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GUARDS are living proof that this Twitter / Internet malarkey actually works! Closely affiliated CULTS ( you don’ t get any closer than your own sister) tweeted an update to their mighty list of followers a few months back that they feature on a new EP by GUARDS. Cue media explosion that sees the band reach record downloads on Bandcamp ( the future - Richie Follin) , and start a frenzy of label and booking agent war.

The truth lies in the fact that intrigue in this very day and age with the immediacy of social networking is still as relevant as it has always been inside the music industry. Cause a stir, then a buzz, a maelstrom will surely then ensue. BANG! - we have the next big thing, right there, on your laptop, i. Pod or i. Phone before you even know what hit you.

Imagine if Marty Mc. Fly in Back to the Future opted to wig out on Earth Angel instead of Johnny B Goode. If so, the resulting frenzied prom doom waltz could have been sound tracked by GUARDS. Tell Laura I Love Her?

More like Tell Laura I Drugged Her. What we do know of GUARDS is that they formed in New York City when Richie returned from a European tour to a recording studio with nothing in it but a broken electric 12- string guitar and an omnichord. He wrote and recorded a few songs for his little sister to sing on, but ended up singing on the songs himself. Enlisting the help of his friends ( Caroline Polachek of CHAIRLIFT, James Richardson of MGMT, Loren Shane Humphrey of WILLOWZ) and family ( little sis Madeline Follin of CULTS) to guest on some songs and they cheekily spread the word without his knowledge via Twitter and the Internet.

So this is where 3 Syllables Records gladly step in.

GUARDS are too good a band to ‘ just’ be slapped on your MP3 player, and lost somewhere between GENESIS and GYPSY KINGS ( not guilty) in your i. Tunes library - stuck somewhere in the unfathomable virtual cosmos of your bookmarks to never be found again. User- contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By- SA License and may also be available under the GNU FDL.

Kaura ( pronounced kay- aura) was born from the vision of infusing the aggressive power of hard, yet melodic rock with the haunting and ethereal sounds of ancient instruments. In the short time since the band formed in 2005, they have been invited to open for TOOL, Rob Zombie, and Godsmack by Bill Graham Presents, and had A Perfect Circle’ s Paz Lenchantin play on their self released EP. In addition, they traveled to the distant lands of India, Thailand, Bali, Cambodia, Laos, and Nepal to seek out instruments and experiences to fully realize their vision; all of which was captured on video and made into their “ Travels” DVD. “ We wanted to have the ability to infuse hammered dulcimers with distorted guitars, gamelan bells and tabla with tribal drums to create this really expansive depth of sound. & quot; Benjamin explains. The Berkeley- based band came to be after many years of envisioning the message, mood, sights and sounds that would be used to create the unique palette from which the vision of Kaura would be painted. Comprised of Malcolm Guess ( vocals, guitar, tabla) , Benjamin Jones ( drums, percussion) , Michael Cates ( bass) , Ben Rojas( guitar) and Yosh( hammered dulcimer, gamelan, percussion) ; the band sought to not only carve out a unique musical voice but also a different lyrical voice. & quot; The lyrical focus is more on themes of evolution, re- birth, social and personal consciousness rather than the standard self- loathing, angry at- the- world fare of most hard rock bands& quot; says Guess.

Drawing from his experience as a sound engineer, Guess recorded and produced Kaura’ s self- titled 5- song EP released in mid 2005. Returning from their travels in early 2006, they began writing material with their new instruments and the inspiration of their adventures.

Though they have accomplished and created a lot in the short amount of time being a band, Guess suggests “ We’ ve but only hinted at what’ s to come” . The bands long awaited full length album is set for release in Summer/ Fall 2009.

Source: User- contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By- SA License and may also be available under the GNU FDL.

was one of the foremost vocalists of the style of that emerged in the 1970s, earning his greatest renown as a member of , though he also led bands named after himself. He began singing in bands while still in his teens, the most notable of which were ( 1962- 1964) and ( 1965- 1969) . Another member of the latter band was bass player , and the two were invited to join in 1969, debuting with the band at the Speakeasy club in London on July 10. At this point, the group entered its most popular period, and was featured on a series of successful recordings - - ( 1970) , ( 1970) , ( 1971; number one U.

K. ) , ( 1972; number one U. K. ; Top Ten, multi- platinum U. S. ) , ( 1973; Top Ten, platinum U. S. ) , and ( 1973; Top Five U.

K. ; Top 20, gold U. S. ) . In the meantime, he was also featured on and ' s concept album singing the title role; the gold- selling double LP topped the U. S. charts in 1971. All of that recording, along with virtually uninterrupted worldwide touring, took its toll on , who was hospitalized for exhaustion in October 1971 and who first voiced an intention to leave the band in August 1972.

He was at first persuaded to stay, but gave notice in October that he would depart after existing concert commitments had been fulfilled. That occurred on June 29, 1973, with the conclusion of a tour of Japan.

