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Aruna Roy is a social activist who is best known for her endeavours for betterment of the rural poor in the state of Rajasthan. In 2000, she was awarded with the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Community Leadership. Her continuous campaigns were instrumental in enactment of the Right to Information act -2005. She was as a member of the National Advisory Council for two years, where she helped and advocated the passage of the Right to Information Act and the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act. Her contribution to the cause has been widely acknowledged. Here is an Exclusive telephonic interview of Aruna Roy with Santosh H K Narayan of Headlines India on contemporary socio-economic issues.

Very recently you met Sonia Gandhi highlighting the issue of tribal and poor peoples land. What was the outcome?

Aruna Roy: I met her along with a delegation- which included many campaigners from ‘Janadesh-2007′, which is at present the main focus of our activity. At least 25000 people are marching from Gwalior to Delhi, demanding a land reform policy from the government. Land should be given to the tillers at the earliest. In the National Common Minimum programme the UPA government had promised that people would get their land and their livelihood would be ensured, therefore we went to ask the UPA Chairperson that there is a commitment made by this government and it should be honoured. So, in principle, she accepted our claim, but regarding the formation of a land policy and the commission to execute it, she told, she would be talking to the Prime Minister. The PM has already been provided with the papers related to the matter. We requested her that there should be some immediate announcement by the government after due consultation with civil society groups and activists by the time the ongoing march (Janadesh-2007) arrives in Delhi. But Sonia didn’t make any commitment.

As you said tribals and poor farmers are marching towards Delhi. What are the targets they are aiming to achieve?

Aruna Roy: There are no targets as such. They have certain demands. Janadesh- 2007 is a fight for the right to live and livelihood. Their demands include that the land should remain with its tillers. Farmers who own land today should be given a commitment that it would not be taken away from them. For all those who have been alloted land only on papers, should be given the actual position of the same. People who got land at the time of Binova Bhave and subsequently during Indira Gandhi’s period still own their land on papers. Violence against those who go and cultivate on their own land should be checked with immediate effect.

Land reform policy should be such that it ensures security and livelihood of thousands and lakhs of farmers in this country. To what extent will Pepsi, colas and Macdonald’s will replace farming in this country? Farming is an activity which incorporates many things. It is a employment programme; a self-reliance programme. You just can’t take profit-loss account everywhere.

We can witness a continuous struggle going on by farmers and tribals fo rtheir rights. What do you think are the main reasons for that?

Aruna Roy: The main reason for it is the non-implementation of of land reforms in many states. Over the last decade and a half, there has been a paradigm shift as far as uasage of land is concerned. Earlier, there was less pressure on land, hence, there was less of problem too. But in last 3-5 years, the emphasis over the commercial usage of land has shifted towards acquisition and privatisation of land. Corporate farming and private farming is being insisted upon. The banks don’t allow small donors to have any kind of special subsidy which they earlier had before. If you follow the line drawn by the international financial organisations, then Indian farmers cannot have any subsidy, but ironically, farming in US , Australia and Europe can be subsidised. Every single cow is subsidised in Europe. In that context, people are getting alienated from their lands and livelihood. Thus, it becomes imminent than ever before that the interest of 60 per cent of Indian population be protected.

There has been international pressure through WTO, IMF and World Bank. On the other hand we are also witnessing domestic pressure from big corporate houses to change the policies. Who is more responsible for the plight of poor?

Aruna Roy: These (domestic corporate houses) are part of an international community. Are not Indian corporates multinational? Even they are investing in various nations. Their nature is same. The Constitution says that we are a sovereign country and our representatives should follow our mandate. See, no body would say that India should not be developed and modernised. But, we should achieve it in indigenous way and with our own design.

We have seen changes in the government over time. Various political parties came and went. But the policies do not seem to changing. Do you think there is huge market pressure on the government- irrespective of the political party governing?

Aruna Roy: Who is taking the pressure. Are we not an independent entity? If we are, then to what an extent a government could be pressurised? Amartya Sen won the Nobel Prize for economics. He says that we can’t have globalisation with inequality. If the developed countries say that they have surplus of money to invest in India, then we Indians have surplus of manpower. Let the developed countries allow our skilled manpower walk freely in their country. How can they expect us to do away with all the restrictions, while they continue with most of them.

Of late there has been furious actions by Naxals in many parts of India. They are against any kind of developmental activities being carried in backward areas. How can this approach be justified?

Aruna Roy: They were never protesting against all these 10 years ago. What was happening then? Where were all these developmental activities in these areas? Maoist and Naxal pockets are located in those areas of the country where there was no development and rule of law. Tribals were killed.Their land and resources were snatched. No body was there to listen to their voice. Now, the roads and electricity are being brought in these areas when multinationals are going to set up mines and factories there. Naxalism is the result of the loss of hope and faith in the system. These things breed Maoism, Naxalism and violence.

