plantagenet ocher: May 2012

Monday, May 28, 2012

Spain may recapitalize Bankia with government debt: source

[ [ [['Connery is an experienced stuntman', 2]], 'http://yhoo.it/KeQd0p', '[Slideshow: See photos taken on the way down]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['Connery is an experienced stuntman', 7]], ' http://yhoo.it/KpUoHO', '[Slideshow: Death-defying daredevils]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['know that we have confidence in', 3]], 'http://yhoo.it/LqYjAX ', '[Related: The Secret Service guide to Cartagena]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['We picked up this other dog and', 5]], 'http://yhoo.it/JUSxvi', '[Related: 8 common dog fears, how to calm them]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['accused of running a fake hepatitis B', 5]], 'http://bit.ly/JnoJYN', '[Related: Did WH share raid details with filmmakers?]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['accused of running a fake hepatitis B', 3]], 'http://bit.ly/KoKiqJ', '[Factbox: AQAP, al-Qaeda in Yemen]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['have my contacts on or glasses', 3]], 'http://abcn.ws/KTE5AZ', '[Related: Should the murder charge be dropped?]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['have made this nation great as Sarah Palin', 5]], 'http://yhoo.it/JD7nlD', '[Related: Bristol Palin reality show debuts June 19]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['have made this nation great as Sarah Palin', 1]], 'http://bit.ly/JRPFRO', '[Related: McCain adviser who vetted Palin weighs in on VP race]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['A JetBlue flight from New York to Las Vegas', 3]], 'http://yhoo.it/GV9zpj', '[Related: View photos of the JetBlue plane in Amarillo]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['the 28-year-old neighborhood watchman who shot and killed', 15]], 'http://news.yahoo.com/photos/white-house-stays-out-of-teen-s-killing-slideshow/', 'Click image to see more photos', 'http://l.yimg.com/cv/ip/ap/default/120411/martinzimmermen.jpg', '630', ' ', 'AP', ], [ [['Titanic', 7]], 'http://news.yahoo.com/titanic-anniversary/', ' ', 'http://l.yimg.com/a/p/us/news/editorial/b/4e/b4e5ad9f00b5dfeeec2226d53e173569.jpeg', '550', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['He was in shock and still strapped to his seat', 6]], 'http://news.yahoo.com/photos/navy-jet-crashes-in-virginia-slideshow/', 'Click image to see more photos', 'http://l.yimg.com/cv/ip/ap/default/120406/jet_ap.jpg', '630', ' ', 'AP', ], [ [['xxxxxxxxxxxx', 11]], 'http://news.yahoo.com/photos/russian-grannies-win-bid-to-sing-at-eurovision-1331223625-slideshow/', 'Click image to see more photos', 'http://l.yimg.com/a/p/us/news/editorial/1/56/156d92f2760dcd3e75bcd649a8b85fcf.jpeg', '500', ' ', 'AP', ] ]

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Sunday, May 27, 2012

Video: Shriver talks about her father?s advice

A Second Take on Meeting the Press: From an up-close look at Rachel Maddow's sneakers to an in-depth look at Jon Krakauer's latest book ? it's all fair game in our "Meet the Press: Take Two" web extra. Log on Sundays to see David Gregory's post-show conversations with leading newsmakers, authors and roundtable guests. Videos are available on-demand by 12 p.m. ET on Sundays.

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KARA's Hara shows love for Seungyeon's pets, Puri and Nubi

[unable to retrieve full-text content]It appears that Hara visited her group mate's home, where she had a little reunion with the two pups. Followers commented, ?We look forward to seeing you at KARASIA,? ?That puppy is so lucky to kiss you, I want to be your pet ...

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French back Hollande's first days in power: poll

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The Cowardice of Colin Powell

Speaking on CNN Wednesday, Powell said he has ?no problem? with same-sex marriage. Before he could utter another sentence on that subject, though, he defensively and dishonestly shirked responsibility for his critical role in enshrining a ban on openly gay military service into law. ?It was the Congress that imposed 'don?t ask, don?t tell,' he said in response to Wolf Blitzer?s questioning. Powell admitted it was his ?recommendation? but passing the buck to Congress may be the dodge of the century. As the first African-American chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, a hero of the first Iraq war, and the highest-ranking officer in the country, Powell commanded immense moral authority on this issue. Indeed his was doubtlessly the single most important voice in the painful debate, and the voice most pointed to by the Congress he?s now trying to blame.

