Managing Leads with Lead Management Software

There are many different real estate management software solutions that assist property management businesses to increase productivity, effectiveness and reduce operating costs. A few such software solutions include customer relationship management software, lead management software and contact management software among others.

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Lead management can basically be defined as the process of building good lasting relationships with business prospects. Studies conducted in various industrial and service sectors indicate that early stage leadsoften ignored lost or discarded by sales people generally make up about 40 to 70 percent of possible sales. Property management businesses that do not have well defined processes to nurture their early stage real estate leadsand handle their client relationship building activities prior to initiating the buying process typically end up missing out and even wasting future prospective sales opportunities. This article goes on to describe the process of lead management and importance of using lead managementsoftware.

Lead Management Software

Lead management can best be described as all practices and processes that involve the planning and organizing a business’s approach to establishing a brand reputation, acquiring new customers and retaining existing customers. Lead management software as such is an IT solution designed to assist businesses in the complex process of lead generation, acquiring and filtering through lead intelligence, distribution of qualified leads to marketing departments and allocating high priority leads to sales teams for conversion.

Benefits of Investing in Lead Management Software

The main goal of effective real estate leadssoftware is to assist property managers to track and manage their whole lead life cycles till they develop in to sales and increase their businesses revenues or ROI (return on investment). The following are just a few benefits of lead management software:

1.    Lead Generation: Effective lead management software enables businesses to capture leads generated from sales and marketing campaigns resulting from website visits. This software feature allows businesses to convert anonymous web site visitors in to lead.

2.    Reduces costs and saves time: This real estate management software allows its users to do more with less through its automating and analytics feature that simplifies the process of completing repetitive manual tasks.

3.    Lead Qualification: This lead management software feature offers its users a platform to automatically score and prioritize leads based on predefined parameters depending on interests, activities and intent.

4.    Analytics: This lead management feature provides analytical reports that help businesses understand the effectiveness of marketing channels and strategies being employed as such assisting decision makers in the process of determining the appropriate approaches to optimizing costs, improving overall performance and increasing ROI.

5.    Lead Nurturing: This feature enables intent driven and personalized lead development aimed at fostering relationships and bringing prospects closer to sale readiness.

6.    Revenue Growth: As is the case with other real estate management software systems in the market today,  real estate leads software assists property manager, owners, agents and brokers in winning more deals and generating higher revenues through focusing time and resources on the only the very best opportunities.
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Opal – The Watery Gemstone

Opal jewelry comes in many forms and styles. Silver pendants , bracelets, earrings, necklaces and rings are quite popular in today’s fashion jewelry. One key reason for the popularity of opal in fashion jewelry is the wide range of colors in which it is available. This stone is available in cool colors such as blues, greens, purples, as well as warmer colors like pinks, reds, yellows, and oranges. Unconventional jewelry designs provide new and exciting options to the wearer. But like all other types of jewelry, choosing the right type of opal jewelry for the right occasion requires at least some basic knowledge with regards to availability, cost, and care.

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Opal is a noncrystalline form of the mineral silica which, despite its amorphous structure, displays an amazing degree of internal organization. The stone is related to its more commonly found but highly crystalline cousins quartz and agate, and is formed from amorphous “balls” or lumps” of silica rather that from ordered, naturally faceted crystals. It is formed from silica-bearing waters and can be found inside any type of rock. Throughout the world, silica gel precipitates at low temperatures to form layers or nodules of opal in fissures, veins, and cavities of volcanic and sedimentary rocks. Opal is an amorphous form of silica (SiO2.nH2O), chemically similar to quartz (SiO2), but containing 3% to 21% water within its mineral structure. Opals of gemstone quality usually contain 6% to 10% water. Because of the high percentage of water content, opal may be damaged by heat and cold. In the precious form of this stone, the silica is arranged into tiny randomly placed structures with water between them. The colors are because of the scattering and interference of light from the silica-water interfaces. They are, in many ways, similar to those you get from soap bubbles; here, the silica plays the role of soap.