I can say as a concerned citizen of India that the impact of developmental policies and rule of law have failed in these areas. People do not want to live with violence. There have been repeated effort to deny the right of life to them. If you offer them a package and take a decision to treat them equally, only then the Naxalism can be cubed down. This menace has only a political and economic solution. Using of force against them is not going to do any trick. It will only increase India’s instability. We have seen the state sponsored violence like Salawa Judum. It is not a solution.

When human right groups raise their voice against such atrocities, then they are being captured and put behind the bars, for example Vinayak Sen. He is graduate from Christian Medical College and is a gold medalist. He established a big hospital at Raipur. But the state government put him into jail by terming him a Maoist. Those who talk about human rights and about the progress of the country in real terms are put behind bars. It is not an answer.

It is quite evident that most of our natural resources are located in the backward and tribal areas. Government is quite rightly saying that there is need of resources for the development of society. But by doing that the livelihood of tribal and poor fall in jeopardy. How can a balance be maintained between these paradoxes?

Aruna Roy: Have you heard about climate change and global warming? Have you hared about depletion of forest? Do you realise that incidents like Tsunami and Katrina cannot be isolated? Do you realise that poles are melting and sea level is rising? Ironically, the path of development our country is following is leading us on the same path. So the exploitation of natural resources should be done judiciously. It can’t be given to institutions, who are interested only in profit making. All the companies from abroad who are now making their presence felt in India have already destroyed their own environment. They will do the same even here.

Let’s put all this information in the public domain and have a debate. In the era of Gandhiji, all the issues were debated publicly with Netajee, Ambedkar, Nehru and others. Only then the final decision would be taken. The issues ranging from the amount of land that would be used for development; to the environmental damage done in terms of global warming, everything should be debated. Let’s analyse all the facts and then decide what is good or bad. And number two, the people who are going to be affected must be a par t of the debate. Not that you take a decision and then go and tell them that we have decided these things.

If you tell the rich people who are living in cities and have invested their money that the government is going to take their property for investing it in other development projects. Will they agree? In a democracy, it is the right of the people- whose land is being taken in the name of public purpose- to know what the public purpose amounts to. Just ponder over Maoism. I think it is a very clever ploy on the part of people who want to resort to violence. It is in their interest because once you declare an individual a Naxal or Maoist, you can kill him anytime! If some body says that ‘don’t take my land’ that person can be killed. Today, if you talk about your own land then you would be branded a Naxalite!

Capitalism is a fight for the private property. It says that there should be privatisation of everything. In that context the land of poor would also be a private property for some people.

Government is talking about food security, but poor and peasant are far from getting that and going even further away. How should the governmental policies be redirected to ensure the food security?

Aruna Roy: Firstly, let the farmers and tribal have their land. Secondly, ensure financial stability to them. Provide them loans at the same interest rate that they were getting earlier. All the basic inputs of farmers should be made available to them. Only then the food security would be established. Because, there have to be production before you have food security. You can’t convert all your lands into mines; in industries, or use it in producing fodder for foreign cows and simultaneously, have the food security. We have to ensure production and provide employment to buy food security.

We have been encountering reduction in farm produces, especially in the form of after affects of the Green Revolution. Do you think, there is a need to have a second Green Revolution, although with a different flavour?

Aruna Roy: I emphatically believe that there is lot of traditional wisdom in India, which have always been ignored. What we must do at this stage is, to have a complete introspection on agriculture. People here are practicing farming from time immemorial. There are farmers who have been maintaining the available resources since then. We destroyed those in 50 years. So the fault is not with the farmers, but with foreign technologies, which does not considers land as a resource. It does not deal with the protection of that resource. People and technology which nurtures trees and forest, protect the land, uses the rivers without polluting them should be encouraged. People still have such measures available with them. One has has to reach to them. But if only one sided agenda exits, then there is no future.

Numerically, India’s GDP is growing at the rate of 8-9 per cent. If it is, then how can it be utilised for the betterment of the people who are at the lower strata?

Aruna Roy: 8 or 9 per cent growth is alright. But what does it means in real terms? Whether it is going to increase private income and interest? We would like to know exactly what does it mean. We would like to know the breakup of this GDP growth in terms of building government resources. Unless this will go up, benefit of this GDP will never reach to the larger section of the country. It is government and its policies which is directly responsible for the state of the people. Private companies can’t be forced to do these things (developmental).

So, do you want to say it has ‘failed’?

Aruna Roy: I don’t say that. But nothing much has filtered down to the people. I don’t see any village getting road, electricity and school due to this high rate of growth. In fact people from rural areas are migrating to live in urban slums. If it doesn’t happens, then this growth will have some meaning.

You have been very much attached with RTI, personally. What is the difference this law has made in the day-to-day lives of a common man?

