Syrian general gunned down

(CNN) -- A Syrian general was gunned down in the heart of the capital on Saturday, according to state media, as fresh violence flared in several cities and world powers mulled a way to halt the government's bloody offensive against civilians.

An "armed terrorist group" assassinated Brig. Gen. Issa al-Kholi, a military physician who was the director of Hamish Hospital, in front of his Damascus house Saturday morning, the state-run Syrian Arab News Agency said. Three gunmen shot him to death, the media outlet said.

The killing occurred "In the framework of targeting the Syrian intellectuals and the medical and technical cadres," SANA reported.

"A number of efficient, skilled and specialized national cadres were assassinated by armed terrorist groups," said SANA, which cited the killings of a professor, a nuclear specialist, a teacher and a couple of engineers.

Al-Kholi once headed the arthritis division at Tishreen Military Hospital and received medical training in Romania and Paris.

Andrew Tabler, a Syria expert at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, said al-Kholi is from a powerful Alawite military family and is a relative of Mohammed al-Kholi, the former head of air force intelligence under Hafez al-Assad, President Bashar al-Assad's father and predecessor.

The al-Assad family is Alawite, a minority in Sunni-dominated Syria that has a major presence in the military and government.

Tabler said air force intelligence is a powerful unit that is in charge of missile systems and investigating military defections. Hafez al-Assad was in that military branch.

Jeffrey White, a defense analyst also at the institute, told CNN that al-Kholi was not likely a senior officer or affiliated with a key regime unit. White said he believed the assassination was the first of a higher-ranking Syrian officer in the capital.

The capital has not been engulfed with the same kind of daily violence other cities have during the 11-month Syrian uprising, but the killing and recent attacks in Damascus could be a sign that the resistance is spreading to the seats of power.

Free Syrian Army Lt. Col. Mohamed Hamado said al-Kholi is "definitely close to Bashar's inner circle" and that his family has been close to both Bashar al-Assad and his father. The FSA is the anti-regime resistance group led by military defectors.

The deputy head of the Free Syrian Army said the killing could have been carried out by the regime itself.

The al-Assad regime "is now assassinating and targeting anyone they suspect of joining the revolution or thinking of defecting. That may have been the case with General al-Kholi," Col. Malek Al Kurdi told CNN.

Al Kurdi claims the regime "assassinated" the deputy head of the armed forces, Gen. Bassam Najm el-Din Antakiali, in September, even though state media reported that he died of an "acute heart attack."

At least 30 people were killed in Syria on Saturday, including 12 in Homs, where hundreds of people died this week, according to the Local Coordination Committees of Syria, a network of opposition activists. Homs, located in the country's west, is Syria's third largest city.

"Today is the seventh day in a row we're under shelling -- nonstop bombardment," an activist named Omar said Saturday. He said government forces have surrounded the area with thousands of soldiers and dozens of tanks: "Not the normal tanks. Big tanks. Russian tanks."

"We just want from Assad to give us permission to move the injured baby -- they are just the babies," Omar said, referring to al-Assad. "They have to leave the area to have a good treatment. ... He don't even let us save and treat our (injured) babies."

Unrest rippled in the south as five men in the southern province of Daraa were killed when a a tank attacked them in the town of Al Musefra, LCC activist Abu Oudai said. They were among 13 people killed in Daraa, where the government security crackdown and the nationwide uprising started in mid-March.

Other deaths were reported in Idlib province and the Damascus suburbs

The unrest spread to neighboring Lebanon, where sectarian clashes broke out in the city of Tripoli between members of al-Assad's Alawite sect and Sunnis who staged a protest in support of the opposition. One person died, the Lebanese state-run NNA news agency reported Saturday.

Funerals were held, meanwhile, for 39 members of the Syrian army and law enforcement units. SANA said the officers were targeted while on duty near Damascus and in Homs.

World leaders have tried to pass resolutions denouncing the regime's bloody crackdown, but have been stymied by Russia and China in sending a unified message.

Almost a week after Russia and China vetoed a U.N. Security Council resolution intended to stop the killing, Saudi Arabia has drafted a similarly worded document -- but one that lacks the same punch.

The Saudi draft resolution will be submitted to the U.N. General Assembly, where vetoes are not allowed, but resolutions are not legally binding.

The three-page draft "strongly condemns" the violations of human rights by Syrian authorities. It cites "the use of force against civilians, arbitrary executions, killing and persecution of protesters, human rights defenders and journalists, arbitrary detention, enforced disappearances, interference with access to medical treatment, torture, sexual violence and ill-treatment, including against children."

The text was provided to CNN by a diplomatic source on the condition that it not be posted in full because it could be amended. The U.N. General Assembly will convene Monday and will hear from U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay on Syria.

In addition, the U.N.'s Special Advisers on the Prevention of Genocide and on the Responsibility to Protect reiterated a concern it first expressed last July that "widespread and systematic attacks against civilians could constitute crimes against humanity under international criminal law."

Both Russia and China, which have major trade ties with Syria, have said they support an end to the violence but disagreed with the text of the draft resolution they rejected last week.

"We do believe that, in order to stop violence, armed methods must be stopped not only by the government, but also by the opposition," said Russia's U.N. ambassador, Vitaly Churkin. "That was the key flaw of the draft resolution."

CNN cannot independently confirm details of the fighting in Syria because the government has severely limited the access of international journalists.

But virtually all reports from within the country indicate al-Assad's forces are slaughtering protesters and other civilians en masse. Opposition activists in Homs describe relentless bomb explosions from Syrian forces, wounded people bleeding to death in the streets because they can't get medical attention and snipers picking off civilians running for cover.

U.N. officials estimate 6,000 people have died since protests seeking al-Assad's ouster began nearly a year ago. The LCC says the toll has far exceeded 7,000.

Al-Assad's regime has insisted its crackdown is aimed at armed gangs and foreign terrorists bent on destabilizing the regime.

But U.S. Ambassador to Syria Robert Ford said the truth is obvious.

