FIFA remains largely unreformed, and Western countries seem powerless to force change. David Conn’s new book shows that the saga of world soccer’s governing body since the 1970s has foreshadowed geopolitical shifts, notably the waning of the political and economic dominance of the West.
Month: September 2017
The Crackdown in Cambodia
“Descent into Outright Dictatorship,” read The Cambodia Daily’s final headline on Monday, a defiant last cry from a fiercely independent newspaper that has now been shut down by Prime Minister Hun Sen’s government. The waning of the international community’s influence over Hun Sen raises ethical questions about Western aid to Cambodia. It is now evident that foreign donors like the United States are financing the policies of an increasingly dictatorial government.
Egypt’s Failed Revolution
To the Editors: I appreciate Joshua Hammer’s thoughtful review of my book, The Egyptians: A Radical History of Egypt’s Unfinished Revolution, and more importantly the space given over to highlighting some of the many aspects of Egypt’s current plight. Emboldened by international support, both political and financial, the dictatorship of former General Abdel Fattah el-Sisi continues to intensify its crackdown on all forms of opposition and dissent.
Locking Up The Mentally Ill
To the Editors: David Cole’s “The Truth About Our Prison Crisis,” not surprisingly, does not mention the perhaps 200,000 severely mentally ill in jails and prisons. Despite recognition for decades of the prisons as the “de facto mental hospitals” there is relatively little concern among the populace, or officials, about that development.
How Australians Vote
To the Editors: As a former Chair of the Australian Electoral Commission, can I comment on the thoughtful piece by Eric Maskin and Amartya Sen, “A Better Way to Choose Presidents”? In Australia since the 1920s voting at state and federal elections has been compulsory. At the 2016 federal election, voter turnout was 95 percent, compared with 58 percent in the US election that year.
Reconstruction of a Suburban Home by Kaa Studio
This project concerns the reconstruction of a suburban home, remodeling both the interior layout and exterior appearance of the house, including designing the entire interior. It was designed by the architectural firm Kaa Studio, led by Kamila Holubcová and Antonín Holubec. It is located in Lány, Kladno District, in the Czech Republic, in the outskirts of a village located in a region 35 kilometers away from Prague, in the Central..
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What better place to relax than Easy Chair Crater in Nevada?…
What better place to relax than Easy Chair Crater in Nevada? Located along Lunar Crater National Back Country Byway, Easy Chair Crater doesn’t have anything to do with the moon. It’s origins lie deep within the Earth. Formed by a cinder cone volcano, it is littered with evidence of its violent past – cooled lava bombs and volcanic crystals. Photo by Chip Caroon, Bureau of Land Management (@mypubliclands).
Sleek and Sexy: Five Facts About Owning An Awesome Sports Car
Most of us dream of owning a sleek, sexy and fast sports car. We see these amazing machines in movies, such as in Fast and the Furious, The Transporter and, most recently, Baby Driver.
With movies like these that show how outstanding and powerful these cars are, it’s no wonder why a lot of people want to own one. The sight of even seeing one makes a lot of people have goosebumps. As the driver inside the car revs the engine, its roar makes people shudder and look in awe.
Certainly a head turner in the streets, sports cars are also a unique status of wealth and power. Each car can be custom-made to fit the specifications of the owner. This fact is the reason why almost all of these cars cost a fortune.
However, for those who are financially secure and capable of buying a luxurious sports car, here are five facts you need to know first.
Expect Nothing Less
As an owner of a sports car, you shouldn’t expect less. The reason why these machines cost so much is that everything about it is made to be perfect for you. From the sexy look of the car, the excellent paint job, to the mechanical aspects and engine power, your car is equipped to please your every demand.
In addition to being customized, elite companies, such as Ford, Lamborghini and BMW, all have the capability to let other people know that you are worthy and capable of driving such an awe-inspiring machine.
Reality of Problems
Sadly, even if you’ve finally realized your dream of owning a sports car, reality will soon sink in. Owning a sports car requires tons of meticulous care, expensive repairs, and hefty taxes.
And if you’re a person who has a family, especially with teens, you’re going to have to accept the fact that they want a piece of your car. They’ll want to take it out for a spin, which could mean a bad thing for you and your dream car. Buying a sports car is difficult. Maintaining one is twice as hard.
Not for the Family Guy
Most sports cars are only for two: one for the driver and one “riding shotgun”. You can’t cram in more people inside if you want a comfortable ride. Sports cars aren’t for family trips.
See Also: What Science Says About The Car You Drive
Retaining its Value
Another reason why sports cars cost too much is that of their resalable value.
A lot of car enthusiasts or collectors are on the lookout for second-hand sports cars because they know of the difficulties of maintaining one. Since they are properly cared for, second-hand sports cars can remain as good as a new one, but with much lower price tags.