Aruna Roy: I think RTI, in real terms, has made a phenomenal difference. Two-three things which it has done are remarkable. The first and foremost one is that it has democratised the people in a better way. If you don’t demand answers then the people, who are at the helm of affairs, would not be reigned in and then everything would be snatched and sold. This fact has been understood by many. Recently, Habibullah (Chief Information Commissioner) had convened a meeting of Information Commissioners of all states. In this meeting, it was known that thousands of applications are coming from the people of Maharastra for information. But other states are not maintaining even the records. So the government is not doing its duty, people are doing. Commission is sandwiched in between. It does something and leaves something. In spite of that, RTI is one important legislation which has given us hope. See, before this, we were knowing that many things are going wrong, but we didn’t know how to ask for that information, how to ask for accountability. This law has paved the way for maintaining accountability.

Now something on a personal note. You left a powerful government job and came forward to work for people. Do you think that the type of administrative setup we have, is producing hurdles in transparent functioning?

Aruna Roy: The basic changes can’t come under the government. Administration is there to maintain the status- quo. But bureaucracy is also needed to run this country. An honest and accountable bureaucracy is necessary. We have wrong assumption in India that if one per cent of bureaucracy works properly, then the whole country would change. I feel that there must be a democratic and accountable system everywhere. Bureaucracy has a role but perhaps we give too much of hype to it.

Is it not because we adopted the bureaucratic setup made up by Britishers and did not change or modify it according to our necessities?

Aruna Roy: That is quite true. We did not want to change it, because if the common people occupy the position then what would the powerful people do. The condition is even worse now (than British rule).

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Having a Labrador Retriever is fun. Apart from being friendly, this breed is capable of performing a lot of work. They are popular assistance dogs and is widely used by police and other official bodies because of their detection and working abilities. With all those services and help they provide, they deserve to be treated really well.

The moment you decided to take home a new Labrador Retriever, it is expected that you Understand and wholeheartedly accept the responsibilities attached to being a good dog owner. It is your responsibility to provide things like leashes, collars, food bowls and water bowls in addition to nutritionally-balanced food. You also have to make sure that your pet is well taken cared of, is regularly groomed, has plenty of exercise and is free from diseases and other health problems.

But being a good dog owner doesn’t end there. You can do more than just providing all those stuff. Have you ever thought of getting a pet insurance for your ever loyal dog? No kidding! Many dogs owners are now getting pet insurance for their dogs.

Inevitable medical emergencies can occur unexpectedly. Lucky if it is just a minor laceration or a mild vomiting. However, some could be so severe that extensive and prolong or even lifetime medication is necessary. Thanks to the advancement of medical science, treating some rare and complicated diseases is now possible. But then the problem is, your pet may not be given proper treatment because of financial constraints. By having pet insurance, you will never have to worry financial issues anymore in addition to having your pet treated even with the most advance and powerful wonders of science.

There are various companies with different plans to suit the needs of your pet. Choose a reputable and reliable company offering excellent policies at low prices. Read and understand the terms and conditions and various coverage schemes. Some plans cover not just regular health care and check ups but also treatment for illnesses and accidents. There are some that covers accidents or both accidents and illnesses. There are also some that covers even x-rays, ultrasounds, operations, physiotherapy, chemotherapy and others. Assess what your dog needs depending on your pet’s breed, gender, health, age and general health condition and decide what plan to choose.

Talk to your vet first before closing a deal with the insurance company. Make sure that your vet accepts your insurer and check if there are other vets in your area which will accept the same insurance company in case your vet is not available in an emergency.

SuperCamp, the original Academic and Life Skills summer camp that launched in 1982 with 64 students is poised to enroll its 50,000th student in 2008.

SuperCamp, which broke new ground in the summer camp industry in 1982 with the first learning and life skills program for middle and high school students, is about to pass the 50,000 enrollment mark, reflecting both SuperCamp’s success and how more parents are turning to academic camps for summer enrichment.

When SuperCamp co-founder, Bobbi DePorter, held that first camp in Lake Tahoe 26 years ago, most parents wanted a traditional camp that would keep their children busy for a week or two during summer vacation.

“We were not interested in starting a summer babysitting service,” says DePorter. “Our goal from day one was to help make great kids greater. Over the years, as the pressure to excel in school and to get into the best colleges has increased, more and more parents have turned to SuperCamp to give their children every opportunity for success.”

SuperCamp remains unique in that it deals with the whole person, providing practical learning skills while developing the life skills of the teenage and pre-teen campers. The camp helps students get past barriers that hold them back by using metaphors such as board breaking and a ropes course, emphasizing positive peer support and carefully orchestrating many mini-successes for each camper.

As a result, most SuperCamp graduates return to their homes and schools empowered with a new sense of confidence, more motivated, and armed with an array of learning, study and test-taking skills. As one 2007 graduate says, “SuperCamp teaches great life skills and opens doors I didn’t even know had handles!”

Parents, aware of the fleeting value of traditional summer camps, see SuperCamp as an investment that pays lasting dividends. “SuperCamp was probably the single best investment we made in our daughter’s future,” stated Alice Keppler. “She feels so good about herself. Every time she remarks how her grades have improved, we remind her that this is a gift she gave to herself.”

SuperCamp offers four grade-specific programs for boys and girls from age 9 to 19, all the way up to a college boot camp for incoming college freshmen called Quantum U. The residential camps are held on eight college campuses in the U.S., including Stanford and Cornell, with the campers living in dorms for the duration of the 7- to 10-day camps.