"We know who's shelling Homs," he said. "It's not the opposition, it's the government."

Source

Four easy ways to save on ski trips

(CNN) -- Skiing has a reputation as a pricey, perhaps even snobby sport. But even if some skiers seem to have their noses raised in the air, there's no reason to pay through the nose to ski.

Here are four easy strategies to keep the costs of skiing in check:

Ski packages

Ski resorts and mountain towns hate for precious winter weeks to pass by while area hotel rooms remain empty. To attract skiers and boarders to the slopes, not to mention nearby restaurants and hotels, just about every resort offers a constantly shifting roster of hotel-lift ticket packages.

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They're often terrific values, especially during midweek and early- and late-season periods when hotels struggle to fill rooms. Sometimes, the price you'll pay for lodging and a lift ticket is nearly as cheap as what it'd cost just to buy a lift ticket on the spot. To scope out packages, check out ski resort websites, specialists like Ski the Rockies and state ski association sites such as Ski Utah.

Discount lift ticket sites

Before embarking on any ski trip in which lift tickets aren't included, take a moment to visit a website such as Liftopia or LiftTickets.com. These sites sell lift passes at dozens of North American resorts for a fraction of the price you'd pay at the mountain-side ticket counter. Discounts start at around 15 percent, and range as high as 70 percent, with the bigger discounts available for off-peak times paid for well in advance. The one catch with discounted tickets purchased at such sites is that they must be paid for ahead of time, and cancellations or changes are not allowed. It's also worth looking into lift ticket discounts provided by resort websites; some mountains will likewise knock off a few bucks, especially for multi-day passes, for visitors who buy online ahead of time.

Lift packs, ski cards

Consider packs of four or six passes and frequent-skier cards as the equivalent of a "buy in bulk" discount. For the former, a resort (or perhaps several resorts) sells a packet of lift tickets that can be used throughout the season for a price much less than it'd cost to buy tickets individually. Frequent-skier cards, by contrast, are sold for a flat fee (perhaps $50 or $75), and then grant the holder discounts on every day skied that season (perhaps 20 percent off weekends, 50 percent off weekdays).

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The main downside for these packs and passes is that they limit where you ski. Also, in many cases, these options are often only available for sale early in the season. This isn't always the case, though. For example, in New Hampshire, Cannon Mountain's 10 Pack can be purchased at any time: $579 for 10 fully interchangeable adult lift tickets, giving a discount of more than $10 per ticket off the usual price ($68).

Going against the grain

It's hard to say which is worse about an overly crowded ski resort. The masses of people clogging up cafeterias, lift lines, and narrow ski trails are bad enough. Then, there's the knowledge that you're paying top dollar to boot. With some flexibility, careful planning, and a small degree of sacrifice, though, there's a solution for beating skiing's big crowds and bigger prices.

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The solution boils down to: Go where the crowds aren't, and go when they aren't there. After skiing during a blissfully empty midweek, non-holiday period, it's hard to go back to elbowing for space (and usually, paying extra) on a peak weekend. So take a day (or three) off from work; you won't regret it.

Also, consider going against the grain by picking an off-peak peak. Rather than sticking solely with the Vails and Big Skys of the skiing world, check out smaller B-list mountains like Montana's Bridger Bowl and Colorado's Wolf Creek, where the terrain is superb, the atmosphere is not remotely stuff, and lift tickets top out at $48 and $54, respectively.

Source

Students go at own pace at school without boundaries

Los Angeles (CNN) - After spending 20 years in a midlevel job at a Southern California credit union, Dawn Moore wanted a promotion. But to move up in the company, Moore needed a bachelor's degree. So what stopped her from going back to school? A full-time job, a family and a tight budget.

"I needed a university that was accredited, would work with my schedule, and I could do from home," said Moore, 55. "I just felt at my age and with everything I had going on in my life, I didn't feel like walking to a campus, sitting in a classroom and doing the traditional brick and mortar."

But then she discovered Western Governors University.

The university was started by a group of governors from the West who wanted to make education accessible to adult students with busy lives. It's an online, nonprofit, fully accredited university, a distinction not granted to all online campuses. It's a school without boundaries - there aren't any teachers, curriculums are personalized, and students can go at their own pace.

This type of flexibility draws adults who are strapped for time. The average student is 36, and 70% of them have full-time jobs.

"What makes us most unique is that we're competency-based; we actually measure 'learning' rather than 'time, " said Robert W. Mendenhall, president of Western Governors University. "So for each degree, we define what we expect graduates to know, and be able to do. When they demonstrate it, they graduate - independent of how many classes they've taken."

Another deal breaker? Costs. At traditional universities, tuition and fees can run up to more than $30,000 a year. At Western Governors, students pay a flat rate of $3,000 per term, which amounts to $6,000 per year. Rather than paying hundreds of dollars per unit (like in most other schools), students take as many courses as they can handle for a flat rate. This arrangement allows those on the fast track to speed through their classes, saving precious dollars and cents.

Michael Norwood is an Army reservist whose job as a drill sergeant meant traveling at least twice a month. "If I ended up pulling a 12- to 15-hour shift, I could head back to my room and get in a couple (of) hours before I had to call it a night and do it all over again," he said.

Norwood pursued his bachelor's degree in business management while hopscotching the country training Army recruits. "The school helps individuals who are in combat, too, who are actually in the field and away from civilization, he said. They have a chance to do their studies and not be penalized for missing a class."

After receiving his diploma, Norwood jumped right back in to classes at Western Governors - this time to pursue an MBA.

Western Governors offers degrees in four areas: business, information technology, teacher education and health care. Students pair up with a mentor, who helps with classes and advises them on when to increase or decrease their loads - depending on what s going on in their lives.

For Moore, illness interrupted her studies three months after enrolling.

"I found out I had colon cancer," she said. "Western Governors let me do my classes as I was recovering. It wasn't a pressurized situation. I don't feel a traditional school would really let you take a break."

Moore, whose cancer is in remission, said she focused on using her studies to push through recovery.

