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The Kite Runner is a complex story written by Khaled Hosseini where simple yet heinous events occur in a backdrop of social and economic upheaval in Kabul , Afghanistan . It is a story of guilt and cowardice and soul-searching and redemption in the life of Amir. However, even with such overt plot lines and possible morals, there is an underlying current spoken in the fine detail with which the author writes that subtly illustrates a common mantra: You can never go home.

Placed for the most part in the capital of Afghanistan , Kabul , The Kite Runner introduces the reader first to an idyllic life of innocence. Kabul is a peaceful city ideal for raising a family. The buildings are neat and orderly even in their haphazard layout, and there is a sense of community and unity among its residents. It also showcases the once-popular sport of ?Kite Fighting,? where contestants try to sever the string of their opponents kite. To the victor goes the spoils (the kite), though of course, someone must run to get it. In the book, kite fighting brings neighbors together in playful competition, and we find that the sport spans generations, as Amir?s father reveals a prize kite he won when he was a child. We get a glimpse at how Kabul ?s well-to-do treat their children, their servants, and each other. We get a strong sense of social order and stability.

The story also offers a first hand account of the social and political turmoil that the Soviet invasion wrought upon the entire country. This is when Amir and his father are forced to flee Afghanistan , and eventually settle in the United States .

However, when circumstance and his conscience require Amir as a young man to return briefly to Kabul , we see an entirely different city. Many of the buildings are broken or destroyed, as befitting a place ravaged by war and preserved by the subsequent economic downturn. What remains of Kabul is dirty and disheveled.

The sense of community that was once prevalent is now non-existent. There is at first a sense of ?every man for himself? where closed doors and windows greet Amir, and any aid he receives during his brief stay must be done in secret. There is no more kite fighting (the Taliban banned the sport, which inspired the kernel of the idea of the story for the author, who was himself an avid kite fighter in Kabul , once). However as we see more of the city, we are given a glimpse of even darker times, where neighbor betrays neighbor to the ruling Taliban, and barbarous acts are committed in the name of zealotry. This is not the Kabul Amir remembers, certainly. And after even a few days, it becomes clear that this is not his home. The home of Amir?s childhood does not exist anymore, and there is no returning to it.

And that is perhaps the irony, because the same could be said of any town, any homecoming, to a lesser degree. By contrasting the changes in Kabul then and now, the author emphasizes the commonality of change over time, and suddenly Kabul becomes our town, and Afghanistan becomes our country, and Amir becomes us, a tourist in our own hometown. Indeed, even when you can go home, you can never truly go home.

For more information on Kabul, visit http://www.blogkabul.com and http://www.kabulmicroblog.com.

Sources of Pollution

When most people think of pollution they think of factories belching out clouds of black smoke, or the exhaust from our automobiles and trucks. But what is the source of pollution? Nearly every activity that we are engaged in, produces pollution. It is important to recognize the source of pollution if we are ever going to reverse the damage that it has done to this planet.

Pollutants come in the form of liquids, solids, and gasses and each one can either do harm, cause damage, or cause injury to the target it affects. Each type of pollution, according to its source, has different ways that it spreads and impacts the target.

Liquid pollution comes from the spilling of toxic matter, leaking machinery and pipes, the deliberate discharging of raw sewage, and the migration of toxic chemicals through the soil into the ground water supply.

Solid pollution comes from land that is contaminated with toxic debris, pet waste, spillage of powers, granules, or resins, and the release of smoke.

Gaseous Pollution is the release of toxic fumes, decomposition of organic material, and naturally occurring fumes such as methane.

Air Pollution

Of all the sources of pollution, air pollution and water pollution are the most worry some. Air pollution comes from three general sources:

? Volatile organic compounds (VOC?s),

? Nitrogen Oxides (NOx)

? Particulate matter(PM)

Volatile organic compounds (VOC?s) are the result of evaporated petroleum products such as pesticides, fertilizers, automobiles, farming equipment, operations and solvents.

Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) generally comes from the combustion of fuel. This is not only from automobiles, but all types of engines that use fossil fuels.

