Conservapedia - User contributions [en]

Sam Sparrow

2008-12-30T03:54:22Z

Mitch:

'''Sam Sparrow''' is an [[Australian]] born, [[British]]-based singer-songwriter, who scored a massive hit in the European charts with his debut single ''Black and Gold'', released in 2008. His self-titled debut album, also released in 2008, reached the top ten in the UK album charts.

''Black and Gold'' is a highly evangelical song, on the theme of [[creationism]].

==External Link==
*[http://www.samsparro.com/ Official Site]

[[Category: Christian Singers]]
[[Category: Christians]]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sparrow, Sam}}

Public law

2008-12-30T03:48:22Z

Mitch:

{{Delete Notice}}
A '''public law''' is a public [[bill]] or joint resolution that has passed both chambers of [[Congress]] and been enacted into [[law]]. Public laws have general applicability nationwide. <ref>[http://www.senate.gov/reference/glossary_term/appropriation.htm] US Senate Reference</ref>

==References==
<references/>
[[Category:United States Senate Terms]]

Cobalt bomb

2008-12-30T03:43:23Z

Mitch:

A '''cobalt bomb''' was said to be powerful enough to destroy the [[earth]] itself.

{{stub}}

[[category:Weapons]]

Macromedia FlashMX

2008-12-30T02:15:35Z

Mitch: Redirecting to Adobe FlashMX

#REDIRECT [[Adobe FlashMX]]

MS Paint

2008-12-30T02:15:05Z

Mitch: Redirecting to Microsoft Paint

#REDIRECT [[Microsoft Paint]]

Paint.NET

2008-12-30T02:14:43Z

Mitch: various corrections and linking

[[Image:Caerjk.jpg|right|thumb||400px|Paint.NET v3.0's interface]]
'''Paint.NET''' is free image creation and editing software written in the [[C#]] programming language under the [[.Net_framework|.Net 2.0 framework]]. It was originally an undergraduate college senior design project mentored by [[Microsoft]], intended as a free replacement for the [[MS Paint]] software that comes with Windows. It is now being actively developed into a fully featured image manipulation program similar to [[Adobe Photoshop]].

It has it's own extension, PDN, standing for "Paint Dot Net".

==Features==
*Layers
*Custom filter editor and compiler
*Unlimited history
*Clone stamp
*3D Rotate/Zoom effect
*Curve tool for drawing splines or Bezier curves
*Sophisticated Gradient tool
*drawing arrow tool
*color correction
*red-eye removal tool
*translucent panels
*free-form shape tool
*magic wand
*clone stamp
*fractals

==External Links==
[http://www.getpaint.net/index2.html Paint.NET Official Website]
[[Category:Information technology]]

Talk:Photoshop

2008-12-30T01:43:04Z

Mitch: New page: This should be merged into Adobe Photoshop, as that is the correct title, but this one here has more info, really. --~~~~

This should be merged into [[Adobe Photoshop]], as that is the correct title, but this one here has more info, really. -- Mitch [[User:Mitch|U]]/[[User talk:Mitch|T]]/[[Special:Contributions/Mitch|C]] 20:43, 29 December 2008 (EST)

Adobe FlashMX

2008-12-30T01:42:05Z

Mitch: New page: '''Adobe FlashMX''' (formerly Macromedia FlashMX) is a popular program made by Adobe Systems used to create flash animations or games. It is widely known, although not as much so as [[...

'''Adobe FlashMX''' (formerly Macromedia FlashMX) is a popular program made by [[Adobe Systems]] used to create flash animations or games. It is widely known, although not as much so as [[Adobe Photoshop]].

{{stub}}

[[category:software]]

Chevon

2008-12-29T15:39:58Z

Mitch: Must sleep! Arg!

'''Chevon''' is [[goat]] [[meat]] used for food.

==References==
[http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Help/A-Z_Index/index.asp USDA Index]

{{stub}}

[[Category:Food and Drink]]

User:Mitch/randomthoughts

2008-12-29T15:17:02Z

Mitch: spilling random thoughts

The sysops would get tired of the endless blocking of immature liberal trolls, but at least there's a humourous side to it. They can laugh at some of their stupid usernames, useless jibber-jabber, and the like.

But maybe it's sad. Even more. Depressing. Depressing to know that we have some sad, sad people in this world that have nothing better to do than to waste their time expressing their "views" (such as the very rational "T3H SYSOPZ R T3H SUCK1SH BAAAAD ROFL") in the exact place where nobody cares.

