band and polycarbonate lenses (also another pair of identical goggles with tinted lenses) Also contemplating getting a hutchens hybrid X and wear it along side the HANS, or modifying them to work together. converting as much of the body and interior as possible to carbon fiber, and hopefully having a titanium frame made. Steel bumpers and roll cage.

which home safe is better? Honeywell 1104 Molded Fire/Water Chest (.38 cu') or SentrySafe DS0200 Safe 1 Hour Fireproof Combination Safe, 0.8 Cubic Feet, Black the Honeywell one doesn't seem to be theft resistant? The sentry safe doesn't seem to be waterproof? can anyone tell me which one is better? y is Honeywell better?

Fireproof sentimental boxes? im at that age now where i have lots of baby photos , first baby shoe , first baby tooth , and im always worried about if there was a house fire or flood whilst i was at work or sometime and if they would get destroyed , so i was wondering if anyone could link or tell me some fireproof cases that would be resistant to fire not for 1/2 hour or so but that would stay unbreached throughout the fire or flood but im not looking for a Safe or anything but something big enough not just for photos but sentimental items to thanks in advance thank for the fast reply and also is a safe deposit box in a bank or something ? and also anything you know off that can stay in your house like a fireproof suitcase type box

What brand of gun safe should I get? I'm looking into buying a gun safe and a smaller safe, but I have no experience with them in the past and would like some advice from people that do. The gun safe would preferably be capable of holding around ten long rifles since I think that's about as low as they go these days, and my longest rifle is about 50" in length. I don't care as much about shelves for other stuff, but I do want one that is reasonably durable but doesn't cost too much. My main concern is keeping some kids and adolescents from getting into it, and fire resistance would be nice too, but not a necessity. The smaller one is just for the kinds of things you'd put in a bank safety deposit box, so just maybe a microwave-size one would do. Again, same general concerns as the gun safe, but much smaller, and this one does need to be fireproof or resistant. Any input provided will be much appreciated! Oh and I forgot to mention that I prefer digital locks and dials over keys.

Have you gotten your "Armageddon Care Package" Yet? The answer is no The thing we shouldn't take for granted is life. Life is simple. You are born, and eventually die of natural causes or from a catastrophe Each government should come together to pay for this kind of care package for everyone. This is the only way to have a chance, and for this to happen The package would need all the necessities to abstain life for 10 years Some items would be: Toiletries (Soap, Shampoo, Tooth Brush, Toilet Paper etc) Military food that preserves for years without spoiling Shovel, Knife, Matches, Sanitizer, First Aid Kit, Rope, Swiss Army Knife Medicines, absolutely needed to last 10 years. (This i know can be a lot) Only Medicines that a person could not live without Flash Lights, with self charging, crank system Water Purifying System/Capsules Guide Book to perform any surgery, along with tools. And all guides of anything else Satellite Cell phone, crush resistant, waterproof (Cell towers, and land line are more vulnerable to be not able to be used) CB Radio Heavy duty Pop-Up Tent GPS Duct Tape Thread, needle Hammer/Axe combination (One side axe head, other side hammer head) Vaccines for known diseases Lab kit, and directions to know which disease is which one Seeds, and guide to make fertilizer out of everyday things around us Thermal Blankets Compass, Map Pots, and Pans (Small light weight) Aspirin Water Proof (Pre Loaded) I-pod type of music player. With All songs ever made (With crank charger) Holy Bible, or Bible like scripture for each religion for each person's religion Face Mask Radiation Poisoning Pills/Shot Radiation Geiger Counter Diary with Pen, 1000 Page (Water Proof, Crush Resistant, Heat Resistant Casing) Watch With Calendar Spork, Plate, Bowl Pre determined Camps Map (Like refugee camps) Knife Sharpener EpiPens Shoe Repair Kit Super Glue (Can actually be used on Cuts that cant stop bleeding, unless wound is closed) Bow and Arrows & guide for making both out of trees Fishing pole/Net Cold/Flu Medicine Vitamin & Minerals Pills Sleeping Bag, to withstand -100 Degree's (Might not be made yet) Binoculars Bow-saw Tarp Whistle Trekking Pole Flint Self-Inflating Pillow Wireless Weather Station Device (Same function and size as a GPS) Coffee Press Coffee Grind (1 cup a day for 10 years) Folding Fishing Rod, With Fake Bait Air Horn (With refillable cartridges) Flare Gun (With many shots) Fire Extinguisher Hot/Cold Packs Bug Jackets & Netting Machete Fire Starters Guide on what naturally grown berries, fruits etc, that is safe to eat Guide to natural remedies Environmentally safe laundry detergent GED Book (Only book that has all subjects into one book) Any and all Guides to sustain life Now i know what your all thinking. This back pack must be the size of a shed. Well many of these can be down sized. And the actual Rectangle box it would be in. Would have to be water proof, heat resistant, crush resistant, and mobile The case would need have compartments and organized The case wouldn't be impossible to lug around. it would have to have self propelled wheels. and a large handle, for one to pull with both hands as it is behind them This will cost a lot of money. But it could be the very one thing to bring all countries together. This is just an estimate, but 1/3 of money from each country could be more than enough, or just under Say something catastrophic happens worldwide. Money than would have no use what so ever This would create many jobs, and the only way to work, is to have every country in this Strict and harsh laws would have to be made for selling, opening or any form of tampering with these life saving cases. An idea is a GPS unit built inside. And a device to signal a case opening, and a vibration censor for reason of tampering, or trying to cut, hammer etc, it opened Another idea is 1 time per month These cases need to be Wireless or in person checked. To see if it has not been tampered with. And Checking for the items that can spoil, seeing if they have been or not been spoiled yet. No person rich or poor will have any difference in quality, or the wide ranged of goods inside. All will be the same. No favoritism And of coarse this will be free for everyone. Because if not, only the mid level family and up would have a chance at life. Poor people are humans as well as the rest of us. And CANNOT be excluded This is for ANY and ALL natural or man made disasters.

Any suggestions about how to tell my mom about our home birth decision? My mother is a Registered Nurse and holds a lot of stock in hospitals and doctors (even though she has admitted hospitals are the breeding grounds of MSRA and other anti-biotic resistant bacterias and infections.) She feels strongly that the "safest" place to have a baby is in a hospital in case thee is a complication. My husband and I feel strongly that the "safest" place for a "normal" uncomplicated, low-risk delivery is NOT in a hospital and that today there are too many interventions performed in the hospital which lead to their own complications. We have hired a local midwife who has 35 years experience and has never lost a mother. She has delivered one stillborn baby after arriving at the birth and finding no heartbeat. (Better odds than any doctor I've interviewed even with the availability of the operating room.... interesting, isn't it?) Anyway, I am concerned that my mother may add stress and grief to our decision as I know she doesn't support it. She is concerned because my daughter (born in a hospital) was treated after delivery for low blood sugar when I know that even in a birth center she would not have been supplemented unless her sugar score had been ten points lower than it was. Instead I would have been allowed to breastfeed. My husband and I want to share a birth experience where we can feel as relaxed as possible and labor at our own pace. We do not want to have to fight with hospital staff to have a natural delivery. We have agreed that if there are any complications discovered prior to the birth, we will deliver at the hospital (ironically, the one where my mother has worked for over 30 years...) and if an emergency arises, we will transfer to the hospital as needed. Our home, where we plan to deliver is only 6 minutes to the hospital in traffic hitting every stop light. The ambulance station and 911 dispatch center is seriously two blocks from our house as well as a fire station. If we felt that there was serious risk involved, we wouldn't take that chance, like everyone else, we want to deliver a healthy baby, we just don't want to risk my being cut open (state average is 1 in 3 get C-sections and our two local hospitals average 1 in 4) unless it is absolutely necessary due to an emergency. I have the most difficult time lying to her.... she is very perceptive and knows just what questions to ask to get the truth from me. Best case scenario, she accepts our decision and doesn't force the issue. Absolute worst case scenario, she consults an attorney and has a court order drawn up forcing a hospital delivery. Fortunately, I don't think she is aware that she can actually do that... but I do know it can be done...

For the Mom's..............? Dear Santa, I've been a good mom all year. I've fed, cleaned, and cuddled my two children on demand, visited the doctor's office more than my doctor, sold 62 cases of candy bars to raise money to plant a shade tree on the school playground, and figured out how to attach nine patches onto my daughter's Girl Scout sash with staples and a glue gun. I was hoping you could spread my list out over several Christmases, since I had to write this letter with my son's red crayon on the back of a receipt in the laundry room between cycles, and who knows when I'll find anymore free time in the next 18 years. Here are my Christmas wishes: I'd like a pair of legs that don't ache after a day of chasing kids (in any color, except purple, which I already have) and arms that don't flap in the breeze, but are strong enough to carry a screaming toddler out of the candy aisle in the grocery store. I'd also like a waist, since I lost mine somewhere in the seventh month of my last pregnancy. If you're hauling big ticket items this year, I'd like a car with fingerprint resistant windows and a radio that only plays adult music; a television that doesn't broadcast any programs containing talking animals; and a refrigerator with a secret compartment behind the crisper where I can hide to talk on the phone. On the practical side, I could use a talking daughter doll that says, "Yes, Mommy" to boost my parental confidence, along with one potty-trained toddler, two kids who don't fight, and three pairs of jeans that will zip all the way up without the use of power tools. I could also use a recording of Tibetan monks chanting, "Don't eat in the living room" and "Take your hands off your brother," because my voice seems to be just out of my children's hearing range and can only be heard by the dog. And please don't forget the Playdoh Travel Pack, the stocking stuffer this year for mothers of preschoolers. It comes in three fluorescent colors and is guaranteed to crumble on any carpet making the In-laws' house seem just like mine. If it's too late to find any of these products, I'd settle for enough time to brush my teeth and comb my hair in the same morning, or the luxury of eating food warmer than room temperature without it being served in a Styrofoam container. If you don't mind, I could also use a few Christmas miracles to brighten the holiday season. Would it be too much trouble to declare ketchup a vegetable? It will clear my conscience immensely. It would be helpful if you could coerce my children to help around the house without demanding payment as if they were the bosses of an organized crime family; or if my toddler didn't look so cute sneaking downstairs to eat contraband ice cream in his pajamas at midnight. Well, Santa, the buzzer on the dryer is ringing and my son saw my feet under the laundry room door. I think he wants his crayon back. Have safe trip and remember to leave your wet boots by the chimney and come in and dry off by the fire so you don't catch cold. Help yourself to cookies on the table, but don't eat too many or leave crumbs on the carpet. Yours Always, Mom I am sorry about knowledge of the author, a lady I know gave it to me last week. I am talking about the Santa letter!

What Gloss should I use? I have made my son a fire engine bed out of wood, and I have spray painted it in a satin shine lacquer aerosol spray. However the paint wipes off quite easily and to ensure a resistant and shiny finish I need to gloss it. I would prefer to do this with a spray as I hate glossing anything but I'm struggling with which one as there are soo many. I have found one it's called Humbrol Crystal Clear Acrylic Spray Coating. Can anyone tell me if this will work well or not and if it is safe for a childs bed. Thx

UK source of chew-safe cable protectors? Hi. Any ideas about where in the UK you can get cable pet-protector casing? My 2 yo cat has a big chewing problem. She likes to nom through cables - ideally the very thin ones like mobile phone chargers, or christmas tree lights. She has in the past chewed through live cables (with an adaptor on them) - no idea how she managed that with no trouble. I worry about not just her electrocuting herself but a fire starting. I've tried training her not to - the behaviour is very resistant. Now she just does it when I'm not looking. So I'm just wanting to buy some of that clear casing you can put over your cords and cables that tastes horrible. Although I wouldn't put it past her to like the taste. I've seen it listed in Canada and other countries but I'm looking for a UK source ideally. Any ideas? Thanks

Lara Croft Guns HELP!!! +Best Answer+ "just for one simple answer."? The USP is a semi-automatic pistol with a mechanically locked breech using the short recoil method of operation. This rather conventional lock-up system has a large rectangular lug over the barrel’s chamber that rides into and engages the ejection port cut-out in the slide. When a cartridge is fired, pressures generated by the ignited powder drive the cartridge casing back against the breech face on the slide, driving back both the barrel and slide as they remain locked together in the manner described above. After 3 mm (0.12 in) of unrestricted rearward travel, the projectile has left the barrel and gas pressures have dropped to a safe level. A shaped lug on the underside of the barrel chamber comes into contact with a hooked locking block at the end of the steel recoil spring guide rod, lowering the rear end of the barrel and stopping the barrel's rearward movement. The recoil spring assembly is held in place by the slide stop lever’s axis pin and a round cut-out at the front of the slide. For enhanced reliability in high-dust environments, the locking surface on the front top of the barrel’s locking lug is tapered with a forward slope. This tapered surface produces a camming action which assists in positive lock-up in the presence of heavy fouling and debris. In this way, the USP shares many design features with the M1911 pistol, although apparently updated for easier operation. One of the most significant features of the USP is the mechanical recoil reduction system. This system is incorporated into the recoil spring assembly, located below the barrel and consists of a heavy, captive coil spring around the guide rod. Designed primarily to buffer the slide and barrel and reduce recoil effects on the pistol components, the system also lowers the recoil forces felt by the shooter up to 30%. The USP recoil reduction system is insensitive to ammunition types and does not require adjustment or maintenance. It functions effectively in all USP models.[3] Using this same recoil reduction system, one of the related H&K Mk 23 .45 ACP pistols fired more than 30,000 high pressure +P cartridges and 6,000 proof loads without damage or excessive wear to any major components. Abuse and function-testing of USPs have seen more than 20,000 rounds of .40 S&W fired without a component failure. Milspec environmental tests were conducted in high and low temperatures, in mud, immersed in water and in salt spray. In one particular test, a bullet was deliberately lodged in the barrel and another bullet was fired to clear the obstruction. The barrel was successfully cleared with only minor structural deformation and continued to produce consistent groups when test fired for accuracy.[6] Major metal components on both the USP and Special Operations Pistol are corrosion-resistant. Outside metal surfaces, such as the steel slide are protected by a proprietary "Hostile Environment" nitride finish.[3] Internal metal parts, such as springs, are coated with a Dow Corning anti-corrosion chemical to reduce friction and wear.[7][8] The USP is composed of a total of 54 parts and is broken down into 7 major components for maintenance and cleaning: the barrel, slide, recoil spring, recoil spring guide rod, the frame, slide stop and magazine. This is done by retracting the slide back to align the slide stop axis pin with the disassembly notch on the left side of the slide and withdrawing the axis pin. Hello i want to get the Lara Croft BB guns on amazon or so, but there is a orange tip on the Gun point. And i wanna know how to either take it of or find Lara's gun with-out the Orange tip. Please Help! BQ:And what is the orange tip for?