Particulate matter (PM) comes from such things as windblown dust, and dusty roads, farm operations, and industries that grind and crush material. PM is also produced through the burning of fossil fuels, agricultural products, and the burning of garbage.

Water pollution

Water pollution generally comes from two sources, direct and indirect sources. Direct sources of water pollution are industries that dump toxins into a water supply.

Indirect water pollution is contaminants entering the water supply through the soil and from the atmosphere. Improperly discarded chemicals human waste and agriculture products such as fertilizers and pesticides contribute to water pollution. Air pollution also affects our water supply, as rain leaches these contaminants into the water supply.

The solution

Although most of the pollution generated today does come from industries and automobiles, each person on this planet generates some degree of pollution or causes pollution to be generated. If each one of us makes some simple changes, we can significantly reduce pollution.

In the United States, we have less than 5 percent of the world?s population, yet we alone emit 25% of the carbon dioxide that is expelled into the atmosphere. Countries such as China and India are trying to catch up to the United States? standard of living, and plan to burn the huge reserves of coal they possess. This will result in huge releases of damaging Carbon Dioxide into the atmosphere.

Unless all the world powers and individuals make a commitment to reduce pollution, our planet will be in serious danger.

Beverly Saltonstall is an environmental writer. Visit http://pollutionwebsite.com for news, podcasts, articles and guides covering many aspects of pollution. To understand pollution, read “Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Pollution, But Never Dared to Ask”. (available on website) Also read

It?s what every writer?s dream is, earn a living doing what he/she loves best, writing. Edgar Allen Poe, Baltimore?s beloved writer did just that, although his first piece was written and published anonymously. He was brother to William and Rosalie Poe. Edgar Poe would later adapt the full name Edgar Allen Poe, taking the Allen name given to him by the family that would raise him after his parent?s passing at a young age. Poe attended the University of Virginia, a school founded by Thomas Jefferson. His stint in the university would not last long as vices such as gambling and drinking would catch up to him. Poe would come to blame his foster family for not continuing his education, claiming they did not support him, but his addictions were probably that which did him in. Following these accusations he and the family would become estranged. It was because of those addictions, that the troubled Poe would lose his soon to be wife, the beautiful Sarah Elmira Royster.

A series of gigs kept him a float for a while, but not long enough and the discouraged Poe became a soldier, under the pseudonym Edgar A. Perry. His time in the United States Army served as inspiration as he published a collection of poems ?Tamerlane and Other Poems?. He was not credited for this collection, as Edgar Allen Poem, which may have been a blessing in disguise, as it was a flop. It sold just over an embarrassing forty copies. Poe made a living in the service, but ultimately was not happy there. He would enlist the help of his estranged foster father, who did not respond until the passing of his wife finally allowed him to forgive Poe.

Trying to find himself Poe would take shelter in Baltimore with some distant family. Bitter family feuds finally led to the end of any relationship Poe would hold with his father. He would serve in West Point for a bit, before heading back to Baltimore, to tend to his dying brother. Perhaps a broken heart caused Poe to dive into his writing despite strife in the publishing field. He bobbed up and down in the poetry waters for a bit, before returning to prose (stories rooted by actual events). It was here he started to achieve some acclaim, as a Baltimore newspaper awarded his piece ?MS Found in a Bottle?. A Big Shot helped him get a job with the ?Southern Literary Messenger?, so off to Richmond he set, but not for long.

Once again Poe shot him self in the foot as he was found polluted on the job several times. Poe would try again to clean up his act and received his job back, promising to stay sober. Things started to look up for Poe, as he would marry his much younger cousin Virginia Clemm, in Baltimore. The ?Southern Literary Messenger?, was flying of the stands under his watch. Numerous publications beckoned his writing and he succeeded at each task. The next few months he would reside in Maryland, Philadelphia and New York.

As his wife fell ill, he fell to the bottle again, but still managed to get work out there and the ?Raven? came to life. Despite the ?Raven?s? success Poe remained a fixture at local bars in Baltimore. It was on a Baltimore street that Poe was found stumbling around intoxicated, just before he died. He is buried in Baltimore at Westminster Presbyterian Church.

