If you consider the number of problems that can befall hotel customers during a stay, it can be a bit overwhelming. Broken remote controls. Plumbing problems. Noise from adjoining guestrooms. Incorrect orders from room service. Room key issues. HVAC issues. Kids running in the halls. Not enough chairs at the pool. Slow service in restaurants. Incorrect room type at check-in. And the list goes on and on. Studies show that product problems account for nearly sixty percent of all guest complaints. But there is one problem – over and above all others – that causes not only dissatisfaction, but a complete break in a hotel customer's trust. What could negatively impact hotel customer loyalty so greatly? According to data-analysis firm Market Metrix, staff-related problems in hotels can lead to a whopping 26.2% drop in guest loyalty . Service problems, on the other hand, make up a much smaller portion of reported problems, but have a much more dramatic impact on guest loyalty. Just look at staff-related problems in the table below. They are only 4.7% of reported problems. But staff problems punch way above their weight causing loyalty to plummet by over 26 points when they do occur. On the other hand, the nearly 60% of hotel customer complaints COMBINED only account for a 12% drop in hotel customer loyalty. This study begs the question: With such a large number of guest product complaints, how much time is your hotel spending to fix staff problems? Television remotes can be replaced, but a disengaged hotel customer may be lost forever. The post The One Problem that Costs Hotels the Most Customers appeared first on Kevin Donahue.
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I posted to blog.kevindonahue.com
The One Problem that Costs Hotels the Most Customers
http://blog.kevindonahue.com/archives/2012/12/17/the_one_problem_lose_hotel_customers/
December 17 2012, 1:55pm | #
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I posted to blog.kevindonahue.com
3 Great Sales & Customer Service Reads for the Week
http://blog.kevindonahue.com/archives/2012/12/04/3_great_sales_customer_service_reads/
Here are three short, compelling reads regarding customer service and sales. I found each of these very poignant for guest service and hotel sales in our industry:
3 Keys to Customer Service Training and Retention from Ritz-Carlton VP Diana Oreck Ms. Oreck expresses Ritz-Carlton's passion for customer service training through empowerment and selection. Hey You—Your Elevator Pitch Stinks. Fix It. Hannah Morgan points out that, while our jobs and roles as salespeople have evolved, our quick sales pitch has not kept up with the times. I found this to be a great wake-up call read for the hotel sales profession, in particular. You ALWAYS Need a Business Card Even in this connected era, that little paper card remains a game changer for sales and service (even if you have the best iPhone/Android app for sales and service!)
For more customer service and hospitality sales insights, please follow me on Twitter: @mrkevindonahue. The post 3 Great Sales & Customer Service Reads for the Week appeared first on Kevin Donahue.
December 4 2012, 11:15am | #
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I posted to blog.kevindonahue.com
New Study Shows Hotel Reviews Drive Rate & RevPar
http://blog.kevindonahue.com/archives/2012/11/29/hotel_reviews_drive_rate_revpar/
A new study from the Cornell School of Hotel Administration details that hotel reviews posted on social travel websites, such as TripAdvisor and Travelocity, positively impact a guest's willingness to book reservations at a premium rate for a reviewed hotel. "The Impact of Social Media on Lodging Performance," by Chris K. Anderson found that the number of reviews as well as the willingness of consumers to assign credibility to hotel reviews has increased over time. Anderson also found that a 1-point increase on Travelocity's review scale – such as increasing a hotel's review from 3.3 stars to 4.3 stars – drives an 11.2 percent premium in a hotel's rate, while still maintaining occupancy and market share. Given these results, it's increasingly clear that hoteliers must dedicate resources to monitoring their social reputation, actively review online hotel reviews and invest further in guest experiences on-property to create engaged guests. (Read more on who writes hotel reviews) Beyond Travelocity, Anderson determined through regression analysis that a 1-percent gain in a hotel's social media reputation is worth 0.89% in average rate lift and a 1.42 percent increase in RevPar. The full social media impact study is available online from the Cornell School of Hotel Administration. The post New Study Shows Hotel Reviews Drive Rate & RevPar appeared first on Kevin Donahue.
November 29 2012, 2:39pm | #
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I posted to blog.kevindonahue.com
How to Convert Social Media Followers to Buyers
http://blog.kevindonahue.com/archives/2012/11/12/convert_social_media_buyers/
Since the rocket-like launches of Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest years ago, organizations have been asking the million dollar question in regards to social media, "How can we convert fans into buyers?" Countless books, seminars, blogs have been devoted to the topic of social media ROI, but (sadly) most seem to miss the most obvious point. While I don't proclaim to have all of the answers, the answer to the question of converting social media followers to customers seems a rather obvious one: The same way you converted your existing customers. From my perspective, there's too much status placed on 'fans' and 'fan counts' by most social media "experts". The people who "like" your brand are essentially giving your company a virtual high five. They appreciate something you've done or a perception you've created about your products. They may or may not be your current customers. And – unless you work to convert your followers into buyer – they may or may not be your future customers. In a traditional sense, your Facebook fans and Twitter followers are the digital equivalent of window shoppers. Some of them know your brand well, they enjoy your products and actively share their experiences with their friends. But some of your fans – a large majority – are standing on the sidewalk. They like your window display, but it hasn't compelled them to open the door and try your brand. And this is where your business acumen and experience - more so than your social networking skills – come into play. Social media is a tool for increasing your sales, not the solution. So ask yourself and your team: What do you do as a brand that brings potential customers in off the sidewalk? If you can answer that question, then you can convert social media followers into buyers. The post How to Convert Social Media Followers to Buyers appeared first on Kevin Donahue.