SuperCamp has added a significant international presence over the years with programs now operating throughout Asia, in Latin America and in Europe. Additionally, over 30,000 teachers have been trained in the same Quantum Learning methods developed by Ms. DePorter and her associates for SuperCamp.

For more information on SuperCamp visit http://www.SuperCamp.com.

Working from home seems like a dream that everyone wishes for, but you can make this dream come true. Working from home might seem much like a scam, but in actual fact, there are companies who are willing to hire people to work from their homes. There are so many job opportunities for you to choose from. From taking online surveys to doing data entry work, just like a normal clerk doing his/her daily job in office. But the difference is, you can get to do this by working at home and you can have your own tea break or maybe even a nap on your comfortable bed.

It is true that there are many scam sites out there wanting to con you. But you can prevent that from happening. All you need to do is to do a little research and you can be safe from those scams.

Reaping in a hundred and fifty dollars a day can be achieved. But it requires tremendous amount of hard work and research. Imagine having yourself signed up to 15 survey companies out there, and they each have 5 daily surveys for you with a payout rate of 2 dollars per survey. All you have to do is to complete all 75 surveys and you can reach the 150-dollars-a-day target. It may sound simple, but having to do 75 surveys really takes up a lot of your time. But after all, you still get to work from home. And with such a tempting amount of income, who can resist it?

There are other ways to earn 150 dollars per day. You can take up data entry job, reading emails, writing articles or maybe you can venture into online marketing for those who are willing to try. All of these jobs require you to just sit down in front of your computer and start working from home.

If you are willing to work hard, you might even earn more than 150 dollars a day. It all depends on your willingness to learn and the amount of hard work you put in. Remember, there is no free lunch in this world. Some might think that working from home sounds tough, but let me tell you that if you manage to pull through from all the hard work, everything that you do after the hardship, would be as easy as memorizing the alphabets ABC.

Rock pop music is a style of popular music with an outstanding vocal melody accompanied by guitar, drums, and bass. Many forms of rock music also use keyboard instruments such as organ, piano, mellotron, and synthesizers. Other instruments sometimes employed in rock include harmonica, violin, flute, banjo, melodica, and timpani. Besides, rare stringed instruments such as mandolin and sitar are used. Rock pop music normally has a strong back beat, and often revolves around the guitar, either solid electric, hollow electric, or acoustic.

Rock pop music has its origin in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll and rockabilly, which developed from blues, country music and other influences. The All Music Guide opines that rock and roll in its purest form has three chords, a strong, insistent back beat, and a catchy melody. Initially,rock & roll took from a variety of sources, mainly blues, R&B, and country, but also gospel, traditional pop, jazz, and folk. All of these impact combined in a simple, blues-based song structure that was not only fast and catchy but also foot tapping.

In the late 1960s, rock pop music was combined with folk music ,blues and jazz to create folk rock, blues-rock and jazz-rock fusion respectively.It created psychedelic rock music irrespective of the time. In the 1970s, rock incorporated influences from soul, funk, and latin music. During the 1970s, a number of subgenres of rock, such as soft rock, heavy metal, hard rock, progressive rock, and punk rock was created. Synth-rock, hardcore punk and alternative rock were the sub genres of rock pop music that was developed in the 1980s whereas, rock subgenres in the 1990s included grunge, Britpop, indie rock, and nu metal.

A rock band or rock group is a group of musicians specializing in rock pop music . Most of the rock groups consist of a guitarist, lead singer, bass guitarist, and drummer, forming a quartet. Few groups may skip one or more of these roles and make use of a lead singer who can play an instrument while singing, forming a trio or duo; others include additional musicians such as one or two rhythm guitarists and/or a keyboardist. Seldom, groups also employ stringed instruments such as violins or cellos, or horns like trumpets or trombones.

One Man’s Search For A Viagra Erection

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Because to tell the truth, his had been a bit unreliable recently. Softer than he’d like, on occasion. Faster than she’d like, on occasion.

“What if all the talk about Viagra is true?” John thought. That a Viagra erection was easier to get and easier to keep going? That it could make a man harder, faster? And… an important point with John… that women love what Viagra does for their men?

“I can’t believe I’m doing this,” he thought as he went online to get information about buying the Viagra pill. The more he learned, the more convinced he became that it was exactly what he needed.

After all, John had no blood pressure or heart problems. No liver or kidney issues. He wasn’t taking nitrates or any other drug that might interact badly when taken with a Viagra pill.

According to what he read, he was the ideal candidate.

A Little Blue Viagra Pill for John

So he did some research on how to order Viagra, reading articles like this one: ” How to Get a Viagra Prescription and Order Viagra Online “. Then he got himself an online medical consultation (free at eDrugstore.md) and requested a prescription for Viagra pills.