Opals are found in different hues and colors such as black, red yellow and white. Several varieties are available and each variety is attractive in it own way. The different types include harlequin, common, fire, water, wood and precious opal. Black opals are the most rare and expensive opals, with a body color that can range from dark grey to black with fiery flashes of color. Precious fire opals are another alternative. They have base colors ranging from yellow to orange, and can be transparent to translucent with fiery flashes. Opal is predominantly found in Australia and is officially recognized as the national gemstone. Fire opals are mostly composed of silica acid with high water content and footprints of iron oxide that reflects the color. These are precious stones often called Mexican fire opals they look more beautiful when processed on fine jewelries such as rings and necklaces. US researchers now report that opal-like deposits have been spotted on Mars! However, don’t hold your breath for “Mars Opals” to hit the fashion jewelry scene anytime in the foreseeable future!

Opals are delicate, but well worth the care. Their most significant weakness has to do with the water content. If an opal is allowed to dry, it will crack and craze. In most cases, they do not need any special care while stored. However, if you live in a very dry climate, or keep them in a dehumidified room, some precautions are necessary. Keeping them in a tight plastic bag, with a damp piece of cotton or fabric will prevent dehydration. Storing an opal in oil or glycerin is not recommended. It is unlikely to damage the opal, but it is unnecessary and requires tedious cleaning. Because of the fragility of the opal, it should be cut thickly. The stone will deteriorate in time if the cut is finer. Opal should be washed every now and then to remove the traces of perspiration or cosmetics. If your opal loses some of its shine, it can be recut or repolished by a jeweler.

Understanding Male organ Pain – Balanitis Xerotica Obliterans Symptoms and Treatment

Male organ skin discolorations can be upsetting, especially when they appear suddenly. In many cases, they resolve quickly on their own, but some require treatment. This article describes a common condition that may cause male organ pain.

Men who are affected by unusual spots, thickening of the male organ skin, male organ pain, and phimosis – the inability to retract the sheath – may be affected by a condition known as balanitis xerotica obliterans. While this condition is not generally serious, it can get worse without treatment and may lead to more serious complications. Not all doctors are familiar with this condition, so men who experience the related symptoms should be familiar with the disorder so that they can help their doctors understand what to look for.

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Following is a brief overview of balanitis xerotica obliterans, as well as the available treatments and some tips to proper male organ care.

What is balanitis xerotica obliterans?

Commonly abbreviated as BXO, this condition is considered as the male manifestation of lichen sclerosis, a benign condition that affects the skin. While the symptoms are not confined to the male organ, they can be most worrying in this area, as they can cause some uncomfortable side effects.

To date, no definitive cause has been identified. However, there appears to be a hereditary component, and men who suffer from BXO are also likely to experience other autoimmune type conditions. While BXO may appear unattractive and cause issues with intimacy, the condition is not contagious and cannot be passed to a partner, either through intimate contact or otherwise.

Common Symptoms of BXO

The most common symptoms of BXO include male organ pain; white patches on the head, as well as under the sheath; a thickened ring of tissue may also form around the tip of the head. Adhesions of the sheath to the head may also occur and lead to phimosis, a condition in which it is difficult or impossible to retract the sheath over the crown of the male organ. Male reproductive issues may also accompany these symptoms.

In more advanced stages, the white or grayish patches may reach the shaft, and even the sac. Scrubbing or otherwise attempting to move the lesions is not effective and may cause further damage to the skin.

Complications

If allowed to progress without treatment, the toughened tissue that characterizes BXO can lead to urinary stricture, blocking the elimination of urine and increasing the risk of liver and kidney damage. In addition, BXO has been linked to increased risk of squamous cell carcinoma (a form of skin cancer), although it is unclear whether the condition is causative.

Is there a cure?

Currently, there is no single cure that has demonstrated consistency in treating and curing BXO. The first step in treating the disorder generally involves topical steroid creams. While these may alleviate some of the symptoms, they are not effective for curing the disease and may cause further damage to the skin if used for a lengthy period of time.