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- Uncategorized
- howto
- sales
- marketing
- socialmedia
- selling
- customers
- brands
November 12 2012, 10:51am | #
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I posted to blog.kevindonahue.com
Leadership Quote from Jon Gordon
http://blog.kevindonahue.com/archives/2012/11/09/how_much_time/
Here's a great quote about leadership and managing priorities at work and at home that inspires me from noted author and leadership guru Jon Gordon: You have all the time in the world to do what matters most. — Jon Gordon (@JonGordon11) July 29, 2012
You can follow Jon on Twitter here: @JonGordon11 The post Leadership Quote from Jon Gordon appeared first on Kevin Donahue.
November 9 2012, 10:52am | #
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I posted to blog.kevindonahue.com
Insights: Why Multigenerational Travel is THE Emerging Trend
A recent presentation by Peter Yesawich, vice chairman of MMGY Global, highlighted a number of trends and insights for the hospitality market in the near term. While there was definitely a lot of beneficial information presented, one key insight may emerge as the number on trend in hospitality: multigenerational travel. "Multigenerational travel" or "mutligen travel" most commonly refers to grandparents traveling with grandchildren, but can reflect any number of generations traveling together.
According to MMGY Global, more than 20% of travelers are grandparents. Of those, 40% have taken a trip with a grandchild during the past year. And eight out of 10 times that a grandchild comes along, so does a parent. As you can see, the market is already well developed. As more affluent baby-boomers retire and begin traveling alongside children and grandchildren, this market will will just continue to mature (pardon the pun!) Several elements are key to capturing this target market, but most important among them is a well-developed recreation program that meets the needs of these guests collectively. Broadly inclusive cooking classes, walking tours, and lower-impact activities that can be enjoyed by all age groups are key. For the hospitality market, multigenerational travel represents one of the few demographics that shows extensive growth potential domestically. Beyond just welcoming family guests, multigen represents a new gateway for luxury hoteliers. Traveling alongside affluent parents and grandparents, economically stretched GenX and GenY consumers are discovering brands that can serve them for decades to come as their affluence grows, making this a significant play for the luxury market.
October 9 2012, 1:33pm | #
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I posted to blog.kevindonahue.com
How To Position Yourself as an Expert – ROLL UP YOUR SHIRT SLEEVES!
I happened upon a curious article entitled "How to Roll Up Your Shirt Sleeves" via a luxury company's social media and it really struck me. As a man who wears shirts, I suppose I am well-within the blog's target demographic for this post; however, what really interested wasn't the content, but rather the positioning. The article details (with photos AND videos!) different ways for men to roll up their shirt sleeves. This is, I suppose, interesting information for a number of readers. Beyond the content, I think this is a great example of how to position yourself as an expert. Each of us has a number of interests in which we have a great depth and breadth of knowledge. Be it personal or professional, I'm sure there are several areas in which you could be considered an expert. And therein lies the opportunity. By taking the next logical step and SHARING your expertise, you can not only impact your audience but also establish yourself as an expert – a status that can reward you handsomly in career pursuits. After all, who would you rather hire/work with/buy from? An expert or the other guy? In what areas are you an expert? Find your niche and roll up your sleeves!
September 14 2012, 3:12pm | #
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I posted to blog.kevindonahue.com
Who writes hotel reviews?
http://blog.kevindonahue.com/archives/2012/07/13/who_writes_hotel_reviews/
Travelers today are innundated with resources to assist in planning trips. Among the tools are first-hand "unbiased" published on the major booking sites, including TripAdvisor, Booking.com, Expedia and others. But, have you ever wondered, "Who writes these reviews, anyway?" Olery, a reputation management company, has taken a stab at answering that question and the answers are pretty interesting. Generally speaking, Olery found that hotels receive about 300+ reviews per year on average and that 46% of travelers post hotel reviews. Reviewer demographics skew slightly towards female guests, with a plurality of reviews being written by 35-49 year-old guests. Interestingly, guests on vacation and leisure travel – those who are spending their own money – write the majority of hotel reviews.
July 13 2012, 12:57pm | #
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I posted to blog.kevindonahue.com
The best iPhone / Droid app you're not using
http://blog.kevindonahue.com/archives/2012/05/27/the_best_iphone_droid_app_youre_not_using/
Question: What's the best iPhone / Android app that you're NOT using? For 95+% of the iOS and Droid users, the answer is BUMP. This great app allows you to quickly share your contact information or photos with other new contacts by simply bumping your phones together. Seriously, it's that easy. You don't have to call one another and save the number in your phone, download VCards or any other legacy sharing strategy. Just bump and done! Recently the development team upped the ante a new update that allows you to bump photos from your phone directly to your computer. How cool is that? And the best part? Yeah… it's free. Download Bump for iPhone and Android. Still have questions? Watch this video demo.