Once his prescription was approved, John received his order in just a few days, sent right to his home. “Great,” he thought, “Nobody will ever have to know about this.” He read the instructions carefully. And the next weekend, he took his very first Viagra pill.

And experienced his very first Viagra erection.

And it was good. Very good.

“Look,” said John, “I don’t kiss and tell. Let’s just say my first Viagra pill led to an excellent experience. The second Viagra pill I took a few days later was even better because I knew what to expect and I was relaxed and the mood was perfect.”

“I can tell you from my own personal experience and from my girlfriend’s reaction – a Viagra erection really is different. In fact, she asked me to buy more Viagra pills. For her birthday!”

Get Your Own Viagra Pill Prescription

If you want to get a free medical consultation and a Viagra pill prescription like John did, visit this webpage: Buy Viagra Online.

Simply choose the dosage and quantity you want and click on the Buy Viagra Now link. It will lead you to the medical consultation form. Just follow the step-by-step process. And start looking forward to Viagra erections that will give you that loving feeling all over again.

Most people seem to believe they can write a press release, mail or email it to a radio or television station and sit back and wait for the avalanche of phone calls. But as time passes and no producers are beating down the door, they make a few phone calls only to discover that no one even read the release.

The following five important components of radio and TV press releases will make your show idea come to life for producers and hosts, and also position you ahead of the pack.

1. Headline! Headline? HEADLINE!!! Arguably the most important aspect of your press release, headlines are so vital that entire books written and seminars focus on how to construct the most effective ones. Now, don’t let this scare you. Writing a killer headline is definitely a skill that can be developed; all you need is a clear and concise overview of your topic.

Write down your show idea and look it over. Now look it over again, remembering that it should be an idea for an interview that relates to your book but most definitely not a summary of the book’s theme or content.

What is your key message? Is your show idea newsworthy? Are there any well-known people you can tie into your topic? Do you have any impressive statistics that are relevant? Does anything controversial tie directly into your subject? The answers to these questions will help you develop a headline that will capture the attention of producers and hosts.

Your headline must communicate the topic of the show instantly in an eye-catching way. It should not be longer than one sentence and it should be designed to function as the sound bite on your topic. Now that’s a lot of weight to put on a single sentence!

Sometimes, you will need a subhead to support it. If your headline gives just a taste of your show topic, then a subhead will be useful for explaining it further. Anyone who reads the headline and subhead together should immediately click what the concept of the show is.

Here are two examples of the successful headline and subhead combination:

GLOBAL ECONOMIC CHAOS? Expert Reveals Predictions on Grim Future of US Economy

WISH YOU WERE FIRED?! The Secrets to a Happier Life

2. Topic Summary This is your chance to present a concise summary of your show topic. It should continue naturally from the headline and expand on it. The headline gets the attention and the discussion topic gives the reader more.

The discussion topic component of your press release should be two or three sentences, tops. Again try to tie your topic to current events, big names, big money, or controversy. Don’t be worried about repeating yourself in different sections of the press release. After all, you want to get a cohesive point across! Tip: try writing the headline and topic summary together.

Here is an example of a headline and topic summary which were written together. Notice the bolded words and how they tie the two together.

Topic Summary: The United States is about to move into a period of major economic chaos and poverty that will wake up people to overthrow the rule of money in society in a ballot-box revolution. Let internationally renowned expert reveal predictions on the grim future of our economy.

Headline: GLOBAL ECONOMIC CHAOS? Expert Reveals Predictions on Grim Future of US Economy

3. Talking Points/Questions These are an absolute must for radio and TV because they are the shaping tools that guide the host through your topic. Often, hosts read directly from press releases during an interview. This not only makes them look knowledgeable; it saves them heaps of time. So why not have them read questions you’ve created that you can answer very specifically, making yourself look knowledgeable and also making for a great interview. Yet again you will need to tie in current events and any controversy that will stir interest. Generally, it is good to give no more than 10 of these conversation shapers. For example here are a few examples of questions that were used in a release for a radio show on “How to Find the Perfect Pet for Your Lifestyle”:

*What are the primary reasons people decide to get a pet?

*What criteria should people follow when choosing a pet to make sure it fits into their lifestyle?

*What can families do ahead of time to determine what type of pet is best for them?

*How can families prepare children for the responsibility of caring for a pet?

*What are some of the things people need to consider before adopting a puppy or other young animal?

If you do get invited as a guest, your interviews will generally last anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes, so concise is a word you should keep in the forefront of your mind.

Remember: the more interesting the questions, the more interesting your interview.

4. Topic Overview Once you have gained attention with your eye-catching headline, topic summary and talking points, it is time to present your full show idea. This is your opportunity to position your author (or yourself if you are your author) as an expert on the show’s topic.

Do not write a sales piece here. Write the show. Work the author’s name, personal quotes and product name into the overview. Use the following liberally to build your topic and profile: statistics, testimonials, current facts, specifics from relevant news stories, and professional credentials. Use anything that will interest the producer, the host and their audience. Try to limit this section to no more than a page; the ideal range is 4-6 paragraphs with no more than 4 sentences in each one.

