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Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Nationalization

Nationalisation, also spelled nationalization, is the process of taking an industry or assets into the public ownership of a national government or state.[1] Nationalization usually refers to private assets, but may also mean assets owned by lower levels of government, such as municipalities, being transferred to the public sector to be operated by or owned by the state. The opposite of nationalization is usually privatization or de-nationalisation, but may also be municipalization.

A renationalization occurs when state-owned assets are privatized and later nationalized again, often when a different political party or faction is in power. A renationalization process may also be called reverse privatization. Nationalization has been used to refer to either direct state-ownership and management of an enterprise or to a government acquiring a large controlling share of a nominally private, publicly listed corporation.[citation needed]

The motives for nationalization are political as well as economic. It is a central theme of certain brands of 'state socialist' policy that the means of production, distribution and exchange, should be owned by the state on behalf of the people or working class to allow for rational allocation of output, consolidation of resources, and rational planning or control of the economy. Many socialists believe that public ownership enables people to exercise full democratic control over the means whereby they earn their living and provides an effective means of distributing output to benefit the public at large, and a means for providing public finance.

Nationalized industries, charged with operating in the public interest, may be under strong political and social pressures to give much more attention to externalities. They may be obliged to operate some loss making activities where social benefits are clearly greater than social costs - for example, rural postal and transport services. As an instance, the United States Postal Service is guaranteed its nationalised status by the Constitution. The government has recognized these social obligations and, in some cases, provides subsidies for such non-commercial operations.

Since the nationalised industries are state owned, the government is responsible for meeting any debts incurred by these industries. The nationalized industries do not normally borrow from the domestic market other than for short-term borrowing. However, if profitable, the profit is often used as a means to finance other state services such as social programs and government research which can help lower the tax burden.

Nationalization may occur with or without compensation to the former owners. If it takes place without compensation it is a case of expropriation. Nationalization is distinguished from property redistribution in that the government retains control of nationalized property. Some nationalizations take place when a government seizes property acquired illegally. For example, the French government seized the car-makers Renault because its owners had collaborated with the Nazi occupiers of France.

Friday, April 22, 2011

Public Service Announcement (PSA) Radio Copy Writing Success Article Source

What if the Super Bowl television commercials were all public service announcement (PSA) advertisements rather than beer, cars and soda commercials? Imagine, The Red Cross followed by the Make A Wish Foundation and the Shriners Hospital. Would the world still remained glued to the television? If the writers approached the copy for these PSA with the same creativity as the beer commercials, we believe the answer is yes. Why? Because a good commercial, is a good commercial. Period.

Radio voice and copy writing experts at http://www.scottradio.com know that the assignment of writing a PSA is often put on the back burner in most copy departments. The paying customer is first in the cue. When the time arrives to write the PSA copy, the energy and enthusiasm has often expired. But it should have never evolved this way. Thanks to misguided copy departments of the past, we all suffer today with less than stellar radio public service announcements. The time to change is now.

Radio stations are required to air a certain amount of PSA's each year. Because the quality is often second rate compared to other commercials in the rotation, a station cannot air these on prime time. If given the opportunity, they will. In fact, scottradio.com has experienced such results. Write a good commercial, be it for soda or Cancer research and it will makes its way into the rotation. Why? Because radio stations are begging for quality public service announcements.

Scott Perreault is a radio and narration voice veteran with over twenty years of broadcasting and voice work experience. From the writing, production and development of radio campaigns to the recording of a two-hour audio book, Scott has experienced many facets of the voice business. Scott resides in both California and Minnesota.

UK Coalition Government Plans Large Public Service Green Energy Roll Out Article Source

