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By ., March 17, 2010 9:07 pm

Catholic Church, and religion in general, losing Latinos in USA
Latino population growth over the past two decades has boosted numbers in the Catholic Church, but a new, in-depth analysis shows Latinos’ allegiance to Catholicism is waning as some move toward other Christian denominations or claim no religion at all.

Read more on Courier-Post

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By .,

PRO INFO SPORTS takes all factors into consideration when handicapping sports investment opportunities for our Sports Handicapping Services, including the weather. We also strongly recommend clients give the “elements” a final check for any late-breaking developments prior to wagering, by reviewing our Weather Reports.

Atmospheric conditions can have a big impact on sporting events. In perceived football “mismatches”, poor weather tends to lessen the advantage powerful teams have over weaker opponents. The underdogs’ chances of keeping the games close or even pulling off the outright upsets are enhanced, especially by turnovers which occur with more frequency in bad-weather games. Just the threat of poor conditions can act as a great equalizer. Teams become more offensively conservative in order to avoid costly fumbles and interceptions. Either way, inclement weather in football usually portends defensive battles and low scores.

Sub-freezing temperatures generally restrain deep passing attacks, giving an advantage to football teams with superior running games or solid short-passing schemes. For baseball considerations, warm air is less dense, or thinner, than cold air. A would-be 400 ft shot at 75 degrees would carry 408 ft at 95 degrees.

Along with temperature, humidity has to be considered when factoring meteorological elements. An NFL team like the Miami Dolphins is conditioned to a hot and humid environment which is most extreme in the first month of the season. Take them out of their natural climate and their performance suffers, as shown by a large disparity in their September home record vs. December road games. Overall, teams from the South have the advantage when hosting a opponent not used to hot, humid conditions, while cold-weather squads from the North gain the edge when hosting warm-weather teams in chilly December weather.

Humidity can also affect a baseball game. According to Professor Robert Adair, the dean of baseball physicists, a baseball in a humid environment is actually heavier and less elastic than a dry ball, and, therefore, cannot be hit as far.

Wind is perhaps the most overlooked weather factor in sports handicapping. The importance of football special teams are amplified in bad weather, especially in windy conditions, as teams with superior kicking games have a distinct edge over an inferior kicking team. Meanwhile, teams that rely on passing games can be greatly affected by blustery conditions, especially if the winds are blowing across the field. In a game where there are strong winds blowing parallel to the direction of the field, one team will always have the wind at their backs, allowing them to pass the ball more easily; however, if the wind is blowing strongly across the field, this can hamper both teams’ passing attack for the entire game.

In regards to baseball, air moving along in the same direction the ball is flying pushes back less on the ball, allowing it to travel farther. In fact, the wind is very often the single most important thing to consider about the weather when betting baseball totals. A 400 ft shot in calm conditions would turn into a 445 ft blast with a 15 mph wind directed out to center field.

Yet another factor that has to be weighed when handicapping sports is altitude. At stadiums and arenas one mile or more above sea level, the air is considerably thinner than those below 1000 feet in elevation. With the oxygen level greatly reduced at higher elevations, the heart and breathing rates increase to compensate. This is experienced as shortness of breath and early fatigue. It takes about 10 days for the body to completely acclimate to altitude, so low-altitude teams making road trips to the Rocky Mountains simply don’t have enough time to fully adjust. They often struggle, especially late in a hard-fought contest.

As in poor-weather games, special teams play can become a more decisive factor in high-altitude football contests as well. Punts and placekicks travel longer distances due to decreased air resistance. The team with the more accurate and consistent kicking game will fare considerably better as they will be more likely to convert their increased kicking range into good field position and points.

Air under low pressure is less dense, or thinner, than air under high pressure. This is the main reason long balls carry farther in Denver – the atmospheric pressure at that altitude (5,300 ft) is always about 15% less than sea level pressures. A hit that would have flown 400 ft at sea level would carry to 430 ft in the thin air of Coors Stadium. This permanent effect of Denver’s high altitude is duly noted by the oddsmakers, however, resulting in totals typically in the 12-14 range, reducing the opportunity to simply bet OVERS and win most of the time. The day-to-day pressure changes of the atmosphere, however, are not considered by the oddsmakers, but these daily pressure differences at stadiums caused by the meanderings of the high and low pressures depicted on weather charts are very small. On a low pressure day the pressure is only one or two per cent lower than on a normal day, so a 400 ft shot would only carry a whopping 402 ft! Obviously this effect is too small to worry about in baseball, especially since there are other atmospheric factors that actually make a big difference.