Can a glass measuring cup be used as a double boiler? The brand is Anchor and it says for use in microwave or oven..so obviously its pretty heat resistant... I want to use it to melt wax for candle-making..can this be done or is it a bad idea? Here is a picture of it I found online if that helps... http://www.restockit.com/images/Product/medium/55178OLAH.jpg Please help if you can..I'm trying to be as safe as possible here..I don't want to mess anything up..or break anything..or start any fires..lol.. thxx a lot =D

What's your opinion on Monsanto and their GMO foods? But the death of this respected farmer has been blamed on something far more modern and sinister: genetically modified crops. Shankara, like millions of other Indian farmers, had been promised previously unheard of harvests and income if he switched from farming with traditional seeds to planting GM seeds instead. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1082559/The-GM-genocide-Thousands-Indian-farmers-committing-suicide-using-genetically-modified-crops.html It's finally happened. At last a government agency has rejected a genetically modified crop on the basis of a lack of conclusive scientific evidence that it is safe for consumers and the environment. The moratorium on the genetically engineered (GE) product also came about, in no small measure, as a prudent response to overwhelming public concerns regarding GE crops. The only twist is that this crop, Bt eggplant, was not rejected by the U.S. government, but by the government of India. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/andrew-kimbrell/a-victory-for-democracy_b_521505.html The staff cafeteria at biotech-crop Monsanto’s UK headquarters reportedly banned GM foods from the menu back in 1999. The private catering company running the canteen, Sutcliffe Catering, owned by Granada Food Services, told its clients, including Monsanto, that it would no longer use foods containing GM soya or maize because of “customer concerns” about the technology. It may also create brand new diseases that we’ve never seen before, in addition to spurring on the disease rate of some we already have, such as cancer. Although the major food giants are carrying on with their claim that GM foods are no different from conventionally grown varieties, the research begs to differ. Here is just a sampling of the unsavory findings associated with GM foods: * GM peas caused lung damage in mice * GM potatoes may cause cancer in rats * Bacteria in your gut can take up DNA from GM food * They may be spurring the creation of weed-killer-resistant superweeds Smith mentions the superior work of Arpad Pusztai, PhD, a (formerly pro-biotech) scientist who was hired to evaluate the safety of GMO food, and then fired for his negative findings and his outspoken criticism of the industry’s shoddy science. Jeffrey Smith’s website www.seedsofdeception.com also gives you a more in-depth overview of GMO laced products, but the four main culprits are: * Soy * Corn * Cottonseed * Canola The offspring of these products include items such as maltodextrin, soy lecitin, and high fructose corn syrup. Other GMO products include: * Some varieties of zucchini, crookneck squash, and papayas from Hawaii * Milk containing rbGH * Rennet (containing genetically modified enzymes) used to make hard cheeses * Aspartame (NutraSweet) Genetically modified foods are, from my perception, one of the largest threats that we have against the very sustainability of the human race. Let’s face it, how long can your descendants survive if there isn’t any food to eat? Although Monsanto doesn’t believe this is a possibility, their shortsighted focus on profits is blinding them to the very real threats that this technology is posing to the viability of the human race. Jeffrey Smith does a great job of summarizing his main findings in this fascinating video series, recounting how GMO health problems have indeed been recorded as far back as 1989. At that time, several people started seeking medical attention for severe and puzzling health problems such as: * Severe pain * Hair loss * Memory loss * Muscle weakness, and uncontrollable muscle spasms * Hardening of the skin mercola.com

Force/Impact question - paintballing!!? I have an Olympus Mju Tough camera, which aside from being waterproof, etc. is shock resistant to a drop of 2 meters. It weighs approx 200g. A paintball marker must not be fired above 330fps when using an average weight paintball, this equates to 12 ft/lbs. All tournament markers are restricted to a maximum velocity of 300fps, which equates to 9.9ft/lbs and site markers should be used at between 250-280fps to be safe for customers. This equates to 7ft/lbs-8.7ft/lbs. My question is this - which impact force is bigger? The force of the camera when hitting the ground from 2m, or the force of a paintball hitting a target (lets say at 50ft..)...?? (If you haven't realised yet, I'm trying to figure out if the camera would survive being hit by a paintball...!!) As an extra note - I have insurance for the camera, and so am not particularly worried if it were to break as I am going to get a new one soon probably anyway!! Cheers for any help guys!!

Nirala Estate&$Niral Estate&$Noida Extenson@9891492302? CALL 9582995581, 9582995589 FOR QUICK BOOKING NOW OR SITE VISIT Nirala Estate Greater Noida The Nirala Group has successfully developed residential projects in around the NCR. The Group’s expertise in Real Estate, especially in and the NCR region, developing projects keeping local sensibilities in mind before executing developing is it’s key strength. The forte of the promoters their vast experience in construction. Real estate and infrastructure. This underlines their strong commitment to the project and ensures that NIRALA ESTATE would be the most sought after address in GNIDA. Nirala, a Unique group as reflected by its name, is managed by proffessional engaged in construction and finance activity for the last ten years and has a group turnover in multi crores. The process started by acquiring the land through transparent auction process by Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA). The site is at a prime location with all facilities and it makes certain that your investment is one that is safe and growing In the last couple of years Nirala Group has contributed in the phenomenal growth of real estate and infrastructure industry with many turnkey solutions through multifaceted residential complexes. This has resulted in the transformation of its projects - Nirala Eden Park- I, Nirala Eden Park -II Indirapuram & Eden Park Sec-50, Pan Oasis Sec-70, Noida into landmarks. Unmatched Features •complete complex with all amenities and facilities & Certified earhtquake resistant structure as per its codes of practice. •project situated on 20 meter green belt. •Rectangular plot •Single green area of 4 acre •all flats three side open •corner plot on 60 meter & 24 meter wide road •Plot on main Ghaziabad - Greater Noida Mini highway. •ample parking with extension facility in future if required •CP fiting jaguar/imported or equivalent •sanitary fitting of hindware/imported or equivalent •Lifts by OTIS or equivalent in each block •24 hours water supply •24 hours Security •Parks,children play areas, landscapings within the complex •Only 20% covered area •Lawn tennis court •Freehold land •Fire Fighting arrangement •Two State of Art High Speed Glass Lifts in Each Tower •80% open area •An executive club house swimming Pool, fitness club •Community Hall & Children Park •3 tier security system •100 % Power back up for essential services •Power back-up for each flat (On Paid basis) •Ample parking space (On Paid basis) •In house maintenance services for all common facility (on Sharing basis) CITI PROPMART Cont us 9582995581

whats the best gun safe location? I was wondering where a good place for a safe (around 500 lbs) would be. Easiest would be the garage but would that be safe enough for it? (both from thieves and the weather of Ohio) I'd prefer to have it upstairs but am worried about the stairs, can wooden stairs handle 500lbs of safe and lets say another 500lbs+ of men? and for that matter can your average floor handle this? Also do you think i should go for a stack-on or add another 200 to get a nice fire and water resistant Field and stream? - thanks for your time

