Batzra blog

Barbara Bush Speaks Out in Support of Same-Sex Marriage

The political world is all abuzz with news that former President George W. Bush's daughter is speaking out in support of same-sex marriage. In a video created for the Human Right's Campaign, Barbara announced that she is a New Yorker in favor of "fairness and equality. And everyone should have the right to marry the person that they love." This comes as a surprise to many because George W. Bush pushed an amendment to ban same-sex marriage. However, this follows the trend of a younger generation wanting to promote acceptance and, as Barbara Bush says, "equality." This is a revelation that is crossing party lines and is gaining significant coverage between news sources.

So how does this fit into the conservative climate, which has a history of staunchly opposing same-sex marriage? Well Barbara isn't the first to speak out in defense of same-sex marriage. Even the ultra-conservative Fox News admits that republican figures such as Laura Bush and former Vice President Dick Cheney also support gay marriage.

released regarding Barbara Bush, it is stated that "Former Republican presidential candidate John McCain opposes same-sex marriage, but his wife, Cindy, and daughter, Meghan, also have done public service announcements for the 'No H8' campaign and supported repeal of the don't ask, don't tell rule against gays openly serving in the military." It seems that times are changing, and as more Republicans speak out in favor of equality, it gives other members an example that they may be more inclined to follow.

While many people are looking at this message as a giant step forward, some are labeling it "insincere" and "irrelevant." , "Appearing on HLN's Joy Behar Show on Tuesday, [Howard] Bragman, who is married to Chuck O'Donnell in California and runs the Los Angeles-based PR firm Fifteen Minutes, said the Bush family could go to hell." Bragman stated that his problem lied in the fact that Barbara Bush had gay friends and George W. Bush was quoted as saying "It wasn't a big deal" then went on a campaign in opposition of same sex marriage. All the while, kids were being bullied and some even killed themselves because of the lack of acceptance encouraged by people like George Bush. Most of the opposition to her message lies in people being unable to distinguish between campaigns waged by her father and the feelings of Barbara as an individual.

Luckily, opinions such as these are the minority and most people are embracing the publicity in support of gay marriage. Like it or not, this is one message that has gained widespread attention from people whether they are conservative or liberal, Republican or Democrat.

Bond-X Green®, the Environmentally Friendly Cold Patch Asphalt Repair Product, is Now Available for West Coast Consumers

NuGeneration Technologies (NuGenTec) announced today their first bulk manufacturing of Bond-X Green® on the West Coast.

Emeryville, California (PRWEB) February 1, 2011

NuGeneration Technologies (NuGenTec) announced today their first bulk manufacturing of Bond-X Green® on the West Coast.Bond-X Green® is a breakthrough in the cold asphalt industry since the product contains none of the petroleum based softeners such as diesel, toluene, kerosene, and naphthalene used in traditional asphalt that includes VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds). Without sacrificing quality or increasing costs, Bond-X Green® is the ideal green solution for making roads safer, smoother and less dangerous, quickly and efficiently.Produced at the BoDean Asphalt Company in Santa Rosa, the 400 tons of the environmentally friendly cold patch asphalt repair product is ready for consumption by all organizations committed to green repair technology and VOC compliance.This first production run of Bond-X Green® is one of the many scheduled as NuGenTec introduces this green and economical cold patch asphalt repair solution to the western United States.

Bond-X Green® contains zero VOCs and is manufactured at a much lower temperature than the conventional mix, which reduces fuel consumption.Furthermore, the manufacturing process involves the use of only renewable resources with long-term sustainability as well as recyclable packaging for distribution in order to achieve a significant reduction in its overall carbon footprint.With the recently more stringent EPA and California Air Quality Management (AQMD) regulations for VOC emissions, switching to Bond-X Green® allows cities and municipalities not only to meet all regulatory standards but also exceed them substantially.Simply put, Bond-X Green® is a natural solution for compliance with California VOC regulation AQMD 1152, since it is the only cold patch product with zero VOC emissions in the market.