PRO INFO SPORTS considers all of the NCAA Football and NCAA Basketball games played in the Rocky Mountains region “altitude games”, from El Paso, Texas (4,000 ft) to Laramie, Wyoming (7,100 ft). In the NFL and MLB, only Denver qualifies, while the NBA has 2 high-altitude sites in Denver and Salt Lake City (4,330 ft).

Ultimately, a decided competitive advantage can be gained by a team in its element playing an opponent out of its element, whether it is temperature, humidity, precipitation, wind, or altitude.

These weather principles are, of course, generalities and all factors must be considered when analyzing sports investment opportunities, but the monitoring and scrutinizing of these conditions and circumstances are examples of how PRO INFO SPORTS gains a significant sports handicapping advantage and uses the information to help determine the strength of certain selections according to our Money Management strategy.

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By .,

There is a new party on the political arena of Ukraine.

The “Front of Changes” – FoC, will work in all Ukraine through cells which together will form all Ukrainian public organization for achievement of changes in the country. “Front of Changes” calls to take part in “To front of changes” all, who share FoC’s goals – and ready to help to incarnate them into life. This help can be varied, but the purpose for all is to make changes in the country.

As soon as these cells are formed and will gather active thinking people, they will be the foundation, which will bring to power a new generation of politicians in a new party. FoC calls before a country that must unite us and mobilize for creation of a party which is built from the ground and up.

Therefore there is a call for all the Ukrainians to join the «Front of changes».

The leader of the Front Zmin (Front for Change) public initiative, MP Arseniy Yatseniuk has made public this communiqué on their web site (http://frontzmin.org/).

«????? ????» ??????????? ? ???? ??????? ? ???? ???????? ????? ????????????? ????????????? ?????????? ??????????? ??? ?????????? ???? ? ??????. ?? ?????????? ??????????? ?? «?????? ????» ????, ??? ??????? ???? ???? – ? ??????? ?????????? ????????? ?? ? ?????. ?? ???????? ???? ???? ??????, ??? ???? ? ??? ???? – ????? ? ??????. ?? ?????? ?? ???????? ?????? ?????????? ? ????????? ??????? ???? ???????? ?????????? ?????, ???? ?????? ? ?????? ????? ??????, ??? ??????? ?? ????? ???? ????????? ?????????. ???????, ?? ?????? ????? ???????, ?????? ??? ??’?????? ?? ???????????? ??? ????????? ??????, ??? ????????? ?????. ??????, ???????????? ???? ?? ???????. ???? ?? ?????????? ??? ??????????? ?? «?????? ????».

In order for us to understand the political foundation of the FoC, below you will find their 17 points communiqué and I have tried to translate it to English after my best ability for my English reading readers.

??????? ??????: «? ????????? ????? ????»

???? ????? ?????????? – ??? ??? ????????, ????????? ??? ??????? ????, ?????, ?????????????? ? ?????????????? ???? ????????? ? ???????????. ?? ???????? ???????? ??? ??? ? ?????? ??????. ??? ????????? ???? ????????? ????????? ?? 17 ????????????? ????????.

Arseniy Yacenyuk: «I open the Front of Changes»

The purpose of our activity is to assemble all Ukrainians, regardless of their age, level, nationality and religion who are convinced of the future. The future depends on us and our choice. We must give adequate answers for 17 near-term calls.

1. ?????????? ??????????

???????? ?????????? ????????????????, ? ?? ?????? ???????? ??? ????, ??? ? ?? ? ???????????????? ????????? ?? ????????????? ????????.
- ??????? ??? ???? ?????????????-?????????????? ???????????. ???? ??????? ?? ???? ???? ?? ????, ?? ??????.
- ????????? ???????? «?????????? ????????» ??????? ????? ?? ??????????? ??? ???????? ? ???????????.
- ????? – ??, ?????????, ???????????????? ????????? ????? ??????. ??????? ?????? ?? ???????? – ?? ?????????? ??????.