Give me your opinion insights and summary or how you understand this..? CHAPTER 1 GENERAL PROVISIONS Article One Basic Air Quality Policies SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999". SECTION 2. Declaration of Principles. - The State shall protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature. The State shall promote and protect the global environment to attain sustainable development while recognizing the primary responsibility of local government units to deal with environmental problems. The State recognizes that the responsibility of cleaning the habitat and environment is primarily area-based. The State also recognizes the principle that "polluters must pay". Finally, the State recognizes that a clean and healthy environment is for the good of all and should therefore be the concern of all. SECTION 3. Declaration of Policies. - The State shall pursue a policy of balancing development and environmental protection. To achieve this end, the frame work for sustainable development shall be pursued. It shall be the policy of the State to: a. Formulate a holistic national program of air pollution management that shall be implemented by the government through proper delegation and effective coordination of functions and activities; b. Encourage cooperation and self-regulation among citizens and industries through the application of market-based instruments; c. Focus primarily on pollution prevention rather than on control and provide for a comprehensive management program for air pollution; d. Promote public information and education and to encourage the participation of an informed and active public in air quality planning and monitoring; and e. Formulate and enforce a system of accountability for short and long-term adverse environmental impact of a project, program or activity. This shall include the setting up of a funding or guarantee mechanism for clean-up and environmental rehabilitation and compensation for personal damages. SECTION 4. Recognition of Rights. - Pursuant to the above-declared principles, the following rights of citizens are hereby sought to be recognized and the State shall seek to guarantee the enjoyment: a. The right to breathe clean air; b. The right to utilize and enjoy all natural resources according to the principles of sustainable development; c. The right to participate in the formulation, planning, implementation and monitoring of environmental policies and programs and in the decision-making process; d. The right to participate in the decision-making process concerning development policies, plans and programs projects or activities that may have adverse impact on the environment and public health; e. The right to be informed of the nature and extent of the potential hazard of any activity, undertaking or project and to be served timely notice of any significant rise in the level of pollution and the accidental or deliberate release into the atmosphere of harmful or hazardous substances; f. The right of access to public records which a citizen may need to exercise his or her rights effectively under this Act; g. The right to bring action in court or quasi-judicial bodies to enjoin all activities in violation of environmental laws and regulations, to compel the rehabilitation and cleanup of affected area, and to seek the imposition of penal sanctions against violators of environmental laws;and h. The right to bring action in court for compensation of personal damages resulting from the adverse environmental and public health impact of a project or activity. Article Two Definition of Terms SECTION 5. -Definitions.- As used in this Act: a.) "Air pollutant" means any matter found in the atmosphere other than oxygen, nitrogen, water vapor, carbon dioxide, and the inert gases in their natural or normal concentrations, that is detrimental to health or the environment, which includes but not limited to smoke, dust, soot, cinders, fly ash, solid particles of any king, gases, fumes, chemical mists, steam and radioactive substances; b.) "Air pollution" means any alteration of the physical, chemical and biological properties of the atmospheric air, or any discharge thereto of any liquid, gaseous or solid substances that will or is likely to create or to render the air resources of the country harmful, detrimental, or injurious to public health, safety or welfare or which will adversely affect their utilization for domestic, commercial, industrial, agricultural, recreational, or other legitimate purposes; c.) "Ambient air quality guideline values" means the concentration of air over specified periods classified as short-term and long-term which are intended to serve as goals or objectives for the protection of health and/or public welfare. These values shall be used for air quality management purposes such as determining time trends, evaluating stages of deterioration or enhancement o the air quality, and in general, used as basis or taking positive action in preventing, controlling, or abating air pollution; d.) "Ambient air quality" means the general amount of pollution present in a broad area; and refers to the atmosphere's average purity as distinguished from discharge measurements taken at the source of pollution; e.) "Certificate of Conformity" means a certificate issued by the Department o Environment and Natural Resources to a vehicle manufacturer/assembler or importer certifying that a particular new vehicle or vehicle type meets the requirements provided under this Act and its rules and regulations; f.) "Department" means the Department of Environment and Natural Resources; g.)" Eco-profile" means the geographic-based instrument for planners and decision makers which present an evaluation of the environment quality and carrying capacity of an area. It is the result of the integration of primary data and information on natural resources and antropogenic activities on the land which evaluated by various environmental risk assessment and forecasting methodologies that enable the Department to anticipate the type of development control necessary in the planning area. h.)" Emission" means any air contaminant, pollutant, gas stream or unwanted sound from a known source which is passed into the atmosphere; i.) " Greenhouse gases" means those gases that can potentially or can reasonably be expected to induce global warming, which include carbon dioxide, oxides of nitrogen, chloroflourocarbons, and the like; j.) "Hazardous substances" means those substances which present either : (1) short-term acute hazards such as acute toxicity by ingestion, inhalation, or skin absorption, corrosivity or other skin or eye contact hazard or the risk of fire explosion; or (2) long-term toxicity upon repeated exposure, carcinogecity (which in some cases result in acute exposure but with a long latent period), resistance to detoxification process such as biodegradation, the potential to pollute underground or surface waters; k.)" Infectious waste " means that portion of medical waste that could transmit an infectious disease; l.)" Medical waste" means that materials generated as a result of patient diagnosis, treatment, or immunization of human beings or animals; m.) " Mobile source" means any vehicle propelled by or thorough combustion of carbon-based or other fuel, constructed and operated principally for the conveyance of persons or the transportation of property goods; n.) " Motor vehicle" means any vehicle propelled by a gasoline or diesel engine or by any means other than human or animal power, constructed and operated principally for the conveyance of persons or the transportation of property or goods in a public highway or street open to public use; o.) " Municipal waste" means the waste materials generated from communities within a specific locality; p)." New vehicle" means a vehicle constructed entirely from new parts that has never been sold or registered with the DOTC or with the appropriate agency or authority, and operated on the highways of the Philippines, any foreign state of country; q.) " Octane Rating or the Anti-Knock Index(AKI)" means the rating of the anti-knock characteristics of a grade or type of automotive gasoline as determined by dividing by two (2) the sum of the Research Octane Number (RON), plus the Motor Octane Number (MON); the octane requirement, with respect to automotive gasoline for use in a motor vehicle or a class thereof , whether imported, manufactured, or assembled by a manufacturer, shall refer to the minimum octane rating of such automotive gasoline which such manufacturer recommends for the efficient operation of such motor vehicle, or a substantial portion of such class, without knocking; r.) " Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS)" means those substances that significantly deplete or otherwise modify the ozone layer in a manner that is likely to result in adverse effects of human health and the environment such as , but not limited to , chloroflourocarbons, halons and the like; s.) "Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)" means the organic compounds that persist in the environment, bioaccumulate through the food web, and pose a risk of causing adverse effects to human health and the environment. These compounds resist photolytic, chemical and biological degradation, which shall include but not be limited to dioxin, furan, Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorine pesticides, such as aldrin, dieldrin, DDT, hexachlorobenzene, lindane, toxaphere and chlordane; t.) "Poisonous and toxic fumes" means any emissions and fumes which are beyond internationally-accepted standards, including but not limited to the World Health Organization (WHO) guideline values; u. " Pollution control device " means any device or apparatus used to prevent, control or abate the pollution of air caused by emissions from identified pollution sources at levels within the air pollution control standards established by the Department; v.) " Pollution control technology" means the pollution control devices, production process, fuel combustion processes or other means that effectively prevent or reduce emissions or effluent; w.) " Standard of performance " means a standard for emissions of air pollutant which reflects the degree of emission limitation achievable through the application of the best system of emission reduction, taking into account the cost of achieving such reduction and any non-air quality health and environmental impact and energy requirement which the Department determines, and adequately demonstrates; and x.) " Stationary source" means any building or immobile structure, facility or installation which emits or may emit any air pollutant. CHAPTER 2 AIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM Article One General Provisions SEC. 6. Air Quality Monitoring and Information Network - The Department shall prepare an annual National Air Quality Status Report which shall be used as the basis in formulating the Integrated Air Quality Improvement Framework, as provided for in Sec. 7. The said report shall include, but shall not be limited to the following: a.) Extent of pollution in the country, per type of pollutant and per type of source, based on reports of the Department's monitoring stations; b.) Analysis and evaluation of the current state, trends and projections of air pollution at the various levels provided herein; c.) Identification of critical areas, activities, or projects which will need closer monitoring or regulation; d.) Recommendations for necessary executive and legislative action; and e.) Other pertinent qualitative and quantitative information concerning the extent of air pollution and the air quality performance rating of industries in the country. The Department, in cooperation with the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB), shall design and develop an information network for data storage, retrieval and exchange. The Department shall serve as the central depository of all data and information related to air quality. SEC. 7. Integrated Air Quality Improvement Framework.- The Department shall within six (6) months after the effectivity of this Act, establish, with the participation of LGUs, NGOs, POs, the academe and other concerned entities from the private sector, formulate and implement the Integrated Air Quality Improvement Framework for a comprehensive air pollution management and control program. The framework shall, among others, prescribe the emission reduction goals using permissible standards, control strategies and control measures to undertaken within a specified time period, including cost-effective use of economic incentives, managements strategies, collective actions, and environmental education and information. The Integrated Air Quality Improvement Framework shall be adopted as the official blueprint with which all government agencies must comply with to attain and maintain ambient air quality standards. SEC. 8 Air Quality Control Action Plan- Within six (6) months after the formulation of the framework, the Department shall, with public participation, formulate and implement an air quality control action plan consistent with Sec. 7 of this Act. The action plan shall : a.) Include enforceable emission limitations and other control measures, means or techniques, as well as schedules and time tables for compliance, as may be necessary or appropriate to meet the applicable requirements of this Act; b.) Provide for the establishment and operation of appropriate devices, methods, systems and procedures necessary to monitor, compile and analyze data on ambient air quality; c.) Include a program to provide for the following : (1) enforcement of the measures described in subparagraph (a);(2) regulation of the modification and construction of any stationary source within the areas covered by the plan, in accordance with land use policy to ensure that ambient air quality standards are achieved; d). Contain adequate provisions, consistent with the provisions of this Act, prohibiting any source or other types of emissions activity within the country from emitting any air pollutant in amounts which will significantly contribute to the non-attainment or will interfere with the maintenance by the Department of any such ambient air quality standard required to be included in the implementation plan to prevent significant deterioration of air quality or to protect visibility; e.) Include control strategies and control measures to be undertaken within a specified time period, including cost effective use of economic incentives, management strategies, collection action and environmental education and information; f.) Designate airsheds; and g.)All other measures necessary for the effective control and abatement of air pollution. The adoption of the plan shall clarify the legal effects on the financial, manpower and budgetary resources of the affected government agencies, and on the alignment of their programs with the plans. In addition to direct regulations, the plan shall be characterized by a participatory approach to the pollution problem. The involvement of private entities in the monitoring and testing of emissions from mobile and/or stationary sources shall be considered. Likewise, the LGU's, with the assistance from the Department, shall prepare and develop an action plan consistent with the Integrated Air Quality Improvement Framework to attain and maintain the ambient air quality standards with their respective airsheds as provided in Sec. 9 hereof. The local government units shall develop and submit to the Department as procedure for carrying out the action plan for their jurisdiction. The Department, however, shall maintain its authority to independently inspect the enforcement procedure adopted. The Department shall have the power to closely supervise all or parts of the air quality action plan until such time the local government unit concerned can assume the function to enforce the standards set by the Department. A multi-sectoral monitoring team with broad public representation shall be convened by the Department for each LGU to conduct periodic inspections of air pollution sources to assess compliance with emission limitations contained in their permits. SEC. 9 Airsheds. - Pursuant to Sec. 8 of this Act, the designation of airsheds shall be on the basis of, but not limited to, areas with similar climate, meteorology and topology which affect the interchange and diffusion of pollutants in the atmosphere, or areas which share common interest or face similar development programs, prospects or problems. For a more effective air quality management, a system of planning and coordination shall be established and a common action plan shall be formulated for each airshed. To effectively carry out the formulated actions plans, a Governing Board is hereby created, hereinafter referred to as the Board. The Board shall be headed by the Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources as chairman. The members shall be as follows: a.) Provincial Governors from areas belonging to the airshed; b.) City/Municipal Mayors from areas belonging to the airshed; c.) A representative from each concerned government agency; d.) Representatives from people's organizations; e.) Representatives from non-government organizations; and f.) Representatives from the private sector. The Board shall perform the following functions: a.) Formulation of policies; b.) Preparation of a common action plan; c.) Coordination of functions among its members; and d.) Submission and publication of an annual Air Quality Status Report for each airshed. Upon consultation with appropriate local government authorities, the Department shall, from time to time, revise the designation of airsheds utilizing eco-profiling techniques and undertaking scientific studies. Emissions trading may be allowed among pollution sources within an airshed. SEC. 10. Management of Nonattainment Areas.- The Department shall designate areas where specific pollutants have already exceeded ambient standards as nonattainment areas. The Department shall prepare and implement a program that will prohibit new sources of exceeded air pollutant without a corresponding reduction in existing resources. In coordination with other appropriate government agencies, the LGUs shall prepare and implement a program and other measures including relocation, whenever necessary, to protect the health and welfare of residents in the area. For those designated as nonattainment areas, the Department, after consultation with local government authorities, nongovernment organizations (NGOs), people's organizations (POs) and concerned sectors may revise the designation of such areas and expand its coverage to cover larger areas depending on the condition of the areas. SEC. 11 Air Quality Control Techniques - Simultaneous with the issuance of the guideline values and standards, the Department, through the research and development program contained in this Act and upon consultation with appropriate advisory committees, government agencies and LGUs, shall issue, and from time to time, revise information on air pollution control techniques. Such information shall include: a.) Best available technology and alternative methods of prevention, management and control of air pollution; b.) Best available technology economically achievable which shall refer to the technological basis/standards for emission limits applicable to existing, direct industrial emitters of nonconventional and toxic pollutants; and c.) Alternative fuels, processes and operating methods which will result in the eliminator or significant reduction of emissions. Such information may also include data relating to the cost of installation and operation, energy requirements, emission reduction benefits, and environmental impact or the emission control technology. The issuance of air quality guideline values, standards and information on air quality control techniques shall be made available to the general public : Provided, That the issuance of information on air quality control techniques shall not be construed as requiring the purchase of certain pollution control devices by the public. SECTION 12. Ambient Air Quality Guideline Values and Standards.- The Department, in coordination with other concerned agencies, shall review and or revise and publish annually a list of hazardous air pollutants with corresponding ambient guideline values and / or standard necessary to protect health and safety, and general welfare. The initial list and values of the hazardous air pollutants shall be as follows : a.) For National Ambient Air Quality Guideline for Criteria Pollutants : Short Term a Long Term b Pollutants µg/Ncm ppm Averaging Time µg/Ncm ppm Averaging Time Suspended Particulate Matterc-TSP 230d 24 hours 90 -- 1 yeare -PM-10 150f 24 hours 60 -- 1 yeare Sulfur Dioxidec 180 0.07 24 hours 80 0.03 1 year Nitrogen Dioxide 150 0.08 24 hours -- -- -- Photochemical Oxidants 140 0.07 1 hour -- -- --- As Ozone 60 0.03 8 hours -- -- -- Carbon Monoxide 35 30 1 hour -- -- -- mg/Ncm 10 9 8 hours -- -- -- mg/Ncm Leadg 1.5 -- 3 monthsg 1.0 -- 1 year a.Maximum limits represented by ninety-eight percentile (98%) values not to be exceed more than once a year. b. Arithmetic mean c. SO2 and Suspended Particulate matter are sampled once every six days when using the manual methods. A minimum of twelve sampling days per quarter of forty-eight sampling days each year is required for these methods. Daily sampling may be done in the future once continuous analyzers are procured and become available. d. Limits for Total Suspended Particulate Matter with mass median diameter less than 25-50 um. e. Annual Geometric Mean f. Provisional limits for Suspended Particulate Matter with mass median diameter less than 10 microns and below until sufficient monitoring data are gathered to base a proper guideline. g. Evaluation of this guideline is carried out for 24-hour averaging time and averaged over three moving calendar months. The monitored average value for any three months shall not exceed the guideline value. b) For National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Source Specific Air Pollutants from : Industrial Sources/ Operations: Pollutants1 Concentration2 Averaging time (min.) Method of Analysis/ Measurement3 µ/Ncm ppm 1. Ammonia 200 0.28 30 Nesselerization/ Indo Phenol 2. Carbon Disulfide 30 0.01 30 Tischer Method 3. Chlorine and Chlorine Compounds expressed as Cl2 100 0.03 5 Methyl Orange 4. Formaldehyde 50 0.04 30 Chromotropic acid Method or MBTH Colorimetric Method 5. Hydrogen Chloride 200 0.13 30 Volhard Titration with Iodine Solution 6. Hydrogen Sulfide 100 0.07 30 Methylene Blue 7. Lead 20 30 AASc 8. Nitrogen Dioxide 375,260 0.20,0.14 30,60 Greiss- Saltzman 9. Phenol 100 0.03 30 4-Aminoantiphyrine 10. Sulfur Dioxide 470, 340 0.18, 0.13 30,60 Colorimetric-Pararosaniline 11. Suspended Particulate Matter-TSP 300 -- 60 Gravimetric 1 Pertinent ambient standards for Antimony, Arsenic, Cadmium, Asbestos, Nitric Acid and Sulfuric Acid Mists in the 1978 NPCC Rules and Regulations may be considered as guides in determining compliance. 2 Ninety- eight percentile (98%) values of 30-minute sampling measured at 250C and one atmosphere pressure. 3 Other equivalent methods approved by the Department may be used. The basis in setting up the ambient air quality guideline values and standards shall reflect, among others, the latest scientific knowledge including information on : a) Variable, including atmospheric conditions, which of themselves or in combination with other factors may alter the effects on public health or welfare of such air pollutant; b) The other types of air pollutants which may interact with such pollutant to produce an adverse effect on public health or welfare; and c) The kind and extent of all identifiable effects on public health or welfare which may be expected from presence of such pollutant in the ambient air, in varying quantities. The Department shall base such ambient air quality standards on World Health Organization (WHO) standards, but shall not be limited to nor be less stringent than such standards. SEC. 13. Emission Charge System. - The Department, in case of industrial dischargers, and the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC), in case of motor vehicle dischargers, shall, based on environmental techniques, design, impose on and collect regular emission fees from said dischargers as part of the emission permitting system or vehicle registration renewal system, as the case may be. The system shall encourage the industries and motor vehicles to abate, reduce, or prevent pollution. The basis of the fees include, but is not limited to, the volume and toxicity of any emitted pollutant. Industries, which shall install pollution control devices or retrofit their existing facilities with mechanisms that reduce pollution shall be entitled to tax incentives such as but not limited total credits and/or accelerated depreciation deductions. SEC. 14 Air Quality Management Fund. - An Air Quality Management Fund to be administered by the Department as a special account in the National Treasury is hereby established to finance containment, removal, and clean-up operations of the Government in air pollution cases, guarantee restoration of ecosystems and rehabilitate areas affected by the acts of violators of this Act, to support research, enforcement and monitoring activities and capabilities of the relevant agencies, as well as to provide technical assistance to the relevant agencies. Such fund may likewise be allocated per airshed for the undertakings herein stated. The Fund shall be sourced from the fines imposed and damages awarded to the Republic of the Philippines by the Pollution Adjudication Board (PAB), proceeds of licenses and permits issued by the Department under this Act, emission fees and from donations, endowments and grants in the forms of contributions. Contributions to the Fund shall be exempted from donor taxes and all other taxes, charges or fees imposed by the Government. SEC. 15. Air Pollution Research and Development Program. - The Department, in coordination with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), other agencies, the private sector, the academe, NGO's and PO's, shall establish a National Research and Development Program for the prevention and control of air pollution. The Department shall give special emphasis to research on and the development of improved methods having industry-wide application for the prevention and control of air pollution. Such a research and development program shall develop air quality guideline values and standards in addition to internationally-accepted standards. It shall also consider the socio-cultural, political and economic implications of air quality management and pollution control. ARTICLE TWO Air Pollution Clearances and Permits for Stationary Sources Sec. 16. Permits. Consistent with the provisions of this Act, the Department shall have the authority to issue permits as it may determine necessary for the prevention and abatement of air pollution. Said permits shall cover emission limitations for the regulated air pollutants to help attain and maintain the ambient air quality standards. These permits shall serve as management tools for the LGUs in the development of their action plan. SEC. 17 Emission Quotas. The Department may allow each regional industrial center that is designated as special airshed to allocate emission quotas to pollution sources within its jurisdiction that qualify under an environmental impact assessment system programmatic compliance program pursuant to the implementing rules and regulations of Presidential Decree No. 1586. SEC. 18. Financial Liability for Environmental Rehabilitation. As Part of the environmental management plan attached to the environmental compliance certificate pursuant to Presidential Decree No. 1586 and rules and regulations set therefore, the Department shall require program and project proponents to put up financial guarantee mechanisms to finance the needs for emergency response, clean-up rehabilitation of areas that may be damaged during the program or project's actual implementation. Liability for damages shall continue even after the termination of a program or project, where such damages are clearly attributable to that program or project and for a definite period to be determined by the Department and incorporated into the environmental compliance certificate. Financial liability instruments may be in the form a trust fund, environmental insurance, surety bonds, letters of credit, as well as self-insurance. The choice of the guarantee instruments shall furnish the Department with evidence of availment of such instruments. ARTICLE THREE Pollution from Stationary Sources SEC. 19. Pollution From Stationary Sources.- The Department shall, within two (2) years from the effectivity of this Act, and every two (2) years thereafter, review, or as the need therefore arises, revise and publish emission standards, to further improve the emission standards for stationary sources of air pollution. Such emission standards shall be based on mass rate of emission for all stationary source of air pollution based on internationally accepted standards, but not be limited to, nor be less stringent than such standards and with the standards set forth in this section. The standards, whichever is applicable, shall be the limit on the acceptable level of pollutants emitted from a stationary source for the protection of the public's health and welfare. With respect to any trade, industry, process and fuel-burning equipment or industrial plant emitting air pollutants, the concentration at the point of emission shall not exceed the following limits: Pollutants Standard Applicable to Source Maximum Permissible Limits (mg/Ncm) Method of Analysisa 1. Antimony and Its compounds any source 10 as Sb AASb 2. Arsenic and its compounds Any source 10 as As AASb 3. Cadmium and its compounds Any source 10 as Cd AASb 4. Carbon Monoxide Any industrial Source 500 as CO Orsat analysis 5. Copper and its Compounds Any industrial source 100 ax Cu AASb 6. Hydrofluoric Acids and Fluoride compounds Any source other than the manufacture of Aluminum from Alumina 50 as HF Titration with Ammonium Thiocyanate 7. Hydrogen Sulfide i) Geothermal Power Plants c.d Cadmium Sulfide Method ii) Geothermal Exploration and well-testing e iii) Any source other than (i) and (ii) 7 as H2S Cadmium Sulfide Method 8. Lead Any trade, industry or process 10 as Pb AASb 9. Mercury Any Source 5 as elemental Hg AASb/Cold-Vapor Technique or Hg Analyzer 10. Nickel and its compounds, except Nickel Carbonyl f Any source 20 as Ni AASb 11. NOx i) Manufacture of Nitric Acid 2,000 as acid and NOx and calculated as NO2 Phenol-disulfonic acid Method ii) Fuel burning steam generators Phenol-disulfonic acid Method Existing Source 1,500 as NO2 New Source • Coal-Fired 1,000 as NO2 • Oil-Fired 500 as NO2 iii) Any source other than (i) adn (ii) Phenol-disulfonic acid Method Existing Source 1000 as NO2 New Source 500 as NO2 12. Phosphorus Pentoxideg Any source 200 as P2O5 Spectrophotometry 13. Zinc and its Compounds Any source 100 as Zn AASb a Other equivalent methods approved by the Department may be used. b Atomic Absorption Specttrophotometry c All new geothermal power plants starting construction by 01 January 1995 shall control HsS emissions to not more than 150 g/GMW-Hr d All existing geothermal power plants shall control HsS emissions to not more than 200 g/GMW-Hr within 5 years from the date of effectivity of these revised regulations. e Best practicable control technology for air emissions and liquid discharges. Compliance with air and water quality standards is required. f Emission limit of Nickel Carbonyl shall not exceed 0.5 mg/Ncm. g Provisional Guideline Provided, that the maximum limits in mg/ncm particulates in said sources shall be : 1. Fuel Burning Equipment a) Urban or Industrial Area 150 mg/Ncm b) Other Area 200 mg/Ncm 2. Cement Plants (Kilns, etc.) 150 mg/Ncm 3. Smelting Furnaces 150 mg/Ncm 4. Other Stationary Sourcesa 200 mg/Ncm a Other Stationary Sources means a trade, process, industrial plant, or fuel burning equipment other than thermal power plants, industrial boilers, cement plants, incinerators and smelting furnaces. Provided, further, that the maximum limits for sulfur oxides in said sources shall be : (1) Existing Sources (i) Manufacture of Sulfuric Acid and Sulf(on)ation Process 2.0gm.Ncm as SO3 (ii) Fuel burning Equipment 1.5gm.Ncm as SO2 (iii) Other Stationary Sourcesa 1.0gm.Ncm as SO3 (2) New Sources (i) Manufacture of Sulfuric Acid and Sulf(on)ation Process 1.5 gm.Ncm as SO3 (ii) Fuel Burning Equipment 0.7 gm.Ncm as SO2 (iii) Other Stationary Sourcesa 0.2 gm.Ncm as SO3 a Other Stationary Sources refer to existing and new stationary sources other than those caused by the manufacture of sulfuric acid and sulfonation process, fuel burning equipment and incineration. For Stationary sources of pollution not specifically included in the immediately preceding paragraph, the following emission standards shall not be exceeded in the exhaust gas : I. Daily And Half Hourly Average Values Daily Average Values Half Hourly Average Values Total dust 10 mg/m3 30 mg/m3 Gaseous and vaporous organic substances, expressed as total organic carbon 10 mg/m3 20 mg/m3 Hydrogen chloride (HCl) 10 mg/m3 60 mg/m3 Hydrogen fluoride (HF) 1 mg/m3 4 mg/m3 Sulfur dioxide (SO2) 50 mg/m3 200 mg/m3 Nitrogen monoxide (NO) and Nitrogen dioxide (NO2), expressed as nitrogen dioxide for incineration plants with a capacity exceeding 3 tonnes per hour 200 mg/m3 400 mg/m3 Nitrogen monoxide (NO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2), expressed as nitrogen dioxide for incineration plants with a capacity of 3 tonnes per hour or less 300 mg/m3 Ammonia 10 mg/m3 20 mg/m3 II. All the Average Values over the Sample Period of a Minimum of 4 and Maximum of 8 Hours. Cadmium and its compounds, expressed as cadmium (Cd) total 0.05 Thallium and its compounds, expressed as thallium (Tl) mg/m3 Mercury and its Compounds, expressed as mercury (Hg) 0.05 mg/m3 Antimony and its compounds, expressed as antimony (Sb) Arsenic and its compounds, expressed as arsenic (As) total 0.5 mg/m3 Lead and its compounds, expressed as lead ( Pb) Chromium and its compounds, expressed as chromium (Cr) Cobalt and its compounds, expressed as cobalt (Co) Copper and its compounds, expressed as copper (Cu) Manganese and its compounds, expressed as manganese (Mn) Nickel and its compounds, expressed as nickel (Ni) Vanadium and its compounds, expressed as vanadium (V) Tin and its compounds, expressed as tin (Sn) These average value cover also gaseous and the vapor forms of the relevant heavy metal emission as well as their compounds. Provided, that the emission of dioxins and furans into the air shall be reduced by the most progressive techniques. Provided, further that all average of dioxin and furans measured over the sample period of a minimum of 5 hours and maximum of 8 hours must not exceed the limit value of 0.1 nanogram/m3. Pursuant to Sec. 8 of this Act, the Department shall prepare a detailed action plan setting the emission standards or standards of performance for any stationary source the procedure for testing emissions for each type of pollutant, and the procedure for enforcement of said standards. Existing industries, which are proven to exceed emission rates established by the Department in consultation with stakeholders, after a thorough, credible and transparent measurement process shall be allowed a grace period of eighteen (18) months for the establishment of an environmental management system and the installation of an appropriate air pollution control device : Provided, That an extension of not more than twelve (12) months may be allowed by the Department on meritorious grounds. SEC. 20 Ban on Incineration.- Incineration , hereby defined as the burning of municipal, biomedical and hazardous waste, which process emits poisonous and toxic fumes is hereby prohibited; Provided, however, That the prohibition shall not apply to traditional small-scale method of community/neighborhood sanitation "siga", traditional, agricultural, cultural, health, and food preparation and crematoria; Provided, further, That existing incinerators dealing with a biomedical wastes shall be out within three (3) years after the effectivity of this Act; Provided, finally, that in the interim, such units shall be limited to the burning of pathological and infectious wastes, and subject to close monitoring by the Department. Local government units are hereby mandated to promote, encourage and implement in their respective jurisdiction a comprehensive ecological waste management that includes waste segregation, recycling and composting. With due concern on the effects of climate change, the Department shall promote the use of state-of-the-art, environmentally-sound and safe non-burn technologies for the handling, treatment, thermal destruction, utilization, and disposal of sorted, unrecycled, uncomposted, biomedical and hazardous wastes. ARTICLE FOUR Pollution from Motor Vehicles Sec. 21. Pollution from Motor Vehicles. a) The DOTC shall implement the emission standards for motor vehicles set pursuant to and as provided in this Act. To further improve the emission standards, the Department shall review, revise and publish the standards every two (2) years, or as the need arises. It shall consider the maximum limits for all major pollutants to ensure substantial improvement in air quality for the health, safety and welfare of the general public. The following emission standards for type approval of motor vehicles shall be effective by the year 2003: a.) For light duty vehicles, the exhausts emission limits for gaseous pollutants shall be: Emission Limits for Light Duty Vehicles Type Approval (Directive 91/441/EEC) CO (g/km) HC + NOx (g/km) PMa (g/km) 2.72 0.97 0.14 a for compression-ignition engines only b) For light commercial vehicles, the exhaust emission limit of gaseous pollutants as a function of the given reference mass shall be : Reference Weight (RW) (kg) CO (g/km) HC + NOx (g/km) PMa (g/km) Category 1 1250< RW 2.72 0.97 0.14 Category 2 1250< RW<1700 5.17 1.4 0.19 Category 3 RW>1700 6.9 1.7 0.25 a for compression-ignition engines only c.) For heavy duty vehicles, the exhaust emission limits of gaseous pollutants shall be : Emission Limits for Heavy Duty Vehicles Type Approval (Directive 91/542/EEC) CO (g/k/Wh) HC (g/k/Wh) NOx (g/k/Wh) PM (g/k/Wh) 4.5 1.1 8.0 0.36a a In the case of engines of 85 kW or less, the limit value for particular emissions in increased by multiplying the quoted limit by a coefficient of 1.7 Fuel evaporative emission for spark-ignition engines shall not exceed 2.0 grams hydrocarbons per test. Likewise, it shall not allow any emission of gases from crankcase ventilation system into the atmosphere. b.) The Department, in collaboration with the DOTC, DTI and LGUs, shall develop an action plan for the control and management of air pollution from motor vehicles consistent with the Integrated Air Quality Framework. The DOTC shall enforce compliance with the emission standards for motor vehicles set by the Department. The DOTC may deputize other law enforcement agencies and LGUs for this purpose. To this end, the DOTC shall have the power to : (1) Inspect and monitor the emissions of motor vehicles ; (2) Prohibit or enjoin the use of motor vehicles or a class of motor vehicles in any area or street at specified times; and (3) Authorize private testing emission testing centers duly accredited by the DTI. c.) The DOTC, together with the DTI and the Department, shall establish the procedures for the inspection of motor vehicles and the testing of their emissions for the purpose of determining the concentration and/or rate of pollutants discharged by said sources. d.) In order to ensure the substantial reduction of emissions from a motor vehicles, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), together with the DOTC and the Department shall formulate and implement a national motor vehicle inspection and maintenance program that will promote efficient and safe operation of all motor vehicles. In this regard, the DTI shall develop and implement standards and procedures for the certification of training institutions, instructors and facilities and the licensing of qualified private service centers and their technicians as prerequisite for performing the testing, servicing, repair and the required adjustment to the vehicle emission system. The DTI shall likewise prescribe regulations requiring the disclosure of odometer readings and the use of tamper-resistant odometers for all motor vehicles including tamper-resistant fuel management systems for the effective implementation of the inspection and maintenance program. SEC. 22 Regulation of All Motor Vehicles and Engines. Any imported new or locally-assembled new motor vehicle shall not be registered unless it complies with the emission standards set pursuant to this Act, as evidenced by a Certificate of Conformity (COC) issued by the Department. Any imported new motor vehicle engine shall not be introduced into commerce, sold or used unless it complies with emission standards set pursuant to this Act. Any imported used motor vehicle or rebuilt motor vehicle using new or used engines, major parts or components shall not be registered unless it complies with the emission standards. In case of non-compliance, the importer or consignee may be allowed to modify or rebuild the vehicular engine so it will be in compliance with applicable emission standards. No motor vehicle registration (MVR) shall be issued unless such motor vehicle passes the emission testing requirement promulgated in accordance with this Act. Such testing shall be conducted by the DOTC or its authorized inspection centers within sixty (60) days prior to date of registration. The DTI shall promulgate the necessary regulations prescribing the useful life of vehicles and engines including devices in order to ensure that such vehicles will conform to the emissions which they were certified to meet. These regulations shall include provisions for ensuring the durability of emission devices. SEC. 23. Second-Hand Motor Vehicle Engines. Any imported second-hand motor vehicle engine shall not be introduced into commerce, sold or used unless it complies with emission standards set pursuant to this Act. ARTICLE FIVE- Pollution from Other Sources SEC. 24 Pollution from smoking. Smoking inside a public building or an enclosed public place including public vehicles and other means of transport or in any enclosed area outside of one's private residence, private place of work or any duly designated smoking area is hereby prohibited under this Act. This provision shall be implemented by the LGUs. SEC. 25. Pollution from other Mobile Sources. The Department, in coordination with appropriate agencies, shall formulate and establish the necessary standards for all mobile sources other than those referred to in Sec. 21 of this Act. The imposition of the appropriate fines and penalties from these sources for any violation of emission standards shall be under the jurisdiction of the DOTC. CHAPTER 3 FUELS, ADDITIVES, SUBSTANCES AND POLLUTANTS Article One- Fuels, Additives and Substances SEC. 26 Fuels and Additives. Pursuant to the Air Quality Framework to be established under Section 7 of this Act, the Department of Energy (DOE), co-chaired by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), in consultation with the Bureau of Product Standards (BPS) of the DTI, the DOST, the representatives of the fuel and automotive industries, academe and the consumers shall set the specifications for all types of fuel and fuel-related products, to improve fuel composition for increased efficiency and reduced emissions; Provided, however, that the specifications for all types of fuel and fuel-related products set-forth pursuant to this section shall be adopted by the BPS as Philippine National Standards (PNS). The DOE, shall also specify the allowable content of additives in all types of fuels and fuel-related products. Such standards shall be based primarily on threshold levels of health and research studies. On the basis of such specifications, the DOE shall likewise limit the content or begin that phase-out of additives in all types of fuels and fuel-related products as it may deem necessary. Other agencies involved in the performance of this function shall be required to coordinate with the DOE and transfer all documents and information necessary for the implementation of this provision. Consistent with the provisions of the preceding paragraphs under this section, it is declared that : a. not later than eighteen (18) months after the effectivity of this Act, no person shall manufacture, import, sell, supply, offer for sale, dispense, transport or introduce into commerce unleaded premium gasoline fuel which has an anti-knock index (AKI) of not less that 87.5 and Reid vapor pressure of not more than 9 psi. Within six (6) months after the effectivity of this Act, unleaded gasoline fuel shall contain aromatics not to exceed forty-five percent (45%) by volume and benzene not to exceed four percent (4%) by volume; Provided, that by year 2003, unleaded gasoline fuel should contain aromatics not to exceed thirty-five percent (35%) by volume and benzene not to exceed two percent (2%) by volume; b. not later than eighteen (18) months after the effectivity of this Act, no person shall manufacture, import, sell, supply , offer for sale, dispense, transport or introduce into commerce automotive diesel fuel which contains a concentration of sulfur in excess of 0.20% by weight with a cetane number of index of not less than forty-eight (48); Provided, That by year 2004, content of said sulfur shall be 0.05% by weight ; and c. not later than eighteen (18) months after the effectivity of this Act, no Person shall manufacture, import, sell, supply, offer for sale, dispense, transport or introduce into commerce industrial diesel fuel which contains a concentration of sulfur in excess of 0.30% (by weight). Every two (2) years thereafter or as the need arises, the specifications of unleaded gasoline and of automotive and industrial diesel fuels shall be reviewed and revised for further improvement in formulation and in accordance with the provisions of this Act. The fuels characterized above shall be commercially available. Likewise, the same shall be the reference fuels for emission and testing procedures to be established in accordance with the provisions of this Act. Any proposed additive shall not in any way increase emissions of any of the regulated gases which shall include, but not limited to carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, and oxides of nitrogen and particulate matter, in order to be approved and certified by the Department. SEC. 27. Regulation of Fuels and Fuel Additives.- The DOE, in coordination with the Department and the BPS, shall regulate the use of any fuel or fuel additive. No manufacturer, processor or trader of any fuel or additive may import, sell, offer for sale, or introduce into commerce such fuel for additive unless the same has been registered with the DOE. Prior to registration, the manufacturer, processor or trader shall provide the DOE with the following relevant information: a. Product identity and composition to determine the potential health effects of such fuel additives; b. Description of the analytical technique that can be used to detect and measure the additive in any fuel ; c. Recommended range of concentration; and d. Purpose in the use of the fuel and additive. SEC. 28 Misfueling. In order to prevent the disabling of any emission control device by lead contamination, no person shall introduce or cause or allow the introduction of leaded gasoline into any motor vehicle equipped with a gasoline tank filler inlet and labeled " unleaded gasoline only ". This prohibition shall also apply to any person who knows or should know that such vehicle is designed solely for the use of unleaded gasoline. SEC. 29. Prohibition on Manufacture. Import and Sale of leaded Gasoline and of Engines and/or Components Requiring Leaded Gasoline. Effective not later than eighteen (18) months after the enactment of this Act, no person shall manufacture, import, sell, offer for sale, introduce into commerce, convey or otherwise dispose of , in any manner leaded gasoline and engines and components requiring the use of leaded gasoline. For existing vehicles, the DTI shall formulate standards and procedures that will allow non-conforming engines to comply with the use of unleaded fuel within five(5) years after the effectivity of this Act. Article Two Other Pollutants SEC. 30. Ozone-Depleting Substances. Consistent with the terms and conditions of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer and other international agreements and protocols to which the Philippines is a signatory, the Department shall phase out ozone-depleting substances. Within sixty (60) days after the enactment of this Act, the Department shall publish a list of substances which are known to cause harmful effects on the stratospheric ozone layer. SEC. 31. Greenhouse Gases. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Service Administration (PAGASA) shall regularly monitor meteorological factors affecting environmental conditions including ozone depletion and greenhouse gases and coordinate with the Department in order to effectively guide air pollution monitoring and standard-setting activities. The Department, together with concerned agencies and local government units, shall prepare and fully implement a national plan consistent with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and other international agreements, conventions and protocols on the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the country. SEC. 32. Persistent Organic Pollutants. The Department shall, within a period of two (2) years after the enactment of this Act, establish an inventory list of all sources of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) in the Country. The Department shall develop short-term and long-term national government programs on the reduction and elimination of POPs such as dioxins and furans. Such programs shall be formulated within a year after the establishment of the inventory list. SEC. 33. Radioactive Emissions. All projects which will involve the use of atomic and/or nuclear energy, and will entail release and emission of radioactive substances into the environment, incident to the establishment or possession of nuclear energy facilities and radioactive materials, handling, transport, production, storage, and use of radioactive materials, shall be regulated in the interest of public health and welfare by the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI), in coordination with Department and other appropriate government agencies. CHAPTER 4 INSTITUTIONAL MECHANISM SEC. 34. Lead Agency.- The Department, unless otherwise provided herein, shall be the primary government agency responsible for the implementation and enforcement of this Act. To be more effective in this regard, The Department's Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) shall be converted from a staff bureau to a line bureau for a period of no more than two (2) years, unless a separate, comprehensive environmental management agency is created. SEC. 35 Linkage Mechanism. - The Department shall consult, participate, cooperate and enter into agreement with other government agencies, or with affected non-governmental (NGOs) or people's organizations (POs),or private enterprises in the furtherance of the objectives of this Act. SEC. 36. Role of Local Government Units.- Local Government units (LGUs) shall share the responsibility in the management and maintenance of air quality within their territorial jurisdiction. Consistent with Secs. 7,8 and 9 of this Act, LGUs shall implement air quality standards set by the Board in areas within their jurisdiction; Provided, however, that in case where the board has not been duly constituted and has not promulgated its standards, the standards set forth in this Act shall apply. The Department shall provide the LGUs with technical assistance, trainings and a continuing capability-building program to prepare them to undertake full administration of the air quality management and regulation within their territorial jurisdiction. SEC. 37 Environmental and Natural Resources Office.- There may be established an Environment and Natural Resources Office in every province, city, or municipality which shall be headed by the environment and natural resources officer and shall be appointed by the Chief Executive of every province, city or municipality in accordance with the provisions of Section 484 of Republic Act No. 7160. Its powers and duties, among others, are : a. To prepare comprehensive air quality management programs, plans and strategies within the limits set forth in Republic act. No. 7160 and this Act which shall be implemented within its territorial jurisdiction upon the approval of the sanggunian ; b. To provide technical assistance and support to the governor or mayor, as the case may be, in carrying out measures to ensure the delivery of basic services and the provision of adequate facilities relative to air quality; c. To take the lead in all efforts concerning air quality protection and rehabilitation; d. To recommend to the Board air quality standards which shall not exceed the maximum permissible standards set by rational laws ; e. To coordinate with other government agencies and non-governmental organizations in the implementation of measures to prevent and control air pollution; and f. Exercise such other powers and perform such duties and functions as may be prescribed by law or ordinance. Provided, however, that, in provinces/cities/municipalities where there are no environment and natural resources officers, the local executive concerned may designate any of his official and/ or chief of office preferably the provincial, city or municipal agriculturist, or any of his employee; Provided, finally, that in case an employee is designated as such, he must have a sufficient experience in environmental and natural resources management, conservation and utilization. SEC. 38 Record-keeping, Inspection, Monitoring and Entry by the Department.- The Department or its duly accredited entity shall, after proper consultation and notice, require any person who owns or operates any emissions source or who is subject to any requirement of this Act to : (a) establish and maintain relevant records; (b) make relevant reports; (c) install, use and maintain monitoring equipment or methods; (d) sample emission, in accordance with the methods, locations, intervals and manner prescribed by the Department; (e) keep records on control equipment parameters, production variables or other indirect data when direct monitoring of emissions is impractical; and (f) provide such other information as the Department may reasonably require. Pursuant to this Act, the Department, through its authorized representatives, shall have the right of : (a) entry of access to any premises including documents and relevant materials as referred to in the herein preceding paragraph, b) inspect any pollution or waste source, control device, monitoring equipment or method required, and c) test any emission. Any record, report or information obtained under this section shall be made available to the public, except upon a satisfactory showing to the Department by the entity concerned that the record, report or information, or parts thereof, if made public, would divulge secret methods or processes entitled to protection as intellectual property. Such record, report or information shall likewise be incorporated in the Department's industrial rating system. SEC. 39. Public Education and Information Campaign.- A continuing air quality information and education campaign shall promoted by the Department, the Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS), the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Philippine Information Agency (PIA). Consistent with Sec. 7 of this Act, such campaign shall encourage the participation of other government agencies and the private sector including NGOs, POs, the academe, environmental groups and other private entities in a multi-sectoral information campaign. CHAPTER 5 ACTIONS SEC. 40 Administrative Action.- Without prejudice to the right of any affected person to file an administrative action , the Department shall, on its own instance or upon verified complaint by any person, institute administrative proceedings against any person who violates: a) Standards or limitation provided under this Act; or b) Any order, rule or regulation issued by the Department with respect to such standard or limitation. SEC. 41. Citizen Suits. for purposes of enforcing the provisions of this Act or its implementing rules and regulations, any citizen may file an appropriate civil, criminal or administrative action in the proper courts against: (a) Any person who violates or fails to comply with the provisions of this Act or its implementing rules and regulations; or (b) The Department or other implementing agencies with respect to orders, rules and regulations issued inconsistent with this act; and/or (c) Any public officer who willfully or grossly neglects the performance of an act specifically enjoined as a duty by this Act or its implementing rules and regulations; or abuses his authority in the performance of his duty; or, in any manner, improperly performs his duties under this Act or its implementing rules and regulations: Provided, however, That no suit can be filed until thirty-day (30) notice has been taken thereon. The court shall exempt such action from the payment of filing fees, except fees for actions not capable of pecuniary estimations, and shall likewise, upon prima facie showing of the non-enforcement or violation complained of, exempt the plaintiff from the filing of an injunction bond for the issuance of a preliminary injunction. Within thirty (30) days, the court shall make a determination if the compliant herein is malicious and/or baseless and shall accordingly dismiss the action and award attorney's fees and damages. SEC .42 . Independence of Action.- The filing of an administrative suit against such person/entity does not preclude the right of any other person to file any criminal or civil action. Such civil action shall proceed independently. SEC. 43 Suits and Strategic Legal Actions Against Public Participation and the Enforcement of this act.- where a suit is brought against a a person who filed an action as provided in Sec. 41 of this Act, or against any person, institutions or government agency that implements this Act, it shall be the duty of the investigating prosecutor or the court, as the case may be, to immediately make a determination not exceeding thirty (30) days whether said legal action has been filed to harass, vex, exert undue pressure or stifle such legal recourses of the person complaining of or enforcing the provisions of this Act. Upon determination thereof , evidence warranting the same, the court shall dismiss the case and award attorney's fees and double damages. This provision shall also apply and benefit public officers who are sued for acts committed in their official capacity, their being no grave abuse of authority, and done in the course of enforcing this Act. SEC. 44 Lien Upon Personal and Immovable Properties of Violators. Fines and penalties imposed pursuant to this Act shall be liens upon personal immovable properties of the violator. Such lien shall, in case of insolvency of the respondent violator , enjoy preference to laborer's wages under Article 2241 and 2242 of Republic Act No. 386, otherwise known as the New Civil Code of the Philippines. CHAPTER 6 FINES AND PENALTIES SEC. 45. Violation of Standards for Stationary Sources. For actual exceedance of any pollution or air quality standards under this Act or its rules and regulations, the Department, through the Pollution Adjudication Board (PAB), shall impose a fine of not more than One hundred thousand pesos ( P 100,000.00) for every day of violation against the owner or operator of a stationary source until such time that the standards have been complied with. For purposes of the application of the fines, the PAB shall prepare a fine rating system to adjust the maximum fine based on the violator's ability to pay, degree of willfulness, degree of negligence, history of noncompliance and degree of recalcitrance. Provided, That in case of negligence, the first time offender's ability to pay may likewise be considered by the Pollution Adjudication Board; Provided, further, That in the absence of any extenuating or aggravating circumstances, the amount of fine for negligence shall be equivalent to one-half of the fine for willful violation. The fines herein prescribed shall be increased by at least ten percent (10%), every three (3) years to compensate for inflation and to maintain the deterrent function of such fines. In addition to the fines, the PAB shall order closure, suspension of development, construction, or operations of the stationary sources until such time that proper environmental safeguards are put in place; Provided, that an establishment liable for a third offense shall suffer permanent closure immediately. This paragraph shall be without prejudice to the immediate issuance of an ex parte order for such closure, suspension of development or construction, or cessation of operations during the pendency of the case upon prima facie evidence that their is imminent threat to life, public health, safety or general welfare, or to plant or animal life, or whenever there is an exceedance of the emission standards set by the Department and/or the Board and/or the appropriate LGU. SEC. 46. Violation of Standards for Motor Vehicles. No motor vehicle shall be registered with the DOTC unless it meets the emission standards set by the Department as provided in Sec. 21 hereof. Any vehicle suspected of violation of emission standards through visual signs, such as, but not limited to smoke-belching, shall be subjected to an emission test by a duly authorized emission testing center. For this purpose, the DOTC or its authorized testing center shall establish a roadside inspection system. Should it be shown that there was no violation of emission standards, the vehicle shall be immediately released. Otherwise, a testing result indicating an exceedance of the emission standards would warrant the continuing custody of the impounded vehicle unless the appropriate penalties are fully paid, and the license plate is surrendered to the DOTC pending the fulfillment of the undertaking by the owner/operator of the motor vehicle to make the necessary repairs so as to comply with the standards. A pass shall herein be issued by the DOTC to authorize the use of the motor vehicle within a specified period that shall not exceed seven (7) days for the sole purpose of making the necessary repairs on the said vehicle. The owner/operator of the vehicle shall be required to correct its defects and show proof of compliance to the appropriate pollution control office before the vehicle can be allowed to be driven on any public or subdivision roads. In addition, the driver and operator of the apprehended vehicle shall undergo a seminar on pollution control managem