Enjoining

2008-12-29T15:06:55Z

Mitch:

'''Enjoining''' is an order by a [[court]] telling a person to stop performing a specific act.

{{stub}}

[[Category:Legal Terms]]

Microsoft Paint

2008-12-29T14:54:11Z

Mitch: New page: '''Microsoft Paint''' is the basic raster image editor provided freely with all versions of Microsoft Windows. Because of it's simplicity, it has been known to appeal to the average c...

'''Microsoft Paint''' is the basic raster image editor provided freely with all versions of [[Microsoft Windows]].

Because of it's simplicity, it has been known to appeal to the average computer user and in some cases, amateur image editor. However, MS Paint is largely unacceptable for the serious and professional [[photoshopping|photoshoppers]], due to it's low quality format (.bmp) and rough editing tools, which is why pros often use [[Adobe Photoshop]] or a similar program.

[[category:software]]

Photoshopping

2008-12-29T14:48:01Z

Mitch: New page: '''Photoshopping''' is the act of digitally manipulating an image, occasionally to deceive people by making something appear as something it really isn't. This form of editing images is co...

'''Photoshopping''' is the act of digitally manipulating an image, occasionally to deceive people by making something appear as something it really isn't. This form of editing images is commonly seen in online communities, who sometimes hold "photoshop contests", in which participants attempt to manipulate images in a way that it tricks the viewer in some way or another. There are, of course, other types of photoshop contests, but this is generally the main one.

Photoshopping does not necessarily refer to all edits done in [[Adobe Photoshop]]. It is commonly used to refer to any editing/manipulation of an image, whether by using [[Microsoft Paint]] or [[Paint.NET]].

[[category:software]][[category:internet]]

Adobe Photoshop

2008-12-29T14:40:31Z

Mitch: New page: '''Adobe Photoshop''' is a well-known advanced image editing program, made by Adobe Systems. It is so widely known that any editing of an image, whether edited with Photoshop or not, h...

'''Adobe Photoshop''' is a well-known advanced image editing program, made by [[Adobe Systems]]. It is so widely known that any editing of an image, whether edited with Photoshop or not, has become known as [[photoshopping]].

{{stub}}

[[category:software]]

Adobe Systems

2008-12-29T14:36:02Z

Mitch: New page: '''Adobe Systems''' is a very well-known software company, mostly for it's professional image editing program, Adobe Photoshop. It is also known for it's many other image and video...

'''Adobe Systems''' is a very well-known [[software]] company, mostly for it's professional image editing program, [[Adobe Photoshop]]. It is also known for it's many other image and video editing programs, although there is no doubt none can measure up to Photoshop. [[Adobe FlashMX]] may come fairly close, however.

Another thing Adobe is well known for is it's buyout of [[Macromedia]]. This means Macromedia FlashMX became Adobe FlashMX. This buyout may have been a factor in sending Adobe to the top, to be as famous as it is today.

[[category:software]]

Adobe

2008-12-29T14:25:20Z

Mitch: New page: '''Adobe''' can refer to: *Adobe Systems, well-known software company that created Adobe Photoshop and bought out Macromedia. *A building material made from things such as...

'''Adobe''' can refer to:

*[[Adobe Systems]], well-known [[software]] company that created [[Adobe Photoshop]] and bought out [[Macromedia]].
*A building material made from things such as sand, clay and other natural materials.

[[category:software]]

Robert II

2008-12-29T14:19:58Z

Mitch: bold

'''Robert II''' (1371-1390), also known as Robert the Steward, was the first Stewart king of [[Scotland]]. He was [[French]] in descent, but had little or no ties to the country.Robert married twice, and had children in both marriages, this led to problems further down the stewatr line.

Robert II spent the first 18 years of his reign as a prisoner in [[England]]. Robert made little or no changes to Scottish politics or law and he died peacefully in 1390.
[[Category:Scottish Monarchs]]

Talk:Sam Sparrow

2008-12-29T14:17:56Z

Mitch: New page: I'm not sure, but I think I have seen his name spelled "Sam Sparro" somewhere before. Is anyone aware of the correct spelling of his name? --~~~~

I'm not sure, but I think I have seen his name spelled "Sam Sparro" somewhere before. Is anyone aware of the correct spelling of his name? -- Mitch [[User:Mitch|U]]/[[User talk:Mitch|T]]/[[Special:Contributions/Mitch|C]] 09:17, 29 December 2008 (EST)

Maxis

2008-12-29T14:08:51Z

Mitch:

'''Maxis''' are a game producer. They created the extremely popular games [[The Sims]] and [[SimCity]], which have both become a series. They were bought out by [[EA Games]], although EA has occasionally used the Maxis logo and name to claim credit for the SimCity and Sims games.

