The Invisible Killers

United States Attorney General Eric Holder's recent admission that the government killed four Americans in different drone strikes in Yemen and Pakistan has brought the debate over the killing birds back to the fore.

US President Barack Obama on Thursday defended the use of drones, saying the drones "have saved lives" by eliminating terrorists, and are a legal part of a "just war" against terror outfits.

These unmanned drones, used both for reconnaissance and attack operations across the world, have been lauded by some as the cornerstone of 21st century warfare. At the same time the violence it has unleashed has sparked extreme condemnation in some quarters of the world, especially 'drone victims' Afghanistan and Pakistan.

We present some recent and archival Reuters images of unmanned drone being developed across the globe.

In this photograph, an X-47B pilot-less drone combat aircraft is seen launching for the first time off an aircraft carrier, the USS George H. W. Bush, in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Virginia.

The U.S. Navy had made aviation history by catapulting an unmanned jet off an aircraft carrier for the first time, testing a long-range, stealthy, bat-winged plane that represents a jump forward in drone technology.  

Be a Million Dollar Baby

Network Marketing by Robfore

What is Network Marketing?

by Rob Fore

What is network marketing, exactly?
It depends on who you talk to.
I’m serious!
Talk to someone who joined a network marketing opportunity, learned the ropes, took action and went on to build a wildly successful business that pays them a solid six-figure, even multiple six-figure annual business and they will tell you:

“Network marketing is the greatest opportunity in the history of mankind for the average person without a lot of money to invest to become financially free.”

Talk to someone who has joined a few different opportunities over the years but who never really got in and “did the work” required to build a business and they might say something like this:

“Network marketing doesn’t work. The only people who make big money are the people who get in early.”

So who is right? And if you think about it,  neither really answers the question: “What is network marketing?”

What is Network Marketing?

According to Wikipedia, network marketing is way of doing business in which a sales force earns a commmission not only for sales of products and services they personally generate, but also for the sales of others they recruit and bring into the business, which creates a downline of distributors and a hierarchy of multiple leveraged levels of compensation.
Whew. What a mouthful. Let’s break that down into something that makes more sense, shall we?
You realize you will never get rich working for someone else. You also know there are huge lifestyle benefits associated with building a success business:

• You can pick the people you work with.
• You can work from home part-time in your spare time.
• You can pick the hours you work and how much you work.
• You can give yourself an IMMEDIATE raise through tax savings.
• You have the chance to literally set yourself financially free.

So you decide to investigate joining a network marketing company because of the low cost of entry and all the training and support you get. But what are you really getting yourself into? What is network marketing, exactly? Here’s the deal…
When you join a network marketing company you are “signing up” to represent that company’s product and services and business opportunity.
You “sign up” by making a small investment (usually $500 to $1,500) and by completing an Independent Distributor agreement. You are not being hired by the company as an employee but, rather, you are volunteering to represent the company as an independent contractor, business owner, dealer, representative or consultant. You are awarded a commission based upon the volume of product sold through your own sales efforts as well as that of their downline organization.
In other words, to make money you need to personally sell stuff AND teach your team to sell stuff because you earn commissions on the AMOUNT of product that moves through your new business.

What is Network Marketing? Think Franchise!

Consider a franchise operation like McDonald’s.
McDonald’s is one of the largest fastfood organizations in the world. They have more than 33,000 restaurants that serves more than 64 million people in 118 countries each day.
More than 80% of MacD’s restaurants are owned and operated by independent business owners or contractors.
Now if YOU owned the mother-ship corporation, you not only earn money by selling burgers, fries and shakes from the 20% of the restaurants YOU personally own and operate… you also earn a tiny percentage on all the sales made by the entire organization including the other 80% you do not own or operation. Meaning you are now earning a LEVERAGED income generated by the time, talent and energy expended by the other business owners on your team.
Here’s another way to look at it…
Let’s say you earn a $100 commission for selling a particular product and it takes you two hours of “work” to make a sale. Break that down and your time is worth $50 per hour. Put in a full 40 hour work week and you pocket a nice $2,000.
Let’s also say you have spent some time “recruiting” a few people to join your team who also want the chance to earn $100 per sale and you earn a nice $10 check for every sale THEY make.
Over time you have built a team of 100 people. They each make 20 sales per week – independent of your time and effort.