Here is an example of a Topic Overview of the pet show discussed earlier:

For some people ‘cute’ is the only criteria they follow when choosing a new pet. But deciding which pet to adopt based solely on the animal’s appearance can set new ‘pet parents’ up for disaster. After all, puppies don’t look quite so cute when they’re chewing your furniture! Lack of foresight is one of the top reasons an estimated 6 to 8 million unwanted pets end up at local animal shelters each year.

Enter pet expert Dr. Diane Pomerance, author of the new book, “Pet Parenthood: Adopting the Right Animal Companion For You.” As a bonafide animal lover, she wants to help prospective pet owners understand how to make the best decision when choosing a new pet – and to recognize that adopting a pet is a lifetime commitment and responsibility that requires much thought and planning.

“There’s no denying the attraction to a cute puppy or kitten,” says Dr. Pomerance. “But people need to be fully prepared for what’s truly involved in caring for that animal. Realistically speaking, they are bringing a child into their home. If you don’t have the temperament, the schedule or the space requirements to meet those needs, you should consider a pet that does fit your lifestyle.”

Another important factor that often goes overlooked is how children in a family will interact with the new pet. Pets make wonderful companions for children and can help teach them compassion, responsibility and respect for all living creatures as well as boost their self-esteem. But it’s important to determine ahead of time what type of animal best suits the household and what role each family member will take in caring for it.

Money also comes into play when adopting a new pet. Vet bills can be expensive and upkeep for some animals can be costly if they develop health problems.

“The reality is, pets can be expensive and time intensive. When you love your pet, obviously you want to provide the best care possible. So it is important to understand the costs and responsibilities ahead of time when choosing your pet.”

5. Biography Oddly, this is the element people tend to forget, underplay or overplay. It is important to position the author as an expert. You can cite a variety of qualifications — education, career, relationships, memberships, travel history, odd pets, and more. If the book is about religion, for example, anything the author does that pertains to religion is applicable.

Two warnings: Sensationalizing an author’s credentials will immediately turn producers and hosts off, and simply rehashing a resume with bullet-points is an absolute no-no.

If you take your time developing exactly what a book-related interview segment will be about, and then put lots of thought into developing a press release that clearly reflects your planning, you will command more media attention.

This article explains the Rhode Island divorce process from pre- filing considerations through trial including Rhode Island divorce law strategy.

Finding a Rhode Island Divorce attorney/ lawyer

The first step in obtaining a divorce from your spouse is finding a Rhode Island attorney who you are comfortable with. Many attorneys give free initial consultations while others charge for the first consult. I have always taken the position that the initial consultations will be free.

It is important to ask the proposed lawyer about his or her experience and qualifications to handle your case. It is also crucial to determine the hourly charge and the amount of any initial fee or retainer. Article By David Slepkow (401-437-1100)

Cost of Rhode Island Divorce

It is often impossible to determine how much a divorce will cost from beginning to end. However, it is a good idea to get an educated estimation of the eventual fee. This will never usually be more than a estimation because the cost of the divorce usually depends on several factors. Those factors could include how quickly a settlement is reached, the number of motions that each party will file, the amount / nature and complexity of assets to be equitably divided, the amount of documents involved in the case, the animosity of the parties to each other, the waiting time while you are in court and many other potential issues.

The Golden Rule is that the longer it takes to reach a settlement the more the divorce will cost because the lawyers will spend a lot more time working on the case. If there is no settlement and the case goes to trial or the day of trial, the divorce could get very expensive. If everything is agreed or nearly agreed to and the parties are relatively amicable then the divorce should take a lot less time and therefore be much less expensive.

Uncontested divorces in Rhode Island should be much less expensive then contested divorces. However, there are many different types of uncontested divorces. There are uncontested divorces with no real assets and uncontested divorces with assets to divide. If the divorce is uncontested and there are assets then the lawyer may need to prepare a property settlement agreement, deeds, qualified domestic relation orders etc. Therefore, the cost of an uncontested divorce could vary depending on the circumstances. For example if a lawyer has to draft a property settlement agreement , the lawyer will devote more time to the case.

I believe that a fair price for an uncontested divorce from soup to nuts in Rhode Island with no assets and no property settlement agreement is about $800 flat fee plus costs. The typical costs are a filing fee of $100 and service of process fees of approximately $40.

Intake process and drafting Rhode Island divorce Documents

After you have retained the lawyer there is typically an intake process in which the lawyer gets the basic information so that he or she can properly represent you. The lawyer typically drafts the divorce documents and you sign them in front of him/her or another notary. These documents include a divorce complaint, DR(6) financial statement, statement of children of the marriage, counseling statement, report of divorce, summons and automatic divorce order etc. It is important that the DR6 form otherwise known as financial statement is accurately filled out.

There are many important decisions that may need to be made before you file for divorce in Rhode Island. Strategy is crucial in many instances!

Should I file a motion for temporary Orders in RI?