As he left, " Smoke on the Water" from was making its way up the U. S. charts, where it would peak in the Top Five and go gold, becoming ' s biggest career hit. , who had bought a recording studio, signed a solo deal with Oyster Records.

After a couple of abortive projects, he formed with guitarist , bassist , keyboardist , and drummer in 1975. Their debut album, , entered the British charts in July 1976 and the U.

S. charts a month later, but it was not a big seller. Switching to Island Records, they followed with ( April 1977) and ( November 1977) , neither of which reached the charts. By the summer of 1978, after various personnel changes, the group had simplified its name to , and it consisted of guitarist , keyboardist , bassist , and drummer Pete Barnacle .

In 1979, replaced and replaced . This lineup recorded , released on Acrobat Records, which became a British chart success, peaking just outside the Top Ten in 1979. signed to Virgin Records and scored a British singles chart entry with " Sleeping on the Job" in June 1980, followed by , which peaked in the Top Five and charted briefly in the U. S. ( ' s albums got little or no distribution in America; in 1990, Metal Blade reissued his catalog. ) Thus established, scored a series of Top 40 singles and Top 20 albums in the U.

K. over the next two years: " Trouble" ( October 1980) ; " Mutually Assured Destruction" ( February 1981) ; a revival of ' " New Orleans" ( March 1981) ; ( April 1981) , which just missed topping the charts; " No Laughing in Heaven" ( June 1981) ; " Nightmare" ( November 1981) ; ( November 1981) , a two- LP live set; " Restless" ( January 1982) ; and ( October 1982) . At the end of 1982, disbanded , announcing that he had to rest his vocal cords on doctor' s orders. In May 1983, he surprised fans by joining for the recording of their album and toured with the band from August to March 1984. Then, on March 10, 1984, the 1969- 1973 lineup of , including , signed to Polydor Records, reuniting the band.

They cut the million- selling and ( 1987) , and made a solo album, ( 1986) . The live album ( 1988) followed, and then made a duo album with , ( 1988) . In 1989, again quit . That December, he participated in an all- star remake of " Smoke on the Water" issued as a charity single credited to ; it made the British Top 40. ' s next solo album, , was briefly in the British charts in July 1990. He followed with in October 1991, embarking on an extensive tour to promote it.

In December 1992, he again returned to , convening with the old lineup in a German recording studio to make , released in July 1993 and followed by a world tour that ran until early December. He left yet again but had returned by the time of the 1996 album . In 1998, he released a new solo album, , while remaining with , which issued that June. was released a year later and as of late 2000, he was still touring with . Another solo piece entitled was issued in fall 2000. " Sole Agency & amp; Representations" followed in early 2001.

A slew of live recordings, rarities compilations, and greatest- hit anthologies would flood the market shortly after 2001, but in between this time, released 2003' s " Poor Boy Hero" and the double CD in 2005. The ambitious , a star- studded collaboration, followed in 2006. ~ William Ruhlmann, Rovi

Piers Morgan blasts British MP' s ' lie' Geyser of water lifts car into air House vote ' one way of herding the cats' Cops: Son parties with parents' bodies in house Migraines a deal breaker for Bachmann? Gay man turns himself ' straight' Could you hug your kids every day? Murray to blame for Jackson' s death? Tot mom allegedly spotted at airport Fallout after Murdoch testimony Geyser of water lifts car into air Bolden: NASA is very busy Are fast food calorie counts accurate? Hacking groups' possible agendas Chihahua chases off robbers Astronauts aboard Atlantis reflect UK vs.

US tabloid culture Talking to teens about health, obesity Welcome home to U. Womens soccer team Could eye exams detect Alzheimer' s? Legal analysis of phone hacking scandal Man faked his identity for decades Murdoch in the hot seat Ex- nuclear plant operator speaks out CNN' s new video experience on i.

Pad The Shot: Caption casts spell on Cooper Report: Murdoch to step down as CEO?

Prioritizing federal spending Tea Party leader on default threat Could Rick Perry shake up GOP W. H. race? GOP pushes ' cut, cap, and balance' Anderson Cooper answers your questions Marcus Bachmann defends clinic PM Cameron addresses hacking allegations Bachmann questions farmers' claims Mrs. Murdoch to the rescue Granderson: Debt talks need more women Murdoch' s wife stands by her man James Murdoch discusses 9/ 11 victims Counting calories while eating out Hacking: ' Who signed the checks? ' Murdoch: ' Transparent, open society' Murdochs won' t disclose payout Program speeds up airport screenings Morgan Freeman: volunteer on Mandela day Dr.

Drew Murray to blame for Jackson' s death? Casey interview: Bonanza or backlash? Preview: Dr. Drew with Bristol Palin Is Casey Anthony mentally ill? Summers on America' s growth prospects Fareed' s Take: Afghanistan' s future What in the World: Brazil overheating?