The most effective method of addressing the problem generally involves circumcision. Removing the sheath can eliminate the lesions and prevent them from recurring, as the urine-rich, moist environment created by the presence of the sheath is removed. For lesions on the shaft or sac, laser therapy or surgical excision may be recommended.

Male organ care for all men

While BXO has not been linked to hygiene issues or other aspects of male organ care, all men can benefit from treating the male organ right. The pelvic area should always be kept clean, using a mild cleanser to gently wash away any dirt, sweat, urine and other body fluids. Wearing underwear is always recommended to prevent rubbing and chafing, as well as to reduce the risk of injury.

While BXO is not contagious, all men who are intimately active should use a condom for every encounter, unless they are in a monogamous relationship where both partners have tested clean for any intimately transmitted diseases.

Adding a high-quality male organ vitamin cream  (most health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil) to the daily male organ care regimen can improve the overall tone, texture and elasticity of the male organ skin, as well as improving sensation levels in some men. While male organ creams should not be applied to damaged or diseased male tissue without a doctor’s approvalPsychology Articles, even the most healthy male organ can benefit from natural moisturizers and male-friendly nutrients.

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Edmund White on writing, incest, life and Larry Kramer

Thursday, November 8, 2007

What you are about to read is an American life as lived by renowned author Edmund White. His life has been a crossroads, the fulcrum of high-brow Classicism and low-brow Brett Easton Ellisism. It is not for the faint. He has been the toast of the literary elite in New York, London and Paris, befriending artistic luminaries such as Salman Rushdie and Sir Ian McKellen while writing about a family where he was jealous his sister was having sex with his father as he fought off his mother’s amorous pursuit.

The fact is, Edmund White exists. His life exists. To the casual reader, they may find it disquieting that someone like his father existed in 1950’s America and that White’s work is the progeny of his intimate effort to understand his own experience.

Wikinews reporter David Shankbone understood that an interview with Edmund White, who is professor of creative writing at Princeton University, who wrote the seminal biography of Jean Genet, and who no longer can keep track of how many sex partners he has encountered, meant nothing would be off limits. Nothing was. Late in the interview they were joined by his partner Michael Caroll, who discussed White’s enduring feud with influential writer and activist Larry Kramer.

Contents

  • 1 On literature
  • 2 On work as a gay writer
  • 3 On sex
  • 4 On incest in his family
  • 5 On American politics
  • 6 On his intimate relationships
  • 7 On Edmund White
  • 8 On Larry Kramer
  • 9 Source

National Guard mobilized in Kentucky ice storm aftermath

Sunday, February 1, 2009

Kentucky’s National Guard have been mobilized in the aftermath of what the governor called “the biggest natural disaster that this state has ever experienced”.

An ice storm hit the U.S. state on Tuesday 27 January, bringing down power lines, freezing mains water supplies, bringing down trees and killing at least seven. More than 500,000 homes and business in the state remain without power, with utilities warning that it may take two weeks to restore supplies. State officials and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) have been issuing generators to the most vulnerable.

The National Guard are visiting homes in Kentucky to check that residents are well. At Murray State University the campus lost power and the water was turned off to stop pipes bursting. Students were moved to shelters. The state of Tennessee was also affected, with 265 people staying in shelters.

States of emergency have been declared in 92 of Kentucky’s 120 counties, leading Governor Steve Beshear to call FEMA for assistance. FEMA aid is available to states that have suffered for damages and extraordinary costs above $7.4 million.

Ice storms are caused when a layer of warm air is caught between two layers of cold air. Water in the frozen layer is melted by the warmer layer but is then reduced to below freezing by the second cold layer. It falls as water, but freezes on contact with the ground, power lines and trees, leading to a build up of ice.