• YOU = 40 hours, 20 sales, $2,000
• TEAM = 4000 hours, 2,000 sales @ $10 each = you get $20,000

See the magic? You get paid on the time and effort of other people. This is leveraged income versus linear income.
So perhaps a good way to answer the question: “What is network marketing?” would be quote J. Paul Getty, one of the richest men in his time:

I’d rather have one percent of the efforts of 100 people than 100 percent of my own efforts.

What is Network Marketing? The Reality…

Here’s the unfortunately reality, however.
No matter how you slice it, the only way you will ever build a highly profitable network marketing business is to be willing to MASTER the art and science of sales, marketing and leadership. Because MLM is form of “direct sales” and no one makes a dime until products and services are sold. It’s that way in every business, not just network marketing.
So the KEY is to join a company, track down who is currently enjoying a level of success you aspire for, find out what they are doing… and simply be willing to DO the same things. Which, of course, may require you learn new skills and actually a few things (sales and marketing) you are not comfortable doing in the beginning. So what is network marketing?

• Network marketing is a career choice and a profession.
• Network marketing is a path to fame, fortune and time freedom.
• Network marketing is a leadership development platform.
• Network marking is fun, fast and exciting.
• Network marketing is a proven “million dollar” business model.

Bless and be blessed,

PS – Over the years we have built THREE profitable network marketing businesses using a Simple 3 Step System for Success. If you are serious enough, take a look and let’s talk more about potentially partnering together. The ball is in your court…

Growing Hair Naturally

Part 1: Eat Right to Promote Growth

1. 1
   Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, meats, and fish. Diet may seem unrelated to your hair, but it makes a huge difference. Diet also has the added benefit of improving your body at the same time.
   
   
   • Since hair is made of protein, make sure you're getting plenty of protein in your diet. People who suffer from anorexia nervosa or those who undergo extreme weight-loss programs will experience stunted hair growth.
   • Some proteins to consider incorporating into your diets: lean meats such as chicken and turkey, fish, eggs, soy products, beans, and nuts. These foods will help promote healthy keratin production, which are the building blocks of hair.
2. 2
   Eat the right kinds of fat. Certain fats are essential to both a healthy lifestyle and healthy hair production. Fats in moderation help maintain healthy hair and skin production.^[1]
   • Fats will help you process the vitamins and minerals in your diet that are necessary for healthy hair production, including Vitamins A, D, E, and K.
   • Eat the right kinds of fats. Saturated fats, trans fatty acids, and hydrogenated fats are examples of fats that you should avoid. Omega 3 fats, found in marine and plant oils, are good for healthy hair.
   • For this reason, B-complex tablets containing fish oils are helpful in speeding up the growth of hair follicles.
3. 3
   Make sure you're getting enough iron and zinc. Iron and zinc, along with other vitamins, are essential in creating great, healthy hair.^[2]
   • Iron is responsible for delivering oxygen to your cells, from the blood in your toes all the way up to your hair follicles. (That's why blood smells like iron.) Lean animal meats are great ways to get iron, but if you're vegetarian, consider eating beans, lentils, and soy products such as edamame or tofu.
   • Zinc assists in the repair of your tissues, making sure that the oil glands around your follicles are working in the proper way. Get your zinc by eating oysters, low-fat roast beef, toasted wheat germ, roasted pumpkin and squash seeds, dark chocolate, and cocoa powder.^[3]
4. 4
   Get enough vitamin C. Vitamin C deficiencies cause can hair that is weak, lusterless, and prone to breakage.
   • Your body uses vitamin C to build collagen, which is crucial in developing hair growth. Vitamin C also assists in breaking down iron, another building block of hair, so maintaining good levels of vitamin C is necessary to absorb iron.
   • The body cannot make vitamin C on its own. It's therefore crucial that you eat and drink foods that have high concentrations of vitamin C. Cantaloupe, citrus fruits, broccoli, bell peppers, and spinach are all fantastic and great-tasting foods that are packed with vitamin C.
   • The government recommends 45 mg/day of vitamin C for children ages 9-13; around 70 mg/day for teens aged 14-18; and in between 75 and 90 mg/day for adults.