Although he moved about in his career, Baltimore seems to have embraced his legacy, thus naming their football team the Baltimore Ravens.

For more information on Baltimore, Maryland, visit http://www.baltimoremicroblog.com and http://www.microblogbaltimore.com.

In the brothels and slums of nineteenth century Buenos Aires, a fusion of Spanish, Uruguayan, and African dance and music styles created the tango, the famous and sensual dance of Argentina.

It was a social dance, based heavily on improvisation and formed around close, almost intimate interaction; the communication between partners must be impeccable, because the dance has no set patterns and no ?basic step? from which to build. However, it was not necessarily a sensual or sexual expression; there were men-only tango clubs.

European immigrant communities in Argentina in the 1890s picked up on the music, which was initially just one of many styles that went by the name ?tango.? It swiftly became the fad of the underclass, who danced in crowded halls, leading to a close-contact and casual dance style. The tango music became the most popular in Argentina, comprising more than a third of all the gramophone records and sheet music sold between 1902 and 1920.

By 1912, the music and dance had begun to spread from the barrios to the middle-class and even upper-class dancing establishments and nightclubs across Argentina. From there the craze spread swiftly to Paris, London, and Berlin, where they were danced with less intimate contact between the partners. In Finland, the dance found a new home and expression, played in minor keys and performed in flowing, horizontal patterns, now known as Finnish Tango; it grew to the height of its popularity in the 1950s. In English Tango the dance evolved into a competitive ballroom style, heavily structured and with strict codes that introduce a more staccato movement not seen in Argentina, as well as the head-snap movement often seen in film. New York tango performers modified the dance to a wider embrace as well.

Meanwhile in Argentina, the dance became heavily associated with Carlos Gardel’s Mi Noche Triste, a song of tragic love. The music in the 1920s was taken up by classical musicians who gave it a more complex and elegant flavor, and slowed the tempo. Then it fell out of favor during the 1930s and 1940s, only to revive again along with the nationalist fervor of Argentina’s Per?n years. Rock and Roll music, along with economic struggles in Argentina, dealt it another blow, and it steadily declined in popularity until finally enjoying a resurgence in the 1980s.

In the 1990s, the emergence of electronic and world music gave the tango a new twist. Combining jazz elements with popular music from artists such as Gotan Project, Tom Waits, and Portishead, Tango Neuvo has appealed to an entirely new generation of dancers. This style was the result of a structured analysis of the physics and kinesiology of tango, which emphasized the axis of turn and directional changes. Practitioners of this style, as well as the more traditional forms, have brought the dance from Argentina to new dance hubs such as San Francisco and Chicago. Today in Buenos Aires, there are dance competitions that host Argentine Tango performers from all over the world.

For more information on Buenos Aires, Argentina, visit http://www.buenosairesmicroblog.com and http://www.argentinamicroblog.com.

I?m not sure if the people in Cape Coral, Florida are aware of this, but one of Cape Coral?s citizens has a very, very dark mind. I?m not sure of where he lives in Cape Coral, but if people of Cape Coral want to take a deep look into his mind they need to turn on Showtime and find out.

Whenever discussing my favorite television shows, I cannot go without mentioning the Showtime series Dexter. It involves one of the most vile, brilliant concepts on television today.

Dexter is about a serial killer, who only murders the bad guys. It is a topic often brought up in vigilante stories, but usually the stories involve heroes in comic books and movies. Dexter works for the police department as a blood splatter expert and sees the flaws in the judicial system.

Without giving too much away, Dexter was a victim of the system and that experience heavily influences the person he has become today. Dexter humanizes these actions and you can not help, but applaud him for it. He is careful, he?s tedious; he?s funny and extremely likeable.