1. Maintainance of the democracy

The level of personification of the Democracy today depends on whom and as from how high-level officials explains this fundamental value.

- Ukraine must be a parliament-presidential republic. Our state will have neither Tsar nor Tsarina.

- It is necessary to stop «Ukrainian tradition» to make alteration in Constitution under a situation and personality.

2. ????????? ??????????? ?????

?? ????? ???????????, ?? ????, ?? ???? ???????, ?, ?????????, ????????? ??????. ???? ???? ????????? ? ????? ?????????-?????????, ????????? ?? ???????.
???????????? ????? ? ????????? ?????:
- ???????? ?????????? ?????.
- ???????? ?????????? ??????? ??? ???????.
- ????????? ????????? ?? ????????? ????????? ?? ??????? ?????????? ??????? ?? ?????? ????????? ?? ???????? ?????????? ??????.
- ?? ????????? ?????? ???????????.

2. Overcoming the economic crisis

This crisis is measured, unfortunately, not only by numbers, and, foremost, by human stakes. It can outgrow in a social and political, cultural and spiritual crisis.

Near-term steps to overcome crises are:

- To create an internal market.

- To overcome import dependence of Ukraine.

- To halt political and social fireworks due to the state budget in order to please politicians and frank economic lie.

- Not to delay any more and begin to work.

3. ?????????? ???????????? ????

???????? ? ??????? «????????» ???????? ? ???? ????, ??? ??? ????????? ? ????????????.
????????? ??????????? ???? – ??:
- ?????? ??????? ? ???????? ??????????, ?????? ???, ?? ??? ??? ??????????? ???????.
- ??????, ??? ??? ?? ?? ????, ? ??????, ??? ??? ?? ?? ???????, ?? ????, ???? ???? ???? ?????????.
- ?????????? ???? ?? ????????, ?????????? ???????? ?? ??????? ??? ???????.

3. Forming a National Idea

is today in each  at large, a policy where the idea equates with the national.

In actual fact the National idea – is:

- Strong state and conscious citizen, proud that he has the Ukrainian passport.

- Family which has for what to live, and child which has for what to study, and knows, where it will go to work.

- Maintenance of language and culture, comprehension past and reflections about the modern aspects.

4. ?????????? ? ??????????? ????????????? ????????

?? ???? ???????????? ??????? ???????????? ??????? ??? ???????????, ???? ? ??????? ???? ?????????? ???? ??????.
???? ???????? – ???????? ????? ??? ????, ??? ??? ??? ????????? ?? ???? ???????.
- ???????? ???????? ?? ?????????, ? ?????????? ??????, ??? ????????? ?? ????????? ? ??? ????? ?????????? ????????? ?????? ????? ?????.
- ??????? ??????? ???? ????? ?????. ????? ? ??????????? ?? ???? ?????????? ? ???? ???????????? ? ??????.
- ??????? ??????? ????????? ? ????????? – ????? ??????? ? ??????? ??????????. ???? ???? ??? ????? ??????????? ? ?????????????? ? ????????? ????? ??????.

4. Maintenance and increase of the national capital

For years an independent Ukraine and a national capital were formed, though history of its forming was different.

Our task is to create terms in order that we can work on our state.

- It is needed to save not the oligarchs, but Ukrainian assets which influence the economy and which enable the work of hundreds of thousands of people.

- Capital must have equal terms. No businessmen can prevail and be a monopolist in the country.

- Basic rule of conduct with a capital should be to be gently to cherish and hard regulated. Only then will we be able to develop and multiply in interests of entire country.

5. ???? ? ???????? ???????????? ????????? – ?? ?????

????? – ?? ?????? ?????? ? ?????, ???? ?? ?????????????. ?? ???????? ??? ??????? – ?? ???? ?????? ??? ??????????? ???????.
???? ?? ?? ?????? ????????? ?? ?????, ??? ? ??????? ??????? ???????:
- ?????????? ????????? ??????????? ????? ?? ????????? ????????? ????? ? ???? ?? ??????????? ????????????.
- ?????????? ??????????? ????? ?????? ???? ???????? ????????? ???????.
- ???? ??????? ????? ??????? ?????, ? ???? ? ??????? ????? ?? ??????.
??? ????? ????????? ???????? ?????????? ?????? ?? ????? ???????-??????? ?????.
- ????????? ?????? ????????? ?? ????? ? ????? ?????, ????? ?? ?????????????? – ??? ?? ???????? ??????????.