{{stub}}

[[category:Video Games]]

Air crash

2008-12-29T14:07:29Z

Mitch:

An '''air crash''' is when an [[airplane]], [[helicopter]] or other flying machine somehow [[crash]]es, usually resulting in loss of life. It can be a [[mid-air collision]], a crash into high terrain such as a [[mountain]], or a crash into the ground. It is usually caused by one of these things:

*[[Bird strike]]
*[[Engine failure]]
*Low visibility
*Fuel lines or fuel freezing
*[[Terrorist]] [[hijacking]]
*Poor communication with other aircraft or [[air traffic control]]lers

{{stub}}

[[category:Aviation]]

Suspension

2008-12-29T14:01:10Z

Mitch: New page: '''Suspension''' can refer to: *The halting or postponing of an event until a later time *The probation ruled upon some sportspeople for various kinds of unruly conduct, they are pull...

'''Suspension''' can refer to:

*The halting or postponing of an event until a later time
*The [[probation]] ruled upon some sportspeople for various kinds of unruly conduct, they are pulled out of the team for a certain amount of time or matches
*The act of stabilising an object by hanging it or attaching it to another sturdy object/s so there is less [[weight]] or pressure on the weaker object. An example is [[suspension bridge]]s, [[cable-stayed bridge]]s and various other bridge designs

[[category:sports]][[category:architecture]]

Talk:Ascent

2008-12-29T13:44:33Z

Mitch: New page: I disagree with the current redirect here. I believe an article on the actual act of ascending would be of more use here. Just a suggestion. --~~~~

I disagree with the current redirect here. I believe an article on the actual act of ascending would be of more use here. Just a suggestion. -- Mitch [[User:Mitch|U]]/[[User talk:Mitch|T]]/[[Special:Contributions/Mitch|C]] 08:44, 29 December 2008 (EST)

Altitude

2008-12-29T13:42:45Z

Mitch:

'''Altitude''' is the measurement of the [[height]] of something relative to the [[sea]] level and/or the seabed itself. It is vital to have an altitude measuring instrument in flying machines such as [[airplane]]s and [[helicopter]]s, for the pilots to be sure they avoid coming dangerously close to the ground and/or other terrain.

{{stub}}

[[category:Aviation]]

Altitude

2008-12-29T13:42:10Z

Mitch: New page: '''Altitude''' is the measurement of the height of something relative to the sea level and/or the seabed itself. It is vital to have an altitude measuring instrument in flying machines suc...

'''Altitude''' is the measurement of the height of something relative to the sea level and/or the seabed itself. It is vital to have an altitude measuring instrument in flying machines such as [[airplane]]s and [[helicopter]]s, for the pilots to be sure they avoid coming dangerously close to the ground and/or other terrain.

{{stub}}

[[category:Aviation]]

Global Warming

2008-12-29T13:34:16Z

Mitch: this had around 54 links in the wanted pages list, creating a redirect

#REDIRECT [[Global warming]]

Object

2008-12-29T13:30:49Z

Mitch: New page: An '''object''' is any item that is inanimate. For example, an armchair is an object, as it is inanimate; it does not breath, eat or think. A human, however, is technically not an object, ...

An '''object''' is any item that is inanimate. For example, an armchair is an object, as it is inanimate; it does not breath, eat or think. A human, however, is technically not an object, as it is living, it breathes, it eats and it thinks.

{{stub}}

Asympotomatic carrier

2008-12-29T04:26:06Z

Mitch:

An '''Asympotomatic carrier''' is a [[carrier]] which shows no [[symptom]]s of carrying an infectious agent.

{{stub}}

[[Category:Medicine]]

Tributary

2008-12-29T04:24:03Z

Mitch:

In [[geography]], a '''tributary''' is a river that flows into a larger river.

{{stub}}

[[Category:Geography]]
[[Category:Rivers]]

Fry Sauce

2008-12-29T04:19:42Z

Mitch:

'''Fry Sauce''' is a dipping sauce made by mixing two parts ketchup and one part mayonnaise. [[French fries]] are dipped into it.

{{stub}}

[[Category:Sauces]]

Tachyons

2008-12-29T04:17:41Z

Mitch:

A '''tachyon''' is a hypothetical particle that travels only faster than the [[speed of light]].