May 27 2012, 4:33pm | #
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I posted to blog.kevindonahue.com
Why you NEED a Travel Agent
http://blog.kevindonahue.com/archives/2012/01/24/why_you_need_a_travel_agent/
You already know how to use Expedia, Travelocity, and TripAdvisor. You're not an online travel novice. Perhaps you're using more advanced tools like Kayak, Hipmunk, and TripIt to plan your vacations. But are you neglecting to use the #1 travel resource in the world? If you're not using a professional travel agent, then you're putting your time, money, and experience at risk. Travel agents are travel EXPERTS. They've been there, done that, and donated the t-shirt. But don't just take my word for it. Here's a Forbes.com post on why you need a travel agent:
There are many, many good reasons, which I will explain. But the bottom line is that they know more than you do, they are better connected than you, they have access to benefits you can’t get otherwise, they can often beat any other prices available (even online, yes), and after you have planned everything, they provide a safety net during your trip that you simply won’t get by booking yourself or buying insurance. Having a top travel agent can also make you an instant VIP – free room upgrades, hard to get restaurant reservations, cutting lines, access to otherwise closed stores and exhibits, private guides, and cheaper – often much cheaper – premium airfares. Here’s the best part: even though most top agents charge fees, in almost every firsthand experience I or my friends, family, and acquaintances have had, travel agents have saved money, often a lot of money, thousands of dollars, and in every case, more than paid for themselves.
Why you need a travel agent – Forbes.com
January 24 2012, 12:48pm | #
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I posted to blog.kevindonahue.com
The Sales Rep vs The Sales Expert
http://blog.kevindonahue.com/archives/2012/01/07/the_sales_rep_vs_the_sales_expert/
Ryan Estis posts a great blog on the value of sales positioning and how the role of the sales professional has changed in the last ten years, including this slide on the difference between the sales rep and the sales expert.
I'll give you two shots on who wins more business, but I bet you'll get it on the first guess. More from Ryan Estis here.
January 7 2012, 7:03pm | #
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I posted to blog.kevindonahue.com
5+1 Changes to Make to Your Resume NOW!
http://blog.kevindonahue.com/archives/2011/12/12/51_changes_to_make_to_your_resume_now/
I read an interesting article on Glassdoor entitled, "5 Changes to Make to Your Resume NOW" in which some often overlooked points were resurfaced. It's worth a read. One point that was not mentioned and should be emphasized is how important it is to communicate your social media handles along with your contact information. Your social media standing is a direct reflection of your professional interests and network. and can demonstrate industry engagement. This important engagement element should not be overlooked. After all, there are (literally) hundreds of studies showing that prospective employers are going to seek you out through social media. If this is a point of distinction for you, then you should showcase it, right? If you're actively promoting yourself professionally through a blog, Facebook page, or Twitter, you should definitely include a handle or link in the header of your resume. Don't miss a chance to make this positive impression!
December 12 2011, 2:34pm | #
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I posted to blog.kevindonahue.com
How To Make Press Releases "Twitter Friendly"
http://blog.kevindonahue.com/archives/2011/11/29/how_to_make_press_releases_twitter_friendly/
PRNewser had an interesting read this week on the importance of making your press releases Twitter friendly. Why should you tailor a press release to be easily distributed via Twitter, you ask? Simple. Twitter drives more traffic to press releases than any other top-level social media resource. So, how do you make your press release "twitter friendly"? PRNewser has some obvious steps as well as some a-ha steps that can greatly impact how your release gets distributed via social networks.
“It starts with the headline,” says Sarah Skerik, PRNewswire’s VP of social media. “The press releases that got the most shares and views were those that had headlines that were in the range of 120 characters, which makes them the perfect tweetable link.”
Obviously good headlines are important, but it's equally important to monitor the length of the headline. Since Twitter users will want to retweet your post and (potentially) add comments, you need to leave enogh characters to support the "RT @[yourusername]" device, at a minimum. A good rule of thumb would be to limit the length of your tweet to 110-120 characters maximum. Using twitter best practices is also important in making your press release twitter friendly and ensuring that you are hitting your core audience. One obvious device is through the use of appropriate hashtags. Hashtags make your content easy to find through twitter search, lists, and dedicated industry feeds. Another great tip is to make your pullquotes tweet-able.
Why not make the quote more interesting and substantive? “If I knew my audience was active on Twitter, I would make sure that quote is tweet-able, and include the brand’s or person’s Twitter handle….”
Including a twitter handle within your press release (or within the pullquote itself) is a really clever idea that could pay off in many ways. Not only will it get your important themes noticed and retweeted, but it could help to gain followers for your internal twitter accounts, further enhancing your brand's credibility in the marketplace. For more ways to make your press releases twitter friendly, check out the rest at PRNewser.
November 29 2011, 1:02pm | #
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I posted to blog.kevindonahue.com
The hidden opportunity behind "low hotel occupancy" in China
As hotel companies continue the unprecedented rush to develop properties in China, new analysis shows that the hotel occupancy rate in China to be among the lowest in Asia.
“Hotels in some markets of China are clearly oversupplied in the next three to five years, and they won’t be generating good returns,” said Nigel Summers, Hong Kong-based director at Horwath Asia Pacific, which tracks the hospitality industry. “China has had a very strong demand. The question is whether the increase in demand is going to be big enough to handle all the new hotels.”