5. One of the main national capital values is the land

The land is the unique resource in the world, which does not recommence. How to save this capital is another call for the Ukrainian state.

Therefore we are for the removal of moratorium on land, but with clear 4 conditions:

- An observance of the having a special purpose setting of land and forced exception of earth is in the case of its targeted use.

- The proprietors of Ukrainian earth can only be residents of Ukraine.

- It is only possible to sell state lannd, and only in the states it is possible to purchase it.

For this purpose it is necessary to create a state agent for the market of buyers and sellers of land.

- A limit of volume of property which is in one person hand, straight or mediated –, not to create landlords.

6. ?????????? ???????? ?????????? ?????

??????????? ???? ? ???????????? ??????? ?????????? ?????????? ??? ????????? ?????????? ?????.
??????? ????????? ?????:
- ???????? ??????? ?? ?? ?????????, ? ?? ?????? ???????.
- ?????? ??????? ???? ?????, ? ?? ???? ??????? ??????.
- ?????? ?????? ?? ????? ? ????????? ?????? ??????? ??? ??????, ????????? ??? ?? ??????????????, ???? ?? ????????.
- ??? ??????????? ?????????, ???? ?????????? ???????? ?????? ???????????, ? ?? ???? ??????? ???????.
- ????? ??????? ??????? ? ???????????? ???????????.

6. Forming of modern political nation

Make the national idea and national capital become the prime soil for creation of a political nation.

Conscious political nation:

- Perceives Ukraine not as territory, but as the strong state.

- Able to elect to itself power, but not to be select power.

- Able to change this power and build the strong state for a man, regardless of its nationality, language and confession.

- Has the formed world view which represents interests of all society, but not only for himself.

- Build the legal state and civil society.

7. ????????????? ??????????? ??????? ?????

???????? ??????? ???????? ??????????? ???????? – ?? ?????, ????????????, ?????, ?????? ?? ??????.
????, ?? ???????, ??? ? ?????? ????? ??????? ? ??????? ???? ???????????. ??? ?????? ?? ????? ? ???????. ? ?????? ???????, ??? ????????? ????????? ??? ??????:
- ??????? ??????? ??????? – ??????????? ???????? ?????? ?? ??????? ?? ????????? ????.
- ????? ???????? ??????????? ???????????????.
- ??????????? ???????????????? ????????? ????? ?????????.

7. Balance in the Ukrainian power system

Today basic elements of the Ukrainian policy are plots, Visantisianism, treasons, cynicism and lie.

They are as a tumor which with every year grows and infects our society. But there are rules even in a war. There are simple recipes, to prevent growth of these tumors:

- To change the electoral system – to inculcate the opened lists on elections in Verkhovna Rada.

- To take away deputy immunity.

- To inculcate responsibility of deputies before the electors.

8. ????? ?????????? ?????

- ???????? ? ??????? ????? ?? ?????? ???????, ??? ? ??????. ???????? ??????? ???????? ????????? ?? ?? ??????????????, ? ?? ???????????.
- ?????????? ????? ?????????? ???, ??? ?? ?????? ????????????? ?????? ??? ?????? ??????. ???? ??????, ? ?? ????????????????? ??????? – ?? ???? ?? ????? ?????.

8. Change of political elite

- To methodize authorities of not only youths but also the best. Create a real command of conscious Ukrainians not by nationality, but after calling.

- Forming a new political force, this will not be the charisma club of one leader. New parties, but not polytechnological projects are a way to the change the elite.

9. ?????????? ???????? ??????????? ????????? ???????????

??????? ???????? ?????, ?????????? ?????????????, ?? ?????? ???????? ? ????????? ?????????, ???????????, ?? ???? ?????? ????????? ??????.
????????? ??????????:
- ??????? ????? ????????? ??????, ?? ???? ?????????, ????????? ??? ?????????? ???????? ?? ?????.
- ??????????? ???????? ?????? ????????? ??????.