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Military spouses celebrated at Fort Meade appreciation luncheon

Audrey Rothstein, wife of Garrison Commander Col. Edward C. Rothstein, shares a laugh with military spouses including Debbie Alexander (right), wife of Gen. Keith B. Alexander, commander of the U.S. Cyber Command, chief of the Central Security Service and director of the National Security Agency, at the installation's annual Military Spouse Appreciation Luncheon held May 10 at Club Meade.

FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, Md. (May 17, 2012) -- Military spouses contribute greatly to the stability of their families and are the backbone of the armed forces.

That was the sentiment Audrey Rothstein, wife of Garrison Commander Col. Edward C. Rothstein, shared with 85 military spouses during the installation's annual Military Spouse Appreciation Luncheon on May 10 at Club Meade.

"Whether you realize it or not, you volunteered to join the Army, or the military, too, when you said 'I do' to your service member. And for that, you are immediately set apart from all other spouses of the world," she said. "You stand above the others not only for your strength, determination and resiliency but also for your tremendous sacrifice -- and for some -- the ultimate sacrifice."

Audrey Rothstein and Frank Klein, husband of Navy Rear Adm. Margaret Klein, chief of staff, U.S. Cyber Command, were the guest speakers for the 90-minute event, which was sponsored by Army Community Service.

"I think it was fantastic," Natalie Overby, wife of Ensign James Overby of the Naval Information Operations Command, said of the program. "I don't think I've ever heard anyone talk about how life is for military spouses."

Celena Flowers, Family Advocacy Program manager at ACS, emceed the luncheon. Garrison Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Sid Taylor gave the invocation.

The event also was attended by Garrison Command Sgt. Maj. Charles E. Smith and his wife, Audrey; and Debbie Alexander, wife of Gen. Keith B. Alexander, commander of U.S. Cyber Command, chief of the Central Security Service and director of the National Security Agency.

In his remarks, Klein called military spouses "American heroes."

"Real heroes see the right thing and they do the right thing, no matter the cost," he said. "What you have sacrificed for your uniformed partner to do what he or she does is the right thing, and I have learned that it doesn't come without a cost."

Klein retired as a Navy commander in 2000. In August, he and his wife will have been married 30 years. They are the parents of two adult children.

Military spouses embody the statement "not self, but country," Klein said, noting that the commitment of military spouses is reflected in two national organizations.

Klein spoke about the National Military Family Association founded in 1969 by a group of military wives during the Vietnam War. The women wanted to make sure their widowed friends would be properly taken care of after the death of their uniformed spouse.

Two years later, the military's Survivor Benefit Plan became law.

"Congress didn't do it without a push from people who cared," Klein said. "And the people who cared were military spouses."

Klein also spoke about Bonnie Carroll, a major in the Air Force Reserve, who established the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors in 1994 after her husband, Brig. Gen. Tom Carroll, died in a plane crash. TAPS helps grieving families by providing ongoing, peer-based emotional support.

Carroll was a military wife who "channeled her grief into something positive -- not for self, but for country," Klein said.

Military spouses, he said, put aside their personal ambitions to serve the greater good.

"You take care of the family, you take care of the uniformed service member, you take care of each other, you take care of Team Meade," Klein said. "And you take care of our country's defense."

In his welcoming remarks, the garrison commander thanked Fort Meade's military spouses for their commitment to their service member and family.

"We want to thank you for everything you've done to make us whole," Col. Rothstein said. "The backbone of our Soldiers and our service members really is the family, and that starts with you."

The colonel called his wife an "incredible caretaker" as the mother of their two children, Sam and Emily.

"The strength she's had and her personal courage mean a lot," he said.

After the event, Darryl Bradley, husband of Navy Senior Chief Michele Brady, 10th Command/10th Fleet at the National Security Agency, said the speeches were meaningful.

"It felt good that Colonel Rothstein and his wife said thank you," he said.