Most expensive city in the world Lawmakers fighting like cats and dogs Fareed Zakaria answers your questions Bernard- Henri Levy speaks out on DSK Peter Godwin on Sudan Getting a Picasso into a war zone House vote ' one way of herding the cats' Campbell: Cameron should admit ' error' Experts skeptical of Murdoch' s ignorance ' Revolving door' guarded Murdoch paper?

Who is winning debt ceiling debate? Hacking whistle- blower was ' a good guy' Abrams: How far will hacking scandal go? Former editor cites Murdoch son, Brooks Gay man turns himself ' straight' Can Casey Anthony ever be forgiven?

Roseanne: I' m not good at marriage Chubby teen becomes beauty queen Shannon Tweed walks out on Gene Simmons Would Casey' s attorney let her babysit? Larry David: I want to do standup again My father was ' The Grim Reaper' Fergie: I' m addicted to being liked Will migraines impact Bachmann campaign? Murdoch acting like himself?

Gadhafi: Brega will be ' hell' Republican social issues in 2012 Tot mom allegedly spotted at airport Cops: Son kills parents, throws party Where is Casey Anthony? Piers Morgan blasts Mensch' s ' lie' Murdoch takes pie in the face Piers Morgan: CNN host, ' AGT' judge Tom Arnold discusses his dark past Nancy Grace opens up on fiance' s murder Tom Arnold talks Arnold Schwarzenegger Piers Morgan believes Murdoch Murdoch done with newspapers?

Nancy Grace: Jury wasn' t listening to me Nancy Grace speaks about fiance' s murder Claustrophobic fighter pilot Brain injury patient back on the road Bounty hunter wants to sue Casey Anthony Khloe Kardashian' s Twitter outrage Hollywood hacking outrage J. Lo and Marc Anthony split shocker Justin and Selena: Wedding crashers?

Casey Anthony in disguise? Kim Kardashian' s mom gets facelift Hackers turn tables on Murdoch empire Migraines a deal breaker for Bachmann? ' Nobody proved Murdoch was involved' Computer hackers attack ' Sun' Congressman battles home intruder Murdoch scandal: Who' s next? Herman Cain against proposed mosque? Warren: " I Really Don' t Get it" Bachmann backs ' cut, cap and balance' Politicos agree: GOP field leaderless Sound of Sunday with Candy Crowley How Giuliani would negotiate debt talks How Giuliani would negotiate debt talks Giuliani: ' Not sure' I could win in NH Candy' s post- show analysis Graham has no confidence in compromise WH Budget chief: Time to act is now Rudy Giuliani on Murdoch, 9/ 11 and more Candy' s pre- show rundown

Should political debate be about jobs not debt? Lobbyists battle amid deficit cuts Gergen: Prospects for debt default above 50% Trump: Bachmann is ' highly underrated' Impact of concussions to brain Geyser of water lifts car into air Paramedics help dad watch son' s game Cops: Mom admits having teen sex parties Is it child abuse to overfeed children? Chihuahua chases off robbers If you can' t beat them, eat them!

NASA: What' s next? New breast cancer screening guidelines Shuttle Atlantis makes final landing First Lady' s new food initiative Fallout after Murdoch testimony Geyser of water lifts car into air Bolden: NASA is very busy Are fast food calorie counts accurate? Hacking groups' possible agendas Astronauts aboard Atlantis reflect Man served time for elaborate fraud Ridicu. List Classic: The best of Snooki Neutrality policy impacting bullying?

School district' s policy under scrutiny Teenager known as the ' Barefoot Bandit' Corzine, Fiorina on debt ceiling debate Dems, GOP spew rhetoric on tax issue Man faked his identity for decades Murdoch in the hot seat Ex- nuclear plant operator speaks out CNN' s new video experience on i. Pad The Shot: Caption casts spell on Cooper Finding ' voice' with cerebral palsy 11 million starving in Somalia Famine strikes Somalia PM Cameron addresses hacking allegations 9/ 11 families to meet with Justice Dept.

Debt talks - what' s the solution?

Mrs. Murdoch to the rescue Granderson: Debt talks need more women Bachmann questions farmers' claims Murdoch' s wife stands by her man James Murdoch discusses 9/ 11 victims Counting calories while eating out Dr. Drew Behind- the- scenes with Bristol Palin Murray to blame for Jackson' s death? Casey interview: Bonanza or backlash?

Preview: Dr. Drew with Bristol Palin Summers on America' s growth prospects Fareed' s Take: Afghanistan' s future What in the World: Brazil overheating?

Most expensive city in the world Lawmakers fighting like cats and dogs Fareed Zakaria answers your questions Bernard- Henri Levy speaks out on DSK Peter Godwin on Sudan Getting a Picasso into a war zone Ex- player: NFL abandoned me after injury Ex- insider: ' Murdoch is on the run now' Gergen: Prospects for default above 50% Debt crisis: Whatever happened to jobs?