{{stub}}

[[category:physics]]

Infanticide

2008-12-29T04:16:22Z

Mitch: grammar

'''Infanticide''' is the practice of killing one's own child. It occurs in cultures in which male children are strongly favoured over female for social or economic reasons, particularly when the number children per family is restricted by either limited resources or artificial [[population control]] such as that enforced in China.

In recent times, infanticide is becoming less common as improving access to ultrasound scanning and abortion facilities allows for increased ease of sex-selective abortion.
== See Also ==
*[[Abortion]]

[[Category:Culture]]

Infanticide

2008-12-29T04:16:03Z

Mitch:

'''Infanticide''' is the practice of killing one's own child. It occurs in cultures in which male children are strongly favoured over female for social or economic reasons, particually when the number children per family is restricted by either limited resources or artificial [[population control]] such as that enforced in China.

In recent times, infanticide is becoming less common as improving access to ultrasound scanning and abortion facilities allows for increased ease of sex-selective abortion.
== See Also ==
*[[Abortion]]

[[Category:Culture]]

Tennis

2008-12-29T04:15:35Z

Mitch: linking to relevant article

'''Tennis''' is a [[sport]] that is played by hitting a bright green or yellow [[Tennis ball|ball]] back and forth over a net with large rackets. It is played on a variety of surfaces, most commonly concrete, clay, and grass.

[[Category:Sports]]
[[Category:Tennis| ]]

Benin

2008-12-28T14:43:43Z

Mitch: why is that there?

{{country
|map=Benin rel 91.JPG
|flag=beninflag.gif
|capital=Porto Novo
|president=Yayi Boni
}}
'''Benin''' is a small country in West [[Africa]], formerly known as Dahomey. It has land borders with [[Togo]], [[Burkina Faso]], [[Niger]] and [[Nigeria]]. The capital of Benin is Porto Novo.
==Geography==
Benin, a narrow, north-south strip of land in West Africa, lies between the Equator and the Tropic of Cancer. Benin's latitude ranges from 6o30N to 12o30N and its longitude from 10E to 3o40E. Benin is bounded by Togo to the west, Burkina Faso and Niger to the north, Nigeria to the east, and the Bight of Benin to the south. With an area of 112,622 square kilometers, roughly the size of Pennsylvania, Benin extends from the Niger River in the north to the Atlantic Ocean in the south, a distance of 700 kilometers (about 500 mi.). Although the coastline measures 121 kilometers (about 80 mi.), the country measures about 325 kilometers (about 215 mi.) at its widest point. It is one of the smaller countries in West Africa: eight times smaller than Nigeria, its neighbor to the east. It is, however, twice as large as Togo, its neighbor to the west. A relief map of Benin shows that it has little variation in elevation (average elevation 200 meters).

The country can be divided into four main areas from the south to the north. The low-lying, sandy, coastal plain (highest elevation 10 meters) is, at most, 10 kilometers wide. It is marshy and dotted with lakes and lagoons communicating with the ocean. The plateaus of southern Benin (altitude between 20 meters and 200 meters) are split by valleys running north to south along the Couffo, Zou, and Oueme Rivers. An area of flat lands dotted with rocky hills whose altitude seldom reaches 400 meters extends around Nikki and Save. Finally, a range of mountains extends along the northwest border and into Togo; this is the Atacora, with the highest point, Mont Sokbaro, at 658 meters. Two types of landscape predominate in the south. Benin has fields of lying fallow, mangroves, and remnants of large sacred forests. In the rest of the country, the savanna is covered with thorny scrubs and dotted with huge baobab trees. Some forests line the banks of rivers. In the north and the northwest of Benin the Reserve du W du Niger and Pendjari National Park attract tourists eager to see elephants, lions, antelopes, hippos, and monkeys.

Benin's climate is hot and humid. Annual rainfall in the coastal area averages 36 cm. (14 in.), not particularly high for coastal West Africa. Benin has two rainy and two dry seasons. The principal rainy season is from April to late July, with a shorter less intense rainy period from late September to November. The main dry season is from December to April, with a short cooler dry season from late July to early September. Temperatures and humidity are high along the tropical coast. In Cotonou, the average maximum temperature is 31oC (89oF); the minimum is 24oC (75oF).

Variations in temperature increase when moving north through a savanna and plateau toward the Sahel. A dry wind from the Sahara called the Harmattan blows from December to March. Grass dries up, the vegetation turns reddish brown, and a veil of fine dust hangs over the country, causing the skies to be overcast. It also is the season when farmers burn brush in the fields.