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Saturday, May 26, 2012

Automotive Article: About car types and auto insurance rates

Many drivers usually get surprised when they learn about different insurance rates for different car types. They think that it doesn't matter whether it's a small car or a hot rod as long as they have a good driving record and don't get in trouble in traffic. With all this, for auto insurance providers it's a whole other perspective and they will charge you with different premiums according the type of car you're trying to insure. Thus, it's important to understand the following characteristics of each car type and make your decisions correctly if you want your auto insurance budget to be limited:

Small cars. Smaller vehicles are typically cheap and quite comfortable in conditions of heavy traffic. They usually have low engine volumes, top speed, get stolen quite rarely and are inexpensive to handle at repair. However,?auto insurance?can sometimes be a bit costly for small cars because they tend to get damaged very bad during accidents. It's all about the physics, which states that the smaller object tends to get the most damage regardless of the safety features the manufacturer has included. Because of this, costly claims tend to arise more often with such vehicles, and the insurers respond with respective pricing.

Medium sized cars and family vehicles. This car type is typically regarded as the safest and the cheapest to insure. Sure, there are different makes and models, but the general rule is that these cars are quite safe, have low repair costs and theft rates, and tend to get damaged much less than smaller vehicles during an accident. So you will usually get the best auto insurance rates for this type of vehicles.

SUVs. SUVs like trucks and minivans are very comfortable and give you a whole different perspective in traffic. However, the size can turn into a problem with these vehicles. Due to their size and increased mass as compared to other vehicle types SUVs tend to produce more damage during accidents, especially involving other cars. The claims arising with an SUV are likely to be higher because the other car tends to get damaged quite bad and there are likely to be injuries as well. Coupled with higher repair costs for such vehicles, SUVs are usually more expensive to insure.

Sports vehicles. Being both cool and relatively cheap, sports cars often seem as an advantageous option for car buyers. Nevertheless, when insuring a typical sports car, you will actually have a hard time finding cheap auto insurance because insurers tend to classify such cars as high risk. Increased top speed, engine volume, elevated theft and accident rates as well as the likelihood to produce a very serious car crash all lead to higher auto insurance rates for sports vehicles.

Luxury vehicles. It may seem natural that expensive luxury cars will cost more to insure than other car types. However, it's not because they are expensive to buy - insurers have other reasons to charge higher rates for such vehicles. First of all, these cars are usually very costly to repair, often requiring exclusive and overpriced repair parts that are hard to find in an ordinary repair shop. Besides, such vehicles are often targeted by car thieves and burglars due to their value and scarcity. So don't expect to get?cheap auto insurance?for any luxury car.

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14 inspirational quotes | Personal Growth and Self Improvement Site

You need a 7 Day Brainwash ?No man is good enough to govern another man without that other?s consent.?

Abraham Lincoln

?What you cannot enforce, do not command.?

Sophocles

?No general can fight his battles alone. He must depend upon his lieutenants, and his success depends upon his ability to select the right man for the right place.?

Philip Armour

?To do great things is difficult; but to command great things is more difficult.?

Friedrich Nietzsche

?It is absurd that a man should rule others, who cannot rule himself. (Absurdum est ut alios regat, qui seipsum regere nescit.)?

Latin Proverb

?Let him who would be moved to convince others, be first moved to convince himself.?

Thomas Carlyle

?A good general not only sees the way to victory; he also knows when victory is impossible.?

Polybius

?Any one can hold the helm when the sea is calm.?

Publilius Syrus

?I am only one, But still I am one. I cannot do everything, But still I can do something; And because I cannot do everything I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.?

Edward Everett Hale

?Action may not always bring happiness, but there is no happiness without action.?

Benjamin Disraeli

?Nobody made a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could do only a little.?

Edmund Burke

?You can?t do anything about the length of your life, but you can do something about its width and depth.?

Shira Tehrani

?Well done is better than well said.?

Benjamin Franklin

?If the world seems cold to you, kindle fires to warm it.?

Lucy Larcom

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The Stay at Home Wifey: Motherhood and Feminism

I'm taking a break from my staying home series. I will get back to it soon, but for today I wanted to ponder something else.

I recently got a copy of The Way Home by Mary Pride. While I have found it a great encouragement and confirmation that choosing to be a wife and mother is my calling at this stage of my life. I waited a long time to be blessed with this stage, living until the age of 35 as a single woman.

It also has got me thinking at the same time. It has focused much of my previously rambling thoughts about how much our lives and culture are shaped and influenced. Even amongst those who claim the name of Jesus Christ, and who give voice to seeking to live according to God's will there seems to be more of this world than of God influencing life choices.

Before I go further I will openly admit that I am NOT perfect. I haven't got it all figured it. Part of the reason I am writing this post is because I am working on this in my own mind and life right now. Most of my time and energy is poured into my children, as it should be with little ones, and this blog is my creative outlet that helps to keep me from being totally absorbed by the world of toddlers and babies. It is also the creative outlet that prevents me from talking the ears off my wonderful husband every night because I need to express to process.