House vote ' one way of herding the cats' Experts skeptical of Murdoch' s ignorance Campbell: Cameron should admit ' error' ' Revolving door' guarded Murdoch paper? Who is winning debt ceiling debate? Hacking whistle- blower was ' a good guy' Abrams: How far will hacking scandal go? Former editor cites Murdoch son, Brooks Paris Hilton walks off set of GMA Gay man turns himself ' straight' Can Casey Anthony ever be forgiven? Roseanne: I' m not good at marriage Chubby teen becomes beauty queen Shannon Tweed walks out on Gene Simmons Would Casey' s attorney let her babysit?

My father was ' The Grim Reaper' Fergie: I' m addicted to being liked Clinton nudges India, upsets China Docs: Mammograms each year starting at 40 Will migraines impact Bachmann campaign?

Murdoch acting like himself? Gadhafi: Brega will be ' hell' Republican social issues in 2012 Missouri mother of three is missing TV producer claims he met with Casey Murray' s defense wants jury sequestered Tot mom allegedly spotted at airport Cops: Son kills parents, throws party Where is Casey Anthony? Piers Morgan blasts Mensch' s ' lie' Cornel West and Tavis Smiley speak out Piers Morgan: Behind the scenes Trump: Bachmann is ' highly underrated' Murdoch takes pie in the face Piers Morgan: CNN host, ' AGT' judge Tom Arnold discusses his dark past Nancy Grace opens up on fiance' s murder Tom Arnold talks Arnold Schwarzenegger Piers Morgan believes Murdoch Murdoch done with newspapers?

Nancy Grace: Jury wasn' t listening to me Claustrophobic fighter pilot Capitol Hill feels ' The Force' Impact of concussions to brain Ex- players sue NFL over concussion risks Brain injury patient back on the road Bounty hunter wants to sue Casey Anthony Chris Brown to star in a romantic movie Will Nancy Grace interview ' tot mom' ? Khloe Kardashian' s Twitter outrage Hollywood hacking outrage J. Lo and Marc Anthony split shocker Justin and Selena: Wedding crashers?

Casey Anthony in disguise? Kim Kardashian' s mom gets facelift Lobbyists battle amid deficit cuts Debt debate gets ugly New TSA body scan less invasive Hackers turn tables on Murdoch empire Migraines a deal breaker for Bachmann? ' Nobody proved Murdoch was involved' Computer hackers attack ' Sun' Congressman battles home intruder Murdoch scandal: Who' s next? Herman Cain against proposed mosque? Bachmann backs ' cut, cap and balance' Warren: " I Really Don' t Get it" Politicos agree: GOP field leaderless Sound of Sunday with Candy Crowley How Giuliani would negotiate debt talks How Giuliani would negotiate debt talks Candy' s post- show analysis Giuliani: ' Not sure' I could win in NH Graham has no confidence in compromise WH Budget chief: Time to act is now

( CNN Student News) - - Use the following activity to help students interpret televised political debates. Televised debates have become a traditional and integral part of the election process. Debates can introduce voters to candidates' positions on key campaign issues. They can also enable voters to judge the temperament, knowledge, communication skills and personalities of the candidates. Debates can take a variety of formats.

One format uses a panel of experts or journalists to ask the candidates questions. In a single moderator format, one person is selected to question the candidates. A town hall meeting debate format gives audience members the opportunity to directly question the candidates. In most formats, candidates are given a limited time to answer the questions.

The topics addressed at debates can be wide- ranging, or the questions may center on select themes or issues. Some critics of modern televised debates prefer allowing direct cross- examination by the candidates, without any intermediaries. Other debate experts suggest allowing voters across the country to pose questions directly to candidates in person, or live via phone or e- mail. Regardless of the debate format, there are several things that viewers can do to get the most out of televised debates.

Consider the following activities and questions before, during and after watching a debate: Before the Debate: Decide what issues are important to you. ( Refer to to explore multiple perspectives on key issues. ) Where do you stand on these issues? Determine what qualities you want most in a presidential candidate. ( Are you more interested in the candidate' s stance on the issues or his/ her image and personality? ) Find out which candidates will be participating in the debate.

Get some background information on the candidates. ( See to learn more about where the current candidates stand on the issues. ) Create a list of questions that you would want to ask the candidates. During the Debate: Take notes on what questions are asked and how the candidates respond to these questions. As you take notes, identify the following: After the Debate: What did you learn about the candidates and the issues? What questions, if any, do you still have about the candidates and their stances on the issues?

What criteria would you use to determine the & quot; winner& quot; in the debate? Which candidate do you think appeared & quot; most presidential& quot; ? Do you think that this debate was a valuable tool for evaluating the candidates and their stances on the issues? Why or why not? Which candidates most closely align with your views on the issues?

How did the information presented in this debate compare with other debates throughout this election process thus far?

If you have thoughts of suicide, go to an emergency room or call 911 or your local emergency number immediately.

If you have less urgent symptoms of post- traumatic stress disorder, make an appointment with your family doctor or general practitioner. Your doctor can help you begin the process of understanding whether your physical and emotional symptoms may be related to a traumatic experience. In many cases, your doctor may refer you to a mental health professional who can help make a diagnosis and create the right treatment plan for you. Here' s some information to help you prepare for your appointment, and what to expect from your doctor. What you can do Write down any symptoms you' ve been experiencing, and for how long.