And two years later? Moore graduated with a bachelor's degree in business management and she got her promotion.

I just graduated from WGU with a dual BA in Special Education (prek-12) and General Education (prek-5) in December. I am grateful for the opportunity to earn a degree while raising a family and working full time. There are many online and brick and mortar schools that are fantastic, you need to find the one that works for you. I worked my butt off to earn my degree, but the best part about WGU is the fact that I had access to a mentor (who would call me as often as necessary to help me navigate the WGU world), Community Mentors for each subject (who hold Masters Degrees or higher in the field they are serving as mentor) that will help you online, on the phone and skype, as many times as necessary to help you understand and pass the tasks. Everyone who is enrolled in WGU has a mentor and access to Community Mentors who can help with any daunting task. I was never alone in my quest for higher education. I did not have my degree handed to me – I had to earn it. I would recommend WGU to anyone looking for an alternative (not an easy) route to a degree.

Wow, Western Governer's University must be having a tough time, if they have to pay for full page advertisements like this.

Sounds like they're getting a great education at the diploma mills. I remember when you could just buy a degree from a company that advertised inside of match book covers. Yes, I know, I'm very old, but having a Bachelors Degree from an online university where the students and teachers never meet seems too good to be true and must really be a BS (pun intended) degree. I bet they also have a lot of really hard papers to write where they can just cut and paste everything off the Internet.

Diploma mills are a problem. But Western Governors isn't an example of one. I've seen their postings on the academic job websites, and they're seeking highly qualified individuals. As long as you hire qualified people as teachers, online classes can be every bit as challenging as those offered in a classroom. In fact, they can even be MORE difficult due to mandatory message board postings.

I graduated from WGU and landed a fortune 500 job earning 100k plus per year! I love online schooling.

I graduated from Oregon State and will never be employable!

Relax everyone...isn't the purpose of college is to find yourself, your voice, your position in life. Online or brick and mortar schools is irrelevant. If an education gives you the tools to be confident and a baseline of education, then that is great. As a hiring manager for a global Fortune 100 company, the facts are what can you do for me (or my company); how can you add value?. Experience and the ability to deliver results is what counts in the long-run. All of this short sighted conjecture is just silly. Grow up...a degree is only worth the person behind it. Just my two cents in a world that wants my job.

I respectfully disagree. I have been quite sucessfully employed in my field for many years. Yet, i only have an associates degree. There are many defense based high tech jobs in my field that I can not have. Even though I have > 25 years experience they wont hire me, due to a lack of a bachelors degree. Some people/companies cant see past the sheepskin.

The teacher's college is NCATE accredited. To put that in perspective only 24 "B and M" schools including Stanford share the NCATE national accreditation honor in California . As a student I still must pass state mandated testing such as the PRAXIS or CSETS, CBEST, RICA and not to mention for my dual license I will be doing 16 weeks of Demonstration Teaching between elementary level and secondary as part of my Degree plan. Very detailed papers and objective exams clearly require extensive knowledge for the courses taken. Trust me that the teacher's college does NOT take the NCLB act lightly.
As a student that has attended B&Ms before, I can attest that just sitting in a class listening to lectures is NOT a learning style that fits myself. Let me say if you like to learn at your own pace that is faster than any CLASSROOM can offer than go to WGU because you will NOT be disappointed!

I have a BA, a corp job, a small house and an old car. I am single woman who makes a decent salary ($50s). But I will never get out of debt because of student loans (my only debt besdes my home). I wish I had never gone to public university, despite all the good times, friends and educational experiences I had. A 4 year degree is a waste. And before you go talking crap, I pursued my dream industry and did everything I wanted in my education. I was told that you get the education, the job and everything will fall into place. NOT TRUE. No one factors in 9/11, bad economies, crappy politicans, 8% interest on those loans and making $30K/year the first 10 years out of college, when they say get your degree. If I had to do it all over again, I would've gone to a trade school for something useful like AC repair or a mechanic. And if I had kids I would tell them to think outside of the univerity box- because this day in age, they are just another number, waiting to find a job.

I agree 100%. There are very few degrees worth the cost of university these days. Most are not worth it.

I agree also....Graduated with loads of debt in '82 as a teacher only to be offered starting salary of $12,000-$20,000. Actually a Catholic school offered me $8,000 yr. Absolutely insulting. I quit teaching and started a construction company. The Catholic Church that ran the school hired me to remodel the rectory....I made $35,000 in 4 weeks! Yep it was payback time and I don't feel a bit guilty.

On the other hand I advise my children to explore careers and salaries before making any kind of educational commitment. My oldest daughter went to court reporting school a 90 credit program. The total cost including her stenography machine was about 15k. Her wages $50-$75 hour depending on where she is at. Last year she ha one job where she made $8,000 in 5 days. It's a great occupation for women. Look at Community College of Allegheny County in PA. for the program.

My other daughter is becoming an Optician. My son is at Penn State for Computer Security and Forensics. All of these careers will pay more than the bills.

Choose your career wisely....and it's never too late to retrain. My third daughter was born with cerebral palsy. I needed to work nights and from home...I retrained in computer science and went back to teaching......While teaching I learned about online day trading.....retrained again and I'm now a full time trader....from home! For me it's the ideal career and it didn't cost me very much....just the cost of books and the school of hard knocks.

Check out what I do hxxp:// http://www.tradingroomblog (dot)com

You seem to be very bitter. No one is guarenteed a job in the US with or without a degree. Most people go to school to get an education and learn how to think, but some people think that they deserve a job just because they have a degree is laughable.

The irony of a school without teachers granting a degree in teacher education.

Kinda like the irony of making a comment without first understanding things like facts.

exactly

I have a BS in Industrial Design. For 4 years I had to spend a minimum of 20 to 30 hours (sometimes 40 to 60 hours) a week in the machine shop, building physical models of my designs. Nobody I know has $100K+ of machine shop equipment in their house that we had in our shop. Most ID schools today have 3-D printers , CNC milling machines and CNC lathes in addition to non CNC milling machines and lathes. If you cant build working models and presentation models of your own designs, nobody in the industry will hire you.... I also had to take 2 years of material an process classes. The most important part was going on filed trips to see how it is actually done in the real world. You just cant do that online. This online degree might work for some majors but not for all....