In some cases, the attorney will file a motion for temporary orders when the divorce complaint is filed. A motion for temporary orders should be filed if the husband or wife is in need of temporary resolution of issues while the case is proceeding. These temporary motions typically request temporary child support, payment / contribution to daycare , contribution to medical bills, alimony, payment of household expenses, payment of the mortgage, taxes and insurance.

A motion for temporary orders can also address child visitation and child custody issues related to the minor children as well as issues concerning exclusive use and possession of the marital home. The temporary motion can also request temporary orders concerning: restraining orders both financial and personal and a myriad of other temporary issues. The motion for temporary orders will typically be heard by the Court within 30-40 days of the filing of the complaint for divorce.

If no temporary orders enter then there is no legal obligation of a spouse to pay anything while the case is proceeding until there is a decision by the judge or the parties sign a property settlement Agreement. If there are no temporary orders, the financial issues, visitation and custody issues will be up to the parties to figure out while the case is proceeding without the benefit of a court order.

Should I file an emergency motion in A Rhode island divorce?

If there is an emergency in which irreparable harm will be caused if the party has to wait for a court date, then an emergency motion should be filed with the complaint. An emergency motion must either be verified under oath or be accompanied by an affidavit. The attorney will bring the emergency motion to the proper judge and ask for an ex parte order. Ex parte means that the other side is not present to object. The Rhode Island judge will only consider the affidavit and documentation before him. If the judge signs the emergency order than it will be served on your spouse by the constable along with the divorce complaint.

These types of emergency motion typically deal with issues concerning abuse of a child, dissipation or unreasonable spending of marital assets, domestic violence, child abuse or a plethora of other potential emergencies. If there is domestic violence involved in which you are in imminent fear of physical harm or have been abused or threatened with abuse please discuss with the attorney the benefits of filing a separate case called a Complaint Protection from Abuse! Please note that the Complaint Protection from Abuse is very different from an Emergency motion.

The timing of whether the divorce or Complaint Protection from Abuse case is filed first or whether they are filed simultaneously could be crucial to your case.

If an emergency motion is granted and emergency orders enter then a hearing will be set approximately 20 days to determine if the order should stay in effect while the divorce case is proceeding. At that hearing your spouse has an opportunity to contest the motion and tell his or her side of the story. At that hearing, the Court will determine whether the emergency relief will stay in effect while the divorce case proceeds.

Nominal or Contested Track?

When a Rhode Island divorce is filed, the case is put onto one of two tracks, the contested track or the nominal track. The Plaintiff in their initial divorce filing designates the track they desire. The vast majority of divorces filed in Rhode Island are placed on the nominal divorce track. A designation on the “nominal track” does not necessarily mean that the divorce will be uncontested. It usually means that the party who filed believes that the case can be settled relatively quickly or wants the divorce to be settled relatively quickly.

Answer to Divorce Complaint

The defendant must file an answer to the divorce within 20 days of service and absolutely no later than the nominal court date or any motion date. If the Defendant does not answer the case he is subject to being defaulted. A default is when the defendant does not answer the case on a timely basis and the Plaintiff will usually get all of the relief that he or she requests.

Nominal divorce

If the case is put on the nominal track then the clerk will automatically set a nominal divorce hearing upon the Plaintiff filing for divorce. This hearing will typically be scheduled from 65-70 days after the Plaintiff files. In the event that the divorce is not settled by the nominal divorce date then the case will automatically be changed to the contested track

If the matter is not settled by the nominal court date and both parties want to try to resolve the remaining issues in court and believe it is possible to resolve the remaining issues, then the parties can attempt to settle the case in the hallway or conference rooms in the courthouse and put the case through as a nominal uncontested divorce on that date.

If the defendant has not filed an answer, it is dangerous for the defendant to not appear in court at the nominal court date based on representations made by the other party .

I have seen numerous occasions when a souse has assured the other party that it is not necessary to appear in court and not necessary to file an answer and the defendant is defaulted and the other spouse gets 100 percent of the assets of the marriage.

On the date of the nominal divorce hearing, at the call of the calendar, the case will be either ready nominal or the parties will ask the judge to hold the case so they can try to resolve the remaining issues. If the parties cannot resolve the remaining issues they will inform the Court clerk or the judge that the case cannot be settled and the case track will be changed to the contested divorce track. If the case track is changed there will be no hearing that date and the court will inform the parties of the next pretrial conference date.

If the parties ask the clerk to hold the matter they will usually get a substantial amount of time to negotiate the remaining issues in the hallway. Upon settling all the remaining family law issues which may include issues of property division, child support, child custody, child visitation, alimony, contempt issues, restraining order issues etc the clerk should be informed that the case is now ready nominal. At that point the clerk and judge will put you back on the list of cases ready for the nominal hearing

Pursuant to Rhode Island General Law a divorce cannot be resolved without a nominal divorce hearing. At the nominal divorce hearing certain testimony must be elicited in order for the divorce to be granted. In some circumstances, it is necessary to have witnesses to briefly testify. If you don’t have the required witness your case could be delayed or even dismissed and you may waste your time attending court.