Write down your key personal information, especially events or experiences & mdash; even in your distant past & mdash; that have made you feel intense fear, helplessness or horror.

It will help your doctor to know if there are memories you can' t directly access without feeling an overwhelming need to push them out of your mind. Make a list of your medical information, including other physical or mental health conditions with which you' ve been diagnosed. Also write down the names of any medications, including over- the- counter medications, you' re taking. Take a trusted family member or friend along, if possible.

Sometimes it can be difficult to soak up all the information provided to you during an appointment. Someone who accompanies you may remember something that you missed or forgot. Write down questions to ask your doctor in advance so that you can make the most of your appointment.

For PTSD, some basic questions to ask your doctor include: What do you believe is causing my symptoms? Are there any other possible causes? How will you determine my diagnosis? Is my condition likely temporary or chronic?

Do you recommend treatment? If yes, with what types of therapy?

I have other health problems. How should I manage these together with PTSD?

How soon do you expect my symptoms to improve? Does PTSD increase my risk of other mental health problems? Should I see a mental health specialist? Do you recommend any temporary changes at home, work or school to encourage recovery? Would it help my recovery to tell my teachers or work colleagues about my diagnosis?

Are there any brochures or other printed material that I can take home with me?

What websites do you recommend visiting? In addition to the questions that you' ve prepared to ask your doctor, don' t hesitate to ask questions during your appointment. Being ready to answer your doctor' s questions may reserve time to go over any points you want to talk about in- depth. You should be prepared to answer the following questions from your doctor: What are your symptoms? When did you or your loved ones first notice your symptoms?

Have you ever experienced or witnessed an event that was life- threatening to you or someone else? Have you ever been physically, sexually or emotionally harmed? Do you have disturbing thoughts, memories or nightmares of the trauma you experienced? Do you ever feel as if you are reliving the traumatic event, through flashbacks or hallucinations? Do you avoid certain people, places or situations that remind you of the traumatic experience?

Have you lost interest in things or felt numb?

Do you feel jumpy, on guard, or easily startled? Do you frequently feel irritable or angry? Are you having trouble sleeping?

Is anything happening in your life right now that is making you feel unsafe? Have you been having any problems at school or work?

Have you been having problems in your personal relationships? Have you ever thought about harming yourself or others? Do you drink alcohol or use illegal drugs? How often? Have you been treated for other psychiatric symptoms or mental illness in the past?

If yes, what type of therapy was most beneficial? There are steps you can take to improve your ability to cope while you' re waiting for your appointment with a doctor. What works best for you is likely to be highly personal.

Talking with friends or family about your feelings or trauma you' ve experienced may be helpful. However, don' t push yourself to share more than you can actually tolerate. You may find it especially helpful to talk with others who have gone through a traumatic experience similar to yours. Your doctor or mental health professional may be able to recommend a support group in your area. Exercise and relaxation techniques such as yoga or meditation also may improve your symptoms. & copy; 1998- 2011 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research ( MFMER) .

CNN Mobile FAQ: How can I get CNN mobile services on my phone? You can access CNN. com on mobile phones from most major carriers as long as ( 1) your phone is Web- enabled and ( 2) your service plan includes wireless Web access.

Simply type CNN. com into your mobile browser. You can also access live, streaming video or Video On Demand clips from your mobile phone. All you need is a video- enabled phone.

You may need to contact your service provider to sign up for video service. Visit CNN. com/ mobile to learn about CNN mobile video content and find out which services your provider offers. You can also visit to learn more about each CNN mobile service.

What is a Web- enabled mobile phone? A Web- enabled mobile phone is a phone that has a built- in mini Web browser and the capability of connecting to the wireless Web in order to send and receive data. What is the wireless Web?

The wireless Web is a network of Internet sites that has been specially formatted to display their content and allows for browsing and navigation on mobile phones.

I think I already have CNN. com on my phone, how do I find it?

You will first need to access the wireless Web. On some phones you' ll see a link marked " Web, " " Internet, " or " Browser" as soon as the phone is powered up. The link may also be named after your particular phone provider' s service.

You may instead need to access the phone' s main menu to find this link. Hint: The link is often marked by a graphic icon depicting a globe of the Earth. Contact your mobile phone service provider if you have trouble getting onto the wireless Web. Once you' re on the Web you' ll likely see a menu of the different types of content available to you. Look for a link marked " News" and click on it; chances are you' ll find CNN on the next menu that comes up.

How do I access CNN mobile video? You will first need to contact your service provider if you have not previously signed up to use the video service. Once you have activated the service, you need to access your phone' s video service.

On some phones you l see a link marked " Video, " as soon as the phone is powered up.

The link also may be named after your phone provider' s service. You may instead need to access the phone' s main menu to find this link.