==People==
The majority of Benin's 7.86 million people live in the south. The population is young, with a life expectancy of 53 years. About 42 African ethnic groups live in this country; these various groups settled in Benin at different times and also migrated within the country. Ethnic groups include the Yoruba in the southeast (migrated from Nigeria in the 12th century); the Dendi in the north-central area (they came from Mali in the 16th century); the Bariba and the Fulbe (Peul) in the northeast; the Betammaribe and the Somba in the Atacora Range; the Fon in the area around Abomey in the South Central and the Mina, Xueda, and Aja (who came from Togo) on the coast.

Recent migrations have brought other African nationals to Benin that include Nigerians, Togolese, and Malians. The foreign community also includes many Lebanese and Indians involved in trade and commerce. The personnel of the many European embassies and foreign aid missions and of nongovernmental organizations and various missionary groups account for a large number of the 5,500 European population.
*Population (2005 est.): 7.86 million.
*Annual growth rate (2006 est.): 2.73%.
*Ethnic groups: African 99% (42 ethnic groups, most important being Fon, Adja, Yoruba, and Bariba), Europeans 5,500.
*Religions: Indigenous beliefs (animist) 50%, Christian 30%, Muslim 20%.
*Languages: French (official), Fon and Yoruba in the south; Nagot, Bariba and Dendi in the north.
*Education (2001 est.): Literacy--Total population 33.6%; men 46.4%, women 22.6%.
*Health (2005 est.): Infant mortality rate--79.56/1,000. Life expectancy--53.04 yrs.
*Work force: The labor market is characterized by an increased reliance on informal employment, family helpers, and the use of apprentices. Training and job opportunities are not well matched.

===Religion===
Several religions are practiced in Benin. Animism is widespread (50%), and its practices vary from one ethnic group to the other. Arab merchants introduced Islam in the north and among the Yoruba. European missionaries brought Christianity to the south and central areas of Benin. Muslims account for 20% of the population and Christians for 30%. Many nominal Muslims and Christians continue to practice animistic traditions. It is believed that voodoo originated in Benin and was introduced to Brazil and the Caribbean Islands by slaves taken from this particular area of the Slave Coast.

==Foreign Relations==
Abroad, Benin has strengthened ties with France, the former colonial power, as well as the United States and the main international lending institutions. Benin also has adopted a mediating role in the political crises in Liberia, Guinea-Bissau, and Togo and provided a contribution to the UN force in Haiti. In early 2003, Benin provided a peacekeeping contingent to the ECOWAS stabilization force in Cote d'Ivoire. Benin's democratic standing, stability, and positive role in international peacekeeping have helped Benin's international stature continue to grow. Benin enjoys stable relations with Nigeria, the main regional power. Benin held a seat on the UN Security Council; its membership term ended December 31, 2005.

==Economy==
Benin's economy is chiefly based on agriculture. Cotton accounts for 40% of GDP and roughly 80% of official export receipts. There also is production of textiles, palm products, and cocoa. Corn, beans, rice, peanuts, cashews, pineapples, cassava, yams, and other various tubers are grown for local subsistence. Benin began producing a modest quantity of offshore oil in October 1982. Production ceased in recent years but exploration of new sites is ongoing. A modest fishing fleet provides fish and shrimp for local subsistence and export to Europe. A number of formerly government-owned commercial activities are now privatized, and the government, consistent with its commitments to the IMF and World Bank, has plans to continue on this path. Smaller businesses are privately owned by Beninese citizens, but some firms are foreign owned, primarily French and Lebanese. The private commercial and agricultural sectors remain the principal contributors to growth.
*GDP (2005 est.): $8.6 billion.
*Real GDP growth rate (2005): 3.9%.
*Per capita GDP (2005): $1,100.
*[[Inflation]] rate (2005): 3.2%.
*Natural resources: Small offshore oil deposits, unexploited deposits of high quality marble limestone, and timber.
*Agricultural: Products--corn, sorghum, cassava, tapioca, yams, beans, rice, cotton, palm oil, cocoa, peanuts, poultry, and livestock. Arable land--13%. Permanent crops 4%, permanent pastures 4%, forests and woodland 31%.
*Business and industry: Textiles, cigarettes, food and beverages, construction materials, petroleum.
*Trade: Exports--$485 million: cotton, crude oil, palm products, cocoa. Imports--$726 million: foodstuffs, tobacco, petroleum products, energy, and capital goods. Major trade partners--Nigeria, France, China, Italy, Brazil, Libya, Indonesia, U.K., Cote d'Ivoire.