Author Jeff Lindsey, who lives in Cape Coral, Florida, with his family, came out with the novel Darkly Dreaming Dexter, which the first season of the show was based on. The novel and the series take place not too far from Cape Coral, in Miami FL. In the first season many taboo topics are prevalent in story lines. The topic of sex, in which Dexter has intimacy issues with his girlfriend. She, herself, was a victim of sexual abuse. Murder is of course chronicled; judging if it?s morally right to kill someone; if in turn, it saves a multitude of lives. It covers family life and how far individuals will go to protect one of their own? It talks about the failures of the judicial system and watching criminals fall through the cracks, only to kill again.

Lindsey seems to invoke the inner killer in all of us and humanizes it. It brings up an interesting topic as an audience member watching Dexter. Dexter is a character, that although he does the most vile of things, we root for him. We don?t care if he is from Cape Coral, FL or Timbuktu. We root for him to succeed at his job, in his personal life, as well as getting away with committing these horrific crimes. When the police say not to take the law into your own hands, there is an exception to every rule and he is the exception.

We don?t want to see him fail or pay for his crimes. He does things, that when push comes to shove, most of us could never do. It?s not in our DNA. It?s not something you are born with; it is something that is made. The show goes into Dexter?s history and how someone could develop just a dark side. And watching the show and being a fan of the show I find it amazing at some of the things humans are capable of doing and the depths that they will go to hide their dark and twisted secrets.

I don?t know how many people in Cape Coral watch the show, but the citizens of Cape Coral can rest assure, they have one brilliant, dark and twisted mind living in their city and he calls Cape Coral home.

For more information on Cape Coral, Florida visit http://www.capecoralmicroblog.com and http://www.floridamicroblog.com.

Various countries? economics have always driven various facets of the society. However, there is an obvious shift of focus from technological advancement to military needs. With the increasing global conflicts, more private military companies have been established. Time and time again, these companies have proven to be more efficient than the actual government-established forces.

What are Private Military Companies?

A private military company or a PMC offers specialized military services. There are people who classified these companies as mercenaries. Basically, these companies are established to provide services and assistance to various sections of the society. They offer aid to the government, support various organizations and protect private citizens. These companies enter into contracts and agreements for their services. They are then bound by the conditions in their contract.

Over the years, the role of private military companies has changed. Unlike before when they only focused on providing military training, these companies are now providing various kinds of services. In fact, they are now offering IT security and even construction consultancy.

The Services of Private Military Companies

There are many governments and states that employ the services of private military companies. One of them is the States Department of the United States. In truth, various governments have several companies under their employ in order for the latter to cover areas that conventional government military forces find difficult to reach. Governments also employ military personnel from these private companies in order to serve as guards of high-ranking government officials especially those who are sent out as emissaries to dangerous countries. Experts from these companies also serve advisory roles. They do not intervene directly rather they are helping in military training.

Basically, their services include those that you can expect from your local police forces or governmental military. Of course, their services are not as large scale. However, they are not allowed to adopt an offensive stance and use force in war zones. Their personnel maybe regarded as unlawful combatants and their actions may be regarded as crimes.

Controlling Private Military Companies

There are issues surrounding these companies. Not everyone approves of their existence or the use of their service. There have been cases where the wisdom of employing these companies has been raised. Various states have suggested actions in order to control them.

There is a general consensus that governments or states employing the services of these companies should set aside a budget or a fund for private military company control. It is also important that a certain governing body should be created. This body shall control the fund and formulate rules concerning the proper selection and hiring of personnel from private military companies.

In order to regulate them, a licensing system should also be created. Standards of practice should also be formulated. The governing body will give the license, set up the standards and regulate various activities. The governing body should also classify and describe actions or activities that are illegal or prohibited. They will also monitor the various activities of every licensed company.

It has also been suggested that the employment of private military companies must be disclosed to the public. Rules should be formulated in order to determine how the public is to be informed and what forum is to be used.

There are numerous private military companies. In fact, the number is growing everyday. These companies are hired not only by the government but by private individuals as well. Nowadays, they serve various purposes. Governments, however, are encouraged to regulate these companies which is just right considering that the latter?s services are mostly used by governments.

Peter Garant is writing articles about working for Private Military Companies for a site about Private Military Companies.