Given the ever-increasing environmental and health concerns of businesses, governments, organizations, and consumers, Bond-X Green® represents the only viable solution as the asphalt repair product for safer, smoother, and less dangerous roads.The product can be used to repair dangerous potholes, wide cracks, ruts, etc. within minutes on both concrete and asphalt pavements, regardless of weather conditions.Repaired areas can also be open to traffic immediately after application. In addition, Bond-X Green® is a “permanent patch” solution and should remain in the repaired area indefinitely.Cities and municipalities would save considerable labor costs as workers will not be constantly repairing an area where other types of asphalt mix were used previously.

NuGenTec offers Bond-X Green® in bulk quantities and in 60-lb bags. The company has multiple distribution points throughout California and the entire West Coast. Interested parties wishing to purchase or distribute Bond-X Green® are encouraged to contact NuGenTec at 1-800-409-3142.

About NuGeneration Technologies

NuGeneration Technologies (NuGenTec) supplies advanced green solutions to customers in high-tech, medical device, biotech, government, and semi-conductor industries. NuGenTec’s new Bond-X Green® high performance cold patch and USDA BIO-Based line are industry leaders in the quest for greener and more earth-friendly products. The company, founded in 1997, has its headquarters and R&D Labs in Emeryville, CA. It provides over 600 products and develops customized solutions for its customers with its focus on scientific and technological breakthroughs. NuGenTec employees include highly qualified and experienced chemists and engineers. Its business philosophy adapts Total Process Integration through specialty-formulated chemistries and the management team is dedicated to the innovation of new green products and processes with more than 175 years of combined experience in the specialty chemistry industry.

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Donato PolignoneNuGeneration Technologies1-888-996-8436Email Information

Viacom revenue falls short on weak DVD sales

NEW YORK (Reuters) – Viacom's quarterly revenue dropped a greater-than-expected 5 percent drop on a decline of DVD sales at Paramount Pictures, and its shares whipsawed throughout the trading day.

Its shares fell as much as 3 percent before setting a new three-year high after Viacom Chief Executive Philippe Dauman struck a confident tone on the company's global and U.S. advertising growth outlook. The shares later lost ground and were down 1.5 percent in afternoon trading.

Dauman expects a "particularly robust upfront this spring," when television programmers sell advertising ahead of the coming season, and he expects global and domestic ad revenue to rise by double-digit percentages in the March quarter.

Viacom's drop in revenue came as rivals Time Warner Inc and News Corp impressed Wall Street on Wednesday with strong advertising and overall revenue improvements.

"Viacom's domestic advertising growth is very impressive," said RBC Capital Markets analyst David Bank. "It just looks slightly less impressive coming after Time Warner and News Corp results."

Late Wednesday, the company said it would allow programs such as "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" to be shown on Hulu, the online video joint venture of U.S. TV broadcasters. Viacom has sought to generate additional fees for its programs as consumers lose interest in purchasing DVDs.

Viacom's revenue for its fiscal first quarter, ended December 31, fell to $3.83 billion from $4.02 billion a year earlier, missing analysts' average forecast of $4.07 billion, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S.

At the company's media networks division, which includes cable networks MTV, Comedy Central and Nickelodeon, first-quarter revenue rose 6 percent to $2.38 billion due mainly to stronger advertising sales, up 10 percent in the United States.

Revenue at Viacom's filmed entertainment group, which includes Paramount Pictures, fell 16 percent to $1.5 billion on a 44 percent slump in home entertainment revenue.

Adjusted earnings per share of $1.02 narrowly beat analysts' average forecast of $1.00.

During the first quarter, net income from continuing operations was $629 million, or $1.02 per share, compared with $691 million, or $1.19 cents per share, a year earlier.

Shares were down 67 cents at $43.30 on the New York Stock Exchange.

(Reporting by Jennifer Saba; Editing by Derek Caney)

Jenkins has 20 as Vanderbilt beats Ole Miss 84-74

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – John Jenkins led five Commodores in double figures with 20 points, and Vanderbilt beat Mississippi 84-74 Wednesday night to send the Rebels to their worst start in Southeastern Conference play since 2000.

The Commodores (13-4, 2-2) needed this win on their home court after dropping their first two road games in the SEC and falling to the bottom of the Eastern Division.