It's obvious that you skimped on the English classes.

"But to move up in the company, Moore needed a bachelor's degree."

This is what I find annoying, why should someone have a degree to be moved up? If they have been on the job long enough and the experience to do the job, isn't that good enough?

No, unforunately, experience is not enough any more; it doesn't count for anything. As my father always said, "there are a lot of people (educated a–holes he called them) with B.S. degrees out there. And that is exactly what they are – BS!!" Experience has been overrun in favor of education. Just because someone has a degree doesn't mean they know the work.

And it looks as though I might be one of them as I can't seem to spell the word "unfortunately"!

So many naysayers. I'll bet 90% of the people with negative comments on here are doing nothing to better themselves. They just enjoy spouting venom at others. If you don't like WGU, don't attend. See you in the workforce whiners.

Actually I have a BS in Industrial design and I'm very gainfully employed and have no use to further my education. This online stuff might work for some majors but not all. It took me 4 years (most programs are 5) at about 80 hours a week of class time, studio time and machine shop time. None of which you can do online.

Yes Alex, we get it, YOUR education is better than that of anyone else who did the work online because you went to tailgate parties and campus bashes, go sell that to an HR department somewhere (don't be disappointed or bitter if someone with a lesser degree but a more valuable outlook of the organization's needs gets promoted/hired before you do).

Actually, I have a tenure-track position in academia.

No teachers? Then who puts together the courses, evaluates the assignments, gives feedback, and so on?

wgu.edu. You can read all about it there.

I went to Tufts in Boston and Georgetown in DC for law. I have undergrad debt but no law school debt thanks to a program in law school which pays my tuition if I practice public interest or government (I'm a prosecutor) law for 5 years. After the 5 years, I can work at a law firm which will pay me a premium for my prosecutorial experience. That should kill off my undergrad debt in 3 years tops (210k per year). Then I can return to prosecuting.

Umm, who cares?

Wow, thanks for letting us know how little your weenis is d-bag!

I have to say one thing here and that alot of brick and morter schools are offering online classes now as well to meet the needs of their "traveling" students.

What is the difference between these online courses versus an online school? Take a look at Harvard right now as they offer some courses strictly online or online and at the campus or via web conference.

I have truely done alot of research on these type of schools before obtaining a bacholers from AIU online and found that alot of employers prefer experience over degrees, but a degree tells them you are willing to go the extra mile to get that extra training to get better at your job or become more efficent in your field.

To me a brick and morter school is great in its own way as you get more interaction with people you may have never met and you get a hands on meeting with professors or teachers who have been teaching their whole lives and may have relevant experience in the field. It also allows you to ensure you are learning the material and not "skimming" by just to get the paper for $80k.

Online schools force you to sit down and study or read from a book, but of course you can also "skim" by here as well if you truely wanted too by just doing the bare minium. You are also taught, usually, by instructors who have field experience and will give you time if you ask them for it, but you have to ask for their attention. This to me illustrates real life if you need help you ask for it since it will not be handed to you.

I see both sides of the coin and I do not have a prefence of which type of school folks go to. You get out of your classes what you put it in to them.

Excellent input.

I am a stay-at-home mom to two under 3 and would NEVER have the chance to go to school if it weren't for WGU. I was hesitant about the school at first, but now that I am in my first term, I realize this is the BEST school ever. I have serious school pride now! My father is also attending WGU while holding a full time job. The classes are challenging and I am learning a lot. This IS a legit school. I am in my 3rd month of my first term and have completed 7 classes, because I have a lot of time on my hands at home when I am not taking care of my kids.

Someone from WGU is on this site defending them with full vigor.

Clearly there are many of us. Many closed minded individuals judging WGU without knowing anything about it. Go to a physical university if you choose, more power to ya! But obviously we are happy with our decision.

Gone are the days when you actually physically went to class, interacted with classmates, professors, administrators, coaches, etc. Weclome fast food college where the piece of paper is the only goal. These McDegrees make those once earned degrees valueless.

blame it on employers looking for letters in front of your name rather than actual competency. we're just playing to thier tune.

I think you need to wake up and smell the coffee. Distance learning has been a fact of life in the UK for decades (I got my MBA in 1996 that way) and anything that reduces the cost and maintains quality is to be welcomed. Sorry if that spoils your view of how 'real' education should be delivered!

Speak for yourself! I attend WGU to better myself. Not for a "piece of paper".

Who says you have to go to school to get an education? All you need are the right resources.

Where's the "Advertisement" flag on this "article"? No critical analysis, just gushing on about how good WGU is. And tons of comments that conveniently buttress the school.

Yeah I guess they should write an article about the merits of traditional brick and mortar schools in the U.S. and how they're the best in the world right? I'm certain my old college professor that obtained his degree in the 1940's would agree wholeheartedly with you.

It does read like an advertisement doesn't it?

Generally comments are short and more spontaneous; it's obvious people who comment are paid to promote that sh!t...

Where is my check then damnit?!?

Or maybe, just maybe, when you find something really exceptionally good, you don't have to be paid to support it. I have never been paid to support or endorse WGU in my life. I don't expect I ever will be. Trust me, there are days I wish I had a camera over my shoulder so they could see just how much work I do for them on their behalf, but I have a true and deeply seeded love for this school. People like you aren't going to shake it. But I guarantee that anything negative anyone has to say, someone will have an answer for. For every bad experience, there are hundreds more good experiences. For every problem you can come up with, we students have found a way around it. We Go Further because that is what we are inspired to do.