===Economic Development===
Since the transition to a democratic government in 1990, Benin has undergone a remarkable economic recovery. A large injection of external investment from both private and public sources has alleviated the economic difficulties of the early 1990s caused by global recession and persistently low commodity prices (although the latter continues to affect the economy). The manufacturing sector is confined to some light industry, which is mainly involved in processing primary products and the production of consumer goods. Benin is dependent on imported electricity, mostly from Ghana, which currently accounts for a significant proportion of the country's imports. Benin has several initiatives to attract foreign capital to build electricity generation facilities in Benin in order to break this dependency. The service sector has grown quickly, stimulated by economic liberalization and fiscal reform. Membership of the CFA Franc Zone offers reasonable currency stability. Benin sells its products mainly to France and, in smaller quantities, to the Netherlands, Korea, Japan, and India. France is Benin's leading source for imports. Benin also is a member of the West African economic community ECOWAS.

In March 2003, the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) agreed to support a comprehensive debt reduction package for Benin under the enhanced Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative. Debt relief under HIPC amounts to approximately $460 million. Benin received $27.1 million in 2002 and received $32.9 million in 2003. HIPC will reduce Benin's debt-to-export ratio, freeing up considerable resources for education, health, and other anti-poverty programs.

Despite its growth, the economy of Benin still remains underdeveloped and dependent on subsistence agriculture, cotton production, and regional trade. Inflation has subsided over the past several years. Growth in real output averaged a sound 5% from 1996 to 2003, but a rapid population rise offset much of this growth on a per capita basis. Real economic growth for 2004 was estimated at 5%. Commercial and transport activities, which make up a large part of GDP, are vulnerable to developments in Nigeria, including fuel shortages. Recent heightened enforcement of Nigerian customs regulations, an unfavorable exchange rate with the Naira and difficulties at Cotonou's port have contributed to the economic downturn.

==History==
Benin was the seat of one of the great medieval African kingdoms called Dahomey. Europeans began arriving in the area in the 18th century, as the kingdom of Dahomey was expanding its territory. The Portuguese, the French, and the Dutch established trading posts along the coast (Porto-Novo, Ouidah, Cotonou), and traded weapons for slaves. Slave trade ended in 1848. Then, the French signed treaties with Kings of Abomey (Guézo, Toffa, Glèlè) to establish French protectorates in the main cities and ports. However, King Behanzin fought the French influence, which cost him deportation to Martinique. As of 1900, the territory became a French colony ruled by a French Governor. Expansion continued to the North (kingdoms of Parakou, Nikki, Kandi), up to the border with former Upper Volta. On December 4, 1958, it became the République du Dahomey, self-governing within the French community, and on August 1, 1960, the Republic of Benin gained full independence from France.

===Post-Independence Politics===
Between 1960 and 1972, a succession of military coups brought about many changes of government. The last of these brought to power Major Mathieu Kérékou as the head of a regime professing strict Marxist-Leninist principles. The Revolutionary Party of the People of Benin (PRPB) remained in complete power until the beginning of the 1990s. Kérékou, encouraged by France and other democratic powers, convened a national conference that introduced a new democratic constitution and held presidential and legislative elections. Kérékou's principal opponent at the presidential poll, and the ultimate victor, was Prime Minister Nicéphore Soglo. Supporters of Soglo also secured a majority in the National Assembly.

Benin was thus the first African country to effect successfully the transition from dictatorship to a pluralistic political system. In the second round of National Assembly elections held in March 1995, Soglo's political vehicle, the Parti de la Renaissance du Benin, was the largest single party but lacked an overall majority. The success of a party formed by supporters of ex-president Kérékou, who had officially retired from active politics, encouraged him to stand successfully at both the 1996 and 2001 presidential elections.

During the 2001 elections, however, alleged irregularities and dubious practices led to a boycott of the run-off poll by the main opposition candidates. The four top-ranking contenders following the first round presidential elections were Mathieu Kérékou (incumbent) 45.4%, Nicephore Soglo (former president) 27.1%, Adrien Houngbedji (National Assembly Speaker) 12.6%, and Bruno Amoussou (Minister of State) 8.6%. The second round balloting, originally scheduled for March 18, 2001, was postponed for days because both Soglo and Houngbedji withdrew, alleging electoral fraud. This left Kérékou to run against his own Minister of State, Amoussou, in what was termed a "friendly match."