Fear and loathing on the campaign trail, May 2008

Friday, May 30, 2008

In May 2008, the candidates of the United States presidential election campaigned and faced questions on as wide ranging issues as assassination, Hitler and the death of one’s political career. The month more clearly showed who the Democratic Party candidate would be, and potentially narrowed the field for the Vice-Presidential race in the Republican Party. A third-party candidate also emerged who could potentially change the outcome of the election.

Democrats
  • Hillary Clinton won the Kentucky and West Virginia Primaries by a wide margin and narrowly won in Indiana despite calls from prominent Democrats for her to drop out of the race after heavy losses in the North Carolina and Oregon primaries.
  • Barack Obama’s victories in North Carolina and Oregon propelled him to large leads in the delegate count, and he picked up new superdelegates at a higher rate than Hillary Clinton, including the endorsement of former candidate John Edwards. Members of the press including George Stephanopoulos and Tim Russert declared Obama as the Democratic candidate with Russert asserting “We now know who the Democratic nominee’s going to be, and no one’s going to dispute it.”
  • Hillary Clinton continued her push to count the delegates from Florida and Michigan where she won, but whose votes were not being counted because of the state’s breach of DNC rules by holding the primaries too early. Barack Obama was not on the ballots when these states held their primaries.
  • A series of gaffes by the candidates included Barack Obama stating that he had visited 57 states, and Hillary Clinton declaring that anything could happen in the election in June stating “We all remember Bobby Kennedy was assassinated in June in California”. The former, persuaded columnist Michelle Malkin to publish an article “Gaffe machine” that chronicled campaign gaffes made by Obama as a candidate. The latter, was perceived by some as alluding to the possibility that Obama could be assassinated as Robert Kennedy in 1968.
Republicans
  • Presumptive nominee John McCain attacked Barack Obama over his comments that compared the Soviet Union to the threat of Iran, describing the latter as a “tiny” threat. McCain stated that Obama had exhibited “inexperience and reckless judgment” in his assessment. Obama responded by stating “that the Soviet Union had the ability to destroy the world several times over, had satellites spanning the globe, had huge masses of conventional military power, all directed at destroying us.” The back and forth followed a debate between President Bush and Obama over Bush’s assessment that Obama’s position to talk to Iran was representative of appeasement.
  • Media reports surfaced of McCain supporter and preacher John Hagee‘s comments from 2007 that “the force and fear of Hitler’s Nazis drove the Jewish people back to the only home God ever intended for the Jews to have: Israel.” McCain immediately rejected the endorsement of Hagee after hearing reports of the comments.
  • John McCain’s search for a running mate continued as the senator invited three candidates to his ranch in Arizona. McCain invited former Massachusetts governor and presidential candidate Mitt Romney, Florida governor Charlie Crist, and the youngest governor in the nation, Indian-American Bobby Jindal of Louisiana. The invitations led to speculation that the McCain campaign had narrowed the vice-presidential nomination search to the three.
Third Parties
  • At the Libertarian Party convention, former GOP Congressman Bob Barr was nominated as the party’s presidential nominee on its sixth ballot. Wayne Allyn Root was named his running mate. Barr had entered the race two weeks prior to the nomination and was considered to be a possible spoiler for the Republicans in November because of Barr’s conservative positions.
  • Also at the Libertarian Party convention, former Democratic Senator Mike Gravel ended his political career after losing on the fourth ballot. He stated, “From 15 years old to now, my political career is over, and it’s no big deal. I’m a writer, I’m a lecturer, I’m going to push the issues of freedom and liberty. I’m going to push those issues until the day I die.”

Where To Get Your Computer Screen Repaired In Alsip Il

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byAlma Abell

Computers are one of the most important pieces of technology that a person can own these days. They give you access to the internet which has unlimited information on anything you could possibly want to learn about. When your computer takes some damage it can prevent your access from the internet, which some people need to complete their jobs. Your computer screen is going to be the display that shows you all of the information you are trying to see. When this part is damaged you may not be able to see anything at all. The good news is that some screen damage does not mean you need to replace your entire computer. Even if it is a laptop there are professional computer screen repair services which can fix the problem for you.