Part 2: Reduce Styling Damage

1. 1
   Excessive styling can hurt your hair. It probably looks fantastic on you, but it's not the best for your hair. Certain chemical applications and cleansers may cause thinning, damage or even hair loss if improperly used.^[4] Styling your hair in certain manners may make hair loss even worse. It's okay to style your hair in isolation, but repeated styling can exacerbate damage to hair.
2. 2
   Try not to repeatedly perm, crimp, chemically or mechanically straighten, curl, bleach or color hair. These processes can cause serious damage to your hair, altering the natural makeup of each strand. Excessive heat, in either blow-drier or flat-iron form, can singe the hair, so try to manually dry your hair whenever possible.
   
   
3. 3
   Brush and comb sparingly. There used to be a myth out there than brushing your hair 100 times a day would promote hair growth.^[5] Not only is this false, brushing your hair to excess can actually pull hairs out of the scalp.
   • Comb your hair when it's dry, not wet. Your hair is especially vulnerable when it's wet, so it's best to wait until it's on the drier side before you take a wide-toothed comb to go through your lovely locks.
   • Try not to detangle or pull at your hair without the aid of a leave-in conditioner or detangling spray.
4. 4
   Don't use rubber bands to style or pin the hair back. If you need to pull your hair back and pin it up, use a hair tie. The hair tie won't cause the hair to get stuck on its surface as much and lodge it from its roots.
5. 5
   Avoid using styles that put unnecessary stress on hair. Cornrows and tight ponytails, for example, pin the hair back, putting stress on the follicle. Instead, try to opt for a hairstyle that minimizes the stress on your follicles, so they can promote healthy growth.
6. 6
   Clean your hair carefully. Use the right products when cleaning your hair. Depending on how oily your hair is, shampoo and condition your hair only about 3-4 times per week. You don't need to shampoo and condition every day, as this will suck out the natural oils present in your hair.
   
   
   • Those with curly, coarse, or dry hair may want to wash their hair only 2-3 times weekly, as natural oils are key for strong and healthy hair. People who have oily skin probably want to wash their hair more than the 3-4 per week average, as a buildup of oil can be harmful to growth.
   • Choose products that contain ingredients that are healthy for hair. Ingredients like avocado, coconut, jojoba, and olive are all beneficial when used in moderation. They help retain moisture and oils while minimizing split ends and other hair damage.
7. 7
   Plan how often you get your hair cut. Cutting hair does not make hair grow faster from the roots. This is a myth. It does, however, stop loss of length from the tips, as it prevents breakages from split ends.
   • How often you should cut your hair depends on how healthy it is and how fast you want it to grow; it is totally up to your own judgement.
   • Normal hair grows anywhere from 1/2 inch - 5/8 inch per month. Most stylists recommend getting a hair cut every 6-10 weeks, meaning that if you cut off 1/4 - 1/2 inch, your hair should still grow longer.

Part 3: How Exercise and Stress Affect Hair Growth

1. 1
   Maintaining a healthy lifestyle will promote hair growth. Your body acts like a finely-tuned machine, and certain things, like sleep, can help regenerate cells and promote overall health.
   • Severe cases of stress, suffered after the death of a loved one, for example, or extreme emotional isolation, can cause the body to go into a kind of survival mode in which it only produces things vital to bodily survival. During these times, hair production may stop.^[6]
   • On the other hand, when your body has enough nutrients and energy stored up so that it doesn't need to focus on simply keeping you alive, it can devote resources to build up and protect your hair. Maintain a good diet and healthy lifestyle maximize your body's daily resources.
2. 2
   Clear physical stressors from your life. Surgeries, severe injuries, and other trauma can cause stunted hair growth or even hair loss. In these cases there may be a three month delay in the production of hair growth while the body focuses on repairing other cells and injuries.
   