The moment you decide to purchase a gun, buying a gun safe also becomes mandatory. It will not just prevent possible theft, but also guarantee that no one has access to it, which could lead to damage to the gun or even result in injury.

Here are some things that you should keep in mind when buying a gun safe.

Number of Security Features

This is the most important factor, and not the price. There is no point in scrimping on a quality gun safe; if you can afford to buy a gun, you can afford to purchase a good quality safe, and what will set one safe from another will be the security features.

The most basic are those that use combination locks, but that is not enough these days. In times of emergency, it can be difficult to use the lock combination, because people panic. Fortunately, a lot of gun safes today have voice activation capabilities. With voice recognition, security will be ensured.

Other safety measures include fingerprint biometric scanning and numeric locks using a keypad, similar to burglar alarm systems. If you are going to opt for the combination / safety locks, you need to buy a gun safe with a dead locking feature.

You should also check out the durability of the box itself. At the very least it has to be fire and water resistant, and able to withstand heavy blows.

Where to Put Gun Safes

Another vital factor to consider is where to place your gun safe. In most cases it can be put in the bedroom (near a drawer or against the wall). However, if you have children in the house, you should take more precautions and make sure that they are out of reach and sight.

If you travel frequently, you may consider buying a gun safe for your car. Having a gun in the car will deter a potential robber, and having a safe within the vehicle will attract the attention of the thief, giving you time to get help.

Gun Safe Paraphernalia

Some gun safes come with extra features when you buy them, while others you may have to buy separately. Whatever the case, consider getting some of the items below to help you maintain your gun and safe in good condition.

Dehumidifiers

Keeping your firearm stored in the safe for extended periods of time can lead to rust, making it difficult or impossible to use when the need arises. To prevent this from occurring, get a dehumidifier.

These dehumidifers come in two types, electrical and chemical. Some of these are packaged in a sleeve or holder, making it convenient when you carry it with you. However, these demumidifers can also be used inside the gun safe.

Pistol Holders

If you have plenty of guns, you should buy pistol holders. Damage can result from piling guns together in the safe one on top of the other. By having pistol holders you can attach them against the safe wall.

Lighting

Most gun safes have built in lights, but if the one you bought does not have one, or you want to replace it, there are several you can purchase, although you have to be sure that it is compatible for the gun safe you have.

Peter Garant is writing articles about working for Gun Safe Accessories for a site about Gun Safes.

The Scaremongers: Why believe them? They have a record of prediction failure

In the previous parts to this investigation we’ve looked at the arguments put forward by both the Scaremongers and the Idealists. The reason why there’s more emphasis on the position of the Scaremongers is that the onus is on them to prove their theory. So far they’ve produced no sound evidence for that nor have they answered their critics.

In spite of the failed climate change theory of the 70s when many eminent scientists were predicting a colder future for the world, the ‘Yes’ case scientists and others cannot come up with any plausible data to emphatically prove their present position. They believe that if the UN says so, then it must be right, ignoring the fact that the UN has time and time again proved that it’s completely out of its depth when it comes to dealing with serious issues.

The major points the Scaremongers won’t address

1) By general scientific consensus there has been at least 12 major periods of climate during the life of the earth. All have been part of the earth’s natural life cycle. That being the case, why should the present period of global warming (if proven to be true) be anything other than a continuation of past events caused by Nature? If the first 12 were caused by Nature, why should the 13th be caused by man?

2) The UN in their reports on global warming skim over the huge contribution to the increase in greenhouse gases by the under-developed countries - deforestation and population growth. Why?

3) The ‘Yes’ people insist that global warming has been going on for at least a century, possibly 150 years. What they can’t tell us is if this is unusual. They just don’t have any figures to suggest that nothing like this has ever happened before. In fact the current figures of world temperature cannot be compared to the figure of 50 years ago because of the more sophisticated instruments in use today. So how can a comparison be made with figures from the 1850s or further back in time?

4) Scientists supporting the ‘Yes’ case point to the increase in carbon dioxide over the past 50 years. What does this mean? How does it compare to the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere 100 years ago, 1000 years ago, 10,000 years ago? They just don’t know with any degree of certainty. So they cannot really say whether the earth is on the verge of a climatic crisis or whether Nature is just making the sort of minor adjustment that’s been made since time began.