I really like what WGU has provided for working adults. As a teacher, I can appreciate a continuing education without having to go to actual classes, especially since I would really like to get a degree in administration. I however, believe it is only for adults who are working and looking for jobs, or young students who cannot afford boarding at or near a "brick and mortar" university. I would not recommend it to a kid fresh out of high school who needs to not only learn how to exceed at their chosen carrer, but learn life skills and real-life social problem solving. University not only prepares you for your career, but prepares you to think in so many different situations since you are immersed in a place where you meet all sorts of people and challenges. Of course, the armed forces does the same, in which it would be great if they took classes at WGU...

I guess I agree with you. This type of college is more for working adults who may want a promotion. I would be dissapointed in my son if he chose online schooling right after high school.

WGU is meant mostly for working adults – in fact, without some prior college experience, it's pretty hard to get into WGU in the first place.

Bad advertisement on CNN.
A lot of paid commentors too.

This is becoming NewsMax..........

I am a WGU alumni. There is a small catch: You must be able to study on your own. The mentors and instructors do not teach. They will refer you to the materials but that's as far as it goes.

So while it's a great opportunity for those who are self-learning, it's definitely not for everyone. Nonetheless, I obtained my degree through this university and saved a lot of money and headache. The last thing a mature adult needs or wants is to be in a university classroom with sweaty teenagers. How depressing.

The WGU proctored exams are set by other universities and the projects and assessments are marked externally also.

The entrance exam is quite difficult. But at $6K it's worth a shot even if you don't make it.

I'm sorry that you had this experience. I have not had the same experiences. Granted, I've come across a few course mentors who were not as willing to go through course materials bit by bit by bit, but each and every mentor I've met has been willing to teach me if I needed it. All I had to do was ask.

Great Story! I am currently a third grade teacher at an International School in the Middle East and my husband goes to WGU for his teaching degree. I can tell you for certain that his education is definitely better than mine. WGU strips down all the BS tenure, grumpy Professors, textbook-profit-scheme, time-wasting, unnecessary costs of brick and mortar schools. While I am chipping away at my $100K in private school loans, we are able to pay out-of-pocket for his school loans. Yes, we pay almost $1,000 a month for just MY loans... I don't wish this kind of stress on anyone.

When I go back for my Masters it will be at WGU. It just makes sense to me. There are so many people in the world who haven't gone beyond high school for whatever reason but this is definitely a way for people to reach their personal goals. I am so proud of my husband for being smart about his schooling.

- Grateful Wife of a WGU student

More like your husband "logs-in" to WGU. He doesn't actually attend class.

The problem with these online schools is the lack of human interaction and fulfilling experience. I went to the University of Hawaii for my undergrad and master's, and currently am getting my Ph.D. at Chapman University. I would never trade my 6 years of college experience and current schooling for a quick online degree, which many employers would not even recognize.

There isn't really a lack of human interaction. I see other WGU students periodically. I just don't live on campus. Even when I went to brick and mortar schools, I didn't live on campus most of the time. I still had to schedule time to see other students outside of the classroom then, just as I do now. The biggest difference is that now we all have conversations online in forums, on facebook, in online communities, on phone conferences, in webinars, and in other ways that the school has set up for us. We have mixers where multiple students gather just for the purpose of meeting each other. We have service projects where students get together to give back to the community. And...for the record...my online degree was recognized immediately by one of the world's most renowned companies in the defense industry. Months before I graduated. And I'm living up to their expectations due to my outstanding and exemplary education.

That's wonderful for you. Nevertheless, I still think traditional face-to-face education does not compare to online forums, discussions, etc. There is a loss of connection. I do, however, think this type of communication is beneficial when used as supplementary to in-class lessons.

I guess my perspective is coming from working in the Education field and academia. For the most part, we do not recognize degrees from those who received them online.

I would not want my child getting a degree from WGU or any online school. I can't imagine a high school senior being excited about attending WGU. It would moreso be a last resort, after community college.

Haha I'd love to meet the person that cheats his/her way through WGU. It would be very, very difficult to do. On the other hand, it appears that cheating at traditional colleges isn't quite as difficult: http://www.bangstyle.com/2011/12/cheating-in-college/

Wrong. hats your opinion not a fact.

Yes, that's* my opinion; therefore, my commentary. I guess they aren't teaching you how to write at WGU.

HAHAHAH. Boom! Roasted!

Got him!

Nice Alex.

Hi Alex,

I think most individuals in academia would agree with you. The reality however is that online education is growing in both popularity and demand...hence the reason schools like Columbia, NYU, etc. are adding entire degree programs online with little/no residency requirements. Online education isn't for everyone however in the years ahead, this notion that online education doesn't compare to a traditional degree will be a minority view. While "social interaction" and face to face teaching may be have been an important part of the education process in the past, in today's connected world it's no longer an absolute. The reality is that online education is the future. Schools will either realize this and adapt or they will lose their student base over the long-run. For the record, I have hired individuals with online degrees in the past and been pleased with my decision so perhaps I'm biased. I do believe however that I'm not the only one.

I agree with you. Traditional schooling is not for everyone; however, I don't think high school seniors should aspire to go to University of Phoenix or WGU. What I liked about my traditional university was the overall experience which is my point. Living on-campus for my undergrad and graduate years, I had easy and daily personal access to my professors, advisors, and colleagues. There were events like tailgating for football games, fraternity gatherings, on-campus concerts, etc. that were always happening at the university. Things, I think, are not available at online schools.

Professors were always accessible and literally accross the street and knew students at a more personal level. There are certain things I do not agree with regarding traditional colleges (large class sizes, multiple choice tests, among others), but I think the student-professor relationship becomes even more watered-down at the online school level.

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'Deleted' Facebook photos are still online

(Ars Technica) -- Facebook is still working on deleting photos from its servers in a timely manner nearly three years after Ars first brought attention to the topic.

The company admitted on Friday that its older systems for storing uploaded content "did not always delete images from content delivery networks in a reasonable period of time even though they were immediately removed from the site," but said it's currently finishing up a newer system that makes the process much quicker. In the meantime, photos that users thought they "deleted" from the social network months or even years ago remain accessible via direct link.