For a detailed explanation of whether or not you must have witnesses to testify on your behalf and the residency requirement for filing a Rhode island Divorce please go to my Ezine article “”Rhode Island Divorce Law FAQS How Long Until It’s Over? Residency Requirements & No Fault Divorce.” EzineArticles 14 March 2007. 15 July 2007 .

Most Rhode Island divorce and family law attorneys have done these nominal hearing hundreds of times. It is a very bad idea for a person to represent himself or herself in a divorce! As the old adage goes a person who represents themselves has a fool for a lawyer. Since everything you have worked so hard for is on the line it is foolish to go through the Rhode Island divorce process without Rhode Island divorce and family law lawyer.

If the case was originally placed on the contested track calendar, then the clerk did not schedule any automatic nominal court date. If the case later becomes settled then the parties can ask the clerk for permission to come on a particular date for the nominal divorce hearing. Otherwise the parties can wait for a motion date or the pretrial date to do the nominal divorce hearing.

Discovery in RI Divorce. How do I get information about my Spouse?

After the divorce is filed the Plaintiff and or the defendant can at their option proceed with “discovery”. Discovery in general is the process by which the parties get information or admissions from the other party. Discovery is most important and perhaps crucial in a case when a spouse is unaware of the nature and extent of the marital property and estate. Discovery can be also useful to obtain documents or other tangible evidence that is needed for settlement or trial.

The Rhode Island discovery process also can be used to obtain admissions of certain allegations. While it is unethical and perhaps immoral for a person to lie about cheating or an affair to their spouse it is not illegal or criminal for a person to lie to their spouse about an affair. If a person lies under oath either in testimony or in a written document under oath they may be committing the crime of perjury.

Also if a judge believes a party is lying under oath there could be stiff sanctions and penalties including a referral to the attorney general for prosecution. However, in reality, most incidents of lying in family court are not prosecuted as crimes. Many attorneys use request for admissions or interrogatories to force the other party to state under oath whether or not they had an affair and the extent and details concerning the extra-marital affair / cheating/ infidelity.

There are several discover mechanisms that can be used: interrogatories, request for production of documents, request for admissions, depositions, subpoena duces tecum, subpoenas etc.

Interrogatories-what are they? are they worth the time and effort?

Interrogatories are written questions that a party may sends to the other party. Each side is allowed up to 32 interrogatories. Interrogatories can be helpful in obtaining lists of assets, allegations that will be made by your spouse or other useful information. This information requested can run the gamut from child support to marital infidelity and may include: child custody issues, child visitation, drug and alcohol abuse, gambling addiction, alimony, health insurance issues, real estate issues, estate planning and trust issues, personal injury claims, domestic violence / restraining orders, criminal history, valuation of assets, mental health history and any Rhode Island family law issues.

Interrogatories must be answered in the time frame set by the Rhode island domestic Court Rules. Interrogatories are usually partially written and also reviewed by your husband or wifes’ lawyer. Therefore, while a valuable tool there are some limitations to the usefulness of the information received.

Request for Admissions

Requests for admissions when used appropriately can be a powerful discovery tool in a RI divorce. Request for admissions are written requests usually prepared by the attorney, which the other party must reply within a short period of time. If the party does not reply to the request for admissions within the applicable time the allegation will be deemed admitted.

Should I take the Deposition of my spouse in a RI Divorce?

A Deposition is when a party usually through their lawyer can ask their spouse questions under oath in front of a court reporter. In Rhode Island family Court, a party must obtain leave of court / permission from the court in order to take a deposition. Motions to take deposition of the other party are almost always granted by Family Court Judges. Depositions are powerful yet expensive discovery tools. A deposition usually is effective because the attorney can ask the other party questions face to face. The attorney can ask follow up questions and can ask questions in different ways. This is particularly effective if a party is being evasive or less than forthcoming. There is very little the other attorney can do to help their clients answer the questions during a deposition.

Depositions are very expensive because the Court reporters transcript could cost several hundred dollars. Also the attorney doing the deposition will need perhaps several hours to prepare for the deposition. Also both attorneys will need to attend the deposition, which could take up to several hours. Depositions are usually better ways to get information about sensitive topics then interrogatories.

Request for Production of Documents

Request for production of documents is a list of requested documents that must be responded to within the applicable time period. I find this discovery tool to be particularly successful in obtaining documents and records concerning: pension plan documents, 401k records, retirement accounts, health insurance records, stock accounts, estate planning documents, bank statements, real estate documents etc.

Subpoena

A Subpoena Duces Tecum can be very effective in obtaining documents from third parties such as bank records, stock records, employment and wage records and other documents.

The third part of this three part series which is coming soon addresses preparing for a Divorce trial to the actual divorce trial to the entry of Final Judgment

Trial

If a case cannot be settled, the Court will send the parties a notice of a pretrial conference. At the pretrial conference the Judge may make some effort to help the parties settle the divorce. If the case is not settled then the judge will schedule the matter for a trial.