A professional computer screen repair service is going to take apart your computer to find the problem and try to fix it. Be ready to see your computer taken apart when you bring it to a professional computer repair store. They are going to pinpoint the problem and replace the damaged parts. This will mean that you will only pay for the labor they are doing and the exact part that you need. Having your screen repaired is usually not that big of an issue- unless the LCD display is cracked. This can still be replaced but a new screen could cost you anywhere around $100, depending on what type of computer you have. You have some good services if you are looking for computer screen repair in Alsip IL. BLH Computers is one example of a local company that provides computer screen repair in Alsip IL. When you are searching for any type of repair service you want to make sure they are going to provide you with professional work and quality results. One way you can ensure they are going to provide you with this without having to spend your money first is by reading some reviews. Other people are going to comment and tell you about the services they got from a particular computer repair company. This will give you an idea of what to expect from a repair service you have in mind. Be sure to find a company that has beaming reviews and uses high quality parts to repair their clients computers.

Circumcision: How to Prepare and Help Your Baby Recover

If you have decided on circumcision for your baby boy, you should learn a little about what to expect first. Any medical procedure involving your child is bound to worry you a little bit, but having some idea of how it works is helpful so you have some control over the situation. Consider what to expect when it comes to timing, payment, and the healing process.

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In many cases, you will be advised to circumcise your baby shortly after he is born. Many hospitals perform the procedure on the day the baby goes home, which tends to be a few days after birth. If you decide to get it done by your pediatrician instead, you should do it within ten days of the birth. You may be able to combine the procedure with one of the many well baby check-ups you will have to go to during the first few weeks of your son’s life. Whether you choose to use the hospital or pediatrician, you should get some instructions on what to expect from the medical professional performing the circumcision.

Most insurance companies do not pay for this treatment since they do not consider it medically necessary. Despite its popularity, it is now often considered an elective procedure, so be prepared to pay for it on your own entirely. Many hospitals will perform the treatment during your stay for a low price if you pay cash. If you decide to wait until you get home and go to a doctor appointment, you may have to pay more. This is another detail to find out from the professional offering the circumcision so that you can get the best price.

The healing process is likely of interest to you since no one wants their child to be in pain. Many babies sleep through the procedure, which may be comforting to know. However, it may start to cause a little discomfort hours later, and your son may fuss or cry to show that it bothers him. The best thing you can do is allow him to sleep as much as he wants, and then cover the area with Vaseline or other soothing creams when you change his diaper. Try not to touch the area, which will look red and raw, so just squeeze copious amounts of the cream on it by holding the tube slightly above it. This process will soothe the area, and can also keep it from getting stuck to the diaper and becoming even more irritated.

If your son seems to be quite bothered by the circumcision, and cries relentlessly for several hours, you can call your doctor. In most cases, your child will be fine and should heal within days as long as you properly care for the area. However, you may be asked to bring him back in to get it checked out if it sounds worrisome to the doctor. Either way, the physician will check it out at the next well baby appointment, so rest assured that it will turn out fine.

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Are You Ready To Travel For The Holidays?

Going to a different country for the holidays is a great way to learn about a new culture. In some instances the travel is to visit family that is positioned there instead of just for a vacation. Regardless of the purpose why you might be traveling to another country throughout the holidays, that you must ensure you are ready for the trip.

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For many international locations you’ll need a passport with a photograph ID. It will can help you remain in the nation for a specified quantity of time. Usually, this time-frame is from 30 days to ninety days. You can take your passport picture at any publish workplace, however it’s going to take several weeks to get it back. There is an expedited choice and it is extremely expensive. Should you wait until the vacation time to acquire your passport it is going to take for much longer, even for the expedited option.

Be sure to preserve your passport and other pertinent journey documents in a secure place. You don’t need them to get misplaced or stolen as this could delay your journey plans. Be sure you arrive early to your flight so that you could get by the entire essential inspections and verifications in loads of time.