9. Forming a layer of professional state management

The State needs new, professionally geared-up, with fresh vision and modern approaches, management, on all stages of government service.

It is necessary to form:

- A middle link of government service which will be permanent, regardless of political colors or events.

- A professional skilled reserve of government service.

10. ??????? ??????

????? ?? ??? ???????????? ?????????.
????? ??????? ???????????? ?????? ??????????? ??????? ???? ????????? ?? ??????????? ?????????. ??????? 20% ??????????? ?? ?????? ?????? ?????? ?? ?????. ?? ?????:
- ????????? ?????????? ?????? ????? ?????????? ????????? ?? ??????????, ??? ? ?????????.
- ??????? ???????????? ? ??????????? ????? ?????????? ????????.
- ???????? ????? ?????? ? ???????? ? ????????? ??????????? ?????????.
- ?????????? ????????????? ??????????? ??????? ?? ??????????? ??????.

10. Modern education

The nation does not have the Nobel laureates.

There is not a single Ukrainian higher educational establishment which is brought to the international ratings. Close to 20% of the graduating students can not find work within its area of specialist background.

We have:

- To revive domestic education through the increase of professionalism of both teachers and students.

- To change financing and accreditations of higher educational establishments.

- To co-ordinate maintenance of education with realities and necessities of the Ukrainian economy.

- To adapt introduction of Bologonskogo process to conformed to Ukrainian realities.

11. ??????? ??????????????

- ? ???????? ???? ?????? ????? ?? ??? ????? ??????????.
- ?? ????? ????????? ??????????? ????? ?? ?????? ? ??????????? ?????? ?? ?????.
- ???????? ???????: «???? ????????? ????? ?? ??????? ???? ????????».

11. Freedom of religion

- In the spiritual world of man nobody has the authority to interfere.

- It is impossible to assume political pressure on a church and political influence of church as such.

- Basic principle: « Keep a close love to it and respect his confession».

12. ???? ?? ??? ???? ????????? ?????????? ??????????

- ??????? ??? ???????? ?????, ??? ???????? ????? ?????? ??????? ?? ????????????? ???????????, ??????????, ?????????, ?????????, ??????????? ?? ?????? ??????, ??? ???????? ?????? ??????? ?? ?????? ?????????.

12. The language must not be the article of political speculation

- The state must create terms, in order for the Ukrainians to be able to freely study and use, Russian, German, Polish, French and other English languages which consider the native or want to seize.

13. ??????? ?? ??????? ??????’? ?????????
????????? ??????? – ????? ??????, ??????? ? ??????? ???????, ? ????? ???????? ?? ??????.
- ??????? ???????? ????????? ???? ????????? ??????????????, ????? ???? ?????????, ?? ????????????? ?????????? ?????????, ????????? ? ???????? ????????????.
- ????????? ???????????? ????????????? ????????.
??????????? ???? ? ? ?????????? ?????????.
- ??????? ?????? ?? ???? ????????????? ????????? ??????? ?? ?????????? ???????????. ???? ???? ??????, ?? ??????, ??? ?????? ? ???? ????????????? ?????????? ??????????? ?????.

13. Spiritual and physical health of Ukrainians

Tendencies are terrible – nation gets older, physically and weakens spiritually, and the best ones migrate out of the country.

- Ukraine needs system changes in medical service, through new standards, and introductions of protocols of treatment, connected with medical insurance.

- It is necessary to revive prophylactic medicine.

Analogical state and with cultural development.

- A hungry family will not sustain itself with classic music and modern literature. It thinks on how to survive, more so in the days of today’s global economic crisis.

14. ??????????? ?????

