Word: barriers
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...biggest barrier may turn out to be consumers, who could become hostile if their personal phones are suddenly barraged with pitches. Nearly four out of five Americans surveyed by market-research firm Forrester Research last year said they found the idea of ads on their handsets "annoying." Network operators, wary of getting caught up in spam wars like those that plague the Internet, say they're concerned about keeping subscribers happy. "Unwanted or unsolicited text-message spam to our customers' handsets is unacceptable," said Steve Zipperstein, a Verizon Wireless spokesman, after the U.S. carrier in February successfully sued tour company...
...most visible example of British commitment to adaptation is the Thames Barrier, a set of hulking but beautiful silver floodgates that stretch across the namesake waterway about 11 miles downriver from central London. When the Barrier became operational in 1983, 30 years after the massive flood that motivated its construction, planners expected that it might have to close once or twice a year to keep ocean-storm surges from inundating London. In the past decade, however, the Barrier has been closing an average of 10 times a year. "The Barrier was initially designed to offer...
...hardened levees or flood walls in front of major population centers or other high-value assets. You protect that inner layer with a middle layer comprised of as large an expanse of wetlands or swamp as possible. Finally, you protect that middle layer with a third layer--barrier islands out in the ocean proper, which also act to absorb and weaken storm surges...
...coastal cities threatened by rising seas and stronger storms. [This article consists of a complex diagram. Please see hardcopy of magazine.] THINKING BIG Protecting New Orleans means putting more of everything between the city and the sea. Planners have three main ways to do that: 1 ENHANCE BARRIER ISLANDS Katrina devastated the already withered outer defenses. As the islands shrink, waves reach farther inland 2 RESTORE WETLANDS Walls and channels along the rivers prevent silt from replenishing marshy areas, which can sponge up floodwaters 3 BUILD FLOODGATES AND LEVEES An inner line of gates like this one in the Netherlands...
Well, maybe. The strength of the government's case against him and his co-defendants aside, "beyond a reasonable doubt," the level of proof required to convict a criminal suspect, may not be as high a barrier between Black and jail as he thinks...