Sixty-one percent occupancy is not a strong indicator, however it is must be taken in context. According to USA Today, China had 14,100 recognized hotels (those with at least one-star rating) in 2008, nearly double the 7,400 recognized hotels in 2001. By the end of 2012, the number of recognized hotels in China is expected to top 18,000. Given the rapid supply expansion and downward economic indicators, it's quite remarkable that the country was able to maintain its 61% occupancy rate so far in 2011 – flat to the previous year. And therein lies the hidden opportunity behind the "low" hotel occupancy numbers in China. Hoteliers were able to expand supply at a pace roughly equal to the increase in demand. In other words, expansion in China has done nothing to dilute the market. To the contrary, international brands are reporting 23% growth in RevPAR, with continued upward pressure on both occupancy and rate. Despite the shock value of "low occupancy" headlining the Bloomberg News report, this RevPAR growth speaks volumes to the hidden opportunity presented by both international and domestic travel in China and why so many are bullish on China.
November 16 2011, 2:11pm | #
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I posted to blog.kevindonahue.com
Happy Birthday, America
http://blog.kevindonahue.com/archives/2011/07/04/happy_birthday_america/
The Declaration of Independence IN CONGRESS, July 4, 1776. The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America, When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation. We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.–That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, –That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.–Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world. He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good. He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them. He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only. He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures. He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people. He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected; whereby the Legislative powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within. He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands. He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary powers. He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries. He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harrass our people, and eat out their substance. He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures. He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power. He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation: For Quartering large bodies of armed troops among us: For protecting them, by a mock Trial, from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States: For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world: For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent: For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury: For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies: For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws, and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments: For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever. He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us. He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people. He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation. He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands. He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages, whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions. In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people. Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our Brittish brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which, would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends. We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor. The 56 signatures on the Declaration appear in the positions indicated: Column 1 Georgia: Button Gwinnett Lyman Hall George Walton Column 2 North Carolina: William Hooper Joseph Hewes John Penn South Carolina: Edward Rutledge Thomas Heyward, Jr. Thomas Lynch, Jr. Arthur Middleton Column 3 Massachusetts: John Hancock Maryland: Samuel Chase William Paca Thomas Stone Charles Carroll of Carrollton Virginia: George Wythe Richard Henry Lee Thomas Jefferson Benjamin Harrison Thomas Nelson, Jr. Francis Lightfoot Lee Carter Braxton Column 4 Pennsylvania: Robert Morris Benjamin Rush Benjamin Franklin John Morton George Clymer James Smith George Taylor James Wilson George Ross Delaware: Caesar Rodney George Read Thomas McKean Column 5 New York: William Floyd Philip Livingston Francis Lewis Lewis Morris New Jersey: Richard Stockton John Witherspoon Francis Hopkinson John Hart Abraham Clark Column 6 New Hampshire: Josiah Bartlett William Whipple Massachusetts: Samuel Adams John Adams Robert Treat Paine Elbridge Gerry Rhode Island: Stephen Hopkins William Ellery Connecticut: Roger Sherman Samuel Huntington William Williams Oliver Wolcott New Hampshire: Matthew Thornton
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July 4 2011, 8:09am | #
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I posted to google.com
CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE: ObamaCare Repeal Would Save $1 Trillion….
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/instapundit/main/~3/pJcHp98BwWI/
CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE: ObamaCare Repeal Would Save $1 Trillion.
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February 18 2011, 5:28pm | #
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I posted to blog.kevindonahue.com
Good Fortunes
http://blog.kevindonahue.com/archives/2010/10/03/good_fortunes/
From MerrinDonahue.com…. "… So, even though we were presented with a totally non-authentic fortune cookie at our newfound authentic Chinese restaurant, we still opened our cookies to read Confucius’ words of wisdom. Mine was something vapid and nondescript, but Kevin’s? Wow. Kevin’s fortune read “Remember three months from this date. Good things are in store for you”. You see, even though we were still locked tight within the dreaded endless Two Week Cycle, we knew that the math lined up. Three months from that particular date contained 6 two week cycles; the last 6, as a matter of fact. The very last day of the very last cycle falls on October 30th. That’s the day we bring Jack home for good. It’s a Saturday, and it happens to be exactly three months to the day after we read that fortune. That tiny slip of paper is now tucked safely into Jack’s baby book. One day we’ll tell him the story of how his Mommy and Daddy were on a quest for real Chinese food, and we found, along with an appreciation for a good dumpling, that faith can, in fact, be found in a fortune cookie."
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October 3 2010, 11:10am | #
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I posted to blog.kevindonahue.com
9-11
http://blog.kevindonahue.com/archives/2010/09/11/9-11-5/
The painful, emotional scars of 9-11 are always there, sometimes on display, other times just below the surface. But we must also never forget the lessons of that day: tell your friends and family that you love them every day, say thank you to those who defend our neighborhoods and borders, celebrate the few moments we have together with laughter & love and be the person today that God sees in you every day.