- ?? ?? ????????? ??????????? ???????? ??? ?????????? ????.
- ???? ?? ?????????? ?? ????????????, ? ??????????? ?????. ??????????? ????? ????????? ?? ????????????? ????????, ?? ??? ???????, ??? ? ??? ???????? ???????????.
- ???? ?? ????????????? ????? ??????? ? ????????. ??? ?? ????? ????? ?? ????? ???? ?????? ???? ??????. ??????? ?? ??? ?????????, ?? ????? ?????????.
- ?????????? ??????????? ?? ???????? ??? ???? ?????, ?? ? ??????????? ??????????? ?? ?????????? ???????. ?? ?????? ????????????? ? ?????, ????? ???, ??? ???????? ???????? ?? ???????????? ?????? ?????.
- ?? ????? ???????? ?????? ???????? ? ??????????? ????????? ???????? – ???????? ? ?????????? ??????????.
- ??????? ?????? ????? ?? ????????? ????? ?????? ??????????? ? ????? ????????????? ??????????????.

14. Ukrainian choice

- We will not get external confession without internal changes.

- Therefore we do not offer a European, but a Ukrainian choice. Make a Ukrainian choice of values and national interest, both for the state and for the individual citizen.

- The way to the European Union is distant and protracted. But on this way we must be interesting in each other. Ukraine must not be asked, it must invite.

- The Ukrainian presence abroad must be everywhere, where Ukrainian economic and political interest is. We will co-operate with all, except for those, who finances terrorism and diffuses a nuclear weapon.

- We must overcome a base problem in the Ukrainian foreign policy with relationships with Russian Federation.

- Ukraine must go out on the absolutely new level of socializing with new American Administration.

15. ????????? ????????????? ????? ????

- ????? ?? ?????? ?????? ?? ????, ?? ?????? ?? ???.
- ?? ????? ?? ???? ??????? ???? ??????.
- ??? ???? ?? ???????? ????? ????? ????? ???? ??? ????, ???? ?????? ???????????.
- ???? ???????????? ???? ???? ???? ??????????? ? ???????????? ??????? ????? ??????????.

15. Creation of the National plan of changes

- Changes can not come in one day, or even during one year.

- These changes one man can not do alone.

- But if we together will have a clear goal of these changes, they will be effective.

- Therefore the National plan of changes will be formed and realized jointly by all Ukrainians.

16. ???????? ?????? ????????? ?????

?????? ???????, ?? ??? ?? ? ???? ?????? ? ?????????????? ??????? ???????????, ??????????, ?????????? ? ?????????? ?????????.
???????, ??? ??????? ???????? ????? ???????? ? ?????? ? ???, ???????? ??? ??, ?? ????????? ????? ???.
- ???????? ?????? ????????? ?????. ??????????? ?????, ? ?? ???????? ????????????????, ???? ?? ?????? ??????? ?????????? ?????.
- ????? ?????? ?????????? ?????????, ?? ??????? ????????? ????? ????? ??????????? ???????????.

16. Today to the country necessary changes

We must acknowledge that all of us and until now live in the post Soviet system of economic, political, social and mental co-ordinates.

Calls which appeared today before the state and each of us talk that change are needed to it all.

- Today to the country is in need of changes, cardinal changes, but not ordinary preformatted changes which we have lived by the last seventeen years.

- Having strong historical foundation, we must build the strong walls of the Ukrainian state system.

17. ?????? ????? ?? ???? ????????? ????????? ?? ??????? ?????? ????

- ????????? ?????? ?? ??????. ??? ????? ????? ???????? ?????????, ??? ???’?????? ???? ??????? ? ?????????? ?? ????????.
- ????? ???? ??????? ?? ???????? ?? ????????? ? ??????, ? ?????? ?????????? ????? ?? ????? ??????. ? ???? ???????? ????. ? ???????????? ?????????? ? ??????, ??? ?????????? ?? ??????????? ???????, ? ???? ?????? ???????????? ????????????.
- ???? ???? ??????? ?????? ?????????? ?????????? “????? ????”. ???? ?? ?? ?? ??????. ??? ??? ? ??????????? ????? ? ???????? ????????. ? ?????????, ?? ??????????? ???? ?????????? ???? ??????. ??????, ????????? ?????. ??????, ??? ?? ??? ?????????? ?? ?????.

17. Only together we will give effective answers for the calls of our time

- Independently will not do much. But millions of Ukrainians, which remember the history and are ill for the future, should go alongside.

- After my journeys on regions and meetings with people, I felt a public request for a new format. I will move further. I will try to meet with each, who share an interest to the future of Ukraine, and will search ideological supporters.