There may be vaccinations that you’re required to get and others that you’re encouraged to get earlier than you may travel to certain international locations for the holidays. Plan ahead and discover out what these vaccinations are after which schedule appointments along with your doctor. Among the required vaccinations need to be given in a collection with a selected period of time between each shot in the sequence to be administered. Therefore you don’t need to wait till near your time of travel to care for this matter.

Depending on the place you might be touring, you’ll have to take care of a special sort of currency. You will get your cash exchanged at your local financial institution before you leave. This will prevent time making an attempt to deal with it whenever you arrive in the other nation for the holidays. There may be language variations as effectively that it’s worthwhile to take into consideration.

Be careful what you pack whenever you travel for the holidays. Most modes of transportation have strict guidelines on the dimensions of your luggage, how many bags each particular person can have, and the weight guidelines. They are going to be implementing these restrictions throughout the holidays due to the quantity of individuals traveling. You don’t wish to need to get rid of a few of your items or purchase more bags at the reward shop.

Be sure to are aware of how a lot baggage you’ve got on your return journey as well. While it can be enjoyable to buy objects if you are there, think about how you’re going to get them back. It may be a good idea to pack an extra bag in your baggage when you go so you possibly can fill it up for the journey back. One other thought is to have items shipped but that can be fairly expensive.

Whereas traveling to a different nation for the vacations will be thrilling, you’ll want to keep in mind that their customs may be considerably totally different than your own. Be respectful of such variations to keep away from any conflicts while you are in that country. It is a good idea to learn about the numerous customs that shall be in place so you won’t reach them by accident.

Asbestos controversy aboard Scientology ship Freewinds

Friday, May 16, 2008

Controversy has arisen over the reported presence of blue asbestos on the MV Freewinds, a cruise ship owned by the Church of Scientology. According to the Saint Martin newspaper The Daily Herald and the shipping news journal Lloyd’s List, the Freewinds was sealed in April and local public health officials on the Caribbean island of Curaçao where the ship is docked began an investigation into the presence of asbestos dust on the ship. Former Scientologist Lawrence Woodcraft supervised work on the ship in 1987, and attested to the presence of blue asbestos on the Freewinds in an affidavit posted to the Internet in 2001. Woodcraft, a licensed architect by profession, gave a statement to Wikinews and commented on the recent events.

According to The Daily Herald, the Freewinds was in the process of being renovated by the Curaçao Drydock Company. The article states that samples taken from paneling in the ship were sent to the Netherlands, where an analysis revealed that they “contained significant levels of blue asbestos”. An employee of the Curaçao Drydock Company told Radar Online in an April 30 article that the Freewinds has been docked and sealed, and confirmed that an article about asbestos ran in the local paper.

Lloyd’s List reported that work on the interior of the Freewinds was suspended on April 27 after health inspectors found traces of blue asbestos on the ship. According to Lloyd’s List, Frank Esser, Curaçao Drydock Company’s interim director, joined Curaçao’s head of the department of labor affairs Christiene van der Biezen along with the head of the local health department Tico Ras and two inspectors in an April 25 inspection of the ship. “We are sending someone so that they can tell us what happened, where it came from, since when it has been there,” said Panama Maritime Authority’s director of merchant marine Alfonso Castillero in a statement to Lloyd’s List.

The Church of Scientology purchased the ship, then known as the Bohème, in 1987, through an organization called Flag Ship Trust. After being renovated and refitted, it was put into service in June 1988. The ship is used by the Church of Scientology for advanced Scientology training in “Operating Thetan” levels, as well as for spiritual retreats for its members. Curaçao has been the ship’s homeport since it was purchased by the Church of Scientology.