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September 11 2010, 7:59am | #
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I posted to blog.kevindonahue.com
Must See TV: POV – Wo Ai Ni (I Love You), Mommy
http://blog.kevindonahue.com/archives/2010/08/29/must_see_tv_pov_-_wo_ai_ni_i_love_you_mommy/
PBS will broadcast their POV special entitled Wo Ai Ni (I Love You), Mommy on Tuesday, August 31st. The documentary looks at the adoption of 8-year-old Fang Sui Yong from China and the difficulties that adopted children, particularly older orphans, face in finding their identity in a new and unfamiliar world. From the PBS synopsis: What is it like to be torn from your Chinese foster family, put on a plane with strangers and wake up in a new country, family and culture? Stephanie Wang-Breal’s Wo Ai Ni (I Love You) Mommy is the story of Fang Sui Yong, an 8-year-old orphan, and the Sadowskys, the Long Island Jewish family that travels to China to adopt her. Sui Yong is one of 70,000 Chinese children now being raised in the United States. Through her eyes, we witness her struggle with a new identity as she transforms from a timid child into someone that no one — neither her new family nor she — could have imagined. Click here for the full synopsis and to view the trailer. Wo Ai Ni (I Love You) Mommy is an honest look at the ups-and-downs of international adoption and is highly recommended by those who are familiar with Chinese adoption. PBS has the broadcast schedule online or you can search your listings for the title, POV, on August 31st.
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August 29 2010, 5:05pm | #
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I posted to blog.kevindonahue.com
Interview with God
http://blog.kevindonahue.com/archives/2010/08/02/interview_with_god/
MAN: What surprises you most about humankind? GOD: That they get bored with childhood, they rush to grow up, and then long to be children again. That they lose their health to make money and then lose their money to restore their health. That by thinking anxiously about the future, they forget the present, such that they live in neither the present nor the future. That they live as if they will never die and die as though they had never lived. Adapted from Living Laughing Loving Today
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August 2 2010, 9:45pm | #
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I posted to blog.kevindonahue.com
Immigration Fingerprints
http://blog.kevindonahue.com/archives/2010/07/18/immigration_fingerprints/
We will be going to the US Immigration and Citizenship office in Jacksonville this week to be fingerprinted as one of the final steps in completing the Petition for Adoption. And while nothing has been normal in our four & a half year adoption saga, the customary timeline would seem to indicate that we may be traveling to China in late September or early October. It's a great feeling to know that we're going somewhere this week where they may actually refer to us as Jack's parents!
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July 18 2010, 10:31am | #
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I posted to blog.kevindonahue.com
The Declaration of Independence
http://blog.kevindonahue.com/archives/2010/07/02/the_declaration_of_independence/
234 years ago today, Thomas Jefferson laid pen to paper and wrote one of the most significant documents in the history of Western culture. Each and every year, it is worth remembering Jefferson's words…. IN CONGRESS, JULY 4, 1776 The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation. We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. — Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world. He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good. He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them. He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only. He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their Public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures. He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people. He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected, whereby the Legislative Powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within. He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands. He has obstructed the Administration of Justice by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary Powers. He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries. He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harass our people and eat out their substance. He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures. He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil Power. He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation: For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us: For protecting them, by a mock Trial from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States: For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world: For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent: For depriving us in many cases, of the benefit of Trial by Jury: For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences: For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments: For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever. He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us. He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people. He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation, and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & Perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation. He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands. He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions. In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people. Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our British brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends. We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these united Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States, that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. — And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor. — John Hancock New Hampshire: Josiah Bartlett, William Whipple, Matthew Thornton Massachusetts: John Hancock, Samuel Adams, John Adams, Robert Treat Paine, Elbridge Gerry Rhode Island: Stephen Hopkins, William Ellery Connecticut: Roger Sherman, Samuel Huntington, William Williams, Oliver Wolcott New York: William Floyd, Philip Livingston, Francis Lewis, Lewis Morris New Jersey: Richard Stockton, John Witherspoon, Francis Hopkinson, John Hart, Abraham Clark Pennsylvania: Robert Morris, Benjamin Rush, Benjamin Franklin, John Morton, George Clymer, James Smith, George Taylor, James Wilson, George Ross Delaware: Caesar Rodney, George Read, Thomas McKean Maryland: Samuel Chase, William Paca, Thomas Stone, Charles Carroll of Carrollton Virginia: George Wythe, Richard Henry Lee, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Harrison, Thomas Nelson, Jr., Francis Lightfoot Lee, Carter Braxton North Carolina: William Hooper, Joseph Hewes, John Penn South Carolina: Edward Rutledge, Thomas Heyward, Jr., Thomas Lynch, Jr., Arthur Middleton Georgia: Button Gwinnett, Lyman Hall, George Walton
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July 2 2010, 8:03pm | #
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I posted to blog.kevindonahue.com
The True Meaning of Memorial Day
http://blog.kevindonahue.com/archives/2010/05/31/the_true_meaning_of_memorial_day/
Let us never forget that it is the silence of the fallen soldier that sings our national anthem. It is foolish to mourn that such men died; rather we should thank God Almighty that such men lived.
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May 31 2010, 9:50am | #
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I posted to blog.kevindonahue.com
Forecast: Wonk
http://blog.kevindonahue.com/archives/2010/05/30/forecast_wonk/
Expect a little wonkiness around the blog for the next few days. I'm celebrating my 9-year blogiversary with a few tweaks on the back-end. Stay tuned.
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May 30 2010, 6:37pm | #
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I posted to blog.kevindonahue.com
Force Facebook to Refresh and Import Notes
http://blog.kevindonahue.com/archives/2010/05/09/force_facebook_to_refresh_and_import_notes/
If you import your blog into Facebook as a Note, you may have noticed that it can be really, really slow to show new posts. But if you don't have the patience to wait for Facebook to update your Notes, you can manually refresh the Notes app and force Facebook to re-import your RSS feed in just two steps. How to Manually Refresh RSS imports in Facebook Notes
Go to your Facebook Profile and click on the Settings link to the right of your Wall. Under Imported Sites, click on the Blog/RSS hyperlink and click “Update Now”.