   
   • Identify stressors and let your body heal them. If you have just gone through intense physical trauma, give your body time to heal itself before expecting to see hair growth. Once your body is healed, you should begin to see hair growth again.
   • Anemia, low blood count and thyroid abnormalities also may be acting as physical stressors while directly contributing to halted hair growth.^[7] They can easily be detected with an inexpensive blood test. Talk to your doctor if you believe you might be suffering from any of them.
3. 3
   Clear emotional stress from your life. Learn how to manage the normal stress that your body produces as a result of daily activities and unexpected occurrences. In large quantities, stress can halt hair production, though it will not contribute to baldness in either males or females.
   • Exercise is a great way to release pent-up stress. Jogging, swimming, lifting light weights, or even walking is part of a healthy lifestyle. It will help your body process foods and vitamins, sleep better, and reduce large amounts of stress.

Part 4: Health Concerns That Could Affect Hair Growth

1. 1
   Make sure that any health concerns you may have aren't contributing to stunted growth. In both men and women, a host of medical issues can cause the slowing down of hair production. Addressing these medical issues, in some cases, causes hair production to return to normal.
   
   
   • Talk with your doctor if you have any diagnosed medical conditions, as these may contribute to hair loss or stunted hair growth. As mentioned above, low blood count and thyroid conditions, in addition to hormone imbalances, may contribute to decreased hair growth.
   • Ask your doctor whether any medications you are taking could be factors in hair loss or diminished hair production. Acne medication, birth control, steroids, anticlotting drugs, and antidepressants have all been linked to hair loss in both males and females.^[8]
   • Talk with your doctor before beginning any over the counter hair growth products, as they may interfere with other medication you are taking. Consult with your doctor before beginning a strenuous diet. Improper nutrition is a factor in decreased hair growth.
2. 2
   Check for scalp infections. Scalp infections, caused by ringworm of folliculitis, can damage the scalp area, preventing follicles from growing in a healthy manner.
   • If you think you may have a scalp infection (and not simply dandruff), talk with your doctor about topical and anti-fungal medications that you can use to cure your scalp infection before discussing hair growth treatments. Much of the time, once the scalp infection is cured, normal hair growth continues.
3. 3
   Check for hormonal imbalances. In both men and women, hormonal imbalances caused by menopause, pregnancy, or elevated testosterone levels can affect steady hair growth. Talk with your doctor about whether this may be the case with you.
   • If a hormone imbalance is detected, doctors often use androgen receptor inhibitors for women.^[9] Androgen is typically considered a male hormone, as it is important in developing male reproductive organs and secondary male characteristics. An excess of androgen in females is linked with hair loss.
   • If a hormone imbalance is detected in men, doctors often use Finasteride (also called Propecia). Propecia works by blocking the enzyme that turns testosterone into the androgen, DHT. Propecia has been shown to reduce DHT levels in the scalp by as much as 60%.^[10]

Part 5: Non-Verified Home Remedies

1. 1
   Promote hair growth with natural home remedies. Be careful, however, when applying home remedies, as they may damage your hair instead of stimulating growth.
   
   
   • A mix of aloe vera and honey. Mix the flesh of three leaves of aloe vera with honey and apply it over the scalp. Wait 20 minutes and wash hair out as usual.
   • An energy-packed breakfast. Mix together a spoonful of soya lecithin, a spoonful of wheatgerm, a spoonful of honey, a spoonful of brewer’s yeast, and a yogurt. Try this homemade recipe every day for breakfast.
   • Tomatoes, olive oil and aloe vera. Blend a tomato with a tablespoon of olive oil. Heat until warm and apply the mixture to the scalp, letting stand as long as possible. This mixture can be enhanced by adding aloe vera.
   • Rosemary water. Wash your hair every day with rosemary water. You can buy rosemary shampoo or make rosemary water on own.
2. 2
   Promote hair growth with store-bought remedies. Certain store bought remedies, while not proven to stimulate hair growth, may work in some instances.
   • Biotin may work. Biotin is a water-soluble B vitamin. It's supposed to increase hair and nail growth, also helping with acne, slow-healing skin and stronger hair. Check package label for suggested dosage.
   • MSM may also work. MSM stands for methylsulfonylmethane. It's a naturally-occurring sulfate found in some plant species, and is reputed to help build collagen and repair tissue. For hair, it's supposed to slow shed, speed growth, and increase increases shine and thickness.