Contact your mobile phone service provider if you have trouble finding the video service. Once you have accessed your phone' s video service, look for a link marked " News" and click on it; chances are you' ll find CNN on the next menu that comes up. How much will it cost to use CNN mobile services? This will depend on how your mobile phone service provider charges for wireless Web access or video content. Usually, you won' t pay for the time you use the service but rather for the amount of data you receive, which is measured in kilobytes ( KB) .

Some providers offer unlimited data access for a flat fee. Contact your provider for specific information on your plan. I' m still having problems with CNN mobile services. Please log a technical support request through our . What is SMS or text messaging?

SMS or Short Messaging Service is a wireless service that sends a brief text message to your mobile phone. How do I get CNN Text Alerts on my Verizon Wireless phone? Visit Verizon Wireless' TXT Messaging site to get your CNN TXT Alerts directly on your phone. It' s easy. . .

( ) - - A number of Sprint customers report difficulties receiving SMS text messages from cellular customers outside the Sprint network. Beginning in late June, Sprint cellular customers started complaining of long delays in receiving SMS text messages - - sometimes hours, sometimes days - - while others said some of their texts did not arrive at all. & quot; We are aware of a text- messaging issue that is impacting a small percentage of incoming text messages, & quot; wrote a Sprint representative in a statement provided to Wired. com. & quot; We are working to resolve the issue as quickly as possible. & quot; The issues come at a bad time for Sprint, as the company is over the latter' s possible acquisition of T- Mobile. To remain competitive in a market dominated by telecommunications giants Verizon and AT& amp; T, Sprint' s service has to be more reliable than ever. And this isn' t the first time Sprint has faced customer ire due to network disruption.

As recently as May, Sprint for both its SMS and voice services across multiple states. The current problems seem to be isolated to inbound texts coming from people not on the Sprint network, as user reports claim messages from other Sprint users are being received intact and on time. Customers are also able to send outbound texts with no difficulty.

Still others ran into problems with , or those that are split in half because of a 160- character limit. Users either received the first part of the message without the corresponding second part, or multiple segmented messages were truncated far below the 160- character limit, arriving out of order. As one user on a Sprint message board July 1: & quot; Sometime texts show up perfect, and sometimes I have to try to reassemble the puzzle pieces or just call the person, which defeats the point of having texting in the first place. & quot; The problem does not seem to be isolated to a specific type of device, as both complained about disrupted service on the Sprint forums.

Two Sprint technical- support representatives confirmed the company is , but as of July 6, no time frame for fixing the service has been announced. & quot; As already stated multiple times, unfortunately, we have not been given an ETA for the fix, & quot; wrote Sprint. com administrator ' Claudi. Po' in a July 6 forum post. & quot; All we know is that they' re working on the issue. & quot; Subscribe to WIRED magazine for less than $ 1 an issue and get a FREE GIFT! Copyright 2010 .

( CNN) - - In the middle of a snowstorm nearly a year ago, a planeload of 54 Haitian children landed in Pennsylvania as part of an airlift of orphans stranded by the powerful earthquake that devastated their country. They were taken to Pittsburgh' s Holy Family Institute, where they were thrilled by the flush toilets, running water and plentiful food, said the institute' s president and CEO, Sister Linda Yankoski. Their stay at the facility for troubled or abused children was supposed to be temporary, just until U. S. adoptive families took them in, she said. Wednesday is the first anniversary of the Haiti quake, and by now most of those children have moved into adoptive homes, as have hundreds of others around the country who arrived in similar airlifts.

But some spent months in federal custody - - several even experiencing their second winter in shelters in Pennsylvania and Florida, still waiting for their lives in America to truly begin. & quot; They are confused, they feel rejected, they wonder what' s going to happen to them and whether they are ever going to be with a family as they were promised, & quot; said Michelle Abarca, a lawyer with the Florida Immigrant Advocacy Center, which is representing some of the children who were taken to Miami. & quot; They faced rejection in Haiti, rejection here. It' s all rejection. & quot; The children' s complex legal status unfolded because they were airlifted out of Haiti in the midst of a crisis, believed to be orphans in the process of being adopted by U. S. parents.

The plan was to finish the adoptions in the United States, an unusual exception to international adoption protocol. But once the children were in the United States, it quickly became clear not all of them were orphans already matched with U. S. families. Even for those who were, completing adoptions from so far away had obstacles. & quot; I believe it was done with the best of intentions, & quot; said Cheryl Little, director of the Florida Immigrant Advocacy Center. & quot; But we are challenged as never before to determine what' s in the best interests of the child. & quot; The airlifts were a humanitarian gesture prompted by an outcry over conditions at Haitian orphanages after the earthquake. The 54 children taken to Holy Family were typical - - they had been stranded at the BRESMA Orphanage in Haiti' s capital, Port au Prince, where two sisters from Pittsburgh, Jamie and Ali Mc.

Mutrie, work as volunteers. Using social media, the sisters told dramatic stories of babies exposed to the elements, being rocked by aftershocks, living without food and water.