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May 9 2010, 4:28pm | #
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I posted to blog.kevindonahue.com
Consumer protection groups seek FTC oversight of Facebook
Time and time again Facebook has rewritten it's own user privacy policies, with each subsequent change releasing more private information into the public domain. In the wake of the most recent changes, fifteen consumer protection groups filed a complaint against Facebook with the Federal Trade Commission, accusing Facebook of unfair and deceptive trade practices and violating consumer protection laws. "Facebook continues to manipulate the privacy settings of users and its own privacy policy so that it can take personal information provided by users for a limited purpose and make it widely available for commercial purposes," reads the letter. "The company has done this repeatedly and users are becoming increasingly angry and frustrated." For it's part, Facebook says its done nothing wrong. Analysis may prove that Facebook hasn't broken the law, but there's no question that the expectation of privacy that users once had when using the service has been eroded significantly with little recourse for users, with Facebook retaining your data even if you delete it from the site. Yes, you read that right. Facebook continues to hold user data even if you delete it. The backlash against Facebook seems to be building. It will be interesting to see if Facebook chooses to protect user privacy before a strong competitor can emerge.
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May 8 2010, 11:05am | #
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I posted to blog.kevindonahue.com
Save a Child's Life today
http://blog.kevindonahue.com/archives/2010/04/25/save_a_childs_life_today/
3,000 children died of malaria yesterday. 3,000 more will die today. Your $10 donation will save one child's life tomorrow. Text NET to 85944 or send a $10 donation via Twitter.
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April 25 2010, 1:07pm | #
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I posted to blog.kevindonahue.com
Once again… time to update your Facebook Privacy Settings
Once again Facebook is touting new features for its service and – once again – user privacy is impacted. In what seems like a broken record, for every "advance" that Facebook promotes, more and more user information is made public on an opt-out basis. In other words… if you don't change your privacy, your information will be shared. Lifehacker has more information on how to restore your privacy settings.
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April 23 2010, 9:18am | #
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I posted to blog.kevindonahue.com
The Man in the Arena
http://blog.kevindonahue.com/archives/2010/04/23/the_man_in_the_arena/
It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat. – President Theodore Roosevelt, April 23, 1910
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April 23 2010, 8:41am | #
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I posted to blog.kevindonahue.com
The Evolution of the Boy Scouts
http://blog.kevindonahue.com/archives/2010/04/18/the_evolution_of_the_boy_scouts/
I think most people know that I'm an Eagle Scout, so it's with great interest that I make note of the Boy Scouts of America's efforts to bridge the great divide between traditional scouting skills and the 21st century. Case in point: The Boy Scouts have introduced a Geocaching merit badge. For those that aren't familiar, geocaching generally involves using a GPS device to follow a trail and locate landmarks. In other words, it's quite similar to the traditional Orienteering merit badge that teaches scouts to use a compass to follow a trail and locate landmarks. Not only does the new badge have real-world applications for understanding how GPS works, but it also helps to keep the Boy Scouts relevant and interesting to a wide audience. While there will always be a place for the core BSA merit badges, I think this is an outstanding step in the evolution of the Boy Scouts. Kudos, BSA.
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April 18 2010, 8:37am | #
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I posted to blog.kevindonahue.com
The cure for the recycled water bottle funk?
http://blog.kevindonahue.com/archives/2010/03/28/the_cure_for_the_recycled_water_bottle_funk_/
I like the convenience of bottled water, but I confess refilling my empty bottle several times a day rather than trashing it and opening a new bottle. The result means I'm drinking more tap water in progressively funky bottles. Not good. Not good. The fix to funky water bottles? The Water Bobble. This unique insert is actually a carbon filter that meets or exceeds the NSF 42 standard and doubles as a sport cap for your water bottle. One point of caution, this is not a water purification filter, so don't expect it to purify creek water, ok?! Available in a bunch of colors, it filters approximately 300 bottles of water for $9.95 – a big savings for your wallet and the environment. You can buy them online here and the Water Bobble folks will send you a reminder email when its time to start using a new filter. Or check Bed, Bath, & Beyond, Whole Foods and others in the coming months.
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March 28 2010, 12:13pm | #
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I posted to blog.kevindonahue.com
How To: Download Facebook Email Addresses
http://blog.kevindonahue.com/archives/2010/03/13/how_to_download_facebook_email_addresses/
So you've got umpteen million friends on Facebook that you haven't gotten in touch with for a while and you would like to email them more often. The only problem is that you don't have their email address in your Outlook, Mail.app, iPhone, Gmail, or phone address book. So what you need is a way to download email address from your Facebook friends to your computer, iPhone, Gmail, phone, Mac, etc… right? Read on….