what you think about these 48 laws of power? dont have to read all of it. its alot.? Law 1 Never Outshine the Master Always make those above you feel comfortably superior. In your desire to please or impress them, do not go too far in displaying your talents or you might accomplish the opposite – inspire fear and insecurity. Make your masters appear more brilliant than they are and you will attain the heights of power. Law 2 Never put too Much Trust in Friends, Learn how to use Enemies Be wary of friends-they will betray you more quickly, for they are easily aroused to envy. They also become spoiled and tyrannical. But hire a former enemy and he will be more loyal than a friend, because he has more to prove. In fact, you have more to fear from friends than from enemies. If you have no enemies, find a way to make them. Law 3 Conceal your Intentions Keep people off-balance and in the dark by never revealing the purpose behind your actions. If they have no clue what you are up to, they cannot prepare a defense. Guide them far enough down the wrong path, envelope them in enough smoke, and by the time they realize your intentions, it will be too late. Law 4 Always Say Less than Necessary When you are trying to impress people with words, the more you say, the more common you appear, and the less in control. Even if you are saying something banal, it will seem original if you make it vague, open-ended, and sphinxlike. Powerful people impress and intimidate by saying less. The more you say, the more likely you are to say something foolish. Law 5 So Much Depends on Reputation – Guard it with your Life Reputation is the cornerstone of power. Through reputation alone you can intimidate and win; once you slip, however, you are vulnerable, and will be attacked on all sides. Make your reputation unassailable. Always be alert to potential attacks and thwart them before they happen. Meanwhile, learn to destroy your enemies by opening holes in their own reputations. Then stand aside and let public opinion hang them. Law 6 Court Attention at all Cost Everything is judged by its appearance; what is unseen counts for nothing. Never let yourself get lost in the crowd, then, or buried in oblivion. Stand out. Be conspicuous, at all cost. Make yourself a magnet of attention by appearing larger, more colorful, more mysterious, than the bland and timid masses. Law 7 Get others to do the Work for you, but Always Take the Credit Use the wisdom, knowledge, and legwork of other people to further your own cause. Not only will such assistance save you valuable time and energy, it will give you a godlike aura of efficiency and speed. In the end your helpers will be forgotten and you will be remembered. Never do yourself what others can do for you. Law 8 Make other People come to you – use Bait if Necessary When you force the other person to act, you are the one in control. It is always better to make your opponent come to you, abandoning his own plans in the process. Lure him with fabulous gains – then attack. You hold the cards. Law 9 Win through your Actions, Never through Argument Any momentary triumph you think gained through argument is really a Pyrrhic victory: The resentment and ill will you stir up is stronger and lasts longer than any momentary change of opinion. It is much more powerful to get others to agree with you through your actions, without saying a word. Demonstrate, do not explicate. Law 10 Infection: Avoid the Unhappy and Unlucky You can die from someone else’s misery – emotional states are as infectious as disease. You may feel you are helping the drowning man but you are only precipitating your own disaster. The unfortunate sometimes draw misfortune on themselves; they will also draw it on you. Associate with the happy and fortunate instead. Law 11 Learn to Keep People Dependent on You To maintain your independence you must always be needed and wanted. The more you are relied on, the more freedom you have. Make people depend on you for their happiness and prosperity and you have nothing to fear. Never teach them enough so that they can do without you. Law 12 Use Selective Honesty and Generosity to Disarm your Victim One sincere and honest move will cover over dozens of dishonest ones. Open-hearted gestures of honesty and generosity bring down the guard of even the most suspicious people. Once your selective honesty opens a hole in their armor, you can deceive and manipulate them at will. A timely gift – a Trojan horse – will serve the same purpose. Law 13 When Asking for Help, Appeal to People’s Self-Interest, Never to their Mercy or Gratitude If you need to turn to an ally for help, do not bother to remind him of your past assistance and good deeds. He will find a way to ignore you. Instead, uncover something in your request, or in your alliance with him, that will benefit him, and emphasize it out of all proportion. He will respond enthusiastically when he sees something to be gained for himself. Law 14 Pose as a Friend, Work as a Spy Knowing about your rival is critical. Use spies to gather valuable information that will keep you a step ahead. Better still: Play the spy yourself. In polite social encounters, learn to probe. Ask indirect questions to get people to reveal their weaknesses and intentions. There is no occasion that is not an opportunity for artful spying. Law 15 Crush your Enemy Totally All great leaders since Moses have known that a feared enemy must be crushed completely. (Sometimes they have learned this the hard way.) If one ember is left alight, no matter how dimly it smolders, a fire will eventually break out. More is lost through stopping halfway than through total annihilation: The enemy will recover, and will seek revenge. Crush him, not only in body but in spirit. Law 16 Use Absence to Increase Respect and Honor Too much circulation makes the price go down: The more you are seen and heard from, the more common you appear. If you are already established in a group, temporary withdrawal from it will make you more talked about, even more admired. You must learn when to leave. Create value through scarcity. Law 17 Keep Others in Suspended Terror: Cultivate an Air of Unpredictability Humans are creatures of habit with an insatiable need to see familiarity in other people’s actions. Your predictability gives them a sense of control. Turn the tables: Be deliberately unpredictable. Behavior that seems to have no consistency or purpose will keep them off-balance, and they will wear themselves out trying to explain your moves. Taken to an extreme, this strategy can intimidate and terrorize. Law 18 Do Not Build Fortresses to Protect Yourself – Isolation is Dangerous The world is dangerous and enemies are everywhere – everyone has to protect themselves. A fortress seems the safest. But isolation exposes you to more dangers than it protects you from – it cuts you off from valuable information, it makes you conspicuous and an easy target. Better to circulate among people find allies, mingle. You are shielded from your enemies by the crowd. Law 19 Know Who You’re Dealing with – Do Not Offend the Wrong Person There are many different kinds of people in the world, and you can never assume that everyone will react to your strategies in the same way. Deceive or outmaneuver some people and they will spend the rest of their lives seeking revenge. They are wolves in lambs’ clothing. Choose your victims and opponents carefully, then – never offend or deceive the wrong person. Law 20 Do Not Commit to Anyone It is the fool who always rushes to take sides. Do not commit to any side or cause but yourself. By maintaining your independence, you become the master of others – playing people against one another, making them pursue you. Law 21 Play a Sucker to Catch a Sucker – Seem Dumber than your Mark No one likes feeling stupider than the next persons. The trick, is to make your victims feel smart – and not just smart, but smarter than you are. Once convinced of this, they will never suspect that you may have ulterior motives. Law 22 Use the Surrender Tactic: Transform Weakness into Power When you are weaker, never fight for honor’s sake; choose surrender instead. Surrender gives you time to recover, time to torment and irritate your conqueror, time to wait for his power to wane. Do not give him the satisfaction of fighting and defeating you – surrender first. By turning the other check you infuriate and unsettle him. Make surrender a tool of power. Law 23 Concentrate Your Forces Conserve your forces and energies by keeping them concentrated at their strongest point. You gain more by finding a rich mine and mining it deeper, than by flitting from one shallow mine to another – intensity defeats extensity every time. When looking for sources of power to elevate you, find the one key patron, the fat cow who will give you milk for a long time to come. Law 24 Play the Perfect Courtier The perfect courtier thrives in a world where everything revolves around power and political dexterity. He has mastered the art of indirection; he flatters, yields to superiors, and asserts power over others in the mot oblique and graceful manner. Learn and apply the laws of courtiership and there will be no limit to how far you can rise in the court. Law 25 Re-Create Yourself Do not accept the roles that society foists on you. Re-create yourself by forging a new identity, one that commands attention and never bores the audience. Be the master of your own image rather than letting others define if for you. Incorporate dramatic devices into your public gestures and actions – your power will be enhanced and your character will seem larger than life. Law 26 Keep Your Hands Clean You must seem a paragon of civility and efficiency: Your hands are never soiled by mistakes and nasty deeds. Maintain such a spotless appearance by using others as scapegoats and cat’s-paws to disguise your involvement. Law 27 Play on People’s Need to Believe to Create a Cultlike Following People have an overwhelming desire to believe in something. Become the focal point of such desire by offering them a cause, a new faith to follow. Keep your words vague but full of promise; emphasize enthusiasm over rationality and clear thinking. Give your new disciples rituals to perform, ask them to make sacrifices on your behalf. In the absence of organized religion and grand causes, your new belief system will bring you untold power. Law 28 Enter Action with Boldness If you are unsure of a course of action, do not attempt it. Your doubts and hesitations will infect your execution. Timidity is dangerous: Better to enter with boldness. Any mistakes you commit through audacity are easily corrected with more audacity. Everyone admires the bold; no one honors the timid. Law 29 Plan All the Way to the End The ending is everything. Plan all the way to it, taking into account all the possible consequences, obstacles, and twists of fortune that might reverse your hard work and give the glory to others. By planning to the end you will not be overwhelmed by circumstances and you will know when to stop. Gently guide fortune and help determine the future by thinking far ahead. Law 30 Make your Accomplishments Seem Effortless Your actions must seem natural and executed with ease. All the toil and practice that go into them, and also all the clever tricks, must be concealed. When you act, act effortlessly, as if you could do much more. Avoid the temptation of revealing how hard you work – it only raises questions. Teach no one your tricks or they will be used against you. Law 31 Control the Options: Get Others to Play with the Cards you Deal The best deceptions are the ones that seem to give the other person a choice: Your victims feel they are in control, but are actually your puppets. Give people options that come out in your favor whichever one they choose. Force them to make choices between the lesser of two evils, both of which serve your purpose. Put them on the horns of a dilemma: They are gored wherever they turn. Law 32 Play to People’s Fantasies The truth is often avoided because it is ugly and unpleasant. Never appeal to truth and reality unless you are prepared for the anger that comes for disenchantment. Life is so harsh and distressing that people who can manufacture romance or conjure up fantasy are like oases in the desert: Everyone flocks to them. There is great power in tapping into the fantasies of the masses. Law 33 Discover Each Man’s Thumbscrew Everyone has a weakness, a gap in the castle wall. That weakness is usual y an insecurity, an uncontrollable emotion or need; it can also be a small secret pleasure. Either way, once found, it is a thumbscrew you can turn to your advantage. Law 34 Be Royal in your Own Fashion: Act like a King to be treated like one The way you carry yourself will often determine how you are treated; In the long run, appearing vulgar or common will make people disrespect you. For a king respects himself and inspires the same sentiment in others. By acting regally and confident of your powers, you make yourself seem destined to wear a crown. Law 35 Master the Art of Timing Never seem to be in a hurry – hurrying betrays a lack of control over yourself, and over time. Always seem patient, as if you know that everything will come to you eventually. Become a detective of the right moment; sniff out the spirit of the times, the trends that will carry you to power. Learn to stand back when the time is not yet ripe, and to strike fiercely when it has reached fruition. Law 36 Disdain Things you cannot have: Ignoring them is the best Revenge By acknowledging a petty problem you give it existence and credibility. The more attention you pay an enemy, the stronger you make him; and a small mistake is often made worse and more visible when you try to fix it. It is sometimes best to leave things alone. If there is something you want but cannot have, show contempt for it. The less interest you reveal, the more superior you seem. Law 37 Create Compelling Spectacles Striking imagery and grand symbolic gestures create the aura of power – everyone responds to them. Stage spectacles for those around you, then full of arresting visuals and radiant symbols that heighten your presence. Dazzled by appearances, no one will notice what you are really doing. Law 38 Think as you like but Behave like others If you make a show of going against the times, flaunting your unconventional ideas and unorthodox ways, people will think that you only want attention and that you look down upon them. They will find a way to punish you for making them feel inferior. It is far safer to blend in and nurture the common touch. Share your originality only with tolerant friends and those who are sure to appreciate your uniqueness. Law 39 Stir up Waters to Catch Fish Anger and emotion are strategically counterproductive. You must always stay calm and objective. But if you can make your enemies angry while staying calm yourself, you gain a decided advantage. Put your enemies off-balance: Find the chink in their vanity through which you can rattle them and you hold the strings. Law 40 Despise the Free Lunch What is offered for free is dangerous – it usually involves either a trick or a hidden obligation. What has worth is worth paying for. By paying your own way you stay clear of gratitude, guilt, and deceit. It is also often wise to pay the full price – there is no cutting corners with excellence. Be lavish with your money and keep it circulating, for generosity is a sign and a magnet for power. Law 41 Avoid Stepping into a Great Man’s Shoes What happens first always appears better and more original than what comes after. If you succeed a great man or have a famous parent, you will have to accomplish double their achievements to outshine them. Do not get lost in their shadow, or stuck in a past not of your own making: Establish your own name and identity by changing course. Slay the overbearing father, disparage his legacy, and gain power by shining in your own way. Law 42 Strike the Shepherd and the Sheep will Scatter Trouble can often be traced to a single strong individual – the stirrer, the arrogant underling, the poisoned of goodwill. If you allow such people room to operate, others will succumb to their influence. Do not wait for the troubles they cause to multiply, do not try to negotiate with them – they are irredeemable. Neutralize their influence by isolating or banishing them. Strike at the source of the trouble and the sheep will scatter. Law 43 Work on the Hearts and Minds of Others Coercion creates a reaction that will eventually work against you. You must seduce others into wanting to move in your direction. A person you have seduced becomes your loyal pawn. And the way to seduce others is to operate on their individual psychologies and weaknesses. Soften up the resistant by working on their emotions, playing on what they hold dear and what they fear. Ignore the hearts and minds of others and they will grow to hate you. Law 44 Disarm and Infuriate with the Mirror Effect The mirror reflects reality, but it is also the perfect tool for deception: When you mirror your enemies, doing exactly as they do, they cannot figure out your strategy. The Mirror Effect mocks and humiliates them, making them overreact. By holding up a mirror to their psyches, you seduce them with the illusion that you share their values; by holding up a mirror to their actions, you teach them a lesson. Few can resist the power of Mirror Effect. Law 45 Preach the Need for Change, but Never Reform too much at Once Everyone understands the need for change in the abstract, but on the day-to-day level people are creatures of habit. Too much innovation is traumatic, and will lead to revolt. If you are new to a position of power, or an outsider trying to build a power base, make a show of respecting the old way of doing things. If change is necessary, make it feel like a gentle improvement on the past. Law 46 Never appear too Perfect Appearing better than others is always dangerous, but most dangerous of all is to appear to have no faults or weaknesses. Envy creates silent enemies. It is smart to occasionally display defects, and admit to harmless vices, in order to deflect envy and appear more human and approachable. Only gods and the dead can seem perfect with impunity. Law 47 Do not go Past the Mark you Aimed for; In Victory, Learn when to Stop The moment of victory is often the moment of greatest peril. In the heat of victory, arrogance and overconfidence can push you past the goal you had aimed for, and by going too far, you make more enemies than you defeat. Do not allow success to go to your head. There is no substitute for strategy and careful planning. Set a goal, and when you reach it, stop. Law 48 Assume Formlessness By taking a shape, by having a visible plan, you open yourself to attack. Instead of taking a form for your enemy to grasp, keep yourself adaptable and on the move. Accept the fact that nothing is certain and no law is fixed. The best way to protect yourself is to be as fluid and formless as water; never bet on stability or lasting order. Everything changes.