In December 2002, Benin held its first municipal elections since before the institution of Marxism-Leninism. The process was smooth with the significant exception of the 12th district council for Cotonou, the contest that would ultimately determine who would be selected for the mayoralty of the capital city. That vote was marred by irregularities, and the electoral commission was forced to repeat that single election. Nicephore Soglo's Renaisance du Benin (RB) party won the new vote, paving the way for the former president to be elected Mayor of Cotonou by the new city council in February 2002.

National Assembly elections took place in March 2003 and were generally considered to be free and fair. Although there were some irregularities, these were not significant and did not greatly disrupt the proceedings or the results. These elections resulted in a loss of seats by RB--the primary opposition party. The other opposition parties, the Party for Democratic Renewal (PRD) led by the former Prime Minister Adrien Houngbedji and the Alliance Etoile (AE), joined the government coalition.

Former West African Development Bank Director Boni Yayi won the March 2006 election for the presidency in a field of 26 candidates. International observers including the United Nations, Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and others called the election free, fair, and transparent. President Kérékou was barred from running under the 1990 constitution due to term and age limits. President Yayi was inaugurated on April 6, 2006.

Benin held legislative elections on March 31, 2007 for the 83 seats in the National Assembly. The "Force Cowrie for an Emerging Benin" (FCBE) party, closely linked to President Yayi, won a plurality of the seats in the National Assembly, providing the president with considerable influence over the legislative agenda.

[[Category:African Countries]]

Climatic factor

2008-12-28T14:40:27Z

Mitch:

'''Climatic factor''' (abbreviated as ''C factor'' in the [[Wind erosion equation]] characterizes - according to the [[USDA]] terminology - ''"climatic [[erosivity]], specifically wind speed and surface soil moisture. The factor for any given locality is expressed as a percentage of the C factor for Garden City, Kansas, which has a value of 100."<ref>[http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/NRI/1997/summary_report/glossary.html List of USDA terminology]List of USDA terminology</ref>''
==References==
<references />
{{stub}}
[[Category:Agriculture]]
{{USDA_Terms}}

Census water

2008-12-28T14:40:01Z

Mitch:

'''Census water''' includes - according to the [[USDA]] terminology - ''"[[water bodies]] of at least 40 acres and perennial streams at least 1/8 mile wide. Also referred to as Large water bodies and Large streams."<ref>[http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/NRI/1997/summary_report/glossary.html List of USDA terminology]List of USDA terminology</ref>''
==References==
<references />
{{stub}}
[[Category:Agriculture]]
{{USDA_Terms}}

Beach

2008-12-28T14:39:37Z

Mitch:

A '''beach''' is - according to the [[USDA]] terminology - ''"a [[barren land]] subcategory. Includes the area adjacent to the shore of an ocean, sea, large river, or lake that is washed by the tide or waves."<ref>[http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/NRI/1997/summary_report/glossary.html List of USDA terminology]List of USDA terminology</ref>''
==References==
<references />
[[Category:Agriculture]]
{{USDA_Terms}}

Barren land

2008-12-28T14:39:08Z

Mitch:

'''Barren land''' is - according to the [[USDA]] terminology - ''"a land cover/use category used to classify [[land]]s with limited capacity to support life and having less than 5 percent vegetative cover. Vegetation, if present, is widely spaced. ''
''Typically, the surface of barren land is sand, rock, exposed subsoil, or salt-affected soils. Subcategories include salt flats; sand dunes; mud flats; beaches; bare exposed rock; quarries, strip mines, gravel pits, and borrow pits; riverwash; oil wasteland; mixed barren lands; and other barren land."<ref>[http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/NRI/1997/summary_report/glossary.html List of USDA terminology]List of USDA terminology</ref>''
==References==
<references />
[[Category:Agriculture]]
{{USDA_Terms}}

Barren

2008-12-28T14:38:41Z

Mitch:

'''Barren''' describes - according to the [[USDA]] terminology - ''"a [[general cover]] category consisting of nonvegetated lands, including alkaline barrens, unreclaimed mined land, and other barren areas incapable of supporting vegetation. Barren areas are nonvegetated either because the substrate will not support plant growth or because the area is subject to frequent disturbance (e.g., scouring, flooding) that prevents plant growth."<ref>[http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/NRI/1997/summary_report/glossary.html List of USDA terminology]List of USDA terminology</ref>''
==References==
<references />
[[Category:Agriculture]]
{{USDA_Terms}}

Artificial and modified surfaces

2008-12-28T14:38:21Z

Mitch:

'''Artificial and modified surfaces''' are - according to the [[USDA]] terminology - ''"a [[general cover]] category consisting of roads and right-of-ways, buildings, parking lots, farmsteads and ranch headquarters, urban and built-up areas, small built-up areas, rural transportation, and any other buildings that have a surface area greater than 1,000 square feet."<ref>[http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/NRI/1997/summary_report/glossary.html List of USDA terminology]List of USDA terminology</ref>''
==References==
<references />
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[[Category:Agriculture]]
{{USDA_Terms}}

Artificial and modified surfaces

2008-12-28T14:38:01Z

Mitch:

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'''Artificial and modified surfaces''' are - according to the [[USDA]] terminology - ''"a [[general cover]] category consisting of roads and right-of-ways, buildings, parking lots, farmsteads and ranch headquarters, urban and built-up areas, small built-up areas, rural transportation, and any other buildings that have a surface area greater than 1,000 square feet."<ref>[http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/NRI/1997/summary_report/glossary.html List of USDA terminology]List of USDA terminology</ref>''
==References==
<references />
[[Category:Agriculture]]
{{USDA_Terms}}

Aerial photograph

2008-12-28T14:37:35Z

Mitch:

An '''aerial photograph''' is - according to the [[USDA]] terminology - ''" a photograph of the [[earth]]’s surface taken from airborne equipment. Sometimes called aerial photo or air photograph."<ref>[http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/NRI/1997/summary_report/glossary.html List of USDA terminology]List of USDA terminology</ref>''
==References==
<references />
{{USDA_Terms}}
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[[Category:Agriculture]]

Nephrologist

2008-12-28T14:34:37Z

Mitch: Must get sleep...

A '''nephrologist''' is a [[physician]] who treats [[kidney]] disease, performs dialysis therapy, and does [[kidney]] transplantation.

Nephrology is a subspecialty of internal medicine, and a thorough knowledge of internal [[medicine]] is required in order to obtain board certification.

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[[category:medicine]]

Uniform Anatomical Gift Act

2008-12-28T14:33:42Z

Mitch:

The '''Uniform Anatomical Gift Act''' (UAGA), adopted in whole or part by all 50 states of the [[United States]], gives persons control over what happens to their body after they die. Specifically, the UAGA authorizes a living person to donate organs upon his death.

An improved version known as the "1968 UAGA" gives "legal effect to the right of the individual to dispose of his own body without subsequent veto by others."<ref>See UAGA 2 cmts. (1968), 8 U.L.A. 100 (1993).</ref>

== Sources ==

* Radhika Rao, "Property, Privacy, and the Human Body," 80 B.U.L. Rev. 359 (Apr. 2000).

== References ==

<references/>

[[category:United States Law]]

Treaty of Nanjing

2008-12-28T14:31:57Z

Mitch:

The '''Treaty of Nanjing''' was signed at the end of the [[Opium War]]. It gave Britain the key port of [[Hong Kong]].

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[[Category:China]]
[[category:Treaties]]

Updraft

2008-12-28T14:31:25Z

Mitch:

An '''updraft''' is a current of rising [[air]].<ref>Wile, Dr. Jay L. ''Exploring Creation With Physical Science''. Apologia Educational Ministries, Inc. 1999, 2000</ref>

==References==
<references/>

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[[category:meteorology]]

Presidential veto

2008-12-28T14:31:01Z

Mitch:

A '''Presidential veto''' is made when the [[President]] refuses to sign a bill from [[Congress]] and it is not passed into law. The President must veto it within ten days of its arrival or the bill will pass. If Congress is not in session at the end of the ten days and the President has not signed it then it will be a [[pocket veto]] and the bill will not be passed.

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[[Category:Government]]
[[Category:Law]]

Epicanthic fold

2008-12-28T14:30:19Z

Mitch:

An '''epicanthic fold''' is a small flap of skin on the upper eyelid of a human being which covers the inner angle of the eye. The epicanthic fold is typical among many [[Asia|Asian]] people or those who trace their roots to eastern Asia. Some Africans also have a similar epicanthic fold.

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[[category:Anatomy]]

Tabernacle (Catholic)

2008-12-28T14:29:39Z

Mitch:

The '''tabernacle''' in a [[Catholic]] Church is a place where consecrated hosts of the holy [[Eucharist]] are kept if they are not eaten. Always behind a door for keeping. Some churches have pews near the tabernacle for the public to kneel and pray.

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[[Category:Catholic Church]]

Professionalism

2008-12-28T14:28:27Z

Mitch:

'''Professionalism''' is the standing, [[practice]], or methods of a professional, as distinguished from an amateur.

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[[Category:Dictionary]]