Downloading your friends' email addresses from Facebook is not made to be easy, but there is a perfectly legal, perfectly legitimate "backdoor" way to do it involving Yahoo Mail. (This is the part of the How To where I tell you that you need to have a Yahoo email account, so if you don't – go sign up for one.) To export your Facebook friends' email addresses, to to address.yahoo.com and click the Facebook icon. A Facebook login window will appear. Sign-in with your Facebook password and Yahoo will begin copying all of your friends email addresses to your Yahoo Mail Account. Once the import is done, go to the TOOLS tab and select export (or just click here!) and select either a CSV file format or the vCard, Zip of .VCF files format. (I prefer the vCard, Zip of .VCF files for Mac users, because I can add contacts selectively and even merge the information with my existing contacts). Stumped? The originators of this lesson have a video that makes it all easy to understand…
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March 13 2010, 8:15am | #
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I posted to blog.kevindonahue.com
Closing the New Frontier
http://blog.kevindonahue.com/archives/2010/02/12/closing_the_new_frontier/
Closing the New Frontier
By the end of this year, there will be no shuttle, no U.S. manned space program, no way for us to get into space. We're not talking about Mars or the moon here. We're talking about low-Earth orbit, which the U.S. has dominated for nearly half a century and from which it is now retiring with nary a whimper. Our absence from low-Earth orbit was meant to last a few years, the interval between the retirement of the fatally fragile space shuttle and its replacement with the Constellation program (Ares booster, Orion capsule, Altair lunar lander) to take astronauts more cheaply and safely back to space. But the Obama 2011 budget kills Constellation. Instead, we shall have nothing. For the first time since John Glenn flew in 1962, the U.S. will have no access of its own for humans into space — and no prospect of getting there in the foreseeable future. It's in the hands of Congress now, which is not exactly a comforting thought.
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February 12 2010, 3:44pm | #
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I posted to blog.kevindonahue.com
Is it mathematically impossible to pay off the US debt?
If all money owned by all American banks, businesses and individuals was gathered up today and sent to the U.S. government, there would not be enough to pay off the U.S. national debt.
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February 8 2010, 8:13pm | #
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I posted to blog.kevindonahue.com
It's not a space program, it is our destiny
http://blog.kevindonahue.com/archives/2010/02/06/its_not_a_space_program_it_is_our_destiny/
The President's proposed 2011 budget includes plans to halt NASA's progress towards returning Americans to the Moon, establishing a permanent lunar base, and — eventually — the manned exploration of Mars. Supporting NASA's Constellation program is not simply about watching astronauts bounce around on the Moon. The technologies created & tested in support of this mission and the discoveries to come will shape our global society and provide innovations that will impact every aspect of our lives – from the products we use every day, to the way we create & consume energy, to the lifesaving treatments & advances that better our lives. NASA's Constellation project (which has already built, tested, and launched rockets into space) doesn't merely represent the future of NASA or American leadership, but rather the future of mankind's exploration of space. I urge you to watch this outline video, to read about the program, evaluate opinions such as those from Popular Mechanics and to consider raising your voice in support of Constellation.
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February 6 2010, 10:49am | #
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I posted to blog.kevindonahue.com
Offline
http://blog.kevindonahue.com/archives/2010/01/27/offline/
For some reason or another, I've been offline this week. I've checked email, but – other than jumping on Facebook to catch up on some family matters – I really haven't spent much time online. I wish I could say that I spent my offline time accomplishing great things but sadly that is not the case, unless you consider being 100% up-to-speed with season eight of 24. So… if I missed your tweet or post or status update, it wasn't intentional. (Sure… right… that's the ticket!) Yall send me a smoke signal and I'll get caught up.
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January 27 2010, 7:31pm | #
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I posted to blog.kevindonahue.com
The Unemployed States of America
http://blog.kevindonahue.com/archives/2010/01/13/the_unemployed_states_of_america/
Source: Business Pundit
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January 13 2010, 8:43pm | #
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I posted to blog.kevindonahue.com
My 2009 Travel Stats
http://blog.kevindonahue.com/archives/2010/01/09/2009_travel_stats/
According to the fine folks at TripIt.com (@tripit), here are my travel stats for 2009: 19 Trips 57 Days 36,270 miles 22 cities 4 countries (technically I was in 5 in 2009) Are you on TripIt (it's free!)? If so, connect to me!
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January 9 2010, 11:37am | #
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I posted to blog.kevindonahue.com
I think I might be in the market for a Snuggie
http://blog.kevindonahue.com/archives/2010/01/02/i_think_i_might_be_in_the_market_for_a_snuggie/
Are you being serious, Accuweather? Single digit "RealFeels" this week? I think I might be in the market for a Snuggie….
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January 2 2010, 10:01am | #
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I posted to blog.kevindonahue.com
'Holiday Wish' by Steve Martin
http://blog.kevindonahue.com/archives/2009/12/17/holiday_wish_by_steve_martin/
'A Holiday Wish', by Steve Martin
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December 17 2009, 8:26pm | #
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I posted to blog.kevindonahue.com
Dilbert on Global Warming Science
http://blog.kevindonahue.com/archives/2009/12/06/dilbert_on_global_warming_science/
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December 6 2009, 11:45am | #
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I posted to google.com
VITAMINS: What’s worth paying for….
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/instapundit/main/~3/ZDW9LxrhRMQ/
VITAMINS: What’s worth paying for.
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December 4 2009, 2:01pm | #
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I posted to blog.kevindonahue.com
The End of an Era
http://blog.kevindonahue.com/archives/2009/12/01/the_end_of_an_era-2/
Like many FSU football fans, I knew this extremely bittersweet day would come. Thank you for the memories, Coach Bowden. You will always be UNCONQUERED. Go Noles!