60% of Fortune 500 cos equip their corporate aircraft with smoke hoods. Do airlines protect you from smoke? Smoke Hoods And Aviation Safety Brookdale International Systems A lot has been written about smoke hoods and aviation safety recently, as the subject has been picked up by the mainstream press, but this issue has actually been around for many years. And it continues to be controversial for a number of reasons. The concept itself is pretty basic. In an aircraft fire the cabin is likely to fill with thick, black, choking smoke and highly toxic gases like sulfur dioxide, hydrogen chloride, hydrogen cyanide, and in particular carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide, present in virtually all fires, is the lethal compound responsible for most smoke-related fatalities. People who find themselves inside an aircraft under these conditions will not survive for very long, so they must either get out quickly, or be provided with some means to protect themselves until evacuation is possible. Those exposed to smoke, being unable to see or breathe, quickly lose their orientation, are prone to panic, and will become incapacitated in only moments. Smoke hoods are protective head coverings with a filter system that prevent wearers from breathing the smoke, particulates and lethal gases generated in a fire. This might seem like a good idea, as these devices are designed to provide the time needed to survive in this type of deadly environment, allowing safe escape. But the use of smoke hoods, or at least the question of requiring them as standard equipment on passenger-carrying transport category aircraft, has been and remains a highly contentious issue in the aviation community. Opponents such as the Federal Aviation Administration, the agency responsible for U.S. air safety, contend that passengers taking the time to don the hoods would cause a critical delay in evacuating a burning plane, when each second is truly critical. According to Peggy Gilligan, the FAA’s Deputy Associate Administrator for regulation and certification, " What you want to do is get people out of the airplane as quickly as possible." She and other FAA officials have also been quoted as saying that smoke hoods might give passengers a false sense of protection or security. Why the security these devices could potentially provide to passengers would be false is certainly curious, in light of the fact that FAA regulations require this type of protection for flight and cabin crews. Smoke hood proponents contend that the issue is money. Five years ago the FAA rejected a proposal that it mandate smoke hoods on all commercial passenger aircraft. First put forward in 1987, this proposal was strongly opposed by the Air Transport Association of America, a trade group that represents U.S. airlines. When rejecting the proposal, the FAA cited an ATA analysis that estimated a cost of over $127 million for the industry to install smoke hoods. "Smoke hoods should be on every airplane around the world" says Mary Schiavo, the former Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Transportation turned aviation-safety advocate. Her view is that the issue of evacuation time is merely a smokescreen for a cost/benefit analysis. "The government figures X amount of people are going to die and their lives are worth $2.7 million, and since the industry says it costs $127 million to do this … I am almost embarrassed as a former government official to explain how it works, but what it takes is a loss of life in dollar value equal to the cost of the equipment." The sad fact, according to Schiavo, is that it will take a catastrophic air disaster to change the FAA’s policy on smoke hoods for passengers. What cannot be debated is that aircraft smoke/fire emergencies have always been a serious problem. According to a former U.S. Civil Aeronautics Board investigator (the CAB was the forerunner of the NTSB), there were at least 250 transport-category aircraft accidents involving fire between 1964 and 1994. Technical and safety advancements notwithstanding, the problem still exists. FAA statistics reveal that there is currently "an unscheduled landing of a commercial aircraft on average more than once a week" in the United States due to smoke and/or fire situations. The aviation community is very fortunate that the vast majority of these incidents do not become accidents, although there have been a number of tragic exceptions. Below is a short list of just a few of them: 1983 — an Air Canada DC-9 made an emergency landing in Cincinnati, Ohio after a fire broke out in a lavatory. Evacuation was attempted, but 23 of the 46 on board were overcome by the smoke and did not make it out of the aircraft. 1985 — Manchester, England. A Boeing 737 developed an engine fire on takeoff. The cabin filled with smoke, and in the course of a panic-filled evacuation 48 passengers succumbed to smoke inhalation. 1989 — a United Air Lines DC-10 crash landed near Sioux City, Iowa. Of the 111 people who died, 37 were victims of smoke inhalation. 1991 — a USAir Boeing 737 collided on the runway with a commuter aircraft. In the ensuing fire there were 34 casualties aboard the 737, 22 resulting from smoke inhalation. the 1996 ValuJet crash, the 1998 SwissAir disaster, and this week’s crash of an American Airlines MD82 in Little Rock, Arkansas, are the most recent serious fire-related incidents. There can also be no doubt about the toxic nature of smoke generated in aircraft fires, nor of the effectiveness of properly-designed smoke hoods in protecting against its lethal effects. The subject has certainly been looked at in depth. The British Medical Journal and The Journal of Toxicology, for example, have published a number of scientific articles in this area dealing with topics like "The Management Of Aircraft Passenger Survival In Fire"; "Behavioral Impairment In Smoke Environments"; "Acute Inhalation Injury"; "In-Flight Cabin Smoke Control"; "Making Air Crashes More Survivable"; and "The Toxicological Examination Of The Victims Of The British Air Tours Boeing 737 Accident At Manchester In 1985." A recent study by the European Transport Safety Council (ETSC) concluded that smoke hoods should be provided in all commercial aircraft. Referring to the debate over the benefit of respiratory protection versus evacuation time, the report said, "… it seems reasonable to say that smoke hoods might lead to some delay in starting the evacuation. However, this does not have necessarily any detrimental effect. As the House of Commons Transport Committee in its report on aircraft cabin safety concluded: ’It is no use passengers being able theoretically to evacuate an aircraft in 60 seconds if, in toxic smoke and without a smoke hood, they collapse unconscious in half that time. The possibility that it may take 10 seconds longer to evacuate with a smoke hood on is of little consequence if indeed passengers can actually evacuate in 70 seconds from a cabin full of toxic smoke and live to tell the tale." And all this assumes a fire aboard an aircraft already on the ground. What of a smoke emergency that occurs in-flight, when it may take 12 or 15 minutes to land? Donning time would certainly not be an issue here, and a smoke hood might offer the only possibility of survival. Hardly a "false sense of security." The technology of smoke hoods themselves has progressed to the point where small, light and simple to use models are currently available. High quality smoke hoods are generally constructed of heat resistant material like Kapton, which is good to 800F. But the most important part of a smoke hood isn’t the hood itself, but the filter that provides protection from the toxic byproducts of combustion. Virtually all smoke hood designs utilize some form of activated charcoal filter to screen out corrosive fumes like ammonia and chlorine, as well as acid gases like hydrogen chloride and hydrogen sulfide. But the defining characteristic of an effective smoke hood is the ability to convert deadly carbon monoxide to relatively harmless carbon dioxide through a catalytic process. Those that do not protect against carbon monoxide are essentially useless. As smoke hoods’ role in aviation safety gets increasing attention in the media — support from safety advocates like Ralph Nader; a strong endorsement in Mary Schiavo’s best-selling book "Flying Blind, Flying Safe" that led to a TIME magazine cover story and an appearance on Oprah; a major article on aviation safety in Consumer Reports; a feature story by Associated Press; many newspaper and television news stories and consumer reports — more and more individual consumers are making the decision to protect themselves, since the regulators and the industry are not. They are purchasing their own smoke hoods to take with them when they fly. The debate continues, positions are taken and held. But it’s interesting to note how the corporate world has reacted to the concept of smoke hoods and aviation. Some 300 of the Fortune 500 companies are sufficiently convinced about the potential safety benefits this type of safety device represents that they have equipped their corporate aircraft with smoke hoods. And the U.S. Air Force has purchased over 34,000 of them.