5) The Scaremongers base their whole argument on the theory that increasing CO2 in the atmosphere will lead to an increase in world-wide temperatures. They have yet to explain the situation that occurred between 1940 and 1975 when the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere increased, but temperatures throughout the world declined.

6) History has shown that melting of the ice-caps, and the lowering and raising of the snow-line of mountain ranges has been occurring from time to time. There is nothing unusual about the current melting of the polar regions - so why do the Scaremongers predict the worst because of this?

For a better understanding of the Scaremongers’ position

In the days of primitive man it was common for unusual natural phenomena to be accorded a special place in their lives. Early man didn’t know what caused rain, so they invented there own reason. They ascribed it to the work of a Rain God. There was a god of thunder, fire, a god who controlled eclipses, a god for everything.

Today man doesn’t know why the earth’s temperature is rising, if indeed it has been rising. So like early man, they come up with a theory that seemingly may answer their questions but bears no relevance to reality.

Now into this intellectual vacuum created by the ‘Yes’ people steps the sort of person who cannot resist making this issue a personal crusade. Enter a politician, or should I say a failed politician. Enter Al Gore, the champion global warming theorist.

A man who thinks he has the power to halt and then reverse the work of Nature, or for the religious person, God, Allah, Jehovah etc. A man who thinks he’s on a divine mission to help people saves themselves from themselves. A man who uses all sorts of lies, subterfuge, distortions to get his theory accepted. A man appealing to the gullible nature of people. A man using his political skill to deceive and distort. A politician being a politician.

In situations of uncertainty, being fearful of what may happen in the future, most people will grasp at anything that points the way to safety. And so it is with the theory that we’re all doomed unless we make radical changes to our way of life. In situations such as this, some politicians will always seek to gain an electoral advantage.

Pressured by minority interest groups that want their positions accepted, politicians feel compelled to give the electorate what they want. Instead of leading from the front, politicians are more than happy to jump on the band wagon driven by the media. Power hungry politicians are at the vanguard of this controversial theory. And on the flimsiest of data, they could bring economic disaster on the world, because the remedial actions they propose will involve the expenditure of vast amounts of money. Money that could be spent to fix some of the more serious problems of the world.

The major issue the Idealists have about the incessant and unproven warnings from those who believe implicitly in the theory of man-made global warming is that this is not the most important threat to the future of mankind.

Not by any stretch of the imagination.

That position is held by the threat of the declining sperm count of males in western countries. This is a problem of such magnitude that it has the ability to devastate the world’s population within a few generations.

The world-wide controversy over the warming of the earth and the causes has led the author to research this phenomena and give his thoughts about the shortcomings of the evidence in support. He also has an interest in more down to earth issues such as how to lose weight and the increasing popularity of satellite TV.

Commercial outdoor furniture is made to material standards that withstand high traffic areas and is durable enough to endure harsh weather conditions. Instead of giving your customers bland, uncomfortable, and mix matched pieces you will offer vibrant pieces that work well together to give the outdoors a beautiful atmosphere. Metal patio chairs, teak wood chairs and loungers, as well as teak and metal outdoor benches are available to choose from so you will get the look you want without spending a fortune.

Metal Patio Chairs and Metal Bench Designs

The metal patio chairs have matching benches available to choose from so you can easily select the same pattern and style you want throughout your outdoor area. Our metal outdoor chairs are resistant to weather and can hold up in areas that are prone to vandalism. The sleek design of the Northgate or Oglethorpe metal chair will work anywhere, while the Stackable Perforated chairs are convenient for areas that don?t always need the same amount of seats.

Picnic Table Solutions

Offices, schools, and parks can all benefit from having picnic tables available. There are various styles and sizes to choose from you so can choose which works best for your arrangement. Rectangle, octagon, oval, and round outdoor picnic tables are available that can accommodate different amounts of people, including children. Various colors are available in the durable and weather resistant Thermoplastic finish. Garden tables provide a charismatic look for those on their coffee break.