The problem: "deleted" photos never go away

When we first investigated this phenomenon in 2009, we discovered that photos "deleted" from Facebook seemingly never go away if you have a direct link to the image file on Facebook's servers. Users who might have had second thoughts about posting a photo -- whether it was because they didn't want retaliation from an employer, wanted to avoid family drama, or uploaded a photo of a friend without their permission could certainly remove the image from Facebook's main user interface, but as long as someone had a direct link to the .jpg file in question, the photo would remain accessible for an indefinite amount of time. When we asked Facebook about it, we were told that the company was "working with our content delivery network (CDN) partner to significantly reduce the amount of time that backup copies persist."

But when we followed up on the story more than a year later, our "deleted" photos were still accessible via direct link. That's when the reader stories started pouring in: we were told horror stories about online harassment using photos that were allegedly deleted years ago, and users who were asked to take down photos of friends that they had put online.

There were plenty of stories in between as well, and panicked Facebook users continue to e-mail me, asking if we have heard of any new way to ensure that their deleted photos are, well, deleted. For example, one reader linked me to a photo that a friend of his had posted of his toddler crawling naked on the lawn. He asked his friend to take it down for obvious reasons, and so the friend did -- in May of 2008. As of this writing in 2012, I have personally confirmed that the photo is still online, as are several others that readers linked me to that were deleted at various points in 2009 and 2010.

(Amusingly, after publishing the 2010 followup, Facebook appeared to delete my photos from its CDN that I had linked in the piece. The company never offered me any explanation, but my photos were the only ones that were deleted at that time. Other "deleted" photos that I had saved links to -- ones that weren't from my account and were deleted even earlier than mine remained online.)

It's 2012, and things aren't much different -- yet

After confirming once again that all the photos that my friends and Ars readers had sent in were still online, I reached out to Facebook once again, looking for an answer as to why this is still going on nearly three years after the company first promised it was "working" on the issue.

"The systems we used for photo storage a few years ago did not always delete images from content delivery networks in a reasonable period of time even though they were immediately removed from the site," Facebook spokesperson Frederic Wolens told Ars via e-mail.

Wolens explained that photos remaining online are stuck in a legacy system that was apparently never operating properly, but said the company is working on a new system that will delete the photos in a mere month and a half. For really real this time.

"We have been working hard to move our photo storage to newer systems which do ensure photos are fully deleted within 45 days of the removal request being received," Wolens said. "This process is nearly complete and there is only a very small percentage of user photos still on the old system awaiting migration, the URL you provided was stored on this legacy system. We expect this process to be completed within the next month or two, at which point we will verify the migration is complete and we will disable all the old content."

Long story short, Wolens claims that Facebook is on the verge of fixing up its content systems so that "deleted" photos are really, truly deleted from the CDN within 45 days. But with the process not expected to be finished until a couple months from now and unfortunately, with a company history of stretching the truth when asked about this topic we'll have to see it before we believe it.

It's hard to believe that we've been following this story over a period of years and the problem hasn't been fixed yet. But unlike the past, we do have some semblance of confidence that Facebook might actually be working on it this time. We'll continue to follow this story until the new changes are actually in place. In the meantime, does anyone have any new Facebook horror stories to share?

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Romney's campaign GPS ignores the poor

(CNN) -- In the 1,257 GOP debates we have had to sit through, poverty and the poor have rarely come up, so it was no surprise that Mitt Romney would be dismissive of them in an interview this week with CNN's Soledad O'Brien.

If Romney and his fellow Republican candidates haven't bothered to shed much attention on those issues (the same goes for the debate moderators), why should we think the richest guy in the field would really give a flip about them?

"I'm not concerned about the very poor," Romney said. "There's a safety net there, and if it needs repair, I'll fix it. I'm not concerned about the very rich, they're doing just fine. I'm concerned about the heart of America, the 90%, 95% of Americans right now who are struggling."

In his comment, he appeared to be clueless. Oh, sure, he said he wasn't worried about the rich as well, but clearly he has made no attempt to advance a plan that speaks to the poor in the country.

When given a chance by O'Brien to clarify the comment, he just doubled down. And later on his campaign plane, he screwed it up again.

"Wealthy people are doing fine," Romney said. "But my focus in the campaign is on middle-income people. Of course I'm concerned about all Americans -- poor, wealthy, middle class -- but the focus of my effort will be on middle-income families, who I think have been most hurt by the Obama economy."

Seriously, do the guy's dollar signs prevent his brain from understanding the real plight of the poor in this country? So, he's "concerned" about all Americans, including the poor, "but the focus" of his effort will be on the middle class. Why can't the focus be on those not rich?

The fundamental problem with these candidates is that the poor in America are often ignored. Last year, I was highly critical of President Barack Obama for not even saying the word in his State of the Union speech.

All these candidates, including President Obama, love to go to manufacturing facilities, hold chats in the living rooms of suburban homeowners and target their messages to the vaunted middle class.

But when was the last time we saw a president or presidential candidate go into rural America and speak to the poorest of the poor? How often have we seen them visit a public housing complex or another venue where a true light can be shone on those most affected?

When Bobby Kennedy decided to run for president in 1968, he got out of his rich Hyannis Port environment and went on a listening and seeing tour of the most depressed areas in America. For the first time, Kennedy got a sight of America he had never envisioned.

President Obama knows what that looks like. As a community organizer, he had to go into those places and work with others to improve their plight. Does the GPS in Mitt Romney's car even know where those areas are?

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 15.3% of Americans live in poverty with a salary of a little bit more than $22,000 for a family of four. Trust me, those families pulling in $30,000 wouldn't think for a second they were part of the nation's middle class.

If Romney truly wants to be president, he sure as heck should not be dismissive of the nation's poor. In fact, he should be willing to listen to them, understand how hard many of them work and determine what policies he can advance that will help them graduate from poverty to the next level. Mitt, and all the candidates, should make discussions with the poor part of their agenda.

Candidates must stop appealing to the nation's middle class just to grab votes. Yeah, that's exactly what it is: a pandering exercise. We can't treat the poor as if they are invisible and not worth our time and attention.