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December 1 2009, 10:51am | #
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I posted to blog.kevindonahue.com
Barnes & Noble to help support adoption
http://blog.kevindonahue.com/archives/2009/11/21/barnes_noble_to_help_support_adoption/
For those that are planning purchases at Barnes & Noble…. The bookseller (media seller?) will donate a portion of your store or cafe purchase proceeds to The Gladney Center for Adoption on November 28 & 29 – simply mention Promotion Code 1007 6420 prior to checking out at any B&N nationwide. Of course, Gladney is near & dear to our hearts. Kudos to Barnes & Noble!
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November 21 2009, 9:07pm | #
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I posted to blog.kevindonahue.com
The must-have conversation for men
http://blog.kevindonahue.com/archives/2009/11/16/the_must-have_conversation_for_men/
How many men age 40 or older will die of a sudden, massive heart attack? Go ahead – take a guess. 1 out of 100? Nope. 1 out of 50? No. 1 out of 25? Warmer. 1 out of 10? Warmer still. 1 out of 8? Bingo. One out of eight men age 40 or older will die of a sudden, massive heart attack, according to a new American Heart Association study detailed today in the Wall Street Journal. Even more startling is the fact that 1 out of every 2 men age 40 or older will develop coronary heart disease. 1 out of 2! 50 percent! Men, we all fear our own mortality but this is a conversation that you must have with your doctor. And, ladies, you need to ensure that the men in your life are talking to their doctor about their own personal risk factors. For obvious reasons, this issue hits home with me, but it doesn't have to hit your home. Don't be a statistic – talk to your doctor.
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November 16 2009, 8:08pm | #
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I posted to blog.kevindonahue.com
Parking at the Dog Park
http://blog.kevindonahue.com/archives/2009/10/24/parking_at_the_dog_park/
Merrin found a great dog park here on the island and — quite honestly — Oliver is in love with the place. They have lots of toys, a garden pond, a bone-shaped splash pool, separate large dog & small dog areas, a refreshment center, and a dog wash area. We took him there today and let him play with the big dogs (and I mean big dogs) and he had an absolute blast. He pretty much held his own with the big dogs. Suffice it to say, Oliver is a big fan.
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October 24 2009, 10:31pm | #
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I posted to blog.kevindonahue.com
Life's a Beach
http://blog.kevindonahue.com/archives/2009/10/17/lifes_a_beach/
I guess it's time for an update. The moving truck came and went without incident this week. The team from Hilldrup Moving & Storage (United Van Lines) did a great job. They were efficient, safe, polite and fast. I would highly recommend them if you're considering a move in the Southeast. Now that our stuff has made the trek, I find myself in awe (once again) of my wife. I'm amazed at just how quickly she has turned this house into our home. And it's not just arranging the furniture or unpacking the boxes, but putting the touches in place that make a place "ours". We managed to venture out yesterday for a quick drive through town. In what is certain to become a regular occurrence, we stopped for a walk along the beach and collected more shells. It's been mentioned many, many times on my blog that I am solar powered, but I'm quite certain that my wife is hydro-powered. She loves just being near the water. I guess that's just part of what makes us so good for one another. There's something almost magical about this place. While there's a good deal of history as The Isle of Eight Flags and as a pirate haven years ago, the town is just such a welcoming place. The people are exceptionally nice and friendly. It will take some adjusting to, but it's such a small place – population 12,000 – we don't have ten digit dialing. Since our house is so close to the ocean, we get these great, colorful sunrises each morning. At night, you can see so many stars in the sky. Perhaps it's my imagination, but I would swear – if you try hard enough – you can smell a hint of sea in the air. Suffice to say we're adapting quite nicely to our sleepy little beach town. It's good to be "home".
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October 17 2009, 9:50am | #
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I posted to blog.kevindonahue.com
Moving Day
http://blog.kevindonahue.com/archives/2009/10/13/moving_day/
After two plus years in Orlando, moving day is finally here. Next stop: a small beach town on the Atlantic coast of North Florida. CAN'T WAIT!!
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October 13 2009, 4:46am | #
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I posted to blog.kevindonahue.com
A HEARTfelt thank you!
http://blog.kevindonahue.com/archives/2009/10/04/a_heartfelt_thank_you/
Thank you all so much for your encouraging words and donations towards the American Heart Association's START! Heart Walk 5k. Merrin & I were more than a little surprised yesterday when we showed up to find more than 4,000 walkers for yesterday's event. Of course, we also had to laugh when we passed several groups of walkers who had stopped to take a smoke break… but I digress. I really appreciate you thinking of us for this very special event!
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October 4 2009, 7:40am | #
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I posted to blog.kevindonahue.com
I need your help & support!
http://blog.kevindonahue.com/archives/2009/10/01/i_need_your_help_support/
I don't do the personal appeals too often, so I hope you'll indulge me just a moment. As many of you know, I suffered a heart attack in 2008 brought about by heart disease. While my recovery has gone exceptionally well — thanks in no small part to the love and support of my wife, family, and skilled doctors — I still live ever day with the realization that I have heart disease. What you may not know is that heart disease is the #1 killer in the United States. I've spent the past 18 months learning to live with heart disease, but now I need your help and support to do something about it. This Saturday, October 3rd, I have chosen to participate in the Start! Heart Walk 5K benefiting the American Heart Association. I have set a personal goal to help raise funds that are needed for critical heart disease research and education. You can help me raise funds and protect those you love by
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October 1 2009, 8:58am | #