- For this reason Arseniy Yacenyuk begins initiative “Front of changes”. So far it is not a party. But already there are initiative groups in many areas. I am sure that the result of this initiative will be a party. A party, built from below. This is a party which does not have shareholders and leader.

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By .,

“Crime” is a word that invokes both fear and acceptance in society.  Statistically your chances of becoming a victim of crime in any given year are actually pretty low. I’m sure this is a great comfort to anyone who has been victimized or knows someone who has been. On the surface many crimes seem random and senseless, but when we take a look at the factors that make up a crime we see a pattern emerge. In order for a crime to occur there are three factors that must be present. They are; Motive, Opportunity and a Victim.

Each of these factors plays an important role in how and why crimes occur. Two of these factors are within your control to influence. Motive is what drives the criminal to commit the crime. Motives are as individual as the criminal and beyond your ability to effectively control. Some common themes are drugs, money, sex, violence, power, domination etc. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t attempt to understand some of the social issues surrounding the psychology of crime. It just means that knowing your attacker is a crack addict with an addiction to feed is the last thing you are worrying about when he is stealing your purse at knifepoint.

Opportunity and access are necessary for the criminal to commit an offence. Crime is like a business. To succeed it must have timing, location, read the market correctly and have access to potential customers. Having a good foundation in Personal Safety removes much of the potential for criminals to have access to you. Both timing and location are within your realm of control. Ensure that you always maintain good Situational Awareness. Being able to spot, assess and proactively respond to potentially dangerous situations is much simpler than having to resort to Self Defense or submission when a crime actually occurs.

Victims the most important piece to the puzzle. Without a victim there is no crime. By removing yourself from the equation or at least substantially reducing your profile as a potential victim you will have the greatest impact on how crime will affect your life. This puts a lot of power and responsibility in your hands. Taking steps to reduce your desirability as a potential victim is not difficult. It does demand some education, effort and practice on your part though. You must educate yourself on what you don’t know. Contrary to popular belief, what you don’t know can hurt you. Take a course in Personal Safety and Self Defense. Learn how to develop and implement a Personal Safety Plan, then practice, practice, practice.

When we teach our courses, participants are always surprised to find out that when we talk about the “Adrenal Stress Response” that there is more to adrenaline than just “Fight of Flight”. This is not incorrect, just incomplete. During times of stress or danger the human body generally has 4 available options when adrenaline kicks in. These are; Fight, Flight, Posture, Submitt.

Each of these responses is common when a person is placed in a stressful or potentially dangerous situation. The fact is that everyone is affected by the “Adrenal Stress Response”. The difference is in how individuals deal with it. Each of us fits into one or more of these response types dependent upon a variety of environmental and personal factors. Adrenaline is an amazing hormone, it lets our bodies become supercharged and incredibly strong. Unfortunately it also has a dark side. Adrenaline also causes the “Freeze” response, dry mouth, rapid breathing, and extreme fatigue. Asymmetric Saturation Training is one method to reduce the effects of the “Adrenal Stress Response”. This is accomplished by systematically placing students in an Adrenal state during full contact Padded Attacker scenarios. Repeated exposure to the Adrenal Stress Response burns Self Defense techniques into the student’s neural pathways and teaches them how to survive a violent attack. This is the same method used by Peace Officers and the Military to train for the realities of combat.

Fight is always the first option listed when this sequence is discussed. It is however probably the least used in these situations. The human body is hardwired against harming others of our species. It is what allows us to live in large communities without random violence and murder. The ability to use violent and sometimes lethal force to protect ourselves from harm is easy to discuss and much harder to actually do. It is important to remember though that there is a portion of the populace that doesn’t share your feelings of kindness and lack of aggression towards your fellow man. In my business we call them “Wolves”. For the terms of our discussion “Wolf” refers to criminals and other predators.

Flight is the next most discussed option and in my opinion the least used or considered. It is also the most prudent and least likely to produce violent results. My philosophy has always been to run if you can and fight if you can’t. I’ve seen countless situations that have deteriorated into violence that you could have seen coming from a block away. Conversely I’ve also seen people stand back and posture when doing so was so obviously not going to go well for them.