Unfortunately, poor people don't have lobbyists and a lot of people really don't want to hear their stories. But they are our mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, nephews and nieces. Are we that cold and callous to treat them with such disregard?

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U.S. orders new Iran sanctions

Washington (CNN) -- The United States has moved to freeze assets of Iran's government and financial institutions, saying they had engaged in "deceptive practices," President Barack Obama's administration announced Monday.

An executive order signed Sunday by Obama freezes all assets of the Iranian government and banks held in the United States, according to John Sullivan, a Treasury Department spokesman.

Previously, recipients of Iranian funds covered by U.S. law were required to "reject" such transactions under sanctions first imposed in 1995, according to the Treasury Department.

"I have determined that additional sanctions are warranted, particularly in light of the deceptive practices of the Central Bank of Iran and other Iranian banks to conceal transactions of sanctioned parties, the deficiencies in Iran's anti-money laundering regime and the weaknesses in its implementation, and the continuing and unacceptable risk posed to the international financial system by Iran's activities," Obama said in a statement to Congress released by the White House.

Iran is under intense international pressure over its nuclear program, which the International Atomic Energy Agency has said may be designed to develop a nuclear weapon.

The new sanctions send Iran the message that "it will face ever-increasing economic and diplomatic pressure until it addresses the international community's well-founded and well-documented concerns regarding the nature of its nuclear program," the U.S. Treasury Department said in a fact sheet on the new sanctions.

Even prior to Monday's sanctions, dozens of Iranian companies, financial institutions and individuals were under Western sanctions related to the nuclear program. The United States has repeatedly sanctioned Iranian banks, companies and individuals over the nuclear program, most recently in January.

Also in January, the European Union announced a prohibition on oil imports from Iran and banned trade in petrochemical equipment and technology, diamonds and precious metals with the Middle Eastern state.

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Bali beyond sun, sand and sex

(Lonely Planet) -- Bali may have its fair share of tourists seeking nothing more than seven days of sun, sand and sex in the southern party triad of Kuta, Legian and Seminyak, but this only forms a small part of what's on offer. In reality, Bali is a lush Indonesian island teeming with cultural experiences, delicious food and exhilarating adventures.

For those after a little slice of Balinese culture, food and adventure, consider the following, less-visited possibilities:

1. Southern Bali: Bukit Peninsula

Good for: surf, seafood and spirituality

Bali may be known for beaches and cornrows now, but it was the surfers who first discovered this beautiful Indonesian island. Go south from Kuta to Bukit Peninsula -- Bukit to its friends -- and you'll see what lured them here. Head to Ulu Watu beach for the kinds of waves eager surfers dream of, or to Nusa Dua for some killer breaks around the reef. Note however that Neptune's fierce in this part of town. Only experienced surfers should attempt to brave the waters around the Bukit Peninsula.

Lonely Planet: Top 25 experiences in Bali & Lombok

Explore Bali's spiritual side with a visit to Pura Luhur Ulu Watu on the island's south east. Perched high on a cliff top, the temple has arresting views across the ocean that will leave you gob-smacked. (Just don't venture into Ulu Watu with any loose items dangling from you. The temple is awash with pick pocketing monkeys, and before you know what's happened they'll have scarpered with your best sunglasses.)

A trip to the Bukit Peninsula isn't complete without visiting the Jimbaren fish markets. Early morning is the best time, as the market's in full throttle for the day's sales. Finish the evening in Jimbaren, watching the sun set at one of the picturesque seafood warungs (casual food stalls). There are three strips to choose from, with the southern section (near the Four Seasons) generally agreed to be the best. Watch out for high tide lapping at any belongings left on the ground.

2. Central Bali

Good for: food, unique coffee and natural wonders

Bali's famous for the delicacy of babi guling -- suckling pig -- and no place does it quite like Ibu Oka in the centre of Ubud. For a communal experience, join other diners on the warung right opposite Ubud's palace. If you'd prefer to sit, ask the staff to walk you a little further up the road to the 'secret' warung. The prices are the same, but it's a little quieter, a little plusher and a little more tucked away. Nothing bonds people like a shared plate of succulently cooked pig skin. Delish!

Metered cabs are rare in Ubud but there are plenty of drivers around vying for your business (of mixed quality -- if you find a driver you like, get his number!). However, more adventurous souls might like to jump on the back of a scooter and zoom up and down the mountainside. Better yet, from around 60,000RPK you can hire your own scooter. Once you get the feel of the ebb and flow of traffic, you'll be free to explore the beautiful scenery of Bali's mountains all by yourself. Scooter 16km north to the Elephant Safari Park at Desa Taro and marvel at the gentle beauty of rescued Sumatran elephants. Don't be fooled by imitations. The only legitimate conservation park is the one booked through Bali Adventure Tours.

Lonely Planet: Bali's best spas and chill-out spots

From Ubud, hire a driver and head north to Kintamani to see the awe inspiring sight of Gunung Batur, Bali's second highest volcano. Its last eruption was in 1994, and traces of the black lava can still be seen. Worth it for the crater lake alone, it's interesting to see the bustling of villages so close to a potentially murderous natural wonder. Make sure you check up on volcanic conditions before you go. Coffee lovers should stop en route to Kintamani at Tampaksiring to try kopi luwuk. Famous for passing the coffee bean through the digestive system of a cat, this coffee retails for a whopping $US50 a cup elsewhere -- here, you'll get it at a steal for around $US4.

3. North, East and everywhere else

Good for: waterfalls, kite surfing and beach paradise

Cross through the mountain ridges at Danau Bratan, stopping for some sweet strawberries from one of the many roadside vendors. Head north towards Lovina Beach, stopping to check out the Gitgit Waterfalls. At Lovina, enjoy the chilled out atmosphere among the black sand and seafood warungs -- just as fresh but much cheaper than Jimbaren -- and revel in the lack of the tourist throng. If you can afford the time, make a little side trip to Air Panas Banjar, three natural hot springs open daily from 8am-6pm. Admission a steal at 5000RPK.