Mississippi (12-7, 0-4) now is off to its worst league start since dropping its first five SEC games in 2000.

Festus Ezeli had 16 points after going 10 of 12 at the free-throw line for Vanderbilt. Jeff Taylor had 15 points, and Lance Goulbourne had 14 and tied the team record with 16 rebounds for Vanderbilt. Dawid Przybyszewski last had 16 rebounds Nov. 19, 2004. Brad Tinsley added 14 points.

Chris Warren and Dundrecous Nelson had 17 apiece for Ole Miss, Zach Graham 14 and Terrance Henry 11.

In this matchup of two of the SEC's top three scoring offenses, the Rebels can blame some cold shooting at the worst times for this latest loss. As Vanderbilt opened the second half with a 12-3 run, the Rebels missed their first five shots before Warren hit a 3 to end the drought.

Ole Miss last led 66-65 thanks to a 14-3 run capped by eight straight points from Nelson. He hit a pair of free throws, then back-to-back 3s to give the Rebels their last lead with 6:43 left. Then the Rebels went cold again. Graham hit a bucket with 4:16 left, and that was their only points until Nelson's layup with 2:50 to go.

Jenkins put the Commodores back up for good with his 3-pointer with 5:35 remaining. Taylor scored on a layup that was Vanderbilt's last field goal of the game with 5:03 left. He also hit the free throw after being fouled as Vanderbilt polished off the win by going 14-of-17 at the free-throw line down the stretch.

The Commodores outshot Ole Miss all over the court, hitting 8-of-16 from beyond the arc and had a big edge at the foul line (28-of-34 compared to 14-of-16). Vandy also outrebounded Ole Miss 41-25.

Ole Miss led 42-39 at halftime after surviving a cold shooting start when the Rebels hit just three of their first 11 shots, and Warren was just 2-of-8 from the floor in the first half. Vanderbilt led by as much as nine early, before the Rebels finally warmed up.

The Rebels also scored 17 points off Vanderbilt's turnovers in the first half but managed just five more such points in the second half.

Erding double keeps PSG's title hopes alive

PARIS (AFP) – Paris Saint Germain, who were last crowned French champions back in 1994, moved to within one point of leaders Lille with a 2-1 win over bottom club Arles-Avignon on Saturday.

Turkish striker Mevlut Erding, PSG's top scorer last season, ensured the points with goals in either half, with Senegelese midfielder Deme Ndiaye grabbing only the hosts' 11th goal of the campaign on the hour mark.

This 10th win of the season moved PSG up to 37 points, although Lille can extend the gap to four with victory over Lens in the day's late kick-off.

The loss anchored Arles at the foot of the table on a mere eight points, a massive 12 adrift of second from bottom Monaco who host champions Marseille on Sunday.

Multiple former champions Lyon came away from their trip to Valenciennes the 2-1 losers but still leap-frogged Rennes on goal difference to take third after the Brittany side's 5-1 drubbing at mid-table Sochaux.

A brace from Modibo Maiga and contributions from Marvin Martin, Nigerian Ideye Brown and Ryad Boudebouz's 74th minute penalty earned Sochaux the win, with Rennes' solitary riposte coming from Razak Boukari.

This was a chastening experience for Rennes who started the match with the best defensive record in the league.

To add insult to injury goalkeeper Nicolas Douchez was given a red card.

Lyon, hustled out of the French Cup last weekend by Nice, came unstuck courtesy of a 51st minute spot kick converted by Valenciennes' Serbia midfielder Milan Bisevac, with Gregory Pujol doubling up seven minutes later.

Michel Bastos gave Lyon hope in the 71st minute but the hosts held on gamely thanks in no small part to the sterling efforts of goalkeeper Nicolas Penneteau.

Bakary Sako scored twice to earn Saint Etienne a 2-1 win over Toulouse which moved them up two places into sixth, while Caen moved out of the relegation zone after a 2-0 win over Auxerre and Lorient came out 2-0 victors in their midtable clash with Brest.

Aside from the south coast clash between League Cup finalists Marseille and Monaco, Sunday's programme features troubled Bordeaux agaisnt Nice and Nancy hosting Montpellier, Marseille's opponents in the League Cup final.