Pennsylvania Gov. Edward G. Rendell heard the appeal and enlisted the Obama administration to help airlift the children to Pittsburgh.

In all, the United States granted 1, 090 children, including the 54 in Pittsburgh, what it calls & quot; humanitarian parole, & quot; effectively permission to enter and stay in the United States on special visas while their U. S. adoptive parents complete the paperwork here, rather than abroad as is usually required. & quot; Massive deaths, that' s what would have happened if they had not gotten humanitarian parole, & quot; said Diana Boni, director of All Blessing International, the adoption agency that works with the BRESMA orphanage. & quot; I would estimate that about 50 percent of the children ( who) were airlifted out . . . would have died. All the agencies were struggling to even get food to children in all the orphanages. & quot; About 400 children immediately moved in with U.

S. families trying to adopt them, said Jeffrey Kelley, spokesman for the U. Department of Health and Human Services. But HHS ended up with custody of another 660 children as their complicated legal situation was sorted out. They were placed in foster homes or shelters used for children who enter the country illegally.

A string of government agencies was able to get most of them placed with adoptive parents or in foster homes in days. But several remained detained in shelters over the course of the year for a variety of reasons: & # 8226; Some children did not have firm commitments from U. S. adoptive parents. & # 8226; In about a dozen cases, the U. S. adoptive parents changed their minds and returned the children to shelters. & # 8226; In other cases, the biological parents in Haiti had not finished paperwork declaring they were giving up their children for adoption, or the paperwork was missing. & # 8226; The Haitian government slowed the adoption process further after one group of Americans was arrested for trying to illegally depart the country with children. Eventually, one by one, all but 15 of the children moved in with families.

In the case of the 54 who arrived in Pittsburgh that snowy night, HHS contracted with Holy Family Institute to care for them. In turn, Holy Family hired staff who spoke Creole and arranged trauma counseling for the children, along with weekly phone calls to their biological families, Yankoski said. The children began to go to school and learn English as they waited, living in a 5, 000- square- foot home segregated from the delinquent children who usually make up the institute' s population. At first, the adoptions moved quickly, but 12 were still at Holy Family for Christmas. & quot; In the context of crisis and chaos on the ground, 12 of the children who came to the U. S. had not been matched with prospective adoptive families prior to the earthquake and the wishes of the birth families were unclear, & quot; said Sharon Parrott, human services policy counselor to the HHS secretary. & quot; To safeguard these children, the government of Haiti, in collaboration with the United States government, identified and spoke with each of the birth families that could be located. & quot; When it was established that the birth families wanted the children matched with adoptive families in the U.

S. , HHS worked with the Holy Family Institute . . . to identify families that could best meet the needs of each individual child. & quot; The number of children at Holy Family dwindled to five just last week as children were matched with U.

S. families cleared for adoption. Another 10 children remain in custody in Florida, either in foster homes or shelters where children who enter the country illegally are usually detained. & quot; Given the situation ( in Haiti) and what was happening on the ground, people did the best they could at the time, & quot; said Yankoski, adding that she believes the time spent at Holy Family has allowed the children there to adjust to American life. & quot; They will be better suited for adoption after this slow transition, & quot; she said, noting that the children have open adoptions that allow for contact with their birth parents. ' In jail for a year' Boni, of the All Blessing International adoption agency, credits federal agencies for their swift and effective rescue effort, but she is critical of what happened in the small number of cases where the adoption process hit snags. & quot; Some of the BRESMA kids were brought in prematurely, before the humanitarian parole program had been established, their paperwork was not here when they arrived . . . the obstacles they faced here were all bureaucratic, & quot; she said. Also, Boni said, the shelters are & quot; very inappropriate places for these kids& quot; because they were designed to house children with illegal immigration or social issues for short periods of time. & quot; I' m not sure what their crime was, & quot; she said of the Haitian children still in custody, & quot; but they' ve been in jail for a year. & quot; The government has defended its handling of the children, telling CNN the shelters provided the children with & quot; excellent& quot; care, including therapy for their trauma. & quot; We believe that the program implemented protected both the children and the integrity of the adoption process, & quot; said Parrot of HHS. & quot; The program resulted in more than 1, 000 children being united with their adoptive families in the United States. & quot; In 2009, the year before the quake, the U.

State Department processed 330 adoptions from Haiti. The earthquake prompted the government to open the door to hundreds more, in some cases reducing to weeks what can be a four- year process. In a report being released on the quake anniversary, the Florida Immigration Advocacy Center spotlights the difficulty in making sure adoptions are legitimate and in the children' s best interests when they are rushed. & quot; Given the emergency nature of their evacuation from Haiti, some children were brought without proper entry documents or evidence of the ongoing adoption process begun in Haiti, & quot; the report said. & quot; A few adoptions have failed, and some children' s permanent placements are still unclear. & quot; The report also describes children who were taken out in medical evacuations, never intended for adoption, but nonetheless in the United States now with no parents to care for them. It tells the story of 3- year- old Christina, who was rescued from the earthquake' s rubble, and 5- year- old Odette, who was crushed in the collapse of her school.