correct my eassay plezz? Castles were built an extremely long time ago in Europe. Over more than 500 years during the 11th and 17th century. Castles were built to protect people from invaders or enemy. They had the castles walls built up to 30 feet large so it would be harder for invaders to get across. They had made castle walls out of stone in case anyone tried to get over the wall. During the middle ages the manor served as the center of life for many people of Europe. Two well defined classes live along each other on the manor, the wealthy lord of vassal and his family the poor peasants of serfs. In the feudal system the person at the top is the king, he was the one who controlled a lot of things he was at the very top. Next were the church officials and nobles, they were wealthy people who owned land and had plenty of power and wealth. Subsequently came the knights they were people who provided military service to nobles in exchange for a piece of their land. Lastly the peasants, they were known as serves worked the land for nobles and preformed other back breaking tasks. People that live in the middle ages lived different life’s it all depends on what level in the feudal system you were in. if you were a king you lived a better, wealthier life than anybody else. If you were a church official or noble you would have to live a good quality life because they would own land and be wealthy. Knights provided military work for the nobles in return for a piece of their land. Peasants know as serfs worked the land for nobles and preformed their back breaking tasks. Large stone castles were built in Europe from about the 1100’s to about the 1500’s. These huge buildings served not just to defend the countries from unfamiliar trespassers but as the main point in keeping the king’s and the nobles’ power over the land. The social system was very firm in the middle Ages. some of their land to lesser knights, in return for their help in battle. Below all the knights were the serfs, who actually farmed the land Under Feudalism, the basic social structure in this time, all the land was held by the king. The king gave pieces of this land to a choice of high nobles, in return for their help in fighting his wars or in bad behavior of people. Not only did the higher nobles have to fight for the king themselves, they had to give a certain number of smaller lords and other knights to help fight also. These higher nobles then gave. They gave a piece of their crops each year to the lord who ruled over them, in exchange for use of the land and protection. The first thing of a castle is the moat or ditch. Most were filled with deep water to prevent enemies from coming in, but even those without water stopped intruders because the deep, steep walls prevented the enemy from entering. The moat was almost like a little river around the castle. The way that people passed thro the moat was over a bridge called a drawbridge. These wooden structures could be raised or lowered depending on whether or not the people in the castles wanted you to come in. Ropes or chains were attached to the end of the bridge and then rigged to a pulley so that guards were able to raise it quickly. After crossing the drawbridge, you would reach the curtain, or wall. This wall was surrounding the castle. Which was a common weapon, and could be anywhere between 8 and 20 feet thick. A gatehouse was built into the curtain. At first it was just a simple door to go in and out of the castle, but over the time that changed. Because enemy armies often came to this area, an iron grate was added that could be put down to block entrance, and also heavy wooden doors. Small holes, called murder holes, were added to the ceiling above the main entrance to pour boiling water down on incoming enemies. Towers were also a part of the curtain. They had people keep watch outside the castle walls. In addition, at times they kept prisoners. For example, the Tower of London in England was well known for the important political prisoner kept within its walls. The Keep of the castle was the highest point and the center of defense. The strongest and the safest place in the castle. Inside the castles walls were many things. There was a kitchen where the cooks made meals. The great hall was where everybody ate and also was the servants slept. Court jesters regularly sang, juggled, and told stories here to amuse the lord and his family. Stables were used to house livestock of all sorts and each castle had a chapel that could be located in a tower or gatehouse. The chapel was sometimes served as a private church for the lord and his family even when there was another church in a nearby town. Castles also had one or more houses built in for people to stay. Often there was a lord's house and then one or two others, depending on how many people were living at that particular castle. Ladders were used by the army attacking a castle to climb over the walls and fight the castle population inside the castle walls. However, ladders had the disadvantage of leaving the man climbing the ladder subject to attack by arrow, boiling water or oil, or by being thrown to the ground if the ladder was pushed away from the wall. To stop this type of attack the Belfry or Siege Tower was developed. The Belfry was a large arrangement on wheels that could be pushed up to the castle walls. Ladders inside the Belfry allowed attackers to climb to the without being seen and get into the castle. Fire was the best way to attack castles since they were made entirely of wood. The fire might be started by building a bonfire against the outer wooden fence or, more usually, by archers shooting fire-arrows into the castle. As the fire spread through the castle those living inside would be forced to leave allowing the attackers to take them as prisoner or kill them. This was one of the reasons why Motte and Bailey castles were soon replaced by Stone Keep castles. Fire has little effect on a stone castle. The main furniture in the great hall was wooden benches and large tables made of laying wood across other benches. At night, the table was taken down to make room for the servants who slept on the floor. The floors were covered with reeds, bones, and scraps of food. When the room began to smell, the servants added more reeds and sprinkled spices to help get rid of the smell. Once a year, the servants replaced the soiled reeds with new ones, and the whole process started again. The king's kitchen workers decorated most of the food before they served it. Sometimes when the meat was served, the servants put the fur or feathers back on the meat to make it look alive! On the other hand, because there was no refrigeration, the food spoiled quickly. Sometimes when food was spoiled, they just dumped extra gravy on it and served it anyway. One of the only ways to preserve and season food was put salt on the meat. The number of rooms in a castle diverse greatly. Smaller castles which were only used as military headquarters had about only 20 rooms. The word dungeon comes from the French "Donjon" which means tower. This means that, different to popular belief, dungeons were not located in the dark and cold basement of a castle, but regularly on the castle's highest tower. The reason for this is obvious while hundreds of guards would be needed to properly defend a complete underground dungeon; only a dozen would be needed to protect a high tower since the narrow stairs made it possible. Those who were in an underground dungeon usually stayed there for their whole lifetime. Even as the space in the high tower was imperfect and prisoners in a tower would be either executed or set free. Castles, having been built so resistant, were frequently turned into prisons. Dungeons were frequently host to many torture devices in which inmates would be either killed or heavily tortured. The room in the castle called the wardrobe was extended and used by Lord of the castle as a bathroom. Bathing was usually conducted in wooden barrels but simply designed bathrooms were added in Medieval Castles for the Lords. The room in the castle called the Garderobe was planned for use as a toilet or latrine. There were many rooms used as lavatories, called garderobes or privies, included in Medieval Castle. The Privy chambers, garderobes, were positioned as far away from the chambers as practical and often had double doors added to reduce the smell! Shoots were provided for the discharge which often led to the castle moat. The garderobes were supplemented by the use of chamber pots The room in the castle called the Chapel was used for prayer and used by all members of the castle household. The chapel was usually close to the Great hall. The Chapel was often built two stories high, with the nave divided horizontally. The Lord's family and dignitaries sat in the upper part and the servants occupied the lower part

