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Written by: Samantha Williams on July 28, 2008.

Derogatory terms are inappropriate, even within the groups they refer to

The N word has received more press over the past few weeks than Angelina Jolie and her troupe of 71 kids an impressive feat, to say the least.

The firestorm began when leaked footage of comments made by the Rev. Jesse Jackson while wearing a hot microphone before a Fox News interview was played on The OReilly Factor.

Initially, OReilly aired a clip of Jackson whispering to a fellow guest that he didnt like how presidential nominee Sen. Barack Obama was speaking down to black people and that he wanted to cut his nuts off.

This was more than enough to set off a media blitz that would include several very public apologies from Jackson, as well as a slew of television appearances.

It was only a few days after the footage aired that OReilly announced Jackson had actually made an even more offensive comment, using the N word, a racial slur that Jackson has been fighting against for years.

A flood of debates inevitably ensued following this announcement that boiled over on July 17, on The Views Hot Topics segment.

Though most media outlets chose to focus on whether or not Jackson knew if the mic was on and why he chose the words he did, the bigger question is if the N word is ever really appropriate.

My answer is no.

Continued here:
Who can use the N word?

DGAP-News: Ekotechnika GmbH / Key word(s): Bond Ekotechnika GmbH rated B (outlook: stable) by Creditreform

06.03.2014 / 16:00

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Ekotechnika GmbH rated B (outlook: stable) by Creditreform

Walldorf, 6 March 2014 - In the context of the annual follow-up rating, Creditreform Rating AG has adjusted the corporate rating of Ekotechnika GmbH to B (outlook: stable) (previously B+). Ekotechnika is the German holding company of the Ekoniva Technika Group, the largest dealer of international agricultural machinery in Russia. The new rating confirms that the Group's creditworthiness remains adequate. The follow-up rating is based on the figures for the past fiscal year 2012/2013 (30 Sept.). In their report, the rating analysts highlight the continued clearly positive revenue trend and the stable earnings quality. Negative aspects include the exchange rate effects weighing on the bottom line and the resulting weak equity capitalisation.

The depreciation of the rouble has both positive and negative effects for Ekotechnika. Agricultural machinery is sold in US dollar prices, which are converted into roubles at the exchange rate on the day of payment. This means that the depreciation of the rouble leads to rising sales revenues. Another positive effect of the depreciation is the reduction in rouble-denominated liabilities and operating expenses incurred in roubles. By contrast, negative effects in the Group's euro balance sheet relate to inventories, whose value declines - similar to rouble-denominated liabilities - because of the weak rouble as well as to euro-denominated liabilities, whose financing costs increase.

Says Wolfgang Blsi, Managing Director of Ekotechnika GmbH: "We are cautiously optimistic for our operating activities in the current year. Orders on hand have shown a positive trend in the first few months, and operating costs are below the prior year level. We now need to cut inventories in order to bring about a sustained reduction in financing costs. This will also reduce our exposure to exchange rates. Russia's agricultural sector continues to offer huge opportunities, and we believe that the current political crisis in Crimea will not affect our business." Contact

About Ekotechnika

Walldorf-based Ekotechnika GmbH is the German holding company of the Ekoniva-Technika Group, the largest distributor of agriculture equipment in Russia. The company's single most important supplier is John Deere & Co., the world's leading manufacturer in this field. In addition, Ekotechnika sells equipment from another 11 market-leading manufacturers. Its main business is in selling new equipment such as tractors but also milking equipment and precision farming technology. In addition, the company sells spare parts and provides service and maintenance. Ekotechnika's founder and main shareholder is Stefan Drr, who has been active in the Russian farming sector since the late eighties and has been instrumental in its modernisation over the past two decades. In 2011 the equipment business was separated from the farming business, which now operates independently under the name Ekosem-Agrar. Operating 12 locations in attractive Russian farming regions, Ekotechnika today employs 625 people and generates sales of EUR 212 million.

Ekotechnika GmbH Johann-Jakob-Astor-Str. 49 69190 Walldorf P: +49 (0) 6227 3 58 59 60 E: presse@ekotechnika.de http://www.ekotechnika.de

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PRESS RELEASE: Ekotechnika GmbH rated B (outlook: stable) by Creditreform

DGAP-News: Manz AG / Key word(s): Miscellaneous Manz AG returns to the TecDAX

06.03.2014 / 15:17

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Manz AG returns to the TecDAX

- Manz AG stock back on the TecDAX as of March 24, 2014

- Sustainable and profitable growth expected in 2014 and beyond

Reutlingen, March 6, 2014 - The shares of Manz AG (M5Z), one of the world's leading high-tech engineering companies with an extensive technology portfolio covering the three strategic divisions of "Display", "Solar" and "Battery", is listed on the TecDAX of the German Stock Exchange as of March 24, 2014. Following the very successful business performance and record revenue in 2013, the company's shares thus return to the league of Germany's 30 largest, Prime Standard listed technology companies in terms of market capitalization and trading volume.