They were treated at U. S. hospitals after being evacuated, then detained in federal shelters upon release. In cases like theirs, the advocacy center wants the U. S. government to grant their parents visas to come to the United States and join them. Meanwhile, HHS is continuing to house and provide medical care for them at its shelters.

The airlifts also raised issues for U. S. families who launched emotional campaigns to get the children they were adopting to safety. These parents had to finish the adoptions from long distances, dealing with a country in crisis. Usually, children adopted abroad enter the United States holding U. S. passports as the children of U.

S. citizens. The Haitian refugee children arrived as Haitian citizens, ineligible for U. S. citizenship until they lived with U. S. families for at least two years.

If they turned 18 before that time was up, they would lose the opportunity to gain U. S. citizenship. In December, President Obama signed the Help Haiti Act, which puts the Haitian children on equal footing with other children adopted abroad. ' Growing and thriving' The airlifts were criticized even as they were happening. They were described as & quot; hasty& quot; by international child advocacy groups like Save the Children, which said that the & quot; adoptions would risk permanently breaking up families, causing long- term damage to already vulnerable children, and could distract from aid efforts in Haiti. & quot; Haiti had an estimated 350, 000 orphans before the earthquake and as many as 1 million afterward, according to Haitian government estimates. Many had parents unable to care for them but not willing to permanently relinquish them, according to UNICEF, the United Nations Children' s Fund, which raised concerns at the time that child traffickers might pray on this vulnerable population.

HHS' Parrott said it was an & quot; extraordinary& quot; program undertaken in the best interests of the children. & quot; The program was limited in scope and designed to ensure that every effort was made to verify documentation and mitigate the risk of anyone taking advantage of the system to improperly remove children from Haiti, & quot; she said.

The concerns raised by international child advocates met headlong with the compelling stories of desperation and danger coming out of Haiti that captured the attention of the media and political leaders. At the Haiti orphanage Maison des Enfants des Dieu, 135 children were languishing in high temperatures without clean food or water while U. S. adoptive parents pressured their government to help them get the children out. Their plight is chronicled in & quot; Adopting Haiti, & quot; a documentary by independent filmmaker Timothy Wolfer being released on the quake anniversary.

It tells the story of how the children were taken on a harrowing bus ride from Maison to the U. Embassy amid fears some children might perish in the heat. The bus was turned back because the U. S. government had not yet authorized the airlifts. The documentary tells how media attention, including that of CNN, helped persuade U.

S. officials to act. The documentary features both the biological and adoptive parents of one girl, who describe the painful separation process of the adoption. Adoptive parents call the airlifts a great success. The Maison children included a boy whose adoptive mother, Kim Harmon, is director of For His Glory, the U. S. adoption agency that runs Maison. & quot; We just finalized our adoption last week for our son, Benjamin Jhonsley Harmon, & quot; she told CNN in a recent e- mail. & quot; Ben fits right in, and it is as if he were always a part of our family.

He is a typical boy full of life and energy. & quot; Another of the children on that harrowing bus ride, Valencia, was at risk of dying from heat exhaustion. A year later, her adoptive parents have a picture of her on their website, 15 pounds heavier and living with them in Denver, Colorado.

In Haiti, the number of children in need of new homes continues to grow, and the United States has reopened the door to new adoptions. The Maison des Enfants de Dieu orphanage featured in & quot; Adopting Haiti& quot; has filled up again with children destined for U. S. adoptions, this time to be completed in Haiti.

The Mc. Mutrie sisters returned to Haiti in August to help families find ways to keep their children, but already they are caring for seven newly orphaned toddlers. & quot; We can' t wait to see the kids growing and thriving in their new homes, and, like all the children we lived with and continue to live with in Haiti, we will love them and be connected with them for their entire lives, & quot; the Mc. Mutrie sisters told CNN by e- mail from Haiti. Back in Pittsburgh, Yankoski said the situation reminds her of U.

S. orphanages at the turn of the last century, when parents left children because they had no means, not because they didn' t want them. The difference is the Haitian children also have suffered the trauma of an earthquake destroying their home, lived through an emergency airlift to a foreign land and spent a year in an institution. & quot; It' s really a shame, because most of these families turn the children over because they need support and can' t feed them.

I can' t imagine any of these families wanting to give them away. There needs to be a different system, but there isn' t, so at least these kids have a way to a better life, & quot; she said.

The children still at Holy Family often ask their parents by phone if they have anything to eat or places to live, expressing concern over the families they' ve left behind. & quot; It' s quite heartbreaking, & quot; Yankoski said. & quot; In the long run, the children are going to grow up and want to know why they are here and how did they get here and where is their own home and their own parents, & quot; she said. & quot; This is a good solution, it' s not a complete solution. But it' s a solution for now and I can understand why their parents would have chosen it given what they were facing. & quot; CNN' s Alsye Shorland contributed to this report.