The Way Home looks at how feminism has undermined biblical womanhood. It doesn't surprise me either. I can remember the conversation I had with the career advisor when I was a teenager. I was asked the question of what I wanted to do when I grew up. My answer did not compute. I said that I wanted to get married and have children. I was asked several times and I always gave the same answer. I was told each time that I must want to be something else, as just being a wife and a mother was such a waste of my talents and abilities. This was about the same time as Mary Pride's book was first published.

I didn't really understand what feminism was back then. All I knew was that what I really wanted to do with my life was to be a wife and a mother. I had always known that was what I wanted to do, what I was created to do. I guess that is part of the reason why I could never make up my mind what kind of career to have. Even after college once I entered the working world I could never settle down to one particular profession. So every few years I would try something new. Yet everything I did do helped to prepare me for the job I will have for the rest of my life. No matter what else happens I will be my husband's wife and my children's mother.

I feel so blessed to be in the position I am in. It was not so long ago that I was trying to accept that I may never be a mother to my own children. As I type this I have two incredible little boys asleep in their cribs for nap time.

Still I come back to how far even the Church has strayed from God's plan for families. Every time people find out that we want more children they act surprised. We already have two, isn't that enough. And this is from the very people we worship beside on Sunday mornings. When people find out that I stay home and we choose to live on a single income we are told that we are very lucky. We are not lucky at all, nor are we wealthy. We have chosen to live without many things that others think are necessities so we can live on a single income. We sacrifice the good so we can have the best, God's best.

God's Word says plainly that wives are to look after the home and bear children, yet even conservative Christian radio stations air programing that assumes wives are also working in full-time jobs outside the home. When couples are preparing for marriage it is not shocking to hear them be advised to wait a few years after marriage before starting a family. They "need" to get to know each other for a few years before they add children, or they "need" to save for a home, or establish their careers, or, or, or. Even in the face of biblical counsel that a newly married couple be freed from civic responsibility in their first year of marriage for the very purpose of starting a family together.

There are also those who say that we cannot teach that wives should stay home, because there are those families who cannot survive financially unless they have two incomes. Until less than a year ago on paper we could not afford for me to stay home, yet we have survived and even flourished on our single income. Living by faith will not always make sense on paper, but it will work in practice when our trust is on the Creator of the Universe.

I don't know what the solution is. I don't know that there is an easy solution to combat compromise. All I know is that God has made clear His will in His Word. We each have to choose day by day and moment by moment to either obey or disobey. I will admit there are moments when I long to rebel and do my own thing, but somehow I come back to the point of obedience in the long run.

I know that obedience is rarely politically correct these days. Our secular culture is so very far away from obedience to God's Word. I know even most Christians will wonder away by compromising with the secular world. Yet there is something so incredible waiting for us. When we wonder and stray God is still waiting with open arms to welcome us back to that path of obedience. He is ready to forgive us when we come before Him with repentance. He desires to show us the way that may be more difficult but that is also more blessed.

I willingly turn my back on the philosophies of feminism, and secular humanism. I don't think either have done me any real favors. How I respond to those who are my sisters in faith but who openly embrace these things I am still working through. Maybe one day people will once again cherish the role of wife and mother, as they did before feminism tainted our culture. Maybe one day this will not be a difficult and misunderstood road to walk along. Until then I will continue to whole heartedly embrace my role, and pray more will join in this blessed and joyful life.

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Friday, May 25, 2012

Fugitive penguin caught after 2 months on the lam

Tokyo Sea Life Park / AFP - Getty Images

Tokyo Sea Life Park's escaped Humboldt penguin, known only as Number 337, was captured Thursday after two months roaming free in Tokyo Bay.

By Marian Smith, msnbc.com

Two months after scaling at 13-foot-high fence to escape a Tokyo aquarium, Japan's now-famous fugitive penguin has reportedly?been nabbed.

Two Tokyo Sea Life keepers caught the elusive penguin, known only as Number 337,?late Thursday on the bank of one of the rivers leading into Tokyo Bay, the BBC reported.

Penguin scales wall to escape from Tokyo aquarium

The keepers had received a tip-off call earlier in the day -- one of several sightings since the penguin successfully made?its?bid for freedom in March.