On the east coast of Bali, Sanur is much more laid back than beachside towns like Seminyak and Kuta but it's worth a visit -- particularly for those after the oceanic thrills of the former without the drunken revelry of the latter. Sanur is one of the best places in Bali to try out kite surfing. Strap yourself in and go away with the breeze!

If you can spare the time, there are few greater experiences than hopping a boat in Candi Dasa and heading east to the Gili Islands for beach paradise. Sure, we're not in Bali any more, but it's so close that you could be. Rapidly gaining in popularity, it won't be long before the Gilis are overrun with tourists seeking a blissful beach getaway with little to no responsibility, so get in quick.

Just northwest of Lombok, the Gilis are a 90-minute boat ride from the east coast of Bali. Each island (Trewangan, Meno and Air) caters to a different kind of traveler, but all three share the same untouched beauty. There are no cars allowed on the islands, so get used to cycling or walking.

Lonely Planet: The world's most unusual beaches

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TSA screener accused of stealing $5,000 from jacket

Washington (CNN) -- A baggage screener at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport has been arrested after being accused of stealing $5,000 in cash from a traveler's jacket, according to the Port Authority Police Department.

A man who had retrieved his coat from an X-ray machine belt Wednesday evening told authorities a short time later that $5,000 was missing, police spokesman Al Della Fave said.

When investigators checked surveillance camera videos, they saw a female Transportation Security Administration screener remove the currency, wrap it in a latex glove, and depart for the bathroom, Della Fave said. He said when investigators found the woman, she did not have the money on her.

"We assume she may have passed it off to an accomplice, so the investigation is continuing," he said.

Alexandra Schmid, 32, of Brooklyn was charged with grand larceny in the third degree, Della Fave said. It could not be determined if Schmid is being represented by an attorney.

A TSA spokeswoman said Schmid was a 4 1/2-year employee of the agency. "Typically, TSA moves to dismiss employees who are charged with theft," spokeswoman Lisa Farbstein said. A TSA employee assisted in the investigation, she said.

"The actions of a few individuals in no way reflect on the outstanding job our 50,000 security officers do every day to ensure the security of the traveling public," she said.

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Why China, Russia won't condemn Syrian regime

(CNN) -- As international leaders express outrage over mass killings in Syria -- and lament the inability to pass a U.N. Security Council resolution denouncing the Syrian regime -- questions linger about the two countries behind the impasse.

On Saturday, China and Russia vetoed a draft resolution that would have demanded Syrian President Bashar al-Assad stop the killing and answer calls aimed at finding a Syrian-led solution to the 11-month crisis.

Analysts say both China and Russia have their reasons to maintain good relations with Syria.

Russia is one of Syria's biggest arms supplier. And China ranked as Syria's third-largest importer in 2010, according to data from the European Commission.

"Beijing's renewed interest in Damascus the traditional terminus node of the ancient Silk Road ... indicates that China sees Syria as an important trading hub," according to a 2010 report from The Jamestown Foundation, a Washington-based research and analysis institute.

Even as reports mounted that the Syrian government was killing protesters en masse, the Chinese foreign ministry issued a statement in August noting the "steady development" of friendly relations "over the past 50 years and more."

"China and Syria gave each other understanding and support on issues concerning each other's core and major interests," the statement said. "China showed consistent understanding and firm support for Syria's position on the Golan Heights while Syria remained committed to the one China position and rendered China staunch support on matters related to Taiwan, Tibet, Xinjiang and human rights."

Last week, China's permanent representative to the United Nations said the killing of innocent civilians must stop, but also said he is against "pushing through" a regime change.

An earlier version of the U.N. Security Council resolution called for al-Assad to step down and delegate his powers to his deputy, but that element was not in the draft voted on by members Saturday.

"China is of the view that the Syrian people's request for reform and safeguard of their interests should be respected," Li Baodong said Tuesday, according to China's state-run Xinhua news agency. "It is imperative to put an immediate end to all violence in Syria and oppose and stop the killing of innocent civilians.

"At the same time, an inclusive political process with a wide participation of all Syrian parties must be started without delay to speed up reform and resolve differences and disputes peacefully through dialogue and consultations," he said.

Russia also has an economic interest in Syria.

The total value of Syrian contracts with the Russian defense industry likely exceeds $4 billion, according to Jeffrey Mankoff, an adjunct fellow with the Center for Strategic and International Studies Russia and Eurasia Program.

He noted the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute estimated the value of Russian arms sales to Syria at $162 million per year in both 2009 and 2010.

Moscow also signed a $550 million deal with Syria for combat training jets.

Russia also leases a naval facility at the Syrian port of Tartus, giving the Russian navy its only direct access to the Mediterranean, Mankoff said.

As Western leaders sought to pry al-Assad from power, Moscow sent an aircraft-carrying missile cruiser to Syrian waters in a show of support last month and shipped Syrian troops a consignment of Yakhont cruise missiles, according to Daniel Treisman, a professor of political science at the University of California, Los Angeles.

Speaking after the Saturday vote, ambassadors from both Russia and China said they do support an end to the violence but felt the resolution did not address the crisis properly.

Russian Ambassador Vitaly Churkin said the text "did not adequately reflect the real state of affairs and sent an unbalanced signal" to the various sides in Syria. He noted that the minister for foreign affairs will visit Damascus to hold a meeting with al-Assad this week.

Chinese Ambassador Li Baodong called on all parties in Syria to restore order as soon as possible. But he said the text would have served only to "complicate the issue" and would "prejudge the result of dialogue."

China and Russia vetoed another Security Council resolution in October that would have called for an immediate halt to the crackdown, which United Nations officials have said resulted in an estimated 6,000 deaths since protests began nearly a year ago.

With the Security Council failing to approve a resolution, what happens next is unclear.

But as the diplomatic stalemate continues, the death toll in Syria climbs even higher. The Local Coordination Committees of Syria, a network of opposition activists that organizes and documents protests, said the violence has killed more than 7,300

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