In a bid to become the greenest government ever, the Coalition has recently devised a plan to allow public buildings to make a profit producing and selling back energy generated by green technologies. Wind turbines, solar panels, and even wave and tidal technologies will pay for themselves and generate income for councils looking for ways to maintain financial stability in difficult economic times. An energy saving smart meter can monitor the energy saving that each installation provides.
The Local Government Act, established in 1976, has forbidden councils to sell excess power generated back to the grid in an attempt to protect the newly established private electric companies of that time. This ban made it impossible for councils to profit from the sale of electricity generated using green technologies. The reversal of the ban opens a new era of money generation from solar and wind generators bring revenue to local councils. The incentive is certainly there now and it is expected that hundreds of green generating units will quickly be installed along with an accompanying energy monitor.
Solar panels placed on south facing walls or roofs and wind generators placed strategically in car parks could generate an average of 10,000 pounds per year for just a single installation on the town hall building. With most councils owning multiple facilities, further installations could bring in considerably more than this amount.
Schools, hospitals, and parks are all sites that could be used to generate electricity. Wind turbines are not efficient when mounted on most buildings, but a park setting allows the installation of a pole-mounted turbine at a height of at least 150 ft. Caution is advised in areas with scenic and historic views; alternatives to wind generators should be used in these areas.
The goals of the project are multiple. Generating significant quantities of green energy will help the Government meet its carbon emission reduction goals of cutting CO2 by one third in the next decade. The money generated for councils will bolster local economies, and the highly visible nature of the installations will help foster a nationwide attitude of acceptance and pride in green technologies.
A major factor in this plan to green the UK is the "Feed in Tariff" that subsidizes the generation of electricity from green technologies. The Government put this program, also known as the "Clean Energy Cashback," into place in February 2010. It allows local governments and schools to benefit from generating a portion of their own electricity, assists in keeping energy costs down, and additionally allows profits from the sale of the electricity produced. Each unit of electricity produced is financially rewarded by this programme, no matter if it is used by the council or put back into the grid. In addition, money is generated by the portion of the power that is fed to the grid. The payments for the programme are guaranteed by law for 25 years.

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Public Services Interpreting

It is easy to believe that interpreting is merely a case of translating one language for another. However, this is a misnomer particularly where public services are concerned. Interpreting is probably one of the most crucial and sought after need in the public service industry. From Social Services to housing, benefits and court interpreting, the process requires considerable other skills to that of understanding a particular language.

The Social Services department, particularly in cases of child protection, require not only accurate translation during interpreting but sensitivity and, above all, confidentiality. Without those components the interpreting can be more of a casualty than a help. When for instance a child is to be received into the care of the local authority, a great deal of sensitivity is crucial on the part of the interpreter who is often the person to convey a very distressing message to a parent or relative. A good public service interpreter will also understand the importance of timing. The task of interpreting in the circumstances described above cannot be hurried. It is often necessary for a distressed person to take time out before commencing. Any interpreting undertaken for the Social Services in those circumstances should be preceded by an explanation to the client as to what he/she may expect and how it will be undertaken. The Social Services department should require a written undertaking of confidentiality and should further ensure that the interpreter is not known to the client in any capacity even living in the same vicinity.

Public service interpreting is also often used by the housing department particularly in multicultural areas where for many, English is not the first language, or where asylum seekers are concerned. This will also require a preliminary explanation to the client explaining the process that is to take place and also to explain the client's rights and the limitations of any service required before the actual interview takes place.

Court interpreting also involves confidentiality and prior checks that the client is not known to the interpreter. It is sometimes the case that an interpreter is required urgently, particularly where someone who does not speak English has been arrested on a serious charge and is to be brought before Magistrates imminently. It is the task of the interpreter to explain to the client what is happening and what the charge is. The interpreter will be working with a solicitor who will explain everything to him/her. Most solicitors will become familiar with a translation service that provide good interpreters. A good Court translator will be experienced in working in the Courtroom and will have the appropriate public speaking skills. The interpreter will translate word for word which may well include swear words and abusive comments but interpreting means just that, interpreting exactly what is being said. The purpose of interpreting is to take the place of the person so that what is being translated is just as if the person was saying it themselves.