According to the AFP news agency, Number 337?was found under a bridge around?five miles from the aquarium.

A spokesman for the aquarium told the BBC that the penguin was in good condition but was being examined.

A penguin that escaped its enclosure in Tokyo two months ago has been spotted bobbing in the waters around the Japanese capital. TODAY.com's Dara Brown reports.

"It hasn't lost weight," the spokesman said. "It hasn't got fatter either but its health seems good."

According to the BBC, Tokyo Sea Life Park deputy director Kazuhiro Sakamoto told Japan's Kyodo news agency that he was "relieved to see the penguin come back alive."

After a sighting that was recorded on video earlier this month, Sakamoto?said it did not appear that Number 337 was suffering, and said, "It looks as if it's been?living quite happily in the middle of Tokyo Bay."

Japan's fugitive penguin 'living quite happily' in Tokyo Bay

The penguin, hatched in 2011, had shared life in a rocky outdoor enclosure at the aquarium with 135 other Humboldts and a number of other penguins prior to its escape.

Reuters contributed to this report.

More world news from msnbc.com and NBC News:

Follow us on Twitter: @msnbc_world

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Rheem Water Heaters - IdeaMarketers.com

One of the last appliances to be thought of is one of the most used appliances in a home. Not many people consciously think of their water heaters when they think of their home appliances. As it comes time to replace them, more people should consider Rheem water heaters.

Rheem water heaters are manufactured to fit a wide variety of needs. There are some people that want to conserve energy, heat unconventional places and some people just want to save space. No matter what their concerns are, Rheem has created a water heater that will satisfy those concerns. They take the thought out of choosing a water heater.

There are some people that want to have a completely modern home. They don't like the thought of having a bulky water heater in their basement, wasting valuable space. As these homeowners look for different products, they find that Rheem offer a tankless water heater. These water heaters are compact, not weighing more than 55 pounds. These tanks can heat water on demand and continue a steady stream of hot water through the home as needed.

There are a lot of people that are concerned with their carbon foot prints. These individuals want to live a healthy lifestyle without leaving a negative impact on the environment. Many are surprised that there are Rheem water heaters powered by the sun. The solar powered water heaters make it easy for people to save money on their utility bills. There little to no gas or electricity that is used to heat water. Since there is less gas and electricity used, there are fewer gas emissions released.

There are some people that are able to have the luxury of a spa or pool at their home. When they want to heat either of them, they are able to find Rheem water heaters to heat them. These water heaters allow people to continue to use their pools and spas all year round.

Despite all the advances and ingenuity, there are many people that don't want to leave a traditional water heater. These individuals like to have a tank water heater and Rheem has upgraded their design. These tanked water heaters are redesigned to consistently meet the demands of families and efficiently heat water. Not only are they efficient, they are environmentally friendly.

Businesses can also take advantage of the quality that Rheem water heaters give. There are many businesses that need to have hot water available and the commercial water heaters are strong enough to keep up with the demands. There are many varieties that businesses can choose from.

Rheem water heaters have been available since the 1930s. They have set the industry standard for water heaters for many years. Their water heaters are tested to exceed industry regulations and standards. The people at Rheem believe in their products and it shows in the wonderfully produced water heaters that are sold nationwide.

I'm a handyman with an interest in gas water heaters. For more resources and information, check out Washington Energy Services.

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2013 Nissan Altima Test Drive

Price (base): $22,280

Available: summer

Fuel economy (estimated city/highway 2.5-liter): 27/38

Competitors: Chevy Malibu, Ford Fusion, Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, Hyundai Sonata, Mazda6, VW Passat, Subaru Legacy

Powertrain: 2.5-liter I-4, 182 hp at 6000 rpm; 180 lb-ft of torque at 4000 rpm; 3.5-liter V-6, 270 hp at 6000 rpm; 258 lb-ft at 4400 rpm

What's New: A decade ago, when Nissan launched its sleek third generation Altima, it hedged a bet that many midsize sedan buyers want a more responsive, more fun-to-drive car. That Altima was stylish, responsive, and a real challenger to the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord. By last year the Altima had become the second-best selling car in the U.S.