Teak Wood Outdoor Furnishings

The beautiful and sophisticated look of the teak wood chairs and loungers will be everyone?s favorite. Relaxing is easy in the Hampton Teak Wood Chaise lounger while comfort is a given with the Atlantic Teak lounge hair and love seat. The Royal Teak bar stools are great for restaurants that have a bar area or even for a private deck or patio. The matching Royal Teak bar table only completes the look and will be adored by your customers, especially with comfortable teak wood outdoor benches available.

Bicycle Storage Racks & Outdoor Commercial Grills

Promote green living by having bicycle racks available for your customers to have a secure place to lock their bikes while visiting your facility. Schools, office buildings, libraries, coffee shops, and virtually any other type of building can benefit from having bicycle storage racks easily accessible. Outdoor grills are a great way to get people together, whether it?s for a corporate event or for individual families to come out and cook together. There are various sizes to choose from so you can choose what works best for your company or picnic area. Apartment tenants will love to take advantage of an area to cook delicious food with friends and family without having to leave the community.

Coordinating Table Umbrellas and Decorative Waste Receptacles

Don?t forget to add matching accessories to your commercial outdoor furniture. Anti-skateboard tabs will prevent skateboarders from turning your sitting area into a skateboarding plaza. Umbrellas and umbrella stands are available to offer your outdoor picnic tables protection while also providing shade for your beloved customers. There are various types of waste basket lids to choose from that match the various styles of commercial waste receptacles.

XPB Locker. Read more about commercial outdoor furnishings

I’m sure that even though the years have passed quite quickly we all remember the World Trade Center bombings that happened on September 11, 2001. But there is a story some of you may not know of or may not have heard of even 7 years later. Unbeknownst to millions of Americans, when the Twin Towers fell on that dastardly day, no one expected to find anything salvageable, yet alone anything worth any real value. Inside the World Trade Center vaults was a vast accumulation of investment grade Silver, Gold and Platinum held by a assortment of fiscal institutions from around the globe including that of Germany, Africa, India, United Kingdom and the United States just to name a few.

When the Twin Towers fell, no one anticipated to find anything salvageable, however, on November 1st 2001 the workers at ground zero attained the Iron Mountain vault which was located directly underneath The Twin Towers. Inside this vault were silver, gold, and platinum bullion as well as various coins from around the globe that miraculously survived the incredible disaster. “The vault was intact and all the silver and bullion was taken out,” said Peter L. Rinaldi, general manager of the trade center site in the Port Authority’s priority capital programs unit. He witnessed the recovery operation, a month and a half after the attack, and remembers more than 100 armored trucks making their way out of Ramp J. On November 1st, 2001, Mayor Rudolph Giuliani announced that “more than $230 million” worth of gold and silver bars that had been stored in a bomb-proof vault had been recovered underneath all the rubble and debris.

Under advanced security the coins were loaded into Brinks Armored vehicles and sent to Collectors Universe a parent company of the well-known PCGS also known as Professional Coin Grading System. This particular organization is the archetypal company for collectors of coins. Once this organization collected all of the coins they then continued on to catalog, grade and encapsulate in the PCGS high security tamper resistant capsules along with a specially designed commemorative United States Flag insert that identifies the coins as a genuine artifact.

There are several different coins for the disastrous event including; 2000 WTC Ground Zero Recovery gold eagle, silver eagle, and also a few uncirculated 1993 silver eagle gem. To buy these coins you can spend anywhere from $60 on up to $1000+. These coins truly are a piece of our history and its definitely a piece, if you could choose any piece, that you should have in your collections! It doesn’t matter if your a master at collecting or if you are just starting out, or if you are going to keep these or sell these, this is a valuable part of history that you can take ownership over and remember that dreaded day. It was an incredibly sad day, but you can take something away from it that has either symbolic meaning, or heartfelt meaning to you. Seriously, check these out the next time your online, Ill bet it will be worth your time.. in gold!

This author is a HUGE fan of WTC Coins