Saturday, December 4, 2010

Notary Public Seals

Notary public seals disclose that the documents are genuine, all parties agree to the terms and conditions, and that the identity of all persons signing them is confirmed. Important papers such as affidavits, mortgage documents or papers related to bankruptcy filing must be notarized so as to establish their legitimacy. Notary public seals found in birth certificates or identification cards guarantee that these documents are genuine.
In general, notary public seals include stamps, embossers and those created by electronic means. Only seals manufactured by a permit holder can be sold, duplicated or offered for sale. This requirement includes replacement seals for those previously manufactured. Permission for manufacturing notary public seals can be gained by submitting a completed application. The format of the application form is prescribed by the Secretary of State along with an issuing fee.
A notary public seal contains the name of the notary public, the state seal, the words ?notary public?, the filing county shown on the certificate of authorization, the notary public commission expiration date, the notary public commission number and the manufacturer identification number. Notary public seals are available in circular or rectangular shapes, with a serrated or milled edged border. The circular seal is not over two inches and the rectangular one is not more than one inch in width by two and one-half inches in length.
Notary public seals are unique to the person using it, capable of verification, under the sole control of the person using it, and accepted in the same format and appearance as transmitted. A manufacturer produces a notary seal only upon the presentation of a certificate of authorization issued by the Secretary of State for the making of that particular seal.
The lack of notary public seals shall not make the acts of a notary invalid if his official title is affixed. But, if the documents are to be filed in another state or used in another country, the seal is strongly suggested. Many states are unwilling to receive documents that do not contain a notary public seal.

Sunday, October 24, 2010

Becoming a Notary Public

Notary publics are of very ancient origin. They first became prominent among the Romans, during the 1500s. Their activities have long been abided by the custom of merchants and by the courts of all countries. Notaries were initially selected by the Pope or the Archbishop of Canterbury. During that time, they were proficient in foreign languages, as well as the principles and practices of law.

A notary is now a public servant appointed by a state official. This position is important as he provides protection for business deals. Depending on the state, the notary has the power to acknowledge signatures, especially on court papers such as affidavits, conduct oaths and affirmations, and issue subpoenas in lawsuits. For these services, he receives a fee set by the state.

To become a notary public in the U.S, the applicant should be at least 18 years of age and a permanent resident of the state in which he wants to be a notary. Notary is a comparatively easy role to secure, in most cases only requiring the applicant to pass a simple test and undergo some form of background check. The rights and privileges of a notary are normally limited to the basic duties of an impartial witness. To be precise, notaries are not licensed to give any form of legal advice, prepare legal documents or otherwise perform law.

Becoming a notary public involves three important steps. Filling out an application form available in the state or from the nonprofit National Notary Association (NNA) is the first step. An important point to remember is that each state has different eligibility standards for its notaries. Second, a fee is paid to the commissioning authority. Finally, the applicant takes an oath of office in front of a notary public. This action may be incorporated into the application or filed with a county clerk.

Other possible steps include taking an educational course, passing a test and obtaining a notary bond. These requirements vary from state to state. Each notary in America has a legal right to know his state's notary laws, the distinction between notary laws and notary folklore, and the standards of sensible care for every notarial act. If the notary does not do his job correctly, serious legal problems can result.

Friday, September 17, 2010

Making Public Service Ads Serve You

Making huge sums of money with AdSense isn't brain surgery. You simply have to know what you're doing. If you know which types of ads to choose, where to place them on the page and how to use Google's options to design them so that they get the maximum number of click-throughs, you should find your site earning heaps of money very quickly.

But things can go wrong. Revenues can be disappointing, clicks non-existent and pages designed to put off users instead of encourage them to check out your advertisers. You know when one of the worst things possible has gone wrong when, instead of seeing ads on your page, you get public service ads. These turn up when Google doesn't recognize your keywords or can't find a suitable ad to put on your Web page. Instead of showing a blank box, it puts up ads for all sorts of charities, none of which you choose - and none of which earn you revenue.

You might like the idea of your site working for charity. But you might like it better if your site worked for you and you decided how much of that revenue to give to the charities you choose. That's why smart AdSense subscribers - the ones who understand how AdSense works and make giant revenues from it - make sure that they have alternatives set up to stop their sites being used to advertise Google's favorite charities.

There are lots of different ways you can do that. For example, you could create your own pseudo-AdSense ads and use those as alternate URLs to promote your other sites. Or you could use one of the several companies that will use that space to give you targeted paying ads.

There's nothing mean about using these strategies. The fact that Google makes it possible to use them shows that they understand that your space is for you not for them - and that you should earn from it.

With a little bit of reading, you'll find that it's easy to create a website that always serves high-paying AdSense ads. But even the smartest AdSense users make sure that they've got insurance should something go wrong. It's easy to do and your revenues deserve it.