Posturing is a very successful strategy for dealing with potential violence. Many species posture to make themselves look larger and more aggressive to potential adversaries. Often posturing works as the response cost for the criminal is just too high. It is too risky to take the chance that the individual posturing is just as tough and bad as they are trying to tell you they are. If you misjudge your career as a criminal will be brief and the resultant miscalculation painful.

Submitting is the fourth way that our bodies can react in a stressful or violent situation. In some cases submission has saved lives. Submission as a response to crime often has negative effects on it’s victims for years after the crime. It is important for survivors of violence to understand that no matter the circumstances that led to their attack the responsibility always lies with the perpetrator.

In my world there are three types of people; Wolves, Sheep and Sheepdogs. Wolves are predators and are not afraid to harm you. It is important to know that wolves don’t play by societies rules, so expecting them to behave as anything other than large, dangerous carnivores is foolhardy. The best way to deal with a wolf is never to run across his path in the first place. Learning practical Self Defense and Personal Safety skills will go a long way to keeping you off of a wolfs radar.

Sheep unfortunately represent the vast majority of society. I use this Tag because Sheep are prey. To the wolves of the world, sheep are there to be eaten. For you that means whatever personal motive that drives them to commit their crimes. Many times Sheep take the “It won’t happen to me, I live in a nice neighborhood” approach. Most times they are shocked when crime does happen in their neighborhood or affects them or someone they know in a very personal way.

Sheepdogs are the last category and that is what every one of us should aspire to be. Sheepdogs are not intimidated by Wolves and will actively protect the Sheep. Wolves don’t want to mess with a Sheepdog due to the high probability of severe risk and damage to them personally. We can become Sheepdogs by educating ourselves on the societal causes of crime and learning the skill sets necessary to protect ourselves and our families from the wolves at the door. And like a good Sheepdog we also need to learn the skills to deal with the Wolf when no other option presents itself.

Kerry Sauve

StreetSense Safety and Security Inc

http://www.streetsensesafety.ca

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Being in the military is a lifestyle all its own. You might be a service personnel or the parent, spouse or child of someone in the armed forces. The military life touches everyone who loves someone serving in any one of the service branches whether it is the Marines, Navy, Army, Air Force, or National Guard. Military scrapbooking ideas all start with how the military life affects you.

Scrapbooking Ideas for Military Personnel

As a member of the armed forces, you will want to preserve and document your military experience. Recording your memories of your service years is important not only for yourself, but also for your children and future generations. Your years in the service are not only personal, but they document our national history as well. You might have served in a war or responded to a national crisis. Preserving your memories of those experiences will tell others your first-person account of a moment in history.

Items to Include In Your Military Scrapbook

Your service documents including your enlistment application
Newspaper articles
Photos of you receiving recognition
Photos of returning home from a duty station
Photos of your military friends
Photos of your service stations
A timeline of your years in service, including where and when you served
Pages or quotes from your personal journal, including your hopes, fears, and thoughts
Information on the training you received, including when and where you received training
Photos of boot camp, including your graduation
Awards and recognition with journaling on how, when and why you received them
Photos of your metals and ribbons including how, when and why you received these honors
Highlights of your military career
Photos of ceremonies you participated in
Your retirement party

Scrapbooking for Family Members of Military Personnel

Is someone you love in the armed forces? You may want to document their military career for them, or create a scrapbook about how that person’s military life affected you. Being the spouse, child or parent of someone in the military, you will have your own thoughts, fears, feelings and hopes about his/her military life. Your scrapbook can be a gift for the military personnel or for someone else in their family, like a son or daughter. It also can be an account of how military life affected your own life experiences.

Items for Family Members to Include in a Military Scrapbook

Photos of you with your loved one in the service
Farewell photos
Homecoming photos
Journaling of your feelings about being part of a military family
Moving day photos from one service station community to another
Letters or emails written from your loved one in the armed forces
Photos of military family events like picnics or formal parties
Newspaper articles

Scrapbooking companies are responding to the huge demand for military scrapbooking supplies. You can find albums with armed forces emblems on the cover. Stickers and embellishments relating to the military service are also available. However, it’s your own personal photos and journaling that will create a military scrapbook that will become a legacy to future generations.