Can you suggest scenarios on the following? Law 1 Never Outshine the Master Always make those above you feel comfortably superior. In your desire to please or impress them, do not go too far in displaying your talents or you might accomplish the opposite – inspire fear and insecurity. Make your masters appear more brilliant than they are and you will attain the heights of power. Law 2 Never put too Much Trust in Friends, Learn how to use Enemies Be wary of friends-they will betray you more quickly, for they are easily aroused to envy. They also become spoiled and tyrannical. But hire a former enemy and he will be more loyal than a friend, because he has more to prove. In fact, you have more to fear from friends than from enemies. If you have no enemies, find a way to make them. Law 3 Conceal your Intentions Keep people off-balance and in the dark by never revealing the purpose behind your actions. If they have no clue what you are up to, they cannot prepare a defense. Guide them far enough down the wrong path, envelope them in enough smoke, and by the time they realize your intentions, it will be too late. Law 4 Always Say Less than Necessary When you are trying to impress people with words, the more you say, the more common you appear, and the less in control. Even if you are saying something banal, it will seem original if you make it vague, open-ended, and sphinxlike. Powerful people impress and intimidate by saying less. The more you say, the more likely you are to say something foolish. Law 5 So Much Depends on Reputation – Guard it with your Life Reputation is the cornerstone of power. Through reputation alone you can intimidate and win; once you slip, however, you are vulnerable, and will be attacked on all sides. Make your reputation unassailable. Always be alert to potential attacks and thwart them before they happen. Meanwhile, learn to destroy your enemies by opening holes in their own reputations. Then stand aside and let public opinion hang them. Law 6 Court Attention at all Cost Everything is judged by its appearance; what is unseen counts for nothing. Never let yourself get lost in the crowd, then, or buried in oblivion. Stand out. Be conspicuous, at all cost. Make yourself a magnet of attention by appearing larger, more colorful, more mysterious, than the bland and timid masses. Law 7 Get others to do the Work for you, but Always Take the Credit Use the wisdom, knowledge, and legwork of other people to further your own cause. Not only will such assistance save you valuable time and energy, it will give you a godlike aura of efficiency and speed. In the end your helpers will be forgotten and you will be remembered. Never do yourself what others can do for you. Law 8 Make other People come to you – use Bait if Necessary When you force the other person to act, you are the one in control. It is always better to make your opponent come to you, abandoning his own plans in the process. Lure him with fabulous gains – then attack. You hold the cards. Law 9 Win through your Actions, Never through Argument Any momentary triumph you think gained through argument is really a Pyrrhic victory: The resentment and ill will you stir up is stronger and lasts longer than any momentary change of opinion. It is much more powerful to get others to agree with you through your actions, without saying a word. Demonstrate, do not explicate. Law 10 Infection: Avoid the Unhappy and Unlucky You can die from someone else’s misery – emotional states are as infectious as disease. You may feel you are helping the drowning man but you are only precipitating your own disaster. The unfortunate sometimes draw misfortune on themselves; they will also draw it on you. Associate with the happy and fortunate instead. Law 11 Learn to Keep People Dependent on You To maintain your independence you must always be needed and wanted. The more you are relied on, the more freedom you have. Make people depend on you for their happiness and prosperity and you have nothing to fear. Never teach them enough so that they can do without you. Law 12 Use Selective Honesty and Generosity to Disarm your Victim One sincere and honest move will cover over dozens of dishonest ones. Open-hearted gestures of honesty and generosity bring down the guard of even the most suspicious people. Once your selective honesty opens a hole in their armor, you can deceive and manipulate them at will. A timely gift – a Trojan horse – will serve the same purpose. Law 13 When Asking for Help, Appeal to People’s Self-Interest, Never to their Mercy or Gratitude If you need to turn to an ally for help, do not bother to remind him of your past assistance and good deeds. He will find a way to ignore you. Instead, uncover something in your request, or in your alliance with him, that will benefit him, and emphasize it out of all proportion. He will respond enthusiastically when he sees something to be gained for himself. Law 14 Pose as a Friend, Work as a Spy Knowing about your rival is critical. Use spies to gather valuable information that will keep you a step ahead. Better still: Play the spy yourself. In polite social encounters, learn to probe. Ask indirect questions to get people to reveal their weaknesses and intentions. There is no occasion that is not an opportunity for artful spying. Law 15 Crush your Enemy Totally All great leaders since Moses have known that a feared enemy must be crushed completely. (Sometimes they have learned this the hard way.) If one ember is left alight, no matter how dimly it smolders, a fire will eventually break out. More is lost through stopping halfway than through total annihilation: The enemy will recover, and will seek revenge. Crush him, not only in body but in spirit. Law 16 Use Absence to Increase Respect and Honor Too much circulation makes the price go down: The more you are seen and heard from, the more common you appear. If you are already established in a group, temporary withdrawal from it will make you more talked about, even more admired. You must learn when to leave. Create value through scarcity. Law 17 Keep Others in Suspended Terror: Cultivate an Air of Unpredictability Humans are creatures of habit with an insatiable need to see familiarity in other people’s actions. Your predictability gives them a sense of control. Turn the tables: Be deliberately unpredictable. Behavior that seems to have no consistency or purpose will keep them off-balance, and they will wear themselves out trying to explain your moves. Taken to an extreme, this strategy can intimidate and terrorize. Law 18 Do Not Build Fortresses to Protect Yourself – Isolation is Dangerous The world is dangerous and enemies are everywhere – everyone has to protect themselves. A fortress seems the safest. But isolation exposes you to more dangers than it protects you from – it cuts you off from valuable information, it makes you conspicuous and an easy target. Better to circulate among people find allies, mingle. You are shielded from your enemies by the crowd. Law 19 Know Who You’re Dealing with – Do Not Offend the Wrong Person There are many different kinds of people in the world, and you can never assume that everyone will react to your strategies in the same way. Deceive or outmaneuver some people and they will spend the rest of their lives seeking revenge. They are wolves in lambs’ clothing. Choose your victims and opponents carefully, then – never offend or deceive the wrong person. Law 20 Do Not Commit to Anyone It is the fool who always rushes to take sides. Do not commit to any side or cause but yourself. By maintaining your independence, you become the master of others – playing people against one another, making them pursue you. Law 21 Play a Sucker to Catch a Sucker – Seem Dumber than your Mark No one likes feeling stupider than the next persons. The trick, is to make your victims feel smart – and not just smart, but smarter than you are. Once convinced of this, they will never suspect that you may have ulterior motives. Law 22 Use the Surrender Tactic: Transform Weakness into Power When you are weaker, never fight for honor’s sake; choose surrender instead. Surrender gives you time to recover, time to torment and irritate your conqueror, time to wait for his power to wane. Do not give him the satisfaction of fighting and defeating you – surrender first. By turning the other check you infuriate and unsettle him. Make surrender a tool of power. Law 23 Concentrate Your Forces Conserve your forces and energies by keeping them concentrated at their strongest point. You gain more by finding a rich mine and mining it deeper, than by flitting from one shallow mine to another – intensity defeats extensity every time. When looking for sources of power to elevate you, find the one key patron, the fat cow who will give you milk for a long time to come. Law 24 Play the Perfect Courtier The perfect courtier thrives in a world where everything revolves around power and political dexterity. He has mastered the art of indirection; he flatters, yields to superiors, and asserts power over others in the mot oblique and graceful manner. Learn and apply the laws of courtiership and there will be no limit to how far you can rise in the court. Law 25 Re-Create Yourself Do not accept the roles that society foists on you. Re-create yourself by forging a new identity, one that commands attention and never bores the audience. Be the master of your own image rather than letting others define if for you. Incorporate dramatic devices into your public gestures and actions – your power will be enhanced and your character will seem larger than life. Law 26 Keep Your Hands Clean You must seem a paragon of civility and efficiency: Your hands are never soiled by mistakes and nasty deeds. Maintain such a spotless appearance by using others as scapegoats and cat’s-paws to disguise your involvement. Law 27 Play on People’s Need to Believe to Create a Cultlike Following People have an overwhelming desire to believe in something. Become the focal point of such desire by offering them a cause, a new faith to follow. Keep your words vague but full of promise; emphasize enthusiasm over rationality and clear thinking. Give your new disciples rituals to perform, ask them to make sacrifices on your behalf. In the absence of organized religion and grand causes, your new belief system will bring you untold power. Law 28 Enter Action with Boldness If you are unsure of a course of action, do not attempt it. Your doubts and hesitations will infect your execution. Timidity is dangerous: Better to enter with boldness. Any mistakes you commit through audacity are easily corrected with more audacity. Everyone admires the bold; no one honors the timid. Law 29 Plan All the Way to the End The ending is everything. Plan all the way to it, taking into account all the possible consequences, obstacles, and twists of fortune that might reverse your hard work and give the glory to others. By planning to the end you will not be overwhelmed by circumstances and you will know when to stop. Gently guide fortune and help determine the future by thinking far ahead. Law 30 Make your Accomplishments Seem Effortless Your actions must seem natural and executed with ease. All the toil and practice that go into them, and also all the clever tricks, must be concealed. When you act, act effortlessly, as if you could do much more. Avoid the temptation of revealing how hard you work – it only raises questions. Teach no one your tricks or they will be used against you. Law 31 Control the Options: Get Others to Play with the Cards you Deal The best deceptions are the ones that seem to give the other person a choice: Your victims feel they are in control, but are actually your puppets. Give people options that come out in your favor whichever one they choose. Force them to make choices between the lesser of two evils, both of which serve your purpose. Put them on the horns of a dilemma: They are gored wherever they turn. Law 32 Play to People’s Fantasies The truth is often avoided because it is ugly and unpleasant. Never appeal to truth and reality unless you are prepared for the anger that comes for disenchantment. Life is so harsh and distressing that people who can manufacture romance or conjure up fantasy are like oases in the desert: Everyone flocks to them. There is great power in tapping into the fantasies of the masses. Law 33 Discover Each Man’s Thumbscrew Everyone has a weakness, a gap in the castle wall. That weakness is usualy an insecurity, an uncontrollable emotion or need; it can also be a small secret pleasure. Either way, once found, it is a thumbscrew you can turn to your advantage. Law 34 Be Royal in your Own Fashion: Act like a King to be treated like one The way you carry yourself will often determine how you are treated; In the long run, appearing vulgar or common will make people disrespect you. For a king respects himself and inspires the same sentiment in others. By acting regally and confident of your powers, you make yourself seem destined to wear a crown. Law 35 Master the Art of Timing Never seem to be in a hurry – hurrying betrays a lack of control over yourself, and over time. Always seem patient, as if you know that everything will come to you eventually. Become a detective of the right moment; sniff out the spirit of the times, the trends that will carry you to power. Learn to stand back when the time is not yet ripe, and to strike fiercely when it has reached fruition. Law 36 Disdain Things you cannot have: Ignoring them is the best Revenge By acknowledging a petty problem you give it existence and credibility. The more attention you pay an enemy, the stronger you make him; and a small mistake is often made worse and more visible when you try to fix it. It is sometimes best to leave things alone. If there is something you want but cannot have, show contempt for it. The less interest you reveal, the more superior you seem. Law 37 Create Compelling Spectacles Striking imagery and grand symbolic gestures create the aura of power – everyone responds to them. Stage spectacles for those around you, then full of arresting visuals and radiant symbols that heighten your presence. Dazzled by appearances, no one will notice what you are really doing. Law 38 Think as you like but Behave like others If you make a show of going against the times, flaunting your unconventional ideas and unorthodox ways, people will think that you only want attention and that you look down upon them. They will find a way to punish you for making them feel inferior. It is far safer to blend in and nurture the common touch. Share your originality only with tolerant friends and those who are sure to appreciate your uniqueness. Law 39 Stir up Waters to Catch Fish Anger and emotion are strategically counterproductive. You must always stay calm and objective. But if you can make your enemies angry while staying calm yourself, you gain a decided advantage. Put your enemies off-balance: Find the chink in their vanity through which you can rattle them and you hold the strings. Law 40 Despise the Free Lunch What is offered for free is dangerous – it usually involves either a trick or a hidden obligation. What has worth is worth paying for. By paying your own way you stay clear of gratitude, guilt, and deceit. It is also often wise to pay the full price – there is no cutting corners with excellence. Be lavish with your money and keep it circulating, for generosity is a sign and a magnet for power. Law 41 Avoid Stepping into a Great Man’s Shoes What happens first always appears better and more original than what comes after. If you succeed a great man or have a famous parent, you will have to accomplish double their achievements to outshine them. Do not get lost in their shadow, or stuck in a past not of your own making: Establish your own name and identity by changing course. Slay the overbearing father, disparage his legacy, and gain power by shining in your own way. Law 42 Strike the Shepherd and the Sheep will Scatter Trouble can often be traced to a single strong individual – the stirrer, the arrogant underling, the poisoned of goodwill. If you allow such people room to operate, others will succumb to their influence. Do not wait for the troubles they cause to multiply, do not try to negotiate with them – they are irredeemable. Neutralize their influence by isolating or banishing them. Strike at the source of the trouble and the sheep will scatter. Law 43 Work on the Hearts and Minds of Others Coercion creates a reaction that will eventually work against you. You must seduce others into wanting to move in your direction. A person you have seduced becomes your loyal pawn. And the way to seduce others is to operate on their individual psychologies and weaknesses. Soften up the resistant by working on their emotions, playing on what they hold dear and what they fear. Ignore the hearts and minds of others and they will grow to hate you. Law 44 Disarm and Infuriate with the Mirror Effect The mirror reflects reality, but it is also the perfect tool for deception: When you mirror your enemies, doing exactly as they do, they cannot figure out your strategy. The Mirror Effect mocks and humiliates them, making them overreact. By holding up a mirror to their psyches, you seduce them with the illusion that you share their values; by holding up a mirror to their actions, you teach them a lesson. Few can resist the power of Mirror Effect. Law 45 Preach the Need for Change, but Never Reform too much at Once Everyone understands the need for change in the abstract, but on the day-to-day level people are creatures of habit. Too much innovation is traumatic, and will lead to revolt. If you are new to a position of power, or an outsider trying to build a power base, make a show of respecting the old way of doing things. If change is necessary, make it feel like a gentle improvement on the past. Law 46 Never appear too Perfect Appearing better than others is always dangerous, but most dangerous of all is to appear to have no faults or weaknesses. Envy creates silent enemies. It is smart to occasionally display defects, and admit to harmless vices, in order to deflect envy and appear more human and approachable. Only gods and the dead can seem perfect with impunity. Law 47 Do not go Past the Mark you Aimed for; In Victory, Learn when to Stop The moment of victory is often the moment of greatest peril. In the heat of victory, arrogance and overconfidence can push you past the goal you had aimed for, and by going too far, you make more enemies than you defeat. Do not allow success to go to your head. There is no substitute for strategy and careful planning. Set a goal, and when you reach it, stop. Law 48 Assume Formlessness By taking a shape, by having a visible plan, you open yourself to attack. Instead of taking a form for your enemy to grasp, keep yourself adaptable and on the move. Accept the fact that nothing is certain and no law is fixed. The best way to protect yourself is to be as fluid and formless as water; never bet on stability or lasting order. Everything changes.