According to his 2001 statement, Lawrence Woodcraft had been an architect in London, England since 1975, and joined Scientology’s elite “Sea Organization” (Sea Org) in 1986. He wrote that he was asked by the Sea Org to work on the Freewinds in 1987, and during his work on the ship “noticed a powdery blue fibrous substance approximately 1 ½” thick between the paint and the steel wall,” which he believed to be asbestos. He also discovered what he thought was blue asbestos in other parts of the ship, and reported his findings to Church of Scientology executives. Woodcraft discussed his experiences in a 2001 interview published online by the Lisa McPherson Trust, a now-defunct organization which was critical of the Church of Scientology.

The Freewinds regularly inspects the air quality on board and always meets or exceeds US standards.

Church of Scientology spokeswoman Karin Pouw responded to Radar Online about the asbestos reports, in an email published in an article in Radar on May 1. “The Freewinds regularly inspects the air quality on board and always meets or exceeds US standards,” said Pouw. She stated that two inspections performed in April “confirmed that the air quality is safe,” and asserted that the inspections revealed the Freewinds satisfies standards set by the United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the U.S. Clean Air Act.

Pouw told Radar that “The Freewinds will be completing its refit on schedule.” The Church of Scientology-affiliated organization Citizens Commission on Human Rights (CCHR) had been planning a cruise aboard the Freewinds scheduled for May 8, but according to Radar an individual who called the booking number for the cruise received a message that the cruise had been delayed due to ongoing work on the ship. Citing an article in the Netherlands Antilles newspaper Amigoe, Radar reported on May 6 that a team from the United States and supervised by an independent bureau from the Netherlands traveled to Curaçao in order to remove asbestos from the Freewinds.

…if the Church of Scientology claims to have removed the blue asbestos, I just don’t see how, it’s everywhere. You would first have to remove all the pipes, plumbing, a/c ducts, electrical wiring etc. etc. just a maze of stuff.

“I stand by everything I wrote in my 2001 affidavit,” said Lawrence Woodcraft in an exclusive statement given to Wikinews. Woodcraft went on to state: “I would also comment that if the Church of Scientology claims to have removed the blue asbestos, I just don’t see how, it’s everywhere. You would first have to remove all the pipes, plumbing, a/c ducts, electrical wiring etc. etc. just a maze of stuff. Also panelling as well, basically strip the ship back to a steel hull. Also blue asbestos is sprayed onto the outer walls and then covered in paint. It’s in every nook and cranny.”

Many Scientologist celebrities have spent time aboard the Freewinds, including Tom Cruise, Katie Holmes, John Travolta, Kelly Preston, Chick Corea, Lisa Marie Presley, Catherine Bell, Kate Ceberano, and Juliette Lewis. Now magazine reported that Tom Cruise has been urged to seek medical attention regarding potential asbestos exposure, however a representative for Cruise stated he has “absolutely no knowledge” of the recent asbestos controversy. Cruise, Holmes, Travolta and Preston have celebrated birthdays and other events on the Freewinds.

There is not now and never has been a situation of asbestos exposure on the Freewinds.

In a May 15 statement to the United Kingdom daily newspaper Metro, a representative for the Church of Scientology said that “There is not now and never has been a situation of asbestos exposure on the Freewinds.” The Asbestos and Mesothelioma Center notes that agencies have recommended anyone who has spent time on the Freewinds consult with their physician to determine if possible asbestos exposure may have affected their health.

Raw blue asbestos is the most hazardous form of asbestos, and has been banned in the United Kingdom since 1970. Blue asbestos fibers are very narrow and thus easily inhaled, and are a major cause of mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a form of cancer which can develop in the lining of the lungs and chest cavity, the lining of the abdominal cavity, or the pericardium sac surrounding the heart. The cancer is incurable, and can manifest over 40 years after the initial exposure to asbestos.

“This is the most dangerous type of asbestos because the fibres are smaller than the white asbestos and can penetrate the lung more easily,” said toxicologist Dr. Chris Coggins in a statement published in OK! Magazine. Dr. Coggins went on to note that “Once diagnosed with mesothelioma, the victim has six months to a year to live. It gradually reduces lung function until the victim is no longer able to breathe and dies.”