Although a second-hand sports car is cheaper compared to a brand new sports car, its price is still attractive. Some second-hand cars can even cost higher than the original price once their reputation and rarity rise through time.
An example of this is a 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO Berlinetta which sold for only $33,500. The car was held on by its owner for almost 49 years. After waiting, he finally sold it for a whopping $38,115,000. Now, that’s value through the years.
Cool Factor
Your sports car can be an absolute head-turner. This is one reason why a lot of people do silly things when driving their sports cars.
No matter how tempting it is, don’t get caught up in the moment and do something that can damage your vehicle. Take pride in your purchase, but don’t do anything stupid that will jeopardize everything that you’ve worked for all your life.
See Also: How Your Car Can Affect Your Personal Branding
Takeaway
A lot of people think that the only hurdle in buying a luxury car is the absurdly high cost. However, when they do get to make that purchase, maintaining the car is twice as difficult. A lot of individuals will discover that going to any mechanic or to any other place that will take care of your car will charge extra.
Fortunately, owning a supercar isn’t just all about expensive maintenance. When you do get to own one, prepare yourself for the immense feeling of joy and pride when you drive it down the road. Flaunt your car responsibly and there will be no problems for you and your sports car.
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Meridian 105 Architecture Designs a House in Denver, Colorado
This house has a unique modern external structure which is made with pallets, and it is located in a neighborhood in which traditional buildings are still preserved, which drives it to stand out among the rest due to its non-traditional design. It was designed by the architectural firm Meridian 105 Architecture, and the development was carried out by its architects Chad Mitchell and Daniel Lipscomb in the year 2017. It..
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How Auto Toys Can Keep Your Man Busy Outdoors
Ladies, are you looking for a creative way to get your man out of the house on weekends? Are you sick of watching him sit on the couch, watching TV all day long?
Regardless of your reasons, you need to find an activity that will get him outside, playing and having fun.
Sometimes, adult men and children are not that different. Nowadays, both seem to prefer staying indoors where technology is readily available and no extra effort is necessary. A stressful desk job would do this to you, but this is no excuse to linger around the house while the sun is shining outside!
So, to everyone who asks me, I recommend finding a hobby that tricks men into getting outside willingly. The best way to do it is to get your significant other a few auto toys. This can be anything you think he may like. You can get him a car, helicopter or even a remote controlled boat.
Let’s see how exactly can a remote controlled toy keep your man busy outside.
Men love driving cool stuff
You don’t need scientific studies to know this is true! So, why not tap into this love for driving and buy him a toy car that he can drive in your backyard?
Make sure to get one that looks cool and implements lots of features that will look cool for an adult.
To get an idea of the type of RC cars men like the most, I talked to John from RC Rank. He says men are most passionate about big, fast trucks with lots of cool features and powerful engines. Just like in real life, right?
So, if you find the right truck or car, you will definitely have a happier man by your side.
He will make new friends
If your significant other is more of a Grinch, then an auto toy hobby may get him out of his shell. Making friends as an adult is a lot more difficult than it is for kids. Priorities shift and, in most cases, life gets in the way.
Still, it’s important to have friends and an RC hobby can be a great way to meet new people who like the same things. All over the USA and the world, people organize RC races and tournaments that bring passionate players together.
Take note, however, that it doesn’t necessarily have to be a big event. You can go and find a few guys with RC toys in your neighborhood and you can easily set up a race in no time.
It is relaxing and fun
I already talked about stress, right? Well, I’m returning to the subject because men are still under a lot of pressure to provide for their families. Times have changed indeed, but society is still more inclined to like men who are successful in both business and personal life.
If your man is under a lot of stress, an RC toy may give him the right avenue for release. He can have a lot of fun with the right toy, so make sure to get something he’ll like. For instance, if you know he’s passionate about flying or aviation, get him an RC helicopter or a drone. If he’s passionate about water navigation, an RC boat may be a better gift.
See Also: The Health Benefits Of A Drone Hobby
Bonding with the kids
A busy man can end up neglecting quality time with the kids and this can put a distance between them. So, to encourage them to spend time outdoors together, get them involved in a cool, fun activity, such as auto toys.
This is a hobby that offers a lot of bonding opportunities. They can try racing or putting together kits and DIY projects to improve their toys.
See Also: 5 Tips to Make Friends as an Adult (by Acting Like a 5 Year Old)
A few final words
While it may seem silly to think of a fully grown man playing with a remote controlled car, it is a healthy hobby that will get your man off the couch and breathe fresh air outside. It’s also relaxing and creates a wide range of opportunities to make new acquaintances and even friends.
So, if your man shows interest in this hobby, make sure to encourage and support him!
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Sig Nordal 