Dieter Manz, CEO and founder of Manz AG, welcomes the company's listing in the index: "We are very pleased about our inclusion in the TecDAX, which we see as clear evidence of the capital market's confidence in our successful corporate strategy. The listing will increase our attractiveness to investors still further." Martin Hipp, CFO of Manz AG, adds: "We see excellent opportunities for Manz AG also in 2014 and beyond. We are convinced that sustainable, profitable company growth, with double-digit EBIT margins in the medium term, is possible."

Company profile:

Manz AG - passion for efficiency

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PRESS RELEASE: Manz AG returns to the TecDAX

Photo Courtesy Sen. Meyer's Office

Senator Ed Meyer and Representative Pat Widlitz signed the pledge to End the R-Word at Guilford High School. With them are some of the students involved in the campaign, Carl Balaska, Lee Owens, Hunter Martins, August Becker, and Kyera Bryant

Press Release: Guilford High School students are standing together in a call for equality and compassion among classmates. Senator Ed Meyer and Representative Patricia Widlitz joined the campaign by signing a pledge to End the R-Word. Guilford High School has participated in this national campaign in the past, with the goal of raising awareness about the dehumanizing and hurtful effects of the word retarded.

It is very impressive to see the maturity and strength of character displayed by the young adults participating in End the R-Word, said Senator Meyer. Encouraging respect among students improves their educations and our communities, and I am very thankful to those who have taken up this important cause.

We were happy to continue our support of the efforts of the Guilford High School students to reject the use of the offensive R word, said Rep. Pat Widlitz (D-Guilford, Branford). We congratulate these students for their outreach to the community in support of respect and appreciation for others.

This is the second year in a row that Guilford students have participated in End the R-Word. Students at schools across the country have taken part in similar campaigns, which are organized by Special Olympics and Best Buddies International. Guilford High School won the Unified Sports Michaels Cup award for success during the first year they participated in End the R-Word.

Guilford High Schools unified and dignified campaign to Spread the Word to End the Word is part of a nationwide campaign to raise the consciousness of society about the dehumanizing and hurtful effects of the R-word (retarded), said Guilford High School Principal Rick Misenti. Arguably, there is no better high school and community that includes and accepts people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

End the R-Word is a national campaign and invites the support of anyone interested in signing the pledge. Anyone interested in adding their support can attend a live campaign, or sign the pledge at http://www.r-word.org. Everyone who signs the pledge is given a wristband with the message Spread the Word to End the Word.

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Meyer, Widlitz Join GHS 'End the R-Word' Effort

Rickmers Holding GmbH & Cie. KG / Key word(s): Bond

05.03.2014 18:01

Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by DGAP - a company of EQS Group AG. The issuer / publisher is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

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Announcement according to 8 of the General Terms and Conditions of Deutsche Brse AG for the Prime Standard for Corporate Bonds

Ad hoc announcement: Rickmers bond increased to 250 million Euros

Hamburg, 5 March 2014. Rickmers Holding GmbH & Cie. KG, parent of the Rickmers Group of shipping companies, has increased its corporate bond placed in June 2013 by 25 million Euros to 250 million Euros in a private placement to institutional investors. The issue price for the new tranche was 100 per cent.

The existing terms and conditions of the corporate bond continue to apply for the new tranche. The notes have a term until June 2018 and an annual coupon of 8.875 per cent. The new tranche (ISIN: DE000A1TNA39 / WKN: A1TNA3) will be traded in the Prime Standard for Corporate Bonds of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange as of 7 March 2014.

The use of the net proceeds from this second increase remains unchanged in comparison to the former bond tranches. Rickmers Group intends to use the net proceeds to finance growth investments as well as to refinance bank liabilities / refinancing costs.

Close Brothers Seydler Bank AG, Frankfurt am Main (Germany), acted as Sole Global Coordinator and Bookrunner on the transaction.

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PRESS RELEASE: Ad hoc announcement: Rickmers bond increased to 250 million Euros