If You Suspect Your Child Has a Mental Illness.... ? Is your child acting out or showing unusual behavior that is resistant to change? Have you noticed a severe decline in school performance, frequent outbursts of anger, or potentially life-threatening actions? Do you wonder when temper tantrums or a stubborn nature go beyond what is typical? Is your youngster acting fearful, depressed or aggressive to the point of setting fires or killing animals? When problems are severe, persistent and disrupt daily life, you may be dealing with a biologically and organically based mental illness that, despite your best efforts as a parent, will require expert medical intervention. Dr. Phil offers this advice as you try to get to the root of what may be a biological, brain or development problem and find appropriate help. Don't experience guilt, blame or shame. It is not your fault if your child is not responding the way other children seem to. You are most likely doing the best you can as a responsible, loving, caring, nurturing parent, but all the love you have in your heart is not enough to help a child overcome a biologically based mental illness. Reach out for professional help. Begin with your pediatrician, and then be open to referrals to specialists in the fields of child psychiatry, neurology, endocrinology, nutrition and other appropriate disciplines for both diagnosis and treatment. A major part of any solution lies within defining the problem, so a differential diagnosis from medical experts is critical. You cannot do this alone. Be patient as you put together a multi-disciplinary team of professionals that you trust and think is right for your child. When you meet with the experts, do not be passive. Ask questions. No one knows your child better than you and nobody in this world wants the best for your child as passionately as you do. You may not have a medical background, but your questions and observations will be helpful. Ask about possible biochemical imbalances or brain disorders, which may be the foundation of your child's symptomology. Become a part of your child's multi-disciplinary management team. While you are not to blame, you do have a very important role in helping your child achieve the best level of adjustment. As the leader of your family, you can create a family and home situation that will be fertile ground for re-parenting your child as part of the treatment plan. You may need to make additional sacrifices in order to start committing more time to your family. Be open to all solutions, even things you might initially want to dismiss. Just because you don't agree wholeheartedly with an avenue of approach doesn't mean it might not work in your family. Don't slam the door on certain alternatives or coping tools without exploring them completely first. Now is not the time to be judgmental or resist some tools and resources that may genuinely help you. Reassure your child that your home is a safe place where he is loved and cared about. It can only help your child to know that you will stand by his side and help him get through it. Keep communication channels with your child open. Encourage him to ask questions and express feelings, and be ready and available to listen. Stay calm. You may feel helpless, frustrated, exhausted, scared and countless other emotions, but you need to stay in charge of yourself in order to inspire confidence and have a stabilizing effect on the rest of the family. Remove danger. Depending on what signs your child is exhibiting that concern you, be cautious about potential physical or emotional danger. For example, consider confiscating dangerous objects or avoiding certain people. This won't help you get to the cause of your child's issue, but it will protect him in the meantime. Do not attack or blame your child. With the help of a multi-disciplinary team, you will get to the core of the problem and find a solution. Indicting the child or punishing him will not help you reach your goal of getting the help, support and long-term solution that you need. Close ranks. Communicate with the rest of your family, be open and honest with your concerns, and support one another. Family unity is essential for getting through troubled times. Draw on other resources. In addition to a multi-disciplinary medical team, consider speaking with clergy members, your child's teachers or school counselor, your friends and local support groups. Take one day at a time. If you haven't yet gotten a diagnosis for your child, worrying about the future is not going to help you. First you need to get more information and resources, and then you need to move forward with a diagnosis and a treatment plan. Recognize that this is a challenge you will manage. Life is not a success-only journey. You may have a difficult road ahead of you as you begin to find help for your child, but your family will emerge stronger, healthier and more bonded. Do you think this is true?