With success like that, it's no surprise Nissan didn't dramatically alter the Altima formula. The sleek and swoopy sheet metal is all new, but beneath that skin is largely the same Nissan global "D" architecture used on the outgoing car. The 2013 version rides on an identical 109.3-inch wheelbase but grows ever so slightly in length and track width. Here Nissan follows the path Toyota pioneered with the Camry?this is the first time a new Altima doesn't grow substantially. That's probably because automakers must keep weight down on future vehicles to help them meet upcoming fuel economy standards. In fact, the new Altima is 78 pounds lighter, and a lot of the savings comes from the increased use of high-strength steel and aluminum bumper beams.

To maintain the Altima's status as one of the sportiest midsize sedans, the team at Nissan benchmarked the BMW 3 Series, Mercedes-Benz C Class, and Audi A4 as their targets for the new car's responsiveness?a tall order. They redesigned the rear multilink suspension and used upscale Sachs dampers. The team also designed "connect bushings" in the newly added lower link that allow the rear wheels to toe-in slightly and control camber, too. It's a more sophisticated rear suspension than many midsizers have.

The hybrid is gone for 2013, and every Altima uses a CVT. To help boost efficiency, 70 percent of the CVTs in both the four-cylinder model (using a belt-drive CVT) and V-6 (using a stronger chain-drive CVT) are all-new. These CVTs use reformulated oil and use less of it in the case, which improves pumping efficiencies and fuel economy.

Nissan redesigned the base four-cylinder to include variable valve timing on both camshafts and a lighter intake manifold. The 2.5-liter gets a boost of 7 hp to 182 and yet delivers (according to Nissan) a whopping 38 mpg on the highway. That's better than the old hybrid?and better than any of Nissan's competitors. We'll have to test that number on our own to see if we can hit it. The venerable 3.5-liter "VQ" V-6 is largely the same as before. Nissan says it didn't opt for a turbocharged four-cylinder like some competitors because of the V-6's prodigious torque, but we suspect it might be because this V-6 will appear as the standard engine in the next Maxima?a car that currently shares the same basic bones. Regardless, the V-6 should make the new Altima one of the quickest cars in the class.

The new Altima packs plenty of optional tech, including Blind Spot Warning, Lane Departure Warning, and Moving Object Detection. But you won't need to break the bank to get some very useful tech. Every Altima comes with standard Bluetooth, and Nissan has made its navigation system an option for just $590. That's a great deal.

Tech Tidbit: Stability control is so last year. The trend now is to add more subtle handling assistance using the basic bones of the stability control system. Nissan says the Altima's new Active Understeer Control will brake the inside front wheel proactively in situations where it anticipates the car will push through a corner.

Driving Character: The new Altima is one of the sportiest cars in a sedate crowd. Our V-6, $30,080, 3.5 SL model reminded us more of Nissan's flagship Maxima sedan than of any Altimas before it. This is the top of the Altima range and comes optioned like an Infiniti, with just about every extra, including a heated steering wheel. The chassis tuning of the V-6 Altima is slightly firmer than that of the four-cylinder cars; it really adds to the car's agility.

The chassis is athletic and capable of generating quite a bit of grip, thanks in part to the standard 18-inch tires on V-6 cars. The steering is assisted electrically, but it doesn't feel artificially boosted as some do. However some drivers might find the steering effort to be a bit heavy at lower speeds.

The Altima's V-6 might be unchanged from last year, but it pulls strongly from a stoplight, perhaps because of the more aggressive off-the-line gearing in the CVT. On the highway, the mood is more relaxed. The Altima loafs along at 1600 rpm at 65 mph. It's a quiet ride on the freeway, as Nissan engineered the headliner, carpeting, and floormats for noise absorption. The Altima is quite comfy; the suspension might be sporty but it's not overly stiff. And the interior materials are softest in the most important places, such the center console where our right elbow always rests on a long trip. Speaking of trips, the new color driver-information center between the speedometer and tach (standard on all Altimas) is 4 inches across and will provide navigation instructions, audio information, and even a cool animation of the car itself.

Driver's Grievance: Yes, the CVT provides a seamless thrust of power, especially in V-6 cars, and increased efficiency. But?call us Luddites?we like real gear changes. We'd prefer to have the option of a manual transmission or a more rewarding dual-clutch transmission in a car that bills itself as the enthusiast's choice in the midsize class.

The Bottom Line: The new Altima remains one of the most engaging family sedans, and now its fuel economy approaches 40 mpg on the highway. At that level, Nissan should have no problem attracting the most frugal family-sedan buyers. If you can get hybrid fuel economy without the cost of the battery packs and electric motors, why pay for them?

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